Export aspiration system in patients with acute coronary syndrome and visible thrombus provides no substantial benefit.
OBJECTIVE
A visible thrombus remains a risk factor during percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI).


METHODS
Between October 2004 and March 2005, we treated all patients who consecutively presented with acute coronary syndrome + angiographically visible thrombus using the Export Aspiration System (group 1, n = 79). We retrospectively analyzed all consecutive patients who had been treated without a thrombectomy device (group 2, n = 79).


RESULTS
Final TIMI flow 3 or myocardial blush grade (MBG) 3 after completing PCI in group 1 and 2 was seen in 54 patients (68.4%) versus 57 patients (72.2%, P = 0.6) and in 45 patients (57.0%) versus 44 patients (55.7%, P = 0.9), respectively. Final TIMI flow 0 or MBG 0 in group 1 and 2 was observed in eight patients (10.1%) versus four patients (5.1%, P = 0.23) and in 24 patients (30.4%) versus 16 patients (20.3%, P = 0.15), respectively. HISTOLOGIC EVALUATION: Histologic evaluation revealed mostly mixed thrombotic material (83.6%). Microscopic material was seen in 91.8% of cases. MACE: Total MACE rate during hospital stay was 11.4% in both groups.


CONCLUSIONS
Using the Export Aspiration System in patients presenting with acute coronary syndrome + visible thrombus provides no substantial benefit.
V Korn
Hubertus
H
Department of Cardiology, Zentralklinik Bad Berka, Bad Berka, Germany. h.korn.kar@zentralklinik-bad-berka.de
Ohlow
Marc
M
Donev
Stoycho
S
Yu
Jiangtao
J
Huegl
Burkhard
B
Wagner
Andreas
A
Lauer
Bernward
B
D000208:Acute Disease; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D015906:Angioplasty, Balloon, Coronary / Q000009:adverse effects; D017023:Coronary Angiography; D003326:Coronary Circulation; D003328:Coronary Thrombosis / Q000150:complications / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000601:surgery*; D005260:Female; D006331:Heart Diseases / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D017202:Myocardial Ischemia / Q000150:complications / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000628:therapy*; D010975:Platelet Aggregation Inhibitors / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use; D019039:Platelet Glycoprotein GPIIb-IIIa Complex / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors; D012107:Research Design; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013396:Suction / Q000295:instrumentation; D013577:Syndrome; D017131:Thrombectomy / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000295:instrumentation*; D013997:Time Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D010975:Platelet Aggregation Inhibitors; D019039:Platelet Glycoprotein GPIIb-IIIa Complex