Combined assessment of myocardial perfusion and diastolic function enhances risk stratification in patients with anterior wall myocardial infarction.
OBJECTIVE
Evaluate the utility of a combined risk stratification scheme including diastolic dysfunction and "no-reflow," to identify high-risk patients following acute myocardial infarction (AMI).


BACKGROUND
Recent studies have demonstrated that the "no-reflow" phenomenon (defined by myocardial contrast echocardiography) and severe diastolic dysfunction (identified by Doppler echocardiography) identify patients at high risk for mortality following AMI.


METHODS
We evaluated 111 patients with recent anterior acute myocardial infarction from July 2000 to June 2004. Diastolic function and myocardial perfusion was evaluated by echocardiography. Patients were placed into 1 of 3 groups based on diastolic function and myocardial perfusion: Group 1 (normal perfusion and normal diastolic function), Group 2 (abnormal perfusion or abnormal diastolic function), and Group 3 (abnormal perfusion and abnormal diastolic function). We compared the long term all-cause mortality within these groups.


RESULTS
Patients in each group were similar with respect to myocardial infarction size as defined by biomarkers, extent and severity of coronary artery disease, and medical and interventional therapy. Mortality was much higher in Group 3 (26.9%) compared to Group 1 (0%) and Group 2 (15.2%) (p = 0.048).


CONCLUSIONS
Combined assessment of diastolic function and myocardial perfusion enhances risk stratification post myocardial infarction.
Khumri
Taiyeb M
TM
Saint Luke's Mid America Heart Institute, Kansas City, Missouri 64111, USA.
Walker
Brandy L
BL
Magalski
Anthony
A
Morris
Becky A
BA
Coggins
Tina R
TR
Kusnetzky
Lisa L
LL
House
John A
JA
Main
Michael L
ML
D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D003971:Diastole / Q000502:physiology*; D004452:Echocardiography; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009203:Myocardial Infarction / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D012307:Risk Factors; D012720:Severity of Illness Index