Coronary collaterals and risk for restenosis after percutaneous coronary interventions: a meta-analysis

• Published in: BMC medicine 2012-06, Vol.10 (1), p.62-62, Article 62
• Main Authors: Meier, Pascal, Indermuehle, Andreas, Pitt, Bertram, Traupe, Tobias, de Marchi, Stefano F, Crake, Tom, Knapp, Guido, Lansky, Alexandra J, Seiler, Christian
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Analysis; Cardiac patients; Cardiology; Collateral circulation; Coronary Artery Bypass - adverse effects; coronary collateral circulation; Coronary heart disease; Coronary restenosis; Coronary Stenosis - surgery; Coronary Vessels - pathology; Coronary Vessels - physiology; Epidemiology; Female; Humans; Male; Meta-analysis; Middle Aged; Myocardial Revascularization; Observational studies; Online databases; Postoperative Complications - epidemiology; Recurrence; restenosis; Risk Assessment; Risk factors; Systematic review; therapy failure; Transluminal angioplasty
• ISSN: 1741-7015; 1741-7015
• DOI: 10.1186/1741-7015-10-62

The benefit of the coronary collateral circulation (natural bypass network) on survival is well established. However, data derived from smaller studies indicates that coronary collaterals may increase the risk for restenosis after percutaneous coronary interventions. The purpose of this systematic review and meta-analysis of observational studies was to explore the impact of the collateral circulation on the risk for restenosis. We searched the MEDLINE, EMBASE and ISI Web of Science databases (2001 to 15 July 2011). Random effects models were used to calculate summary risk ratios (RR) for restenosis. The primary endpoint was angiographic restenosis > 50%. A total of 7 studies enrolling 1,425 subjects were integrated in this analysis. On average across studies, the presence of a good collateralization was predictive for restenosis (risk ratio (RR) 1.40 (95% CI 1.09 to 1.80); P = 0.009). This risk ratio was consistent in the subgroup analyses where collateralization was assessed with intracoronary pressure measurements (RR 1.37 (95% CI 1.03 to 1.83); P = 0.038) versus visual assessment (RR 1.41 (95% CI 1.00 to 1.99); P = 0.049). For the subgroup of patients with stable coronary artery disease (CAD), the RR for restenosis with 'good collaterals' was 1.64 (95% CI 1.14 to 2.35) compared to 'poor collaterals' (P = 0.008). For patients with acute myocardial infarction, however, the RR for restenosis with 'good collateralization' was only 1.23 (95% CI 0.89 to 1.69); P = 0.212. The risk of restenosis after percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) is increased in patients with good coronary collateralization. Assessment of the coronary collateral circulation before PCI may be useful for risk stratification and for the choice of antiproliferative measures (drug-eluting stent instead bare-metal stent, cilostazol).