Complete versus incomplete revascularization in patients with multivessel disease undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention with drug-eluting stents

Objectives: To investigate the long-term prognostic implications of complete versus incomplete revascularization in multivessel coronary artery disease (MVD) patients undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) with drug-eluting stent (DES). Background: Coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) in patients with MVD provides better outcomes when complete revascularization is achieved. There is a paucity of data on the outcomes of complete versus incomplete revascularization of MVD patients undergoing PCI, and currently there is no data available with DES. Methods: Patients with MVD undergoing PCI with DES (sirolimus- or paclitaxel-eluting stent) were included. Comparisons of long-term outcomes between completely versus incompletely revascularized patients were made. The primary outcome measure was the composite of cardiac death, nonfatal myocardial infarction (MI), or any revascularization. Secondary endpoints were the components of the composite endpoint. Results: A total of 508 patients were considered for this analysis: 212 (41.7%) and 296 (58.3%) had complete and incomplete revascularization, respectively. The median follow-up was 27.0 (interquartile range: 23.0-37.1) months. After adjusting for baseline characteristics, the hazard ratio (HR, 95% confidence interval) for complete revascularization was 0.43 (0.29-0.63, P < 0.0001) for the primary composite endpoint. Complete revascularization was associated with better outcomes for components of the composite endpoint: 0.37 (0.15-0.92, P = 0.03) for cardiac death, 0.34 (0.16-0.75 P = 0.008) for the composite of cardiac death or MI and 0.45 (0.29-0.69, P = 0.0003) for any repeat revascularization. This association was confirmed in a propensity-matched population. Conclusions: Complete revascularization with DES of MVD patients is associated with lower rates of long-term adverse events. © 2008 Wiley-Liss, Inc.