Percutaneous coronary intervention improved outcomes of cardiac arrest after acute myocardial infarction: a 2-year study

Aim: To assess the effects of percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) on short-and long-term outcomes and complication incidence in resuscitated patients with cardiac arrest (CA) after acute myocardial infarction (AMI). Methods: In a retrospective study from January 2005 to April 2014, 2914 consecutive CA patients admitted to the Emergency Department were studied. All patients with CA after AMI with successful cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) were assessed and followed-up for 2 years. Results: A total of 104 patients with CA after AMI were resuscitated. The PCI group (n=63) showed significantly improved short-and long-term outcomes compared to the non-PCI group (n=41). Complication rates were similar between both groups. The PCI group contained 32 and 31 cardiogenic shock (CS) and non-CS patients, respectively. Angiography demonstrated that percent stenosis, not stenosis location, was determinant. Short-and long-term outcomes were similar between the two subgroups. In addition, PCI patients were divided into acute ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) (n=50) and non-STEMI (NSTEMI) (n=13) subgroups. Short-and long-term outcomes between these two subgroups were also similar. ClinicalTrials. gov:NCT02576691. Conclusions: PCI improved short-and long-term outcomes in patients with CA after AMI without increasing the occurrence of complications. Furthermore, patients who have experienced CA after AMI are suggested to undergo PCI, regardless of CS occurrence and electrocardiogram (ECG) findings.