Manual Thrombus Aspiration During PCI in STEMI With Angiographically Evident Thrombus

Condition(s) studied

Investigational drug(s) / intervention(s)

Manual thrombus aspiration: Manual aspiration is performed after guidewire passage and before balloon dilatation or stent implantation in the culprit coronary artery. A large-lumen aspiration catheter is connected to a syringe to generate negative pressure and remove visible thrombotic material. The operator selects the catheter configuration and determines the number of aspiration passes and when to discontinue aspiration according to coronary anatomy, residual thrombus, technical feasibility, and participant safety. Operators receive standardized device-specific training before participating in the trial. No other thrombectomy device is permitted.

Percutaneous Coronary Intervention: PCI is performed according to contemporary guideline-directed care and local practice. Balloon dilatation, stent implantation, vascular access, antiplatelet treatment, procedural anticoagulation, intracoronary medication, and other procedural details are determined by the operator.

Study summary

The goal of this clinical trial is to determine whether manually removing a visible blood clot before percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) improves outcomes in patients with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI). About 3500 patients who present within 24 hours of symptom onset and have angiographically evident thrombus in the culprit coronary artery (TIMI thrombus grade 2 or higher) will be randomly assigned in a 1:1 ratio to manual thrombus aspiration followed by PCI or PCI alone.

The main question is whether adding manual thrombus aspiration reduces the first major adverse cardiac or cerebrovascular event within 30 days. This composite includes death from any cause, recurrent myocardial infarction, stroke, rehospitalization for heart failure, or clinically indicated target-vessel revascularization.

Researchers will also compare coronary and myocardial reperfusion after PCI, individual clinical events, stroke and other safety outcomes, and major adverse cardiac or cerebrovascular events through 6 and 12 months. Participants will receive their assigned PCI strategy and will be followed during the index hospitalization and at 30 days, 6 months, and 12 months.

Eligibility

Primary outcome measure(s)

• Major Adverse Cardiac or Cerebrovascular Events (MACCE) Within 30 Days — From randomization through 30 days
  The proportion of participants experiencing at least one of the following events: all-cause death, recurrent myocardial infarction, stroke, rehospitalization for heart failure, or clinically indicated target-vessel revascularization. Each component will also be reported separately.

Trial sites (1)