Excimer laser angioplasty for acute coronary occlusion: a stratified meta-analysis of efficacy against aspiration thrombectomy and conventional PCI

Primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) achieves epicardial reperfusion in most STEMI patients, yet microvascular obstruction persists in up to 60% of patients. Excimer laser coronary angioplasty (ELCA) vaporizes thrombus in situ and may reduce distal embolization, but the evidence base has not been systematically synthesized. This systematic review and meta-analysis (PROSPERO CRD420261422463) included comparative studies of adjunctive ELCA versus aspiration thrombectomy (Stratum A) or PCI alone (Stratum B) in acute coronary occlusion. Primary outcomes were final TIMI-3 flow and myocardial blush grade (MBG) 3; secondary outcomes were short-term mortality, MACCE, and slow-flow/no-reflow. A random-effects model with Hartung-Knapp-Sidik-Jonkman confidence intervals was applied to all outcomes. Certainty was assessed with GRADE. Ten studies (1 RCT, 9 observational) were included, from a total enrolled population exceeding 3,500. In Stratum A, no outcome reached significance: MBG-3 (OR 3.57, 95% CI 0.07–185.10), mortality (OR 0.31, 0.02–4.04), MACCE (OR 0.22, 0.04–1.26), TIMI-3 flow (OR 1.58, 0.67–3.75) and slow-flow/no-reflow (OR 0.78, 0.22–2.78). In Stratum B, using each study’s propensity-matched data, no outcome differed significantly (TIMI-3 OR 0.88, 0.38–2.03; MBG-3 OR 1.06, 0.13–8.43; slow-flow/no-reflow OR 0.93, 0.29–3.02; mortality OR 0.44, 0.05–3.80). Composite endpoints were not pooled across incompatible follow-up horizons, and all outcomes were of very low certainty. Adjunctive ELCA-containing strategies during primary PCI were not associated with improved angiographic or short-term clinical outcomes against either comparator. Multicenter randomized trials are required before recommending clinical adoption.