Early versus Late Coronary Stenting Following Acute Myocardial Infarction: Feasibility, Safety and Short-term Follow-up

Abstract

The aim of the present . study is! to evaluate the feasibility and safety of early versus late intra-coronary stenting in AMI regarding its immediate outcome, in­ hospital course as well as short-term outcome.

From January 2000 to September 2001, 43 consecutive patients with a first uncomplicated AMI underwent PCI with stent implantation to their IRA. They were divided into an early group (24 patients with stenting done in the first 48 hours) and late group (19 patients with stenting do' ne> 48 hours up to 14 days after AMI). I Clinical pre-PCI assessment wa' s done for all patients including thorough examination and 12-lead ECG. Measurements of peak CPI<, time to peak CPK were obtained.

· Stenting of IRA was done after the onset of AMI at a mean of 28.3 ± 12.8 hours in the early group and a mean of 5.96 ± 1.71 days in the late group.

Dobutamine stress echocardiography was performed both pre-discharge and at sho -term follow-up using doses up to 40 11g/min ±atropine bolus.

Repeat coronary angiography was done at follow-up if the DSE at that time revealed an evidence of IRA restenosis.

Patient profile: Patients included 39 males and 4 females with their age ranging 'from 34-71 years (mean 51.46±8.55). No statistically significant differences were found in any of the baseline clinical or angiographic characteristics behveen both groups.