Revascularization or Optimal Medical Therapy for Stable Ischemic Heart Disease: A Bayesian Meta-Analysis of Contemporary Trials

Background: The role of revascularization in patients with stable ischemic heart disease (SIHD) has been controversial, more so in the present era of drug-eluting stents. Aims: To examine the absolute risk difference (ARD) between revascularization plus optimal medical therapy (OMT) versus OMT alone among patients with SIHD using Bayesian approach. Methods: PubMed/MEDLINE and Cochrane citation indices were utilized to identify randomized controlled trials (RCTs) through March 31, 2020. Among trials comparing initial revascularization plus OMT with initial OMT alone, revascularization arm must have comprised>50% of patients receiving either percutaneous or surgical revascularization, and >50% of patients must have received aspirin and statin as OMT in both arms. Results: Seven RCTs (12,494) were included in the final analysis. The ARD of all-causemortality for revascularization with respect to OMT was centred at -0.002 (95% CrI: -0.01; 0.01, Tau: 0.01, 67% probability of ARD of revascularization vs. OMT < 0). The ARD for cardiac mortality was centred at-0.0025 (95%CrI: -0.01; 0.01, Tau: 0.01, 77% probability of ARD of revascularization vs. OMT < 0). The ARD for MI was-0.02 (95% CrI:-0.06; 0.00, Tau: 0.02, 97% probability of ARD for revascularization vs. OMT < 0). Therewas 96% probability of ARD for unstable anginawith revascularization vs. OMT < 0, 4.5% probability of ARD for freedomfromanginawith revascularization vs. OMT < 0, and 6% probability of ARD for stroke with revascularization vs. OMT < 0. Conclusions: Bayesian analysis demonstrated minimal probability of difference in all-causemortality and cardiac mortality in patients with SIHD who underwent revascularization compared with OMT alone. However, revascularization was associated with lower probability of MI, unstable angina, and increased freedom from angina, but a higher risk of stroke compared with OMT alone. (c) 2021 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.