AngioJet thrombectomy and stenting for reperfusion in acute MI complicated with cardiogenic shock.

AngioJet thrombectomy (AJ) has been shown to be safe and effective in treatment of acute myocardial infarction (AMI). However, use of AJ has not been studied extensively in AMI with cardiogenic shock (CS). Clinical outcomes in 19 patients with CS and treated with AJ were retrospectively analyzed. Immediate stenting was also performed. Procedure success (final diameter stenosis < 50% and TIMI flow > or = 2) was achieved in 95%, with final TIMI 3 flow in 89%. Clinical success (procedure success without major in-hospital cardiac events) was achieved in 68%. There were five in-hospital deaths and no patients experienced stroke or required emergent bypass surgery. At 30-day follow-up, there were no additional deaths or stroke, and two patients had undergone target vessel revascularization. AJ is relatively safe and effective in the setting of AMI complicated with CS, allowing for immediate definitive treatment. This strategy may offer improved mortality in these high-risk patients. Copyright 2002 Wiley-Liss, Inc.