STREAM-2: Half-Dose Tenecteplase or Primary Percutaneous Coronary Intervention in Older Patients With ST-Segment-Elevation Myocardial Infarction: A Randomized, Open-Label Trial

BACKGROUND

ST-segment-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) guidelines recommend pharmaco-invasive treatment if timely primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) is unavailable. Full-dose tenecteplase is associated with an increased risk of intracranial hemorrhage in older patients. Whether pharmaco-invasive treatment with half-dose tenecteplase is effective and safe in older patients with STEMI is unknown.

METHODS

STREAM-2 (Strategic Reperfusion in Elderly Patients Early After Myocardial Infarction) was an investigator-initiated, open-label, randomized, multicenter study. Patients ≥60 years of age with ≥2 mm ST-segment elevation in 2 contiguous leads, unable to undergo primary PCI within 1 hour, were randomly assigned (2:1) to half-dose tenecteplase followed by coronary angiography and PCI (if indicated) 6 to 24 hours after randomization, or to primary PCI. Efficacy end points of primary interest were ST resolution and the 30-day composite of death, shock, heart failure, or reinfarction. Safety assessments included stroke and nonintracranial bleeding.

RESULTS

Patients were assigned to pharmaco-invasive treatment (n=401) or primary PCI (n=203). Median times from randomization to tenecteplase or sheath insertion were 10 and 81 minutes, respectively. After last angiography, 85.2% of patients undergoing pharmaco-invasive treatment and 78.4% of patients undergoing primary PCI had ≥50% resolution of ST-segment elevation; their residual median sums of ST deviations were 4.5 versus 5.5 mm, respectively. Thrombolysis In Myocardial Infarction flow grade 3 at last angiography was ≈87% in both groups. The composite clinical end point occurred in 12.8% (51/400) of patients undergoing pharmaco-invasive treatment and 13.3% (27/203) of patients undergoing primary PCI (relative risk, 0.96 [95% CI, 0.62-1.48]). Six intracranial hemorrhages occurred in the pharmaco-invasive arm (1.5%): 3 were protocol violations (excess anticoagulation in 2 and uncontrolled hypertension in 1). No intracranial bleeding occurred in the primary PCI arm. The incidence of major nonintracranial bleeding was low in both groups (<1.5%).

CONCLUSIONS

Halving the dose of tenecteplase in a pharmaco-invasive strategy in this early-presenting, older STEMI population was associated with electrocardiographic changes that were at least comparable to those after primary PCI. Similar clinical efficacy and angiographic end points occurred in both treatment groups. The risk of intracranial hemorrhage was higher with half-dose tenecteplase than with primary PCI. If timely PCI is unavailable, this pharmaco-invasive strategy is a reasonable alternative, provided that contraindications to fibrinolysis are observed and excess anticoagulation is avoided.

REGISTRATION

URL: https://www.

CLINICALTRIALS

gov; Unique identifier: NCT02777580.

Practical Approach to Diagnosis, Prevention, and Management of Coronary No-Reflow

Coronary no-reflow (NR) defined as inadequate myocardial perfusion despite restoration of coronary artery patency is a bane for an interventional cardiologist. It can complicate percutaneous coronary interventions especially in the setting of STEMI and dampens the potential benefits of PPCI. Broadly classified as Reperfusion NR and Interventional NR, mechanism is multifactorial. The basic underlying culprit is microvascular obstruction either secondary to distal embolization, intravascular plugging, or ischemic reperfusion injury. Coronary angiogram is an easy, readily available, and essential modality to diagnose no-reflow, but the gold standard is gadolinium-enhanced cardiovascular magnetic resonance imaging. Preventive strategies for NR should be integral part of prePCI planning especially in clinical scenario where NR is expected such as STEMI with delayed presentation and high thrombus burden, atherectomy, and SVG PCI. The cornerstone of treatment for NR is local vasodilators and antiplatelet therapy to ameliorate vasospasm and thromboembolism respectively, and different combinations of the two should be used in no specific order to achieve reversal of NR. NR phenomenon is associated with poor short-term and long-term prognosis and every attempt should be made to avoid or reverse it. Therapeutic hypothermia, hyperoxemic reperfusion therapy, targeted anti-inflammatory approach, and cellular approach appear proising but further research is mandatory.

"No-Reflow" Phenomenon: A Contemporary Review

Primary percutaneous angioplasty (pPCI), represents the reperfusion strategy of choice for patients with STEMI according to current international guidelines of the European Society of Cardiology. Coronary no-reflow is characterized by angiographic evidence of slow or no anterograde epicardial flow, resulting in inadequate myocardial perfusion in the absence of evidence of mechanical vessel obstruction. No reflow (NR) is related to a functional and structural alteration of the coronary microcirculation and we can list four main pathophysiological mechanisms: distal atherothrombotic embolization, ischemic damage, reperfusion injury, and individual susceptibility to microvascular damage. This review will provide a contemporary overview of the pathogenesis, diagnosis, and treatment of NR.

No-reflow phenomenon in ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction: still the Achilles' heel of the interventionalist

Improvements in systems, technology and pharmacotherapy have significantly changed the prognosis over recent decades in patients presenting with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction. These clinical achievements have, however, begun to plateau and it is becoming increasingly necessary to consider novel strategies to further improve outcomes. Approximately a third of patients treated by primary percutaneous coronary intervention for ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction will suffer from coronary no-reflow (NR), a condition characterized by poor myocardial perfusion despite patent epicardial arteries. The presence of NR impacts significantly on clinical outcomes including left ventricular dysfunction, heart failure and death, yet conventional management algorithms neither assess the risk of NR nor treat NR. This review will provide a contemporary overview on the pathogenesis, diagnosis and treatment of NR.

Predictors of ST Depression Resolution in STEMI Patients Undergoing Primary PCI and Its Clinical Significance

Purpose

ST depression resolution (STD-R) in ECG is a prognostic factor indicative of successful fibrinolysis or angioplasty in the treatment of ST elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) and subsequent mortality. We conducted this study to determine the clinical significance of STD-R and its predictors in patients with anterior STEMI undergoing primary percutaneous intervention (PPCI).

Methods

Admission documents of all patients with diagnosis of anterior STEMI who were admitted to a specialty heart center and underwent PPCI since July 2018 until July 2019 were examined. The amount of ST elevation and depression in all 12 leads of a standard ECG at admission and 90 minutes after PPCI was measured and resolution was determined. All patients were followed-up for 10.8±4.0 months.

Results

A total of 179 patients had ST depression besides elevation in the first ECG. Female gender, diabetes, not smoking, lower hemoglobin, and higher platelet counts were significantly more common in the group with less than 50% resolution of ST depression. STD-R <50% was significantly associated with the incidence of in-hospital acute heart failure and major adverse cardiac events (MACE) (p value: 0.025 and 0.012, respectively) and resolution of ST elevation ≥50% was associated with reduced in-hospital mortality (p value <0.0001). According to Kaplan-Meier curve, survival in the two groups of STE-R ≥50% and STE-R <50% was significantly different (Log rank: 31.18, p value<0.0001).

Conclusion

STD-R can be considered to have high predictive power, like STE-R for predicting incidence of in-hospital acute heart failure and major adverse cardiac events.

Relation of collateral circulation with reciprocal changes in patients with acute ST-elevation myocardial infarction

OBJECTIVE

Acute STEMI is often accompanied by reciprocal ST-segment depression (RC) occurring in opposite leads, whose significance has been debated for decades. The possible role of collateral circulation in promoting RC in acute STEMI has not been identified. So our aim to find the relationship between collateral circulation and RC in STEMI patients treated with primary percutaneous intervention (PPCI).

METHODS

The study included 112 pts. with acute STEMI underwent PPCI. The patients divided in to 2 groups: Group (A):66 pts. with RC, Group (B):46 pts without RC. All patients subjected to history taking, ECG [localization of infarction & RC], CKMB level, transthoracic echo [LVEF%], coronary angiography &PPCI to culprit artery and assess number of diseased vessels, site of occlusion, collaterals, TIMI flow pre and post PCI.

RESULTS

Patients in group A with RC had shorter time to door, P < 0.001; more frequent inferior infarctions, P < 0.001; had higher CKMB level, P < 0.001; higher LVEDD, P < 0.001; LVESD, P < 0.001and lower LVEF, P = 0.004; had multi vessel diseases P = 0.02, increase incidence of RCA as a culprit artery <0.001 compared to patients with no RC. Patients with RC had significantly higher incidence of proximal LAD occlusion, distal RCA and distal LCX compared to patients without RC. The percentage of change was 61.2 ± 12.35% for ST elevation and 50.5 ± 10.87% for reciprocal ST depression post PCI with significance difference between them, t = 3.035P = 0.0023.There was no significant correlation between collateral circulation and RC. We found four significant independent predictors of RC. They were inferior infarction (P = 0.024), RCA as a culprit vessel, (P = 0.034), low EF, (P = 0.007) and multi-vessel disease, (P = 0.022).

CONCLUSION

There is no correlation between concomitant RC and presence of collateral vessels in acute STEMI patients. So the pathogenesis of reciprocal ST-segment changes result from an interplay of ischemia at distance due to multi-vessel CAD and benign mirror electrical changes not caused by collateral circulation diverting blood to ischemic area from non-diseased artery.

Pharmacoinvasive Strategy Versus Primary Percutaneous Coronary Intervention in ST-Elevation Myocardial Infarction in Clinical Practice: Insights From the Vital Heart Response Registry

BACKGROUND

Recent clinical trial data support a pharmacoinvasive strategy as an alternative to primary percutaneous coronary intervention (pPCI) in ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction. We evaluated whether this is true in a real-world prehospital ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction network using ECG assessment of reperfusion coupled with clinical outcomes within 1 year.

METHODS

Of the 5583 ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction patients in the Alberta Vital Heart Response Program (Cohort 1 [2006-2011]: n=3593; Cohort 2 [2013-2016]: n=1990), we studied 3287 patients who received a pharmacoinvasive strategy with tenecteplase (April 2013: half-dose tenecteplase was employed in prehospital patients ≥75 years) or pPCI. ECGs were analyzed within a core laboratory; sum ST-segment deviation resolution ≥50% was defined as successful reperfusion. The primary composite was all-cause death, congestive heart failure, cardiogenic shock, and recurrent myocardial infarction within 1 year.

RESULTS

The pharmacoinvasive approach was administered in 1805 patients (54.9%), (493 [27.3%] underwent rescue/urgent percutaneous coronary intervention and 1312 [72.7%] had scheduled angiography); pPCI was performed in 1482 patients (45.1%). There was greater ST-segment resolution post-catheterization/percutaneous coronary intervention with a pharmacoinvasive strategy versus pPCI (75.8% versus 64.3%, IP-weighted odds ratio, 1.59; 95% CI, 1.33-1.90; P<0.001). The primary composite was significantly lower with a pharmacoinvasive approach (16.3% versus 23.1%, IP-weighted hazard ratio, 0.84; 95% CI, 0.72-0.99; P=0.033). Major bleeding and intracranial hemorrhage were similar between a pharmacoinvasive strategy and pPCI (7.6% versus 7.5%, P=0.867; 0.6% versus 0.6%; P=0.841, respectively). In the 82 patients ≥75 years with a prehospital pharmacoinvasive strategy, similar ST-segment resolution and rescue rates were observed with full-dose versus half-dose tenecteplase (75.8% versus 88.9%, P=0.259; 31.0% versus 29.2%, P=0.867) with no difference in the primary composite (31.0% versus 25.0%, P=0.585).

CONCLUSIONS

In this large Canadian ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction registry, a pharmacoinvasive strategy was associated with improved ST-segment resolution and enhanced outcomes within 1 year compared with pPCI. Our findings support the application of a selective pharmacoinvasive reperfusion strategy when delay to pPCI exists.

ST-segment depression in left precordial leads in electrocardiogram of patients with acute inferior myocardial infarction undergoing primary percutaneous coronary intervention

BACKGROUND

The early identification of patients with acute inferior ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) with high risk features is particularly important. Acute inferior STEMI may be associated with ST-segment depression in the left precordial leads (V4-V6). This study assessed prognostic value of ST-segment depression in these left precordial leads during the admission of patients with acute inferior STEMI treated with primary percutaneous coronary intervention.

METHODS

This retrospective study enrolled 1,374 patients with acute inferior STEMI who underwent primary percutaneous coronary angioplasty between March 2011 and June 2014. The patients were divided into two groups: one group (n = 687) with left precordial ST-segment depression and the other (n = 687) without such ST-segment changes.

RESULTS

The patients with left precordial ST-segment depression were older and had higher incidence of hypertension, diabetes mellitus, and higher levels of troponin. In-hospital mortality was higher in patients with left precordial ST-segment depression. Advanced coronary artery disease was more observed in these patients.

CONCLUSION

In patients with acute inferior STEMI treated with primary coronary intervention, left precordial ST-segment depression during admission of ECG is associated with more advanced coronary artery disease, and worse in-hospital clinical outcomes.

Tpeak-Tend/QT interval predicts ST-segment resolution and major adverse cardiac events in acute ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction patients undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention

Elevated ST-segment and increased Tpeak-Tend interval (Tp-e) were prognostic predictors in major adverse cardiac events (MACEs) in ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI). The electrophysiologic relationship between them during percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) needs to elucidate.Patients with STEMI admitted to hospital were prospectively evaluated. ST-segment resolution (STR) (defined as ≥50% reduction as the complete-STR [CSTR] group, <50% as incomplete-STR [ISTR] group), Tp-e interval, and ratio of Tp-e to QT interval (Tp-e/QT) were measured, calculated and analyzed with MACEs.Tp-ec interval (corrected Tp-e interval, P < .001) and Tp-e/QT ratio (P < .001) were significantly increased by myocardial infarction and partly recovered post-PCI. Patients with ISTR showed more increased Tp-ec interval (P < .001) and Tp-e/QT ratio (P < .001) than those in CSTR groups post-PCI. In multivariate analysis and receiver operating characteristic curves analysis, Tp-e/QT was an independent and strongest predictor for STR. STR and electrocardiogram parameters with a cutoff value for predicting STR showed prognostic value for MACE in STEMI in Kaplan-Meier survival analysis.Both STR and change of Tp-e parameters were not only predictors of arrhythmia, but also prognostic factors of MACE in patients with STEMI after PCI.

Pharmacologic inhibition of the mitochondrial Na+/Ca2+ exchanger protects against ventricular arrhythmias in a porcine model of ischemia-reperfusion

BACKGROUND

The mitochondrial Na+/Ca2+ exchanger (mNCX) has been implicated in the pathogenesis of arrhythmogenicity and myocardial reperfusion injury, rendering its inhibition a potential therapeutic strategy. We examined the effects of CGP-37157, a selective mNCX inhibitor, on arrhythmogenesis, infarct size (IS), and no reflow area (NRA) in a porcine model of ischemia-reperfusion.

METHODS

Forty pigs underwent myocardial ischemia for 60 minutes, followed by 2 hours of reperfusion. Animals were randomized to receive intracoronary infusion of 0.02 mg/kg CGP-37157 or vehicle, either before ischemia (n=17) or before reperfusion (n=17). Animals were monitored for arrhythmias. Myocardial area at risk (AR), IS, and NRA were measured by histopathology.

RESULTS

AR, NRA, and IS were comparable between groups. Administration of CGP-37157 before ischemia resulted in the following: (a) suppression of ventricular tachyarrhythmias (events/pig: 1.5±1.1 vs 3.5±1.9, p=0.014), (b) easier cardioversion of ventricular tachyarrhythmias (defibrillations required for cardioversion of each episode: 2.6±2.3 vs 6.2±2.1, p=0.006), and (c) decreased maximal depression of the J point (0.75±0.27 mm vs 1.75±0.82 mm, p=0.007), compared to controls. Administration of CGP-37157 before reperfusion expedited ST-segment resolution; complete ST-segment resolution within 30 minutes of reperfusion was observed in 7/8 CGP-37157-treated animals versus 1/9 controls (p=0.003).

CONCLUSIONS

In a porcine model of myocardial infarction, intracoronary administration of CGP-37157 did not decrease IS or NRA. However, it suppressed ventricular arrhythmias, decreased depression of the J point during ischemia and expedited ST-segment resolution after reperfusion. These findings motivate further investigation of pharmacologic mNCX inhibition as a potential therapeutic strategy to suppress arrhythmias in the injured heart.

Clinical Significance of Reciprocal ST-segment Changes in Patients With STEMI: A Cardiac Magnetic Resonance Imaging Study

INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVES

We sought to determine the association of reciprocal change in the ST-segment with myocardial injury assessed by cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) in patients with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) undergoing primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI).

METHODS

We performed CMR imaging in 244 patients who underwent primary PCI for their first STEMI; CMR was performed a median 3 days after primary PCI. The first electrocardiogram was analyzed, and patients were stratified according to the presence of reciprocal change. The primary outcome was infarct size measured by CMR. Secondary outcomes were area at risk and myocardial salvage index.

RESULTS

Patients with reciprocal change (n=133, 54.5%) had a lower incidence of anterior infarction (27.8% vs 71.2%, P < .001) and shorter symptom onset to balloon time (221.5±169.8 vs 289.7±337.3min, P=.042). Using a multiple linear regression model, we found that patients with reciprocal change had a larger area at risk (P=.002) and a greater myocardial salvage index (P=.04) than patients without reciprocal change. Consequently, myocardial infarct size was not significantly different between the 2 groups (P=.14). The rate of major adverse cardiovascular events, including all-cause death, myocardial infarction, and repeat coronary revascularization, was similar between the 2 groups after 2 years of follow-up (P=.92).

CONCLUSIONS

Reciprocal ST-segment change was associated with larger extent of ischemic myocardium at risk and more myocardial salvage but not with final infarct size or adverse clinical outcomes in STEMI patients undergoing primary PCI.

Importance of Endogenous Fibrinolysis in Platelet Thrombus Formation

The processes of thrombosis and coagulation are finely regulated by endogenous fibrinolysis maintaining healthy equilibrium. When the balance is altered in favour of platelet activation and/or coagulation, or if endogenous fibrinolysis becomes less efficient, pathological thrombosis can occur. Arterial thrombosis remains a major cause of morbidity and mortality in the world despite advances in medical therapies. The role endogenous fibrinolysis in the pathogenesis of arterial thrombosis has gained increasing attention in recent years as it presents novel ways to prevent and treat existing diseases. In this review article, we discuss the role of endogenous fibrinolysis in platelet thrombus formation, methods of measurement of fibrinolytic activity, its role in predicting cardiovascular diseases and clinical outcomes and future directions.

Cyclosporine A in Reperfused Myocardial Infarction: The Multicenter, Controlled, Open-Label CYCLE Trial

BACKGROUND

Whether cyclosporine A (CsA) has beneficial effects in reperfused myocardial infarction (MI) is debated.

OBJECTIVES

This study investigated whether CsA improved ST-segment resolution in a randomized, multicenter phase II study.

METHODS

The authors randomly assigned 410 patients from 31 cardiac care units, age 63 ± 12 years, with large ST-segment elevation MI within 6 h of symptom onset, Thrombolysis In Myocardial Infarction (TIMI) flow grade 0 to 1 in the infarct-related artery, and committed to primary percutaneous coronary intervention, to 2.5 mg/kg intravenous CsA (n = 207) or control (n = 203) groups. The primary endpoint was incidence of ≥70% ST-segment resolution 60 min after TIMI flow grade 3. Secondary endpoints included high-sensitivity cardiac troponin T (hs-cTnT) on day 4, left ventricular (LV) remodeling, and clinical events at 6-month follow-up.

RESULTS

Time from symptom onset to first antegrade flow was 180 ± 67 min; a median of 5 electrocardiography leads showed ST-segment deviation (quartile [Q]1 to Q3: 4 to 6); 49.8% of MIs were anterior. ST-segment resolution ≥70% was found in 52.0% of CsA patients and 49.0% of controls (p = 0.55). Median hs-cTnT on day 4 was 2,160 (Q1 to Q3: 1,087 to 3,274) ng/l in CsA and 2,068 (1,117 to 3,690) ng/l in controls (p = 0.85). The 2 groups did not differ in LV ejection fraction on day 4 and at 6 months. Infarct site did not influence CsA efficacy. There were no acute allergic reactions or nonsignificant excesses of 6-month mortality (5.7% CsA vs. 3.2% controls, p = 0.17) or cardiogenic shock (2.4% CsA vs. 1.5% controls, p = 0.33).

CONCLUSIONS

In the CYCLE (CYCLosporinE A in Reperfused Acute Myocardial Infarction) trial, a single intravenous CsA bolus just before primary percutaneous coronary intervention had no effect on ST-segment resolution or hs-cTnT, and did not improve clinical outcomes or LV remodeling up to 6 months. (CYCLosporinE A in Reperfused Acute Myocardial Infarction [CYCLE]; NCT01650662; EudraCT number 2011-002876-18).

Comparison of the improvement in myocardial perfusion and function in cases of rapid and slow electrocardiographic stage dynamics between patients with TIMI-3 flow after primary angioplasty for acute myocardial infarction

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE

Post-PCI TIMI flow grade 3 in infarct-related artery not always is associated with follow-up improvement in myocardial perfusion and function. We compared the improvement in myocardial perfusion and function in cases of rapid and slow electrocardiographic (ECG) stage dynamics between patients with TIMI-3 flow after primary angioplasty for acute myocardial infarction (MI).

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Ten patients with post-PCI TIMI-3 flow were divided into group A (n=50, no rapid change of ECG stages) and group B (n=50, with a ≥2 ECG stages per 2 days change rate).

RESULTS

There were no significant changes after 3 months in scintigraphic (ejection fraction 44.6±9.3% vs. 42.0±3.4%, P=0.4; perfusion deficit severity 3.0±0.7 vs. 2.3±0.8, P=0.1) and echocardiographic (dysfunction score 1.9±0.2 vs. 1.6±0.5, P=0.2) data in group A. Scintigraphic data improved (ejection fraction 34.6±3.9% vs. 52.0±7.3, P=0.03; perfusion deficit severity 2.8±0.6 vs. 1.5±0.8, P=0.03) and changes in echocardiographic data were of borderline significance (dysfunction score 1.8±0.2 vs. 1.4±0.4, P=0.06) in group B.

CONCLUSIONS

There was not any change in myocardial perfusion and function in a case of slow change of ECG stages after reached post-PCI TIMI flow grade 3, while myocardial perfusion improved and function tended to improve in a case of the rate at least two ECG stages in 2 days after primary angioplasty for acute MI.

New ST-depression: an under-recognized high-risk category of 'complete' ST-resolution after reperfusion therapy

AIM

It is not known if there is an association between resolution of ST-elevation to ST-depression following fibrinolysis and 30-day mortality.

METHODS

In an ECG substudy of HERO-2, which compared bivalirudin to unfractionated heparin following streptokinase in 12,556 patients with ST-elevation myocardial infarction ECGs were recorded at baseline and at 60 minutes after commencing fibrinolysis. The main outcome measure was 30-day mortality.

RESULTS

Using summed ST-segment elevation and five categories of changes in the infarct leads, further ST-elevation, 0-30% ST-resolution, >30-70% (partial) ST-resolution, >70% (complete) ST-resolution, and new ST-depression occurred in 21.7, 24.9, 36.8, 14.8, and 1.8% of patients, with 30-day mortality of 12.3, 11.7, 8.0, 4.2, and 8.1%, respectively. For the comparison of new ST-depression with complete ST-resolution and no ST-depression, p<0.01 with 24-hour mortality 4.5 vs. 1.3%, respectively (p=0.0003). Patients with new ST-depression had similar peak cardiac enzyme elevations as patients with complete ST-resolution without ST-depression. On multivariate analysis including summed ST-elevation at baseline, age, sex, and infarct location, new ST-depression was a significant predictor of 30-day mortality (OR 1.82, 95% CI 1.42-4.29).

CONCLUSIONS

In patients with complete ST-resolution following fibrinolysis, new ST-depression at 60 minutes developed in 10.8% of patients. These patients had higher mortality than patients with complete ST-resolution without ST-depression and represent a high-risk group which could benefit from rapid triage to early angiography and revascularization as appropriate.

ST-segment deviation in lead aVR on admission is not associated with left ventricular function at predischarge in first anterior wall ST-segment elevation acute myocardial infarction

Previous studies have shown that the analysis of ST-segment deviation in lead aVR on admission provides useful information on angiographic coronary anatomy and risk stratification in acute coronary syndromes. However, the association between ST-segment deviation in lead aVR on admission and left ventricular (LV) function has not been fully investigated in anterior wall acute ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction. In this study, 237 patients with first anterior wall acute ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction were examined. The patients were divided into the following 3 groups according to ST-segment deviation in lead aVR on admission: 85 with ST-segment elevation ≥0.5 mm (group A), 106 without ST-segment deviation (group B), and 46 with ST-segment depression ≥0.5 mm (group C). LV ejection fractions at predischarge were compared among the 3 groups. Among the 3 groups, there were significant differences in the prevalences of proximal left anterior descending coronary artery (LAD) occlusion (group A 75.3%, group B 56.6%, group C 45.7%, p = 0.002), long LAD (group A 27.1%, group B 31.1%, group C 56.5%, p = 0.002), and good collaterals to the LAD (group A 40.0%, group B 25.4%, group C 17.4%, p = 0.01). LV ejection fractions at predischarge did not differ among the 3 groups (group A 56.4 ± 12.5%, group B 56.9 ± 12.7%, group C 53.3 ± 12.2%, p = 0.26). On a multiple regression analysis, establishment of Thrombolysis In Myocardial Infarction grade 3 flow, proximal LAD occlusion, and long LAD were associated with the LV ejection fraction at predischarge. In conclusion, ST-segment deviation in lead aVR on admission is not associated with LV function at predischarge in first anterior wall acute ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction.