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

Abstract 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.