Thrombolysis In Myocardial Infarction Thrombus Grade Research Articles

Impact of triglyceride-glucose index on intracoronary thrombus burden in ST-elevation myocardial infarction patients undergoing primary percutaneous coronary intervention

Background and aimsWe aimed to investigate the relationship between triglyceride glucose (TyG) index and intracoronary thrombus burden in patients with ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) who underwent primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). Methods and resultsA total of 468 consecutive patients who were admitted with STEMI and underwent primary PCI were included in the study. TyG index was calculated as ln [fasting triglycerides (mg/dL) × fasting plasma glucose (mg/dL)/2]. According to the angiographic reclassified thrombolysis in myocardial infarction (TIMI) thrombus grade, patients were divided into two groups as small thrombus burden (STB) with TIMI thrombus grade 0–3, and large thrombus burden (LTB) with TIMI thrombus grade 4–5. TyG index was significantly higher in the LTB group than in the STB group (9.11 ± 0.86 vs 8.89 ± 0.62; p = 0.002). In multivariate analysis, TyG index was found to be an independent predictor of LTB in STEMI patients who underwent primary PCI [OR (95 % CI): 1.470 (1.090–1.982), p = 0.012]. The area under the curve (AUC) of TyG index predicting LTB was 0.568 (95 % CI 0.506–0.631; p = 0.023), with the best cut-off value of 8.87. In the classification according to TyG index cut-off value, the frequency of LTB was found to be significantly higher in the high TyG index group than in the low TyG index group (33.6 % vs 21.2 %; p = 0.003). ConclusionTyG index, a valid surrogate marker of insulin resistance, is an independent predictor of LTB in STEMI patients who underwent primary PCI and can be used as an indicator of increased intracoronary thrombus burden.

Value of aspartate aminotransferase/alanine aminotransferase Ratio in predicting coronary thrombus burden in ST elevation myocardial infarction patients undergoing primary percutaneous coronary intervention

Background and aim The liver is extremely responsive to circulatory hemodynamics as a result of its intricate network of blood arteries. Elevated blood transaminase levels are frequently detected in individuals with myocardial infarction, this study is to determine the predictive value of the aspartate aminotransferase/alanine aminotransferase (AST/ALT) ratio and different clinical parameters in assessing the severity of coronary thrombus burden in patients with ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) undergoing primary PCI. Patients and methods This is a prospective cohort study conducted on 115 patients with acute STEMI (ST segment myocardial infarction) who underwent primary PCI. AST/ALT ratio was calculated for each patient. Evaluation of the extent of thrombus burden using the thrombolysis in myocardial infarction (TIMI) scoring system. Results 56 patients had AST/ALT ratio greater than 2, while 59 patients had AST/ALT ratio less than 2. STEMI patients with AST/ALT ratio greater than 2 had a significantly higher prevalence of total vessel occlusion (TIMI thrombus grade 5), and there is a significant association between high AST/ALT ratio and TIMI thrombus grade 5 on both univariate and multivariate analysis. However, there is no statistically significant difference between both groups as regarding the coronary artery complexity as assessed by SYNTAX and Genseni scores. Conclusion Patients with AST/ALT ratio greater than 2 are strongly associated with high thrombus burden (thrombus burden of 5) on TIMI thrombus grade before primary PCI.

Trombosit Dağılım Genişliği Akut Koroner Sendrom Şiddeti ve Koroner Trombüs Yükü ile İlişkili mi?

Aim: Platelets play a pivotal role in the pathogenesis of acute coronary syndrome (ACS), and platelet distribution width (PDW) shows the activities of platelets in circulation. The purpose of this study was to determine the association of PDW with the ACS severity and angiographic intracoronary thrombus burden and Thrombolysis In Myocardial Infarction (TIMI) flow grade.
 Materials and Methods: One hundred forty-nine consecutive patients who were diagnosed as having ACS were retrospectively evaluated. Global Registry of Acute Coronary Events (GRACE) scores were calculated from the clinical and laboratory data for ACS severity. TIMI flow grades and thrombus grades of the culprit coronary arteries were calculated for each patient. Patients were grouped into two groups according to their PDW values: high PDW and low PDW. The SPSS 17.0 software was used for statistical analysis. 
 Results: PDW was found to be correlated with GRACE scores (P

The Predictive Value of R Wave Peak Time to Detect Thrombus Burden in St-segment Elevation Myocardial Infarction: A Retrospective Cohort Study in a Tertiary Medical Center.

Background: Patients with higher thrombus burden have higher procedural complications and more long-term adverse cardiac events. Detecting patients with high thrombus burden (HTB) before coronary intervention could help avoid procedural complications. Objective: The research aimed to analyze the R wave peak time (RWPT) on the electrocardiogram to predict thrombus burden before coronary angiography in patients with acute ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI). Materials and Methods: A total of 159 patients with STEMI were included in the study conducted at a tertiary medical center. The thrombolysis in myocardial infarction (TIMI) thrombus scale was applied to assess the thrombus burden. TIMI thrombus grades 0, 1, 2, and 3 were accepted as low; 4 and 5 had HTB. RWPT was measured from the beginning of the QRS complex to the R-peak from the leads pointing to the infarct-related artery. Results: Patients were divided into two groups according to their angiographically defined thrombus burden as low and high. The low thrombus burden group (LTB) comprised fifty-four patients, whereas the HTB group comprised 105 patients. In the LTB group, RWPT was 47.96 ± 9.17 ms, and in the HTB group was 53.58 ± 8.92 ms; it was significantly longer (p < 0.01). Receiver operating characteristic analysis showed that a cut-off value of preprocedural RWPT of > 46.5 ms predicted the occurrence of HTB with a sensitivity and specificity of 87.62% and 51.85%, respectively (AUC 0.682, 95% CI 0.590-0.774, p < 0.001). Conclusion: The present study evaluated the relationship between the RWPT and thrombus burden in STEMI patients. Based on the results, RWPT is an independent predictor of HTB.

Direct stenting versus stenting after predilatation in STEMI patients with high thrombus burden: a subanalysis from the randomized COMPARE CRUSH trial

Abstract Background/Introduction Direct stenting has been proposed to reduce vessel wall damage and distal embolization in patients with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) undergoing primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). However, studies comparing direct stenting with stenting after predilatation have shown mixed results so far. Patients presenting with high thrombus burden in the culprit lesion represent a subgroup of STEMI patients that may particularly benefit from direct stenting, as high thrombus burden is associated with suboptimal reperfusion and poor clinical outcomes. Purpose We sought to determine the efficacy of direct stenting compared with stenting after predilatation in STEMI patients presenting with high thrombus burden. Methods The randomized COMPARE CRUSH trial assessed the efficacy of pre-hospital administration of crushed versus integral prasugrel tablets in patients presenting with STEMI planned for primary PCI. We assessed Thrombolysis In Myocardial Infarction (TIMI) flow, corrected TIMI frame count (cTFC) and myocardial blush grade at the end of primary PCI, as well as the occurrence of complete (≥70%) ST-segment resolution 1 hour post-PCI in STEMI patients presenting with high thrombus burden in the culprit lesion (defined as a TIMI thrombus grade ≥3). Results A total of 417 STEMI patients were included in the current analysis of which 336 (81%) presented with high thrombus burden on initial angiography with 144 patients (43%) being treated with direct stenting. Patients undergoing direct stenting exhibited significantly lower cTFC post-PCI compared with stenting after predilatation (16 [12–24] vs. 20 [13–29], p=0.02). Moreover, direct stenting patients more frequently exhibited complete ST-segment resolution 1 hour post-PCI compared with stenting after predilatation (72% vs. 59%, OR 1.82 [95% CI, 1.11–2.99], p=0.02). In contrast, we found no differences in the occurrence of TIMI 3 flow (DS 92% vs. 92%, OR 1.02 [0.47–2.22], p=0.97) or myocardial blush grade 3 (DS 63% vs. 54%, OR 1.45 [95% CI, 0.83–2.52], p=0.19) post-PCI between groups. Conclusion STEMI patients presenting with high thrombus burden treated with direct stenting showed improved markers of early myocardial reperfusion compared with patients treated with stenting after predilatation, indicating that a direct stenting strategy may benefit the subgroup of STEMI patients that present with high thrombus burden. Randomized trials are warranted to further investigate whether the potential benefits of direct stenting outweigh potential hazards over the long-term. Funding Acknowledgement Type of funding sources: Other. Main funding source(s): Daiichi-Sankyo and Shanghai MicroPort Medical

A prospective, first-in-human use of the NeVa mechanical thrombectomy device for patients with acute coronary syndromes.

There is no established technique for managing large thrombus burden (LTB) in patients with acute coronary syndrome (ACS). The aim of this study was to assess the safety and efficacy of the NeVa (Vesalio) mechanical thrombectomy device (MTD) in ACS patients with LTB. Consecutive patients with ACS and LTB were treated with the NeVa MTD as the primary vessel recanalisation and thrombus removal modality, followed by conventional intervention. We further developed a bench model and applied to a subset of patients, a vacuum-assisted aspiration technique, exploiting 6 Fr-compatible conventional guiding catheter extensions, as an adjudicative manoeuvre to the use of stent-based MTD. A core laboratory reviewed the angiographic images for procedural complications, Thrombolysis In Myocardial Infarction (TIMI) flow, myocardial blush grade (MBG) and TIMI thrombus grade (TTG). Between November 2019 and March 2021, 61 patients underwent thrombectomy with the NeVa device. Non-flow limiting and reversible coronary spasm occurred in 14 (23%) patients. One patient (#10) suffered from side branch embolisation, which was successfully treated with the NeVa, triggering the development of a vacuum-assisted aspiration technique in a bench model, which was then applied to the subsequent 51 patients. No other device-related complications occurred. After NeVa use, TIMI flow <3 decreased from 68.3% at baseline to 10.3% (p<0.001), MBG <2 from 65% to 27.6% (p<0.001), TTG ≥3 from 96.7% to 43.2% (p<0.001), respectively. In patients with LTB, the NeVa MTD was safe and associated with high rates of vessel recanalisation and thrombus removal. The concomitant use of vacuum-assisted aspiration has potential to improve the effectiveness and safety of the technique.

Thiols and disulfide levels are correlated with TIMI thrombus grade in non-ST elevation myocardial infarction patients.

Aim: We investigated the relationship between thrombolysis in myocardial infarction(TIMI) thrombus grade and thiol/disulfide levels. Materials&methods: 182non-ST elevation myocardial infarction (NSTEMI) patients were divided into two groups; TIMI grade 0 patients who do not have any visible thrombus in their culprit vessels, and TIMI thrombus grade 1-5 patients. Results: Native and total thiol levels and disulfide to thiol ratio were higher in the low thrombus group. In addition, thrombus grade was positively correlated with disulfide to native and total thiol ratio and negatively with native and total thiol levels in NSTEMI patients. Conclusion: We can assert that thiol levels tend to decrease and the disulfide to thiol ratio increase, with the increasing thrombus burden in NSTEMI patients.

Systemic Immune-Inflammation Index: A Novel Predictor of Coronary Thrombus Burden in Patients with Non-ST Acute Coronary Syndrome.

Background and Objectives: Excessive coronary thrombus burden is known to cause an increase in mortality and major adverse cardiac events (MACEs) in NSTE-ACS (non-ST acute coronary syndrome) patients. We investigated the association between the systemic immune-inflammation index (SII) and coronary thrombus burden in patients with non-ST segment elevation myocardial infarction (NSTEMI) who underwent coronary angiography and percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). Materials and Methods: A total of 389 patients with the diagnosis of NSTEMI participated in our study. Coronary thrombus burden was classified in the TIMI (thrombolysis in myocardial infarction) thrombus grade scale and patients were divided into two groups: a TIMI thrombus grade 0–1 group (n = 209, 157 males) and a TIMI thrombus grade 2–6 group (n = 180, 118 males). Demographics, angiographic lesion images, coronary thrombus burden, clinical risk factors, laboratory parameters, and SII score were compared between the two groups. Results: The high thrombus burden patient group had a higher neutrophil count, WBC count, platelet count, and systemic immune-inflammation index (SII) (p < 0.001). The receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis showed that at a cutoff of 1103, the value of SII manifested 74.4% sensitivity and 74.6% specificity for detecting a high coronary thrombus burden. Conclusions: Our study showed that the SII levels at hospital admission were independently associated with high coronary thrombus with NSTEMI.

Association of stress hyperglycemia ratio with intracoronary thrombus burden in diabetic patients with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction.

BackgroundLarge intracoronary thrombus burden is not rare during primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) in patients with acute ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI). Stress hyperglycemia is independently associated with poor prognosis. However, the underlying relationship between stress hyperglycemia and thrombus burden remains unknown. This study aims to investigate the association of stress hyperglycemia, evaluated by the combination of acute and chronic glycemic levels, with intracoronary thrombus burden in diabetic patients with STEMI.MethodsWe enrolled 227 consecutive diabetic patients with STEMI undergoing primary PCI within 12 hours after symptom onset. Stress hyperglycemia was estimated using the stress hyperglycemia ratio (SHR), which was calculated as admission glycemia divided by estimated average glucose derived from glycosylated hemoglobin. Based on reclassified angiographic thrombolysis in myocardial infarction (TIMI) thrombus grades, patients were divided into small thrombus burden (STB) group (TIMI thrombus grades <4) and large thrombus burden (LTB) group (TIMI thrombus grades 4 or 5).ResultsOf the entire study population, 77 (33.9%) patients were categorized as LTB group, whereas 150 (66.1%) patients presented with STB. The mean age was 64.1 years, and 80.6% of the patients were male. The SHR levels were significantly higher in patients with LTB than in those with STB [1.31; interquartile range (IQR): 1.13–1.48 versus 1.11; IQR: 0.96–1.32; P<0.001]. The predictive performance of SHR for LTB was moderate (area under the curve: 0.669; 95% confidence interval: 0.604–0.730; P<0.001), with the best cut-off value 1.19 (sensitivity 71.4%, specificity 64.7%). The incidence of LTB with SHR ≥1.19 was significantly higher compared with SHR <1.19 (50.9% versus 18.5%; P<0.001). Based on the multivariable logistic regression analysis, the high SHR (≥1.19) was found to be an independent predictor of LTB following adjustment for baseline clinical confounders.ConclusionsA high SHR value was independently associated with large thrombus burden and has a better predictive value than glycemia at admission in diabetic patients with STEMI undergoing primary PCI. Stress hyperglycemia may play an important role on the intracoronary thrombus formation.

Local Intracoronary Infusion of Glycoprotein IIb/IIIa Inhibitors via a Perfusion Catheter versus Intracoronary Guiding Catheter Injection during Primary Percutaneous Coronary Intervention: A Pilot Observational Study.

Glycoprotein IIb IIIa inhibitors improved short- and long-term outcome when added to primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PPCI) in patients with ST-segment-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI). We hypothesized that intracoronary eptifibatide infusion via a perfusion catheter improves angiographic and clinical outcome of patients with STEMI undergoing PPCI, versus conventional intracoronary bolus injection. Prospectively, we enrolled 80 patients with acute STEMI and thrombolysis in myocardial infarction (TIMI) thrombus grade ≥ 2. Patients were assigned to receive eptifibatide (180 μg) either via a dedicated coronary perfusion catheter (ClearWayTM) during PPCI (group I), or guiding catheter (group II). Assessment of TIMI thrombus grade, TIMI flow grade, and TIMI myocardial perfusion (TMP) grade was performed both at baseline and post- procedurally. The primary 'angiographic' endpoint was final TMP grade 0/1. The primary 'clinical' endpoint was a composite of cardiac death, non-fatal re-infarction, target vessel revascularization, and recurrent ischemia at 30-day follow-up. Mean age was 52.3 ± 8.9 years (17.5% females). Clearance of visible thrombus (TIMI thrombus grade 0) at final angiogram was more frequent in group I. Additionally, both final TIMI flow grade 3 and final TMP grade 3 occurred more frequently in group I. The primary angiographic endpoint was more frequent in group II versus group I (17.5% versus 0%, respectively, p = 0.001). The primary clinical endpoint was more frequent in group II (20% versus 0%, respectively, p = 0.003). In patients with STEMI, intracoronary eptifibatide infusion via a perfusion catheter during PPCI improved immediate angiographic outcome, and reduced clinical events at 30-day follow-up, versus bolus injection via the guiding catheter.

Predictors of No-Reflow Phenomenon in Young Patients With Acute ST-Segment Elevation Myocardial Infarction Undergoing Primary Percutaneous Coronary Intervention.

No-reflow is of prognostic value in ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) but has not been extensively investigated in young patients. Young patients with STEMI admitted within 12 hours from symptom onset and treated by primary percutaneous coronary intervention (pPCI) were recruited. Patients were classified into 2 groups based on postintervention thrombolysis in myocardial infarction (TIMI) flow grade; no-reflow: TIMI flow grade 0, 1 or 2 (group 1; n = 27; 21 men, mean age: 42 ± 4 years); and angiographic success: TIMI flow grade 3 (group 2; n = 118; 110 men, mean age: 43 ± 4 years). Adjusted odds ratios were 13.79 for female gender (P < .001; confidence interval [CI] = 1.88-101.26), 2.09 for pain to balloon time (P < .017; CI = 1.14-3.812), 12.29 for high TIMI thrombus grade (P = .012; CI = 1.74-86.94), 0.04 for tirofiban use (P < .001; CI = 0.01-0.22), 5.19 for mean platelet volume (MPV; P < .001; CI = 2.44-11.01), and 1.008 for platelet-lymphocyte ratio (PLR; P = .034; CI = 1.001-1.016). In conclusion, female gender, pain to balloon time, high TIMI thrombus grade, tirofiban, MPV, and PLR were independent predictors of no-reflow in young patients with STEMI after pPCI.

OP-005 Relation Between Platelet/Lymphocyte Ratio and Coronary Flow in Patients With ST-Segment Elevation Acute Myocardial Infarction Undergoing Primary Coronary Intervention

Platelet/lymphocyte ratio (PLR) has been shown as an inflammatory biomarkers for coronary heart disease, but data regarding the association of PLR with coronary blood flow in ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) are lacking. We aimed to investigate the relationship between the PLR and no-reflow in patient with STEMI. In present study, we included 360 consecutive patients suffering from STEMI who underwent primary percutaneous coronary intervention (p-PCI), reperfused within 12 h of symptom onset. Patients were divided into 2 groups based on Thrombolysis In Myocardial Infarction (TIMI) flow Grade and Myocardial blush grade (MBG). No-reflow after p-PCI was defined as a coronary TIMI flow grade <= 2 after vessel re-canalized or TIMI flow grade 3 together with a final MBG < 2. The PLR values were significantly higher in patients with no-reflow than in those without no-reflow (283.7 ± 96.6 vs 251.8 ± 75.6 p <0.001). In regression analysis, PLR [odds ratio 1.18, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.05-1.39; P <0.001]. In receiver operator characteristic curve analysis, optimal cut-off value of PLR to predict no-reflow was found as 162, with 70% sensitivity and 61% specificity. Furthermore, we found that a significant correlation between the PLR both the TIMI thrombus grade scale and C-reactive protein (r = 42, p <0.001 and r = 33, p <0.001, respectively). PLR on admission is a strong and independent predictor of poor coronary blood flow following p-PCI in patient with STEMI. This simple and readily avaible parameter may be a useful biomarker for stratification of risk in patients with STEMI.

Thrombus aspiration in elderly STEMI patients

No data is so far available on the impact of thrombus aspiration onoutcome in the elderly patients with ST elevation myocardial infarc-tion (STEMI) submitted to primary PCI (pPCI9) [1–4].We aimed at assessing the factors influencing the decision to usethrombus aspiration and its prognostic impact at short and long termsin404elderly(>/=75 yearold)STEMIpatientssubmittedtopPCI,con-secutively admitted to our Intensive Cardiac Care Unit (ICCU) from 1stJanuary2004to31thDecember2010(theFlorenceSTEMIregistry)[5–7].According to our Cath Lab's policy, thrombus aspiration wasperformed in presence of:a) Thrombolysis In Myocardial Infarction (TIMI) grade 0 to 1 flow.b) TIMI thrombus grades 3 to 5 [8–11].c) An infarction-related artery minimal reference diameter of at least2.5 mm [12–14].Mechanical (Export Medtronic device) or Rheolytic (AngioJetrheolytic thrombectomy System, Medrad Interventional/Possis,Minneapolis, Minnesota) thrombus aspiration was performed accordingto the interventional cardiologist's discretion [12,14].Theprimaryoutcomeswere mortalityrateduring ICCUstay andatfollow-up. One-year post discharge mortality was computed as previ-ously described [15].ThestudyprotocolwasinaccordancewiththeDeclarationofHelsinkiand approved by the local Ethics Committee. Informed consent wasobtained in all patients before enrollment.Ap-valueb0.05 was considered statistically signi ficant. Continuousvariableswerereportedasmean ± SD;categoricalvariablesaredepictedas frequency (percentage). For continuous variables, between-groupcomparisons were performed with Student's t-test; categorical vari-ables were compared with chi-square.Multivariablecorrelationofthromboaspirationwithin-ICCUmortal-itywasinvestigatedwithlogisticregressionanalysis:candidatevariablewascarefullychosenamongthoseknowntobeclinicallyrelatedtoout-comeinordertoavoidmodeloverfitting.One-yearpost-dischargemor-talitywasinvestigated,afterassessmentofhazardproportionality,withmultivariable Cox regression analyses, in which the thromboaspirationhas been adjusted for age of patients (1 year step), ejection fraction atdischarge (1% step) and eGFR (1 ml/min/1.73 m

Angiographic Outcomes in the PLATO Trial (Platelet Inhibition and Patient Outcomes)

The PLATO (Platelet Inhibition and Patient Outcomes) angiographic substudy sought to compare the efficacy of ticagrelor versus clopidogrel with respect to angiographic outcomes before and after PCI in the setting of acute coronary syndrome. Greater platelet inhibition has been associated with improved angiographic outcomes before and after percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). Therefore, it was hypothesized that treatment with ticagrelor, which achieves more rapid, higher, and more consistent platelet inhibition, would be associated with improved angiographic outcomes when compared with those of clopidogrel treatment. The angiographic cohort consists of 2,616 patients drawn from the 18,624-patient PLATO trial. Clopidogrel naïve or pre-treated patients were randomized to 180 mg of ticagrelor or 300 mg of clopidogrel (75 mg for clopidogrel pre-treated patients). PCI patients were administered, as per treatment group: 1) an additional 90 mg of ticagrelor if >24 h following the initial loading dose; or 2) an optional further 300 mg of clopidogrel or placebo (total 600 mg) prior to PCI. The substudy primary endpoint was the incidence of post-PCI TIMI (Thrombolysis In Myocardial Infarction) myocardial perfusion grade 3 (TMPG 3) among patients who received a study drug prior to PCI. In total, 21.3% of patients were pretreated with clopidogrel prior to randomization. There was a short time interval between randomization and PCI (median: 0.68 [interquartile range (IQR): 0.30 to 2.21] h) among all patients. Post-PCI TMPG 3 was similar between the ticagrelor and clopidogrel groups (47.1% vs. 46.9%; p = 0.96). Likewise, the following pre-PCI outcomes were similar in the ticagrelor and clopidogrel groups, respectively: TMPG 3 (30.5% vs. 31.2%), TIMI flow grade 3 (37.1% vs. 39.3%), corrected TIMI frame count (median: 100 vs. 71 frames), TIMI thrombus grade 0 (24.1% vs. 27.6%), minimum lumen diameter (median: 0.3 [IQR: 0.0 to 0.6] vs. 0.3 [IQR: 0.0 to 0.6] mm) and percentage of diameter stenosis (median: 89 [IQR: 78 to 100] vs. 89 [IQR: 77 to 100]). Neither coronary flow nor myocardial perfusion, evaluated on coronary angiograms performed before or following PCI procedures within a few hours after the start of oral antiplatelet treatment in the setting of acute coronary syndromes, demonstrated a difference with ticagrelor versus clopidogrel. (A Comparison of Ticagrelor [AZD6140] and Clopidogrel in Patients With Acute Coronary Syndrome [PLATO]; NCT00391872).

Transient no reflow following primary percutaneous coronary intervention

No reflow following primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) is a serious complication in the treatment of acute myocardial infarction. No reflow in some patients is reversible (transient no reflow), whereas no reflow in others persists until the end of the procedure (persistent no reflow). The aim of this study was to identify clinical features of transient no reflow following primary PCI. Consecutive patients with no reflow (n = 123) were enrolled following primary PCI. Among them, 59 patients were in the transient group and 64 in the persistent group. We compared clinical features and hospital outcomes between the two groups. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was performed to identify the determinants of transient no reflow. The transient group had a lower rate of in-hospital cardiac death than the persistent group (0 vs. 6.4 %, relatively, P = 0.018). There was a trend for a shorter length of hospital stay in the transient group. Multivariate logistic regression analysis identified initial thrombolysis in myocardial infarction (TIMI) flow grade 3 (OR 6.239, 95 % CI 1.727-22.541, P = 0.005) and a higher estimated glomerular filtration rate (OR 1.204, 95 % CI 1.006-1.440, P = 0.042) as independent predictors of transient no reflow. Transient no reflow tended to be associated with TIMI thrombus grade ≤3 (OR 2.879, 95 % CI 0.928-8.931, P = 0.067). In conclusion, initial TIMI flow grade 3 and preserved renal function were associated with recovery from no reflow. Initial angiographic finding such as TIMI flow or TIMI thrombus grade might be an important predictor of recovery from the no-reflow phenomenon.

Intraluminal Thrombus in Facilitated Versus Primary Percutaneous Coronary Intervention: An Angiographic Substudy of the ASSENT-4 PCI (Assessment of the Safety and Efficacy of a New Treatment Strategy With Percutaneous Coronary Intervention) Trial

This study investigated the occurrence of intraluminal thrombus and its potential implications with facilitated percutaneous coronary interventions (fPCIs). The effect of fPCI on the presence and consequences of intraluminal thrombus is unknown. Thrombolysis In Myocardial Infarction (TIMI) flow grade, frame count, and thrombus grade; distal embolization; and slow flow in the infarct-related artery were assessed in a blinded fashion on coronary angiograms in 1,342 patients from the ASSENT-4 PCI (Assessment of the Safety and Efficacy of a New Treatment Strategy With Percutaneous Coronary Intervention) trial. Residual TIMI thrombus grade ≥2 and/or distal embolization and/or slow flow, reflecting thrombus burden (TB), following PCI were correlated with ST-segment resolution, epicardial blood flow, and clinical outcome. The clinical composite endpoint was death, congestive heart failure, or shock. In the fPCI group, more TIMI flow grade 2/3 in the infarct-related artery at the first angiogram (73.7% vs. 33.4%, p < 0.001) and a higher TB following PCI (19.7% vs. 13.4%, p = 0.002) were found in comparison with the primary PCI group. Post-PCI TIMI thrombus grade was significantly associated with ST-segment resolution (p < 0.001) and TIMI frame count (p < 0.0001) in both groups. In the fPCI group, the presence of post-PCI thrombus was associated with a significantly worse outcome at 90 days (clinical composite endpoint: 32.1% vs. 18.6%, p = 0.023). Multivariable logistic regression showed that facilitation with tenecteplase (p = 0.005) and TB (odds ratio: 2.43, 95% confidence interval: 1.30 to 4.51, p = 0.0052) were independent predictors of 90-day mortality. In ASSENT-4 PCI, despite more patency, residual TB was significantly higher in fPCI patients and was associated with less efficient tissue reperfusion and worse clinical outcomes. (A Trial Evaluating the Efficacy and Safety of Tenecteplase Together With Unfractionated Heparin Prior to Early Percutaneous Coronary Intervention [PCI] as Compared to Standard Primary PCI in Patients With Acute Myocardial Infarction [ASSENT-4 PCI]; NCT00168792).

Reduced thrombus burden with abciximab delivered locally before percutaneous intervention in saphenous vein grafts

Background Existing thrombus can complicate percutaneous saphenous vein graft (SVG) intervention. Local delivery of thrombolytics has been used to reduce the thrombus burden often associated with these interventions. We sought to determine whether local delivery of a platelet glycoprotein IIb/IIIa inhibitor is feasible and can reduce thrombus burden before percutaneous SVG intervention. Methods We performed a multicenter pilot study of abciximab (0.25 mg/kg) given by local delivery catheter before percutaneous intervention for de novo SVG stenoses followed by intravenous infusion. All patients (n = 58) had ≥60% stenosis and Thrombolysis In Myocardial Infarction (TIMI) grade >0 flow in an SVG of 3 to 4 mm in diameter. Percent diameter stenosis, TIMI thrombus grade, and TIMI flow grade were measured before and after delivery of abciximab and after intervention. Results Median percent diameter stenosis improved from 69% to 45% ( P = .0001) after local delivery, and TIMI thrombus grade ≥1 incidence reduced from 68% to 34% ( P = .0001). TIMI flow grade was not significantly affected ( P = .12). All patients had a successful intervention (≤50% residual stenosis). Conclusions Local abciximab delivery before percutaneous SVG intervention is associated with significantly reduced thrombus burden, significantly improved percent diameter stenosis, and excellent acute procedural results. Further studies of this approach are warranted to define its clinical utility.