Abstract
Background:  Although Asians and Pacific Islanders (PI) make up the fastest growing ethnic group in the United States, little is known about the clinical characteristics, procedural success, and procedure-related complications of those who undergo percutaneous coronary interventions (PCI).

Hypothesis:  This study investigated PCI procedural success and procedural complications among PI and Asian patients in comparison with Caucasians.

Methods:  We examined clinical characteristics, procedural success (post-PCI lesion < 50%) and procedure-related complications (hemorrhage, renal failure, myocardial infarction, stroke, bypass surgery, death) for all patients undergoing PCI at our hospital from January 1999 to June 2003.

Results:  Overall, 2,598 PCIs were performed–1,058 (39%) in Caucasians, 1,163 (43%) in Asians, and 377 (14%) in PIs. The mean age of PIs (59 +/- 11 years) was significantly lower than that of Caucasians (65 +/- 12 years) and Asians (66 +/- 12 years). The mean body mass index (26 +/- 5) of Asians was significantly lower, while that of PIs (31 +/- 7) was significantly higher than that of Caucasians (28 +/- 6). More Asians (33.3%) and PIs (40.5%) had diabetes mellitus than did Caucasians (19.9%). More Asians (71.6%) and PIs (76.1%) had hypertension than did Caucasians (61.9%). Renal failure was more prevalent in Asians and PIs (6.0 and 7.4%, respectively) than in Caucasians (3.8%). Other than a higher prevalence of disease involving the left anterior descending vessel in Asians (56.4%) compared with Caucasians (50.4%), angiographic features across the three races were similar. There was no significant difference in procedural success (approximately 94%) or procedure-related complications among Caucasians (6.4%), Asians (7.1%), and PIs (4.3%).

Conclusion:  Although PIs and Asians have a substantially higher burden of comorbidities than Caucasians, race does not appear to influence PCI procedural success or procedure-related complications.