The Impact of De-escalation of Antianginal Medications on Health Status After Percutaneous Coronary Intervention.

BACKGROUND: Antianginal medications (AAMs) can be perceived to be less important after percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) and may be de-escalated after revascularization. We examined the frequency of AAM de-escalation at discharge post-PCI and its association with follow-up health status.

METHODS AND RESULTS: In a 10-center PCI registry, the Seattle Angina Questionnaire was assessed before and 6 months post-PCI. AAM de-escalation was defined as fewer AAMs at discharge versus admission or >25% absolute dose decrease. Of 2743 PCI patients (70% male), AAM were de-escalated, escalated, and unchanged in 299 (11%), 714 (26%), and 1730 (63%) patients, respectively. Patients whose AAM were de-escalated were more likely to report angina at 6 months, compared with unchanged or escalated AAM (34% versus 24% versus 21%; P<0.001). The association of AAM de-escalation with health status was examined using multivariable models adjusting for the predicted risk of post-PCI angina, completeness of revascularization, and the interaction of AAM de-escalation×completeness of revascularization. There was a significant interaction between AAM de-escalation and completeness of revascularization (P<0.001), suggesting that AAM de-escalation was associated with greater impairment of health status among patients with incomplete revascularization. In patients with incomplete revascularization, de-escalation of AAM at discharge was associated with 43% increased angina risk (relative risk, 1.43; 95% confidence interval, 1.26-1.63) and worse angina-related health status at 6 months post-PCI.

CONCLUSIONS: De-escalation of AAM occurs in 1 in 10 patients post-PCI, and it is associated with an increased risk of angina and worse health status, particularly among those with incomplete revascularization.