Revascularization Strategies in Patients With Non-ST-Segment Elevation Acute Coronary Syndrome (NSTE-ACS) and Severe Coronary Artery Disease

Within last decade, aging of the population and coexistence of multiple comorbidities influenced a risk of patients presenting with acute coronary syndrome (ACS). Furthermore, a steady decline in ST elevation ACS incidence and increase in non-ST elevation acute coronary syndrome (NSTE-ACS) has been observed, associated with poorer long term prognosis. This is related to the complexity of coronary artery disease in patients with NSTE-ACS, as nearly half of them have multivessel disease (MVD). The optimal revascularization strategy in this group of patients remains unknown. Due to clinical presentation in most of cases early or delayed invasive strategy is preferred by both American and European guidelines, however the method of revascularization is not specified. Due to high surgical risk presentation, immediate stenting of the culprit lesion and delayed complete percutaneous revascularization is becoming a common practice. On the other hand, basing on the anatomical criteria coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) should be the standard of care . Very few reports addressed so far the problem of optimal revascularization strategy in patients presenting with MVD and NSTE-ACS. A hypothesis of a positive outcome can be derived from some previous studies comparing PCI and CABG in which most of patients enrolled presented with NSTE-ACS, including our experience.

Aim and hypothesis:

Hence, the purpose of this study will be to compare contemporary coronary angioplasty with coronary artery bypass grafting in a prospective, clinical, multicenter, randomized trial. The hypothesis of this study is the non-inferiority of PCI compared to CABG in terms of the primary composite endpoint (death, myocardial infarction, stroke).

Method:

Patients with multivessel coronary artery disease, left main and acute coronary syndrome without ST segment elevation, qualified for early invasive treatment, with a Syntax Score below 33, and in whom the invasive cardiologist and cardiac surgeon will recognize both PCI and CABG as possible to achieve complete revascularization will be enrolled to the study. In the case of centers without the Cardiac Surgery Department, "Heart Team" consultations will take place via videoconference, and records of coronarography and echocardiography will be shared via the PACS (ang. Picture Archiving and Communication System system). The main exclusion criteria will be the qualification for conservative treatment, surgery other than CABG due to structural heart defect, ST segment elevation myocardial infarction, stable coronary artery disease, immediate need for PCI. After fulfilling the inclusion criteria and lack of exclusion criteria, the patient will be randomized in a 1: 1 ratio to either PCI or CABG. The PCI procedure will be performed after assessing the hemodynamic significance of all lesions with vFFR, FFR or iFR or using the latest generation drug eluting stents, and the implantation will be optimized based on intravascular imaging. CABG procedures will be performed based on the experience of the respective center, including the OPCAB technique, and the internal mammary artery will be used in each case. The primary endpoint of the study will be all cause death, myocardial infarction, and stroke in one-year follow-up. To prove the assumed hypothesis of the study, with the test power of 80% alpha error 5% and the percentage of lost to follow-up at the level of 5%, the study should include 500 patients in each group. Secondary endpoints will be ischemia driven revascularization, left ventricular ejection fraction, major and minor bleeding incidence, new onset of atrial fibrillation, de novo heart failure, unscheduled re-hospitalization, quality of life, and cost effectiveness. After the hospitalization, patients will be subjected to strict secondary prevention principles, including cardiac and cardiac surgery rehabilitation, and will undergo four specialistic follow-up visits with cardiac echo and stress tests at selected time points.

Anticipated outcomes:

In the case of positive results of the study, the efficacy and safety of PCI in the studied group of patients will be confirmed. This will contribute to the creation of a new guidelines in a given area, translating into faster and easier access to rapid invasive treatment. It will also facilitate the decision-making process in centers without cardiac surgery.

Inclusion criteria

Subjects must meet ALL of the inclusion criteria to be considered for the trial. If ANY of the exclusion criteria are met, the subject is excluded from the trial and cannot be randomized.

• Age over 18 years,
• Written patient consent,
• Acute Coronary Syndrome without ST-segment elevation of high, intermediate and low risk, including NSTEMI and unstable angina requiring urgent (within 72 hours) invasive strategy,
• Qualification for invasive treatment,
• Multivessel coronary disease, defined as angiographic narrowing >50%DS on investigator's visual assessment in at least two major coronary artery territories (RCA, LAD, LCX), including involvement of the proximal segment of the left anterior descending artery or three-vessel disease with a Syntax Score < 33. Intermediate lesions (40-70%) will need to be assessed with either FFR, iFR, or VFFR). Patient may have left main coronary artery disease, defined as narrowing >50%DS (but this is not obligatory). For borderline changes, IVUS (MLA <6 mm2 or iFR=<0,90 or FFR=<0,80, with an anatomic Syntax Score <33 will be decisive,
• Feasibility of complete revascularization on both the CABG and PCI sides,
• Consent within the Heart Team for both CABG by the cardiothoracic surgeon and PCI by the interventional cardiologist.

Exclusion criteria

• Age under 18 years,
• ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) or new left bundle branch block (LBBB),
• Stable coronary syndrome,
• Single- or two-vessel coronary disease without involvement of the proximal LAD, defined as narrowing above 50%DS,
• Qualification for conservative treatment,
• Anticipated surgery other than CABG due to severe valvular defect or other structural defect, particularly moderate or severe mitral regurgitation,
• Need for immediate coronary angioplasty treatment,
• Syntax Score equal or above 33 (>=33),
• Contraindications to short-term and long-term antiplatelet therapy,
• Acute heart failure in class IV (cardiogenic shock),
• Previous CABG procedure,
• Previous PCI procedure within the last 6 months,
• Ischemic or hemorrhagic stroke within 6 months prior to inclusion,
• End-stage chronic kidney disease on dialysis,
• Pregnancy or intention to become pregnant (women of child bearing age must have a recent negative pregnancy test prior to randomization),
• Non cardiac co-morbidities with life expectancy less than 3 years,
• Participation in other clinical trial that have not reached their primary endpoint.