Which treatment option is preferred in reperfusion therapy for STEMI?

In the context of reperfusion therapy for STEMI (ST-Elevation Myocardial Infarction), the preferred treatment option is PCI (Percutaneous Coronary Intervention) with a stent. This approach is favored because it directly addresses the blockage in the coronary arteries that is causing the heart damage.

PCI involves threading a catheter through a blood vessel to the site of the blockage, where a balloon is inflated to open the artery. Often, a stent is placed to keep the artery open and promote blood flow. This method not only restores blood flow relatively quickly but also provides a long-term solution to prevent re-occlusion of the artery.

The use of thrombolytics, while effective in breaking up clots, has a higher risk of complications such as bleeding, and it may not be as effective as PCI in terms of restoring blood flow quickly and completely. CABG (Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting) is a more invasive surgery and is generally considered when PCI is not viable or when there are multiple blockages that need to be addressed. Pharmacologic therapy alone does not adequately address the immediate issue of blood flow obstruction in STEMI situations.

The preference for PCI with a stent reflects the goal of rapid and