title: Evidence of ischemic preconditioning in patients experiencing first non-ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (NSTEMI).
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Several studies have demonstrated the protective effects of preinfarction angina in Q wave myocardial infarction, implicating the role of ischemic preconditioning but this role remains uncertain in patients with a NSTEMI. Subendocardial viability in NSTEMI patients, is thought to be less dependent on collateral circulation and thus more likely to be protected by other mechanisms such as preconditioning.
  
  
  METHODS
  We have studied prospectively 40 patients with first NSTEMI and with angiographically proven poor or no collateral development and compared two groups; those with versus those without preinfarction angina. All in-hospital events, such as recurrent angina, congestive heart failure, arrhythmias and reinfarction were recorded. Serum markers of myocardial necrosis (CPK, CPK-MB, AST) and discharge QTc values were estimated.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Preconditioned patients suffered less recurrent angina (18 vs. 55% P=0.014), congestive heart failure (0 vs. 22%, P=0.02), arrhythmic events (0 vs. 27%, P=0.008) and had significant smaller values of mean peak CPK (381 +/- 152 vs. 859 +/- 496 I.U./l, P=0.0008), mean peak CPK-MB (45.5 +/- 24.6 vs. 105.2 +/- 87 I.U./l, P=0.01), mean peak AST (59.8 +/- 23.1 vs. 112.4 +/- 64.3 I.U./l, P=0.003) and QTc value at discharge (0.42 +/- 0.03 vs. 0.46 +/- 0.05 s, P=0.005) than patients without preconditioning. Multiple logistic regression analysis confirmed that the absence of preinfarction angina (relative risk 9.10, 95% CI 2.08-40.00, P=0.003) was a significant predictor of in-hospital complications.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Preinfarction angina constitutes a strong clinical correlate to ischemic preconditioning in patients with first NSTEMI, offering serious protection, by improving in-hospital outcome and reducing infarct size.
authors.affiliation: 1st Cardiology Department, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, AHEPA General Hospital, 1st Kiriakidi St, 54636 Thessaloniki, Greece. chpapado@auth.gr
authors.forename: Christodoulos E
authors.initials: CE
authors.lastname: Papadopoulos
authors.forename: Haralampos I
authors.initials: HI
authors.lastname: Karvounis
authors.forename: Ioannis T
authors.initials: IT
authors.lastname: Gourasas
authors.forename: Georgios E
authors.initials: GE
authors.lastname: Parharidis
authors.forename: Georgios E
authors.initials: GE
authors.lastname: Louridas
mesh_terms: D000787:Angina Pectoris / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000503:physiopathology*; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D003097:Collateral Circulation / Q000502:physiology; D003326:Coronary Circulation / Q000502:physiology; D004562:Electrocardiography; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D019157:Ischemic Preconditioning, Myocardial; D016015:Logistic Models; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009203:Myocardial Infarction / Q000503:physiopathology*; D017063:Outcome Assessment, Health Care; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012307:Risk Factors