Fractional flow reserve-guided complete revascularization versus culprit-only percutaneous coronary intervention in patients with myocardial infarction: A meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.

INTRODUCTION

The optimal revascularization strategy for patients with myocardial infarction (MI) and multivessel coronary artery disease (CAD) remains an area of research and debate. Fractional flow reserve (FFR)-guided complete revascularization (CR) by percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) has emerged as an alternative to traditional culprit-only PCI.

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the outcomes of FFR-guided CR versus culprit-only PCI in patients with MI and multivessel CAD.

METHODS

We systematically searched PubMed, Scopus and Cochrane Central databases for randomized controlled trials (RCTs) comparing FFR-guided CR versus culprit-only PCI in MI patients with multivessel CAD. Outcomes included a composite of all-cause death, MI, stroke and repeat revascularization, these individual outcomes, cardiac death, stent thrombosis (definite or probable), and contrast-induced acute kidney injury (CIAKI). Random effects models were used to generate risk ratios (RRs) with 95 % confidence intervals (CIs).

RESULT: The search identified 5 RCTs including 4618 patients with a median follow-up duration of 3 years. Compared with culprit-only PCI, FFR-guided CR was associated with less composite adverse events (RR 0.73; 95%CI 0.57-0.92; p = 0.009), cardiac death (RR 0.73; 95%CI 0.55-0.97; p = 0.03), and repeat revascularization (RR 0.61; 95%CI 0.44-0.84; p = 0.003). Both strategies were similar in terms of all-cause death, MI, stroke, stent thrombosis, and CIAKI.

CONCLUSION

FFR-guided complete revascularization appears to be superior to culprit-only PCI in reducing composite adverse events, cardiac death, and the need for repeat revascularization in patients with MI and multivessel CAD without a significant impact on recurrent myocardial infarction rates.

SOCIAL MEDIA ABSTRACT: 4618-patient meta-analysis: in MI w/ multivessel #CAD, #FFR-guided complete revascularization yields less composite adverse events, cardiac death & repeat revascularization than culprit-only #PCI.