Published online Dec 26, 2017. doi: 10.13105/wjma.v5.i6.167
Peer-review started: August 4, 2017
First decision: September 7, 2017
Revised: September 21, 2017
Accepted: October 29, 2017
Article in press: October 29, 2017
Published online: December 26, 2017
Processing time: 145 Days and 2.8 Hours
Two strategies are used in the treatment of multivessel coronary artery disease (CAD), namely percutaneous coronary intervention with stenting and coronary artery bypass grafting. Previous studies have proved the importance of complete revascularization. However, the extent to which completeness of revascularization influences the outcomes is still unclear.
Nowadays with new improvements in technology and technique, the feasibility of complete revascularization is less of an issue. Hence, a thorough understanding of how complete revascularization affects post-procedural outcomes is mandatory.
To investigate the influence and outcomes of complete vs incomplete myocardial revascularization in patients with multivessel CAD.
Database (pubmed) search coupled with hand search was performed for the identification and collection of relevant studies. Filters, inclusion and exclusion criteria were used to ensure quality and homogenecity of studies. Standard tables were used for data extraction. The data was analyzed and subjected to the appropriate tests by a statistician. A systematic review was then performed.
Ten studies were identified, including 13327 patients of whom, 8053 received complete revascularization and 5274 received ICR. Relative to ICR, CR was associated with lower mortality (RR: 0.755, 95%CI: 0.66 to 0.864, P = 0.765, I2 = 0.0%), lower rates of MI (RR: 0.759, 95%CI: 0.615 to 0.937, P = 0.091, I2 = 45.1%), lower rates of MACCE (RR: 0.731, 95%CI: 0.668 to 0.8, P = 0.453, I2 = 0.0%) and reduced rates of repeat coronary revascularization (RR: 0.691, CI: 0.541 to 0.883, P = 0.0, I2 = 88.3%).
Completeness of revascularization is not mandatory for the treatment of multivessel CAD. The results of our study show that CR is associated with lower rates of adverse outcomes. The results propose that the extent to which a technique can achieve complete revascularization should be a major deciding factor in the choice of any one particular technique.
Complete revascularization is an alternative standard to decide the choice of a particular technique of revascularization. With emerging techniques of coronary revascularization, new retrospective cohort studies can be performed. Further research is needed to better understand the benefits of complete revascularization with a particular technique.