Synergistic treatment of ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction with pharmacoinvasive recanalization

Both pharmacologic and mechanical approaches designed to limit infarct size by recanalization of infarct-related arteries have reduced mortality associated with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI). Early efforts to combine the two were attenuated because of complications encountered. Primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) and thrombolysis became viewed as alternative rather than complementary modalities. Time to recanalization and adequacy of restoration of perfusion were found to be pivotal determinants of a favorable outcome with either approach. Because pharmacologic intervention can be initiated immediately in virtually any hospital, it is a promising initial step. Because PCI proffers more complete recanalization, it may be a particularly salutary initial or subsequent step. Because of unavoidable delay often confronting implementation of PCI, optimal advantage may accrue from the use of both approaches in combination. We seek to emphasize the potential synergy by referring to the combined approach as "pharmacoinvasive recanalization" rather than by the conventional term "facilitated PCI." Virtually all patients with STEMI can benefit from prompt, sustained, and complete coronary recanalization. Thus, investigations focusing on identification of pharmacologic regimens that can safely initiate recanalization as early as possible, minimize bleeding, and broaden the temporal window available for efficacy of subsequent, optimally timed PCI should provide particularly valuable information.