Effect of hemoglobin A1c management levels on coronary physiology evaluated by quantitative flow ratio in patients who underwent percutaneous coronary intervention

ABSTRACT Aims/Introduction The coronary physiology and prognosis of patients with different hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) levels after percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) are currently unknown. The aim of this study was to assess the effect of different levels of HbA1c control on coronary physiology in patients who underwent PCI for coronary heart disease combined with type 2 diabetes mellitus by quantitative flow ratio (QFR). Materials and Methods Patients who successfully underwent PCI and completed 1‐year coronary angiographic follow up were enrolled, clinical data were collected, and QFR at immediate and 1‐year follow up after PCI was retrospectively analyzed. A total of 257 patients (361 vessels) were finally enrolled and divided into the hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c)‐compliance group (103 patients, 138 vessels) and non‐HbA1c‐compliance group (154 patients, 223 vessels) according to the HbA1c cut‐off value of 7%. We compared the results of QFR analysis and clinical outcomes between the two groups. Results At 1‐year follow up after PCI, the QFR was significantly higher (0.94 ± 0.07 vs 0.92 ± 0.10, P = 0.019) and declined less (0.014 ± 0.066 vs 0.033 ± 0.095, P = 0.029) in the HbA1c‐compliance group. Meanwhile, the incidence of physiological restenosis was lower in the HbA1c‐compliance group (2.9% vs 8.5%, P = 0.034). Additionally, the target vessel revascularization rate was lower in the HbA1c‐compliance group (6.8% vs 16.9%, P = 0.018). Furthermore, HbA1c ≥7% (OR 2.113, 95% confidence interval 1.081–4.128, P = 0.029) and QFR decline (OR 2.215, 95% confidence interval 1.147–4.277, P = 0.018) were independent risk factors for target vessel revascularization. Conclusion Patients with well‐controlled HbA1c levels have better coronary physiological benefits and the incidence of adverse clinical outcome events might be reduced. This retrospective study investigated the relationship between the different levels of hemoglobin A1c and coronary physiology, focus on the effect of hemoglobin A1c on coronary physiology and short‐term poor prognosis in patients with coronary heart disease combined with type 2 diabetes mellitus.