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Interventional Diagnostic Procedure: A Practical Guide for the Assessment of Coronary Vascular Function
Published on: March 15, 2022
Microvascular damage prevention with thrombaspiration during primary percutaneous intervention in acute myocardial
Krystian Wita1, Michał Lelek, Artur Filipecki
11st Department of Cardiology, Medical University of Silesia, Katowice, Poland.
Insights
Thromboaspiration before stenting improves myocardial perfusion in patients with acute myocardial infarction. This technique enhances microvascular integrity, preserving heart tissue function after treatment.
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Interventional Cardiology
- Echocardiography
Background:
- Percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) often fails to preserve microvascular integrity despite successful artery recanalization.
- The impact of mechanical devices on myocardial perfusion during PCI remains debated.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the effectiveness of thromboaspiration in reducing microvascular damage.
- To assess myocardial perfusion using quantitative myocardial contrast echocardiography (MCE) in patients with first anterior acute myocardial infarction (AMI).
Main Methods:
- Forty-two patients with first anterior AMI were randomized to receive either thromboaspiration followed by stenting or stenting alone.
- Quantitative MCE was performed to analyze myocardial blood volume (Parameter A) and flow (beta).
- The product of Parameter A and beta (A x beta) was used as an indicator of myocardial blood flow.
Main Results:
- Thromboaspiration significantly increased Parameter A and A x beta compared to stenting alone (P<0.001).
- Multivariate analysis indicated that thromboaspiration and lower troponin I levels were associated with preserved viability in the infarcted region.
Conclusions:
- Thromboaspiration prior to stenting improves myocardial perfusion at the tissue level in patients with first anterior AMI.
- Quantitative MCE demonstrates the benefits of thromboaspiration in preserving microvascular function post-PCI.
Background:
Despite rapid and complete recanalization of infarct-related artery with percutaneous coronary intervention, microvascular integrity is not often preserved. Several mechanical devices have been proposed to prevent distal embolization, but the impact of these devices on myocardial perfusion remains controversial.
Aim:
The aim of our study was to assess microvascular damage reduction with quantitative myocardial contrast perfusion echocardiography among patients with the first anterior acute myocardial infarction treated with thromboaspiration during percutaneous coronary intervention.
Methods:
Forty-two patients (57.4+/-10 years, 74% males) with first anterior acute myocardial infarction were randomized 1 : 1 to intracoronary thromboaspiration followed by stenting, or to a conventional strategy of stenting alone. Echocardiogram and quantitative myocardial contrast echocardiography were performed 7 days and 1 month later, respectively. Parameter A (reflecting myocardial blood volume), beta (reflecting velocity, myocardial blood flow), and product of A and beta as indicator of myocardial blood flow were analyzed. For each patient mean value of A, beta, and A x beta from all dysfunctional segments was calculated.
Results:
The study population was divided into two groups: thromboaspiration (group I, 19 patients) and stenting alone (group II, 23 patients). No difference was observed between the both groups in demographic, clinical, echocardiographic, and angiographic data. Parameter A and A x beta were significantly higher in group I than in group II: 8.58+/-2.54 versus 5.29+/-3.18 dB (P<0.001) and 5.29+/-3.73 versus 2.78+/-3.03 dB/s (P<0.001). Multivariate step-down regression analysis revealed that only thromboaspiration before stenting and lower maximum troponin I have been associated with viability preservation in infarcted region.
Conclusion:
Thromboaspiration before stenting in patients with the first anterior myocardial infarction improves myocardial perfusion at the tissue level assessed by quantitative myocardial contrast echocardiography.
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