Periprocedural myocardial infarction in patients with PCI
To reduce the risk of spontaneous myocardial infarction and to improve angina status, percutaneous coronary intervention is often used alongside the guideline-directed medical therapy for patients. Yet, percutaneous coronary intervention has its limitations, as it is associated with increased risks of periprocedural myocardial injury and infarct. Understanding the risk factors for periprocedural myocardial injury and infarct will allow for patients to avoid this risk. However, the diagnosis of periprocedural myocardial infarct is varied among clinicians. There exist many different definitions, with different groups believing different cardiac biomarker thresholds have to be reached before periprocedural myocardial infarct is diagnosed as ‘clinically-relevant’. A single definition will allow for better management and risk stratification for patients.
This review by Ueki Y & Kuwahara K aimed to discuss the mechanisms and risk factors of periprocedural myocardial infarct in patients undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention, as well as underscore the underlying issue of a lack of one solid definition.
Key learnings:
For patients undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention, the risk of periprocedural myocardial infarction must be clearly defined with a single, clear diagnostic definition for all clinicians to use. This will allow for better diagnosis and management, as well as risk stratification, to avoid complications in patients.