Improving myocardial salvage in late presentation acute ST-elevation myocardial infarction with proximal embolic

Eric Larose1, Helena Tizon-Marcos, Josep Rodés-Cabau

  • 1Cardiac Catheterization Laboratories, Institut Universitaire de Cardiologie et de Pneumologie de Québec, Laval, Québec, Canada. Eric.Larose@criucpq.ulaval.ca

Insights

Proximal embolic protection (PEP) significantly improved myocardial salvage and reduced the arrhythmogenic peri-infarct region in late-presenting ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) patients. Further randomized trials are needed to confirm the clinical impact of PEP in STEMI treatment.

Area of Science:

  • Cardiology
  • Interventional Cardiology
  • Cardiovascular Research

Background:

  • Late-presenting ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) is associated with larger thrombi, leading to adverse ventricular remodeling and arrhythmias.
  • Current angioplasty and pharmacological therapies have limitations in mitigating these negative outcomes in late STEMI.
  • Proximal embolic protection (PEP) was investigated as a potential strategy to reduce myocardial injury in this patient group.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To evaluate the efficacy of proximal embolic protection (PEP) in reducing myocardial injury in patients presenting with STEMI between 12-24 hours after symptom onset.
  • To assess the impact of PEP on myocardial function, area at risk, necrosis, salvaged myocardium, and the arrhythmogenic peri-infarct region.

Main Methods:

  • A cohort study involving 31 patients with first STEMI (12-24 hours onset, TIMI 0-1 flow) treated with or without PEP.
  • Patients were matched for age, gender, and infarct-related artery.
  • Contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging (CE-MRI) was used to quantify myocardial damage and function, with clinical follow-up.

Main Results:

  • While overall left ventricular volumes and ejection fraction were similar between groups, PEP significantly improved microvascular obstruction (P=0.02).
  • PEP demonstrated a significant increase in salvaged myocardium (39.6% vs. 29.6%, P=0.001) and a reduction in the arrhythmogenic peri-infarct region (20.9% vs. 29.6%, P<0.0001).
  • Multivariate analysis identified PEP as an independent predictor of decreased arrhythmogenic peri-infarct region and greater myocardial salvage.

Conclusions:

  • This pilot study suggests that proximal embolic protection (PEP) can improve myocardial salvage and reduce the arrhythmogenic peri-infarct region in late-presentation STEMI.
  • The findings indicate a potential benefit of PEP in mitigating adverse cardiac remodeling and arrhythmia risk.
  • Randomized trials are warranted to validate these results and assess the clinical significance of PEP in managing late STEMI.
Abstract