Background: Distal embolization of thrombus/platelet aggregates decreases myocardial reperfusion during primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI), and is associated with worse immediate and long-term prognosis of patients with ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI).
Objective: Assess the efficacy of a mesh covered stent (MGuard™ stent, MGS) in preventing distal embolization and microvascular reperfusion impairment during primary PCI, compared with a bare metal stent (BMS).
Methods: Forty patients with STEMI referred for primary PCI were randomized for stenting the culprit lesion with the MGS (n = 20) or a BMS (n = 20). Blinded experts performed off-line measurements of angiographic epicardial and microvascular reperfusion criteria: TIMI flow grade, myocardial blush, corrected TIMI frame count (cTFC).
Results: At baseline clinical, angiographic and procedural variables were not different between groups. Post PCI TIMI flow grade was similar in both groups. We observed better myocardial Blush grade in group MGS compared to BMS (median value 3.0 vs 2.5, 2p = 0.006) and cTFC (mean cTFC: MGS 19.65 ± 4.07 vs BMS 27.35 ± 7.15, 2p < 0.001, cTFC mean difference MGS-BMS: 7.7, CI 95%: 3.94 to 11.46). MGS stent group had a higher percentage of successful angioplasty (cTFC ≤ 23: MGS 85% vs BMS 30%, 2p < 0.001). We had two cases of acute stent thrombosis (one for each group) at 30days follow up, but no clinical events at 6 months follow up.
Conclusions: In this exploratory study, MGS significantly improved microvascular reperfusion criteria compared with a BMS in primary PCI. However its safety and impact on clinical outcomes should be verified in larger randomized clinical trials.
Copyright © 2013 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.