Thrombus aspiration during primary percutaneous coronary intervention for acute myocardial infarction:A review of clinical evidence and guidelines

Acute ST segment elevation myocardial infarction(STEMI) is characterized by complete thrombotic occlusion of a major coronary artery. Early recanalization of the infarct-related artery is most efficiently delivered by primary percutaneous coronary intervention(PPCI),however this does not always restore normal myocardial perfusion,mainly due to distal embolization of the thrombus and microvascular obstruction. Early evidence for manual thrombus aspiration during PPCI was promising and this was once considered an important aspect of the procedure,especially in patients with a high thrombus burden. However,a large body of evidence from recent major randomized controlled trials(notably TASTE and TOTAL) does not support the routine use of manual thrombus aspiration in patients with STEMI undergoing PPCI.

Correlation between intracoronary thrombus components and coronary blood flow after percutaneous coronary intervention for acute myocardial infarction at different onset time

BACKGROUND Acute myocardial infarction(AMI)is a leading cause of mortality.Early reperfusion to restore blood flow is crucial to successful treatment.In the current reperfusion regimen,an increasing number of patients have benefited from direct percutaneous coronary intervention(PCI).In order to understand whether there is a correlation between the components of coronary thrombosis and the absence of reflow or slow blood flow after coronary stent implantation in direct PCI,we collected data on direct PCI cases in our hospital between January 2016 and November 2018.AIM To investigate the correlation between intracoronary thrombus components and coronary blood flow after stent implantation in direct PCI in AMI.METHODS We enrolled 154 patients(85 male and 69 female,aged 36–81 years)with direct PCI who underwent thrombus catheter aspiration within<3,3–6 or 6–12 h of onset of AMI between January 2016 and November 2018.The thrombus was removed for pathological examination under a microscope.The patients of the three groups according to the onset time of AMI were further divided into those with a white or red thrombus.The thrombolysis in myocardial infarction(TIMI)blood flow after stent implantation was recorded based on digital subtraction angiography during PCI.The number of patients with no-reflow and slow blood flow in each group was counted.Statistical analysis was performed based on data such as onset time,TIMI blood flow.RESULTS There were significant differences in thrombus components between the patients with acute ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction and non-ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction(P<0.01).In the group with PCI<3 h after onset of AMI,there was no significant difference in the incidence of no-reflow and slow-flow between the white and red thrombus groups.In the groups with PCI 3-6 and 6-12 h after onset of AMI,there was a significant difference in the incidence of no-reflow and slow-flow between the white and red thrombus groups(P<0.01).There was a significant correlation between the onset time of AMI and the occurrences of no-reflow and slow blood flow during PCI(P<0.01).CONCLUSION In direct PCI,the onset time of AMI and color of coronary thrombus are often used to predict whether there will be no reflow or slow blood flow after stent implantation.

Percutaneous coronary intervention for acute myocardial infarction in a patient with dextrocardia

Situs inversus with dextrocardia is a rare congenital anomaly.There are limited published case reports of successful percutaneous coronary intervention(PCI) in these patients who have atherosclerotic coronary artery disease,especially when presenting with acute myocardial infarction.PCI is technically difficult be-cause of mirror image dextrocardia.We hereby de-scribe a 48-yr-old female,who had acute inferior wall myocardial infarction and underwent successful emer-gency primary coronary angioplasty and stenting of a proximally occluded right coronary artery.Technical details about PCI are discussed.

A comparative study on transradial vs transfemoral artery access for primary percutaneous coronary intervention in patients with acute myocardial infarction

Objective Comparative study on the feasibility,safety and outcome of transradial artery and transfemoral artery access for primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) in patients with acute myocardial infarction(AMI).Methods Two hundred and eight patients with AMI episoded within 12 hours, male 159, female 49, age 58.9 ±11.9 (34～88)years, were randomly divided into transradial artery access for primary PCI (TRA pPCI) group of 106 cases and transfemoral artery access for PCI (TFA pPCI) group of 102 cases during Sept, 2000 to Aug, 2002. The protocols of the manipulation duration and the effect for TRA pPCI and TFA pPCI procedures were respectively compared, including the time of transradial artery puncture and the rate of puncture success at first time ; the time of guiding catheter engaging into target coronary ostium; the rate of patence in infarct related artery (IRA); total duration of manipulation and the successful rate.The incidence of complications such as bleeding, vessel injury,thrombi and embolism as well as the average stay of hospitalization between two groups was compared. The status and the incidance of vessel spasm were observed and the effect of medicine administration to prevent from and relieve the vascular spasm was evaluated. The time of Allen’s test before and after TRA pPCI , the inner diameter and the peak of blood velocity of the right and left radial artery were investigated with color Doppler vessel echography as well as the complications of radial artery were followed up 1 month after TRA pPCI procedure. Results Two cases in every TRA pPCI and TFA pPCI groups were crossed over each other because procedure of the transradial or transfemoral access was failure. One handred and six vessels (48 vessels in LAD,22 vessels in LCX and 36 vessels in RCA) associated with 28 vessels of total occlusion in TRA pPCI group and 102 vessels (51 vessels in LAD,18 veesles in LCX and 33 vessels in RCA) with 24 vessels in total occlusion in TFA pPCI group were angioplasticized . The successful rates of the first time puncture in access artery, the re patence IRA and pPCI were similar in TRA pPCI and TFA pPCI groups ( 93.4% vs 96.1% ;100% vs 100%; 96.2% vs 97.1% , P >0.05 ). There were no significant diffierence in the average time of puncture time of access artery ,engaging in target vessels of guiding catheters and the total procedure of PCI between the two groups ( 1.3 ±0.3s vs 1.2 ±0.3s ; 6.0 ±1.6min vs 5.8 ±0.9min ; 49.2 ±24.1min vs 46.5 ± 26.4min , P >0.05 ). The access artery complications such as bleeding ,hematoma and embolism as well the veneous thrombosis in TFA pPCI group were much more than those in TRA pPCI group(p< 0.01 ). Although slight artery spasm of 4.7% cases in TRA pPCI group was happened during the procedure of PCI , the procedure had being continued after administration of medicine to release the spasm. The time of Allen’s test ,diameter and the systolic velocity of blood in daul radial arteries were no significant change before and after pPCI.Conclusions The duration and effect by TRA pPCI for AMI with stable hemodynamics was similar to TFA pPCI. The complications such as of bleeding,vessel injury, thrombi and embolism by TRA pPCI were few, and it was unnecessary to discontinue the anticoagulation medicine. TRA pPCI might be selected as a access vessel for pPCI in AMI patients with stable hemodynamics.

Ultrasound-guided fascia iliaca compartment block combined with general anesthesia for amputation in an acute myocardial infarction patient after percutaneous coronary intervention: A case report

BACKGROUND Fascia iliaca compartment block is a technique that blocks three nerves,similar to a 3-in-1 nerve block.This block provides analgesia for patients undergoing lower limb surgery,and is a simple technique that is easy to implement.Here,we report a case of fascia iliaca compartment block in a patient with myocardial infarction who underwent emergency middle thigh amputation.CASE SUMMARY A 78-year-old female patient weighing 38 kg with gangrene and occlusive peripheral atherosclerosis of the right leg underwent an emergency middle thigh amputation.The patient had a history of hypertension,coronary heart disease,cerebral infarction,anterior wall myocardial infarction,and had recently undergone percutaneous coronary intervention consisting of coronary angiography and right coronary artery stent implantation.Considering the patient's condition,an ultrasound-guided fascia iliaca compartment block combined with general anesthesia was implemented for amputation.The fascia iliaca compartment block provided analgesia for the operation,and reduced the dosage of general anesthetics.It also alleviated adverse cardiovascular effects caused by pain stress,and ensured the safety of the patient during the perioperative period.This block also provided postoperative analgesia.The patient had a good prognosis,and was subsequently discharged from hospital.CONCLUSION Fascia iliaca compartment block provides surgical analgesia.It also alleviates adverse cardiovascular effects,and ensures patient safety during the perioperative period.

Effectiveness and feasibility of transradial approaches for primary percutaneous coronary intervention in patients with acute myocardial infarction

Objective： To evaluate the efficacy and feasibility of the transradial approach for primary percutaneous coronary intervention （PCI） in patients with acute myocardial infarction（AMI）. Methods： 195 patients with acute myocardial infarction were randomly divided into two groups according to the different PCI operation pathways. 105 cases were assigned to the transfemoral artery group and 90 cases to the transradial artery group. We analyzed the data from the two groups, including the achievement ratio of paracentesis, cannulation time, the time from local anesthesia to the first time balloon inflation, the time of the total procedure, achievement ratio of PCI, incidence rate of vascular complications, total duration of hospitalization, and the six-month follow-up results in both groups. Results： Our results showed that the achier ement ratio of arteriopuncture, cannulafion time and the time from local anesthesia to the first time balloon inflation in the transradial and transfemoral groups were 98.9% vs. 100%, 3.15 ± 1.56min vs. 2.86 ± 0.97 min, and 18.56 ± 4.37 min vs. 17.75 ± 3.21 min, respectively. These differences between the two groups were not statistically significant. The total operating time was 29.75 ± 4.38 rain for the transradial group and 27.89 ± 3.95 min（P 〈 0.05） for the transfemoral group. The operation achievement ratio in the transradial group was 96.7%, and 96.2% in the transfemoral group. The incidence of puncture point complications was 2.2% in the transradial group and 11.4% in the transfemoral group, and this difference was significant. The duration of hospitalization was 10.56 ± 2.85 days for the transradial group and 13.78 ± 3.15 days（P 〈 0.05） for the transfemoral group. At the six-month follow-up, the rate of survival without cardiac event was 86.1% vs. 86.4% respectively in the transradial and transfemoral groups（P 〉 0.05）. Conclusion： The transradial approach was as effective as the transfemoral approach, and there were fewer puncture point complications as well as a shorter span of hospitalization in the transradial group. PCI via the transradial approach is safe, effective and feasible in patients with AMI.

Relation of hyperglycemia to ST-segment resolution after primary percutaneous coronary intervention for acute myocardial infarction

Background Hyperglycemia has been shown to be a powerful predictor of poor outcome after ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction （STEMI）. This study aimed to evaluate the effect of admission glucose on microvascular flow after successful primary percutaneous coronary intervention （PCI） in patients with STEMI. Methods Successful primary PCI was performed in 267 patients with STEMI. The maximum ST elevation of single electrocardiogram （ECG） lead before and 60 minutes after PCI was measured, and patients were then divided into 3 groups according to the degree of ST-segment resolution （STR）： absent （〈30%）, partial （30% to 70%） or complete （〉70%）. Results Of the 267 patients, 48 （18.0%） had absent STR, 137 （51.3%） experienced partial STR, and 82 （30.7%） had complete STR. The degree of STR decreased with increasing admission glucose levels （P=0.032）, and patients with hyperglycemia （serum glucose level ≥1 mmol/L） were more likely to have absent STR （P=-0.001）. Moreover, hyperglycemia was an independent predictor of incomplete STR （odds ratio, 1.870; 95% confidence interval, 1.038 to 3.371, P=-0.037）. Conclusions Hyperglycemia on admission is associated with abnormal coronary microvascular reperfusion in patients with STEMI after successful primary PCI, which may contribute, at least in part, to the poor outcomes in these patients.

Dual-phase contrast-enhancement multislice computed tomography imaging for the assessment of elderly patients with acute myocardial infarction after primary percutaneous coronary intervention

Background Evaluation of acute myocardial infarction after reperfusion by dual phase contrast-enhancement multislice computed tomography(MSCT)was implicated in porcine model.There have been few attempts to use this diagnostic modality for the early assessment of coronary reperfusion in patients with ST-elevation myocardial infarction(STEMI),especially after primary percutaneous coronary intervention(PCI).In elderly patients with STEMI,the safety issues remain unknown.Methods Dual phase contrast-enhancement MSCT examinations were performed in 11 elderly patients(≥60 years old)with STEMI within one week after primary PCI.The presence,location and enhancement pattern on MSCT were evaluated.MSCT findings were compared with the catheter angiographic results and area under the curve of creatine kinase(CK)release.Serum creatinine level was recorded before and after MSCT scan.Results MSCT scans were successfully performed in all the patients.Early myocardial perfusion defect(early defect,ED)was detected in all of the 11 patients(100%)in the early phase of the contrast bolus(subendocardial ED in 10 patients and transmural in 1 patient).Mean CT attenuation value of ED was significantly different from CT attenuation value of remote myocardium(46±17 HU vs 104±17 HU;P<0.01).Location of ED area correlated well with infarction related artery territory on catheter angiography in all of the 11 patients(100%).On delayed phase of MSCT scan,different enhancement patterns were observed:isolated subendocardial late enhancement(LE)in 6 patients,subendocardial residual perfusion defect(RD)and subepicardial LE in 1 patient,subendocardial RD in 4 patients.Infarct volume assessed by MSCT correlated well with area under the curve CK release(R=0.72,P<0.01).Serum creatinine level after MSCT scan showed no difference with that before MSCT scan.Conclusion Dual phase MSCT could be safely implicated in elderly patients with STEMI.Variable abnormal myocardial enhancement patterns were seen on dual phase MSCT in these patients with STEMI after primary PCI.Assessment of myocardial attenuation on MSCT gives additional information of the location and extent of infarction after reperfusion.

Comprehensive analysis of the impact of primary percutaneous coronary intervention on patients with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction

This comprehensive analysis by Saeed and Faeq investigates the impact of primary percutaneous coronary intervention(pPCI)on mortality among patients with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction(STEMI)at the Erbil Cardiac Center.Analyzing data from 96 consecutive STEMI patients,the study identified significant predictors of in-hospital mortality,emphasizing the critical impact of time of hospital arrival post-symptom onset on overall prognosis.Findings indicate that factors such as atypical presentation,cardiogenic shock,chronic kidney disease,and specific coronary complications are associated with higher mortality rates.The study underscores the necessity of prompt medical intervention for improving survival outcomes in STEMI patients,especially in the high-risk subgroup.This research offers valuable insights into optimizing STEMI management and enhancing patient survival rates through effective and timely pPCI.

Clinical significance of intra-aortic balloon pumping on no-reflow phenomenon of primary percutaneous coronary intervention for acute myocardial infarction

Background Percutaneous coronary intervention （PCI） is used as a treatment for acute myocardial infarction （AMI）, and one of its major complications is the angiographic no-reflow phenomenon （NR）. Although intra-aortic balloon pumping （IABP） is sometimes used in such patients to increase the diastolic coronary blood flow, there is little available information regarding the effects of IABP on the angiographic no-reflow phenomenon. Method Twenty-two AMI patient with NR were performed primary PCI between January 2006 and December 2009, of which 12 patients were selected for IABP therapy and the left 10 were selected as the control group by group procedure of odd and even days; We observed the vasoactive substance in both groups on the days of 1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 10 after the different interventions, which include plasma renin activity （PRA）, angiotensin Ⅱ （ANG Ⅱ）, aldosterone （ALD）, adrenaline （E）, and noradrenalin （NE）; In addition, cardiac structure and cardiac ventricle systolic function including left atrium medial diameter （LAMD）, left ventricular medial diameter （LVMD） Finally, left ventricular ejection fraction （LVEF） were evaluated after 10 days, 3 months and 6 months; statistics was taken to analysis. Results According to the time concentration curve, vasoactive substance of the IABP group decreased faster than that of the control group, and this difference had statistical significance （P 〈 0.01 ） ; In terms of LAMD, LVMD, and LVEF, echocardiography difference of the IABP and the control group in 10 days, 3 months, and 6 months also showed statistical significance （P 〈 0.05）. Conclusions IABP can significantly reduce the release of vasoactive substances of NR in patients of primary PCI for AMI; LAMD, LVMD and LVEF in 10 days, 3 months, and 6 months can be improved using this method, which is conducive to recovery of heart function.

A randomized trail comparing primary percutaneous coronary intervention with a strategy of short-acting thrombolysis and immediate planned primary percutaneous coronary intervention in acute myocardial infarction

Objective This study was to evaluate the efficacy and safety of a short acting reduced dose fibrinolytic regimen to promote early infarct related artery (IRA) patency for acyute myocardial infarction (AMI) patients referred for percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI).Methods Following aspirin and heparin, 166 patients were randomized to a 50 mg bolus of recombinant tissue type plasminogen activator(rt PA) or to a same volume sodium chloride injection followed by immediate primary PCI. The end points included patency rates on catheterization laboratory (cath lab) arrival, revascularization results when PCI was performed, complication rates, left ventricular function and restored patency rate following PCI. Results Patency on cath lab arrival was 64% with rt PA (34% TIMI 3,30% TIMI 2), while 31% of placebo (13% TIMI 3, 18% TIMI 2). There was no difference in the restored TIMI 3 rates of IRA between the two groups (85% vs 87%). No difference were observed in stroke or major bleeding. Left ventricular function was similar in both groups (52±9% vs 50±8%), but left ventricular ejection fraction fraction (LVEF) was higher with patent IRA (TIMI 3) on cath lab arrival than that of others (56±12% vs 48±10%).Conclusions Strategy thrombolytic regimens were compatible with subsequent PCI lead to more frequenc early recanalization (before cath lab arrival), which facilitates greater left ventricular function preservation with no augmentation of adverse events.

Combination therapy reduces the percutaneous coronary intervention acute myocardial infarction incidence of no-reflow after primary in patients with ST-segment elevation

Background No-reflow is associated with an adverse outcome and higher mortality in patients with ST-segment elevation acute myocardial infarction （STEMI） who undergo percutaneous coronary intervention （PCI） and is considered a dynamic process characterized by multiple pathogenetic components. The aim of this study was to investigate the effectiveness of a combination therapy for the prevention of no-reflow in patient with acute myocardial infarction （AMI） undergoing primary PCI. Methods A total of 621 patients with STEMI who underwent emergency primary PCI were enrolled in this study. Patients with high risk of no-reflow （no-flow score 〉 10, by using a no-flow risk prediction model, n = 216） were randomly divided into a controlled group （n = 108） and a combination therapy group （n = 108）. Patients in the controlled group received conventional treatment, while patients in combination therapy group received high-dose （80 mg） atorvastatin pre-treatment, intracoronary administration of adenosine （140 ~tg/min per kilogram） during PCI procedure, platelet membrane glycoprotein lib/Ilia receptor antagonist （tirofiban, 101.tg/kg bolus followed by 0.15 ~tg/kg per minute） and thrombus aspiration. Myocardial contrast echocardiography was performed to assess the myocardial perfusion 72 h after PCI. Major adverse cardiac events （MACE） were followed up for six months. Results Incidence of no-reflow in combination therapy group was 2.8%, which was similar to that in low risk group 2.7% and was significantly lower than that in control group （35.2%, P 〈 0.01）. The myocardial perfusion （A= 13） values were higher in combination therapy group than that in control group 72 h after PCI. After 6 months, there were six （6.3%） MACE events （one death, two non-fatal MIs and three revasculafizations） in combination therapy group and 12 （13.2%） （four deaths, three non-fatal MIs and five revascularizations, P 〈 0.05） in control group. Conclusions Combination of thrombus aspiration, high-dose statin pre-treatment, intmcoronary administration of adenosine during PCI procedure and platelet membrane glycoprotein Ⅱ b/Ⅲa receptor antagonist reduces the incidence of no-reflow after primary PCI in patients with acute myocardial infarction who are at high risk of no-reflow.

Risk stratification for ST segment elevation myocardial infarction in the era of primary percutaneous coronary intervention

Acute coronary syndromes presenting with ST elevation are usually treated with emergency reperfusion/revascularisation therapy. In contrast current evidence and national guidelines recommend risk stratification for non ST segment elevation myocardial infarction(NSTEMI) with the decision on revascularisation dependent on perceived clinical risk. Risk stratification for STEMI has no recommendation. Statistical risk scoring techniques in NSTEMI have been demonstrated to improve outcomes however their uptake has been poor perhaps due to questions over their discrimination and concern for application to individuals who may not have been adequately represented in clinical trials. STEMI is perceived to carry sufficient risk to warrant emergency coronary intervention [by primary percutaneous coronary intervention(PPCI)] even if this results in a delay to reperfusion with immediate thrombolysis. Immediate thrombolysis may be as effective in patients presenting early, or at low risk, but physicians are poor at assessing clinical and procedural risks and currently are not required to consider this. Inadequate data on risk stratification in STEMI inhibits the option of immediate fibrinolysis, which may be cost-effective. Currently the mode of reperfusion for STEMI defaults to emergency angiography and percutaneous coronary intervention ignoring alternative strategies. This review article examines the current risk scores and evidence base for risk stratification for STEMI patients. The requirements for an ideal STEMI risk score are discussed.

Clinical and procedural predictors of no-ref low in patients with acute myocardial infarction after primary percutaneous coronary intervention

BACKGROUND: The treatment of acute myocardial infarction(AMI) is thought to restore antegrade blood flow in the infarct-related artery(IRA) and minimize ischemic damage to the myocardium as soon as possible. The present study aimed to identify possible clinical predictors for no-refl ow in patients with AMI after primary percutaneous coronary intervention(PCI).METHODS: A total of 312 consecutive patients with AMI who had been treated from January 2008 to December 2010 at the Cardiology Department of East Hospital, Tongji University School of Medicine were enrolled in this study. Inclusion criteria were:(i) patients underwent successfully primary PCI within 12 hours after the appearance of symptoms; or(ii) patients with ischemic chest pain for more than 12 hours after a successful primary PCI within 24 hours after appearance of symptoms. Exculsion criteria were:(i) coronary artery spasm;(ii) diameter stenosis of the culprit lesion was ≤50% and coronary blood f low was normal;(iii) patients with severe left main coronary or multivessel disease, who had to require emergency revascularization. According to thrombolysis in myocardial infarction(TIMI), the patients were divided into a reflow group and a no-reflow group. The clinical data, angiography f indings and surgical data were compared between the two groups. Univariate and multivariate logistic regressions were used to determine the predictors for no-ref low.RESULTS: Fifty-four(17.3%) of the patients developed NR phenomenon after primary PCI. Univariate analysis showed that age, time from onset to reperfusion, systolic blood pressure(SBP) on admission, Killip class of myocardial infarction, intra-aortic balloon pump(IABP) use before primary PCI, TIMI flow grade before primary PCI, type of occlusion, thrombus burden on baseline angiography, target lesion length, reference luminal diameter and method of reperfusion were correlated with no-reflow(P<0.05 for all). Multiple logistic regression analysis identified that age >65 years [OR=1.470, 95% confi dence interval(CI) 1.460–1.490, P=0.007], long time from onset to reperfusion >6 hours(OR=1.270, 95%CI 1.160–1.400, P=0.001), low SBP on admission <100 mmHg(OR=1.910, 95%CI 1.018–3.896, P=0.004), IABP use before PCI(OR= 1.949, 95%CI 1.168–3.253, P=0.011), low(≤1) TIMI fl ow grade before primary PCI(OR=1.100, 95%CI 1.080–1.250, P<0.001), high thrombus burden(OR=1.600, 95%CI 1.470–2.760, P=0.030), and long target lesion(OR=1.948, 95%CI 1.908–1.990, P=0.019) on angiography were independent predictors of no-refl ow.CONCLUSION: The occurrence of no-refl ow after primary PCI for acute myocardial infarction can predict clinical, angiographic and procedural features.

Additional manual thrombus aspiration for ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction during percutaneous coronary intervention： an updated meta- analysis

Background The clinical efficacy and safety of adjunctive thrombus aspiration （TA） in patients with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction （STEMI） during percutaneous coronary intervention （PCI） remain controversial. Methods Twenty five eligible randomized controlled trials were included to compare the use of thrombus aspiration （TA） with PCI and PCI-only for STEMI. The primary endpoint was all-cause mortality and death. The secondary endpoints were major adverse cardiac events （MACE）, recurrent infarction （RI）, target vessel revascularization （TVR）, stent thrombosis （ST）, perfusion surrogate markers and stroke. Results TIMI flow grade 3 and MBG 2-3 were significantly increased in the TA plus PCI arm compared with the PCI-only arm [relative risk （RR）： 1.05, 95% confidence intervals （CI）： 1.02-1.09, P = 0.004] and （RR： 1.68, 95% CI： 1.40-2.00, P 〈 0.001）, respectively. There were no significant differences in all-cause mortal- ity, MACEs, TVR and ST rates between the two groups. The RI rate was lower in the TA plus PCI arm than that in the PCI-only arm with short-term follow-up duration （RR： 0.60, 95% CI： 0.38-0.96, P = 0.03）, but there was no significant difference in RI incidence over the me- diumor long-term follow-up periods （RR： 1.00, 95% CI： 0.77-1.29, P = 0.98）, and （RR： 0.96, 95% CI： 0.81-1.15, P = 0.69）, respectively. There were statistically significant differences in the rates of crude stroke and stroke over the medium- or long-term follow-up periods and the crude stroke rate in the TA plus PCI （RR： 1.60, 95% CI： 1.08-2.38, P = 0.02） and （RR： 1.43, 95% CI： 1.03-1.98, P = 0.03）, respectively; this was not observed between the two arms during the short-term follow-up period （RR： 1.47, 95% CI： 0.97-2.21, P = 0.07）. Conclusions Routine TA-assisted PCI in STEMI patients can improve myocardial reperfusion and get limited benefits related to the clinical endpoints, which may be associated with stroke risk.

Culprit vessel only versus ＂one-week＂ staged percutaneous coronary intervention for multivessel disease in patients presenting with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction

Objective To explore the impact of a ＂one-week＂ staged muhivessel percutaneous coronary intervention （PCI） versus culprit-only PCI on deaths and major adverse cardiac events （MACE）. Methods We retrospectively analyzed 447 patients with multivessel disease who experienced a ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction （STEMI） within 12 h before undergoing PCI between July 26, 2008 and Septem- ber 25, 201 l. After completion of PCI in the infarct artery, 201 patients still in the hospital agreed to undergo PCI in non-infarct arteries with more than 70% stenosis for a ＂one-week＂ staged multivessel PCI. A total of 246 patients only received intervention for the culprit vessel. Follow-up ended on September 9, 2014. This study examined the differences in deaths from any cause （i.e., cardiac and noncardiac） and MACE between the two treatment groups. Results Compared to a culprit-only PCI treatment approach, the ＂one-week＂ staged multivessel PCI was strongly associated with greater benefits for 55-month all cause death [41 （16.7%） vs. 13 （6.5%）, P = 0.004] and MACE [82 （33.3%） vs. 40 （19.9%）, P = 0.002] rates. In addition, there were significant differences in the number of myocardial infarctions [43 （17.5%） vs. 20 （10.0%）, P = 0.023], coronary-artery bypass grafting [CABG; 20 （8.1%） vs. 6 （3.0%）, P = 0.021], and PCI [31 （12.6%） vs. 12 （6.0%）, P - 0.018]. Patients undergoing culprit-only PCI compared to ＂one-week＂ PCI had the same number of stent thrombosis events [7 （2.8%） vs. 3 （1.5%）, P - 0.522]. Conclusions Compared to a culprit-only PCI treatment approach, ＂one-week＂ staged multi-vessel PCI was a safe and effective selection for STEMI and multi-vessel PCL

Effects of nicorandil on myocardial infarct size in patients with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction undergoing primary percutaneous coronary intervention:study design and protocol for the randomized controlled trial

Previous studies have shown that nicorandil has a protective effect on cardiomyocytes.However,there is no study to investigate whether perioperative intravenous nicorandil can further reduce the myocardial infarct size in patients with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction(STEMI)compared to the current standard of percutaneous coronary intervention(PCI)regimen.The CHANGE(China-Administration of Nicorandil Group)study is a multicenter,prospective,randomized,double-blind and parallel-controlled clinical study of STEMI patients undergoing primary PCI in China,aiming to evaluate the efficacy and safety of intravenous nicorandil in ameliorating the myocardial infarct size in STEMI patients undergoing primary PCI and provide evidence-based support for myocardial protection strategies of STEMI patients.

Gender differences in clinical outcomes of acute myocardial infarction undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention: insights from the KAMIR-NIH Registry

Background There are numerous but conflicting data regarding gender differences in outcomes following percutaneous coronary intervention(PCI). Furthermore, gender differences in clinical outcomes with acute myocardial infarction(AMI) following PCI in Asian population remain uncertain because of the under-representation of Asian in previous trials. Methods A total of 13,104 AMI patients from Korea Acute Myocardial Infarction Registry-National Institute of Health(KAMIR-NIH) between November 2011 and December 2015 were classified into male(n = 8021, 75.9%) and female(n = 2547, 24.1%). We compared the demographic, clinical and angiographic characteristics, 30-days and 1-year major adverse cardiac and cerebrovascular events(MACCE) in women with those in men after AMI by using propensity score(PS) matching. Results Compared with men, women were older, had more comorbidities and more often presented with non-ST segment elevation myocardial infarction(NSTEMI) and reduced left ventricular systolic function. Over the median follow-up of 363 days, gender differences in both 30-days and 1-year MACCE as well as thrombolysis in myocardial infarction minor bleeding risk were not observed in the PS matched population(30-days MACCE: 5.3% vs. 4.7%, log-rank P = 0.494, HR = 1.126, 95% CI: 0.800-1.585;1-year MACCE: 9.3% vs. 9.0%, log-rank P = 0.803, HR = 1.032, 95% CI: 0.802-1.328;TIMI minor bleeding: 4.9% vs. 3.9%, log-rank P = 0.215, HR = 1.255, 95% CI: 0.869-1.814). Conclusions Among Korean AMI population undergoing contemporary PCI, women, as compared with men, had different clinical and angiographic characteristics but showed similar 30-days and 1-year clinical outcomes. The risk of bleeding after PCI was comparable between men and women during one-year follow up.

Clinical outcomes of elderly South-East Asian patients in primary percutaneous coronary intervention for ST- elevation myocardial infarction

Objective To evaluate the clinical characteristics and in-hospital outcomes of elderly South-East Asian patients undergoing primary pereutaneous coronary intervention （PPCI）. Methods From January 2009 to December 2012, 1268 patients （86.4% male, mean age of 58,4 ± 12.2 years） presented to our hospital for ST-elevation myocardial infarction （STEMI） and underwent PPCI. They were divided into two groups： elderly group defined as age _〉 70 years and non-elderly group defined as age 〈 70 years. Data were collected retrospectively on baseline clinical characteristics, door-to-balloon （D2B） time, angiographic findings, therapeutic modality and hospital course. Results The elderly group constituted 19% of the study population with mean age 76.6 ± 5.0 years. There was a higher proportion of female gender and ethnic Chinese patients in the elderly group when compared with the non-elderly group. The former was less likely to be smokers and have a significantly higher prevalence of hypertension. The mean D2B time was significantly longer in the elderly group. They also had a significantly higher incidence of triple vessel disease and obstructive left main disease. The use of radial artery access, glyeoprotein 2b/3a inhibitors and drug-eluting stents during PPCI were also significantly lower. In-hospital mortality was significantly higher in the elderly group. The rate of cardiogenic shock and inhospital complications were also significantly higher. Conclusions Our registry showed that in-hospital mortality rate in elderly South-East Asian patients undergoing PPCI for STEMI was high. Further studies into the optimal STEMI management strat- egy for these elderly patients are warranted.

Risk factors of acute myocardial infarction following primary percutaneous coronary intervention among elderly patients

Background and Objective Large randomized controlled trials have demonstrated that percutaneous coronary intervention （PCI） with the routine use of drug-eluting stents is safe and effective, however, the patients older than 75 years undergoing PCI are at increased risk for major adverse cardiac events, so that the patients are usually excluded from this trial. The aim of the present study was to assess the early clinical outcome and risk factors in old patients with acute ST elevation myocardial infarction （STEMI） following primary PCI. Methods We analyzed the outcome after stenting in 136 patients older than 60 years in our coronary care unit with acute STEMI, and the patients were further classified in 2 age groups： patients≥75 years and 〈75 years. Results Though the older group had a higher prevalence of adverse baseline characteristics and lower final TIMI flow than those of the younger, the procedural success had no difference between two groups. The main adverse clinical events （MACE） for the old group was a little higher comparing with the younger in 12-month following up. Conclusions Our study suggest that drug-eluting stent implantation in elderly patients with acute ST elevation myocardial infarction has high initial procedural success rates despite having more severe baseline risk characteristics, and to shorten the time form symptom onset to PCI and improve final TIMI flow strategy may decrease MACE among old patients following PCI（J Geriatr Cardio12009; 6：67-70）.