Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 16, 2026

Postconditioning with Lactate-enriched Blood for Cardioprotection in ST-segment Elevation Myocardial Infarction
Published on: May 28, 2019
Percutaneous revascularization in acute myocardial infarction due to left main stem occlusion
Nana Valeur1, Anne Louise Gaster, Kari Saunamäki
1Department of Cardiology, Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen, Denmark. nvaleur@dadlnet.dk
Insights
Primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) for left main arterial stenosis (LMS) in acute myocardial infarction (AMI) is increasingly used. However, high rates of cardiogenic shock and mortality highlight the need for careful consideration of PCI versus coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG).
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Interventional Cardiology
- Acute Myocardial Infarction
Background:
- Left main arterial stenosis (LMS) as a culprit lesion in acute myocardial infarction (AMI) is increasingly managed with primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI).
- Limited published data exists on the outcomes of primary PCI specifically for LMS in AMI.
Purpose of the Study:
- To present the clinical outcomes of a series of patients undergoing primary PCI for LMS presenting as AMI.
- To evaluate the feasibility and effectiveness of primary PCI in this high-risk patient group.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective analysis of 12 cases of primary PCI performed on LMS.
- Assessment of patient presentation, procedural success, and in-hospital outcomes.
Main Results:
- Eighty-three percent of patients presented with cardiogenic shock.
- Only 42% of patients were discharged alive, indicating a high mortality rate.
- PCI was considered a viable treatment option, potentially as a bridge to coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG).
Conclusions:
- Primary PCI for LMS in AMI is associated with a high incidence of cardiogenic shock and significant mortality.
- While PCI may be the treatment of choice in emergent settings, its role as a bridge to CABG warrants further investigation.
Abstract:
Following the encouraging results of trials testing the effect of primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) more cases of left main arterial stenosis (LMS) as culprit lesions in acute myocardial infarction (AMI) are being handled. Not many cases of primary PCI on LMS have been published. We present 12 cases of primary PCI on LMS. Eighty-three percent of the patients presented with cardiogenic shock and only 42% were discharged alive. Due to the high rate of cardiogenic shock at presentation, PCI seems to be the treatment of choice, over coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG), although one might consider using PCI as a bridge over to CABG.
