Outcomes of patients with acute ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction treated by a prolonged “Deferred” percutaneous coronary intervention strategy

BACKGROUND: Primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) is the preferred treatment for ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI). However, in patients with high thrombus burden, immediate stenting during PCI can lead to poor outcomes due to the risk of thrombus migration and subsequent microvascular occlusion, resulting in no-reflow phenomena. Deferred stenting offers a potential advantage by allowing for the reduction of thrombus load, which may help to minimize the incidence of slow-flow and no-reflow complications. This study explores the effectiveness of a deferred stenting strategy in improving outcomes for STEMI patients. AIM: To evaluate the effectiveness and safety of deferred PCI in a real-world setting in acute STEMI patients. METHODS: This study was conducted at King George's Medical University, Lucknow, from October 1, 2018, to October 30, 2019 and included a total of 55 participants. Patients with acute STEMI who underwent coronary angiography were selected for a deferred PCI strategy based on specific angiographic features. RESULTS: Anterior wall myocardial infarction was the predominant type of STEMI in 62% of the selected 55 patients (mean age: 54 years; 70% males), and diabetes mellitus was the most common risk factor (18.2%), followed by hypertension (16.2%). On the second angiogram of these patients measures of thrombus grade, thrombolysis in myocardial infarction flow grade, myocardial blush grade, and severity of stenosis of culprit lesion were considerably improved compared to the first angiogram, and the average culprit artery diameter had increased by 7.8%. Most patients (60%) had an uneventful hospital stay during the second angiogram and an uneventful intraprocedural course (85.19%), with slow-flow/no-reflow occurring only in 7.4% of the patients; these patients recovered after taking vasodilator drugs. In 29.3% of patients, the culprit artery was recanalized, preventing unnecessary stent deployment. CONCLUSION: Deferred PCI strategy is safe and reduces the thrombus burden, improves thrombolysis in myocardial infarction (TIMI) flow, improves myocardial blush grade, and prevents unwarranted stent deployment.