Core Concepts
Interventional cardiologists experience significant physiological stress during complex PCI procedures.
Abstract
The study focused on the physiological stress experienced by interventional cardiologists during complex percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) procedures, specifically in the context of coronary total occlusion (CTO) interventions. The research highlighted the increased heart rate and blood pressure parameters observed during CTO PCI compared to regular work and non-CTO interventions. The study aimed to shed light on the occupational hazards faced by operators performing complex PCI procedures, emphasizing the need for further research and monitoring in this area.
Key Highlights:
- Physiological stress in interventional cardiologists during complex PCI procedures
- Higher heart rate and blood pressure during CTO PCI compared to regular interventions
- Continuous stress until the end of CTO PCI, especially during failed attempts
- Lack of data on the impact of PCI on cardiologists' stress levels
- Study conducted on five experienced CTO operators without cardiovascular issues
- ABPM measurements recorded during various procedures, showing increased HR and MAP during CTO PCI
- Significantly higher HR during CTO PCI compared to non-CTO interventions
- Importance of monitoring stress in interventional cardiologists performing complex PCI procedures
Stats
"The HR and MAP during CTO PCI exceeded the HR and MAP during regular work by 20.1% and 8.2%, respectively, and by 11.1% and 3.1%, respectively, during non-CTO interventions."
"There was also a significant increase in HR (P = .002) but not in MAP relative to the duration of CTO PCI."
"The CTO PCI procedure was associated with significantly higher HR compared with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction PCI (87 vs 79 beats/min; P < .001), and failed CTO PCI showed significantly higher HR compared with successful CTO PCI (90.7 vs 85.9 beats/min; P < .001)."
Quotes
"I was flabbergasted that the heart rate increased continuously until the very end of CTO PCI, rather than until the very moment of CTO recanalization, which is perceived as the most difficult part of this procedure." - Maksymilian P. Opolski, MD, PhD