Noninvasive prediction of residual blood flow within the risk area during acute myocardial infarction: a multicenter validation study of patients undergoing direct coronary angioplasty

Grade 3 ischemia on the admission electrocardiogram predicts rapid progression of necrosis over time and less myocardial salvage by primary angioplasty

BACKGROUND

Among patients with ST-elevation acute myocardial infarction, those with terminal QRS distortion (grade 3 ischemia) have higher mortality and larger infarct size (IS) than patients without QRS distortion (grade 2 ischemia).

METHODS

We assessed the relation of baseline electrocardiographic ischemia grades to area at risk (AR) and myocardial salvage [100 (AR-IS)/AR] in 79 patients who underwent primary angioplasty for first ST-elevation acute myocardial infarction and had technetium Tc 99m sestamibi single-photon emission computed tomography before angioplasty (AR) and at predischarge (IS). Patients were classified as having grade 2 ischemia (ST elevation without terminal QRS distortion in any of the leads, n = 48), grade 2.5 ischemia (ST elevation with terminal QRS distortion in 1 lead, n = 16), or grade 3 ischemia (ST elevation with terminal QRS distortion in >2 adjacent leads, n = 15).

RESULTS

Time to treatment was comparable among groups. AR was comparable among groups (38% +/- 20%, 33% +/- 23%, and 34% +/- 23%, respectively; P = .70). There were no differences among groups in residual myocardial perfusion (severity index 0.28 +/- 0.12, 0.29 +/- 0.16, and 0.30 +/- 0.15 in grades 2, 2.5, and 3 ischemia, respectively; P = .97). In contrast, there was a trend toward lower myocardial salvage (45% +/- 32%) in the grade 3 group than in the grade 2 (65% +/- 33%) and grade 2.5 (65% +/- 40%) groups ( P = .16). Salvage was dependent on time only in the grade 3 group. Spearman rank correlation coefficients between time to treatment and percentage salvage were 0.003 ( P = .99), -0.24 ( P = .38), and -0.63 ( P = .022) for grades 2, 2.5, and 3, respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

Patients with grade 3 ischemia have rapid progression of necrosis over time and less myocardial salvage. This admission pattern is a predictor of myocardial salvage by primary angioplasty.

Increased glycolytic substrate protection improves ischemic cardiac dysfunction and reduces injury

Early clinical trials of glucose-insulin-potassium for acute myocardial infarction were inconclusive. However, several recent placebo-controlled, prospective, randomized clinical trials of glucose-insulin-potassium for acute myocardial infarction or metabolic support during and after cardiac surgery have demonstrated its efficacy. These clinical results are supported by experimental studies that have shown a strong protective effect of increased glycolytic substrate on ischemic myocardium in concert with an improved bioenergetic status.

Intercenter variability in outcome for patients treated with direct coronary angioplasty during acute myocardial infarction

BACKGROUND

Direct coronary angioplasty is an effective therapy for acute myocardial infarction, but its success may be dependent on both ready availability and operator skill. The purpose of this study was to investigate the impact of the center performing direct coronary angioplasty for acute myocardial infarction while controlling for parameters known to affect outcome.

METHODS AND RESULTS

The study group consisted of 99 patients with ST elevation who were treated with direct angioplasty in four high-volume centers. Patients were injected with technetium-99m sestamibi intravenously and then taken to the cardiac catheterization laboratory. Antegrade flow was graded before and after direct coronary angioplasty. Single photon emission computed tomography was performed 1 to 6 hours after injection to measure myocardium at risk and residual blood flow to the jeopardized zone using previously published quantitative methods. A repeat sestamibi injection and tomographic acquisition were performed at hospital discharge to measure actual infarct size. There were no significant differences by center for baseline clinical characteristics, mean myocardium at risk (29% to 37% left ventricle [LV]), time to reperfusion (3.1 to 4.1 hours), residual blood flow, infarct location, or antegrade flow. Despite these similarities, there were differences in outcome measures by center. Mean infarct size was as follows: center 1, 15%; center 2, 12%; center 3, 10%, center 4, 23% (all LV; p = 0.11 ). Mean left ventricular ejection fraction at discharge also demonstrated significant differences: center 1, 0.57; center 2, 0.47; center 3, 0.53; center 4, 0.47 (p = 0.002). The prevalence of Thrombolysis in Myocardial Infarction grade 3 flow after angioplasty significantly differed by center: center 1, 92%; center 2, 94%; center 3, 87%; center 4, 71 %; (p = 0.01). There was a low mortality rate for all four centers ranging from 0% to 6%. After adjustment for myocardium at risk, residual blood flow, and time to reperfusion, the primary outcome of the center where the angioplasty was performed was an independent determinant of both infarct size and left ventricular ejection fraction.

CONCLUSION

The success of direct coronary angioplasty in reducing infarct size and preserving left ventricular function depends on the center performing the procedure. Direct measurement of the effectiveness of this reperfusion modality in community practice is required to assess the impact of this effect.