The effect of predilation on the incidence of the no/slow-reflow phenomenon in patients with acute coronary syndrome with ST segment elevation

Aim. To assess the effect of balloon predilation on the incidence of no/slow-reflow complication during percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) in patients with ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI). Methods. We analyzed the experience of the department of endovascular diagnostic and treatment methods of the Stavropol Regional Clinical Hospital for endovascular surgical treatment of patients with STEMI, including after thrombolytic therapy (TLT). The study included 721 patients admitted to the hospital within the first 12 hours from the moment of the first contact with a medical staff. For the study, patients were divided into 2 comparable groups according to the gradation scale TIMI (Thrombolysis in myocardial infarction), comparable the patients' gender, age and other characteristics. Each of the groups also was divided into 2 subgroups according to performing predilation. The study also analyzed the correlation between patients' mortality and existence of the no/slow-reflow phenomenon. Results. The lowest incidence of the no/slow-reflow phenomenon was in groups in which predilation before stent implantation was not performed. In the group where the blood flow was higher than TIMI 0, the occurrence rate of the no/slow-reflow phenomenon was 7.2 times higher in group with predilation. In the group where the artery was occluded, the risk of the phenomenon during predilation was 3.6 times higher than in group with the tracking method. The risk of mortality in patients with no/slow-reflow phenomenon was 3.9 times higher. Conclusion. In carrying out the percutaneous coronary intervention, the most preferable is the refusal to perform predilation if there is an appropriate technical feasibility; it is recommended for patients with a blood flow level TIMI 0 to draw a balloon catheter for an occlusion site, which may allow antegrade blood flow to be achieved.