Staged interventional strategies for acute ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction patient with multivessel

Xiang Chen1, Suiji Li1, Bin Wang1

  • 1Department of Cardiology, Xiamen Cardiovascular Hospital, Xiamen University, Xiamen 361000, China.

American Heart Journal
|January 15, 2026
PubMed

Insights

The STAGED trial investigates optimal timing for staged complete revascularization (SCR) in acute ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) patients with multi-vessel disease (MVD). This study will determine the best strategy for reducing adverse cardiovascular events after primary PCI.

Area of Science:

  • Cardiology
  • Interventional Cardiology
  • Clinical Trials

Background:

  • Complete revascularization (CR) reduces adverse cardiovascular events in acute ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) patients with multi-vessel disease (MVD) compared to culprit-only revascularization (COR).
  • The optimal timing for staged complete revascularization (SCR) after primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) in these patients remains unclear.
  • The STAGED trial (NCT04918030) addresses this knowledge gap.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To evaluate the clinical efficacy and safety of different timing strategies for staged complete revascularization (SCR).
  • To compare early-staged PCI versus delayed-staged PCI in acute STEMI patients with MVD.

Main Methods:

  • The STAGED trial is a multicenter, randomized study involving 1,586 acute STEMI patients with MVD undergoing primary PCI.
  • Patients are randomized to either early-staged PCI or delayed-staged PCI for SCR.
  • The primary endpoint is major adverse cardiac event (MACE) at 12 months, including cardiovascular death, myocardial infarction, or ischemia-driven revascularization.

Main Results:

  • This section is not yet available as the trial is ongoing.
  • The primary endpoint is major adverse cardiac event (MACE) at 12 months.
  • Secondary endpoints include components of MACE, all-cause death, heart failure hospitalization, stroke, contrast-induced nephropathy, and radiation exposure.

Conclusions:

  • The STAGED trial is the first randomized controlled study to specifically assess the timing of SCR in acute STEMI patients with MVD.
  • Findings will guide optimal treatment strategies for complete revascularization in this high-risk population.
Abstract

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