Deflation speed of the stent delivery system and primary angioplasty results: a randomized study

Abstract

ABSTRACT Introduction and objectives: Distal embolization and no-reflow are common complications in primary angioplasty and the information available on the role played by the deflation speed of the stent delivery system is scarce. Our aim is to analyze how the deflation speed of the stent delivery system impacts the results of primary angioplasty. Methods: From December 2016 through February 2019, all consecutive patients with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction undergoing urgent coronary angiography at our institution and who were eligible for thrombectomy, IIB-IIIA inhibitors, and direct stenting were randomized in a 1:1 ratio to rapid (group 1, n = 103) or slow deflation of the stent delivery system, at 1 atm/second, (group 2, n = 107). Pre- and postdilatation was not allowed per protocol. The primary outcomes were myocardial blush ≥ 2 and ST-segment resolution ≥ 70% while the size of myocardial damage, the ejection fraction both at discharge and at the 12-month follow-up, and the overall and 12-month cardiovascular mortality rates were the secondary outcomes. Results: The study was stopped prematurely with 50% of the estimated sample size due to futility. Myocardial blush ≥ 2 occurred in 77 (74.7%) vs 79 (75.2%) of the patients, P = .93, and ST-segment resolution ≥ 70% occurred in 54 (53.9%) vs 59 (55.5%) of the patients, P = .75 in groups 1 and 2, respectively without any differences being reported in any of the secondary endpoints. Conclusions: In our series, the deflation speed of the stent delivery system in primary angioplasty did not modify the myocardial blush ≥ 2, the ST-segment resolution ≥ 70% or impacted the clinical outcomes, the size of myocardial infarction according to the biomarkers or the ejection fraction.

Keywords

• Primary angioplasty
• ST-segment-elevation myocardial infarction
• No-reflow
• ST-segment resolution
• Myocardial blush