Prognostic significance of prior ischemic stroke in patients with coronary artery disease undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention

OBJECTIVES: To investigate the long-term outcomes of percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) in patients with previous ischemic stroke. BACKGROUND: Ischemic stroke and coronary artery disease (CAD) are leading causes of death that often coexist with each other. With the increased use of PCI in high-risk patients with CAD, the association between prior ischemic stroke and cardiovascular/cerebrovascular events in patients with CAD undergoing PCI has been a topic of interest. METHODS: We enrolled 10,300 consecutive patients who had undergone PCI from January 2013 to December 2013 and classified them into the prior ischemic stroke group (n = 1,106) and no prior ischemic stroke group (n = 9,194). The primary outcome was major adverse cardiovascular and cerebrovascular events (MACCEs) during follow-up. The secondary endpoints included each component of the primary endpoint and stent thrombosis (ST). RESULTS: Overall, 10.7% patients had a history of ischemic stroke. At a median 29-month follow-up, MACCEs following PCI occurred with 2-year incidences of 15.4% in the prior ischemic stroke group and 11.7% in the no prior ischemic stroke group. Cox regression analysis demonstrated that prior ischemic stroke was independently associated with a higher risk of MACCEs (adjusted hazard ratio [HR] = 1.294; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.100-1.522; P = 0.002), recurrent stroke (adjusted HR = 2.463; 95% CI: 1.729-3.507; P = 0.000), and ST (adjusted HR = 1.787; 95% CI: 1.075-2.971; P = 0.025). A high residual syntax score and low renal function were independent risk factors for MACCEs. CONCLUSIONS: Increased concern and active treatment strategies are needed in patients undergoing PCI who have a history of ischemic stroke.