Thrombus aspiration for reperfusion in myocardial infarction: Predictors and clinical impact of ineffectiveness

The benefit of manual thrombus aspiration (TA) in the reperfusion of patients with ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) has been hotly debated. In most series, failure of TA has been largely unreported. Our objectives were to assess the rate, predictors, and impact on cumulative mortality of failed TA during primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PPCI). This was a single-center, retrospective study of consecutive STEMI patients undergoing PPCI with TA. TA was considered ineffective if, before angioplasty, coronary flow was TIMI