Clinical research in cardiology : official journal of the German Cardiac Society
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Review Meta Analysis
ST-segment resolution and prognosis after facilitated versus primary percutaneous coronary intervention in acute myocardial infarction: a meta-analysis.
Complete ST-segment resolution (STR) is associated with favorable prognosis in ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI). The optimal reperfusion strategy in patients with STEMI presenting early after symptom-onset is still a matter of debate. So far, there are only a few studies comparing the effect of facilitated and primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) on early myocardial reperfusion assessed by STR. The objective of this meta-analysis was, therefore, to evaluate the extent of early STR and subsequent prognosis in facilitated versus primary PCI. ⋯ Prehospital initiated facilitated PCI results in a higher percentage of complete STR before and after PCI when compared with primary PCI. However, this enhanced early reperfusion did not significantly improve the outcome after facilitated PCI. Therefore, the current data suggest that facilitated PCI does not offer an advantage over primary PCI. The results from ongoing clinical trials in STEMI patients presenting early (<3 h) after symptom-onset with more effective antithrombotic co-therapy will provide guidance regarding the utility of a facilitated PCI strategy.