The ‘MAP strategy’ (Maximum aspiration of atherothrombus and adjunctive glycoprotein IIb/IIIa inhibitor utilization combined with prolonged inflation of balloon/stent) for preventing no-reflow in patients with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention: A retrospective analysis of seventy-one cases

‘No-reflow’ phenomenon is a common occurrence in percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). A three-component ‘MAP strategy’ was designed to prevent no-reflow by addressing both intralesional and intraluminal thrombus in patients with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI). In this analysis, we observed Thrombolysis In Myocardial Infarction (TIMI) flow grade 3 or 2 in all patients, with no incidence of no-reflow. Myocardial blush grade (MBG) 3 or 2 was observed in most (87.32%) patients. Left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) was improved, without any incidence of death up to 9-month follow-up. All patients safely tolerated the strategy-driven prolonged, 35-s inflation of the balloon/stent.