Primary percutaneous coronary interventions in patients with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction complicated by «no-reflow» phenomenon

Aim. To study the association of «no-reflow» phenomenon incidence and the method of primary percutaneous coronary intervention for ST-segment elevation acute myocardial infarction, and to determine the optimal tactics for primary coronary intervention.

Methods. A retrospective analysis of 1339 cases of primary percutaneous coronary intervention for ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction performed in the period from January 2008 to June 2013 was executed. Depending on surgery method, all the patients were allocated to four groups: first group - direct stenting (n=483); second group - thromboaspiration before stenting (n=142); third group - balloon angioplasty and stenting using a small-diameter balloon ≤2.0 mm (n=491); fourth group - balloon angioplasty and stenting using a small-diameter balloon and subsequent use of medium and large-diameter balloons ≥2.0 mm (n=223).

Results. «No-reflow» phenomenon was observed in 164 (12.2%) of cases, incliding 34 (7.0%) cases in the first group, 12 (8.4%) cases in the second group, 53 (10.8%) cases in the third group, and with the majority of cases seen in the fourth group - 65 (29.1%). At primary percutaneous coronary intervention, the following incidence of «no-reflow» phenomenon was observed depending on the infarct-related artery: left anterior descending artery - 85 cases (51.82% of the total number), right coronary artery - 51 (31.09%) cases, circumflex artery - 28 (17.07%) cases, and diagonal branch - 1 (0.6%) case.

Conclusion. In primary percutaneous coronary intervention with direct stenting and thromboaspiration before stenting, the incidence of «no-reflow» phenomenon is significantly lower. Patients who undergo primary percutaneous coronary intervention preceded by repeated balloon angioplasty using medium and large-diameter balloons are at higher risk for «no-reflow» phenomenon.