Safety and Efficacy of Implementing a Multidisciplinary Heart Team Approach for Revascularization in Patients With Complex Coronary Artery Disease An Observational Cohort Pilot Study

IMPORTANCE Since the advent of transcatheter aortic valve replacement, the multidisciplinary heart team (MHT) approach has rapidly become the standard of care for patients undergoing the procedure. However, little is known about the potential effect of MHT on patients with coronary artery disease (CAD). OBJECTIVE To determine the safety and efficacy of implementing the MHT approach for patients with complex CAD. DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS Observational cohort pilot study of 180 patients with CAD involving more than 1 vessel in a single major academic tertiary/quaternary medical center. From May 1, 2012, through May 31, 2013, MHT meetings were convened to discuss evidence-based management of CAD. All cases were reviewed by a team of interventional cardiologists and cardiac surgeons within 72 hours of angiography. All clinical data were reviewed by the team to adjudicate optimal treatment strategies. Final recommendations were based on a consensus decision. Outcome measures were tracked for all patients to determine the safety and efficacy profile of this pilot program. EXPOSURES Multidisciplinary heart team meeting. MAIN OUTCOMES AND MEASURES Thirty-day periprocedural mortality and rate of major adverse cardiac events. RESULTS Most of the patients underwent percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) or coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG); a small percentage of patients underwent a hybrid procedure or medical management. Incidence of 30-day periprocedural mortality was low across all groups of patients (PCI group, 5 of 64 [8%]; CABG group, 1 of 87 [1%]). The rate of major adverse cardiac events during a median follow-up of 12.1 months ranged from 12 of 87 patients (14%) in the CABG group to 15 of 64 (23%) in the PCI group. CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE Outcomes of patients with complex CAD undergoing the optimal treatment strategy recommended by the MHT were similar to those of published national standards. Implementation of the MHT approach for patients with complex CAD is safe and efficacious.