Intracoronary Tirofiban on No-Reflow Phenomena

The no-reflow phenomenon is one of the most common causes of adverse cardiovascular events in patients with ST-elevated myocardial infarction (STEMI). Re-canalization of infarct related arterial (IRA) flow related to better ventricular performance and lower mortality rate in patients with STEMI. In addition, no-reflow phenomena may limit the benefits of re-canalization of the IRA.

In recent years, many mechanical or pharmacological treatment strategies including adjunctive administration of glycoprotein IIb/IIIa inhibitors (GPI) have been proposed in patients with STEMI. Although current guidelines recommend that small molecule GPI should be administered as an upstream bolus followed by a continuous infusion in patients with STEMI, changes in clinical practice may obviate the need for GPI dosage or routes in current practice. Previous studies have shown that intravenous and intracoronary administration of GPI improve the prognosis and significantly reduce mortality in patients with STEMI. Recently, the Ongoing Tirofiban in Myocardial infarction Evaluation-2 (ON-TIME 2) trial found that the use of tirofiban started during the pre-hospital phase as upstream therapy for primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) and continued for up to 18 hours infusion after the procedure showed an improvement in the markers of reperfusion. Additionally, a reduction was demonstrated in the death in recurrent myocardial infarction in urgent target vessel revascularization and thrombotic bailout. However, in the current literature there are insufficient data regarding the role of intracoronary administration of GPI inhibitors in patients with STEMI who developed the no-reflow phenomenon. The goal of this study was to evaluate the acute effect of intracoronary administration of tirofiban on no-reflow phenomenon in patients with STEMI and occurrence of no-reflow phenomenon undergoing primary PCI.

Inclusion criteria

• Patients with ST-elevated myocardial infarction who developed no-reflow phenomena

Exclusion criteria

• Treatment with thrombolytic drugs in the previous 24 hours
• Known malignancy
• Pain to balloon time >6 hours
• Uncontrolled hypertension (>180/110 mmHg)
• Bleeding diathesis
• Thrombocytopenia
• End-stage liver disease
• Cardiogenic shock
• Renal failure
• Life expectancy of less than 1 year
• Contraindication for the use of tirofiban.