The EXCEL trial [1]
In the largest randomized trial on PCI versus CABG in patients with left main disease (n=1905) and with an inclusion criteria of a SYNTAX score >33, PCI with everolimus-eluting stents was non-inferior to CABG for the composite endpoint of death, stroke, and myocardial infarction at a trial of 3-year follow-up (15.4% versus 14.7%, respectively). However, landmark analysis showed a significant increase in endpoints beyond 30-day follow-up with PCI (HR 1.44, 95% CI 1.06-1.96). Longer follow-up results from the EXCEL trial are required to determine whether PCI is really non-inferior in terms of long-term outcomes.