Manual thrombectomy efficiency in relationship to the area at risk in patients with myocardial infarction with TIMI 0-1 coronary flow: Insights from an all comers registry

Objectives To review the effectiveness of manual thrombectomy (MT) in a series of patients with ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) exclusively presenting with TIMI 0-1 flow undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI), in accordance to the angiographically estimated area at risk (AAR). Second, to assess major in-hospital clinical events, emphasizing neurological outcomes. Background The routine utilization of MT in STEMI is not recommended. However, in recent trials, a significant proportion of patients had neither large thrombus burden nor a totally occluded coronary segment, neutralizing the expected benefits of MT. In addition, the efficiency of MT to remove thrombus has rarely been addressed. Finally, MT diminished distal embolization, which has been related to mortality. Results In 850 consecutive STEMI-patients, MT was utilized in 525 (62%) and it was considered efficient (TIMI 2-3 flow after MT) in 445 (85%). We found a significant interaction between the AAR and the effectiveness of MT to reduce infarct size (P-interaction = 0.014). In patients having AAR ≥ 28% (n = 184), efficient MT conferred lesser infarct size compared to inefficient MT (Ln-transformed peak CK): 7.87 ± 0.86 versus 8.36 ± 0.41 IU/L, P = 0.005, with no impact for AAR <28%. Clinical outcomes including stroke between MT and PCI-only groups were not different. Conclusion In comparison with the group where MT was inefficient, efficient MT may modestly reduce final infarct size without a significant clinical benefit. In comparison with PCI-only, no difference was found regarding stroke. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.