Selective use of embolic protection devices during saphenous vein grafts interventions: a single-center experience.
OBJECTIVE
To report on outcomes with selective use of embolic protection devices (EPD) during percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) to saphenous vein grafts (SVG).


BACKGROUND
PCI to SVG is associated with increased risk and the use of EPD is recommended in this setting.


METHODS
Angiographic and clinical outcomes were prospectively obtained from 534 consecutive patients who underwent PCI to SVG with or without EPD at a tertiary cardiac centre. Long-term outcomes were obtained by linkage to a provincial registry.


RESULTS
EPD, deployed in 198 of 373 SVGs (53%) suitable for deployment of a distal EPD, were used more often in ectatic (33% vs. 19%, P = 0.003), ulcerated (17% vs. 9%, P = 0.03), thrombotic (26% vs. 10%, P < 0.0001) vein grafts, with longer degenerated segments (P = 0.002), and in lesions involving the body of the graft (85% vs. 66%, P < 0.0001), and less with lesions involving the graft ostium (29% vs. 44%, P = 0.003). Patients suitable for but not receiving EPD tended to be more likely to have a periprocedural myocardial infarction. During 3 years of follow-up, 49% of the patients had a cardiovascular event. Cumulative mortality was 8.4%, 18.8% and 14.7% in patients unsuitable for distal EPD, suitable but without EPD, and with EPD (p = 0.11). Nonuse of EPD was an independent predictor of MACE at 3 years. (P = 0.02).


CONCLUSIONS
Selective use of EPD is associated with low in-hospital cardiovascular event rates. Long-term outcomes are manifested by a high rate of events, especially in patients with SVG's suitable for but not receiving EPD. This suggests that routine use of distal EPD may be warranted in unselected patients with suitable SVG anatomy.
Peter Munk Cardiac Centre, University Health Network, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
Shahar
S
Lavi
Joan
J
Ivanov
Clare E
CE
Appleby
Peter H
PH
Seidelin
Karen
K
Mackie
Leonard
L
Schwartz
Vladimír
V
Dzavík
D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D015906:Angioplasty, Balloon, Coronary / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000401:mortality; D017023:Coronary Angiography; D001026:Coronary Artery Bypass / Q000009:adverse effects*; D004617:Embolism / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D004867:Equipment Design; D005260:Female; D005374:Filtration / Q000295:instrumentation*; D006083:Graft Occlusion, Vascular / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000209:etiology / Q000401:mortality / Q000628:therapy*; D006331:Heart Diseases / Q000209:etiology; D006801:Humans; D053208:Kaplan-Meier Estimate; D016015:Logistic Models; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D016017:Odds Ratio; D009864:Ontario; D016016:Proportional Hazards Models; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012042:Registries; D018570:Risk Assessment; D012307:Risk Factors; D012501:Saphenous Vein / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000637:transplantation*; D013997:Time Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome