Complete Revascularization of Stable STEMI Patients Offers a Significant Benefit if Done During the Index PCI, but Not if It’s Done as a Staged Procedure

BACKGROUND: Complete revascularization (CR) of hemodynamically stable STEMI improves outcomes when compared to culprit-only PCI. However, the optimal timing for CR (CR during index PCI [iCR] versus staged PCI [sCR]) is unknown. sCR is defined as revascularization of non-culprit lesions not done during the index procedure (mean 31.5±24.6 days after STEMI). Our goal was to determine whether iCR was the superior strategy when compared to sCR. METHODS: A systematic review of Medline, Cochrane, and Embase was performed for RCTs reporting outcomes of stable STEMI patients who had undergone CR. Only RCTs with a clearly defined timing of CR, for the classification into iCR and sCR, and a follow-up of at least 12 months were included. Seven RCTs comprising 6647 patients (mean age:62.9±1.4 years, male sex:79.4%) met these criteria and were included. RESULTS: After a mean follow-up of 25.1±9.4 months, iCR was associated with a significant reduction in cardiovascular mortality (risk ratio [RR] 0.48, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.26–0.90, p=0.02, relative risk reduction [RRR] 52%) and non-fatal reinfarctions (RR 0.42, 95% CI 0.25–0.70, p=0.001, RRR: 58%). sCR showed a significant reduction in non-fatal reinfarctions only (RR 0.68, 95% CI 0.54–0.85, p=0.0008, RRR: 32%). There was no difference in the safety outcome of contrast-induced nephropathy between groups. CONCLUSION: iCR of stable STEMI patients is associated with a significant reduction in cardiovascular death and a trend towards reduction in all-cause mortality. These benefits are not seen in sCR. Both strategies are associated with a reduction in non-fatal reinfarctions.