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

CRT 2026 | CUT-DRESS Trial: Lesion Preparation with Cutting Balloon

In-stent restenosis (ISR) continues to represent a relevant clinical challenge in contemporary coronary angioplasty practice. Despite advances in drug-eluting stents, neointimal hyperplasia and suboptimal...

CRT 2026 | Clopidogrel vs Aspirin as Long-Term Monotherapy After Coronary Angioplasty

The use of aspirin as chronic antiplatelet therapy after percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) has historically been the standard recommended by international guidelines. However, recent...

Bioresorbable devices vs DES in patients at high risk of restenosis. Seven-year follow-up of the COMPARE-ABSORB trial

Studies with second-generation drug-eluting stents (DES) have shown that the rate of target lesion failure (TLF) increases linearly up to 5–10 years of follow-up,...

Sheathless Femoral Impella: A New Strategy to Reduce Vascular Complications in High-Risk PCI?

Patients with complex coronary artery disease or cardiogenic shock undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) may benefit from the hemodynamic support provided by percutaneous ventricular...

LEAVE A REPLY

Please enter your comment!
Please enter your name here

Related Articles

SOLACI Sessionsspot_img

Recent Articles

CRT 2026 | TAVI-CLOSE Trial: Dual Suture vs Suture + Plug for Vascular Closure After Transfemoral TAVI

The transfemoral approach is the predominant strategy for transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI). Although vascular complications are currently less frequent, they remain relevant determinants...

CRT 2026 | NAVITOR IDE: Hemodynamic Outcomes and 5-Year Durability of an Intra-Annular Self-Expanding Transcatheter Aortic Valve

As TAVI expands into younger populations and patients with lower surgical risk, prosthesis durability has become a key aspect of long-term management. The NAVITOR...

CRT 2026 | CUT-DRESS Trial: Lesion Preparation with Cutting Balloon

In-stent restenosis (ISR) continues to represent a relevant clinical challenge in contemporary coronary angioplasty practice. Despite advances in drug-eluting stents, neointimal hyperplasia and suboptimal...