https://orcid.org/0000-0003-4460-8133
Abstract
Multivessel coronary artery disease is present in ∼50% of patients with acute coronary syndrome and, compared with single-vessel disease, entails a higher risk of new ischaemic events and a worse prognosis. Randomized controlled trials have shown the superiority of ‘complete revascularization’ over culprit lesion-only treatment. Trials, however, only included patients treated with percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI), and evidence regarding complete revascularization with coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) surgery after culprit lesion-only PCI (‘hybrid revascularization’) is lacking. The CABG after PCI is an open, non-negligible therapeutic option, for patients with non-culprit left main and/or left anterior descending coronary artery disease where evidence in chronic coronary syndrome patients points in several cases to a preference of CABG over PCI.
This valuable but poorly studied ‘PCI first-CABG later’ option presents, however, relevant challenges, mostly in the need of interrupting post-stenting dual antiplatelet therapy (DAPT) for surgery to prevent excess bleeding. Depending on patients’ clinical characteristics and coronary anatomical features, either deferring surgery after a safe interruption of DAPT or bridging DAPT interruption with intravenous short-acting antithrombotic agents appears to be a suitable option. Off-pump minimally invasive surgical revascularization, associated with less operative bleeding than open-chest surgery, may be an adjunctive strategy when revascularization cannot be safely deferred and DAPT is not interrupted.
Here, the rationale, patient selection, optimal timing, and adjunctive strategies are reviewed for an ideal approach to hybrid revascularization in post-acute coronary syndrome patients to support physicians’ choices in a case-by-case patient-tailored approach.
‘PCI first-CABG later’ in acute coronary syndrome patients. Patients with an acute coronary syndrome should receive immediate treatment of the culprit lesion with percutaneous coronary intervention. In cases of residual significant left main disease or multivessel disease involving the left anterior descending coronary artery, a heart team discussion should be engaged to decide on the best strategy to complete revascularization, which should include, in selected cases, coronary artery bypass graft surgery (hybrid approach: PCI first-CABG later). The Graphical Abstract indicates the rationale for such a hybrid approach (why), patients most suitable for it (for whom), and the optimal timing (when). ACS, acute coronary syndrome; CABG, coronary artery bypass graft; DAPT, dual antiplatelet therapy; DM, diabetes mellitus; LAD, left anterior descending coronary artery; LM, left main; MVD, multivessel disease; PCI, percutaneous coronary intervention; IV, intravenous; LVEF, left ventricular ejection fraction.
