Thrombus aspiration during primary percutaneous coronary intervention: Where are we now?

Introduction. thrombus aspiration is not recommended as a routine procedure considering the results of large randomised trials. It is necessary to define new indications for thrombus aspiration in myocardial infarction and to conduct appropriate trials. The aim of this paper was to report a patient with successful aspiration of large thrombus mass from right coronary artery made after primary balloon angioplasty, and to consider which patients could benefit with this procedure. Case report. a male, 80 years old, has been admitted to a catheterisation laboratory with clinical, biochemical and electrocardiographic signs of acute myocardial infarction with ST segment elevation (STEMI) of inferoposterolateral localisation along with sinus bradycardia and profound arterial hypotension, which all are characteristic for inferior myocardial wall infarction with right ventricular involvement. Two hours after pain onset the patient was admitted to hospital in Bijeljina and sent to catheterisation laboratory straight after. All branches of left coronary artery were well visualized and without significant stenosis. Right coronary artery was occluded in proximal segment. Predilatation was performed with SC Sprinter legend 2,0x20mm balloon. After predilatation thrombus burden is still large, blood flow was slow with significant residual stenosis. Than, BMS Pro-kinetic energy 3,5x20mm stent was implanted. After stent implantation thrombus burden existed and there was no flow in PLV branch. Thrombus mass was 2 cm long and successfully aspirated with Export aspiration catheter. Control coronarography showed no residual stenosis and normal blood flow was restored through branches of right coronary artery. Conclusion. Procedure must be gradual, carefully planned and aspiration of thrombus should be taken only after initial balloon angioplasty with flow evaluation. Large thrombus burden or several smaller thrombi with clear flow obstruction and poor peripheral flow could be the reason for aspiration of thrombus along with possible intracoronary administration of GP IIbIIIa inhibitors. If conducted cautiously, aspiration of thrombus may still be considered as a valuable technique in selected patients with a large angiographic thrombus burden.