Pre-procedural TIMI Flow Research Articles

Impact of age on pre-procedural TIMI flow in STEMI patients undergoing primary percutaneous coronary intervention.

Advanced age is a major determinant of impaired prognosis among patients with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI). However, the mechanisms associated with suboptimal reperfusion and enhanced complications are still largely undefined. The aim of the present study was to assess the impact of age on the angiographic findings and the procedural results of primary percutaneous coronary intervention (pPCI) in patients with STEMI. A consecutive cohort of patients admitted for STEMI treated with pPCI were included. Infarct-related artery (IRA) patency was defined for preprocedural TIMI flow 3. We included 520 patients, divided according to age tertiles (<61; 61-72; ≥73). Elderly patients were more often females, with hypertension, renal failure, prior myocardial infarction or PCI, with lower rates of smoking history, haemoglobin, leukocytes and cholesterol (P < 0.001), lower ejection fraction (P = 0.02), higher use of renin angiotensin system inhibitors, statins, ASA, calcium antagonists, diuretics and beta blockers. At angiography, for the IRA, percentage of thrombus (P = 0.02) and stenosis (P = 0.01), direct stenting (P = 0.02) and glycoprotein IIb-IIIa inhibitors (P = 0.04) inversely related with age, but for higher restenosis (P = 0.04). IRA patency was more common in patients aged ≥73 years (27.9% vs. 32.3% vs. 41.1%, P = 0.01). The impact of age on preprocedural TIMI flow was confirmed at multivariate analysis [adjusted odds ratio (95% confidence interval) = 0.68 (0.47-0.98), P = 0.04]. The present study shows that among STEMI patients undergoing primary PCI, more advanced age represents an independent predictor of preprocedural IRA patency. Future studies will define the implications on procedural results and long-term prognosis.

Association of stress induced hyperglycemia with angiographic findings and clinical outcomes in patients with ST-elevation myocardial infarction

BackgroundStress induced hyperglycemia (SIH) is common among patients with ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI), even in patients without diabetes mellitus. However, evidence regarding its role on the angiographic outcomes and the prognosis of patients presenting with STEMI is scarce.MethodsThis study included 309 consecutively enrolled STEMI patients undergoing primary percutaneous coronary intervention (pPCI). Patients were diagnosed with SIH if blood glucose on admission was > 140 mg/dl. Also, patients had to fast for at least 8 hours before blood sampling. The objective was to assess whether SIH was associated with major adverse cardiovascular and cerebrovascular (MACCE) events and explore its relationship with angiographic predictors of worse prognosis such as poor initial TIMI flow, intracoronary thrombus burden, distal embolization, and presence of residual thrombus after pPCI.ResultsSIH in diabetic and non-diabetic patients was associated with a higher incidence of LTB (aOR = 2.171, 95% CI 1.27–3.71), distal embolization (aOR = 2.71, 95% CI 1.51–4.86), and pre-procedural TIMI flow grade = 0 (aOR = 2.69, 95% CI 1.43–5.04) after adjusting for relevant clinical variables. Importantly, during a median follow-up of 1.7 years STEMI patients with SIH with or without diabetes experienced increased occurrence of MACCE both in univariate (HR = 1.92, 95% CI 1.19–3.01) and multivariate analysis (aHR = 1.802, 95% CI 1.01–3.21).ConclusionsSIH in STEMI patients with or without diabetes was independently associated with increased MACCE. This could be attributed to the fact that SIH was strongly correlated with poor pre-procedural TIMI flow, LTB, and distal embolization. Large clinical trials need to validate SIH as an independent predictor of adverse angiographic and clinical outcomes to provide optimal individualized care for patients with STEMI.

Vitamin D deficiency predicts the no-reflow phenomenon in STEMI patients undergoing primary percutaneous coronary intervention

Abstract Background Vitamin D displays a broad spectrum of cardioprotective effects, preventing oxidative stress, inflammation and thrombosis and improving endothelial function. Previous studies have associated vitamin D deficiency with more extended and severe coronary artery disease (CAD) and worse outcome, and especially among patients with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI). Few data have been reported on the association of vitamin D levels with the features of infarct-related lesions and PCI outcomes. Aim We aimed at assessing the relationship between vitamin D and angiographic findings and the procedural results of primary percutaneous coronary intervention (pPCI) in STEMI. Methods A consecutive cohort of patients admitted for STEMI treated with pPCI were included. The levels of 25(OH)D were assessed at admission by chemiluminescence immunoassay kit LIAISON® Vitamin D assay. Hypovitaminosis D was defined for 25(OH)D &amp;lt;10 ng/ml. Results We included in our study 450 patients, divided according to tertiles values of 25(OH)D. Lower vitamin D was associated to higher use of diuretics (p=0.02), higher levels of white blood cells and glycemia (p&amp;lt;0.001), lower prevalence of lesions on bifurcations (p=0.03) and smaller diameter of the target coronary vessel (p=0.03). Procedural characteristics and pre-procedural TIMI flow were not different according to vitamin D levels, but for a higher rate of slow-flow/no-reflow phenomenon (12.8% vs 8.1% vs 5.3%, p=0.03, adjusted OR [95% CI]=2.6 [1.05–6.6], p=0.04 for I vs III tertile), requiring higher use of adenosine (p=0.006) and glycoprotein IIbIIIa inhibitors (p=0.01). Conclusion The present study shows that among patients with STEMI undergoing pPCI, lower levels of vitamin D indepently predict the occurrence of slowflow/no-reflow phenomenon. Future dedicated studies will shed light on the prognostic implications of hypovitaminosis D in these patients and the potential therapeutic perspectives. Funding Acknowledgement Type of funding sources: None.

Association between Neutrophil-to-Lymphocyte Ratio and the Systemic Inflammatory Immunologic Index and the Angiographic SYNTAX Score and the TIMI Flow Grade in Acute STEMI: A Cohort Study.

Background: In patients with ST-segment-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI), it is essential to determine the complexity of coronary lesions on presentation and predict the risk of no-reflow after primary percutaneous coronary intervention (pPCI). Given that inflammation plays an important role in the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis, using inflammatory indices might be helpful in this setting. Methods: This prospective cohort study recruited 200 consecutive patients with STEMI who underwent pPCI. The presentation neutrophil-to-lymphocyte-ratio (NLR) and the systemic inflammatory immunologic index (SII), calculated using the formula platelets × neutrophils/lymphocytes, were recorded. Study outcomes included the SYNTAX score and the TIMI flow grade before and after pPCI. The associations between the NLR and the SII and the study outcomes were investigated using univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses. Results: Among 200 patients at a mean age of 59.85±11.23 years, 160 (80.0%) were male and 40 (20.0%) were female. The NLR and SII values were not statistically different between the 3 SYNTAX subgroups. While the mean NLR and SII values were similar between the patients with preprocedural TIMI flow grades 0/1 and 2/3, the mean NLR and SII were significantly lower in the group with a postprocedural TIMI flow grade 3. After adjustments for age and sex, the NLR and the SII were independent predictors of postprocedural no-reflow. Conclusion: In patients with STEMI, the presentation NLR and SII are useful for predicting the risk of no-reflow after pPCI. However, the NLR and the SII are not predictors of the SYNTAX score and the preprocedural TIMI flow grade.

Temporal trends in the pre-procedural TIMI flow grade among patients with ST- segment elevation myocardial infarction - From the ACSIS registry.

Pre-procedural TIMI coronary flow grade in patients with ST segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) is associated with adverse clinical outcomes. There have been great advances in pharmacologic and invasive treatment of STEMI patients in the current era. We aimed to assess the temporal trends in clinical outcomes according to the TIMI flow grade amongst these patients. Data of patients with STEMI from the acute coronary syndrome Israeli Survey (ACSIS) registry. A time-dependent analysis stratifying patient by TIMI flow grade 0 and TIMI flow grade 1-3 was performed. Survey years were divided to early (2008-2010) and late period (2013-2018). Clinical outcomes included in-hospital complications, 30d MACE (death, myocardial infarction, stroke, unstable angina, stent thrombosis, urgent revascularization) and 1-year mortality.Results and Conclusions: Included were 2453 patients. The majority of patients had pre-procedural TIMI flow 0 (58.9% in the early period and 58.7% in the late period, P=0.97). In-hospital complications of patients with TIMI flow 0 has significantly decreased over time (36.1% vs 26.8%, P<0.001) but not amongst patients with TIMI flow 1-3. Compared with TIMI flow 1-3, patients with TIMI flow 0 had worse 30d MACE and 1-year mortality. There was no temporal change of these outcomes in either TIMI flow grade group. TIMI flow grade 0 is still more common among patients with STEMI and is associated with poorer prognosis. Nevertheless, over time, in-hospital complications have decreased among patients with TIMI 0, while 30d MACE and 1-year mortality has remained unchanged.

Vitamin D deficiency is associated with impaired reperfusion in STEMI patients undergoing primary percutaneous coronary intervention

Background and aimsVitamin D displays a broad spectrum of cardioprotective effects, preventing oxidative stress, inflammation and thrombosis and improving endothelial function.Previous studies have associated vitamin D deficiency with more extended and severe coronary artery disease (CAD) and worse outcome, and especially among patients with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI). However, few data have been reported on the association of vitamin D levels with the angiographic findings and epicardial reperfusion in STEMI patients undergoing primary percutaneous coronary intervention (pPCI), that was therefore the aim of the present study. Methods and resultsA consecutive cohort of patients admitted for STEMI and treated with pPCI were included. The levels of 25(OH)D were assessed at admission by chemiluminescence immunoassay kit LIAISON® Vitamin D assay (Diasorin Inc). Hypovitaminosis D was defined for 25(OH)D < 10 ng/ml.We included in our study 450 patients, divided according to tertiles values of 25(OH)D. Lower vitamin D was associated to a higher use of diuretics (p = 0.02), higher levels of white blood cells and glycemia (p < 0.001), lower prevalence of lesions on bifurcations (p = 0.03) and smaller diameter of the target coronary vessel (p = 0.03). Procedural characteristics and pre-procedural TIMI flow were not different according to vitamin D levels, but for a higher rate of impaired epicardial reperfusion (12.8% vs 8.1% vs 5.3%, p = 0.03, adjusted OR[95%CI] = 2.6[1.05–6.6], p = 0.04 for I vs III tertile), requiring higher use of adenosine (p = 0.006) and glycoprotein IIbIIIa inhibitors (p = 0.01). ConclusionThe present study shows that among patients with STEMI undergoing pPCI, lower levels of vitamin D are independently associated with impaired reperfusion, Future dedicated studies will shed light on the prognostic implications of hypovitaminosis D in these patients and the potential therapeutic perspectives.

Micro-CT-Based Quantification of Extracted Thrombus Burden Characteristics and Association With Angiographic Outcomes in Patients With ST-Elevation Myocardial Infarction: The QUEST-STEMI Study

Background: Angiographic detection of thrombus in STEMI is associated with adverse outcomes. However, routine thrombus aspiration failed to demonstrate the anticipated benefit. Hence, management of high coronary thrombus burden remains challenging. We sought to assess for the first time extracted thrombotic material characteristics utilizing micro-computed tomography (micro-CT).Methods: One hundred thirteen STEMI patients undergoing thrombus aspiration were enrolled. Micro-CT was undertaken to quantify retrieved thrombus volume, surface, and density. Correlation of these indices with angiographic and electrocardiographic outcomes was performed.Results: Mean aspirated thrombus volume, surface, and density (±standard deviation) were 15.71 ± 20.10 mm3, 302.89 ± 692.54 mm2, and 3139.04 ± 901.88 Hounsfield units, respectively. Aspirated volume and surface were significantly higher (p < 0.001) in patients with higher angiographic thrombus burden. After multivariable analysis, independent predictors for thrombus volume were reference vessel diameter (RVD) (p = 0.011), right coronary artery (RCA) (p = 0.039), and smoking (p = 0.027), whereas RVD (p = 0.018) and RCA (p = 0.019) were predictive for thrombus surface. Thrombus volume and surface were independently associated with distal embolization (p = 0.007 and p = 0.028, respectively), no-reflow phenomenon (p = 0.002 and p = 0.006, respectively), and angiographically evident residual thrombus (p = 0.007 and p = 0.002, respectively). Higher thrombus density was correlated with worse pre-procedural TIMI flow (p < 0.001). Patients with higher aspirated volume and surface developed less ST resolution (p = 0.042 and p = 0.023, respectively).Conclusions: Angiographic outcomes linked with worse prognosis were more frequent among patients with larger extracted thrombus. Despite retrieving larger thrombus load in these patients, current thrombectomy devices fail to deal with thrombotic material adequately. Further studies of novel thrombus aspiration technologies are warranted to improve patient outcomes.Clinical Trial Registration: QUEST-STEMI trial ClinicalTrials.gov number: NCT03429608 Date of registration: February 12, 2018. The study was prospectively registered.

Does pre-angiography Total ST-segment resolution reliably predict spontaneous reperfusion of the infarct-related artery in patients with acute myocardial infarction?

BackgroundST resolution (STR) after AMI is a non-invasive indicator of IRA reperfusion. We investigated whether pre-angiography STR predicted spontaneous IRA reperfusion in STEMI patients.MethodPatients with STEMI undergoing primary PCI were recruited. Standard 12-lead ECG tracings were recorded at first medical contact, immediately prior to arterial puncture and 60 min after PCI. STR was classified as total (≥70%; group I), partial (≥30 and < 70%; group II) or none (< 30%; group III). Patients were followed up for 1-year.ResultsThe final analysis included 349 patients (n = 77, 160 and 112 for groups I, II and III, respectively). Compared with groups I/II, pre-procedural TIMI flow in group III was less frequently grades 2 or 3 (P < 0.001). Pre-PCI STR ≥70% was an independent predictor of pre-PCI TIMI-3 flow (OR: 2.8; P < 0.001). Pre-PCI STR < 30% was independently associated with pre-PCI TIMI flow 0–2 (OR: 3.1; P < 0.001). STR = 35.55% seems to be an optimal cut off for pre-procedural TIMI-3 flow prediction with sensitivity 0.943, specificity 0.456, Youden index 0.399, P = 0.027. STR prior to PCI was inversely correlated with 1-year combined CV events rate. STR > 70% may predict a better clinical outcome.ConclusionsAssessment of STR could potentially be used to stratify risk in patients with STEMI before PCI.

Reperfusion strategy for patients with renal dysfunction presenting with STEMI

Patients with renal insufficiency experience worse prognosis after STEMI. The current guidelines do not clearly draw specific strategies for patients with renal dysfunction (RD). The aim of this study is to compare primary PCI (PPCI) and thrombolysis results as well as in-hospital mortality after successful reperfusion between the RD patients (RD+) and patients with normal renal function (RD−). We retrospectively reviewed data for 1785 patients admitted for STEMI between January 2007 and October 2017. Two groups were identified: PPCI (624 patients) and thrombolysis (679 patients). Hundred and twenty-two patients had RD defined by creatinine levels at admission > 130 umol/L, they were equally treated by PPCI and thrombolysis. In the PPCI group, despite a similar pre-procedural TIMI flow (P = 0.54), TIMI III restoring was significantly lower in the RD+ group (74.1% vs. 93.2%, p = 0.01). Suboptimal result was also higher in the RD+ group (15.6% vs. 3.2%, P < 0.001), but ST regression after TIMI III achievement was similar in the 2 groups (P = 0.62), probably reflecting no microvascular damage. In the thrombolysis group, successful reperfusion was also significantly lower when RD exists (51% vs. 78%, P = 0.02). After successful reperfusion, RD+ patients experienced higher in-hospital mortality in the PPCI group (11.2% vs. 3.1%; P < 0.001), whereas mortality was similar in the thrombolysis group (3.1% vs. 0.3%, P = 0.75). RD reduces either PPCI or thrombolysis success, with no proven microvascular damage after PPCI. In-hospital prognosis, however, is worse in the RD group only after successful PPCI, but not after successful streptokinase thrombolysis.

TCT-500 Prognostic Implications of Reduced Pre-procedural TIMI Flow in Patients with Non–ST-Segment Elevation Acute Coronary Syndromes Undergoing PCI

The negative prognostic effects of reduced pre-procedural TIMI flow has been previously described in pts with STEMI undergoing PCI. Whether a similar effect holds in pts presenting with non-ST-segment elevation acute coronary syndromes (NSTEACS) is uncertain. Pt-level data from 18 randomized stent

P5602Impact of preprocedural TIMI flow on clinical outcome in low-risk patients with ST-elevation myocardial infarction: results from the ATLANTIC study

P5602Impact of preprocedural TIMI flow on clinical outcome in low-risk patients with ST-elevation myocardial infarction: results from the ATLANTIC study

Thrombus aspiration in ST-elevation myocardial infarction: Does it actually impact long-term outcome?

The effect of thrombus aspiration on mortality is still controversial, with results which are often inconsistent in different randomized trials, real world registries and different follow-up duration. The aim of this analysis was to assess the effect on 30-day and 1-year mortality of thrombus aspiration during primary percutaneous coronary intervention (pPCI) for ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) compared with conventional PCI. We used data from all the consecutive STEMI patients treated either with conventional PCI or thrombus aspiration between January 1, 2004 and January 1, 2012. Propensity matching score was calculated on the basis of several baseline and procedural characteristics in order to predict the probability for each patient of having been treated with thrombus aspiration. This propensity score analysis was used in order to select a cohort of patients treated with thrombus aspiration matched one-to-one with patients treated with conventional PCI. In total, 744 (53.1%) patients out of 1,400 enrolled were treated with thrombus aspiration. In the matched cohort, at 30-day follow-up 6.3% of patients in the conventional PCI group died compared to 4.7% in the thrombus aspiration group. The unadjusted hazard ratio (HR) for 30-day mortality was 1.01 (95% CI 0.33-3.14, p = 0.985). In the same cohort, 10.7% of patients died at 1-year in the conventional PCI group compared to 5.2% in the thrombus aspiration group. The 1-year unadjusted hazard ratio for mortality was 0.47 (95% CI 0.25-0.90, p = 0.025). The HR changed and was no longer significant after adjustment for differences in the use of glycoprotein (GP) IIb/IIIa inhibitors, lesion pre-dilatation and pre-procedural TIMI flow: 0.71 (95% CI 0.36-1.39, p = 0.322). Thrombus aspiration does not influence 30-day mortality, however it is associa­ted with 1-year survival benefit. GP IIb/IIIa inhibitors and thrombus aspiration may have an important synergistic role in leading to this long-term benefit.

Thrombolysis-facilitated primary percutaneous coronary intervention as a therapeutic approach to stent thrombosis.

Stent thrombosis is a clinically significant event occurring days to weeks or, infrequently, months or years after percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). Current therapeutic approach is immediate PCI aimed to recanalize the occluded artery in order to restore flow and diminish irreversible myocardial damage. We evaluated the coronary patency, TIMI flow and TIMI myocardial perfusion grade (TMPG) in 6 patients presenting with STEMI due to stent thrombosis treated by thrombolysis followed by immediate PCI. These were compared with control patients treated conventionally by primary PCI. Immediate or early coronary angiography in the treatment group showed good coronary flow in 5 of 6 implicated arteries, whereas immediate angiography in the control group demonstrated 8 completely occluded coronary arteries of 9 with stent thrombosis. The pre-intervention TIMI flow in the control study group was 0.2±0.5 (median-0), and TMPG was 0.1±0.3 (median-0) compared with 2.1±1.1 (median-2.3, p<0.001) and 1.8±1.0 (median-2, p<0.001) in the treatment group, respectively. This striking difference in the rate of coronary patency, pre-procedural TIMI flow and TMPG, however, did not translate into better cardiac function in the treatment group. These findings suggest that thrombolysis-facilitated PCI may confer benefit and need not be considered contraindicated when treating stent thrombosis. This therapeutic approach should be evaluated as a viable therapeutic approach to stent thrombosis.

Pre-angiography total ST-segment resolution is not a reliable predictor of an open infarct-related artery

BackgroundWhile the cutoffs of predictive value for ST-segment elevations resolution (STSR) following thrombolysis and/or primary PCI were well documented, the impact of pre-angiography STSR has not been established yet. ObjectivesThe aim of this study is to assess prognostic utility of pre-angiography STSR to predict pre-procedural TIMI flow in the infarct-related artery (IRA) and infarct size in STEMI patients undergoing primary PCI. MethodsA prospective study was performed, including 310 patients, admitted within 12h of symptom onset and who underwent primary PCI. ST-segment elevations were measured in: (1) qualifying ECG, (2) ECG before angiography, and (3) ECG post PCI. STSR was defined as: total (≥70%), partial (between 70% and 30%) and none (<30%). Relationships between pre-angiography STSR, initial TIMI flow and troponin T level (TnT) were analyzed. ResultsPre-angiography STSR correlated with initial TIMI flow in the IRA (rS=0.619; p<0.001). Pre-angiography total STSR was observed in 23.2% patients. It was noted in 79.2% of patients with pre-procedural TIMI flow ≥2 and in 20.8% with TIMI flow ≤1 (p<0.001). Although the sensitivity of pre-angiography total STSR to detect pre-procedural TIMI flow ≥2 was 93%, its specificity was only 56% and the likelihood ratio was 2.1. Pre-angiography total STSR was associated with lower peak TnT level (2.2±2.5ng/ml vs. 6.4±5.0ng/ml, p<0.0001) when compared to the remaining patients. Conclusions1. Pre-angiography STSR correlates with preprocedural TIMI flow. 2. The sensitivity of pre-angiography total STSR in detection of pre-procedural TIMI flow ≥2 is high, but low specificity of only 56% makes it an unreliable predictor of an open IRA.

Reperfusion strategy for patients with renal dysfunction presenting with STEMI: which is better in the North African context?

Background Patients with renal insufficiency experience worse prognosis after STEMI. The current guidelines do not clearly draw specific strategies for patients with renal dysfunction (RD).Aim The aim of this study is to compare primary PCI (PPCI) and thrombolysis results as well as in-hospital mortality after successful reperfusion between the RD patients (RD+) and patients with normal renal function (RD-).Methods We retrospectively reviewed data for 1,388 patients admitted for STEMI between January 1995 and October 2011. Two groups were identified: PPCI (315 patients) and thrombolysis (379 patients). Ninety patients (13%) had RD defined by creatinine levels at admission > 130 μmol/l, they were equally treated by PPCI and thrombolysis.Results In the PPCI group, despite a similar pre-procedural TIMI flow (P = 0.82), TIMI III restoring was significantly lower in the RD+ group (78.6% vs. 91.8%, P= 0.013). Suboptimal result was also higher in the RD+ group (13.6% vs. 2.7%, P< 0.001), but ST regression after TIMI III achievement was similar in the 2 groups (P = 0.43), probably reflecting no microvascular damage. In the thrombolysis group, successful reperfusion was also significantly lower when RD exists (58% vs. 74%, P= 0.03). After successful reperfusion, RD+ patients experienced higher in-hospital mortality in the PPCI group (29% vs. 4.3%; P< 0.001), whereas mortality was similar in the thrombolysis group (3% vs. 0%, P= 0.42).Conclusion RD reduces either PPCI or thrombolysis success, with no proven microvascular damage after PPCI. In-hospital prognosis, however, is worse in the RD group only after successful PPCI, but not after successful streptokinase thrombolysis.

Preprocedural TIMI flow and infarct size in STEMI undergoing primary angioplasty

Despite optimal epicardial recanalization, primary angioplasty for STEMI is still associated with suboptimal reperfusion in a relatively large proportion of patients. The aim the current study was to evaluate the impact of preprocedural TIMI flow on myocardial scintigraphic infarct size among STEMI undergoing primary angioplasty. Our population is represented by 793 STEMI patients undergoing primary PCI. Infarct size was evaluated at 30 days by technetium-99m-sestamibi. Poor preprocedural TIMI flow (TIMI 0-1) was observed in 645 patients (81.3%). Poor preprocedural TIMI flow was associated with more hypercholesterolemia (p = 0.012), and a trend in lower prevalence of diabetes (p = 0.081). Preprocedural TIMI flow significantly affected scintigraphic and enzymatic infarct size. Similar findings were observed in the analysis restricted to patients with postprocedural TIMI 3 flow. The impact of preprocedural TIMI flow on scintigraphic infarct size was confirmed when the analysis was performed according to the percentage of patients above the median (p < 0.001) and after adjustment for baseline confounding factors (Hypercholesterolemia and diabetes) [adjusted OR (95% CI) for pre preprocedural TIMI 3 flow = 0.59 (0.46-0.75), p < 0.001]. This study shows that among patients with STEMI undergoing primary angioplasty, poor preprocedural TIMI flow is independently associated with larger infarct size.

Pre-infarction angina predicts thrombus burden in patients admitted for ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction

In patients with ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI), high thrombotic burden, subsequent distal embolisation and myocardial no-reflow remain a large obstacle that may negate the benefits of urgent coronary revascularisation. We aimed at assessing the predictors of: 1) thrombus grade in patients undergoing primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PPCI) and 2) infarct size, in order to optimise therapy to reduce thrombus burden. One-hundred and fifty-three consecutive patients presenting with STEMI and undergoing PPCI were included. Thrombus was evaluated by angiography and scored according to the TIMI study group score. Next, patients were categorised into two groups that had either high thrombus grade (HTG; score 4-5) or low thrombus grade (LTG; score 1-3). We evaluated predictors of angiographic thrombus grade among a number of clinical, angiographic and laboratory data. We also assessed infarct size and scintigraphic left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) at three months in both patient groups. Ninety-four patients (58±11 years; 75% males) presented with HTG, whereas 59 patients (58±12 years; 78% males) presented with LTG. Pre-infarction angina (PIA) was more frequently encountered in the LTG group than in the HTG group (25% vs. 10%, p=0.009). Pre-procedural TIMI flow was significantly lower in the HTG group (p<0.001), and thrombosuction was more frequently applied in the HTG group (p<0.001). Absence of PIA (OR=0.29, 95% CI=0.11-0.75, p=0.01) and proximal culprit lesion (OR=2.10, 95% CI=1.02-4.36, p=0.04) were the only independent predictors of HTG. HTG proved an independent predictor of higher peak levels of creatine kinase (CK) (p<0.001) and troponin T (p<0.001), as well as lower LVEF (p=0.05) along with male gender and absence of prior statin therapy. Absence of PIA and proximal culprit lesions are associated with higher thrombus grade. Higher thrombus grade is associated with larger infarct size and slightly worse LV function. This may have clinical implications in planning strategies, particularly regarding pharmacotherapy, that aim to decrease thrombus burden prior to stent implantation.

Influence of pre-infarction angina, collateral flow, and pre-procedural TIMI flow on myocardial salvage index by cardiac magnetic resonance in patients with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction

In patients with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) pre-infarction angina, pre-procedural TIMI flow and collateral flow to the myocardium supplied by the infarct related artery are suggested to be cardioprotective. We evaluated the effect of these factors on myocardial salvage index (MSI) and infarct size adjusting for area at risk in patients with STEMI treated with primary percutaneous coronary intervention. Cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) was used to measure myocardial area at risk within 1-7 days and final infarct size 90 ± 21 days after the STEMI in 200 patients. MSI was calculated as (area-at-risk infarct size) / area-at-risk. Patients with pre-infarction angina had a median MSI of 0.80 (IQR 0.67 to 0.86) versus 0.72 (0.61 to 0.80) in those without pre-infarction angina, P = 0.004). In a regression analysis of the infarct size plotted against the area-at-risk there was a strong trend that the line for the pre-infarction angina group was below the one for the non-angina group (P = 0.05). Patients with pre-procedural TIMI flow 0/1, 2 and 3 had a median MSI of (0.69 (IQR 0.59 to 0.76), 0.78 (0.68 to 0.86) and 0.85 (0.77 to 0.91), respectively (P<0.001). Collateral flow did not change MSI (P = 0.45) nor area-at-risk (P = 0.40) and no significant difference in infarct size adjusted for area at risk (P = 0.25) was observed. Pre-infarction angina increases MSI in patients with STEMI supporting the theory that pre-infarction angina leads to ischemic preconditioning. As opposed to the presence of angiographically visible collateral flow to the infarct area pre-procedural TIMI flow is strongly associated with MSI.

Effects of aspiration thrombectomy on necrosis size and ejection fraction after transradial percutaneous coronary intervention in acute ST‐elevation myocardial infarction

The use of routine aspiration thrombectomy in primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) remains controversial. Patients in the EArly Discharge after Transradial Stenting of CoronarY Arteries in Acute Myocardial Infarction (n = 105) study were treated with aspirin, clopidogrel, and abciximab within 6 hr of symptoms onset. Operators were allowed to use 6 Fr Export aspiration catheter at their discretion. In this observational analysis, we compared acute and late results in patients treated with and without thrombectomy using cardiac biomarkers, angiographic, cardiovascular magnetic resonance (CMR), and clinical parameters. Patients in the thrombectomy group (n = 44) had longer symptoms to balloon time (196 ± 86 min vs. 164 ± 62, P = 0.039) and higher incidence of preprocedural TIMI flow grade 0 or 1 (84% vs. 64%, P = 0.028). Following PCI, both groups had similar incidence of TIMI flow grade 3 (93 vs. 92%, P = 0.73) and myocardial blush grade 2 or 3 (80 vs. 77%, P = 0.86), respectively. Patients in thrombectomy group had significantly higher post-PCI maximum values of creatine kinase-MB (P = 0.0007) and troponin T (P = 0.0010). Accordingly, post-PCI myocardial necrosis by CMR was higher (P = 0.0030) in patients in the thrombectomy group. At 6-month follow-up, necrosis size remained higher (20.7% ± 13.3% vs. 13.5% ± 11.1%, P = 0.012) in the thrombectomy group. Ejection fraction at 6 months was 65% ± 9% in patients in thrombectomy group compared to 70% ± 11% in patients without (P = 0.070). Results were not affected by initial TIMI flow or symptoms to balloon time. Clinical events remained comparable in both groups at 12 months follow-up. In patients with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction presenting within 6 hr of symptoms and undergoing primary angioplasty with maximal antiplatelet therapy, acute and late results did not suggest significant benefit for additional aspiration thrombectomy, irrespective of initial TIMI flow or total ischemic time.

Timing of events in STEMI patients treated with immediate PCI or standard medical therapy: Implications on optimisation of timing of treatment from the CARESS-in-AMI trial

Objectives Early angioplasty after thrombolysis is now recommended for ST-elevation myocardial infarction, but the current guidelines propose a wide time-window ranging between 3 and 24 h after lytic administration. To identify the optimal timing for PCI after thrombolysis, we analyzed frequency and time course of the adverse events in patients randomized in the multicenter CARESS-in-AMI trial. Methods 598 high-risk patients with STEMI recruited in the CARESS-in-AMI study, were divided into the Immediate PCI group (IMM, n = 298), Rescue PCI group (RES, n = 107) and Standard Treatment Arm without rescue PCI (STA, n = 193). Results RES patients had worse pre-procedural TIMI flow and post-procedural blush grade. At 30 days, there were 23 deaths: 11 (10.3%) in RES, 9 (3%) in IMM and 3 (1.6%) in STA ( p < 0.001). There were 22 episodes of refractory ischemia or re-infarction: 17 (8.8%) in the STA group, 4 (1.6%) in IMM and 1 (0.9%) in RES ( p < 0.001). In the RES group 10/11 (90.9%) deaths occurred before day 5. In the STA group, all deaths and the majority of ischemic events occurred after day 3. A reduction of risk of death was observed if PCI after thrombolysis was performed within 3.35 h from initial hospitalization. Conclusions The mortality benefit of immediate referral to PCI after pharmacological treatment for STEMI derives from a reduction in the time to reperfusion of patients with failed thrombolysis in need of rescue PCI. In patients with evidence of successful reperfusion, “elective” PCI within 3 days may be sufficient to reduce the recurrent ischemic events.