Performing percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) with the aim of complete revascularisation gives better outcomes than just dealing with the lesion causing ST-elevation MI, a large trial reveals. 

The international study, known as COMPLETE, included more than 4000 people (60 Australian patients) who had been admitted to hospital with a new episode of STEMI.

The patients were randomised after receiving PCI for the culprit lesion to either receive no further PCI or to have a second catheterisation to tackle other coronary lesions that were at least 70% stenosed.

The second PCI procedure was performed at the treating clinicians’ discretion — either during initial admission or within 45 days of randomisation.