Percutaneous Coronary Intervention to Unprotected Left Main Stem In Different Coronary Syndromes

Original title: Comparative Outcomes After Unprotected Left Main Stem Percutaneous Coronary Intervention: A National Linked Cohort Study of 5,065 Acute and Elective Cases From the BCIS Registry (British Cardiovascular Intervention Society). Reference: Sami S. Almudarra, et al. JACC Cardiovasc Interv 2014;7:717-30

Although myocardial revascularization surgery has long been the gold standard treatment for left main lesions, PCI has become a common practice these days. Yet, it has not been thoroughly described.

This study analyzed 5065 patients undergoing PCI to the unprotected left main stem (UPLMS) between 2005 and 2010, included in the prospective registry of the British Cardiovascular Intervention Society. 784 (15.5%) presented with STEMI, 2381 (47%) with NSTEACS, and 1900 (37.5%) with CSA. In addition, 76.2% of STEMI patients, 72.6% of NSTEACS and 69.8% of CSA patients received multiple vessel PCI. DES were used in 59.4%, 71.1% and 77.8%, respectively. 

IVUS and FFR were more frequently used in programmed patients with CSA. Mortality at 30 days and at 12 months was 28.3% and 37.6% respectively, in the context of STEMI, 8.9% and 19.5% respectively in the context of NSTEACS and 1.4% and 7% respectively in the context of CSA. Radial access presented lower mortality at 30 days and at 12 months in the three groups.

Mortality predictors for acute coronary syndromes were ≥80 years, cardiogenic shock, severe left ventricular dysfunction, mechanical ventilation, renal failure and femoral access. 

Conclusion

More than half of unprotected left main PCI procedures are performed in the context of acute coronary syndromes. Cardiogenic shock is frequent in STEMI and left main lesions, and has a mortality rate higher than 50% at 30 days. Radial Access was associated to a lower mortality rate.

Commentary

This analysis shows the evolution of left main PCI in the different scenarios and, as expected, shows that the combination of STEMI and cardiogenic shock increases 30 day mortality rate by 9 times, and 12 month mortality by 5. It also contributes to the already established notion that the radial access is beneficial to all groups of patients. 

Courtesy of Dr. Carlos Fava
Interventional Cardiologist
Favaloro Foundation
Buenos Aires – Argentina

Carlos Fava

More articles by this author

ACC 2026 | DKCRUSH VIII: IVUS or angiography to guide PCI in complex coronary bifurcations

Intracoronary imaging guidance has become an established recommended strategy in complex coronary lesions. In the specific setting of complex bifurcations, uncertainty remained regarding the...

ACC 2026 | OPTIMAL: IVUS Guidance in PCI of the Unprotected Left Main Coronary Artery

Percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) is considered an equivalent alternative to coronary artery bypass surgery in patients with left main coronary artery (LMCA) stenosis and...

ACC 2026 | IVUS-CHIP Trial: Intravascular ultrasound–guided versus angiography-guided complex PCI

Optimization of percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) in complex lesions remains a relevant clinical challenge. In this context, the IVUS-CHIP trial was designed to evaluate...

ACC 2026 | ALL-RISE Trial: Coronary Physiological Assessment Using FFRangio

Coronary physiological assessment using pressure-wire techniques (FFR/iFR) carries a Class IA recommendation in ACC/AHA guidelines; however, its use remains limited due to factors such...

LEAVE A REPLY

Please enter your comment!
Please enter your name here

Related Articles

SOLACI Sessionsspot_img

Recent Articles

Management of Valve Thrombosis in TAVI: Current Evidence-Based Approach

The expansion of transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) into younger and lower-risk populations has brought bioprosthetic valve thrombosis to the forefront as a clinically...

Experience with the intra-annular self-expanding Navitor valve: data from the STS/ACC TVT registry

The expansion of TAVI, with the introduction of new-generation devices, has prioritized not only periprocedural safety, but also the preservation of coronary access, more...

Therapeutic strategies in carotid free-floating thrombus: evidence and controversies

Carotid free-floating thrombus (cFFT) is a rare entity with a high embolic risk, associated with acute neurological events such as stroke or transient ischemic...