Interventional cardiologist perceptions about PCI without surgical backup-Results of an international survey.

Background: Percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) without surgical backup is becoming increasingly common in the United States. Additionally, a recent SCAI expert consensus document has liberalized recommendations for performing PCI without cardiac surgery on site (SOS).

Aims: The current study sought to understand practice patterns and operator preferences with regard to performing PCI without SOS.

Methods: Two internet-based surveys were distributed to interventional cardiologists worldwide. Survey items asked about operator demographics, procedural preferences when performing PCI without SOS, self-judged personality traits, and history of malpractice.

Results: Between March 2021 and May 2021, 517 interventional cardiologists completed the survey; 341 of whom perform elective PCI without SOS (no-SOS operators), and 176 who perform elective PCI with surgical backup (SOS operators). Most operators were male 473 (91.5%). There was a greater proportion of SOS operators in academic practice (86 vs. 75, p < 0.001) and greater proportion of no-SOS operators in hospital-owned practices (158 vs. 56, p < 0.001). Lesion characteristics (left main, chronic total occlusions, and need for atherectomy) were the most important procedural attributes for no-SOS operators, and international operators reported higher comfort levels with PCI on high-risk lesions. Cumulative personality profile scores were similar between SOS and no-SOS operators. SOS operators expressed more concern with legal ramifications of performing PCI without SOS (2.57 vs. 2.34, p = 0.049).

Conclusions: In the absence of surgical backup, lesion characteristics were the most important consideration for PCI patient selection for operators worldwide. Compared to the United States, international operators were more confident in performing high-risk PCI without surgical backup.