Usefulness of virtual histology intravascular ultrasound to predict distal embolization for ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction.

Objectives: We aimed to predict the high-risk plaque of distal embolization after stent deployment in patients with acute ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) with Virtual Histology intravascular ultrasound (VH-IVUS) (Volcano Therapeutics, Inc., Rancho Cordova, California).

Background: Distal embolization during primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) carries a poor prognosis in patients with STEMI. However, it is unclear which plaque characteristics cause distal embolization after stent deployment.

Methods: A total of 71 patients with STEMI were included prospectively. All patients underwent primary PCI within 12 h of symptom onset. After crossing the lesion with a guidewire and performing thrombectomy with an aspiration catheter, VH-IVUS of the infarct-related vessel was performed. Stent deployment was then undertaken without embolic protection. ST-segment re-elevation (STR) was used to evaluate distal embolization. Correlations among plaque characteristics, morphology, and distal embolization were analyzed.

Results: The STR after stent deployment was observed in 11 patients (STR group, 15.5%). Necrotic core volume was significantly higher in the STR group than in the non-STR group (32.9 +/- 14.1 mm3 vs. 20.4 +/- 19.1 mm3, p < 0.05). Total plaque volume was similar in both groups. On receiver-operating characteristic analysis, necrotic core volume clearly predicted STR after stent deployment as compared with fibrous, fibro-lipid, dense calcium, and total plaque volumes. The necrotic core volume that was best predictive for STR was 33.4 mm3, with a sensitivity of 81.7% and a specificity of 63.6%.

Conclusions: Virtual Histology IVUS is a useful means of predicting the risk of distal embolization after primary stent deployment in patients with STEMI.