Study of PCI Versus Medical Therapy for Patients with Chronic Coronary Artery Blockages Evaluating Long-Term Heart and Brain Health Outcomes

What this Trial Is About

This research aims to evaluate whether long-term clinical outcomes improve for patients with coronary chronic total occlusions CTOs when treated with successful percutaneous coronary intervention PCI compared to optimal medical therapy OMT. The study includes patients who had CTO lesions treated at the First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University between January 2011 and December 2017. Researchers focus on the impact of these treatments on major adverse cardiac cerebrovascular events MACCE and all-cause death. Participants were divided into two groups based on the treatment they received the successful CTO-PCI group and the CTO-OMT group. The PCI group underwent the procedure aimed at reopening blocked coronary arteries, while the OMT group received medications such as aspirin, ACE inhibitors or ARBs, beta blockers, and statins. The study compares these treatment approaches to understand their effects on patient health over time. Throughout the study period, researchers tracked major adverse cardiac cerebrovascular events including cardiac death, recurrent heart attacks, unplanned revascularization procedures, and strokes. They also monitored all-cause death. The study followed patients for outcomes from January 2011 through December 2023, with data collection continuing until September 2025. Participants health events and survival were carefully recorded to assess the long-term prognosis of each treatment approach.

Effect of PCI on Clinical Prognosis of Chronic Coronary Artery Occlusion