COVID-19 as an independent predictor of aspiration thrombectomy in STEMI. National data from the ORPKI register in the years 2020-2022

Introduction: Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) exacerbates intravascular thrombosis that occurs in the coronary artery in ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI). Aim: To analyze the impact of COVID-19 on the application and effect of thrombectomy in STEMI patients. Material and methods: 29915 STEMI patients were analyzed, of whom 3139 (10.5%) underwent thrombectomy. COVID-19 (+) was reported in 311 (10.8%). The clinical characteristics and management of STEMI in COVID-19 (+) and COVID-19 (–) patients were compared. A multivariable logistic regression analysis was performed in search of factors influencing thrombectomy. Results: COVID-19 (+) patients had higher Killip class (IV class; n = 33 (12.31%) vs. n = 138 (5.84%); p < 0.0001) and cardiac arrest at baseline was more frequent in this group (n = 25 (8.04%) vs. n = 137 (4.84%); p = 0.016). Thrombolysis in myocardial infarction (TIMI) 3 after percutaneous coronary intervention was less frequent (n = 248 (80.52%) vs. n = 2388 (87.19%); p = 0.001) in the COVID-19 (–) group. Periprocedural mortality was similar in both groups (n = 28 (0.99%) vs. n = 4 (1.29%); p = 0.622). In multivariable regression analysis COVID-19 increased the risk of thrombectomy (OR = 1.23; 97.5% CI: 1.05–1.43; p = 0.001). Conclusions: STEMI patients undergoing aspiration thrombectomy who were COVID-19 (+) were more likely to be in a severe clinical condition (higher Killip class, more frequent cardiac arrest before the procedure) than COVID-19 (–) patients. Despite more intensive antiplatelet and anticoagulant treatment, PCI procedures were less likely to result in an optimal TIMI 3 effect. COVID-19 is an independent strong predictor of patient qualification for aspiration thrombectomy in STEMI.