Early myocardial surgical revascularization after ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction in multivessel coronary disease: bridge therapy is the solution?

Background Many ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) patients have a multivessel disease that initially require percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) of the culprit vessel but subsequently may require coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) of nonculprit vessels. Evidence supports staged revascularization, but the identification of optimal strategies (percutaneous or surgical), the timing and the management of antiplatelet therapy after recent PCI with stenting are matters of great controversies. Methods In our retrospective registry, we have enrolled 21 patients presenting with STEMI and multivessel disease, who underwent PCI of the culprit vessel only and then CABG of nonculprit vessels. Demographic, clinical, echocardiographic, angiographic findings, preoperative score, surgical data and postoperative complications were collected. At 21.6 +/- 15.6 months follow-up death, reinfarction and/or cardiovascular and noncardiovascular events were recorded. Results Patients were 62 +/- 9 years old and had in the most cases a good ejection fraction. At angiography, the culprit lesion was right coronary artery in 16 patients (76%). Angiographic characteristics excluded a staged PCI (SYNTAX score = 31.6 +/- 7.4) and European System for Cardiac Operative Risk Evaluation II resulted low (1.46 +/- 1.01). Following the indication to cardiac surgery after Heart Team discussion, the withdrawal of oral P2Y12 inhibitor was planned and tirofiban intravenous was started. Off-pump CABG was performed after 7.2 +/- 3.2 days. No death, reinfarction and/or cardiovascular and noncardiovascular events occurred at follow-up. Conclusion We can conclude that a careful preoperative selection is mandatory for a good postoperative course and long-term survival and that early-staged CABG can, however, be performed using bridge therapy, also after STEMI.