Multivessel coronary bed lesion in patients with stable coronary artery disease: Current state of the problem and gap in evidence

Abstract

World statistics data suggest that the surgical revascularization of the myocardium in multivessel coronary artery disease is performed in 40 to 60% of cases. However, severity of coronary artery disease is often evaluated through the analysis of clinical presentation and selective coronary angiography (ICA) data without an assessment of the functional significance of stenosis. A precise algorithm for the treatment of patients with multivessel coronary artery disease and stable coronary artery disease is still unavailable, i.e. extent of revascularization, its time, and criteria for complete withholding of surgical treatment remain unclear. Many factors affect myocardial blood supply in multivessel disease including the type of blood supply to the heart, presence of scar and collaterals, diameter of the affected artery, and presence of microvascular dysfunction. All these factors require rational and intelligent approach to establishing the optimal tactics. In this review, the authors identified discussion vector and presented their original opinion on the advisability/unreasonableness of approaches to revascularization in patients with multivessel coronary disease based on published clinical trials and current recommendations. In addition, we analyzed the existing data, identified the missing information, and proposed the prospects for possible new clinical studies in this scientific field.