Early myocardial surgical revascularization after ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction in multivessel coronary disease: bridge therapy is the solution?

Background: Many ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) patients have a multivessel disease that initially require percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) of the culprit vessel but subsequently may require coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) of nonculprit vessels. Evidence supports staged revascularization, but the identification of optimal strategies (percutaneous or surgical), the timing and the management of antiplatelet therapy after recent PCI with stenting are matters of great controversies.

Methods: In our retrospective registry, we have enrolled 21 patients presenting with STEMI and multivessel disease, who underwent PCI of the culprit vessel only and then CABG of nonculprit vessels.