Real-life impact of complete revascularization of non-ST elevation myocardial infarction during index hospitalization

Abstract Introduction patients with non-ST elevation acute myocardial infarction (NSTEMI) frequently present multivessel disease (MVD) with significant stenosis in non-infarct-related arteries (non-IRA). Unlike for ST elevation acute myocardial infarction, there is a paucity of studies evaluating the prognostic impact of complete revascularization in these patients. In fact, recommendation for complete revascularization is based in observational and non-randomized studies suggesting a possible benefit regarding mortality and major cardiovascular events. Purpose to evaluate the prognostic impact of complete revascularization during the index hospitalization in the Portuguese patients with NSTEMI and MVD. Methods patients hospitalized for NSTEMI with MVD included in a national multicentre retrospective study between October 2010 and December 2022 were divided into two groups: group 1 was submitted to complete percutaneous revascularization during the index hospitalization (IRA and non-IRA with diameter stenosis ≥50% on angiography), and group 2 performed IRA-only revascularization. The impact of complete revascularization on the probability of cardiovascular re-hospitalization, as well as on in-hospital and one-year mortality rates was evaluated. Results a total of 3084 patients was included, 74.8% were males, with a mean age of 67.8±11.9 years. Most patients were submitted to IRA-only revascularization (72.9%). From the remaining, 81.4% performed complete revascularization during the index procedure and 18.6% staged during index hospitalization. Group 1 patients were younger (65.5±11.8 vs. 68.6±11.8 years, p<0.001), with fewer comorbidities and slightly higher left ventricular ejection fraction (55±11 vs. 51±11%, p<0.001). On the other hand, group 2 patients revealed a significantly higher percentage of previous, revascularization (14.8% vs. 1.6%), mostly surgical. Besides overall similar incidence of in-hospital complications, including recurrence of acute myocardial infarction, patients submitted to complete revascularization showed a non-significant trend to an inferior in-hospital mortality rate (0.7 vs. 1.6%, p=0.06). Also, 1-year mortality rate was similar between groups (4.2 vs. 5.0%, p=0.54). However, complete revascularization appeared to result in a long-term prognostic benefit, halving the incidence of unplanned cardiovascular re-hospitalizations at one year of follow-up (9.3 vs. 18.8%, p<0.001). Conclusion complete revascularization led to an overall long-term benefit, mainly due to a reduction in cardiovascular re-hospitalizations, without a significant impact on 1-year mortality rate.