Early T wave inversion after thrombolytic therapy predicts better coronary perfusion: clinical and angiographic study.
OBJECTIVE
This study was undertaken to test the hypothesis that early inversion of T waves after thrombolytic therapy for acute myocardial infarction predicts patency of the infarct-related artery with high Thrombolysis in Myocardial Infarction (TIMI) perfusion flow and better in-hospital outcome.


BACKGROUND
Although numerous studies have demonstrated a strong association between early resolution of ST segment elevation after acute myocardial infarction and successful thrombolysis, little is known about early changes in T waves after thrombolytic therapy.


METHODS
Ninety-four consecutive patients with acute myocardial infarction treated with recombinant tissue-type plasminogen activator (rt-PA) were studied with admission and predischarge radionuclide ventriculography and with coronary angiography within 72 h of admission. Patient stratification was based on the presence or absence of early (within 24 h) T wave inversion.


RESULTS
Early T wave inversion was associated with a higher patency rate of the infarct-related artery (90% vs. 65%, p < 0.02) and less severe residual stenosis ([mean +/- SD] 73 +/- 27 vs. 83 +/- 22, p = 0.06), and when only TIMI perfusion grade 3 was considered, the difference was even greater (77% vs. 41%, p < 0.001). Patients with early inversion of T waves had a lower peak creatine kinase value ([mean +/- SD] 678 +/- 480 vs. 1,076 +/- 620, p < 0.01), and although a similar percent of patients with and without early T wave inversion had a normal ejection fraction (> or = 55%) on admission, a higher percent of patients with early inversion had a normal ejection fraction at hospital discharge (71% vs. 44%, p < 0.03). Early T wave inversion anticipated a more benign in-hospital clinical course with a lower incidence of adverse cardiac events (10% vs. 33%, p < 0.02).


CONCLUSIONS
Early inversion of T waves in patients with acute myocardial infarction treated with thrombolytic therapy suggests patency of the infarct-related artery, better perfusion grade and left ventricular function and a more benign in-hospital course.
Matetzky
S
S
Heart Institute, Sheba Medical Center, Tel-Hashomer, Israel.
Barabash
G I
GI
Shahar
A
A
Rabinowitz
B
B
Rath
S
S
Zahav
Y H
YH
Agranat
O
O
Kaplinsky
E
E
Hod
H
H
D017023:Coronary Angiography; D003326:Coronary Circulation / Q000187:drug effects*; D004562:Electrocardiography / Q000187:drug effects*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009203:Myocardial Infarction / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000401:mortality / Q000503:physiopathology; D011379:Prognosis; D015635:Radionuclide Ventriculography; D012008:Recurrence; D013318:Stroke Volume; D015912:Thrombolytic Therapy; D010959:Tissue Plasminogen Activator / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014654:Vascular Patency / Q000187:drug effects
D010959:Tissue Plasminogen Activator