Early coronary angioplasty for acute myocardial infarction: predictors of poor outcome in a non-selected population.
OBJECTIVE
The objective of this study was to report the experience in the treatment of acute myocardial infarction (AMI) with early coronary angioplasty (PTCA) in a single European center during one decade, attempting to identify the characteristics associated with a poor prognosis in these patients.


RESULTS
Eight hundred patients with AMI were treated with PTCA < 12 hours after symptom onset. Mean age was 64 +/- 13 years, 12% were in cardiogenic shock, AMI location was anterior in 61% and PTCA was performed after failed thrombolysis in 5%. Coronary stents and abciximab were used in 51% and 10%, respectively. An angiographic successful result was obtained in 93%, and final TIMI flow grade 3 was achieved in 83%. The overall in-hospital mortality rate was 12.5% (2.7%, 16.1%, 25.7% and 63.8% in patients in Killip class I, II, III and IV, respectively). Over the years, an improvement in the angiographic results and a reduction in the rates of reinfarction and target vessel revascularization were observed. The independent predictors of death were age > 70 years, absence of hyper-cholesterolemia, anterior location, cardiogenic shock, multi-vessel disease and unsuccessful PTCA. The leading causes of mortality were cardiogenic shock (63%) and ventricular free wall rupture (14%). The rates of non-fatal reinfarction, documented reocclusion and in-hospital repeated revascularization were 2%, 3% and 4%, respectively.


CONCLUSIONS
In most cases, PTCA performed in a non-selected patient population with AMI results in angiographic success. Mortality especially occurs in patients who are in cardiogenic shock at the beginning of the procedure. We have observed an improvement in the results throughout the course of the decade.
Moreno
R
R
Cardiology Department, University General Hospital Gregorio Marañón, Doctor Esquerdo 46, 28007 Madrid, Spain.
García
E
E
Soriano
J
J
Abeytua
M
M
López de Sá
E
E
Acosta
J
J
Péerez de Isla
L
L
Rubio
R
R
López-Sendon
J L
JL
D000077284:Abciximab; D000368:Aged; D015906:Angioplasty, Balloon, Coronary; D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal / Q000627:therapeutic use; D017023:Coronary Angiography; D005260:Female; D017052:Hospital Mortality; D006801:Humans; D007140:Immunoglobulin Fab Fragments / Q000627:therapeutic use; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009203:Myocardial Infarction / Q000150:complications / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000401:mortality / Q000628:therapy*; D019039:Platelet Glycoprotein GPIIb-IIIa Complex / Q000627:therapeutic use; D011379:Prognosis; D012770:Shock, Cardiogenic / Q000150:complications / Q000401:mortality; D015607:Stents
D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D007140:Immunoglobulin Fab Fragments; D019039:Platelet Glycoprotein GPIIb-IIIa Complex; D000077284:Abciximab