title: Acid-base imbalance in uncomplicated ST-elevation myocardial infarction: the clinical role of tissue acidosis.
abstract: Little information is available on acid-base imbalance in uncomplicated ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) submitted to primary percutaneous intervention (PCI). We therefore assessed acid-base imbalance in 257 consecutive uncomplicated STEMI patients submitted to PCI to determine whether its evaluation could help in identifying patients at higher risk for in-hospital complications (acute pulmonary edema and dysrhythmias). A basic metabolic profile was performed at hospital admission, that is before PCI. After PCI, we measured: creatinine, uric acid and NT-pro BNP and serum electrolytes. Peak troponin I was also considered. Acidemia was present in 11 patients (4.2%), HCO(3) < 22 in 62 (24.1%). Base excess < -3 was detectable in 70 patients (27.2%), anion gap > 12 in 13 (5.1%), Cl/Na < 0.79 in 93 patients (38.5%). Patients with a Cl/Na < 0.79 had a lower LVEF (p = 0.042) and higher values of NT-pro-BNP (p = 0.019) and of latency (p = 0.029) together with a higher length of stay (p = 0.017) and a higher incidence of in-hospital complications (p = 0.017). At backward stepwise regression analysis, the following variables resulted independent predictors of in-hospital complications: base excess OR 1.47 (95% CI 1.04-2.10) p = 0.031; Cl/Na ratio O.R. 1.85 (95% CI 1.05-3.27) p = 0.035. In STEMI patients submitted to mechanical revascularization the evaluation of acid-base status and, in particular the detection of even mild degrees of acidosis may help in risk stratification for in-hospital complications. A Cl/Na < 0.79 ratio and a base excess are independent predictors for in-hospital complications.
authors.affiliation: Intensive Cardiac Coronary Unit, Heart and Vessel Department, Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria Careggi, Viale Morgagni 85, 50134, Florence, Italy. lazzeric@libero.it
authors.forename: Chiara
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Lazzeri
authors.forename: Serafina
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Valente
authors.forename: Marco
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Chiostri
authors.forename: Claudio
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Picariello
authors.forename: Gian Franco
authors.initials: GF
authors.lastname: Gensini
mesh_terms: D000137:Acid-Base Imbalance / Q000150:complications*; D000368:Aged; D015906:Angioplasty, Balloon, Coronary; D001145:Arrhythmias, Cardiac / Q000209:etiology; D004562:Electrocardiography; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009203:Myocardial Infarction / Q000150:complications* / Q000628:therapy; D011183:Postoperative Complications; D011654:Pulmonary Edema / Q000209:etiology; D012307:Risk Factors