Patients with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) frequently present with multivessel coronary artery disease (CAD) during primary percutaneous coronary intervention, and the optimal timing of complete revascularization (CR) in these cases remains uncertain. This study aims to assess major adverse cardiovascular events (MACEs) and procedural complications in patients with STEMI with multivessel CAD who underwent immediate (index procedure) versus staged CR. We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials comparing immediate to staged CR in STEMI and multivessel CAD. Trials were identified by way of a systematic search of MEDLINE, Embase, and Cochrane Libraries from database inception to March 6, 2024. The data were analyzed using the RevMan software. A total of 5 randomized controlled trials (n = 1,415) were included in our study, which showed no significant differences in MACEs (13.3% vs 9.8%, relative risk [RR] 1.07, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.62 to 1.83), all-cause mortality (3% vs 4.55%, RR 0.70, 95% CI 0.41 to 1.21), or myocardial infarction (4.5% vs 2.6%, RR 1.43, 95% CI 0.58 to 3.55) at a weighted mean follow-up duration of 16 months. However, the staged group had a higher rate of unplanned revascularization (8.6% vs 4.4%, RR 1.92, 95% CI 1.21 to 3.04). In conclusion, in patients with STEMI with multivessel CAD, at a mean follow-up of approximately 1.3 years, there is no significant difference in immediate versus staged revascularization (SR) for MACEs; however, SR was associated with a significantly higher incidence of unplanned ischemia-driven revascularization. SR within the index hospitalization may be as effective as immediate CR; further trials are needed to confirm this.

Condensed Abstract

We conducted a meta-analysis of 5 randomized controlled trials comparing immediate to staged complete revascularization in patients with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction with multivessel coronary artery disease. There was no significant difference in major adverse cardiovascular events, all-cause mortality, and myocardial infarction rates between immediate and staged complete revascularization. However, staged revascularization was associated with a higher incidence of unplanned ischemia-driven revascularization.