Ischemic postconditioning during primary percutaneous coronary intervention: the effects of postconditioning on

Joo-Yong Hahn1, Young Bin Song, Eun Kyoung Kim

  • 1Division of Cardiology, Department of Medicine, Samsung Medical Center, Sungkyunkwan University School of Medicine, Seoul, Korea (J.-Y. Hahn; Y.B.S., E.K.K., S.-H.C., J.-H.C., H.-C.G.); Sejong General Hospital, Bucheon, Korea (C.W.Y.); Chungbuk National University Hospital, Cheongju, Korea (J.-W.B.); Seoul National University, Boramae Medical Center, Seoul, Korea (W.-Y.C.); Konyang University Hospital, Daejon, Korea (J.-H.B.); KEPCO Medical Center, Seoul, Korea (K.J.A.); Yeungnam University Hospital, Daegu, Korea (J.-S.P.); Samsung Changwon Hospital, Sungkyunkwan University School of Medicine, Changwon, Korea (J.H.O.); Chung-Ang University Hospital, Seoul, Korea (S.-W.K.); Gyeongsang National University Hospital, Jinju, Korea (J.-Y. Hwang); Daegu Catholic University Medical Center, Daegu, Korea (J.K.R.); Kyungpook National University Hospital, Daegu, Korea (H.S.P.); and Korea University Anam Hospital, Seoul, Korea (D.-S.L.).

Circulation
|September 27, 2013
PubMed

Insights

Ischemic postconditioning did not improve ST-segment resolution or reperfusion in ST-segment-elevation myocardial infarction patients undergoing primary percutaneous coronary intervention. This large-scale trial found no significant benefit compared to conventional treatment.

Area of Science:

  • Cardiology
  • Interventional Cardiology
  • Ischemic Heart Disease

Background:

  • Ischemic postconditioning shows promise for reducing infarct size in ST-segment-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI).
  • Previous studies suggest cardioprotective effects, but large-scale trial data are lacking.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To evaluate the efficacy of ischemic postconditioning in improving myocardial reperfusion in STEMI patients undergoing primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI).

Main Methods:

  • A multicenter, prospective, randomized, open-label trial involving 700 STEMI patients within 12 hours of symptom onset.
  • Patients were assigned to either postconditioning or conventional primary PCI.
  • Postconditioning involved brief balloon inflations after coronary flow restoration.

Main Results:

  • Complete ST-segment resolution at 30 minutes occurred in 40.5% of the postconditioning group vs. 41.5% of the conventional PCI group (P=0.79).
  • No significant differences were observed in myocardial blush grade or 30-day major adverse cardiac events between groups.
  • Rates of complete ST-segment resolution were similar, indicating no improvement with postconditioning.

Conclusions:

  • Ischemic postconditioning did not enhance myocardial reperfusion in STEMI patients undergoing primary PCI.
  • The findings suggest that postconditioning offers no significant benefit over current standard PCI practices for this patient population.
Abstract