Left Main Coronary Artery Revascularization: Are Periprocedural Complications Significant?

In the field of percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) and myocardial revascularization surgery (MRS), previous analyses have shown a link between in-hospital and 30-day complications, in terms of complicated progress and/or mortality.

Revascularización del tronco de la coronaria izquierda: ¿son importantes las complicaciones periprocedimiento?

Most of this information comes from non-randomized or old studies, which translates into contradictory data.

Researchers analyzed the EXCEL study, which included patients with severe left main coronary artery lesions who were randomized to PCI (935) or MRS (923).

Non-fatal major adverse event (MAE) rates at 30 days for PCI and MRS were 11.9% vs. 45.4%, respectively (odds ratio [OR]: 0.16; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.13-0.21; p < 0.0001). 

The PCI group evidenced lower rates of (protocol-defined) infarction, major and minor bleeding, transfusion (≥2 U), arrhythmia, surgical or radiological procedure, impaired renal function, infection or sepsis, and prolonged intubation compared with the MRS group. Furthermore, stroke, unplanned revascularization, or pericardial syndrome events were infrequent.

These patients, compared with those without MAE, were older and had more comorbidities.

Read also: COAPT: Promising 5-Year Outcomes.

Within 5 years, all-cause mortality occurred in 117 patients in the PCI group and in 87 in the MRS group.

Experiencing MAEs was a strong predictor of 5-year all-cause mortality for both PCI (adjusted OR: 4.61; 95% CI: 2.71-7.82) and MRS (adjusted OR: 3.25; 95% CI: 1.95-5.41). These associations were present within the first 30 days, and between 30 days and 5 years after the procedure.

Major or minor bleeding with need for blood transfusions (≥2 U) was a predictor of 5-year mortality in both procedures.

Read also: TAVR: Vascular Access in Patients with Peripheral Artery Disease, 1-Year Outcomes.

Stroke, unplanned revascularization due to ischemia, and impaired renal function were predictors of mortality only after MRS.

Conclusion

In the EXCEL study, non-fatal periprocedural MAEs were strongly linked to early and late mortality after PCI or MRS for left main disease.

Dr. Carlos Fava - Consejo Editorial SOLACI

Dr. Carlos Fava.
Member of the Editorial Board of SOLACI.org.

Original: Impact of Periprocedural Adverse Events After PCI and CABG on 5-Year Mortality. The EXCEL Trial.

Reference: Sneha S. Jain, J Am Coll Cardiol Intv 2023;16:303–313.


Subscribe to our weekly newsletter

Get the latest scientific articles on interventional cardiology

More articles by this author

High Ischaemic Risk Criteria in Chronic Coronary Syndrome: Prevalence and Prognosis

Despite advances in the management of chronic coronary syndrome (CCS), including the widespread use of drug-eluting stents (DES) and the optimization of medical therapy,...

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...

LEAVE A REPLY

Please enter your comment!
Please enter your name here

Related Articles

SOLACI Sessionsspot_img

Recent Articles

High Ischaemic Risk Criteria in Chronic Coronary Syndrome: Prevalence and Prognosis

Despite advances in the management of chronic coronary syndrome (CCS), including the widespread use of drug-eluting stents (DES) and the optimization of medical therapy,...

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...