Extract

Background and study aims A heart attack happens because the coronary artery becomes blocked. If this block is not relieved within a certain time from the onset of symptoms then irreparable heart muscle damage occurs, which will impact on the patient's future prognosis. The standard of care for patients suffering heart attacks is to rush them to the catheter lab and use a wire, balloon and stent to open up and retain the lumen to restore blood flow (percutaneous coronary intervention [PCI]). In about 30% of patients other narrowings are found at the time of the procedure. Knowing what to do with these narrowings has become a contentious and hotly debated issue. Previous research suggests that the narrowing should not be treated, but a recent trial suggested there was benefit from treating them. Who can participate? Patients with suspected or proven acute myocardial infarction scheduled for PCI for clinical reasons. What does the study involve? Patients found to have narrowings in non-heart attack causing arteries were randomly allocated to one of two groups. One group was treated by opening the artery that was causing the heart attack and so restoring flow but not treating any other narrowings in other arteries. For the other group both the blocked artery and any noted significant narrowings were treated. What are the possible benefits and risks of participating? The risks of participating are not significant since the current standard of care is to undertake angioplasty on the artery causing the heart attack. Where is the study run from? University Hospitals of Leicester (UK) When is the study starting and how long is it expected to run for? April 2011 to May 2014 Who is funding the study? British Heart Foundation and Medical Research Council (MRC)/National Institutes of Health Research (NIHR) (UK) Who is the main contact? Prof Anthony Gershlick

Inclusion criteria

• ST elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI)

Links

• ictrp
• isrctn