Angiographic variables predict increased risk for adverse ischemic events after coronary stenting with glycoprotein IIb/IIIa inhibition: Results from the TARGET trial

OBJECTIVES: We sought to assess whether pre-procedural angiographic characteristics are associated with adverse clinical outcomes after coronary stenting with glycoprotein IIb/IIIa inhibition. BACKGROUND: Ischemic complications after balloon angioplasty are associated with pre- and post-procedural angiographic variables. However, in the current era of stenting with IIb/IIIa inhibition, it is unknown whether angiographic features assessed before intervention confer an increased risk of adverse procedural and subsequent clinical outcomes. METHODS: In the Do Tirofiban and ReoPro Give Similar Efficacy Outcomes? Trial (TARGET), 4,809 patients undergoing planned stenting were randomized to tirofiban or abciximab. Baseline demographic, clinical, and angiographic variables were obtained. Clinical end points were recorded at 30 days and six months. The relationship between angiographic variables and adverse clinical outcomes was assessed. RESULTS: Patients with the combination of thrombus, lesion eccentricity, and lesion length >20 mm had a 21.4% composite incidence of death, myocardial infarction, or urgent target vessel revascularization (TVR) at 30 days, compared with 4.2% in those patients without these high-risk features (hazard ratio [HR] 3.24, p < 0.001). After adjustment, the risk was independently associated with thrombus (HR 1.40, p = 0.034), eccentricity (HR 1.67, p < 0.001), and lesion length >20 mm (HR 1.89, p < 0.001). The risk of six-month TVR was independently associated with left anterior descending coronary artery lesions (HR 1.46, p < 0.001), restenotic lesions at baseline (HR 1.58, p = 0.006), and lesion length (HR 1.19, p = 0.03). CONCLUSIONS: Patients with thrombus, eccentric lesions, or lesion length >20 mm are at high risk for ischemic outcomes after coronary stenting, despite IIb/IIIa inhibition. Further research into novel anti-thrombotic therapies or procedural strategies is necessary for these patients.