Although randomized trial data suggest that complete revascularization improves outcomes after percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI), the impact of differing revascularization strategies in octogenarians is not well defined. We performed a retrospective analysis, which was conducted of 9,628 consecutive patients who underwent PCI at a large UK center. Octogenarians were more likely to have significant co-morbidity, a higher Mehran bleed risk score (24.5 ± 6.8 vs 13.3 ± 7.4, p <0.0001), and more complex disease (baseline SYNTAX score 18.7 ± 11.0 vs 13.1 ± 8.9, p = 0.002) than younger patients. During PCI, octogenarians were more likely to undergo left main or proximal LAD intervention, but despite this, significantly less likely to receive drug-eluting stents (66.5% vs 80.1%, p <0.001). Postprocedurally, octogenarians had greater residual disease burden (residual SYNTAX score 10.1 ± 8.7 vs 1.6 ± 3.3, p <0.0001). At 12 months, adverse outcomes (definite stent thrombosis 3.3% vs 1.1%, p <0.001, clinically driven in-stent restenosis PCI 3.7% vs 2.6%, p = 0.005, and 12-month mortality 12.8% vs 4.2%, p <0.0001) were all more frequent in octogenarians. Although age, shock, diabetes, and BMS use were independently predictive of increased 12-month mortality, incomplete revascularization was not. In conclusion, octogenarians are a complex group to treat balancing high-risk bleeding profile and complex coronary disease. However, in multivariate analysis, incomplete revascularization was not independently predictive of adverse outcomes. These data support a conservative target lesion-only DES-driven revascularization strategy.

Patients with anemia present with high ischemia and bleed risk scores, complex coronary disease, and have adverse outcomes. Incomplete revascularization was associated with worse survival regardless of anemia status.

Extracellular vesicles (EVs) are implicated in the pathogenesis of cardiovascular disease (CVD). Specifically, platelet-derived EVs are highly pro-coagulant, promoting thrombin generation and fibrin clot formation. Nitrate supplementation exerts beneficial effects in CVD, via an increase in nitric oxide (NO) bioavailability. Clopidogrel is capable of producing NO-donating compounds, such as S-nitrosothiols (RSNO) in the presence of nitrite and low pH. The aim of this study was to assess the effect of nitrate supplementation with versus without clopidogrel therapy on circulating EVs in coronary artery disease (CAD) patients. In this randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study, CAD patients with ( = 10) or without ( = 10) clopidogrel therapy received a dietary nitrate supplement (SiS nitrate gel) or identical placebo. NO metabolites and platelet activation were measured using ozone-based chemiluminescence and multiple electrode aggregometry. EV concentration and origin were determined using nanoparticle tracking analysis and time-resolved fluorescence. Following nitrate supplementation, plasma RSNO was elevated (4.7 ± 0.8 vs 0.2 ± 0.5 nM) and thrombin-receptor mediated platelet aggregation was reduced (-19.9 ± 6.0 vs 4.0 ± 6.4 U) only in the clopidogrel group compared with placebo. Circulating EVs were significantly reduced in this group (-1.183e ± 3.15e vs -9.93e± 1.84e EVs/mL), specifically the proportion of CD41+ EVs (-2,120 ± 728 vs 235 ± 436 RFU [relative fluorescence unit]) compared with placebo. In vitro experiments demonstrated clopidogrel-SNO can reduce platelet-EV directly (6.209e± 4.074e vs 3.94e ±  1.91e EVs/mL). In conclusion, nitrate supplementation reduces platelet-derived EVs in CAD patients on clopidogrel therapy, increasing patient responsiveness to clopidogrel. Nitrate supplementation may represent a novel approach to moderating the risk of thrombus formation in CAD patients.

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IntroductionProlonged dual anti-platelet therapy (DAPT) may cause excess bleeding in certain patients. The biolimus-A9 drug-coated stent (BA9-DCS) has a rapid drug-elution profile allowing shortened DAPT. Data were gathered on the early experience implanting this stent in drug-eluting stent eligible patients deemed to be at high risk of bleeding.Background and MethodsThe demographics, procedural data and clinical outcomes were gathered prospectively for 249 patients treated with a BA9-DCS stent at 2 UK centres, and compared to a cohort of patients treated in the same period with drug-eluting stents (PCI-DES).ResultsOperator-defined BA9-DCS indications included warfarin therapy, age, and anaemia. Patients receiving a BA9-DCS were older (71.6±11.8 vs. 64.8±11.6yrs, p<0.001), more often female (38.2 vs. 26.8%, P<0.001), and more likely to have comorbidity including chronic kidney disease or poor LV function than PCI-DES patients. The baseline Mehran bleed risk score was also significantly higher in the BA9-DCS group (19.4±8.7 vs. 13.1±5.8, p<0.001). Of the BA9-DCS cohort, 95.5% of patients demonstrated disease fitting NICE criteria for DES placement. The number of lesions treated (1.81±1.1 vs. 1.58±0.92, p = 0.003), total lesion length (32.1±21.7 vs. 26.1±17.6mm, p<0.001), number of stents used (1.93±1.11 vs. 1.65±1.4, p = 0.007) and total stent length (37.5±20.8 vs. 32.4±20.3, p<0.01) were greater for BA9-DCS patients. DAPT was prescribed for 3.3±3.9 months for BA9-DCS patients and 11.3±2.4 months for PCI-DES patients (p<0.001). At follow up of 392±124 days despite the abbreviated DAPT course stent related event were infrequent with ischemia-driven restenosis PCI (2.8 vs. 3.4%, p = 0.838), and stent thrombosis (1.6 vs. 2.1%, p = 0.265) rates similar between the BA9-DCS ad PCI-DES groups. After propensity scoring all clinical end-points were similar between both cohorts.ConclusionsThis early experience using polymer-free BA9 drug-coated stents in drug-eluting stent type patients at risk of bleeding are encouraging. Further studies are warranted.