Stent-grafts versus drug-eluting stents in arterial aneurysms, insights from the International Coronary Artery Aneurysm Registry (CAAR)

Introduction and objectives: Coronary artery aneurysms are a complex situation. Our main objective is to describe the frequency of use of covered stents (grafts) for their management, as well as to characterize their long-term results compared to drug-eluting stents. Methods: Ambispective observational study with data from the International Coronary Artery Aneurysm Registry (CAAR) (NCT02563626). Only patients who received a stent-graft or a drug-eluting stent where the aneurysm occurred were selected. Results: A total of 17 patients received, at least, 1 stent-graft while 196 received 1 drug-eluting in the aneurysmal vessel. Male predominance, a higher rate of dyslipidemia, a past medical history of coronary artery disease, previously revascularized coronary artery disease, and giant aneurysms were reported in the stent-graft cohort. The independent predictive variables of the composite endpoint of all-cause mortality, heart failure, unstable angina, reinfarction, stroke, systemic embolism, bleeding or any aneurysmal complications at the median follow-up of 38 months were suggestive of the existence of connective tissue diseases (HR, 5.94; 95%CI, 1.82-19.37), left ventricular dysfunction <= 55% (HR, 1.84; 95%CI, 1.09-3.1), and an acute indication for heart catheterization (HR, 2.98; 95%CI, 1.39-6.3). The use of stent-grafts was not associated with the occurrence of more composite endpoints (23.5% vs 29.6%; P =.598). Conclusions: The use of stent-grafts to treat coronary aneurysms is feasible and safe in the long-term. Randomized clinical trials are needed to decide what the best treatment is for these complex lesions.