Debate: MitraClip. The heart failure expert perspective

QUESTION: Clinical practice guidelines have raised the recommendation level for the use of intravascular imaging during percutaneous revascularization procedures for complex lesions to class I. Can you briefly explain the basis for this change?

ANSWER: The change of recommendation made in the European Society of Cardiology (ESC) guidelines to class I and evidence level A for the management of chronic coronary syndrome1 is based on 5 main references: 3 randomized clinical trials published in 2023 in the N Engl J Med,2-4 which included a total of 5327 patients, and 2 meta-analyses published in the J Am Coll Cardiol (2023)5 and Lancet (2024),6 with a total of 38,648 patients. These trials showed a reduction in major cardiovascular adverse events and target vessel failure compared with the angiography-guided procedure alone.

Although only 1 of the randomized clinical trials2 did not show statistically significant benefits in the clinical endpoint of target vessel failure, it did show improvements in stent minimal area assessment by imaging, which were significantly greater in patients treated with optical coherence tomography (OCT). The studies mentioned in the guidelines were conducted in populations with complex lesions, including bifurcations,3,4 chronic total occlusions,2,4 diffuse disease (≥ 38 mm² or ≥ 28 mm²), severe calcification,2,4 multivessel disease,4 diffuse restenosis,2 ostial lesions,4 and left main coronary artery disease.3,4 The rates of diabetic patients varied across studies (18%,3 28%,4 and 40%2), and high rates of acute coronary syndrome were reported (50%4 and 59.5%2).

The most recent meta-analysis5 with 15,964 patients allocated to intravascular ultrasound (IVUS) or OCT vs coronary angiography-guided angioplasty showed a 45% reduction in cardiac death, a 18% reduction in target vessel myocardial infarction, a 28% reduction in lesion revascularization, a 61% reduction in stent thrombosis, a 25% reduction in all-cause mortality, and a 17% reduction in global infarction, with no significant differences being reported between IVUS and OCT.

Q.: According to data from the activity registry of the Interventional Cardiology Association of the Spanish Society of Cardiology (ACI-SEC), intravascular imaging is used in 15% of patients treated with percutaneous revascularization. Do you think this new recommendation will increase that figure? What are the barriers to greater implementation of these techniques?

A.: In the 2023 ACI-SEC registry,7 intracoronary imaging and pressure wire-guided percutaneous coronary interventions (PCI) remain stable at around 15% of cases, with 7% corresponding to IVUS and 3% to OCT; similar figures to those from 2022, with a slight increase in OCT use. The new European guidelines recommendation should encourage its use. However, there may be initial barriers to its implementation, including:

• – Cost: cost-effectiveness analyses have shown that despite higher initial procedural costs, both IVUS and OCT are favorable in the mid- and long-term due to the reduction in adverse events and reinterventions.8-10
• – Procedural time: the incorporation of intracoronary imaging may extend PCI procedural time. Although this time has been significantly reduced compared with the early days of the technique,11,12 it can vary depending on factors such as coronary anatomy, intervention complexity, the experience of the heart team, and the existence of systematic analysis protocols. New automatic or semi-automatic analysis programs and co-registration can reduce analysis times and, substantially, aid decision-making.
• – Team training: training in the use of devices and intracoronary imaging analysis should be incorporated into both basic interventional cardiology training and continuing education programs. This will be essential to minimize the immediate minimal incremental risks associated with its use2 and make it a systematic tool. Its integration has the potential to significantly reduce adverse events such as cardiac death and target vessel failure.5

Q.: Although, in general, the new recommendation is indicated for complex lesions, it particularly highlights left main coronary artery disease, true bifurcations, and long lesions. Could you elaborate which lesions, in your opinion, would benefit most from the use of intravascular imaging in treatment?

A.: The new clinical practice guidelines on the management of chronic coronary syndrome support the use of intracoronary imaging based on the above-mentioned studies,2-6 in which, at least, 5327 patients exhibited complex lesions. This represents about a third of all 15,964 patients included in the most recent meta-analysis;6 however, it also included other studies with patients with complex lesions, such as long lesions, left main coronary artery disease, ST-segment elevation and non-ST-segment elevation myocardial infarctions, and chronic total occlusions, as well as patients with less complex lesions. With current evidence, there are scenarios—rather than individual lesions—where the use of intracoronary imaging should be considered essential, such as left main coronary artery disease, coronary artery occlusions, complex bifurcations, severely calcified coronary lesions, PCI-related complications, spontaneous coronary dissection requiring intervention, long lesions, lesions with a high thrombotic burden, target lesion failure, diabetic patients, and those with multivessel disease.

Q.: The complexity of interventions is not only determined by anatomical complexity, as we know that there are clinical situations that impose challenges as well. In your opinion, what clinical scenarios or factors should encourage the use of intravascular imaging to optimize procedures?

A.: The use of intracoronary imaging is supported in virtually all clinical scenarios. Although the ESC guidelines on the management of chronic coronary syndrome1 have formalized its recommendation, the meta-analyses supporting this indication include both chronic and acute clinical contexts and address most coronary artery lesions, from simple to highly complex. Moreover, integrating coronary physiology with intracoronary imaging could be a key element to optimize outcomes in percutaneous coronary treatment offering a more precise approach to the intervention.13

Q.: In general, when do you use intravascular imaging?

A.: In my routine clinical practice, I use intracoronary imaging primarily in complex PCI cases, such as left main coronary artery disease, diffuse disease, chronic total occlusions, bifurcations not treated with provisional stent techniques, or severely calcified coronary lesions, as well as in cases of treatment failure of previously treated segments and PCI-related complications. I foresee incorporating intracoronary imaging systematically in diabetic patients and in the planning of treatments with drug-eluting balloons to optimize results and further individualize the intervention strategy.

Q.: When you use imaging, when do you prefer IVUS and when OCT?

A.: In my everyday practice, I rather use IVUS for the evaluation of left coronary artery disease, in unstable patients, in those with renal insufficiency, in cases of high thrombotic burden, dissection, and for managing PCI-related complications. Conversely, I use the OCT in situations of target lesion failure, both in stents and in segments previously treated with drug-eluting balloons, in severely calcified coronary lesions, and in cases of diffuse disease, particularly in diabetic patients, in whom co-registration helps to more precisely delineate the segments that need to be treated.

FUNDING

None declared.

STATEMENT ON THE USE OF ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE

No artificial intelligence was used in the development of the concept of this manuscript.

CONFLICTS OF INTEREST

None declared.

REFERENCES

QUESTION: We would like to know your interpretation of the PREVENT trial.1 Do you think it could change clinical practice regarding the treatment of vulnerable plaques?

ANSWER: The PREVENT is the first clinical trial ever conducted with statistical power to detect clinical differences in preventive treatment with stent implantation in functionally non-significant vulnerable plaques (fractional flow reserve [FFR] > 0.80, obtained via intracoronary pressure wire).1 This trial included patients with vulnerable plaques diagnosed using various intracoronary imaging modalities, who were randomized to receive stent implantation or optimal medical therapy. Approximately 2000 out of the 5500 lesions evaluated in the study were functionally significant (FFR ≤ 0.80), while 1600 (45%) out the remaining functionally non-significant 3500 lesions had vulnerable plaque criteria and were included in the study. The primary endpoint at the 2-year follow-up—a composite of cardiac death, target vessel myocardial infarction, target vessel revascularization, or hospitalization for unstable angina—was observed in 0.4% of the intervention group and 3.4% of the control group (a statistically significant difference). Despite this favorable result, the PREVENT trial has important limitations that raise questions on the implementation of this practice in everyday life.

First, more than 80% of the patients from the PREVENT trial were included with a chronic coronary syndrome (CCS). If we admit that the reason behind preventive treatment with stent implantation in vulnerable plaques is to prevent the rupture of the plaque and, therefore, reduce the risk of an acute coronary syndrome (ACS), then a population with low risk of ischemic events has been included at the follow-up. The CLARIFY registry2 helps us to put into context the residual risk of a properly treated coronary patient. In this registry with 32,000 patients, the risk of non-fatal myocardial infarction or cardiac death for those with CCS who had never experienced an ACS was 6.4% (9.1% at the 5-year follow-up for those with a history of myocardial infarction, which is a statistically significant difference).

Second, in the PREVENT trial, a total of 3 different intracoronary imaging modalities were used for the diagnosis of vulnerable plaques, any of them at the discretion of the operator performing the test based on their experience: intravascular ultrasound (IVUS), near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS), or optical coherence tomography (OCT). Furthermore, different criteria for vulnerable plaques were marked depending on the imaging modality used, which very likely included multiple anatomical types of plaques. In general, almost 60% of all vulnerable plaques included were defined with IVUS by a minimum luminal area < 4 mm2 and a plaque burden > 70%, with no mention of plaque composition. We know that most lesions causing ACS are fibro-lipid plaques with rupture of the (thin) fibrous cap covering their necrotic core.3 Fibrous plaques, thick-capped fibro-lipid plaques, or fibrocalcific plaques do not usually trigger ACS and are more associated with CCS. Probably, in the PREVENT trial, preventive stent implantation was overused for many plaques that did not meet these vulnerable plaque requirements after the use of an inappropriate intravascular imaging modality and choosing vulnerable plaque criteria that do not correspond to the types of plaques that can cause ACS.

Finally, in the PREVENT trial, all clinical benefit observed in favor of the mechanical treatment of vulnerable plaques derived from a reduction in the number of revascularizations and hospitalizations for unstable angina, without any significant differences being reported in the risk of non-fatal myocardial infarction or cardiac death, even at the 7-year follow-up. In the FAME 1 trial,4 which included patients with CCS and multivessel coronary artery disease, we learned that FFR-guided coronary revascularization reduces the number of lesions to be treated by around 40%, and that the optimal medical therapy—without stent—of these functionally non-significant lesions has similar efficacy to the revascularization of all angiography-guided only lesions in addition to being safe and cost-effective at the 5-year follow-up. Going back to the PREVENT trial, the preventive and elective revascularization of 45% of functionally non-significant lesions (FFR > 0.80) with criteria of vulnerable plaque to prevent only 3% of clinically driven target lesion revascularizations at the 7-year follow-up does not seem to offer a great clinical benefit and raises questions about cost-effectiveness. To change clinical practice, results with reductions in non-fatal myocardial infarction and cardiac death at the follow-up are needed.

Q.: Very briefly, what is the current state of evidence on the mechanical treatment of coronary plaques that do not compromise flow but show characteristics of vulnerability?

A.: Scientific evidence on preventive stent implantation in functionally non-significant coronary plaques with characteristics of vulnerable plaque is scarce. Post-hoc studies with patients assessed with OCT before stent implantation and at the follow-up show that stent implantation on thin fibrous cap fibroatheroma plaques—also known as vulnerable plaques—induces scarring of the neointima surrounding the struts, thickening of the fibrous cap, and potentially reduces the risk of plaque rupture.5

To date, only 2 prospective, randomized trials have investigated the utility of stenting on vulnerable plaques: the PROSPECT-ABSORB6 and PREVENT1 clinical trials. These 2 trials found significant differences in favor of mechanical intervention. However, as already mentioned, these trials have important limitations regarding the number of patients included (< 2000 combined), the intracoronary imaging modality used to define vulnerable plaque (mainly IVUS), and the endpoints that are not adequate to assess efficacy (clinical benefit obtained by reducing the need for revascularization, not the rate of non-fatal myocardial infarction or cardiac death).

A pilot study on the use of drug-coated balloons for treating vulnerable plaques—the DEBuT-LRP7 trial7—is also worth mentioning. This trial included a total of 18 patients who were assessed with NIRS during the index procedure and at the 9-month follow-up, and whose results showed that the amount of lipid decreased without affecting lumen size. However, much more evidence will be needed before recommending this treatment for vulnerable plaques.

Q.: In your opinion, in current clinical practice, which patients would be eligible for this strategy, if any?

A.: There is no clear answer to this question. What we do know is that atherosclerosis is a progressive disease. Patients with a past medical history of coronary artery disease who do not receive lipid-lowering therapy or receive non-intensive lipid-lowering therapy show plaque progression of, approximately, 1% every 2 years.8,9 It is estimated that only 65% of the patients on intensive lipid-lowering therapy capable of reducing low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol to < 70 mg/dL manage to stop the rate of lipid accumulation and even reduce the percent atheroma volume in serial IVUS assessments.8,10 Of note that more marked reductions in LDL cholesterol are associated with changes in the plaque composition and thickening of the fibrous cap of vulnerable plaques in serial OCT assessments.11 For these reasons, the latest clinical practice guidelines recommend reducing LDL cholesterol levels to < 55 mg/dL in patients with a history of clinical signs of atherosclerotic disease and < 40 mg/dL in patients with recurrent clinical events.12

However, in our setting, the percentage of patients who reach guideline-recommended levels is only around 30% (even lower in very high-risk patients).13 Therefore, although prioritizing the implementation of guideline-recommended intensive lipid-lowering therapies in the real world according to clinical practice is essential, we must acknowledge that, in many patients, these therapies will prove insufficient, especially in those with ACS.

In my opinion, patients with ACS are the best population for considering this strategy of mechanical stabilization of vulnerable plaques. ACS patients due to a ruptured plaque have an aggressive type of atherosclerosis with a massive plaque burden and more vulnerable plaques than patients with CCS,3 which makes them ideal candidates for the “hunt” of vulnerable plaques using intravascular imaging modalities of the infarct-related culprit artery and the rest of the vessels.

Q.: Briefly explain the VULNERABLE trial, which you lead along with Enrique Gutiérrez Ibañes and its current status.

A.: The Spanish Society of Cardiology Working Group on Intracoronary Diagnostic Techniques has promoted the conduct of the randomized, controlled, and single-blind VULNERABLE trial14 with more than 40 Spanish centers. This trial aims to evaluate around 2000 patients with ST-elevation myocardial infarction and angiographically intermediate non-culprit lesions (percent diameter stenosis of 40% up to 69%). All amenable lesions will be interrogated with a pressure wire, and those with FFR ≤ 0.80 will be stented and considered selection failures. The rest of the lesions (FFR > 0.80) will be investigated by OCT looking for characteristics of vulnerability. Although the lesions that do not meet characteristics of vulnerability will be managed medically, they will receive periodic follow-ups to assess adverse events (within the so-called VULNERABLE Registry). Finally, the study intends to include a total of 600 lesions with negative FFR but with characteristics of vulnerability according to the OCT, which will be randomized on a 1:1 ratio to stent implantation or optimal medical therapy (within the VULNERABLE trial). There is a 4-year planned follow-up for the patients of the registry and trial. The VULNERABLE is the first trial ever conducted with statistical power to assess the clinical benefit of preventive stent implantation on non-culprit lesions with characteristics of vulnerability according to the OCT, which in our opinion is the best intracoronary imaging modality to diagnose these types of plaques.

FUNDING

None declared.

DECLARATION ON THE USE OF ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE

No artificial intelligence has been used.

CONFLICTS OF INTEREST

None declared.

REFERENCES

QUESTION: We would like to know your interpretation of the PREVENT trial.1 Do you think it could change clinical practice regarding the treatment of vulnerable plaques?

ANSWER: The PREVENT1 is an open-label clinical trial comparing coronary intervention plus optimal medical therapy versus optimal medical treatment alone in patients with high-risk vulnerable plaques without flow limitation. In the group undergoing coronary intervention combined with optimal medical therapy, this trial demonstrated a 46% relative risk reduction (odds ratio, 0.54; 95% confidence interval [95%CI], 0.33-0.87; P = .0097) for the primary endpoint—a composite of cardiac death, target vessel myocardial infarction, ischemia-driven target vessel revascularization, or hospitalization due to unstable or progressive angina—2 years after randomization. Furthermore, this effect was maintained in each component of the primary endpoint, and during the study follow-up.

Although current clinical practice guidelines do not indicate coronary intervention for this type of lesion, this trial paves the way for reflection on several aspects.

We could argue that what this trial is truly analyzing is a focal preventive treatment of vulnerable plaque—which, by current definition, is what is being done—or if this approach should be considered a true focal treatment, if we consider vulnerable plaque as a “diseased plaque.” Until now, interventional treatment of coronary atheromatous plaques was based on the presence or absence of significant flow limitation while disregarding the structure or composition of the plaque. However, we do know that the progression of these plaques is highly variable and depends on many factors, including the pro-inflammatory state. The patients included in the study had high-risk vulnerable plaques, e.g, plaques prone to rupture that do not limit flow. However, focal treatment combined with optimal medical therapy may improve prognosis.

With regard to risk factor control, there seem to be no differences between the 2 study groups, which could be indicative that early interventional treatment with optimal medical therapy would be the most effective option. However, we lack data on the patients’ inflammatory status, levels of other lipid fractions—such as lipoprotein (a)—or lifestyle habits such as diet, which could be variables of interest in the progression and vulnerability of atheromatous plaques. On the other hand, the optimal medical therapy considered in the study seems somewhat limited, because it does not include therapies capable of improving these patients’ cardiovascular prognosis, such as proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9 (PCSK9) inhibitors and glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonists. The higher percentage of patients on dual antiplatelet therapy from the intervention group—which could favor results in this group—cannot be overlooked either.

Although this trial may not systematically change clinical practice due to the unfeasibility of a global strategy for studying all vulnerable plaques, it should prompt us to reflect on the need to evaluate coronary atherosclerosis beyond visual stenosis to identify higher-risk patients who need a combined strategy of coronary intervention plus optimal medical therapy.

Q: Could you summarize the current state of evidence regarding the pharmacological treatment of vulnerable plaques?

A: Although there are studies on plaque reduction using different approaches for risk factor control,2 the most recent ones conducted with more advanced imaging modalities emphasize the need to not only modify the volume and content of the plaque but also its composition and stability.

The PACMAN-AMI trial3 demonstrated that treatment with alirocumab (150 mg biweekly) plus rosuvastatin (20 mg) reduced the volume of plaque, its lipid content, and increased the fibrous cap of non-culprit lesions. Evolocumab reduced the volume of plaque too in the GLAGOV trial4 and improved composition in the HUYGENS trial.5

The ARQUITECH trial6 conducted with patients with familial hypercholesterolemia without atherosclerotic disease and on intensive lipid-lowering therapy with alirocumab (150 mg) plus statins stabilized atheromatous plaque measured by non-invasive coronary angiography.

Although studies on plaque reduction with statins have been favorable, the stabilization results obtained when adding PCSK9 inhibitors to the mix have been better, probably due to the possibility of achieving lower plasma concentrations of low-density lipoproteins (LDL) and their action on different metabolic pathways.2

Regarding other drugs used to treat cardiovascular disease, there is controversy surrounding omega-3 fatty acids. However, the EVAPORATE trial7 demonstrated that icosapent ethyl reduced the volume of plaque, although with no data on its composition. The use of sodium-glucose co-transporter type 2 (SGLT2) inhibitors8 has been associated with increased fibrous cap thickness and reduced lipid arc and degree of macrophage activation as evaluated by optical coherence tomography in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus and non-obstructive multivessel disease.

Studies with antihypertensive drugs have not been consistent regarding the reduction of plaque volume and composition.2 Anti-inflammatory drugs, such as colchicine9 have been shown to reduce the volume of low attenuation plaque in the non-invasive coronary angiography.

Although the pharmacological approach to vulnerable plaque is the treatment of choice in cardiovascular prevention, the most compelling evidence of clinical trials on plaque stabilization comes from intensive lipid-lowering therapy, which achieves more significant LDL reductions. Nevertheless, we must consider that the positive results of clinical trials regarding lifestyle changes and pharmacological therapies that have been shown to reduce cardiovascular events, may partly be due to plaque stabilization.

Q.: Traditionally, treatment modulation in secondary prevention has been associated with the levels of lipids, glycosylated hemoglobin, or blood pressure, among other factors. Do you think treatment should also be modulated by the presence of vulnerable plaques? And if so, how would you approach it?

A.: Current clinical practice guidelines do not make any special mention of the presence of high-risk plaques or the possibilities of specific treatment.

Cardiovascular risk assessment by current scores guides the pharmacological management of patients. In those without a previous event, treatment goals for controlling LDL and blood pressure will depend on the risk category. However, in those with established cardiovascular disease or equivalent risk—very high risk—the goals are the same for all patients.

To answer this question, we need to clarify the concept of vulnerable plaque: one that has a higher likelihood of disruption and thrombosis, resulting in a greater probability of causing an adverse cardiovascular event.10 The presence or absence of vulnerable plaque determines the use of invasive or non-invasive diagnostic techniques, which have certain limitations. All in all, these are not widely available tests to make global assessments of all patients for risk reclassification. Moreover, plaques are dynamic and can change due to several factors.

If we had available and reliable techniques to identify vulnerable plaques that could trigger therapeutic changes, they could be used in patients with moderate or high vascular risk—through non-invasive techniques—to eventually propose a change in therapeutic objectives. However, currently, this is not possible, and we would need to identify other risk criteria to find patients who would benefit the most from this strategy. For those with symptoms and an indication for invasive coronary angiography due to established cardiovascular disease, it would be worth considering the invasive study of vulnerable plaques in light of the PREVENT trial results,1 as this procedure could be considered the plaque focal treatment, while identifying risk criteria to facilitate and expedite evaluation.

Q.: Currently, what can non-invasive imaging contribute to identifying these types of plaques?

A: Coronary computed tomography angiography is a thriving imaging modality for studying plaques, allowing for the evaluation of the degree of stenosis, extent of calcification, and morphology. It has been shown that there is a correlation between the size of plaque attenuation and the occurrence of cardiovascular events.2 Although this imaging modality has the advantages of being non-invasive and allowing for easier visualization of all coronary arteries, its accuracy is lower than that of invasive imaging modalities.11 In the latest clinical practice guidelines on the management of chronic coronary syndrome, coronary computed tomography angiography has an IA indication for diagnosing coronary artery disease in patients with low or moderate probability.12

Although magnetic resonance imaging can assess coronary thickness, stenosis, and plaque remodeling, more experience with this imaging modality and additional time for execution are needed.2 Positron emission tomography can detect areas of inflammation and calcification, but it has certain limitations in plaque evaluation. The combination of these 3 imaging modalities could provide us with very useful information; however, currently, non-invasive imaging modalities for detecting vulnerable plaques have limitations. Although non-invasive coronary angiography is the most developed of the 3, availability may depend on each center.

FUNDING

None declared.

STATEMENT ON THE USE OF ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE

No artificial intelligence has been used.

CONFLICTS OF INTEREST

None declared.

REFERENCES

QUESTION: In your center, which patients with cardiogenic shock due to myocardial infarction are currently considered candidates for extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO)?

ANSWER: Several factors influence the decision to use an ECMO-type mechanical circulatory support device in patients admitted for acute myocardial infarction (AMI) complicated by cardiogenic shock. When we’re dealing with shock, we can quantify its severity through a detailed clinical assessment and by analyzing various hemodynamic parameters. These can be easily obtained at admission using straightforward imaging techniques like echocardiography, even at the bedside. Key factors such as mean arterial pressure, lactate levels, and urine output are crucial here. ECMO support can make a real difference in these cases, acting as a bridge therapy until we can treat the underlying cause, see improvement, or until we move to long-term ventricular assist devices or heart transplantation.

However, it’s important to remember that some factors cannot be modified by mechanical circulatory support devices. These include the patient’s biological age, overall frailty, severe comorbidities, and the depth of coma following cardiac arrest. These elements should be assessed as objectively as possible because they play a significant role in determining the patient’s overall prognosis.

In clinical practice, if we could focus purely on high hemodynamic risk, it would be reasonable to conclude that, at this point, it’s difficult to justify escalating to ECMO—with all its associated complications—in patients at stage C of the SCIA (Society of Cardiovascular Angiography and Interventions) classification. This is especially true if we´ve already successfully treated the triggering cause (for example, percutaneous revascularization of an ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction). At stage C, the patient is typically stable and well-perfused on fixed doses of usually just one drug. So, why take on additional risks?

While we still have a lot to learn, ECMO can be a game-changer for patients who worsen after early first-line therapy, particularly in stages D/ E of the SCAI classification. This is especially the case when there’s a delay in resolving the underlying cause or we can’t correct it—like a myocardial infarction with onset more than 12 to 24 hours previously, a final Thrombolysis in Myocardial Infarction (TIMI) flow of 0-1, or no-reflow phenomena.

Finally, when we’re dealing with patients in SCAI stages D/ E who’ve been resuscitated from cardiac arrest and are admitted in a comatose state, they’re automatically at high hemodynamic and neurological risk. Given that post-anoxic encephalopathy is the leading cause of death in these patients, it wouldn’t be reasonable to ignore factors related to survival with good neurological outcome (Cerebral Performance Category 1-2) when we’re considering whether to escalate therapy. In these situations, our approach should probably resemble the strategies used in ECMO-assisted CPR for refractory cardiac arrest. The key here is to avoid futile interventions by sticking to strict criteria and protocols.

At our center, with our extensive experience in managing cardiac arrest and postresuscitation care, we consider ECMO implantation for patients in shock after an AMI in SCAI stages D/E, but under specific conditions. We’re talking about patients whose cardiac arrest was witnessed, ideally with immediate resuscitation—or if not, with no-flow times under 5 minutes—a nontraumatic cause, and an initial shockable rhythm, especially in out-of-hospital arrests. We also pay close attention to indicators of the quality of resuscitation efforts, like initial pH levels and end-tidal CO₂. Now, if the predictors of neurological recovery are unfavorable, we usually stick to the classic approach for managing shock, at least initially. Because these patients are at high risk for postanoxic encephalopathy, we make sure our postresuscitation efforts carefully adhere to international guidelines, which currently include temperature control. But if, after the immediate period, we start to see signs that suggest a benefit from escalating therapy—like a return of consciousness or low suppression rates on cerebral monitoring in the first 6 to 24 hours1—and if the patient is still in shock at SCAI stage D/ E, we would then reopen the discussion about ECMO implantation.

As you can see, this process is much more complex and demands significantly more time and resources. Sure, it might be easier to place ECMO without considering all these factors, but what would be the point? Are we just looking at the potential for organ donation?

So, to sum up, at our center, we take a case-by-case approach to patient selection. We reserve ECMO for those who don’t respond significantly and rapidly to shock treatment—like primary angioplasty—in SCAI stages D/E, and who don’t have other short-term poor prognostic factors.

Q: Has your strategy changed after the results of the ECLS-SHOCK trial?2

A: The ECLS-SHOCK trial has reinforced our routine practice. We’ve never been an “ECMO for all” center because ECMO isn’t without its risks and certainly shouldn’t be the first-line treatment for all patients with an AMI complicated by cardiogenic shock. What this study has done is push us to continue emphasizing a tailored approach through our multidisciplinary Shock Team, which has expertise in both clinical care and mechanical circulatory support. A characteristic that adds quality to our process is the team’s 24/7 availability. These cases often don’t follow a 9-to-5 schedule—they can occur at any time, including late at night or on nonworking days. Delays in diagnosing and treating the underlying cause or in stabilizing the patient can significantly impair outcomes. That’s why, in managing cardiogenic shock after an AMI, we’ve been adopting strategies similar to primary angioplasty, such as aiming to achieve a less than 90-minute interval from the first medical contact to ECMO implantation.

We believe it’s not just ECMO alone but the combination of all the elements involved in the decision-making and treatment process that can truly change the course in patients in shock after an AMI. An example of this is the in-hospital mortality rates reported by the National Shock Initiative in the United States, which are around 25% to 30%.3 These numbers are much lower than the 40% to 50% 30-day mortality rates reported by many centers, even tertiary hospitals, that don’t have a specific focus on managing cardiogenic shock.

Q: We would like to know your overall view on the most positive and, also, most controversial aspects of this study.

A: Just a few of the factors that make it difficult to generate evidence through randomized trials in acute cardiac care are the patients’ clinical status, the cost of treatment, and the ethical implications of not offering all available resources to someone on the brink of death. Very few authors are willing to undertake such studies, and even fewer actually see them through to completion. So we really have to give credit to those who do. That said, the study in question is negative, and we need to carefully interpret the information we’ve got. There are several limitations that we can’t ignore when evaluating its results and applying them to our routine clinical practice.

Recruiting a sample of that size for a complex disease within a reasonable timeframe sometimes requires some leeway. In fact, randomized clinical trials often end up sacrificing some of the more “clinical” aspects to ensure the studies are feasible. For instance, Thiele et al.2 have tried to show the benefits of early and nonselective ECMO use in patients with shock after an AMI who are scheduled for revascularization. But does this really address the core question we need to answer to improve patient outcomes? Are all patients truly eligible for ECMO?

In my opinion, this “ECMO for all” mindset goes against all the work we’ve been doing for years to identify the patients who might benefit the most from ventricular assist devices. Why have we developed so many concepts related to etiology, phenotypes, metabolism, risk stratification scales, and modifying factors? What’s the point of having Cardiac Shock Centers—those top-tier facilities with the best resources and expertise—unless it’s to improve the care of these patients? The aim of the study is, to say the least, surprising, especially considering that the lead author is part of the key working groups focused on this area.4

The main weaknesses of the study are that it didn’t consider the type of AMI—over 40% of the patients had non-ST-elevation acute coronary syndrome. Also, half of the patients were in SCAI stage C and were still considered for ECMO, but in clinical practice, it’s rare to implant ECMO in this group. Neurological death is undoubtedly a competing risk in patients who have recovered from a cardiac arrest (77.7% in this study), so it’s surprising that there is only one exclusion criterion related to neurological issues (duration > 45 minutes) and that it’s somewhat arbitrarily defined. Since postanoxic encephalopathy wasn’t considered in patient selection, high-quality postresuscitation care should have been a priority, but it wasn’t. Lastly, the high rate of vascular complications, the percentage of ventricular unloading, and the limited access of a younger population with shock after an AMI to therapies such as long-term assist devices or heart transplantation, make one wonder about the experience of the participating centers in managing these patients (47 centers were involved but included only 44 patients, with 61.4% being tertiary centers).

Q: Do you think a new study on this topic is needed?

A: Absolutely. Cardiogenic shock is still the most serious unresolved issue in the context of AMI, and circulatory support, in this case ECMO, has a very sound rationale. Even with the overall negative results of this study, we cannot stop research in this area.

The next study should avoid some of the possible causes of failure, such as by: a) selecting the best candidates, as patients with shock are a widely heterogeneous group; b) minimizing the delay time before treatment; c) ensuring that participating hospitals have greater experience with the technique and, possibly, better outcomes; d) increasing the sample size, as has been necessary in the vast majority of clinical trials that have demonstrated clear benefits and have had an impact on reducing mortality—from more than 30% in the early days of coronary care units to about 5% today, which undoubtedly requires adequate funding; e) reducing or avoiding crossover (in this case, more than 27% switched to ECMO or other types of support); f) ensuring that participation and teamwork are concentrated in a single study; and g) if the study selects the best candidates and shows positive results, then it would be time to consider expanding the indications. Until we get all of this right, we should avoid the widespread use of ECMO in cardiogenic shock after an AMI.

FUNDING

None declared.

DECLARATION ON THE USE OF ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE

No artificial intelligence was used in the preparation of this article.

CONFLICTS OF INTEREST

None declared.

REFERENCES