Frequency and predictors of diagnostic coronary angiography and percutaneous coronary intervention related to stroke.

Background: Stroke related to percutaneous coronary interventions (PCIs) is an infrequent complication, which can be potentially life-threatening and can lead to serious disability.

Aims: This study aimed to assess the relationship between the type of coronary procedure and incidence of stroke, as well as its predictors.

Methods: This retrospective analysis was performed on prospectively collected data gathered in the Polish National Registry of Percutaneous Coronary Interventions (ORPKI) between January 2014 and December 2019 and included 1177 161 coronary procedures. Among them, 650 674 patients underwent isolated diagnostic coronary angiography (DCA), and 526 487 PCI. Stroke was diagnosed in 157 patients (0.013%), of which 100 (0.015%) happened during DCA and 57 (0.011%) during PCI. Multivariable logistic regression analysis was performed to separate predictors of stroke in patients undergoing coronary angiography and PCI.

Results: The percentage of patients with periprocedural stroke was higher in the group treated with isolated DCA during the analyzed time. Among predictors of stroke in patients undergoing DCA, we confirmed prior stroke (P <0.001), contrast amount (P = 0.007), femoral access (P = 0.002), unfractionated heparin use (P = 0.01), direct transport to the catheterization laboratory (P = 0.04), older age (P <0.001) and multi-vessel disease (P <0.001). While for PCI ± DCA, these were prior stroke (P <0.001), thrombolysis (P = 0.003), treatment with bivalirudin (P <0.001), and acetylsalicylic acid loading during PCI (P = 0.003).

Conclusions: Based on the large national registry, PCI ± DCA is associated with fewer risk factors and a lower rate of periprocedural strokes than isolated DCA.