The Relationship between CHA DS-VASc Score and Reperfusion Success in Elective Percutaneous Saphenous Vein Graft Interventions

Background: Patients with degenerated saphenous vein grafts (SVG) have a higher risk of developing no-reflow. The CHA DS-VASc score was established as a no-reflow predictor in patients with acute coronary syndrome (ACS). Objectives: In our study, we aimed to assess the association between CHA DS-VASc score and no-reflow after the procedure and short-term mortality in patients with SVG who underwent elective percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). Methods: Our retrospective study comprised 118 patients who were divided into two groups according to the occurrence of the no-reflow phenomenon. The groups were compared on the basis of demographic characteristics, angiographic parameters, CHA DS-VASc scores, and outcome. A logistic regression analysis was additionally performed to determine the predictors of no-reflow. A p value of < 0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results: Mean age of the participants was 66.4 ± 9.2 years, and 25.4% of them were female. Apart from the history of diabetes (p = 0.032), demographic data, blood parameters, ejection fraction, total stent length and diameter, medication use, median CHA DS-VASc score, and adverse cardiac events did not differ between the groups. In univariate logistic regression analysis, the presence of diabetes and stent length appeared to be associated with no-reflow, but not in multivariate analysis. The median CHA DS-VASc score was higher in non-survivors at 1-year follow-up (4.5 versus 3, p = 0.047). Conclusions: In our study, we did not observe a significant relationship between no-reflow and CHA DS-VASc score. Larger studies are needed to reveal the indicators of improved post-intervention reperfusion in elective SVG PCI.