Improving outcomes of percutaneous coronary interventions in patients with stable ischemic heart disease

Percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) is a common cardiac procedure and there have been significant advances in the technologies over past decades that have improved the safety of these procedures. Various clinical trials and meta-analyses have shown that PCIs are associated with improved outcomes, especially among patients with acute coronary syndromes. However, the clinical benefit of PCIs among patients with stable ischemic heart disease (SIHD) other than improvement in anginal symptoms is less well established. The patients who have a significant burden of ischemia may benefit the most from revascularization. The achievement of complete revascularization, appropriate technique for stent deployment and intracoronary imaging during these procedures also can have a significant impact on the clinical outcomes. Moreover, patients with coronary artery disease should be managed with appropriate medical therapy after the PCIs. The procedural and non-procedural factors should be taken into consideration in order to optimize outcomes for patients with SIHD being treated with PCIs.