Percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) is considered the treatment of choice in ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI). However, it is widely acknowledged that, in many cases, there are significant lesions in other coronary arteries. Previous randomized studies have shown that complete revascularization in a second procedure is more beneficial than intervention only in the culprit artery.…
What to Do in Cases of AMI with Multivessel Disease
The presence of lesions in multiple vessels is common in ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI). It has been shown that, when they are treated in a second procedure, patients have a better outcome. To date, there is limited information available on percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty (PTCA) in vessels with severe non-culprit lesions during primary angioplasty.…
STOPDAPT-2 ACS: One-Month DAPT NOT Enough in acute patients
One-month dual antiplatelet therapy (DAPT) in patients undergoing acute coronary syndrome (ACS) did not reach the safety and efficacy results observed in the general population of the original trial STOPDAPT-2. The STOPDAPT-2 ACS compared one-month DAPT followed by clopidogrel monotherapy for one year vs. one-year DAPT after PCI. Initially, the study enrolled mostly stable patients…
Non-Culprit Vessel Angioplasty in the Elderly: Choosing the Right Cases Is Important
This large analysis found no benefit at a 1-year follow-up to angioplasty of non-culprit vessels in elderly patients admitted with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction. The COMPLETE study was presented at the European Society of Cardiology 2019 Congress (and simultaneously published in NEJM) with evidence that seemed to leave no doubt regarding this issue. However, new…
Post TAVR Acute Coronary Syndrome: Frequency and Potential Damage
After Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement (TAVR) acute coronary syndromes (ACS) are rare and mostly present as non-ST elevation events. In this context, the few ST elevation events have bad prognosis, with close to 30% mortality at 30 days. This study included patients undergoing TAVR between 2012 and 2017 admitted for acute coronary syndrome during followup. …
TCT 2020 | Ticagrelor Monotherapy After ST-Segment Elevation Infarction
Ticagrelor monotherapy after 3 months of dual antiplatelet therapy in patients who experienced ST-segment elevation infarction significantly reduces major bleeding without increasing ischemic risk. This pre-specified analysis of the TICO study shows that ticagrelor monotherapy is safe even in patients with higher ischemic risk. Interrupting aspirin use after 3 months of dual antiplatelet therapy and continuing treatment…
LATAM: Information on the Impact of the Pandemic with a Focus on MI
There are several studies from all corners of the world (China, Europe, USA) presenting data on the impact of COVID19 on interventional cardiology in general, and on MI in particular. What is new about this study is that it presents data on LATAM and that it has been published in an international magazine. Seldom do…
Thrombosis and Thromboembolism Associated with COVID-19
Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is a viral respiratory illness that can cause a severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS-CoV-2), predisposing patients to thrombosis (both in veins and arteries) due to excessive inflammation, platelet activation, endothelial dysfunction, and stasis. In addition, many patients receiving antithrombotic therapy for different indications may now become infected with COVID-19, which can…