The Corporeality of Thromboaspiration: Introducing AVIS Protocol for Acute Coronary Syndromes with Large Thrombus Burden

Case Report

Austin J Cardiovasc Dis Atherosclerosis. 2024; 11(1): 1062.

The Corporeality of Thromboaspiration: Introducing AVIS Protocol for Acute Coronary Syndromes with Large Thrombus Burden

Tanuj Bhatia1; Sai Devrrat2; Aditya Kapoor3; Richa Sharma4; Roopali Khanna5; Abhishek Rastogi2

1Associate Professor & Cath Lab Director, Department of Cardiology, SGRR Medical College & SMI Hospital, Dehradun, India

2Senior Resident, Department of Cardiology, SGRR Medical College & SMI Hospital, Dehradun, India

3Professor & Head of the Department, Department of Cardiology, SGPGIMS, Lucknow, India

4Associate Professor, Department of Cardiology, SGRR Medical College & SMI Hospital, Dehradun, India

5Professor, Department of Cardiology, SGPGIMS, Lucknow, India

*Corresponding author: Tanuj Bhatia Associate Professor & Cath Lab Director, Department of Cardiology, SGRR Medical College & SMI Hospital, Dehradun, India. Email: tanujbhatia21@rediffmail.com

Received: January 25, 2024 Accepted: March 06, 2024 Published: March 13, 2024

Abstract

The Penumbra Cat Rx device has been shown to result in a safe and effective removal of thrombus, leading to improved outcomes even in high-risk patients. Here, we share our initial experience utilizing modern sustained mechanical thrombectomy in 21 patients with a significant thrombus burden. These patients were part of a diverse group with ST-Elevation Myocardial Infarction (STEMI) or STEMI equivalent conditions, and we also incorporated intracoronary imaging into the procedure. To the best of our knowledge, this represents the largest dataset from the Asia Pacific region involving the utilization of this innovative device and technique. Additionally, we introduce the “AVIS protocol” (routine mechanical thrombus Aspiration, intracoronary Vasodilators, Coronary Imaging followed by Stenting) as a potential method for managing acute STEMI cases with Large Thrombus Burden (LTB), which has the potential to greatly customize our approach for this specific group of patients undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention.

Introduction

Patients of Acute Coronary Syndromes (ACS), especially acute ST-Elevation Myocardial Infarction (STEMI) or STEMI equivalent often have Large Thrombus Burden (LTB). Though it is intuitive to consider that thrombosuction shall improve outcomes, earlier the practise of routine rheolytic thrombectomy has not shown to improve cardiovascular outcomes with thrombus aspiration [1-4]. The 2021 ACC/AHA/SCAI guidelines for Coronary Artery Revascularization [5] recommends thrombectomy as a “Class of Recommendation 3: No Benefit” on the basis of the trials (TOTAL, TAPAS, TASTE) [1-3]. However, the recent CHEETAH study [6] that utilised a sustained mechanical aspiration in contrast to the manual aspiration devices demonstrated an excellent angiographic outcome as well as no device related serious adverse events, in contrast to the TOTAL trial that demonstrated a small but statistically significant increased risk of stroke. On the other hand, the TOTAL trial did suggest additional dedicated studies focusing on high thrombus burden patients, with innovations in thromboaspiration might be specifically beneficial in LTB patients [1]. The Penumbra Cat Rx device [7] promises as safe and effective thrombus removal with better outcomes even in high-risk patients. Additionally, intravascular imaging especially Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT) promises to provide excellent resolution and documentation of residual thrombus burden as well as better post-procedure stent optimization [8]. Here we present our initial experience of the use with modern sustained mechanical thrombectomy in the 21 patients with large thrombus burden, in “all-comer” setting of STEMI or STEMI equivalent patients with Large Thrombus Burden (LTB), in conjunction with intracoronary imaging (IVUS or OCT), whenever feasible. All cases were performed between July 2023 and October 2023 at a high-volume centre running a 24 X 7 primary PCI programme. We also propose the “AVIS protocol” for the management of acute STEMI that may significantly tailor our approach for this subset of patients undergoing Percutaneous Coronary Intervention (PCI) that is almost always done on an “ad hoc basis” [9] and hence necessitates protocols in such situations.

Case Presentation

Out of total 21 cases, hereby we describe some of the complex cases in detail. Figures 1 and 2 show initial angiogram, post-Penumbra Cat Rx thromboaspiration angiogram and final angiogram of the six representative cases. Table 1 and central illustration represents grade of thrombus, TIMI flow and Myocardial Blush Grade for all 21 patients at initial angiogram, post-Penumbra Cat Rx thromboaspiration angiogram and at final angiogram. Table 2 outlines baseline characteristics of all the patients. Table 3 summarizes index myocardial infarction features of all patients. Table 4 provides angiographic details of all patients. Table 5 represents procedural details of all patients.