Does manual thrombus aspiration help optimize stent implantation in ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction?

Manual Thrombus Aspiration and its Procedural Stroke Risk in Myocardial Infarction

Background

The previous large‐scale randomized controlled trial showed that routine thrombus aspiration (TA) during percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) was associated with an increased risk of stroke. However, real‐world clinical evidence is still limited.

Methods and Results

We investigated the association between manual TA and stroke risk during primary PCI in the OACIS (Osaka Acute Coronary Insufficiency Study) database (N=12 093). The OACIS is a prospective, multicenter registry of myocardial infarction. The primary end point of the present study is stroke at 7 days. A total of 9147 patients who underwent primary PCI within 24 hours of hospitalization were finally analyzed (TA group, n=4448, versus non‐TA group, n=4699 patients). TA was independently associated with risk of stroke at 7 days (odds ratio [OR], 1.92 [95% CI, 1.19‒3.12]; P=0.008) in the simple logistic regression model, while the multilevel random effects logistic regression model with hospital treated as a random effect showed that manual TA was not associated with incremental risk of stroke at 7 days (OR, 0.91 [95% CI, 0.71‒1.16]; P=0.435). The 7‐day stroke risk of manual TA was significantly heterogeneous in different institutions (P_{for interaction}=0.007).

Conclusions

Manual TA during primary PCI for patients with acute myocardial infarction was independently associated with the overall increased risk of periprocedural stroke. However, this result was substantially skewed because of institution specific risk variation, suggesting that the periprocedural stroke may be preventable by prudent PCI procedure or appropriate periprocedural management.

Registration

URL: https://upload.umin.ac.jp/cgi‐open‐bin/ctr_e/ctr_view.cgi?recptno=R000005464. Unique identifier: UMIN000004575.

Aspiration Thrombectomy for Acute ST-Elevation Myocardial Infarction: Literature Review

Over the years, aspiration thrombectomy for management of acute coronary syndrome was the center of discussion however due to multiple randomized control trials which did not provide sufficient evidence supporting use of this approach, this method is not routinely used. The benefit of this approach remains unknown, however, it is important to acknowledge the evolution of aspiration catheters and their potential in minimizing complications which were previously the set back of this approach. We provide a comprehensive review of the previous trials and how those catheters have since evolved significantly.

To Whom Thrombus Aspiration May Concern?

BACKGROUND

Thrombus aspiration for ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) may improve myocardial perfusion. However, these favourable results called into a question by data indicating not only a lack of efficacy but a risk of potentially deleterious complications.

AIM

To assess the effect of thrombus aspiration during the primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PPCI) on procedural angiographic results, stent characteristics, and major adverse cardiac and cerebrovascular events (MACCE).

METHODS

All consecutive STEMI patients candidate for PPCI and admitted to Critical Care Department, Cairo University hospitals, managed either by thrombectomy before primary PCI (if thrombus score ≥ 3) or conventional PPCI, Six hundred seven subjects were enrolled in the study divided into Group with thrombectomy before PPCI (107 subjects, 18%), and group with Conventional PCI (500 subjects, 82%). ST-segment resolution, peak CK-MB, TIMI score, thrombus score, and MBG were assessed; stent number, diameter, length and stented segment were reported and follow up MACCE was reported (in hospital and 1-year post-intervention).

RESULTS

Mean values for peak CKMB were less in thrombectomy group (228 ± 174 I/U vs 269 ± 186 I/U, p = 0.04), ST segment resolution ≥ 70% occurred in {63 subjects (58.9%) vs 233 (46.6%), p = 0.001} in thrombectomy vs conventional group respectively. TIMI score pre procedure was zero in (102 subjects (95%) vs 402 (80.4%), p = 0.001), while TIMI III post procedure was reported in (100 subjects (93.4%) vs 437 (87%), p = 0.06), MBG mean values were (2.4 ± 0.6 vs 2.0 ± 1, p = 0.001), thrombus score was higher in thrombectomy group (4.6 ± 0.4 vs 0.8 ± 1.7, p = 0.001) in thrombectomy vs conventional group respectively. Direct stenting was { 34 patients (31%) vs 102 patients (20%), p = 0.05}, mean stent diameter (2.7 ± 1.3 mm vs 3.5 ± 1.3 mm, p = 0.3), mean stent length was (19.9 mm ± 10 versus 22.7 mm ± 8 in p 0.01). mean stent number was (1.0 ± 0.5 vs 1.2 ± 0.6, p = 0.001), mean stented segment was (22.5 ± 13.5 vs 28.5 ± 15.2 mm, p = 0.001) in thrombectomy vs conventional group respectively. MACCE in hospital were reported in {9 subjects (8.4%) vs 70 (14%), p = 0.07)}. Follow up MACCE after 1 year reported in {6 subjects (5.6 %) vs 80 (16 %), p 0.= 4} in thrombectomy vs conventional group respectively.

CONCLUSION

Thrombus aspiration before primary PCI (in a selected group with thrombus score ≥ 3) improves myocardial perfusion, suggested by better ST-segment resolution, TIMI flow, less peak CKMB and MBG, associated with a higher rate of direct stenting, shorter stent length, stented segments and less number of stents. Although thrombus aspiration was done in more risky patients (higher thrombus score) MACCE (in hospital and 1 year follow up) showed no statistical difference.

Thrombus Aspiration for ST-Segment-Elevation Myocardial Infarction in Modern Era: Still an Issue of Debate?

The role of manual thrombus aspiration (TA) during primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PPCI) for acute ST-segment-elevation myocardial infarction has been a matter of intense research and debate now. Although recent randomized controlled clinical trials (notably TASTE [Thrombus Aspiration in ST-Elevation Myocardial Infarction in Scandinavia] and TOTAL [Trial of Routine Aspiration Thrombectomy With PCI Versus PCI Alone in Patients With STEMI]) do not supply evidence supporting the routine use of TA in patients with ST-segment-elevation myocardial infarction, manual TA remains a therapeutic option for interventional cardiologists when treating patients with substantial thrombus burden during PPCI. It remains unknown whether patients might actually benefit from TA applied in a more selective manner depending on the thrombus burden during PPCI, instead of routine application. In this review, we summarize current knowledge on the instruments used in the TA procedure, positive as well as negative clinical effects of TA during PPCI, and analyze the potential reasons for observed effects, in an effort to help the clinical decision making by physicians for the use of TA in individual ST-segment-elevation myocardial infarction patients during PPCI.