Early electrocardiographic findings and MR imaging-verified microvascular injury and myocardial infarct size.
OBJECTIVE
This study investigated early electrocardiographic findings in relation to left ventricular (LV) function, extent and size of infarction, and microvascular injury in patients with acute myocardial infarction (MI) treated with percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI).


BACKGROUND
The electrocardiogram (ECG) is the most used and simplest clinical method to evaluate the risk for patients immediately after reperfusion therapy for acute MI. ST-segment resolution and residual ST-segment elevation have been used for prognosis in acute MI, whereas Q waves are related to outcome in chronic MI. We hypothesized that the combination of these electrocardiographic measures early after primary PCI would enhance risk stratification.


METHODS
We prospectively included 180 patients with a first acute ST-segment elevation MI to assess ST-segment resolution, residual ST-segment elevation, and number of Q waves using the 12-lead ECG acquired on admission and 1 h after successful PCI. The ECG findings were related to LV function, infarction size and transmurality, and microvascular injury as assessed with cine and gadolinium-enhanced cardiac magnetic resonance 4 +/- 2 days after reperfusion therapy.


RESULTS
Residual ST-segment elevation (beta = -2.00, p = 0.004) and the number of Q waves (beta = -1.66, p = 0.005) were independent ECG predictors of LV ejection fraction. Although the number of Q waves was the only independent predictor of infarct size (beta = 2.01, p < 0.001) and transmural extent of infarction (beta = 0.60, p < 0.001), residual ST-segment elevation was the only independent predictor of microvascular injury (odds ratio: 19.1, 95% confidence interval: 2.4 to 154, p = 0.005) in multivariable analyses. The ST-segment resolution was neither associated with LV function, infarct size, or transmurality indexes, nor with microvascular injury in multivariable analysis.


CONCLUSIONS
In patients after successful coronary intervention for acute MI, residual ST-segment elevation and the number of Q waves on the post-procedural ECG offer valuable complementary information on prediction of myocardial function and necrosis and its microvascular status.
Nijveldt
Robin
R
Department of Cardiology, VU University Medical Center, Amsterdam, the Netherlands. r.nijveldt@vumc.nl
van der Vleuten
Pieter A
PA
Hirsch
Alexander
A
Beek
Aernout M
AM
Tio
René A
RA
Tijssen
Jan G P
JG
Piek
Jan J
JJ
van Rossum
Albert C
AC
Zijlstra
Felix
F
D000208:Acute Disease; D000368:Aged; D015906:Angioplasty, Balloon, Coronary / Q000009:adverse effects; D003287:Contrast Media; D017023:Coronary Angiography; D003331:Coronary Vessels / Q000473:pathology*; D004562:Electrocardiography; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D016014:Linear Models; D016015:Logistic Models; D019028:Magnetic Resonance Imaging, Cine; D008297:Male; D008536:Meglumine; D055806:Microvessels / Q000473:pathology; D008875:Middle Aged; D009203:Myocardial Infarction / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000628:therapy*; D009206:Myocardium / Q000473:pathology*; D009336:Necrosis; D016017:Odds Ratio; D009942:Organometallic Compounds; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D011446:Prospective Studies; D018570:Risk Assessment; D012307:Risk Factors; D013318:Stroke Volume; D013997:Time Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D016277:Ventricular Function, Left
D003287:Contrast Media; D009942:Organometallic Compounds; D008536:Meglumine; C072417:gadoterate meglumine