Association of peri‐procedural myocardial infarction with mortality after stenting true coronary bifurcation lesions: A pooled individual participant data analysis from four randomized controlled trials

Background Five definitions of peri‐procedural myocardial infarction (PMI) following percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) are used in clinical trials; their clinical relevance in coronary bifurcation stenting remains unclear. Objectives To understand the correlation between PMI and mortality in bifurcation lesions from the DKCRUSH studies. Methods PMI was defined using serum creatine kinase‐myocardial band (CK‐MB) values within 48 h of PCI according to the SYNTAX, Fourth Universal Definition of MI (4th UDMI), ISCHEMIA, SCAI, and EXCEL definitions. Overall, 1300 patients with both CK and CK‐MB measurements pre‐ and post‐stenting were evaluated. The association of each PMI type and all‐cause death or cardiac death at a median of 5.58 years of follow‐up was analyzed using Cox regression. Results In total, 56 (4.3%) patients had PMI. According to SYNTAX, 4th UDMI or ISCHEMIA, SCAI, and EXCEL definitions, PMI occurred in 21 (1.6%), 56 (4.3%), 29 (2.2%), and 32 (2.5%) patients, respectively. All definitions were significantly correlated with unadjusted mortality at the end of follow‐up but not at 30 days or 1‐year after stenting. PMI using SYNTAX, SCAI, and EXCEL definitions rather than 4th UDMI definition was strongly associated with adjusted all‐cause death. By adjusted analysis, PMI according to 4th UDMI, SCAI, and EXCEL definitions but not SYNTAX definition was positively correlated with cardiac death at a median of 5.58 years of follow‐up. CK‐MB ≥ 5 x UNL strongly enhanced the correlation of CK‐MB values with mortality. Conclusions PMI rate varies with the definition following stenting for bifurcation lesions. PMI defined by SCAI and EXCEL definitions is strongly correlates with adjusted all‐cause and cardiac death.