2013 ACCF/AHA Guideline for the Management of ST-Elevation Myocardial Infarction: A Report of the American College of Cardiology Foundation/American Heart Association Task Force on Practice Guidelines
This article has been corrected.
VIEW CORRECTIONTable of Contents
Preamble e364
1. Introduction e366
1.1. Methodology and Evidence Review e366
1.2. Organization of the Writing Committee e367
1.3. Document Review and Approval e367
2. Background e367
2.1. Definition and Diagnosis e367
2.2. Epidemiology e367
2.3. Early Risk Assessment e369
3. Onset of MI e369
3.1. Patient-Related Delays and Initial Treatment e369
3.2. Mode of Transport to the Hospital e369
3.3. Patient Education e369
3.4. Community Preparedness and System Goals for Reperfusion Therapy e370
3.4.1. Regional Systems of STEMI Care, Reperfusion Therapy, and Time-to- Treatment Goals: Recommendations e370
3.4.1.1. Regional Systems of STEMI Care and Goals for Reperfusion Therapy e371
3.4.1.2. Strategies for Shortening Door-to-Device Times e372
3.5. Prehospital Fibrinolytic Therapy e373
3.6. The Relationship Between Sudden Cardiac Death and STEMI e373
3.6.1. Evaluation and Management of Patients With STEMI and Out-of- Hospital Cardiac Arrest: Recommendations e373
4. Reperfusion at a PCI-Capable Hospital e374
4.1. Primary PCI e374
4.1.1. Primary PCI in STEMI: Recommendations e374
4.2. Aspiration Thrombectomy: Recommendation e375
4.3. Use of Stents in Primary PCI e375
4.3.1. Use of Stents in Patients With STEMI: Recommendations e375
4.4. Adjunctive Antithrombotic Therapy for Primary PCI e375
4.4.1. Antiplatelet Therapy to Support Primary PCI for STEMI: Recommendations e375
4.4.2. Anticoagulant Therapy to Support Primary PCI: Recommendations e378
5. Reperfusion at a Non–PCI-Capable Hospital e379
5.1. Fibrinolytic Therapy When There Is an Anticipated Delay to Performing Primary PCI Within 120 Minutes of FMC: Recommendations e379
5.1.1. Timing of Fibrinolytic Therapy e379
5.1.2. Choice of Fibrinolytic Agent e379
5.1.3. Contraindications and Complications With Fibrinolytic Therapy e380
5.1.4. Adjunctive Antithrombotic Therapy With Fibrinolysis e380
5.1.4.1. Adjunctive Antiplatelet Therapy With Fibrinolysis: Recommendations e380
5.1.4.2 Adjunctive Anticoagulant Therapy With Fibrinolysis: Recommendations e380
5.2. Assessment of Reperfusion After Fibrinolysis e381
5.3. Transfer to a PCI-Capable Hospital After Fibrinolytic Therapy e381
5.3.1. Transfer of Patients With STEMI to a PCI-Capable Hospital for Coronary Angiography After Fibrinolytic Therapy: Recommendations e381
5.3.1.1. Transfer for Cardiogenic Shock e382
5.3.1.2. Transfer for Failure of Fibrinolytic Therapy e382
5.3.1.3. Transfer for Routine Early Coronary Angiography After Fibrinolytic Therapy e382
6. Delayed Invasive Management e384
6.1. Coronary Angiography in Patients Who Initially Were Managed With Fibrinolytic Therapy or Who Did Not Receive Reperfusion: Recommendations e384
6.2. PCI of an Infarct Artery in Patients Initially Managed With Fibrinolysis or Who Did Not Receive Reperfusion Therapy: Recommendations e384
6.3. PCI of a Noninfarct Artery Before Hospital Discharge: Recommendations e385
6.4. Adjunctive Antithrombotic Therapy to Support Delayed PCI After Fibrinolytic Therapy e386
6.4.1. Antiplatelet Therapy to Support PCI After Fibrinolytic Therapy: Recommendations e386
6.4.2. Anticoagulant Therapy to Support PCI After Fibrinolytic Therapy: Recommendations e387
7. Coronary Artery Bypass Graft Surgery e387
7.1. CABG in Patients With STEMI: Recommendations e387
7.2. Timing of Urgent CABG in Patients With STEMI in Relation to Use of Antiplatelet Agents: Recommendations e388
8. Routine Medical Therapies e388
8.1. Beta Blockers: Recommendations e388
8.2. Renin-Angiotensin-Aldosterone System Inhibitors: Recommendations e390
8.3. Recommendations for Lipid Management e390
8.4. Nitrates e391
8.5. Calcium Channel Blockers e391
8.6. Oxygen e391
8.7. Analgesics: Morphine, Nonsteroidal Anti-inflammatory Drugs, and Cyclooxygenase II Inhibitors e391
9. Complications After STEMI e391
9.1. Cardiogenic Shock e391
9.1.1. Treatment of Cardiogenic Shock: Recommendations e391
9.2. Severe HF e392
9.3. RV Infarction e392
9.4. Mechanical Complications e392
9.4.1. Diagnosis e392
9.4.2. Mitral Regurgitation e392
9.4.3. Ventricular Septal Rupture e392
9.4.4. LV Free-Wall Rupture e393
9.4.5. LV Aneurysm e393
9.5. Electrical Complications During the Hospital Phase of STEMI e393
9.5.1. Ventricular Arrhythmias e393
9.5.2. Implantable Cardioverter-Defibrillator Therapy Before Discharge e393
9.5.3. AF and Other Supraventricular Tachyarrhythmias e393
9.5.4. Bradycardia, AV Block, and Intraventricular Conduction Defects e394
9.5.4.1. Pacing in STEMI: Recommendation e394
9.6. Pericarditis e394
9.6.1. Management of Pericarditis After STEMI: Recommendations e394
9.7. Thromboembolic and Bleeding Complications e395
9.7.1. Thromboembolic Complications e395
9.7.1.1. Anticoagulation: Recommendations e395
9.7.1.2. Heparin-Induced Thrombocytopenia e395
9.7.2. Bleeding Complications e395
9.7.2.1. Treatment of ICH e396
9.7.2.2. Vascular Access Site Bleeding e396
9.8. Acute Kidney Injury e397
9.9. Hyperglycemia e397
10. Risk Assessment After STEMI e397
10.1. Use of Noninvasive Testing for Ischemia Before Discharge: Recommendations e397
10.2. Assessment of LV Function: Recommendation e398
10.3. Assessment of Risk for SCD: Recommendation e398
11. Posthospitalization Plan of Care e399
11.1. Posthospitalization Plan of Care: Recommendations e399
11.1.1. The Plan of Care for Patients With STEMI e399
11.1.2. Smoking Cessation e399
11.1.3. Cardiac Rehabilitation e399
11.1.4. Systems of Care to Promote Care Coordination e399
12. Unresolved Issues and Future Research Directions e401
12.1. Patient Awareness e401
12.2. Regional Systems of Care e401
12.3. Transfer and Management of Non–High-Risk Patients After Administration of Fibrinolytic Therapy e401
12.4. Antithrombotic Therapy e401
12.5. Reperfusion Injury e401
12.6. Approach to Noninfarct Artery Disease e401
12.7. Prevention of SCD e402
12.8. Prevention of HF e402
References e402
Appendix 1. Author Relationships With Industry and Other Entities (Relevant) e419
Appendix 2. Reviewer Relationships With Industry and Other Entities (Relevant) e422
Appendix 3. Abbreviation List e425
Preamble
The medical profession should play a central role in evaluating the evidence related to drugs, devices, and procedures for the detection, management, and prevention of disease. When properly applied, expert analysis of available data on the benefits and risks of these therapies and procedures can improve the quality of care, optimize patient outcomes, and favorably affect costs by focusing resources on the most effective strategies. An organized and directed approach to a thorough review of evidence has resulted in the production of clinical practice guidelines that assist physicians in selecting the best management strategy for an individual patient. Moreover, clinical practice guidelines can provide a foundation for other applications, such as performance measures, appropriate use criteria, and both quality improvement and clinical decision support tools.
The American College of Cardiology Foundation (ACCF) and the American Heart Association (AHA) have jointly produced guidelines in the area of cardiovascular disease since 1980. The ACCF/AHA Task Force on Practice Guidelines (Task Force), charged with developing, updating, and revising practice guidelines for cardiovascular diseases and procedures, directs and oversees this effort. Writing committees are charged with regularly reviewing and evaluating all available evidence to develop balanced, patient-centric recommendations for clinical practice.
Experts in the subject under consideration are selected by the ACCF and AHA to examine subject-specific data and write guidelines in partnership with representatives from other medical organizations and specialty groups. Writing committees are asked to perform a formal literature review; weigh the strength of evidence for or against particular tests, treatments, or procedures; and include estimates of expected outcomes where such data exist. Patient-specific modifiers, comorbidities, and issues of patient preference that may influence the choice of tests or therapies are considered. When available, information from studies on cost is considered, but data on efficacy and outcomes constitute the primary basis for the recommendations contained herein.
In analyzing the data and developing recommendations and supporting text, the writing committee uses evidence-based methodologies developed by the Task Force.1 The Class of Recommendation (COR) is an estimate of the size of the treatment effect considering risks versus benefits in addition to evidence and/or agreement that a given treatment or procedure is or is not useful/effective or in some situations may cause harm. The Level of Evidence (LOE) is an estimate of the certainty or precision of the treatment effect. The writing committee reviews and ranks evidence supporting each recommendation with the weight of evidence ranked as LOE A, B, or C according to specific definitions that are included in Table 1. Studies are identified as observational, retrospective, prospective, or randomized where appropriate. For certain conditions for which inadequate data are available, recommendations are based on expert consensus and clinical experience and are ranked as LOE C. When recommendations at LOE C are supported by historical clinical data, appropriate references (including clinical reviews) are cited if available. For issues for which sparse data are available, a survey of current practice among the members of the writing committee is the basis for LOE C recommendations and no references are cited. The schema for COR and LOE is summarized in Table 1, which also provides suggested phrases for writing recommendations within each COR.
A new addition to this methodology is separation of the Class III recommendations to delineate whether the recommendation is determined to be of “no benefit” or is associated with “harm” to the patient. In addition, in view of the increasing number of comparative effectiveness studies, comparator verbs and suggested phrases for writing recommendations for the comparative effectiveness of one treatment or strategy versus another are included for COR I and IIa, LOE A or B only.
In view of the advances in medical therapy across the spectrum of cardiovascular diseases, the Task Force has designated the term guideline-directed medical therapy (GDMT) to represent optimal medical therapy as defined by ACCF/AHA guideline-recommended therapies (primarily Class I). This new term, GDMT, will be used throughout subsequent guidelines.
Because the ACCF/AHA practice guidelines address patient populations (and healthcare providers) residing in North America, drugs that are not currently available in North America are discussed in the text without a specific COR. For studies performed in large numbers of subjects outside North America, each writing committee reviews the potential influence of different practice patterns and patient populations on the treatment effect and relevance to the ACCF/AHA target population to determine whether the findings should inform a specific recommendation.
The ACCF/AHA practice guidelines are intended to assist healthcare providers in clinical decision making by describing a range of generally acceptable approaches to the diagnosis, management, and prevention of specific diseases or conditions. The guidelines attempt to define practices that meet the needs of most patients in most circumstances. The ultimate judgment regarding care of a particular patient must be made by the healthcare provider and patient in light of all the circumstances presented by that patient. As a result, situations may arise for which deviations from these guidelines may be appropriate. Clinical decision making should involve consideration of the quality and availability of expertise in the area where care is provided. When these guidelines are used as the basis for regulatory or payer decisions, the goal should be improvement in quality of care. The Task Force recognizes that situations arise in which additional data are needed to inform patient care more effectively; these areas are identified within each respective guideline when appropriate.
Prescribed courses of treatment in accordance with these recommendations are effective only if followed. Because lack of patient understanding and adherence may adversely affect outcomes, physicians and other healthcare providers should make every effort to engage the patient’s active participation in prescribed medical regimens and lifestyles. In addition, patients should be informed of the risks, benefits, and alternatives to a particular treatment and should be involved in shared decision making whenever feasible, particularly for COR IIa and IIb, for which the benefit-to-risk ratio may be lower.
The Task Force makes every effort to avoid actual, potential, or perceived conflicts of interest that may arise as a result of relationships with industry and other entities (RWI) among the members of the writing committee. All writing committee members and peer reviewers of the guideline are required to disclose all current healthcare-related relationships, including those existing 1 year before initiation of the writing effort. In December 2009, the ACCF and AHA implemented a new RWI policy that requires the writing committee chair plus a minimum of 50% of the writing committee to have no relevant RWI. (Appendix 1 includes the ACCF/AHA definition of relevance.) These statements are reviewed by the Task Force and all members during each conference call and/or meeting of the writing committee, and members provide updates as changes occur. All guideline recommendations require a confidential vote by the writing committee and must be approved by a consensus of the voting members. Members may not draft or vote on any text or recommendations pertaining to their RWI. Members who recused themselves from voting are indicated in the list of writing committee members, and specific section recusals are noted in Appendix 1. Authors’ and peer reviewers’ RWI pertinent to this guideline are disclosed in Appendixes 1 and 2, respectively. In addition, to ensure complete transparency, writing committee members’ comprehensive disclosure information—including RWI not pertinent to this document—is available as an online supplement. Comprehensive disclosure information for the Task Force is also available online at http://www.cardiosource.org/ACC/About-ACC/Who-We-Are/Leadership/Guidelines-and-Documents-Task-Forces.aspx. The work of writing committees is supported exclusively by the ACCF and AHA without commercial support. Writing committee members volunteered their time for this activity.
Committee Member | Employment | Consultant | Speaker’s Bureau | Ownership/ Partnership/ Principal | Personal Research | Institutional, Organizational, or Other Financial Benefit | Expert Witness | Voting Recusals by Sectio* |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Patrick T. O’Gara, Chair | Harvard Medical School—Professor of Medicine | None | None | None | None | None | None | None |
Frederick G. Kushner, Vice Chair | Tulane University School of Medicine—Clinical Professor of Medicine; Heart Clinic of Louisiana—Medical Director | None | None | None | None | • Novartis† | None | 8.18.2 |
Deborah D. Ascheim | Mount Sinai School of Medicine— Associate Professor; InCHOIR—Clinical Director of Research | None | None | None | None | None | None | None |
Donald E. Casey, Jr. | Atlantic Health— Chief Medical Officer and Vice President of Quality | None | None | None | None | None | None | None |
Mina K. Chung | Cleveland Clinic Foundation—Associate Professor of Medicine | • Biotronik†• Boston Scientific†• Nexcura †• PGx†• Sanofi-aventis†• St. Jude Medical† | None | None | • Biotronik†• Boston Scientific†• GlaxoSmithKline†• Medtronic†• Siemens Medical Solutions†• St. Jude Medical†• ZOLL† | • Medtronic†• Boston Scientific†• St. Jude Medical† | None | None |
James A. de Lemos | UT Southwestern Medical School—Professor of Medicine | • Johnson & Johnson• Tethys• AstraZeneca• Daiichi-Sankyo | • BMS/ Sanofi-aventis | None | • Bristol-Myers Squibb (DSMB)• Roche• Merck/Schering-Plough• Daiichi-Sankyo | None | None | 4.4.14.4.25.1.4.15.1.4.26.4.16.4.27.29.6 |
Steven M. Ettinger | Penn State Heart & Vascular Institute—Professor of Medicine and Radiology | None | None | None | • Medtronic§ | None | None | 4.3.1 |
James C. Fang | University Hospitals Case Medical Center—Director, Heart Transplantation | • Accorda• Novartis• Thoratec | None | None | None | • Medtronic | None | 9.5.4.1 |
Francis M. Fesmire | Heart Stroke Center—Director | • Abbott | None | None | None | None | • Plaintiff, Missed ACS, 2010 | 8.3 |
Barry A. Franklin | William Beaumont Hospital—Director, Cardiac Rehabilitation and Exercise Laboratories | None | None | None | None | None | None | None |
Christopher B. Granger | Duke Clinical Research Institute—Director, Cardiac Care Unit; Assistant Professor of Medicine | • AstraZeneca• Boehringer Ingelheim‡• Bristol-Myers Squibb• GlaxoSmithKline• Hoffman La Roche• Novartis• Sanofi-aventis‡• The Medicines Company | None | None | • Astellas• AstraZeneca• Boehringer Ingelheim‡• Bristol-Myers Squibb• Eli Lilly• GlaxoSmithKline• Medtronic• Merck• Sanofi-aventis‡• The Medicines Company | None | None | 4.4.16.4.29.7.1 |
Harlan M. Krumholz | Yale University School of Medicine— Professor of Medicine | • United HealthCare (Science Advisory Group) | None | None | None | None | None | None |
Jane A. Linderbaum | Mayo Clinic—Assistant Professor of Medicine | None | None | None | None | None | None | None |
David A. Morrow | Harvard Medical School—Associate Professor of Medicine | • Beckman-Coulter• Boehringer Ingelheim• Daiichi-Sankyo• Eli Lilly• Genentech• Merck• Novartis• OrthoClinical Diagnostics/Johnson & Johnson• Roche Diagnostics• Sanofi-aventis• Schering-Plough Research Institute• Siemens Medical Solutions | None | None | • AstraZeneca‡• Beckman-Coulter‡• Daiichi-Sankyo‡• Eli Lilly‡• GlaxoSmithKline‡• Merck‡• Nanosphere‡• Novartis‡• Roche Diagnostics‡• Sanofi-aventis‡• Schering-Plough Research Institute‡• Siemens Medical Solutions‡• Singulex‡ | • AstraZeneca‡ | None | 3.24.4.14.4.25.15.1.4.16.4.16.4.27.28.28.39.6 |
L. Kristin Newby | Duke University Medical Center, Division of Cardiology— Professor of Medicine | • Amgen‡• AstraZeneca• BioVascular• Johnson & Johnson• Novartis | None | None | • BG Medicine• Bristol-Myers Squibb• diaDexus‡• Eli Lilly• GlaxoSmithKline‡• Johnson & Johnson• Merck‡• Regado• Schering-Plough‡ | None | None | 4.4.17.2 |
Joseph P. Ornato | Department of Emergency MedicineVirginia Commonwealth University— Professor and Chairman | • European Resuscitation Council‡• ZOLL Circulation | None | None | • NIH/NINDS Neurological Emergency Treatment Trials Consortium—PI‡ | None | None | None |
Narith Ou | Mayo Clinic—Pharmacotherapy Coordinator, Cardiology | None | None | None | None | None | None | None |
Martha J. Radford | NYU Langone Medical Center—Chief Quality Officer; NYU School of Medicine— Professor of Medicine (Cardiology) | None | None | None | None | None | None | None |
Jacqueline E. Tamis-Holland | St Luke’s-Roosevelt Hospital Center—Director, Interventional Cardiology Fellowship Program; Columbia University, College of Physicians and Surgeons— Assistant Professor of Clinical Medicine | None | None | None | None | None | None | None |
Carl L. Tommaso | Skokie Hospital—Director of Catheterization Laboratory; North Shore University Health Systems | None | None | None | None | None | None | None |
Cynthia M. Tracy | George Washington University Medical Center—Associate Director, Division of Cardiology | None | None | None | None | None | None | None |
Y. Joseph Woo | Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania— Associate Professor of Surgery | None | None | None | None | None | None | None |
David X. Zhao | Vanderbilt University Medical Center—Director, Cardiac Catheterization and Interventional Cardiology | None | None | None | • Abbot Vascular• Accumetrics• AGA Medical• Osiris• Volcano | None | None | 4.3.1 |
This table represents the relationships of committee members with industry and other entities that were determined to be relevant to this document. These relationships were reviewed and updated in conjunction with all meetings and/or conference calls of the writing committee during the document development process. The table does not necessarily reflect relationships with industry at the time of publication. A person is deemed to have a significant interest in a business if the interest represents ownership of ≥5% of the voting stock or share of the business entity, or ownership of ≥$10 000 of the fair market value of the business entity; or if funds received by the person from the business entity exceed 5% of the person’s gross income for the previous year. Relationships that exist with no financial benefit are also included for the purpose of transparency. Relationships in this table are modest unless otherwise noted.
According to the ACCF/AHA, a person has a relevant relationship IF: a) The relationship or interest relates to the same or similar subject matter, intellectual property or asset, topic, or issue addressed in the document; or b) The company/entity (with whom the relationship exists) makes a drug, drug class, or device addressed in the document, or makes a competing drug or device addressed in the document; or c) The person or a member of the person’s household has a reasonable potential for financial, professional, or other personal gain or loss as a result of the issues/content addressed in the document.
*
Writing committee members are required to recuse themselves from voting on sections to which their specific relationships with industry and other entities could apply.
†
No financial benefit.
‡
Significant relationship.
§
Dr. Ettinger’s relationship with Medtronic was added just before balloting of the recommendations, so it was not relevant during the writing stage; however, the addition of this relationship makes the writing committee out of compliance with the minimum 50% no relevant RWI requirement.
ACS indicates acute coronary syndromes; DSMB, data safety monitoring board; NHLBI, National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute; NIH, National Institutes of Health; and PI, principal investigator.
In an effort to maintain relevance at the point of care for practicing physicians, the Task Force continues to oversee an ongoing process improvement initiative. As a result, in response to pilot projects, several changes to these guidelines will be apparent, including limited narrative text, a focus on summary and evidence tables (with references linked to abstracts in PubMed), and more liberal use of summary recommendation tables (with references that support LOE) to serve as a quick reference.
In April 2011, the Institute of Medicine released 2 reports: Finding What Works in Health Care: Standards for Systematic Reviews and Clinical Practice Guidelines We Can Trust.2,3 It is noteworthy that the IOM cited ACCF/AHA practice guidelines as being compliant with many of the proposed standards. A thorough review of these reports and of our current methodology is under way, with further enhancements anticipated.
The recommendations in this guideline are considered current until they are superseded by a focused update or the full-text guideline is revised. Guidelines are official policy of both the ACCF and AHA.
Jeffrey L. Anderson, MD, FACC, FAHA
Chair, ACCF/AHA Task Force on Practice Guidelines
1. Introduction
1.1. Methodology and Evidence Review
The recommendations listed in this document are, whenever possible, evidence based. The current document constitutes a full revision and includes an extensive evidence review, which was conducted through November 2010, with additional selected references added through August 2012. Searches were limited to studies conducted in human subjects and reviews and other evidence pertaining to human subjects; all were published in English. Key search words included but were not limited to: acute coronary syndromes, percutaneous coronary intervention, coronary artery bypass graft, myocardial infarction, ST-elevation myocardial infarction, coronary stent, revascularization, anticoagulant therapy, antiplatelet therapy, antithrombotic therapy, glycoprotein IIb/IIIa inhibitor therapy, pharmacotherapy, proton-pump inhibitor, implantable cardioverter-defibrillator therapy, cardiogenic shock, fibrinolytic therapy, thrombolytic therapy, nitrates, mechanical complications, arrhythmia, angina, chronic stable angina, diabetes, chronic kidney disease, mortality, morbidity, elderly, ethics, and contrast nephropathy. Additional searches cross-referenced these topics with the following subtopics: percutaneous coronary intervention, coronary artery bypass graft, cardiac rehabilitation, and secondary prevention. Additionally, the committee reviewed documents related to the subject matter previously published by the ACCF and AHA. References selected and published in this document are representative and not all-inclusive.
To provide clinicians with a comprehensive set of data, whenever deemed appropriate or when published, the absolute risk difference and number needed to treat or harm are provided in the guideline, along with confidence intervals (CI) and data related to the relative treatment effects such as odds ratio (OR), relative risk (RR), hazard ratio (HR), or incidence rate ratio.
The focus of this guideline is the management of patients with ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI). Updates to the 2004 STEMI guideline were published in 2007 and 2009.4–6 Particular emphasis is placed on advances in reperfusion therapy, organization of regional systems of care, transfer algorithms, evidence-based antithrombotic and medical therapies, and secondary prevention strategies to optimize patient-centered care. By design, the document is narrower in scope than the 2004 STEMI Guideline, in an attempt to provide a more focused tool for practitioners. References related to management guidelines are provided whenever appropriate, including those pertaining to percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI), coronary artery bypass graft (CABG), heart failure (HF), cardiac devices, and secondary prevention.
1.2. Organization of the Writing Committee
The writing committee was composed of experts representing cardiovascular medicine, interventional cardiology, electrophysiology, HF, cardiac surgery, emergency medicine, internal medicine, cardiac rehabilitation, nursing, and pharmacy. The American College of Physicians, American College of Emergency Physicians, and Society for Cardiovascular Angiography and Interventions assigned official representatives.
1.3. Document Review and Approval
This document was reviewed by 2 outside reviewers each nominated by the ACCF and the AHA, as well as 2 reviewers each from the American College of Emergency Physicians and Society for Cardiovascular Angiography and Interventions and 22 individual content reviewers (including members from the ACCF Interventional Scientific Council and ACCF Surgeons’ Scientific Council). All reviewer RWI information was distributed to the writing committee and is published in this document (Appendix 2).
Reviewer | Representation | Consultant | Speaker’s Bureau | Ownership/ Partnership/ Principal | Personal Research | Institutional, Organizational, or Other Financial Benefit | Expert Witness |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Elliott M. Antman | Official Reviewer—ACCF Board of Trustees | None | None | None | • Accumetrics• AstraZeneca• Beckman Coulter• Bristol-Myers Squibb Pharmaceutical Research Institute• Daiichi-Sankyo*• Eli Lilly*• GlaxoSmithKline• Merck• Millennium Pharmaceuticals• Novartis Pharmaceuticals• Ortho-Clinical Diagnostics• Sanofi-Synthelabo Recherche• Schering-Plough Research Institute | None | None |
Gary J. Balady | Official Reviewer—AHA | None | None | None | None | None | None |
Christopher P. Cannon | Official Reviewer—AHA | • Novartis† | None | None | • Accumetrics*• AstraZeneca*• Bristol-Myers Squibb†• GlaxoSmithKline• Merck* | • GlaxoSmithKline• Merck (DSMB) | None |
Judith S. Hochman | Official Reviewer—ACCF/AHA Task Force on Practice Guidelines | • BMS/Sanofi• Eli Lilly• GlaxoSmithKline | None | None | None | • Johnson & Johnson Pharmaceutical Research & Development (DSMB)• Merck/Schering Plough (DSMB) | None |
Austin H. Kutscher | Official Reviewer—ACCF Board of Governors | None | None | None | None | None | None |
Charles J. Davidson | Organizational Reviewer—SCAI | • Abbott*• Abbott Vascular | None | None | • Edwards Lifesciences* | None | None |
Deborah B. Diercks | Organizational Reviewer—ACEP | • Abbott Cardiovascular• Daiichi-Sankyo | None | None | • Beckman Coulter†• Nanosphere† | None | None |
Jonathan M. Tobis | Organizational Reviewer—SCAI | None | • AGA Medical• Boston Scientific | None | • AGA Medical* | None | None |
Jeffrey L. Anderson | Content Reviewer— ACCF/AHA Task Force on Practice Guidelines | None | None | None | • Toshiba† | • AstraZeneca (DSMB) | Defendant, Postoperative Ablation Case, 2010 |
James C. Blankenship | Content Reviewer | None | None | None | • AstraZeneca†• Boston Scientific†• Novartis†• Schering-Plough† | None | None |
Jeffrey J. Cavendish | Content Reviewer—ACCF Prevention of Cardiovascular Disease Committee | None | None | None | None | None | None |
Harold L. Dauerman | Content Reviewer | None | None | None | None | None | None |
John S. Douglas, Jr. | Content Reviewer | None | None | None | • Abbott†• Medtronic†• The Medicines Company† | None | None |
Stephen G. Ellis | Content Reviewer | • Abbott Vascular• Boston Scientific† | None | None | None | None | None |
Joseph Fredi | Content Reviewer—ACCF Surgeons’ Scientific Council | • AGA Medical† | None | None | None | None | None |
Anthony Gershlick | Content Reviewer | • Abbott• AstraZeneca• Boehringer Ingelheim• Boston Scientific• Cordis• Eli Lilly• Medtronic | None | None | • Boehringer Ingelheim | None | None |
Howard C. Herrmann | Content Reviewer | • AstraZeneca• Merck Sharpe and Dohme | None | None | • Accumetrics• Boston Scientific*• Edwards Lifesciences*• eValve• Medtronic*• St. Jude Medical• The Medicines Company* | None | None |
James Bernard Hermiller | Content Reviewer—ACCF Interventional Scientific Council | • Abbott• Boston Scientific• St. Jude Medical | • Eli Lilly | None | None | None | None |
Fred M. Kosumoto | Content Reviewer | None | None | None | None | None | None |
Glenn Levine | Content Reviewer | None | None | None | None | None | None |
Roxana Mehran | Content Reviewer | • Abbott Vascular• AstraZeneca• Ortho-McNeill | None | None | • BMS/Sanofi-aventis*• The Medicines Company* | None | None |
M. Eugene Sherman | Content Reviewer—ACCF Board of Governors | None | Eli Lilly* | None | None | None | None |
Daniel I. Simon | Content Reviewer | • Cordis/Johnson & Johnson• Daiichi-Sankyo• Eli Lilly• Medtronic• Sanofi-aventis• The Medicines Company | None | None | None | None | Defendant, DES Intellectual Property Case, 2010 |
Richard W. Smalling | Content Reviewer—ACCF Interventional Scientific Council | • AGA Medical | None | None | • AGA Medical*• Cordis*• eValve* | • AGA Medical• Cordis• eValve | None |
William G. Stevenson | Content Reviewer— ACCF/AHA Task Force on Practice Guidelines | None | None | None | None | None | None |
William A. Tansey III | Content Reviewer | None | None | None | None | None | None |
David D. Waters | Content Reviewer | • Bristol-Myers Squibb• Pfizer | None | None | None | • Merck/Schering-Plough• Sanofi-aventis (DSMB) | None |
Christopher J. White | Content Reviewer | None | None | None | • Boston Scientific†• St. Jude Medical | None | None |
Clyde W. Yancy | Content Reviewer— ACCF/AHA Task Force on Practice Guidelines | None | None | None | None | None | None |
Yerem Yeghiazarians | Content Reviewer | None | None | None | None | None | None |
This table represents the relationships of reviewers with industry and other entities that were disclosed at the time of peer review and determined to be relevant. It does not necessarily reflect relationships with industry at the time of publication. A person is deemed to have a significant interest in a business if the interest represents ownership of ≥5% of the voting stock or share of the business entity, or ownership of ≥$10 000 of the fair market value of the business entity; or if funds received by the person from the business entity exceed 5% of the person’s gross income for the previous year. A relationship is considered to be modest if it is less than significant under the preceding definition. Relationships that exist with no financial benefit are also included for the purpose of transparency. Relationships in this table are modest unless otherwise noted. Names are listed in alphabetical order within each category of review.
According to the ACCF/AHA, a person has a relevant relationship IF: a) The relationship or interest relates to the same or similar subject matter, intellectual property or asset, topic, or issue addressed in the document; or b) The company/entity (with whom the relationship exists) makes a drug, drug class, or device addressed in the document, or makes a competing drug or device addressed in the document; or c) The person or a member of the person’s household has a reasonable potential for financial, professional, or other personal gain or loss as a result of the issues/content addressed in the document.
*
Significant relationship.
†
No financial benefit.
ACCF indicates American College of Cardiology Foundation; ACEP, American College of Emergency Physicians; AHA, American Heart Association; DES, drug-eluting stent; DSMB, data safety monitoring board; and SCAI, Society for Cardiovascular Angiography and Interventions.
ACE = angiotensin-converting enzyme |
ACS = acute coronary syndrome |
AF = atrial fibrillation |
ARB = angiotensin receptor blocker |
AV = atrioventricular |
BMS = bare-metal stent |
BP = blood pressure |
CABG = coronary artery bypass graft |
COX-2 = cyclooxygenase-II enzyme |
CPR = cardiopulmonary resuscitation |
CrCl = creatinine clearance |
D2B = door-to-balloon (device) |
DAPT = dual antiplatelet therapy |
DES = drug-eluting stent |
ECG = electrocardiogram/electrocardiographic |
ED = emergency department |
EF = ejection fraction |
EMS = emergency medical services |
FMC = first medical contact |
GP = glycoprotein |
HF = heart failure |
HIT = heparin-induced thrombocytopenia |
IABP = intra-aortic balloon counterpulsation |
ICD = implantable cardioverter-defibrillator |
ICH = intracranial hemorrhage |
LBBB = left bundle-branch block |
LDL = low-density lipoprotein |
LV = left ventricular |
LVEF = left ventricular ejection fraction |
MI = myocardial infarction |
NRMI = National Registry of Myocardial Infarction |
PCI = percutaneous coronary intervention |
RCT = randomized controlled trial |
RV = right ventricular |
SCD = sudden cardiac death |
STEMI = ST-elevation myocardial infarction |
TIMI = Thrombolysis In Myocardial Infarction |
UFH = unfractionated heparin |
VF = ventricular fibrillation |
VT = ventricular tachycardia |
This document was approved for publication by the governing bodies of the ACCF and the AHA and was endorsed by the American College of Emergency Physicians and Society for Cardiovascular Angiography and Interventions.
2. Background
2.1. Definition and Diagnosis
STEMI is a clinical syndrome defined by characteristic symptoms of myocardial ischemia in association with persistent electrocardiographic (ECG) ST elevation and subsequent release of biomarkers of myocardial necrosis. Diagnostic ST elevation in the absence of left ventricular (LV) hypertrophy or left bundle-branch block (LBBB) is defined by the European Society of Cardiology/ACCF/AHA/World Heart Federation Task Force for the Universal Definition of Myocardial Infarction as new ST elevation at the J point in at least 2 contiguous leads of ≥2 mm (0.2 mV) in men or ≥1.5 mm (0.15 mV) in women in leads V2–V3 and/or of ≥1 mm (0.1 mV) in other contiguous chest leads or the limb leads.7 The majority of patients will evolve ECG evidence of Q-wave infarction. New or presumably new LBBB has been considered a STEMI equivalent. Most cases of LBBB at time of presentation, however, are “not known to be old” because of prior electrocardiogram (ECG) is not available for comparison. New or presumably new LBBB at presentation occurs infrequently, may interfere with ST-elevation analysis, and should not be considered diagnostic of acute myocardial infarction (MI) in isolation.8 Criteria for ECG diagnosis of acute STEMI in the setting of LBBB have been proposed (see Online Data Supplement 1). Baseline ECG abnormalities other than LBBB (eg, paced rhythm, LV hypertrophy, Brugada syndrome) may obscure interpretation. In addition, ST depression in ≥2 precordial leads (V1–V4) may indicate transmural posterior injury; multilead ST depression with coexistent ST elevation in lead aVR has been described in patients with left main or proximal left anterior descending artery occlusion.9 Rarely, hyperacute T-wave changes may be observed in the very early phase of STEMI, before the development of ST elevation. Transthoracic echocardiography may provide evidence of focal wall motion abnormalities and facilitate triage in patients with ECG findings that are difficult to interpret. If doubt persists, immediate referral for invasive angiography may be necessary to guide therapy in the appropriate clinical context.10,11 Cardiac troponin is the preferred biomarker for diagnosis of MI.
2.2. Epidemiology
In 2009, approximately 683 000 patients were discharged from US hospitals with a diagnosis of acute coronary syndrome (ACS). Community incidence rates for STEMI have declined over the past decade, whereas those for non–ST-elevation ACS have increased (Figure 1). At present, STEMI comprises approximately 25% to 40% of MI presentations.12–15 In-hospital (approximately 5% to 6%) and 1-year (approximately 7% to 18%) mortality rates from STEMI also have decreased significantly in association with a substantial increase in the frequency of care that includes GDMT and interventions (“defect-free” care).13,15–18 In the United States, important regional differences exist in 30-day acute MI hospital mortality and readmission rates for Medicare beneficiaries ≥65 years of age.19 Understanding the reasons for such differences may provide opportunities for performance improvement.20
Approximately 30% of patients with STEMI are women. Female sex was a strong independent predictor of failure to receive reperfusion therapy among patients who had no contraindications in the CRUSADE (Can Rapid Risk Stratification of Unstable Angina Patients Suppress Adverse Outcomes with Early Implementation of the ACC/AHA Guidelines) registry.21 Compared with men, women included in the NCDR (National Cardiovascular Data Registry) ACTION Registry–GWTG (Get With The Guidelines) presented later after symptom onset, had longer door-to-fibrinolysis and door-to-balloon (or device) (D2B) times, and less often received aspirin or beta blockers within 24 hours of presentation. Women further were characterized by a higher risk for bleeding with antithrombotic therapy, which persisted after consideration of age, weight, blood pressure (BP) at presentation, renal function, baseline hematocrit, and other potential confounders.22
Nonwhites represented 13.3% of patients with STEMI at hospitals participating in the ACTION Registry–GWTG in quarters 1 and 2 of 2009.17 Importantly, disparities in the treatment of racial and ethnic minorities appear to be improving over time.23 In an assessment of the effects of a statewide program for treatment of STEMI, institution of a coordinated regional approach to triage and management was associated with significant improvements in treatment times that were similar for whites and blacks and for women and men.23 The writing committee endorses the desirability of collecting and using accurate data on patient race and ethnicity to detect disparities, guide quality improvement initiatives, and strengthen ties to the community.24
Approximately 23% of patients with STEMI in the United States have diabetes mellitus,17 and three quarters of all deaths among patients with diabetes mellitus are related to coronary artery disease.25,26 Diabetes mellitus is associated with higher short- and long-term mortality after STEMI,27,28 and in patients with diabetes mellitus, both hyperglycemia and hypoglycemia are associated with worse outcomes.29 Hyperglycemia at presentation in patients who do not have diabetes mellitus by history has been associated with worse hospital outcomes.30–34 Myocardial tissue perfusion after restoration of epicardial coronary flow was more impaired among patients with diabetes mellitus (“no-reflow”).28,35,36 Management of patients with diabetes mellitus and STEMI should be the same as for patients without diabetes mellitus, with attention to moderate glycemic control.
The elderly comprise a growing segment of the population and present special challenges for diagnosis and management that may lead to disparities in care and delays in treatment. Additional issues to consider include the risks of antithrombotic and interventional therapies and the appropriate boundaries of care within the context of individual comorbidities, frailty, and advanced-care directives. Clinical trials frequently have limited enrollment of older populations.37 Treatments that are effective in younger populations usually are indicated in the elderly, with the caveat that the elderly more often have absolute or relative contraindications to their use. Impaired renal function associated with aging requires careful attention to drug dosing.38,39
In an analysis of 8578 patients with STEMI from 226 US hospitals participating in the CRUSADE quality improvement initiative from September 2004 to December 2006, 7% of eligible patients did not receive reperfusion therapy.21 The factor most strongly associated with not providing reperfusion therapy in eligible patients was increasing age. Evidence suggests that even the very elderly have reasonable post-MI outcomes when treated aggressively with reperfusion therapy,40 though individual circumstances vary.
Both the GWTG Quality Improvement Program and the North Carolina Reperfusion of Acute Myocardial Infarction in Carolina Emergency Department’s initiative demonstrated that focused quality improvement efforts and programs designed to systematize care across integrated regional centers can lessen disparities and improve the care of elderly patients with STEMI.23,41
Numerous studies have highlighted the fact that patients with chronic kidney disease of all stages less frequently receive guideline-recommended interventions than do patients with normal renal function, despite evidence of benefit from most acute treatments.42–45 In a project that linked the US Renal Data System database with the NRMI (National Registry of Myocardial Infarction)–3, patients on dialysis had longer prehospital delays, were less often recognized as having an acute MI, and less often had ST elevation or LBBB on initial ECG than patients not on dialysis. Only 45% of eligible patients on dialysis received reperfusion therapy, and only 70% received aspirin on admission. The in-hospital mortality rate was 21.3% among patients on dialysis, compared with 11.7% for patients with end-stage renal failure not on dialysis. At discharge, only 67% of patients on dialysis were prescribed aspirin, and only 57% were prescribed beta blockers. In the GRACE (Global Registry of Acute Coronary Events) registry, the in-hospital mortality rate was approximately 30% among patients with STEMI or LBBB MI with stage 4 or 5 chronic kidney disease. Both fibrinolysis and primary PCI were associated with higher bleeding rates in patients with severely reduced renal function.46 Progressive renal dysfunction is a strong predictor of bleeding with antithrombotic therapy, a risk that may reflect intrinsic renal dysfunction and/or failure to adjust or avoid antithrombotic medications that are dependent on renal elimination.22,47
2.3. Early Risk Assessment
Global risk assessment provides an opportunity to integrate various patient characteristics into a semiquantitative score that can convey an overall estimate of a patient’s prognosis; can dictate the acuity, intensity, and location of care; and can provide the patient and family with a more informed sense of potential outcome. Higher risk scores generally imply that higher-intensity treatments may be appropriate within the context of the patient’s health status.
Some of the independent predictors of early death from STEMI include age, Killip class, time to reperfusion, cardiac arrest, tachycardia, hypotension, anterior infarct location, prior infarction, diabetes mellitus, smoking status, renal function, and biomarker findings.48,49 Whereas the Thrombolysis In Myocardial Infarction (TIMI) risk score was developed specifically in patients with STEMI (http://www.mdcalc.com/timi-risk-score-for-stemi), the GRACE model (http://www.mdcalc.com/timi-risk-score-for-stemi">http://www.outcomes-umassmed.org/grace/acs_risk/acs_risk_content.html">http://www.mdcalc.com/timi-risk-score-for-stemi), the GRACE model (http://www.outcomes-umassmed.org/grace/acs_risk/acs_risk_content.html) predicts in-hospital and 6-month mortality rate across the spectrum of patients presenting with ACS, including those with ST elevation or ST depression. Risk assessment is a continuous process that should be repeated throughout hospitalization and at time of discharge.
3. Onset of MI
3.1. Patient-Related Delays and Initial Treatment
Patients with STEMI do not seek medical care for approximately 1.5 to 2 hours after symptom onset, and little change in this interval has occurred over the past 10 years.50,51 Patient delay times are often longer in women, blacks, the elderly, and Medicaid-only recipients and are shorter for Medicare recipients (compared with privately insured patients) and patients who are taken directly to the hospital by emergency medical services (EMS) transport.52,53 Patients may delay seeking care because their symptoms differ from their preexisting bias that a heart attack should present dramatically with severe, crushing chest pain.54 Approximately one third of patients with MI experience symptoms other than chest pain.7 Other reasons for delay in seeking treatment include 1) inappropriate reasoning that symptoms will be self-limited or are not serious55–57; 2) attribution of symptoms to other preexisting conditions; 3) fear of embarrassment should symptoms turn out to be a “false alarm”; 4) reluctance to trouble others unless “really sick”55,57,58; 5) preconceived stereotypes of who is at risk for a heart attack, an especially common trait among women59; 6) lack of knowledge of the importance of rapid action, the benefits of calling EMS or 9-1-1, and the availability of reperfusion therapies54; and 7) attempted self-treatment with prescription and/or nonprescription medications.57 To avoid such delays, healthcare providers should assist patients when possible in making anticipatory plans for timely recognition and response to an acute event. Family members, close friends, or advocates also should be enlisted as reinforcement for rapid action when the patient experiences symptoms of possible STEMI.60,61 Discussions should include a review of instructions for taking aspirin62 and nitroglycerin in response to chest pain. Emergency medical dispatchers are trained to instruct patients with possible STEMI symptoms to chew non–enteric-coated aspirin (162 to 325 mg), unless contraindicated, while personnel are en route. If nitroglycerin is prescribed, the patient should be advised to take 1 nitroglycerin dose promptly. If symptoms are unimproved or worsening 5 minutes after 1 dose, the patient should be instructed to call 9-1-1 immediately.
3.2. Mode of Transport to the Hospital
Even though >98% of the US population is covered by 9-1-1 service,63 patients with STEMI often do not call EMS or 9-1-1 and are not transported to the hospital by ambulance. In a 2011 observational study from the ACTION Registry–GWTG that used data reported from a limited number of predominantly PCI-capable US hospitals, EMS transport was used for only 60% of 37 643 patients with STEMI.64 Older US surveys reported EMS activation rates of 23% to 53%, with substantial geographic variability.62,65,66
Patients with possible ischemic symptoms should be transported to the hospital by ambulance rather than by friends or relatives because 1) 1 in every 300 patients with chest pain transported to the emergency department (ED) by private vehicle suffers cardiac arrest en route67; and 2) there is a significant association between arrival at the ED by ambulance and earlier delivery of reperfusion therapy.64–66,68 In addition, the performance of prehospital ECGs by trained personnel is associated with shorter reperfusion times69 and lower mortality rates from STEMI. The use of prehospital ECGs, particularly when coupled with communication of STEMI diagnosis and preferential transport to a PCI-capable hospital, has been shown to result in rapid reperfusion times and excellent clinical outcomes.70–72
3.3. Patient Education
The AHA and National Institutes of Health “Act in Time to Heart Attack Signs” campaign73 stresses that patients can increase their chance of surviving STEMI by learning the warning symptoms, filling out a survival plan, and discussing risk reduction with their physician. These materials are available on the National Institutes of Health “Heart Attack” Web page (http://health.nih.gov/topic/HeartAttack/).74 Healthcare providers should target their educational interventions to patients at increased risk for ACS.75
3.4. Community Preparedness and System Goals for Reperfusion Therapy
3.4.1. Regional Systems of STEMI Care, Reperfusion Therapy, and Time-to-Treatment Goals: Recommendations
See Figure 2.
Class I
1.
All communities should create and maintain a regional system of STEMI care that includes assessment and continuous quality improvement of EMS and hospital-based activities. Performance can be facilitated by participating in programs such as Mission: Lifeline and the D2B Alliance.71,76–78 (Level of Evidence: B)
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
When fibrinolytic therapy is indicated or chosen as the primary reperfusion strategy, it should be administered within 30 minutes of hospital arrival.189–93 (Level of Evidence: B)
Class IIa
3.4.1.1. Regional Systems of STEMI Care and Goals for Reperfusion Therapy
Any regional medical system must seek to enable rapid recognition and timely reperfusion of patients with STEMI. System delays to reperfusion are correlated with higher rates of mortality and morbidity.96–100 Although attention to certain performance metrics, such as D2B, door-to-needle, and door-in–door-out times, have catalyzed important institutional quality improvement efforts, broader initiatives at a systems level are required to reduce total ischemic time, the principal determinant of outcome.101,102 Questions have been raised about the overreliance on primary PCI for reperfusion, especially in the United States, and the unintended consequences that have evolved as familiarity with fibrinolysis has waned.101 The writing committee reiterates the principle highlighted in the 2004 ACC/AHA STEMI guideline, namely that “the appropriate and timely use of some form of reperfusion therapy is likely more important than the choice of therapy.”4 Greatest emphasis is to be placed on the delivery of reperfusion therapy to the individual patient as rapidly as possible.
Only a minority of US hospitals are capable of performing primary PCI,103 and any delay in time to reperfusion (D2B) after hospital arrival is associated with a higher adjusted risk of in-hospital mortality in a continuous, nonlinear fashion.96 Strict time goals for reperfusion may not always be relevant or possible for patients who have an appropriate reason for delay, including initial uncertainty about diagnosis, the need for evaluation and treatment of other life-threatening conditions (eg, acute respiratory failure, cardiac arrest), delays involving informed consent, and long transport times due to geographic distance or adverse weather. To reduce hospital treatment delays, the ACC initiated the D2B Alliance in 2006 to improve door-to-device times in patients with STEMI.104 The D2B Alliance goal was for participating PCI-capable hospitals to achieve a D2B time of ≤90 minutes for at least 75% of nontransferred patients with STEMI. The Alliance met this goal by 2008.105 A longitudinal study of hospitals participating in the NCDR CathPCI Registry demonstrated that patients treated in hospitals that had been enrolled in the D2B Alliance for ≥3 months were significantly more likely to have D2B times of ≤90 minutes than patients treated in nonenrolled hospitals.105
In a similar manner, the AHA launched “Mission: Lifeline” in 2007 to improve health system readiness and response to STEMI,106,107 with a focus on the continuum of care from EMS activation to primary PCI. Patients may present directly by private transport to a PCI-capable hospital, in which case all medical care occurs in a single center responsible for optimizing door-to-device times. For patients who call 9-1-1, direct care begins with FMC, defined as the time at which the EMS provider arrives at the patient’s side. EMS personnel should be accountable for obtaining a prehospital ECG, making the diagnosis, activating the system, and deciding whether to transport the patient to a PCI-capable or non–PCI-capable hospital. Consideration should be given to the development of local protocols that allow preregistration and direct transport to the catheterization laboratory of a PCI-capable hospital (bypassing the ED) for patients who do not require emergent stabilization upon arrival. Although “false positives” are a concern when EMS personnel and/or emergency physicians are allowed to activate the cardiac catheterization laboratory, the rate of false activations is relatively low (approximately 15%) and is more than balanced by earlier treatment times for the majority of patients for whom notification is appropriate.108–114 The concept of what constitutes false activation is evolving.115,116 For patients who arrive at or are transported by EMS to a non–PCI-capable hospital, a decision about whether to transfer immediately to a PCI-capable hospital or to administer fibrinolytic therapy must be made. Each of these scenarios involves coordination of different elements of the system. On the basis of model systems of STEMI care in the United States and Europe,77,78,117–121 Mission: Lifeline recommends a multifaceted community-wide approach that involves patient education, improvements in EMS and ED care, establishment of networks of STEMI-referral (non–PCI-capable) and STEMI-receiving (PCI-capable) hospitals, and coordinated advocacy efforts to work with payers and policy makers to implement healthcare system redesign. Detailed information about this program can be found on the AHA website.122
Several factors should be considered in selecting the type of reperfusion therapy (Figure 2). For patients with STEMI presenting to a PCI-capable hospital, primary PCI should be accomplished within 90 minutes. For patients presenting to a non–PCI-capable hospital, rapid assessment of 1) the time from onset of symptoms, 2) the risk of complications related to STEMI, 3) the risk of bleeding with fibrinolysis, 4) the presence of shock or severe HF, and 5) the time required for transfer to a PCI-capable hospital must be made and a decision about administration of fibrinolytic therapy reached. Even when interhospital transfer times are short, there may be relative advantages to a strategy of immediate fibrinolytic therapy versus any delay to primary PCI for eligible patients who present within the first 1 to 2 hours after symptom onset.89,101,123,124
Several trials have suggested a benefit of transferring patients with STEMI from a non–PCI-capable hospital to a PCI-capable hospital for primary PCI,83,125 but in many instances, transfer times are prolonged and delays may be unavoidable. In the NCDR,126,127 only 10% of transferred patients were treated within 90 minutes of initial presentation, with a median first door-to-device time of 149 minutes. In many communities, a significant percentage of patients with STEMI who present initially to a non–PCI-capable hospital cannot physically be transferred to a PCI-capable hospital and achieve an FMC-to-device time treatment goal of ≤90 minutes. DANAMI-2 (Danish Multicenter Randomized Study on Thrombolytic Therapy Versus Acute Coronary Angioplasty in Acute Myocardial Infarction) showed that a reperfusion strategy involving the transfer of patients with STEMI from a non–PCI-capable hospital to a PCI-capable hospital for primary PCI was superior to the use of fibrinolysis at the referring hospital, driven primarily by a reduction in the rate of reinfarction in the primary PCI–treated group.83,85 In this study, the average first door-to-device time delay was approximately 110 minutes.85 Shorter system delays were associated with a reduced mortality rate for both fibrinolysis- and primary PCI–treated patients. In an analysis of approximately 19 000 propensity score–matched patients with STEMI from NRMI-2, -3, -4, and -5, when delays related to transfer for primary PCI exceeded 120 minutes from FMC, the survival advantage of primary PCI over fibrinolysis was negated. Delays beyond 120 minutes occurred in nearly half the patients in the analysis.100 Thus, interhospital transfer to a PCI-capable hospital is the recommended triage strategy if primary PCI consistently can be performed within 120 minutes of FMC. Fibrinolytic therapy, in the absence of contraindications to its use, should be administered within 30 minutes of first door arrival when this 120-minute time goal cannot be met. Transfer delays can occur at multiple levels and for varied reasons.128 Efforts are needed to reduce the time delay between arrival to and transfer from a non–PCI-capable hospital (ie, door-in–door-out). Among a subset of 14 821 patients in the NCDR ACTION–GWTG registry, the median door-in–door-out time was 68 minutes (interquartile range, 43 to 120 minutes). A door-in–door-out time ≤30 minutes, achieved in only 11% of patients, was associated with shorter delays to reperfusion and a lower in-hospital mortality rate.129 Because estimation of treatment times for patients can be inaccurate, the decision to transfer for primary PCI should be based on actual, historical times achieved within the regional system, with quality assurance programs to ensure that such goals are consistently met. A reasonable goal would be that 90% of patients should meet the 120-minute time-to-treatment standard to achieve performance standards.
Several triage and transfer strategies have been tested and are discussed further in Section 5.3. The term facilitated PCI was used previously to describe a strategy of full- or half-dose fibrinolysis, with or without administration of a glycoprotein (GP) IIb/IIIa receptor antagonist, with immediate transfer for planned PCI within 90 to 120 minutes. Two large studies failed to show a net clinical benefit with this strategy.130,131 The term rescue PCI refers to the transfer for PCI of patients who demonstrate findings of failed reperfusion with fibrinolysis.103,130 The term pharmacoinvasive strategy refers to the administration of fibrinolytic therapy either in the prehospital setting or at a non–PCI-capable hospital, followed by immediate transfer to a PCI-capable hospital for early coronary angiography and PCI when appropriate. Patients with STEMI who are best suited for immediate interhospital transfer for primary PCI without fibrinolysis are those patients who present with shock or other high-risk features, those with high bleeding risk with fibrinolytic therapy, and those who present >3 to 4 hours after symptom onset and who have short transfer times. Patients best suited for initial fibrinolytic therapy are those with low bleeding risk who present very early after symptom onset (<2 to 3 hours) to a non–PCI-capable hospital and who have longer delay to PCI.
Because patients with STEMI may first present with cardiac arrest, regional systems also should emphasize early access to care (recognition of the problem and bystander activation of EMS), rapid dispatch, bystander cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR), defibrillation when indicated, advanced cardiac life support, and an organized approach to postresuscitation care. In addition, family members of patients who have had STEMI or other manifestations of coronary artery disease should be referred to CPR training programs that have a social support component and can familiarize them with the use of automated external defibrillators.
3.4.1.2. Strategies for Shortening Door-to-Device Times
The D2B time interval includes 3 key components: door-to-ECG time, ECG–to–catheterization laboratory time, and laboratory arrival–to–device time.132 All 3 intervals are dependent on system factors that may vary across institutions.132
Public reporting and national initiatives have focused much attention on D2B times104,133 and the many reasons for system delays.134 Studies have shown marked differences in the timeliness of primary PCI across hospitals. Focusing on the processes of care at the top-performing institutions, research has revealed characteristics of institutions associated with exemplary performance.124 Top hospitals have specific cultural attributes that include 1) a commitment to an explicit goal of improving D2B times that is motivated by internal and external pressures, including senior management support; 2) innovative protocols; 3) flexibility in refining standardized protocols; 4) uncompromising individual clinical leaders; 5) collaborative teams; 6) data feedback to monitor progress, identify problems, and successes; and 7) an organizational culture that fosters resilience to challenges or setbacks to improvement efforts.135 In addition, several key processes are associated strongly with more timely treatment (Checklist). Other studies have indicated that PCI-capable hospitals receiving patients in transfer can reduce their D2B times by coordinating with the referring hospitals and activating their systems while patients are being transported.78
Currently, it is estimated that almost 90% of patients presenting to a hospital with PCI capability and without a clinical reason for delay have a D2B time ≤90 minutes.136 Some innovative programs are achieving much faster times.137–139 In addition, with improvements in timeliness of care across the country, racial disparities in reperfusion times have been reduced significantly.140 In an analysis of patients with STEMI reported by hospitals to the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, median D2B times fell from 96 minutes in the year ending December 31, 2005, to 64 minutes in the 3 quarters ending September 30, 2010. This decline was accompanied by an increase in the percentage of patients with D2B times <90 minutes, from 44.2% to 91.4%.141 Nevertheless, despite substantial improvements in D2B times, evidence that these efforts have translated into reduced mortality rates is lacking. The absence of demonstrated benefit may relate to reduced power to show change in survival in a population with a relatively low mortality rate, improved early survival of higher-risk patients, and changing STEMI demographics. These findings support the goal of comprehensive efforts to improve all aspects of acute MI care to improve survival rates.
3.5. Prehospital Fibrinolytic Therapy
The time delay from symptom onset to treatment can be shortened by administration of prehospital fibrinolytic therapy by a trained EMS unit either with a physician on board142–147 or with a hospital-based physician148–152 in direct contact, especially in rural areas. Multiple randomized controlled trials (RCTs) have demonstrated the safety and feasibility of prehospital fibrinolytic therapy, with decreased treatment times ranging from 30 to 140 minutes.42,143,145–147,149–151,153 A meta-analysis of 6 higher-quality RCTs revealed an approximately 60-minute reduction in time from symptom onset to delivery of fibrinolytic therapy with prehospital versus hospital-based administration, with a corresponding 17% reduction in risk of all-cause hospital mortality.154 Analysis of a subgroup of patients enrolled in the CAPTIM (Comparaison de l’Angioplastie Primaire et de la Thrombolyse) trial within 2 hours of symptom onset showed a significantly lower 5-year mortality rate for patients treated with prehospital fibrinolysis than for patients managed with primary PCI (P=0.04).123,142 These salutary results for early presenters were confirmed in a subsequent analysis of combined data from the CAPTIM and WEST (Which Early ST-Elevation Myocardial Infarction Therapy) trials.155 Data from the USIC (Unité de Soins Intensifs Coronaires) Registry and the Swedish Registry of Cardiac Intensive Care also suggest that prehospital fibrinolytic therapy may lower STEMI mortality rates.144,148
At the present time, however, prehospital fibrinolytic therapy is not used in most communities in the United States. EMS in rural areas, where prehospital fibrinolysis would potentially be of benefit, often have neither the resources to train paramedics nor the funding for necessary equipment. Use of prehospital fibrinolysis is more widespread in some regions of Europe and the United Kingdom. The writing committee endorses the need for further research into the implementation of prehospital strategies to reduce total ischemic time.
3.6. The Relationship Between Sudden Cardiac Death and STEMI
3.6.1. Evaluation and Management of Patients With STEMI and Out-of-Hospital Cardiac Arrest: Recommendations
Class I
1.
See Online Data Supplement 2 for additional data on PCI for cardiac arrest.
Almost 70% of the coronary heart disease deaths annually in the United States occur out of hospital, usually presenting as “sudden death” due to cardiac arrest.175 Resuscitation is attempted by EMS personnel in approximately 60% of these out-of-hospital cardiac arrest cases; the remaining patients are deceased on arrival of the EMS team.175–177 Although only 23% of out-of-hospital cardiac arrest cases have a shockable initial rhythm (primarily VF), the majority of neurologically intact survivors come from this subgroup.175,176 The median rate of survival to hospital discharge with any first recorded rhythm is only 7.9%175; the rate of survival in patients who are in VF initially is much higher (median 22%, range 8% to 40%), as documented in 10 US and Canadian regions participating in the National Institutes of Health–sponsored Resuscitation Outcomes Consortium.176
Survival from out-of-hospital cardiac arrest is optimal when both CPR and defibrillation are initiated early.178 Survival from VF specifically is inversely related to the time interval between its onset and termination, with the odds of survival decreasing 7% to 10% for each minute of delay from onset to defibrillation.178–180 The percentage of patients who are found in VF and the likelihood of survival are higher if the patient’s collapse is witnessed, if bystander CPR is performed, and if a monitor/defibrillator can be applied quickly.181
Community strategies that improve the delivery of early defibrillation to out-of-hospital cardiac arrest victims include training and equipping first responders (fire and law enforcement), EMS personnel, and paramedics to defibrillate, as well as placing automated external defibrillators in highly populated locations such as airports, commercial aircraft, and gambling casinos (“public access defibrillation”).182–193 The latter strategy has been shown to approximately double the number of neurologically intact out-of-hospital cardiac arrest survivors when laypersons are trained and equipped to provide early CPR and defibrillation with automated external defibrillators, compared with providing CPR alone while awaiting arrival of EMS personnel.183
Two RCTs have reported improved rates of neurologically intact survival to hospital discharge when comatose patients with out-of-hospital VF or nonperfusing VT cardiac arrest were cooled to 32°C to 34°C for 12 or 24 hours beginning minutes to hours after the return of spontaneous circulation.157,158 Additional studies with historical control groups also have shown improved neurological outcomes after therapeutic hypothermia for comatose survivors of VF arrest.194,195 Accordingly, therapeutic hypothermia should be initiated in patients with STEMI and out-of-hospital cardiac arrest. Cooling should begin before or at the time of cardiac catheterization.
Approximately 5% of patients with STEMI who survive to reach the hospital will experience a cardiac arrest during hospitalization.196 Reports from high-volume PCI centers indicate that 4% to 11% of patients with STEMI who are treated with PCI are brought to cardiac catheterization after being resuscitated from out-of-hospital cardiac arrest.77,197,198 However, the percentage of out-of-hospital cardiac arrest victims whose event is triggered by an acute coronary occlusion is less clear. The majority of out-of-hospital cardiac arrest patients who cannot be resuscitated have significant coronary atherosclerosis.199 Coronary atherosclerosis is also present in the majority of cardiac arrest victims who survive and undergo coronary angiography.200 Because of the high prevalence of acute coronary artery occlusions in out-of-hospital cardiac arrest patients who are resuscitated successfully, especially those whose initial rhythm is VF in the setting of STEMI, the AHA 2010 Guidelines for Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation and Emergency Cardiovascular Care201 recommend emergency coronary angiography with prompt opening of the infarct artery. Out-of-hospital cardiac arrest victims with initial VF who survive to hospital admission have a rate of survival to hospital discharge of 60% after early PCI.
The AHA issued a policy statement calling for communities to establish regional systems of care for out-of-hospital cardiac arrest.159 The statement defines 2 different levels of cardiac resuscitation centers and lists the essential elements of such a system. PCI-capable hospitals become ideal candidates to serve as Level I cardiac resuscitation centers that can offer a wide range of services, including timely PCI when indicated, a goal-directed care bundle,202,203 therapeutic hypothermia,157,158 frequent or continuous electroencephalographic monitoring, a multidisciplinary team approach, and neuropsychiatric evaluation for survivors. All other participating hospitals should be trained and equipped as Level II cardiac resuscitation centers, which are capable of initiating therapeutic hypothermia and transferring patients for primary postresuscitation care. Ideally, out-of-hospital cardiac arrest outcomes should be measured and compared within a dedicated registry. Lastly, it is important for organizations that collect and publicly report STEMI and PCI data to consider resuscitated out-of-hospital cardiac arrest patients separately from their hospital and individual operator quality “scorecards” because such patients, even with optimal care, have a much higher mortality rate than that of patients with STEMI who have not had a cardiac arrest.204–206 Public reporting in this instance might have the unintended consequence of reducing appropriate care.207
4. Reperfusion at a PCI-Capable Hospital
4.1. Primary PCI
4.1.1. Primary PCI in STEMI: Recommendations
See Table 2 for a summary of recommendations from this section.
Class I
1.
2.
Class IIa
Class III: Harm
Primary PCI of the infarct artery is preferred to fibrinolytic therapy when time-to-treatment delays are short and the patient presents to a high-volume, well-equipped center with experienced interventional cardiologists and skilled support staff. Compared with fibrinolytic therapy, primary PCI produces higher rates of infarct artery patency, TIMI 3 flow, and access site bleeding and lower rates of recurrent ischemia, reinfarction, emergency repeat revascularization procedures, intracranial hemorrhage (ICH), and death.82 Early, successful PCI also greatly decreases the complications of STEMI that result from longer ischemic times or unsuccessful fibrinolytic therapy, allowing earlier hospital discharge and resumption of daily activities. Primary PCI has its greatest survival benefit in high-risk patients. PCI outcomes have been shown to be worse with delays to treatment and with low-volume hospitals and operators. Quality metrics for both laboratory and operator performance and considerations with regard to primary PCI at hospitals without on-site cardiac surgery are reviewed in the 2011 ACCF/AHA/SCAI Guideline for Percutaneous Coronary Intervention, Section 7.219
Potential complications of primary PCI include problems with the arterial access site; adverse reactions to volume loading, contrast medium, and antithrombotic medications; technical complications; and reperfusion events. The “no-reflow” phenomenon refers to suboptimal myocardial perfusion despite restoration of epicardial flow in the infarct artery and has been attributed to the combined effects of inflammation, endothelial injury, edema, atheroembolization, vasospasm, and myocyte reperfusion injury.220 No-reflow is associated with a reduced survival rate. Treatment and prevention strategies have included use of the GP IIb/IIIa antagonist abciximab, vasodilators (nitroprusside, verapamil, adenosine), and inhibitors of various metabolic pathways (nicorandil, pexelizumab), albeit without consistent effect. Manual thrombus aspiration at the time of primary PCI results in improved tissue perfusion and more complete ST resolution221,222 (Section 4.2), though not all studies have shown positive results.223
PCI of a noninfarct artery with TIMI 3 flow at the time of primary PCI in hemodynamically stable patients has been associated with worse clinical outcomes in several studies,216–218,224 though others have suggested that it may be performed safely.225–229 Noninfarct artery PCI is not recommended in this context unless multiple complex lesions are seen on angiography and ECG localization of the infarct is ambiguous.230,231 Clinical stability may be defined broadly as the absence of low output, hypotension, persistent tachycardia, apparent shock, high-grade ventricular or symptomatic supraventricular tachyarrhythmias, and spontaneous recurrent ischemia. In patients with cardiogenic shock due to pump failure, PCI of a severe stenosis in a large noninfarct artery might improve hemodynamic stability and should be considered during the primary procedure (Section 9.1.1). In the majority of patients, delayed PCI can be performed in a noninfarct artery at a later time if indicated by clinical events or the results of noninvasive testing.218,232,233
4.2. Aspiration Thrombectomy: Recommendation
Class IIa
Two RCTs221,235 and a meta-analysis234 support the use of manual aspiration thrombectomy during primary PCI to improve microvascular reperfusion and to decrease deaths and adverse cardiac events. However, infarct size was not reduced by manual aspiration thrombectomy in the INFUSE-AMI (Intracoronary Abciximab Infusion and Aspiration Thrombectomy in Patients Undergoing Percutaneous Coronary Intervention for Anterior ST-Segment Elevation Myocardial Infarction) trial of patients with large anterior STEMI.223 The trial was underpowered to detect differences in clinical outcomes. No clinical benefit for routine rheolytic thrombectomy has been demonstrated in primary PCI.234,236,237
4.3. Use of Stents in Primary PCI
4.3.1. Use of Stents in Patients With STEMI: Recommendations
Class I
1.
2.
BMS2 should be used in patients with high bleeding risk, inability to comply with 1 year of dual antiplatelet therapy (DAPT), or anticipated invasive or surgical procedures in the next 1 year. (Level of Evidence: C)
Class III: Harm
Coronary stents are used routinely at the time of primary PCI. Compared with balloon angioplasty, BMS implantation during primary PCI decreases the risk for subsequent target-lesion and target-vessel revascularization and possibly the risk for reinfarction, but is not associated with a reduction in the mortality rate.238 Compared with BMS, DES implantation decreases restenosis rates and the need for reintervention but does not definitively reduce rates of death or reinfarction. Notably, DES in this setting does not increase the risk of early or late stent thrombosis.242–245,247,248 Controversy remains as to whether the risk of very late stent thrombosis is higher with first-generation DES than with BMS.249 The lowest rates of stent thrombosis have been reported with cobalt-chromium everolimus-eluting stents.250 The greatest challenge in deciding the approach at the time of primary PCI, however, is determining emergently whether the patient is a candidate for a prolonged (ie, 1 year) course of DAPT. DES should be avoided in the presence of financial or social barriers that may limit patient compliance, elevated bleeding risk, the anticipated need for invasive or surgical procedures in the subsequent 1 year, or an independent indication for long-term anticoagulant therapy.
4.4. Adjunctive Antithrombotic Therapy for Primary PCI
See Table 3 for a summary of recommendations from this section and Online Data Supplement 3 for additional information on antithrombotic therapy.
4.4.1. Antiplatelet Therapy to Support Primary PCI for STEMI: Recommendations
Class I
1.
2.
A loading dose of a P2Y12 receptor inhibitor should be given as early as possible or at time of primary PCI to patients with STEMI. Options include
3.
P2Y12 inhibitor therapy should be given for 1 year to patients with STEMI who receive a stent (BMS or DES) during primary PCI using the following maintenance doses:
Class IIa
1.
2.
It is reasonable to begin treatment with an intravenous GP IIb/IIIa receptor antagonist such as abciximab265–267 (Level of Evidence: A), high-bolus-dose tirofiban268,269 (Level of Evidence: B), or double-bolus eptifibatide270 (Level of Evidence: B) at the time of primary PCI (with or without stenting or clopidogrel pretreatment) in selected patients with STEMI who are receiving unfractionated heparin (UFH).
Class IIb
1.
2.
3.
Continuation of a P2Y12 inhibitor beyond 1 year may be considered in patients undergoing DES placement. (Level of Evidence: C)
Class III: Harm
1.
Prasugrel should not be administered to patients with a history of prior stroke or transient ischemic attack.260 (Level of Evidence: B)
Although the minimum effective aspirin dose in the setting of PCI for STEMI has not been established prospectively, the writing committee recommends that an empiric dose of 325 mg be given as early as possible before PCI and a maintenance dose continued indefinitely thereafter. It is the consensus of the writing committee that the 81-mg maintenance dose is preferred even among patients who receive a stent during primary PCI. This recommendation is based on evidence of an increased risk of bleeding in most studies comparing higher- with lower-dose aspirin,253,254,263,264 as well as the absence of data from RCTs demonstrating superior efficacy of higher aspirin doses in this setting. However, because the CURRENT-OASIS 7 (Clopidogrel Optimal Loading Dose Usage to Reduce Recurrent Events–Organization to Assess Strategies in Ischemic Syndromes) trial did not report differences in either efficacy or safety in patients with STEMI randomized to 81 mg versus 325 mg of aspirin, the committee did not think that the evidence favoring 81 mg over higher dosages was sufficiently conclusive to merit a Class I recommendation.253
Loading doses of P2Y12 inhibitors are provided before or at the time of primary PCI. These agents are continued in a maintenance dose for 1 year after PCI with a stent (BMS or DES) in the absence of bleeding. A 600-mg loading dose of clopidogrel is preferred to a 300-mg loading dose, given the more extensive and rapid platelet inhibition achieved with the higher dose, as well as the beneficial effects reported in a CURRENT-OASIS 7 subgroup analysis.259 The underpowered ARMYDA-6 MI (Antiplatelet Therapy for Reduction of Myocardial Damage During Angioplasty–Myocardial Infarction) study also reported beneficial surrogate outcomes with the higher clopidogrel loading dose.258
The antiplatelet response to clopidogrel may vary as a function of patient phenotype (obesity, diabetes mellitus), enteric ABCB 1 polymorphisms, hepatic CYP450 enzyme system polymorphisms (predominantly CYP 2C19*2), and medications that interfere with clopidogrel biotransformation. Approximately 25% to 30% of patients may harbor a reduced-function CYP2C19 allele. In TRITON-TIMI 38 (Trial to Assess Improvement in Therapeutic Outcomes by Optimizing Platelet Inhibition with Prasugrel—Thrombolysis In Myocardial Infarction)285 and 3 cohort studies,286–288 patients who were carriers of the reduced-function CYP2C19*2 allele had significantly lower levels of the active metabolite of clopidogrel, diminished platelet inhibition, and increased rates of major adverse cardiovascular events and stent thrombosis.285 The US Food and Drug Administration has changed clopidogrel’s prescribing information to highlight the potential impact of CYP2C19 genotype on clopidogrel pharmacokinetics and clinical response.289 Nevertheless, other studies have not confirmed associations between CYP2C19 polymorphisms and adverse outcomes in clopidogrel-treated patients.290 Future studies are needed to further clarify the risk associated with these genetic polymorphisms and to develop effective therapeutic strategies for carriers of allelic variants of responsible enzyme systems. Proton-pump inhibitors, most prominently omeprazole, can interfere with clopidogrel metabolism and result in diminished in vitro antiplatelet effect,291 but it does not appear that this pharmacokinetic effect translates into worse clinical outcomes.291,292
Prasugrel, an alternative thienopyridine, achieves greater inhibition of platelet aggregation than clopidogrel. In the TRITON-TIMI 38 trial260 of prasugrel versus clopidogrel in patients with ACS for whom an invasive strategy was planned, patients with STEMI who were assigned to prasugrel had a lower 30-day rate of the composite primary outcome. This difference persisted to 15 months. In addition, the rate of stent thrombosis reported at 30 days was significantly lower with prasugrel.260,262 The loading dose of clopidogrel in TRITON-TIMI 38, which rarely was administered before coronary angiography and was limited to 300 mg, may have contributed to differences in efficacy and safety between treatment groups.262
The benefits of prasugrel relative to clopidogrel in STEMI must be weighed against the increase in the risk of bleeding associated with its use. Prasugrel should not be administered to patients with a history of stroke or transient ischemic attack and was not shown to be beneficial in patients ≥75 years of age or patients who weigh <60 kg.260 In TRITON-TIMI 38, interaction testing for efficacy and safety showed no significant difference in bleeding risk across the spectrum of ACS. Prasugrel may be best suited for younger patients with diabetes mellitus or large areas of myocardium at risk, who are also at low bleeding risk, have the ability to continue a regimen of DAPT, and have no anticipation of surgery over the subsequent 1 year. The package insert for prasugrel suggests that a lower maintenance dose of 5 mg daily might be considered for patients at high risk of bleeding, though this dose has not been prospectively studied.293
Ticagrelor is a reversible, nonthienopyridine P2Y12 receptor antagonist that does not require metabolic conversion to active drug. The PLATO (Platelet Inhibition and Patient Outcomes) study compared ticagrelor (180-mg loading dose, 90 mg twice daily thereafter) with clopidogrel (300- or 600-mg loading dose, 75 mg daily thereafter) for the prevention of cardiovascular events in 18 624 patients with ACS, of whom 35% had STEMI.294 Among the 7544 patients enrolled with ST elevation or LBBB who underwent primary PCI, findings were consistent with the overall trial results. Significant reductions favoring ticagrelor were seen in the primary PCI subgroup for stent thrombosis and total deaths, though there were more strokes and episodes of ICH with ticagrelor.261 A prespecified subgroup analysis in the PLATO trial showed a significant interaction between treatment effect and geographic region, with an apparently smaller ticagrelor effect in North America than in other areas. Although this interaction could have been due to chance alone,295 a contribution from higher aspirin doses, as more commonly used in the United States, cannot be excluded. When provided long term with ticagrelor as a component of DAPT, the dose of aspirin should not exceed 100 mg.293
Although 1 year of DAPT is recommended after stent implantation during primary PCI for STEMI, earlier discontinuation of a P2Y12 inhibitor may be necessary if the risk of morbidity from bleeding outweighs the anticipated benefit of DAPT. Clinical judgment is required, and discussion with the interventional cardiologist is recommended.
DAPT with aspirin and either clopidogrel or prasugrel has increased the risk of ICH in several clinical trials and patient populations (especially in those with prior stroke).260,296–298 In PLATO, the number of patients with prior stroke was small, limiting the power to detect treatment differences in intracranial bleeding in this subgroup.299 Until further data become available, it would seem prudent to weigh the possible increased risk of intracranial bleeding when the addition of ticagrelor to aspirin is considered in patients with prior stroke or transient ischemic attack.300
Evidence to support the use of intravenous GP IIb/IIIa receptor antagonists in patients with STEMI was established largely before the use of oral DAPT. Although several studies have failed to show benefit with the administration of “upstream” GP IIb/IIIa receptor antagonists before primary PCI in the setting of DAPT with either UFH or bivalirudin anticoagulation,103,268,271–27 a meta-analysis restricted to the use of abciximab has suggested it may be useful in this setting.277 The adjunctive use of GP IIb/IIIa agents at the time of PCI can be considered on an individual basis for large thrombus burden or inadequate P2Y12 receptor antagonist loading.265–270,301 For patients receiving bivalirudin as the primary anticoagulant, routine adjunctive use of GP IIb/IIIa inhibitors is not recommended248 but may be considered as adjunctive or “bail-out” therapy in selected cases.223,301–303 Studies of intracoronary GP IIb/IIIa administration during primary PCI have shown mixed results for a variety of surrogate and combined clinical endpoints. Use of intracoronary abciximab may be reasonable in select cases.223,278–284
4.4.2. Anticoagulant Therapy to Support Primary PCI: Recommendations
Class I
1.
For patients with STEMI undergoing primary PCI, the following supportive anticoagulant regimens are recommended:
a. UFH, with additional boluses administered as needed to maintain therapeutic activated clotting time levels, taking into account whether a GP IIb/IIIa receptor antagonist has been administered (Level of Evidence: C); or
b. Bivalirudin with or without prior treatment with UFH.248 (Level of Evidence: B)
Class IIa
1.
In patients with STEMI undergoing PCI who are at high risk of bleeding, it is reasonable to use bivalirudin monotherapy in preference to the combination of UFH and a GP IIb/IIIa receptor antagonist.248 (Level of Evidence: B)
Class III: Harm
1.
Fondaparinux should not be used as the sole anticoagulant to support primary PCI because of the risk of catheter thrombosis.304 (Level of Evidence: B)
Intravenous UFH titrated to an appropriate activated clotting time is a familiar and well-tested strategy for anticoagulant therapy at the time of PCI for STEMI. Enoxaparin and fondaparinux have been studied less extensively in this setting. The ATOLL (Acute STEMI Treated with Primary PCI and IV Enoxaparin or UFH to Lower Ischemic and Bleeding Events at Short- and Long-term Follow-up) trial comparing intravenous enoxaparin with UFH for primary PCI failed to meet its primary, composite endpoint.305 Fondaparinux has been associated with catheter thrombosis in this setting.304 On the basis of the findings in the HORIZONS- AMI (Harmonizing Outcomes with Revascularization and Stents in Acute Myocardial Infarction) trial,248 the writing committee considers bivalirudin, in combination with oral DAPT, a reasonable anticoagulant alternative for primary PCI in STEMI, regardless of whether pretreatment was given with UFH, especially for patients at higher risk of bleeding and when avoidance of GP IIb/IIIa antagonists is desired. Bivalirudin in this setting may provide a long-term survival benefit related to decreased bleeding but with a higher risk of early stent thrombosis.248
5. Reperfusion at a Non–PCI-Capable Hospital
5.1. Fibrinolytic Therapy When There Is an Anticipated Delay to Performing Primary PCI Within 120 Minutes of FMC: Recommendations
See Table 4 for a summary of recommendations from this section.
Class I
Class IIa
1.
In the absence of contraindications and when PCI is not available, fibrinolytic therapy is reasonable for patients with STEMI if there is clinical and/or ECG evidence of ongoing ischemia within 12 to 24 hours of symptom onset and a large area of myocardium at risk or hemodynamic instability. (Level of Evidence: C)
Class III: Harm
5.1.1. Timing of Fibrinolytic Therapy
The benefits of fibrinolytic therapy in patients with ST elevation or bundle-branch block MI are well established, with a time-dependent reduction in both mortality and morbidity rates during the initial 12 hours after symptom onset.81,306–311,314–320 As noted in Section 3.2, even when interhospital transport times are short, there may be advantages to the immediate delivery of fibrinolytic therapy versus any delay to primary PCI for patients with STEMI and low bleeding risk who present within the first 1 to 2 hours of symptom onset.123,321 Benefit from fibrinolytic therapy in patients who present >12 hours after symptom onset has not been established,81,307,309,322,323 although there remains consensus that consideration should be given to administering a fibrinolytic agent in symptomatic patients presenting >12 hours after symptom onset with STEMI and a large area of myocardium at risk or hemodynamic instability if PCI is unavailable.4,48
5.1.2. Choice of Fibrinolytic Agent
Table 5 lists currently available fibrinolytic agents.314,324–326,328,329 Fibrin-specific agents are preferred when available. Adjunctive antiplatelet and/or anticoagulant therapies are indicated, regardless of the choice of fibrinolytic agent.
Fibrinolytic Agent | Dose | Fibrin Specificity* | Antigenic | Patency Rate (90-min TIMI 2 or 3 flow) |
---|---|---|---|---|
Fibrin-specific: | ||||
Tenecteplase (TNK-tPA) | Single IV weight-based bolus† | ++++ | No | 85%328 |
Reteplase (rPA) | 10 U + 10-U IV boluses given 30 min apart | ++ | No | 84%314 |
Alteplase (tPA) | 90-min weight-based infusion‡ | ++ | No | 73% to 84%314, 324, 326 |
Non–fibrin-specific: | ||||
Streptokinase§ | 1.5 million units IV given over 30–60 min | No | Yes║ | 60% to 68%324, 329 |
*
Strength of fibrin specificity; “++++” is more strong, “++” is less strong.
†
30 mg for weight <60 kg; 35 mg for 60–69 kg; 40 mg for 70–79 kg; 45 mg for 80–89 kg; and 50 mg for ≥90 kg.
‡
Bolus 15 mg, infusion 0.75 mg/kg for 30 min (maximum 50 mg), then 0.5 mg/kg (maximum 35 mg) over the next 60 min; total dose not to exceed 100 mg.
§
Streptokinase is no longer marketed in the United States but is available in other countries.
║
Streptokinase is highly antigenic and absolutely contraindicated within 6 mo of previous exposure because of the potential for serious allergic reaction.
IV indicates intravenous; rPA, reteplase plasminogen activator; TIMI, Thrombolysis In Myocardial Infarction; TNK-tPA, tenecteplase tissue-type plasminogen activator; and tPA, tissue-type plasminogen activator.
5.1.3. Contraindications and Complications With Fibrinolytic Therapy
Absolute and relative contraindications to fibrinolytic therapy are listed in Table 6. The decision to use fibrinolytic therapy for patients with STEMI is predicated on a risk–benefit analysis that integrates time from onset of symptoms, the clinical and hemodynamic features at presentation, patient comorbidities, risk of bleeding, presence of contraindications, and time delay to PCI (Section 3.2).
Absolute contraindications |
• Any prior ICH |
• Known structural cerebral vascular lesion (eg, arteriovenous malformation) |
• Known malignant intracranial neoplasm (primary or metastatic) |
• Ischemic stroke within 3 mo |
• EXCEPT acute ischemic stroke within 4.5 h |
• Suspected aortic dissection |
• Active bleeding or bleeding diathesis (excluding menses) |
• Significant closed-head or facial trauma within 3 mo |
• Intracranial or intraspinal surgery within 2 mo |
• Severe uncontrolled hypertension (unresponsive to emergency therapy) |
• For streptokinase, prior treatment within the previous 6 mo |
Relative contraindications |
• History of chronic, severe, poorly controlled hypertension |
• Significant hypertension on presentation (SBP >180 mm Hg or DBP >110 mm Hg) |
• History of prior ischemic stroke >3 mo |
• Dementia |
• Known intracranial pathology not covered in absolute contraindications |
• Traumatic or prolonged (>10 min) CPR |
• Major surgery (<3 wk) |
• Recent (within 2 to 4 wk) internal bleeding |
• Noncompressible vascular punctures |
• Pregnancy |
• Active peptic ulcer |
• Oral anticoagulant therapy |
*
Viewed as advisory for clinical decision making and may not be all-inclusive or definitive.
CPR indicates cardiopulmonary resuscitation; DBP; diastolic blood pressure; ICH, intracranial hemorrhage; SBP, systolic blood pressure; and STEMI, ST-elevation myocardial infarction.
5.1.4. Adjunctive Antithrombotic Therapy With Fibrinolysis
See Table 7 for a summary of recommendations from this section.
5.1.4.1. Adjunctive Antiplatelet Therapy With Fibrinolysis: Recommendations
Class I
1.
Class IIa
The beneficial effects of aspirin and clopidogrel with fibrino- lytic therapy are well established.254,257,263,264 These agents should be given before or with the fibrinolytic.330 The recommendation that clopidogrel be continued for up to 1 year is extrapolated from the experience with DAPT in patients with non–ST-elevation ACS.330 The coadministra- tion of other P2Y12 antagonists with fibrinolytic therapy has not been prospectively studied.
5.1.4.2. Adjunctive Anticoagulant Therapy With Fibrinolysis: Recommendations
Class I
1.
Patients with STEMI undergoing reperfusion with fibrinolytic therapy should receive anticoagulant therapy for a minimum of 48 hours, and preferably for the duration of the index hospitalization, up to 8 days or until revascularization if performed.318,332 (Level of Evidence: A) Recommended regimens include
a. UFH administered as a weight-adjusted intravenous bolus and infusion to obtain an activated partial thromboplastin time of 1.5 to 2.0 times control, for 48 hours or until revascularization. (Level of Evidence: C);
c. Fondaparinux administered with initial intravenous dose, followed in 24 hours by daily subcutaneous injections if the estimated creatinine clearance is greater than 30 mL/min, for the duration of the index hospitalization, up to 8 days or until revascularization.304 (Level of Evidence: B)
Anticoagulation is recommended in support of fibrin-specific therapy to improve vessel patency and prevent reocclusion.336 Dosing of UFH is predicated on the activated partial thromboplastin time, and monitoring of platelet counts to avoid the risks of excess bleeding and heparin-induced thrombocytopenia (HIT) is advised.318,337–339 UFH may be given as an intravenous bolus and infusion for patients receiving streptokinase if they are at high risk for systemic embolization. Enoxaparin is preferred over UFH for anticoagulation extending beyond 48 hours. Caution is advised when enoxaparin is administered to patients with impaired renal function.340 Fondaparinux should not be given as the sole anticoagulant to patients referred for PCI and is contraindicated for patients with a creatinine clearance <30 mL/min.304,341 Bivalirudin may be used for patients treated with a fibrinolytic agent who develop HIT and require continued anticoagulation.342
5.2. Assessment of Reperfusion After Fibrinolysis
TIMI 3 flow after fibrinolytic therapy predicts subsequent short- and long-term survival.343–345 Traditional variables that have been used to assess the angiographic response to fibrinolytic therapy are imprecise346 and have included an improvement in or relief of chest pain, resolution of ST elevation, and the presence of reperfusion arrhythmias (eg, accelerated idioventricular rhythm). The relatively sudden and complete relief of chest pain coupled with >70% ST resolution (in the index lead showing the greatest degree of elevation on presentation) is highly suggestive of restoration of normal myocardial blood flow. Complete (or near complete) ST-segment resolution at 60 or 90 minutes after fibrinolytic therapy is a useful marker of a patent infarct artery.347–351 Conversely, partial or absent improvement in the extent of ST elevation is not as accurate in predicting a “closed artery.”349–351 Lack of improvement in ST resolution is associated with worse prognosis.349,352,353 The combination of <50% ST resolution and the absence of reperfusion arrhythmias at 2 hours after treatment predicts TIMI flow <3 in the infarct artery with a sensitivity of 81%, specificity 88%, positive predictive value 87%, and negative predictive value 83%.347 Lack of resolution of ST elevation by at least 50% in the worst lead at 60 to 90 minutes should prompt strong consideration of a decision to proceed with immediate coronary angiography and “rescue” PCI.
5.3. Transfer to a PCI-Capable Hospital After Fibrinolytic Therapy
See Figure 2.
5.3.1. Transfer of Patients With STEMI to a PCI-Capable Hospital for Coronary Angiography After Fibrinolytic Therapy: Recommendations
See Table 8 for a summary of recommendations from this section; Online Data Supplement 4 for additional data on early catheterization and rescue PCI for fibrinolytic failure in the stent era; and Online Data Supplement 5 for additional data on early catheterization and PCI after fibrinolysis in the stent era.
Class I
1.
Immediate transfer to a PCI-capable hospital for coronary angiography is recommended for suitable patients with STEMI who develop cardiogenic shock or acute severe HF, irrespective of the time delay from MI onset.354 (Level of Evidence: B)
Class IIa
1.
2.
Transfer to a PCI-capable hospital for coronary angiography is reasonable for patients with STEMI who have received fibrinolytic therapy even when hemodynamically stable4 and with clinical evidence of successful reperfusion. Angiography can be performed as soon as logistically feasible at the receiving hospital, and ideally within 24 hours, but should not be performed within the first 2 to 3 hours after administration of fibrinolytic therapy.358–363 (Level of Evidence: B)
5.3.1.1. Transfer for Cardiogenic Shock
The SHOCK (Should We Emergently Revascularize Occluded Coronaries for Cardiogenic Shock) trial354 demonstrated benefit with coronary angiography and emergency revascularization (with either PCI or CABG) compared with immediate medical stabilization and delayed revascularization in patients with ST-elevation/Q-wave or new LBBB MI and cardiogenic shock (Section 9.1.1). Of note, nearly 50% of patients randomized to the emergency revascularization arm received preprocedural fibrinolytic therapy, and the benefit of emergency revascularization was similar for patients transferred versus those admitted directly to a PCI-capable hospital. For patients with cardiogenic shock, the benefit of emergency revascularization was apparent across a very wide time window, extending up to 54 hours after MI and 18 hours after shock onset.354 Although PCI should be performed as soon as possible after MI and shock onset, the time window for benefit in this clinical context is more prolonged because of the ongoing “downward ischemic spiral” associated with shock.
5.3.1.2. Transfer for Failure of Fibrinolytic Therapy
Several trials in the stent era and several meta-analyses have examined the role of PCI for fibrinolytic failure346,355–357,364 (Online Data Supplement 4). These studies report a trend toward a lower mortality rate and significantly lower rates of recurrent MI and HF among patients treated with rescue PCI for failed fibrinolysis. For example, in the REACT (Rapid Early Action for Coronary Treatment) study,355 427 patients who failed to demonstrate evidence of reperfusion at 90 minutes by ECG criteria were randomized to 1 of 3 treatment arms: rescue PCI, conservative care, or repeat fibrinolytic therapy. The primary endpoint, a composite of death, reinfarction, stroke, or severe HF at 6 months, was significantly lower among patients randomized to rescue PCI than among those randomized to conservative care or repeat fibrinolysis (event-free survival rate: 84.6% versus 70.1% versus 68.7%, P=0.004). The benefit was driven primarily by a reduction in reinfarction; there was no significant survival benefit. Minor bleeding was significantly higher among patients randomized to rescue PCI; however, there were no differences in major bleeding among the 3 groups. Other studies have reported higher rates of periprocedural bleeding and stroke in patients undergoing rescue PCI than in patients treated conservatively.346,356 The benefit of transferring a patient for PCI of a persistently occluded infarct artery likely would justify these risks if cardiogenic shock, significant hypotension, severe HF, or ECG evidence of an extensive area of myocardial jeopardy (including an anterior infarction or inferior infarction with either right ventricular [RV] involvement or anterior precordial ST depression) is present. In these circumstances, the benefits are greatest if PCI is initiated early after fibrinolytic failure. On the other hand, conservative treatment might be reasonable in a patient with improving symptoms and a limited inferior infarction despite persistence of ST elevation.
5.3.1.3. Transfer for Routine Early Coronary Angiography After Fibrinolytic Therapy
With the introduction of coronary stents and aggressive antiplatelet therapies, there has been renewed interest in immediate and early catheterization after fibrinolytic therapy. The advantage of this approach is that it can be initiated at non–PCI-capable hospitals and affords the healthcare system additional time to arrange a “nonemergency” transfer for angiography and PCI. Routine referral for angiography with the intent to perform PCI is supported indirectly by retrospective analyses from trials of fibrinolytic therapy that suggest that patients treated with PCI during the index hospitalization have a lower risk of recurrent MI and a lower 2-year mortality rate.365–367 The results of RCTs evaluating a strategy of routine catheterization after fibrinolysis are limited by small sample sizes or surrogate endpoints and have provided mixed results. Nevertheless, most trials have demonstrated improvement in clinical outcomes in patients transferred for early catheterization, most notably in higher-risk patients357–362,368–371 (Table 8 and Figure 3). In the GRACIA (Grup de Analisis de la Cardiopatia Isquemica Aguda) study,362 early catheterization within 6 to 24 hours of successful fibrinolysis in stable patients was compared with an ischemia-guided approach. It resulted in improved outcomes, including a significantly lower rate of death, reinfarction, or ischemia-driven revascularization at 1 year.
The TRANSFER-AMI (Trial of Routine Angioplasty and Stenting after Fibrinolysis to Enhance Reperfusion in Acute Myocardial Infarction) study360 was the largest (n=1059) of the RCTs evaluating transfer for coronary angiography and revascularization among high-risk patients and showed a significant reduction in the combined primary endpoint of death, recurrent MI, recurrent ischemia, new or worsening HF, or shock at 30 days with immediate transfer for the angiography group compared with conservative care. The findings from this and other studies indicate that high-risk patients with STEMI appear to benefit from immediate transfer for early catheterization, compared with either an ischemia-guided approach or delayed routine catheterization at 24 hours to 2 weeks.360,361 The reported benefits relate to a reduction in the incidence of recurrent infarction or ischemia, thus favoring earlier transfer and revascularization when possible.
The NORDISTEMI (Norwegian Study on District Treatment of ST-Elevation Myocardial Infarction) investigators358 examined the effect of immediate routine transfer for catheterization versus a conservative strategy with either ischemia-guided treatment in the non–PCI-capable hospital or transfer for rescue PCI. Although this study failed to demonstrate a significant difference between the 2 treatment groups in the incidence of the primary composite endpoint of death, recurrent MI, stroke, or new or recurrent ischemia at 1 year, the incidence of death, recurrent MI, or stroke was significantly lower in the immediate-transfer group. Furthermore, the magnitude of reduction in risk was similar to that reported for high-risk patients in the TRANSFER-AMI study (RR: 0.64; 95% CI: 0.47 to 0.87; P=0.004).360
In a meta-analysis359 that included 7 RCTs of early transfer for catheterization, a strategy of routine early catheterization after fibrinolysis was associated with a statistically significant reduction in the incidence of death or MI at 30 days and at 1 year, without an increase in the risk of major bleeding. This meta-analysis was based on a mixture of trials that randomized high-risk patients360,361,369 and trials that did not mandate the inclusion of high-risk subjects. A meta-regression analysis investigating the relative benefit of an invasive strategy after fibrinolysis according to the baseline risk of the enrolled patients for each trial suggested a larger proportional benefit with early catheterization and PCI in trials enrolling higher-risk patients.359
It is important to recognize that the clinical trials that have addressed routine invasive evaluation after initial pharmaco- logical management used a time window of 0 to 24 hours for the “early invasive” strategy, thus supporting earlier transfer after administration of fibrinolytic therapy even for patients without high-risk features. However, this time window likely was used in the trial designs to create the greatest possible difference in outcome when compared with the control group (rather than an a priori expectation that the benefit would be driven entirely in <24 hours). The writing committee believes that there likely will be continued benefit even beyond 24 hours in those patients with a patent but stenotic infarct artery. In stable patients who are not transferred immediately, catheterization can be considered as part of a routine pharmacoinvasive or ischemia-guided approach >24 hours after administration of fibrinolytic therapy. Because of the associated increased bleeding risk, very early (<2 to 3 hours) catheterization after administration of fibrinolytic therapy with intent to perform revascularization should be reserved for patients with evidence of failed fibrinolysis and significant myocardial jeopardy for whom rescue PCI would be appropriate.
6. Delayed Invasive Management
6.1. Coronary Angiography in Patients Who Initially Were Managed With Fibrinolytic Therapy or Who Did Not Receive Reperfusion: Recommendations
See Table 9 for a summary of recommendations from this section.
Class I
1.
Cardiac catheterization and coronary angiography with intent to perform revascularization should be performed after STEMI in patients with any of the following:
c. Myocardial ischemia that is spontaneous or provoked by minimal exertion during hospitalization. (Level of Evidence: C)
Class IIa
1.
2.
Coronary angiography is reasonable before hospital discharge in stable§ patients with STEMI after successful fibrinolytic therapy. Angiography can be performed as soon as logistically feasible, and ideally within 24 hours, but should not be performed within the first 2 to 3 hours after administration of fibrinolytic therapy.358–363,374 (Level of Evidence: B)
The indications for coronary angiography in patients managed with an initial noninvasive strategy are interwoven with the indications for revascularization (Sections 5.3 and 6.2). Survivors of STEMI with indicators of intermediate or high risk and those with recurrent ischemia or mechanical complications should be considered for coronary angiography and revascularization. In addition, when STEMI is suspected to have occurred by a mechanism other than thrombotic occlusion at the site of an atherosclerotic plaque, coronary angiography may be reasonable to provide diagnostic information and to direct specific therapy. Routine referral for angiography of patients after fibrinolytic therapy is discussed in Section 5.3. Coronary angiography in patients with evidence of failed reperfusion or reocclusion should be performed as soon as logistically feasible.346,355
6.2. PCI of an Infarct Artery in Patients Who Initially Were Managed With Fibrinolysis or Who Did Not Receive Reperfusion Therapy: Recommendations
See Table 10 for a summary of recommendations from this section.
Class I
1.
PCI of an anatomically significant stenosis in the infarct artery should be performed in patients with suitable anatomy and any of the following:
a. Cardiogenic shock or acute severe HF354 (Level of Evidence: B);
c. Myocardial ischemia that is spontaneous or provoked by minimal exertion during hospitalization. (Level of Evidence: C)
Class IIa
1.
2.
Delayed PCI of a significant stenosis in a patent infarct artery is reasonable in stable§ patients with STEMI after fibrinolytic therapy. PCI can be performed as soon as logistically feasible at the receiving hospital, and ideally within 24 hours, but should not be performed within the first 2 to 3 hours after administration of fibrinolytic therapy.358–363 (Level of Evidence: B)
Class IIb
Class III: No Benefit
Delayed PCI of the infarct artery is performed in patients treated with an initial noninvasive strategy (ie, with fibrinolysis or without reperfusion therapy) who become unstable because of the development of cardiogenic shock, acute severe HF, or unstable postinfarction angina, provided that invasive management is not considered futile or inappropriate.215,379 Delayed PCI also encompasses interventions performed for fibrinolytic failure355,356 or infarct artery reocclusion, as part of an invasive strategy for patients after successful fibrinolysis,359–361 and for patients who did not receive reperfusion therapy but who did demonstrate significant residual ischemia during hospitalization. The benefits of routine, ie, non–ischemia-driven, PCI of an angiographically significant stenosis in a patent infarct artery >24 hours after STEMI are less well established.232,233,378 Delayed PCI of a totally occluded infarct artery >24 hours after STEMI should not be undertaken in clinically stable patients without evidence of severe ischemia. In OAT (Occluded Artery Trial), there was no difference in the composite endpoint of death, reinfarction, or class IV HF at a median follow-up of 5.8 years between patients managed with PCI and those treated medically. Reinfarction rates tended to be higher in the PCI group.380
6.3. PCI of a Noninfarct Artery Before Hospital Discharge: Recommendations
Class I
1.
PCI is indicated in a noninfarct artery at a time separate from primary PCI in patients who have spontaneous symptoms of myocardial ischemia. (Level of Evidence: C)
Class IIa
Multivessel coronary artery disease is present in 40% to 65% of patients presenting with STEMI who undergo primary PCI and is associated with adverse prognosis.381,382 Studies of staged PCI of noninfarct arteries have been nonrandomized in design and have varied with regard to the timing of PCI and duration of follow-up. These variations have contributed to the disparate findings reported, although there seems to be a clear trend toward lower rates of adverse outcomes when primary PCI is limited to the infarct artery and PCI of a noninfarct artery is undertaken in staged fashion at a later time.216,224,225,383,384 The largest of these observational studies compared 538 patients undergoing staged multivessel PCI within 60 days of primary PCI with propensity-matched individuals who had culprit-vessel PCI alone.216 Multivessel PCI was associated with a lower mortality rate at 1 year (1.3% versus 3.3%; P=0.04). A nonsignificant trend toward a lower mortality rate at 1 year was observed in the subset of 258 patients who underwent staged PCI during the initial hospitalization for STEMI.216 Although fractional flow reserve is evaluated infrequently in patients with STEMI, at least 1 study suggests that determination of fractional flow reserve may be useful to assess the hemodynamic significance of potential target lesions in noninfarct arteries.385 The writing committee encourages research into the benefit of PCI of noninfarct arteries in patients with multivessel disease after successful primary PCI (Section 12.6).
6.4. Adjunctive Antithrombotic Therapy to Support Delayed PCI After Fibrinolytic Therapy
See Table 11 for a summary of recommendations from this section.
The selection of adjunctive antiplatelet and anticoagulant therapies for use during PCI after fibrinolytic therapy should take into account the fibrinolytic agent used, the time since its administration, and the antiplatelet and anticoagulant agents already administered. GP IIb/IIIa inhibitors should be used with great caution, if at all, after full-dose fibrinolytic therapy, because this combination is associated with high rates of bleeding and ICH, particularly in the elderly.386–388,389
6.4.1. Antiplatelet Therapy to Support PCI After Fibrinolytic Therapy: Recommendations
Class I
1.
2.
Clopidogrel should be provided as follows:
a. A 300-mg loading dose should be given before or at the time of PCI to patients who did not receive a previous loading dose and who are undergoing PCI within 24 hours of receiving fibrinolytic therapy (Level of Evidence: C);
b. A 600-mg loading dose should be given before or at the time of PCI to patients who did not receive a previous loading dose and who are undergoing PCI more than 24 hours after receiving fibrinolytic therapy (Level of Evidence: C); and
Class IIa
1.
2.
Prasugrel, in a 60-mg loading dose, is reasonable once the coronary anatomy is known in patients who did not receive a previous loading dose of clopidogrel at the time of administration of a fibrinolytic agent, but prasugrel should not be given sooner than 24 hours after administration of a fibrin-specific agent or 48 hours after administration of a non–fibrin-specific agent.260,262 (Level of Evidence: B)
Class III: Harm
1.
Prasugrel should not be administered to patients with a history of prior stroke or transient ischemic attack.260 (Level of Evidence: B)
Patients with STEMI should receive clopidogrel at the time of administration of a fibrinolytic agent as a routine part of a pharmacological reperfusion strategy (Section 5.1). Clopidogrel then should be continued in uninterrupted fashion through and after PCI. The optimal loading dose of clopidogrel before or at the time of PCI in patients who may not have received it previously with fibrinolytic therapy is not known. In the CLARITY-TIMI 28 (Clopidogrel as Adjunctive Reperfusion Therapy—Thrombolysis In Myocardial Infarction 28) trial,331 PCI was performed 2 to 8 days after fibrinolysis in about half of the enrolled patients, and open-label clopidogrel (300-mg loading dose, 75-mg maintenance dose) was administered after diagnostic angiography in patients undergoing infarct artery stenting. Treatment with clopidogrel significantly reduced the incidence of cardiovascular death, MI, or stroke (major secondary composite endpoint) after PCI. In addition, there was no significant increase in the rates of TIMI major or minor bleeding with clopidogrel treatment. A subset of patients with STEMI in the TRITON-TIMI 38 trial received fibrinolytic therapy >24 hours (for fibrin-specific agents) or >48 hours (for non–fibrin-specific agents) before PCI. In this subset, the use of prasugrel compared to clopidogrel was associated with a significantly lower rate of the primary composite endpoint of cardiovascular death, nonfatal MI, or nonfatal stroke (HR: 0.65; 95% CI: 0.54 to 0.87; P=0.0017), and a similar rate of TIMI major bleeding unrelated to CABG.262 Accordingly, prasugrel (60-mg loading dose) may be used as an alternative to clopidogrel in patients with STEMI who undergo delayed PCI after administration of a fibrinolytic agent.
6.4.2. Anticoagulant Therapy to Support PCI After Fibrinolytic Therapy: Recommendations
Class I
1.
For patients with STEMI undergoing PCI after receiving fibrinolytic therapy with intravenous UFH, additional boluses of intravenous UFH should be administered as needed to support the procedure, taking into account whether GP IIb/IIIa receptor antagonists have been administered. (Level of Evidence: C)
2.
For patients with STEMI undergoing PCI after receiving fibrinolytic therapy with enoxaparin, if the last subcutaneous dose was administered within the prior 8 hours, no additional enoxaparin should be given; if the last subcutaneous dose was administered between 8 and 12 hours earlier, enoxaparin 0.3 mg/kg IV should be given.335,390 (Level of Evidence: B)
Class III: Harm
1.
Fondaparinux should not be used as the sole anticoagulant to support PCI. An additional anticoagulant with anti-IIa activity should be administered because of the risk of catheter thrombosis.304 (Level of Evidence: C)
Anticoagulation should be continued through emergent or nonurgent PCI procedures performed during the index hospitalization after initial use of fibrinolytic therapy. For patients who received UFH or enoxaparin with fibrinolytic therapy, these agents may be continued uninterrupted through the PCI procedure.390 Transitioning from enoxaparin to either UFH or bivalirudin is possible, provided the last enoxaparin dose was >12 hours before PCI. Similarly, UFH may be transitioned to bivalirudin for PCI. Fondaparinux does not provide adequate anticoagulation for PCI, and additional intravenous boluses of UFH (or bivalirudin) should be administered.304
7. Coronary Artery Bypass Graft Surgery
7.1. CABG in Patients With STEMI: Recommendations
Class I
1.
Class IIa
1.
The use of mechanical circulatory support is reasonable in patients with STEMI who are hemodynamically unstable and require urgent CABG. (Level of Evidence: C)
Class IIb
1.
Emergency CABG within 6 hours of symptom onset may be considered in patients with STEMI who do not have cardiogenic shock and are not candidates for PCI or fibrinolytic therapy. (Level of Evidence: C)
CABG has a limited role in the acute phase of STEMI other than for cardiogenic shock, but it may be indicated for failed PCI, for coronary anatomy not amenable to PCI, and at the time of surgical repair of a mechanical defect, such as ventricular septal, papillary muscle, or free-wall rupture. Older case series highlighted a potential excess mortality risk for CABG when performed early after STEMI, which was related to worsening myocardial injury from cardiopulmonary bypass, aortic cross-clamping, and cardioplegic arrest, with hemorrhagic transformation and infarct expansion. However, contemporary modifications to the standard operative approach, such as on-pump beating-heart surgery, off-pump techniques, or adjunctive temporary mechanical circulatory support devices, may lead to improved survival rates after CABG in the acute hospital phase.
7.2. Timing of Urgent CABG in Patients With STEMI in Relation to Use of Antiplatelet Agents: Recommendations
Class I
Class IIb
1.
2.
Urgent CABG within 5 days of clopidogrel or ticagrelor administration or within 7 days of prasugrel administration might be considered, especially if the benefits of prompt revascularization outweigh the risks of bleeding. (Level of Evidence: C)
In contrast to previous observations410–412 of markedly increased rates of major bleeding and mediastinal reexploration after CABG in patients exposed to clopidogrel within 5 to 7 days before CABG, several reports have suggested that it might be reasonable to proceed with urgent surgery within a shorter time frame, especially when the benefits of revascularization outweigh the risks of bleeding, as often may be the case among patients with ACS.402,404 Shorter delays to urgent surgery may also be possible when off-pump revascularization is planned. Among the 136 patients in CLARITY-TIMI 28 who underwent CABG within 5 days of clopidogrel exposure, there was no difference in the rates of major bleeding through 30 days of follow-up between the clopidogrel and placebo groups (7.5% versus 7.2%, respectively; P=1.00).331 In a prospective RCT examining the effect of the timing of clopidogrel discontinuation before CABG, 3 groups were studied: clopidogrel continued to the day of surgery, clopidogrel discontinued 3 days before surgery, and clopidogrel discontinued 5 days before surgery. Patients in the continuation group experienced increased rates of bleeding and blood product utilization, but the 3- and 5-day discontinuation groups had comparably low bleeding rates and blood product usage that resembled historical control values.413 In a retrospective analysis of a nonrandomized subgroup of patients in the PLATO trial, in which several definitions of bleeding were used, no significant differences in CABG-related bleeding were observed between patients allocated ticagrelor and patients who received clopidogrel, and there were no observed differences in the rates of reoperation.401 In contrast, among the relatively few patients with STEMI in TRITON-TIMI 38 who underwent CABG during the 15-month course of the study, rates of TIMI major or minor bleeding after CABG were significantly higher with prasugrel than with clopidogrel (21.9% versus 4.1%; OR: 6.53; 95% CI: 1.78 to 23.94; P=0.0032).262 The excess bleeding hazard observed with prasugrel should prompt consideration of an alternative antiplatelet strategy in patients with STEMI who may require urgent CABG during their index hospitalization. The timing of elective CABG in relation to the use of P2Y12 receptor antagonists is referenced in Section 4.1 of the 2011 ACCF/AHA Guideline for Coronary Artery Bypass Graft Surgery.393
8. Routine Medical Therapies
See Table 12 for a summary of selected routine medical therapies.
Therapy | Indications | Dose/Administration | Avoid/Caution |
---|---|---|---|
Beta-Receptor Antagonists | •Oral: All patients without contraindication•IV: Patients with refractory hypertension or ongoing ischemia without contraindication | Individualize:•Metoprolol tartrate 25 to 50 mg every 6 to 12 h orally, then transition over next 2 to 3 d to twice-daily dosing of metoprolol tartrate or to daily metoprolol succinate; titrate to daily dose of 200 mg as tolerated•Carvedilol 6.25 mg twice daily, titrate to 25 mg twice daily as tolerated•Metoprolol tartrate IV 5 mg every 5 min as tolerated up to 3 doses; titrate to heart rate and BP | •Signs of HF•Low output state•Increased risk of cardiogenic shock•Prolonged first-degree or high-grade AV block•Reactive airways disease |
ACE Inhibitors | •For patients with anterior infarction, post-MI LV systolic dysfunction (EF ≤0.40) or HF•May be given routinely to all patients without contraindication | Individualize:•Lisinopril 2.5 to 5 mg/d to start; titrate to 10 mg/d or higher as tolerated•Captopril 6.25 to 12.5 mg 3 times/d to start; titrate to 25 to 50 mg 3 times/d as tolerated•Ramipril 2.5 mg twice daily to start; titrate to 5 mg twice daily as tolerated•Trandolapril test dose 0.5 mg; titrate up to 4 mg daily as tolerated | •Hypotension•Renal failure•Hyperkalemia |
ARB | •For patients intolerant of ACE inhibitors | •Valsartan 20 mg twice daily to start; titrate to 160 mg twice daily as tolerated | •Hypotension•Renal failure•Hyperkalemia |
Statins | •All patients without contraindications | •High-dose atorvastatin 80 mg daily | •Caution with drugs metabolized via CYP3A4, fibrates•Monitor for myopathy, hepatic toxicity•Combine with diet and lifestyle therapies•Adjust dose as dictated by targets for LDL cholesterol and non–HDL cholesterol reduction |
Nitroglycerin | •Ongoing chest pain•Hypertension and HF | •0.4 mg sublingual every 5 min up to 3 doses as BP allows•IV dosing to begin at 10 mcg/min; titrate to desired BP effect | •Avoid in suspected RV infarction•Avoid with SBP <90 mm Hg or if SBP >30 mm Hg below baseline•Avoid if recent (24 to 48 h) use of 5′-phosphodiesterase inhibitors |
Oxygen | •Clinically significant hypoxemia (oxygen saturation <90%)•HF•Dyspnea | •2 to 4 L/min via nasal cannula•Increase rate or change to face mask as needed | •Caution with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and CO2 retention |
Morphine | •Pain•Anxiety•Pulmonary edema | •4 to 8 mg IV initially, with lower doses in elderly•2 to 8 mg IV every 5 to 15 min if needed | •Lethargic or moribund patient•Hypotension•Bradycardia•Known hypersensitivity |
ACE indicates angiotensin-converting enzyme; ARB, angiotensin receptor blocker; AV, atrioventricular; BP, blood pressure; CO2, carbon dioxide; EF, ejection fraction; HDL, high-density lipoprotein; HF, heart failure; IV, intravenous; LDL, low-density lipoprotein; LV, left ventricular; MI, myocardial infarction; RV, right ventricular; and SBP, systolic blood pressure.
8.1. Beta Blockers: Recommendations
Class I
1.
Oral beta blockers should be initiated in the first 24 hours in patients with STEMI who do not have any of the following: signs of HF, evidence of a low output state, increased risk for cardiogenic shock, ║or other contraindications to use of oral beta blockers (PR interval more than 0.24 seconds, second- or third-degree heart block, active asthma, or reactive airways disease).414–416 (Level of Evidence: B)
2.
3.
Patients with initial contraindications to the use of beta blockers in the first 24 hours after STEMI should be reevaluated to determine their subsequent eligibility. (Level of Evidence: C)
Class IIa
The efficacy and safety of the early routine use of intravenous beta blockers were examined in COMMIT/CCS-2 (Clopidogrel and Metoprolol in Myocardial Infarction Trial).414 Early intravenous metoprolol followed by high-dose oral therapy had a neutral effect on the combined endpoint of death, recurrent MI, or cardiac arrest. There were lower rates of recurrent MI and VF in the treated group, outcomes that were balanced by a significantly higher rate of cardiogenic shock with metoprolol, especially on days 0 and 1. The likelihood of developing cardiogenic shock was increased in certain subgroups, including patients with age >70 years, systolic BP <120 mm Hg, presenting heart rate >110 bpm, or increased time since onset of symptoms of STEMI. The benefit of beta blockers for secondary prevention has been established in numerous trials conducted in the prereperfusion era and appears to be greatest for patients with MI complicated by HF, LV dysfunction, or ventricular arrhythmias.418 The long-term duration of routine beta-blocker therapy after uncomplicated MI in patients without HF or hypertension has not been prospectively addressed. AHA/ACCF secondary prevention guidelines recommend a 3-year treatment course in this patient subset.257
8.2. Renin-Angiotensin-Aldosterone System Inhibitors: Recommendations
Class I
1.
2.
3.
An aldosterone antagonist should be given to patients with STEMI and no contraindications who are already receiving an ACE inhibitor and beta blocker and who have an EF less than or equal to 0.40 and either symptomatic HF or diabetes mellitus.426 (Level of Evidence: B)
Class IIa
Oral ACE inhibitors reduce fatal and nonfatal major cardiovascular events in patients with STEMI.360,361,420,422,428–430 Their protective effects have been demonstrated independent of the use of other pharmacotherapies (ie, fibrinolytics, aspirin, and beta blockers). The magnitude of clinical benefit is greatest in high-risk patient subgroups (ie, anterior MI, EF ≤0.40, HF, prior MI, and tachycardia).431 Demonstration of an early benefit (within the first 24 hours) supports the prompt use of these agents in patients without existing contraindications (hypotension, shock, bilateral renal artery stenosis or history of worsening of renal function with ACE inhibitor/ARB exposure, renal failure, or drug allergy). The role of routine long-term ACE inhibitor therapy in low-risk patients after STEMI who have been revascularized and treated with aggressive lipid-lowering therapies is less certain.432 ARBs are indicated for ACE inhibitor–intolerant patients. Specifically, valsartan was found to be noninferior to captopril in the VALIANT (Valsartan in Acute Myocardial Infarction) trial.424
The EPHESUS (Eplerenone Post-Acute Myocardial Infarction Heart Failure Efficacy and Survival) study established the benefit of an aldosterone antagonist, eplerenone, added to optimal medical therapy in eligible patients (creatinine ≤2.5 mg/dL in men and ≤2.0 mg/dL in women, potassium ≤5.0 mEq/L) 3 to 14 days after STEMI with EF ≤0.40 and either symptomatic HF or diabetes mellitus.426 A post hoc analysis of the EPHESUS trial suggested a time-dependent treatment effect of eplerenone. Earlier initiation of the drug (<7 days) significantly reduced the rates of all-cause mortality, sudden cardiac death (SCD), and cardiovascular mortality/hospitalization, whereas initiation ≥7 days had no significant effect on outcomes.433
8.3. Lipid Management: Recommendations
Class I
Class IIa
1.
It is reasonable to obtain a fasting lipid profile in patients with STEMI, preferably within 24 hours of presentation. (Level of Evidence: C)
Treatment with statins in patients stabilized after an ACS, including STEMI, lowers the risk of coronary heart disease death, recurrent MI, stroke, and the need for coronary revascularization.437,438 More intensive statin therapy, compared with less intensive therapy, appears to be associated with an additional lowering of nonfatal clinical endpoints.434,436,439 Among currently available statins, only high-dose atorvastatin (80 mg daily) has been shown to reduce death and ischemic events among patients with ACS.436,440 Approximately one third of patients in the PROVE-IT TIMI 22 (Pravastatin or Atorvastatin Evaluation and Infection Therapy—Thrombolysis in Myocardial Infarction 22) trial had STEMI.436 Cardiovascular event rates were not significantly reduced with a tiered strategy of simvastatin (40 mg daily for 1 month followed by 80 mg daily) in the A to Z Trial (Aggrastat to Zocor),439 and concerns have been raised recently about the safety of high-dose simvastatin (ie, 80 mg daily).441 Although the benefit of high-intensity statins declines among statin-naïve patients with ACS as a function of decreasing low-density lipoprotein levels,442 the writing committee recommends the use of statins in all patients with STEMI.435 Statin therapy after ACS is beneficial even in patients with baseline low-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels <70 mg/dL.443 Trials of statin therapy in patients with ACS and stable ischemic heart disease have been designed to compare either more intensive versus less intensive statin treatment or active statin versus placebo.434–440 They have not been designed to compare clinical outcomes as a function of the specific low-density lipoprotein cholesterol level achieved with treatment. Improved compliance with therapy is a strong rationale for timing the initiation of lipid-lowering drug therapy before discharge after STEMI. Longer-term lipid management after STEMI, including indications for targeting triglycerides and non–high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, are addressed in the “AHA/ACC Secondary Prevention and Risk Reduction Therapy for Patients With Coronary and Other Vascular Disease: 2011 Update.”257
8.4. Nitrates
Although nitroglycerin can ameliorate symptoms and signs of myocardial ischemia by reducing LV preload and increasing coronary blood flow, it generally does not attenuate the myocardial injury associated with epicardial coronary artery occlusion unless vasospasm plays a significant role. Intravenous nitroglycerin may be useful to treat patients with STEMI and hypertension or HF. Nitrates should not be given to patients with hypotension, marked bradycardia or tachycardia, RV infarction, or 5’phosphodiesterase inhibitor use within the previous 24 to 48 hours.444 There is no role for the routine use of oral nitrates in the convalescent phase of STEMI.
8.5. Calcium Channel Blockers
An overview of 28 RCTs involving 19 000 patients demonstrated no beneficial effect on infarct size or the rate of reinfarction when calcium channel blocker therapy was initiated during either the acute or convalescent phase of STEMI.445 Calcium channel blockers may be useful, however, to relieve ischemia, lower BP, or control the ventricular response rate to atrial fibrillation (AF) in patients who are intolerant of beta blockers. Caution is advised in patients with LV systolic dysfunction. The use of the immediate-release nifedipine is contraindicated in patients with STEMI because of hypotension and reflex sympathetic activation with tachycardia.446
8.6. Oxygen
Few data exist to support or refute the value of the routine use of oxygen in the acute phase of STEMI, and more research is needed. A pooled Cochrane analysis of 3 trials showed a 3-fold higher risk of death for patients with confirmed acute MI treated with oxygen than for patients with acute MI managed on room air. Oxygen therapy is appropriate for patients who are hypoxemic (oxygen saturation <90%) and may have a salutary placebo effect in others. Supplementary oxygen may, however, increase coronary vascular resistance.447 Oxygen should be administered with caution to patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and carbon dioxide retention.
8.7. Analgesics: Morphine, Nonsteroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs, and Cyclooxygenase II Inhibitors
In the absence of a history of hypersensitivity, morphine sulfate is the drug of choice for pain relief in patients with STEMI, especially those whose course is complicated by acute pulmonary edema. It can alleviate the work of breathing, reduce anxiety, and favorably affect ventricular loading conditions. The dose of morphine sulfate needed to achieve adequate pain control will vary depending on patient age, body size, BP, and heart rate. Naloxone can be administered in doses of 0.1 to 0.2 mg IV every 15 minutes when indicated to reverse the narcotic effects of morphine, and atropine 0.5 to 1.5 mg IV may be administered to counter excessive morphine-related bradycardia.
Epidemiological studies and retrospective analyses of RCTs have suggested that nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and selective cyclooxygenase II enzyme (COX-2) inhibitors may be associated with an increased risk of death, reinfarction, cardiac rupture, hypertension, renal insufficiency, and HF.448–451 Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and COX-2 inhibitors are contraindicated in patients with STEMI. They should not be initiated in the acute phase and should be discontinued in patients using them before hospitalization.
9. Complications After STEMI
9.1. Cardiogenic Shock
9.1.1. Treatment of Cardiogenic Shock: Recommendations
Class I
1.
Class IIa
Class IIb
1.
Alternative LV assist devices for circulatory support may be considered in patients with refractory cardiogenic shock. (Level of Evidence: C)
Cardiogenic shock in patients with STEMI may be caused by extensive LV infarction or by mechanical complications, including papillary muscle rupture, ventricular septal rupture, free-wall rupture with tamponade, and RV infarction. The onset of cardiogenic shock due to mechanical complications after STEMI is bimodal; most cases occur within 24 hours. For those with pump failure, 15% of cases occur at time of presentation, and 85% develop during hospitalization. Revascularization with timely PCI or CABG is the preferred reperfusion strategy for patients with STEMI and shock due to pump failure, irrespective of the time delay. Shock or severe HF is perhaps the only clinical scenario in which acute revascularization of significant stenoses in noninfarct arteries can be justified. In the SHOCK trial, mortality rates at 6 and 1 year were significantly lower in patients allocated to emergency revascularization than in patients who received immediate medical stabilization.212,354 Nearly two thirds of the patients in the medical stabilization group received fibrinolytic therapy, and 25% underwent delayed revascularization. IABP support was used in 86% of both groups. Although the trial did not show benefit with emergency revascularization for the prespecified age group >75 years, the small number of patients in the trial did not allow for firm conclusions to be drawn about management. Elderly patients offered emergency revascularization in the nonrandomized SHOCK registry had a substantial adjusted survival benefit with emergency revascularization compared with delayed or no revascularization.460 Similar findings in favor of early revascularization for selected elderly patients were reported from 2 additional registries.461,462 Although age alone is not a contraindication to emergency revascularization in this setting, individual judgment based on comorbidities, functional status, and patient directives is necessary in the elderly. Triage and immediate transfer to a PCI-capable facility with on-site cardiac surgical backup are indicated for patients with STEMI complicated by shock. Fibrinolytic therapy is reserved for patients without contraindications within 24 hours of MI for whom revascularization is considered not feasible for technical, anatomic, or patient-related issues. The need for hemodynamic support with inotropic therapy, IABP, or both should be assessed on an individual basis. Observational data on the usefulness of IABP in this setting are conflicting. A meta-analysis supports IABP therapy as an adjunct to fibrinolysis but not to primary PCI.458 Compared with IABP, LV assist devices may provide superior hemodynamic support and serve as more effective bridges to recovery or transplantation, though experience with their use in this setting is limited.463,464 Medical support with inotropes and vasopressor agents should be individualized and guided by invasive hemodynamic monitoring. Use of dopamine in this setting may be associated with excess hazard.465
9.2. Severe HF
The development of HF after STEMI is an indication for angiography with intent to proceed with revascularization if not previously performed. LV myocardium may be ischemic, stunned, hibernating, or irrevocably injured, and viability assessment may be needed depending on the timing of revascularization. Ischemic (functional) mitral regurgitation due to LV remodeling may coexist, progress over time, and require surgical attention depending on its severity. Medical treatment is based on the use of diuretics, vasodilators, and inotropic agents when required. Inhibitors of the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system should be provided as tolerated, and the indications for beta-blocker therapy should be evaluated continuously throughout the hospital course.
9.3. RV Infarction
RV infarction complicates the course of approximately one third of patients with inferior STEMI, is most often due to proximal occlusion of the right coronary artery, and is associated with a higher mortality risk. Evidence of RV involvement should be sought in all patients with inferior STEMI. The clinical triad of hypotension, clear lung fields, and elevated jugular venous pressure is characteristic. Demonstration of 1-mm ST elevation in lead V1 and in right precordial lead V4R is the most sensitive ECG marker of RV injury.466 Transthoracic echocardiography can be helpful in patients with initially nondiagnostic findings.467 Treatment includes maintenance of RV preload, reduction of RV afterload, inotropic support if needed, and immediate reperfusion.468,469 Nitrates and diuretics should be avoided. Restoration of atrioventricular (AV) synchrony or cardioversion from AF may be needed.
9.4. Mechanical Complications
9.4.1. Diagnosis
Mechanical complications after STEMI have a bimodal, temporal distribution: Most occur in the first 24 hours, and the remainder present within the first week. The presence of a new systolic murmur indicates the possibility of either ventricle septal rupture or mitral regurgitation. Diagnosis usually can be established with transthoracic echocardiography. Surgical consultation should be obtained when a mechanical defect is suspected. Prompt repair (with or without CABG) is indicated in most cases. IABP can provide temporary circulatory support.
9.4.2. Mitral Regurgitation
Mitral regurgitation after STEMI occurs via 1 of 2 mechanisms: papillary muscle rupture or postinfarction LV remodeling with displacement of the papillary muscles, leaflet tethering, and annular dilatation. Acute rupture affects the posteromedial papillary muscle more often than anterolateral papillary muscle because of its singular blood supply.470,471 Acute severe mitral regurgitation is characterized by pulmonary edema and/or shock; a systolic murmur may not always be appreciated. Suitable patients with papillary muscle rupture should be considered for urgent surgery while temporary stabilization with medical therapy and IABP is attempted. Mitral valve replacement rather than repair usually is required in this setting. Although emergency mitral valve replacement is associated with a relatively high mortality rate (20%), survival and ventricular function are improved with surgery compared with medical therapy alone. Delay to operation appears to increase the risk of further myocardial injury, organ failure, and death.472 Five-year survival rates after surgery average 60% to 70%.397,473–476
With ischemic (functional) mitral regurgitation, treatment is focused on timely reperfusion, diuretics, and afterload reduction. The severity of mitral regurgitation may improve in some patients with aggressive medical treatment, PCI, or both. The rate of long-term survival after STEMI declines as a function of residual mitral regurgitation severity. If surgery is required during the index hospitalization because of ongoing ischemia or HF, mitral valve repair with a downsized annuloplasty ring usually is performed, though valve replacement may be preferred in many cases. In this regard, management of ischemic mitral regurgitation differs importantly from that of myxomatous mitral regurgitation.
9.4.3. Ventricular Septal Rupture
Ventricular septal rupture usually is heralded by a loud systolic murmur and HF or shock, depending on the size of the defect and the degree of RV and LV dysfunction. Data from the GUSTO-1 (The Global Use of Strategies to Open Occluded Coronary Arteries) trial and the SHOCK registry indicate that ventricular septal rupture occurs most often within the first 24 hours in patients with STEMI treated with fibrinolytic therapy.477,478 Emergency surgical repair is necessary, even in hemodynamically stable patients,479–481 because the rupture site can expand abruptly, resulting in sudden hemodynamic collapse in previously stable patients.481 Temporizing medical treatment consists of inotropic and vasodilator agents, with IABP when needed. The surgical mortality rate remains high, especially among patients with shock, ranging from 20% to 87% in reported series.395,477–480,482,483 Mortality risk is higher for patients with inferior-basal defects than for those with anterior-apical defects. Percutaneous closure is a less invasive option that might allow for initial hemodynamic stabilization, but experience with this approach is limited, and residual shunts are common. Further technical developments and prospective trials are required to identify patients best suited for transcatheter closure.
9.4.4. LV Free-Wall Rupture
Free-wall rupture is characterized by recurrent chest pain and ST-T-wave changes, with rapid progression to hemodynamic collapse, electromechanical dissociation, and death.484 It is observed most frequently in patients with first MI, anterior infarction, the elderly, and women. Other risk factors include hypertension during the acute phase of STEMI, lack of antecedent angina or prior MI, absence of collateral blood flow, Q waves on ECG, use of corticosteroids or nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, and administration of fibrinolytic therapy >14 hours after symptom onset.485,486 Pseudoaneurysm formation with contained rupture and tamponade can be recognized with transthoracic echocardiography, and emergency surgery should be considered. Most case series of patients reaching the operating room for management of this complication are of small size, with mortality rates approaching 60%.396,487
9.4.5. LV Aneurysm
Ventricular aneurysm formation after STEMI occurs in <5% of patients and is more frequent in those with anterior infarction. Incidence rates have declined with timely reperfusion. Surgery for LV aneurysm after STEMI is rarely needed but may be considered for treatment of HF, ventricular arrhythmias not amenable to drugs or radiofrequency ablation, or recurrent thromboembolism despite appropriate anticoagulant therapy.
9.5. Electrical Complications During the Hospital Phase of STEMI
9.5.1. Ventricular Arrhythmias
Ventricular arrhythmias are common early after onset of STEMI, and not all require intervention. Out-of-hospital cardiac arrest with STEMI is most often due to lethal ventricular arrhythmias, including sustained VT and VF (Section 3.6.1). The mechanisms for these arrhythmias are multifactorial and include ongoing ischemia, hemodynamic and electrolyte abnormalities, reentry, and enhanced automaticity. As many as 10% of hospitalized patients receiving fibrinolytic therapy in the GUSTO-I trial had sustained VT/VF complicating their course.488 An analysis of patients referred for primary PCI in the APEX-AMI (Assessment of Pexelizumab in Acute Myocardial Infarction) trial reported a lower incidence of sustained VT/VF (5.7%); 90% of cases occurred within 48 hours of presentation.489 Compared with patients without VT/VF, 90-day mortality risk was 2-fold higher for patients with early VT/VF (ie, before the completion of primary PCI) and 5-fold higher for patients with late VT/VF (ie, after primary PCI). Several factors were associated with the occurrence of both early and late VT/VF, including HF, hypotension, tachycardia, shock, and TIMI flow grade. Treatment consists of immediate defibrillation or cardioversion for VF or pulseless sustained VT, respectively, and antiarrhythmic drug therapy in accordance with the 2010 Advanced Cardiac Life Support guidelines for sustained VT with a pulse.490 Prevention of VT/VF is directed to correction of electrolyte and acid/base abnormalities, optimization of myocardial perfusion, eradication of ongoing ischemia, and treatment of associated complications such as HF or shock. Early (within 24 hours of presentation) administration of beta blockers has been associated with a reduction in the incidence of VF414,489 and is recommended for all patients without contraindications (Section 8.1). The prophylactic use of lidocaine is not recommended. Premature ventricular complexes, nonsustained VT not associated with hemodynamic compromise, and accelerated idioventricular rhythms that emerge after reperfusion are not indicative of increased SCD risk and do not require specific therapy in the acute phase of STEMI.
9.5.2. Implantable Cardioverter-Defibrillator Therapy Before Discharge
Class I
1.
Life-threatening ventricular arrhythmias that occur >48 hours after STEMI usually are associated with significant LV systolic dysfunction and signify poor prognosis. Although previous RCTs492,494,495 have not specifically addressed this population of patients with STEMI, they have shown clear and consistent benefit of ICD therapy for survivors of sustained VT or VF arrest.493 In the absence of a reversible cause, late (>48 hours) in-hospital sustained VT/VF is an indication for ICD therapy for secondary prevention of SCD. For other at-risk patients, particularly those with significantly reduced left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF), candidacy for ICD therapy for primary prevention of SCD should be reassessed at ≥40 days after discharge (Section 10.3). See the “2008 ACCF/AHA/HRS Guidelines for Device-Based Therapy of Cardiac Rhythm Abnormalities.”496
9.5.3. AF and Other Supraventricular Tachyarrhythmias
AF, atrial flutter, and other supraventricular tachyarrhythmias occur frequently in patients with STEMI and are triggered by excessive sympathetic stimulation, atrial stretch due to LV or RV volume/pressure overload, atrial infarction, pericarditis, electrolyte abnormalities, hypoxia, or underlying lung disease. By far the most common supraventricular arrhythmia is AF, which occurs in 8% to 22% of patients with STEMI, with higher rates in elderly patients and those with HF and hypertension. In a contemporary study, the incidence of new-onset AF during hospitalization was 6.3%.497 New-onset AF was significantly associated with shock, HF, stroke, and 90-day mortality.497 These observations mirrored those seen in earlier trials.317,422,428,497–499 The cumulative incidence of AF among MI survivors with EF ≤0.40 over approximately 2 years of follow-up approaches 30%.500
Management of AF during hospitalization for STEMI is based on the usual considerations of rhythm versus rate control and the indications for anticoagulation according to current guidelines.501,502 For hemodynamically unstable patients or those with ongoing ischemic symptoms, treatment should be implemented according to the 2010 Advanced Cardiac Life Support guideline for management of unstable supraventricular tachyarrhythmias.490 If medical treatment is unsuccessful, synchronized, direct current cardioversion may be indicated. Provision of anticoagulation in the context of DAPT creates additional challenges related to the risk of bleeding (Section 9.7).
9.5.4. Bradycardia, AV Block, and Intraventricular Conduction Defects
9.5.4.1. Pacing in STEMI: Recommendation
Class I
1.
Temporary pacing is indicated for symptomatic bradyarrhythmias unresponsive to medical treatment. (Level of Evidence: C)
Sinus bradycardia is common early after STEMI, particularly with inferior location. It is mediated through increased vagal tone, is usually self-limited, and generally requires no treatment. It may be necessary to withhold beta blockers until the bradycardia resolves. Symptomatic or hemodynamically important sinus bradycardia should be treated with atropine or temporary pacing if not responsive.504
The development of AV block and intraventricular conduction delays is associated with the extent of infarction. The incidence of abnormal conduction has decreased substantially in the reperfusion era. In a survey of nearly 3 million hospital discharges after MI from 1996 to 2003, the incidence of complete heart block was 3.7% in inferior/posterior MI and 1.0% in anterior/lateral MI.505 AV block of varying degree and persistent bundle-branch block develop in approximately 7% and 5% of patients with STEMI, respectively.506,507 High-grade (ie, second- or third-degree) AV block and persistent bundle-branch block are independently associated with worse short- and long-term prognosis in both inferior/posterior and anterior/lateral MI but are more ominous in anterior/lateral MI because of a relatively greater extent of myocardial injury.506–508
First-degree AV block does not require treatment. High-grade AV block with inferior/posterior STEMI usually is transient and associated with a narrow complex/junctional escape rhythm that can be managed conservatively. Application of transcutaneous pacing pads for potential use is reasonable. Prophylactic placement of a temporary pacing system is recommended for high-grade AV block and/or new bundle-branch (especially LBBB) or bifascicular block in patients with anterior/lateral MI. Choice of pacing system (transcutaneous versus transvenous) varies across institutions. Indications for permanent pacing for persistent AV block or bundle-branch block after STEMI are reviewed in the 2008 ACC/AHA/HRS device-based therapy guidelines.496
9.6. Pericarditis
9.6.1. Management of Pericarditis After STEMI: Recommendations
Class I
1.
Aspirin is recommended for treatment of pericarditis after STEMI.509 (Level of Evidence: B)
Class IIb
1.
Administration of acetaminophen, colchicine, or narcotic analgesics may be reasonable if aspirin, even in higher doses, is not effective. (Level of Evidence: C)
Class III: Harm
The incidence of acute pericarditis after STEMI has decreased with the aggressive use of reperfusion therapy.512,513 Pericarditis should be considered in the differential diagnosis of recurrent chest pain after STEMI, particularly when the discomfort is pleuritic or positional, radiates to the trapezius ridge, and is associated with a pericardial friction rub. Recurrent or worsening ST elevation without early T-wave inversion may be present. Distinction from reinfarction or acute stent thrombosis is crucial. In rare circumstances, if pain is persistent (>1 week) and accompanied by systemic features of malaise, fever, and increased inflammatory biomarkers, Dressler syndrome should be considered. In most cases, the pain is self-limited and responds to conservative measures. The use of colchicine has been extrapolated from its efficacy in other settings. Although pericarditis is not an absolute contraindication to anticoagulation,514 caution should be exercised because of the potential for hemorrhagic conversion.515
Asymptomatic pericardial effusions are common after STEMI.516,517 It is important to exclude free-wall rupture when a pericardial effusion is present,518,519 especially if the width of the effusion is >1 cm.520 When tamponade is present, free-wall rupture, hemorrhagic conversion, or aortic dissection should be considered. Anticoagulation should be discontinued in the presence of a significant (≥1 cm) or enlarging pericardial effusion.
9.7. Thromboembolic and Bleeding Complications
9.7.1. Thromboembolic Complications
9.7.1.1. Anticoagulation: Recommendations∥
Class I
1.
Anticoagulant therapy with a vitamin K antagonist should be provided to patients with STEMI and AF with CHADS2 score# greater than or equal to 2, mechanical heart valves, venous thromboembolism, or hypercoagulable disorder. (Level of Evidence: C)
2.
The duration of triple antithrombotic therapy with a vitamin K antagonist, aspirin, and a P2Y12 receptor inhibitor should be minimized to the extent possible to limit the risk of bleeding.** (Level of Evidence: C)
Class IIa
1.
Anticoagulant therapy with a vitamin K antagonist is reasonable for patients with STEMI and asymptomatic LV mural thrombi. (Level of Evidence: C)
Class IIb
1.
Anticoagulant therapy may be considered for patients with STEMI and anterior apical akinesis or dyskinesis. (Level of Evidence: C)
2.
Targeting vitamin K antagonist therapy to a lower international normalized ratio (eg, 2.0 to 2.5) might be considered in patients with STEMI who are receiving DAPT. (Level of Evidence: C)
Previous recommendations for the use of vitamin K antagonists, either alone or in combination with low-dose aspirin, for secondary prevention or for reducing the risk of systemic thromboembolism after STEMI, must be reconsidered in the era of DAPT.4,48 The availability of several P2Y12 receptor inhibitors has virtually eliminated the former reliance on vitamin K antagonists as an alternative to aspirin for aspirin-allergic patients. A meta-analysis of RCTs comparing warfarin plus aspirin to aspirin alone in patients with ACS showed that in studies with an international normalized ratio goal of 2.0 to 3.0, combination therapy was associated with a significant reduction in major adverse events at the expense of an increased risk of major bleeding.521 None of the trials included patients treated with primary PCI or DAPT.
Triple therapy with a vitamin K antagonist, aspirin, and a P2Y12 receptor inhibitor should be restricted to specific clinical situations after STEMI in which the risk of systemic or venous thromboembolism or stent thrombosis is considered to exceed that of bleeding. Patient preferences and values should be taken into consideration, because individuals may weigh these outcomes differently. The novel oral anticoagulants such as dabigatran have not been evaluated in this context, and thus no recommendation for their use can be made. The duration of vitamin K antagonist therapy can be limited to 3 months in patients with or at risk for LV thrombus (eg, those with anteroapical akinesis or dyskinesis), whereas the duration of DAPT could be predicated on stent type or whether STEMI treatment included a stent.219,522,523 For patients undergoing primary PCI who require anticoagulation, avoidance of a DES is strongly preferred. When triple therapy is used, an international normalized ratio targeted to a range of 2.0 to 2.5 might be reasonable, though prospective data are lacking. Use of DAPT alone with aspirin and clopidogrel also might be considered for patients with STEMI who have AF and low to intermediate CHADS2 scores (0 to 1), with reconsideration of the indications for anticoagulation over time.296,522
The incidence of venous thromboembolic events after STEMI has declined significantly,526 though patients with HF or on prolonged bed rest remain at risk.527 The approach to the prevention and treatment of venous thromboembolic disease during hospitalization, with both pharmacological and mechanical measures, is similar to that for other critically ill patients.528
9.7.1.2. Heparin-Induced Thrombocytopenia
HIT, with or without associated thrombosis, can infrequently complicate the course of patients with ACS,529 particularly patients who previously have been exposed to heparin or who receive heparin over several hospital days. From 1% to 5% of all patients receiving heparin will develop HIT, and of these, 25% to 50% will develop thrombotic complications. In the CATCH (Complications After Thrombocytopenia Caused by Heparin) registry,530,531 thrombocytopenia was common among those who received heparin for >96 hours (36.4%) and was associated with a significantly increased risk of death, MI, or HF. Recognition of HIT frequently was delayed, and treatment often did not include a direct thrombin inhibitor. Data on the use of direct thrombin inhibitors in patients with STEMI who develop HIT are limited.532,533 For patients with STEMI and HIT who require stenting, bivalirudin would be the preferred anticoagulant. Management of patients with HIT who require urgent CABG can be more difficult.534
9.7.2. Bleeding Complications
Despite variable definitions for major and minor bleeding used in clinical trials, bleeding that complicates the course of an ACS, including STEMI, is independently associated with recurrent MI, stroke, death, longer hospital stay, and increased cost. The risk of death increases as a function of the severity of bleeding, independent of the success or failure of reperfusion therapy. In a pooled analysis from 4 ACS trials, the adjusted hazard ratio for death within 30 days ranged from 1.6 with mild bleeding to 10.6 with severe bleeding.535 Most bleeding is procedure related, although gastrointestinal and intracerebral bleeding may be more life threatening. Factors likely to contribute to adverse outcomes with ACS-related bleeding include patient comorbidities,536,537 discontinuation of antiplatelet or anticoagulant therapy in response to bleeding,536,538 and blood transfusion.539,540 Additional considerations include types of antiplatelet or anticoagulant agent at time of PCI,248,541,542 number of antithrombotic agents used,533 dosing,543 duration of therapy, crossover from low-molecular-weight heparin to UFH, HF or shock, diabetes mellitus, peripheral artery disease, and prior warfarin use. If triple antithrombotic therapy is required after discharge, the risk of bleeding increases (Figure 4).533
Risk factors for bleeding in patients with ACS have been identified from several clinical trials535,544–546 (Table 13). Predictive models for major bleeding in patients with ACS and in patients undergoing PCI have been reported from the NCDR ACTION Registry–GWTG.547,548 An analysis from the ACTION Registry–GWTG suggests that the CRUSADE bleeding risk score, developed in patients with non–ST-elevation MI, may be extended to the STEMI population.549 Major bleeding occurred in 2.8% of >40 000 patients with acute MI in the GRACE Registry.536 Patients who experienced a major bleeding episode were more likely to die in hospital than were those who did not bleed (20.9% versus 5.6%; P<0.001), even after adjustment for several relevant demographic and clinical variables. One in 5 patients with a major bleed did not survive to hospital discharge; these patients accounted for 10% of all hospital deaths and were older, more severely ill, and more likely to undergo invasive procedures. In ExTRACT-TIMI 25 (Enoxaparin and Thrombolysis Reperfusion for Acute Myocardial Infarction Treatment—Thrombolysis In Myocardial Infarction 25), high 30-day mortality rates after major bleeding in patients with STEMI treated with fibrinolysis and either unfractionated or low-molecular-weight heparin were driven largely by the very poor prognosis associated with ICH (65% mortality rate).537 The overall incidence of ICH in this study was 0.6%.332 The relationship between non-ICH bleeding and death in both ExTRACT-TIMI 25 and TRITON-TIMI 38 may have been confounded by patient attributes, severity of illness, and treatment protocols.537,550 To minimize the risk of bleeding complications, an assessment of patient, procedural, and pharmacological risk factors should be performed at time of presentation with STEMI and continuously thereafter. As an example, a longer time to PCI may be justifiable if the risk of hemorrhage with fibrinolysis is considered prohibitive.
Advanced age (>75 y) |
Female sex |
HF or shock |
Diabetes mellitus |
Body size |
History of GI bleeding |
Presentation with STEMI or NSTEMI (vs UA) |
Severe renal dysfunction (CrCl <30 mL/min) |
Elevated white blood cell count |
Anemia |
Use of fibrinolytic therapy |
Invasive strategy |
Inappropriate dosing of antithrombotic medications |
Chronic oral anticoagulant therapy |
Evidence suggests that although anemia is a risk factor for bleeding, the threshold for transfusion should be high.551 Absent ongoing ischemia, transfusion should be avoided unless the hemoglobin level is <8 mg/dL. The optimal hemoglobin level in the transfused patient is not known, but the number of units provided should be minimized.539,552
9.7.2.1. Treatment of ICH
Older age, female sex, low body weight (<70 kg [female] and <80 kg [male]), prior stroke, and hypertension on presentation (with a graded increase beginning at >160 to 170 mm Hg systolic) are the major risk factors for ICH. Once ICH is recognized, all antiplatelet and anticoagulant therapy should be stopped. Brain imaging with emergency neurological and neurosurgical consultation is required. Consideration can be given to the use of protamine, fresh frozen plasma, prothrombin complex concentrates, activated factor VII,555 and platelets as indicated. Resumption and timing of anticoagulant and/or antiplatelet therapy after ICH should be individualized and guided by neurosurgical consultation.556
9.7.2.2. Vascular Access Site Bleeding
Vascular access site bleeding is the most common type of bleeding after STEMI, particularly after PCI. PCI trials have identified female sex, advanced age, renal insufficiency, anemia, IABP, use of GP IIb/IIIa antagonists, and low-molecular-weight heparin within 48 hours of PCI as risk factors for femoral access site bleeding.557 Larger sheath size, postprocedural heparin use, higher activated clotting times, and late postprocedural sheath removal increases the risk of access site bleeding and should be avoided. Radial artery access may decrease bleeding complications and should be considered whenever feasible,558 but procedural success with this technique is dependent on operator experience.559,560 Among patients with STEMI in the RIVAL (Radial Versus Femoral Access for Coronary Angiography and Intervention in Patients with Acute Coronary Syndromes) trial, radial artery access appeared to reduce the rate of the primary composite outcome (death, MI, stroke, non–CABG-related major bleeding) and the individual secondary outcomes of death, MI, stroke, and overall mortality. However, rates of major bleeding were not lower with radial versus femoral access in patients with STEMI, though rates of major vascular complications were significantly reduced.561 Although arterial closure devices have been associated with decreased femoral access site bleeding, more rapid hemostasis, and shorter duration of bed rest,251,562,563 their routine use cannot be advocated specifically to reduce vascular complications after PCI, given the lack of robust, directionally consistent data on their efficacy and safety compared with manual compression.564–566 Retroperitoneal bleeding should be suspected when the following are seen: unheralded intraprocedural or postprocedural hypotension and bradycardia (or tachycardia), high vascular puncture site, and an otherwise unexplained decrease in hemoglobin. Prompt computed tomographic imaging of the abdomen and pelvis may be helpful. Conservative management usually suffices, but early vascular interventional or surgical consultation should be obtained.219
9.8. Acute Kidney Injury
The risk of renal failure with STEMI relates to a host of factors, including patient age, prehospital renal function, medications, contrast volume, and hemodynamic status. Contrast-induced nephropathy after angiography and intervention for STEMI is always a risk, and attention to minimization of contrast volume and optimal hydration is required.219
9.9. Hyperglycemia
There is a U-shaped relationship between glucose levels and death in STEMI and ACS.567 The mortality rate associated with hypoglycemia appears to be as high as the mortality rate associated with hyperglycemia.568,569 Concern about overly aggressive glycemic control in critically ill patients was raised by the NICE-SUGAR (Normoglycemia in Intensive Care Evaluation and Survival Using Glucose Algorithm Regulation) trial.570 In this study of medical and surgical intensive care unit patients, tight glucose control (81 to 108 mg/dL) compared to modest control (<180 mg/dL) was associated with increased mortality rate (primarily from cardiovascular causes) and more episodes of hypoglycemia. Blood glucose levels should be maintained below 180 mg/dL if possible while avoiding hypoglycemia. There is no established role for glucose-insulin-potassium infusions in patients with STEMI.571–573
10. Risk Assessment After STEMI
Initial risk stratification should be performed early (Section 3) with the use of information available at the time of presentation. However, risk assessment is a continuous process that requires recalibration on the basis of data obtained during the hospital stay. Such data include the success of reperfusion therapy, events that occur during the hospital course (such as hemorrhagic complications), and the findings from noninvasive and invasive testing, particularly as they relate to the assessment of LV systolic function. For example, in patients treated with fibrinolytic therapy, clinical and ECG indicators of failed reperfusion identify individuals who should undergo urgent coronary angiography with intent to perform PCI.356 In addition, the emergence of HF or significant LV systolic dysfunction is among the strongest predictors of higher-mortality risk after STEMI.
Stable patients with a low risk of complications may be candidates for early discharge. Among patients with STEMI managed with fibrinolysis, it has been suggested that an uncomplicated course after 72 hours of hospitalization identifies a group with sufficiently low risk to enable discharge.574,575 Newby and colleagues calculated that extending the hospital stay of these patients by another day would cost $105 629 per year of life saved. However, the duration of hospitalization in patients treated with reperfusion therapy may be determined by other needs, such as patient education or titration of medications to optimum doses.576
Physicians and patients must individualize strategies for risk reduction, using lifestyle interventions, disease-modifying pharmacological therapies, and additional coronary revascularization when indicated. All patients with STEMI are considered to be at sufficiently high risk to merit interventions for secondary prevention, including the use of cardiac rehabilitation, aspirin, lipid-lowering therapy, beta blockers, and ACE inhibitors when indicated.257 Additional risk assessment should be used to guide decisions about performance of coronary angiography in patients who did not undergo an invasive evaluation as part of their initial treatment strategy and to guide consideration of interventions to reduce the risk of SCD due to arrhythmia.
10.1. Use of Noninvasive Testing for Ischemia Before Discharge: Recommendations
Class I
1.
Noninvasive testing for ischemia should be performed before discharge to assess the presence and extent of inducible ischemia in patients with STEMI who have not had coronary angiography and do not have high-risk clinical features for which coronary angiography would be warranted.577–579 (Level of Evidence: B)
Class IIb
1.
Noninvasive testing for ischemia might be considered before discharge to evaluate the functional significance of a noninfarct artery stenosis previously identified at angiography. (Level of Evidence: C)
2.
Noninvasive testing for ischemia might be considered before discharge to guide the postdischarge exercise prescription. (Level of Evidence: C)
Noninvasive testing for ischemia provides valuable information about the presence of residual ischemia in patients who have not undergone cardiac catheterization during initial management of STEMI and may be useful in assessing the functional significance of a noninfarct artery stenosis identified at angiography. In the latter instance, stress imaging to localize ischemia would be appropriate.580,581 Exercise testing early after STEMI may also be performed to 1) assess functional capacity and the ability to perform tasks at home and at work, 2) evaluate the efficacy of medical therapy, and 3) assess the risk of a subsequent cardiac event. Symptom-limited exercise testing is a key feature of the intake evaluation for enrollment in a program of cardiac rehabilitation ≥2 weeks after discharge.582
Low-level exercise testing after MI appears to be safe if patients have undergone in-hospital cardiac rehabilitation, including low-level exercise; have had no symptoms of angina or HF; and have a stable baseline ECG 48 to 72 hours before the test.583 Two different protocols have been used for early post-MI exercise testing: the traditional submaximal exercise test (done at 3 to 5 days in patients without complications) or a symptom-limited exercise test (done at 5 days or later) without stopping at a prespecified target heart rate or metabolic equivalent level. RCTs of early exercise testing after PCI have excluded patients with recent MI.584 Limited data exist on the safety of early symptom-limited exercise testing after MI; therefore, clinical judgment must be used.585 Pharmacological stress myocardial perfusion imaging has been shown to have predictive value for postinfarction cardiac events and is useful and safe in patients who are unable to exercise.586 The optimum timing for provocative testing for ischemia after STEMI remains unresolved. It is argued that a predischarge exercise test may provide psychological benefit to the patient and will permit detection of profound ischemia or other indicators of high risk that could be associated with postdischarge cardiac events that might occur before a symptom-limited stress test scheduled weeks later.585 A predischarge study also provides parameters for exercise prescription in the first few days after return home, before enrollment in cardiac rehabilitation. On the other hand, deferring exercise testing until approximately 3 weeks after STEMI in clinically low-risk patients appears safe and reasonable and enables more optimal assessment of functional capacity. It is the consensus of the writing committee that patients without complications who have not undergone coronary angiography and who might be potential candidates for revascularization should undergo provocative testing before hospital discharge. In patients with noninfarct artery disease who have undergone successful PCI of the infarct artery and have an uncomplicated course, it is reasonable to proceed with discharge and plans for close clinical follow-up with stress imaging within 3 to 6 weeks.
10.2. Assessment of LV Function: Recommendation
Class I
1.
LVEF should be measured in all patients with STEMI. (Level of Evidence: C)
LV function is one of the strongest predictors of survival in patients with STEMI. LV function most commonly is evaluated with contrast ventriculography at the time of cardiac catheterization or with transthoracic echocardiography on day 2 or 3. Echocardiography is the most frequently used imaging modality to evaluate regional and global LV function after STEMI and can help characterize any associated mechanical complications when they are clinically suspected. Because of the dynamic nature of LV functional recovery after STEMI, clinicians should consider the timing of the imaging study relative to the index event. In patients with significant LV systolic dysfunction revealed during the initial hospitalization, LV function should be reevaluated ≥40 days later, especially to address the potential need for ICD therapy after allowance for recovery from myocardial stunning.496,587,588
10.3. Assessment of Risk for SCD: Recommendation
Class I
The timing and character of ventricular arrhythmias and residual LV systolic function are the strongest predictors of SCD risk after STEMI. Management considerations for patients with ventricular arrhythmias during the hospital phase are reviewed in Section 9.5. Hospital survivors with an initially reduced LVEF (≤0.40) who do not merit ICD therapy before discharge should undergo reassessment of LV function ≥40 days later to determine their eligibility for ICD therapy. The recommended delay to ICD therapy in this setting stems from the results of DINAMIT (Defibrillator in Acute Myocardial Infarction Trial), in which defibrillator implantation 6 to 40 days after MI in patients with EF ≤0.35 and impaired cardiac autonomic function was not shown to reduce overall cardiac death risk. The observed reduction in arrhythmic deaths was offset by a relative increase in the numbers of nonarrhythmic deaths.587 The IRIS (Immediate Risk Stratification Improves Survival) trial588 also showed that early ICD therapy in patients with LVEF ≤0.40 and a high heart rate, nonsustained VT regardless of LVEF, or both did not result in improved survival. The utility of a wearable cardioverter-defibrillator in high-risk patients during the first 4 to 6 weeks after STEMI is under investigation http://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT00628966).
The indications for ICD therapy ≥40 days after STEMI are based on LVEF and New York Heart Association class, as derived from the results of the landmark MADIT 2 (Multicenter Automatic Defibrillator Implantation Trial 2) and SCDHeFT (Sudden Cardiac Death in Heart Failure) trials.496,589–591 If LVEF remains ≤0.35 and the patient has New York Heart Association class II or III HF symptoms, or if the LVEF is ≤0.30 independent of symptoms, then ICD implantation is recommended.496 Indications for cardiac resynchronization therapy in the late, convalescent phase of STEMI include residual LV function, New York Heart Association class, QRS duration, and LBBB morphology.592
In addition to determination of LVEF, several other noninvasive strategies have been proposed to identify patients at high risk for arrhythmic events after STEMI, such as signal-averaged or high-resolution ECG, heart rate variability, baroreflex sensitivity, and T-wave alternans.591 These strategies have not been adopted widely because of their limited performance characteristics and are not recommended for routine use.
11. Posthospitalization Plan of Care
11.1. Posthospitalization Plan of Care: Recommendations
Class I
1.
2.
3.
A clear, detailed, and evidence-based plan of care that promotes medication adherence, timely follow-up with the healthcare team, appropriate dietary and physical activities, and compliance with interventions for secondary prevention should be provided to patients with STEMI. (Level of Evidence: C)
11.1.1. The Plan of Care for Patients With STEMI
Education of patients with STEMI and their families is critical and often challenging, especially when transitions of care occur. Failure to understand and comply with a plan of care may account for the high rate of STEMI rehospitalization rates seen in the United States.19,606 One key intervention to ensure effective coordination is to provide to patients and caregivers, during the hospital stay, a comprehensive plan of care and educational materials that promote compliance with recommended evidence-based therapies.607–609 The posthospitalization plan of care for patients with STEMI should address in detail several complex issues, including medication adherence and titration, timely follow-up, dietary interventions, physical and sexual activities, cardiac rehabilitation, compliance with interventions for secondary prevention (Table 14), and reassessment of arrhythmic and HF risks. In addition, providers should pay close attention to psychosocial and socioeconomic issues, including access to care, risk of depression, social isolation, and healthcare disparities.610–612
Plan of Care | Resources/References |
---|---|
Medications | |
•Antithrombotic therapies | Sections 4.4, 5.1, 6.4 |
•Beta blockers | Section 8.1 |
•ACE inhibitors/ARBs/aldosterone antagonists | Section 8.2 |
•Statins | Section 8.3 |
ESC STEMI Guideline48 | |
ACC/AHA 2012 SIHD Guideline614 | |
Physical activity/cardiac rehabilitation | |
•Physical activity | AHA/ACC 2011 Update: Secondary Prevention and Risk Reduction Therapy249 |
•Cardiorespiratory fitness (MET capacity) | AACVPR/ACCF/AHA 2010 Update: Performance Measures on Cardiac Rehabilitation616 |
Risk factor modification/lifestyle interventions | AHA/ACC 2011 Update: Secondary Prevention and Risk Reduction Therapy249 |
•Smoking Cessation | ACCP Tobacco Cessation Toolkit615 |
•Diet/nutrition | AHA/ACC 2011 Update: Secondary Prevention and Risk Reduction Therapy249 |
Management of comorbidities | |
•Overweight/obesity | AHA/ACC 2011 Update: Secondary Prevention and Risk Reduction Therapy249 |
•Lipids | AHA/ACC 2011 Update: Secondary Prevention and Risk Reduction Therapy249 |
•Hypertension | NHLBI National Hypertension Education Program (JNC VII)617 |
•Diabetes | AHA/ADA CVD Prevention in DM Patients618 |
•HF | ACC/AHA/HFSA HF Guideline619 |
•Arrhythmia/arrhythmia risk | ACC/AHA/HRS DBT & AF Guidelines496,501 |
Psychosocial factors | |
•Sexual activity | AHA Scientific Statement on Sexual Activity and Cardiovascular Disease627a |
•Gender-specific issues | Cardiovascular Disease Prevention in Women Guidelines620 |
•Depression, stress, and anxiety | AHA Scientific Statement on Depression621 |
•Alcohol use | AHA/ACC 2011 Update: Secondary Prevention and Risk Reduction Therapy249 |
•Culturally sensitive issues | |
Provider follow-up | |
•Cardiologist | H2H Quality Initiative http://www.h2hquality.org |
•Primary care provider | |
•Advanced practice nurse/physician assistant | |
•Other relevant medical specialists | |
•Electronic personal health records | |
•Influenza vaccination | Centers for Disease Control Adult Vaccinations622 |
Patient/family education | |
•Plan of care for acute MI | AHA CPR Guideline201 |
•Recognizing symptoms of MI | |
•Activating EMS, signs and symptoms for urgent vs emergency evaluations | |
•CPR Training for family members | |
•Risk assessment & prognosis | |
•Advanced directives | |
•Social networks/social isolation | |
Socioeconomic factors | |
•Access to health insurance coverage | http://www.qualityforum.org/Topics/Care_Coordination.Aspx |
•Access to healthcare providers | |
•Disability | |
•Social services | |
•Community services |
AACVPR indicates American Association of Cardiovascular and Pulmonary Rehabilitation; ACC, American College of Cardiology; ACCF, American College of Cardiology Foundation; ACCP, American College of Chest Physicians; ACE, angiotensin-converting enzyme; ADA, American Diabetes Association; AF, atrial fibrillation; AHA, American Heart Association; ARB, angiotensin receptor blocker; CPR, cardiopulmonary resuscitation; CVD, cardiovascular disease; DBT, device-based therapy; DM, diabetes mellitus; EMS, emergency medical services; ESC, European Society of Cardiology; H2H, hospital-to-home; HF, heart failure; HFSA, Heart Failure Society of America; HRS, Heart Rhythm Society; JNC, Joint National Committee; MET, metabolic equivalent; MI, myocardial infarction; NHLBI, National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute; SIHD, stable ischemic heart disease; and STEMI, ST-elevation myocardial infarction.
11.1.2. Smoking Cessation
The value of smoking cessation for the secondary prevention of cardiovascular disease has been demonstrated in several prospective observational studies. A meta-analysis of cohort studies in patients after acute MI showed that smoking cessation reduced the subsequent cardiovascular mortality rate by nearly 50%,602 ranking it among the most powerful secondary prevention strategies.603 The SAVE (Sleep Apnea Cardiovascular Endpoints) study investigators reported that in selected patients with LV systolic dysfunction after MI, smoking cessation, compared with continued smoking, is associated with a 40% lower hazard of all-cause mortality and a 30% lower hazard of death, recurrent MI, or HF hospitalization.605
Reasonable evidence from RCTs indicates that counseling hospitalized smokers after acute MI increases smoking cessation rates, provided that the initial contact during the hospital stay is followed by repeated contacts, usually by telephone, for ≥3 months after discharge.603,604 Similarly, the odds of smoking cessation are greater among patients who receive discharge recommendations for cardiac rehabilitation.604 Patients with depressive symptoms during the MI hospitalization and early convalescence are less likely to quit smoking and may require more intensive treatment to achieve cessation.603,604 Counseling should be provided to the patient and family, along with pharmacological therapy as deemed safe, and access to formal smoking-cessation programs should be facilitated.
11.1.3. Cardiac Rehabilitation
The objectives of contemporary exercise-based cardiac rehabilitation are to increase functional capacity, decrease or alleviate anginal symptoms, reduce disability, improve quality of life, modify coronary risk factors, and reduce morbidity and mortality rates.598,613,614 Core components include patient assessment; ongoing medical surveillance; nutritional counseling; BP, lipid, and diabetes mellitus management; smoking cessation; psychosocial counseling; physical activity counseling; exercise training; and pharmacological treatment, as appropriate.614
Among 601 099 US Medicare beneficiaries who were hospitalized for coronary conditions or revascularization procedures, mortality rates were 21% to 34% lower among participants in cardiac rehabilitation programs than among nonparticipants.599 It has been suggested that contemporary reperfusion and cardioprotective drug therapies may diminish the impact of adjunctive exercise-based cardiac rehabilitation programs on post-MI survival rate. Taylor et al600 conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis of RCTs of cardiac rehabilitation with ≥6 months of follow-up. The study population included 8940 patients, a greater number were women (20% of the cohort), patients ≥65 years of age, and individuals who had undergone revascularization procedures. Compared with usual care, cardiac rehabilitation was associated with a reduction in total and cardiac mortality rates of 20% and 26%, respectively. Subgroup analyses showed that the decreased mortality rates did not differ across several patient subsets, between programs limited to exercise and those providing more comprehensive secondary interventions, or between pre- and post-1995 studies, which suggests that the mortality benefits of cardiac rehabilitation persist in the modern era. However, despite these impressive outcomes, cardiac rehabilitation services remain vastly underutilized.582,615
11.1.4. Systems of Care to Promote Care Coordination
Meaningful evidence has facilitated a much better understanding of the systems changes necessary to achieve safer care.616 This includes the adoption by all US hospitals of a standardized set of “Safe Practices” endorsed by the National Quality Forum,617 which overlap in many ways with the National Patient Safety Goals espoused by The Joint Commission.618 Examples of patient safety standards that should be ensured for all patients discharged after STEMI include improved communication among physicians, nurses, and pharmacists; medication reconciliation; careful transitions between care settings; and consistent documentation. The National Quality Forum also has endorsed a set of patient-centered “Preferred Practices for Care Coordination,”619 which detail comprehensive specifications that are necessary to achieve the goals of successful care coordination for patients and their families. Systems of care designed to support patients with STEMI and other cardiac diseases can result in significant improvement in patient outcomes. To provide the interventions and services listed in Table 14, appropriate resources must be applied to ensure that all patients with STEMI have full access to evidence-based therapies and follow-up care. There is a growing emphasis on penalizing hospitals for avoidable hospital readmissions. Hence, it is imperative for health systems to work in partnership with physicians, nurses, pharmacists, communities, payers, and public agencies to support the interventions that achieve such comprehensive care.
12. Unresolved Issues and Future Research Directions
The writing committee has identified several areas pertaining to the management of patients with STEMI that deserve further research. Although the observations from the Swedish STEMI registry showing an association between the increased use of evidence-based treatments and declining mortality rates after STEMI are encouraging,18 additional efforts to improve patient outcomes are needed. There is widespread acknowledgment that progress in closing existing knowledge and performance gaps will require contributions from a wide range of investigators, dedicated clinicians, hospital and health plan administrators, regional emergency response systems, and both government and private payers.631
12.1. Patient Awareness
Delay times from onset of symptoms to activation of STEMI care pathways remain unacceptably long.51,631 Multicultural efforts to educate, reassure, and motivate at-risk patients and their families are needed. Comparable efforts to improve adherence and attention to healthy lifestyle behaviors as the cornerstones of secondary prevention are required at time of discharge and as an integral feature of cardiac rehabilitation programs.
12.2. Regional Systems of Care
The adoption of regional systems of care for patients with STEMI across diverse geographical areas has proved challenging, and inappropriate delays to initiation of reperfusion therapy are common.632 As previously emphasized, attention should be focused on reducing the total ischemic time, from onset of symptoms to successful reperfusion. Several factors in addition to patient activation of EMS contribute to delays, not all of which can be reconciled. Areas for continued research include prehospital EMS protocols, the approach to out-of-hospital cardiac arrest, triage and transfer algorithms, rapid availability of expert PCI services, and further refinement of the clinical and time-related factors that should prompt earlier use of fibrinolytic therapy coupled with immediate transfer for PCI.129,633–635 The lack of correlation between shorter D2B times and reduced mortality should drive further efforts to improve all aspects of STEMI care.636 Regional systems should track, analyze, and report all STEMI and out-of-hospital cardiac arrest events as part of an ongoing process-improvement program.
12.3. Transfer and Management of Non–High-Risk Patients After Administration of Fibrinolytic Therapy
The indications for and timing of transfer for angiography with a view toward revascularization of non–high-risk patients after successful fibrinolysis are still debated. Although there has been increasing activation of this pathway, the evidence base for its justification is still limited.358,360,365
12.4. Antithrombotic Therapy
The optimum choice of P2Y12 receptor inhibitor and anticoagulant agents for patients with STEMI can be challenging. Individual genetic variability in drug absorption, metabolism, and effectiveness has been highlighted by the experience with clopidogrel in patients with ACS.285,637 The risks of bleeding also may vary across racial and ethnic groups.12 The roles of platelet function testing and genetic screening for clopidogrel metabolism in the acute phase of STEMI care are uncertain,289 especially with the availability of alternative P2Y12 receptor inhibitors. More information specific to patients with STEMI is needed with regard to the use of prasugrel, ticagrelor, novel factor Xa and IIa antagonists, and platelet protease–activated receptor 1 antagonists.638,639 The efficacy and safety of combination (“triple”) antithrombotic therapy must be addressed continuously,525,537 while less hazardous approaches are tested. Bleeding rates with radial versus femoral artery access for PCI warrant further prospective study.561
12.5. Reperfusion Injury
Aside from manual aspiration thrombectomy, efforts to counteract the “no-reflow” phenomenon and to limit myocardial reperfusion injury have had limited success. The value of aspiration thrombectomy in patients with anterior STEMI has been questioned.223 Remote ischemic preconditioning has engendered little enthusiasm. Trials evaluating the use of antithrombotic and vasodilator agents have been disappointing. New biological, pharmacological, and mechanical strategies should be investigated to facilitate prompt recovery of tissue-level perfusion.220,640–642,644 In addition, high-dose statin pretreatment before primary or delayed PCI for STEMI requires further study.645
12.6. Approach to Noninfarct Artery Disease
There is great variability in the evaluation and management of nonculprit coronary artery disease in stable patients without HF or shock, both at the time of primary PCI and later during the hospital course. Physiological assessment of lesion significance is often not performed, and the decision to proceed with PCI is made on anatomic grounds. More work is needed to clarify the indications for and timing of noninfarct artery revascularization.218,224,228,229
12.7. Prevention of SCD
Prediction of electrical vulnerability and SCD risk after STEMI is fraught with imprecision. Treatment decisions rely almost exclusively on parameters of LV systolic function. Optimal therapy for at-risk individuals in the time window between discharge and 40 days, the time point after which ICD therapy is currently recommended, has not been established. Improved prediction rules and validated treatment recommendations are urgently needed.646
12.8. Prevention of HF
Much progress has been made to limit LV remodeling, though there remains substantial room for improvement, beginning with the timeliness of reperfusion and initiation of ACE inhibitor/ARB therapy.627 The superimposition of ischemic mitral regurgitation adds further to the risks of HF and death. Continued exploration of the roles of cell- and gene-based therapies after STEMI is encouraged.647–656
Presidents and Staff
American College of Cardiology Foundation
William A. Zoghbi, MD, FACC, President
Thomas E. Arend, Jr, Esq, CAE, Interim Chief Staff Officer
William J. Oetgen, MD, MBA, FACC, Senior Vice President, Science and Quality
Charlene L. May, Senior Director, Science and Clinical Policy
American College of Cardiology Foundation/American Heart Association
Lisa Bradfield, CAE, Director, Science and Clinical Policy
Debjani Mukherjee, MPH, Associate Director, Evidence-Based Medicine
Sarah Jackson, MPH, Specialist, Science and Clinical Policy
American Heart Association
Donna K. Arnett, PhD, MSPH, BSN, FAHA, President
Nancy Brown, Chief Executive Officer
Rose Marie Robertson, MD, FAHA, Chief Science Officer
Gayle R. Whitman, PhD, RN, FAHA, FAAN, Senior Vice President, Office of Science Operations
Judy Bezanson, DSN, RN, CNSMS, FAHA, Science and Medicine Advisor, Office of Science Operations
Jody Hundley, Production Manager, Scientific Publications, Office of Science Operations
Footnotes
*
The proposed time windows are system goals. For any individual patient, every effort
†
Balloon angioplasty without stent placement may be used in selected patients.
‡
The recommended maintenance dose of aspirin to be used with ticagrelor is 81 mg daily.
§
Although individual circumstances will vary, clinical stability is defined by the absence of low output, hypotension, persistent tachycardia, apparent shock, highgrade ventricular or symptomatic supraventricular tachyarrhythmias, and spontaneous recurrent ischemia.
‖
Risk factors for cardiogenic shock (the greater the number of risk factors present, the higher the risk of developing cardiogenic shock) are age >70 years, systolic BP <120 mm Hg, sinus tachycardia =110 bpm or heart rate <60 bpm, and increased time since onset of symptoms of STEMI.
¶
These recommendations apply to patients who receive intracoronary stents during PCI for STEMI. Among individuals with STEMI who do not receive an intracoronary stent, the duration of DAPT beyond 14 days has not been studied adequately for patients who undergo balloon angioplasty alone, are treated with fibrinolysis alone, or do not receive reperfusion therapy. In this subset of patients with STEMI who do not receive an intracoronary stent, the threshold for initiation of oral anticoagulation for secondary prevention, either alone or in combination with aspirin, may be lower, especially if a shorter duration (ie, 14 days) of DAPT is planned.521
#
CHADS2 (Congestive heart failure, Hypertension, Age ≥75 years, Diabetes mellitus, previous Stroke/transient ischemic attack [doubled risk weight]) score.
**
Individual circumstances will vary and depend on the indications for triple therapy and the type of stent placed during PCI. After this initial treatment period, consider therapy with a vitamin K antagonist plus a single antiplatelet agent. For patients treated with fibrinolysis, consider triple therapy for 14 days, followed by a vitamin K antagonist plus a single antiplatelet agent.522–525
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