title: Influence of left ventricular hypertrophy on microvascular dysfunction and left ventricular remodelling after acute myocardial infarction.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To ascertain whether the presence of left ventricular (LV) hypertrophy in patients with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) influences microvascular dysfunction and LV remodelling at 6 months of follow-up.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Fifty-six consecutive STEMI patients successfully treated with primary or rescue percutaneous coronary intervention underwent conventional two-dimensional and myocardial contrast echocardiography within 24 h and at 6 months. Left ventricular mass, end-diastolic volume (EDV), end-systolic volume (ESV), ejection fraction, and wall motion score index (WMSI) were measured. Left ventricular hypertrophy was defined as LV mass index >116 g/m(2) in men and >104 g/m(2) in women. In order to evaluate the potential influence of microvascular dysfunction on LV remodelling, myocardial perfusion was semiquantitatively scored by contrast score index (CSI). Patients with LV hypertrophy had higher EDV and ESV both at 24 h and at 6 months, compared with patients without LV hypertrophy (P < 0.05). No significant changes over time were observed in both groups. Both WMSI and CSI were similar between groups at 24 h and at follow-up, but improved in both groups over time (P < 0.05).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Left ventricular hypertrophy does not appear to influence the development of post-acute myocardial infarction LV remodelling. Hypertrophic and non-hypertrophic left ventricles showed the same extent and temporal improvement in regional contractile function and microvascular perfusion.
authors.affiliation: Institute of Cardiology, Catholic University of the Sacred Heart, Largo A. Gemelli 8, 00168 Rome, Italy. lgaliuto@rm.unicatt.it
authors.forename: Leonarda
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Galiuto
authors.forename: Francesca A
authors.initials: FA
authors.lastname: Gabrielli
authors.forename: Gaetano A
authors.initials: GA
authors.lastname: Lanza
authors.forename: Angelo
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Porfidia
authors.forename: Lazzaro
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Paraggio
authors.forename: Sabrina
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Barchetta
authors.forename: Gabriella
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Locorotondo
authors.forename: Alberto R
authors.initials: AR
authors.lastname: De Caterina
authors.forename: Antonio G
authors.initials: AG
authors.lastname: Rebuzzi
authors.forename: Filippo
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Crea
mesh_terms: D000704:Analysis of Variance; D015906:Angioplasty, Balloon, Coronary; D006328:Cardiac Catheterization; D003325:Coronary Care Units; D004452:Echocardiography; D005260:Female; D006352:Heart Ventricles / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology; D006801:Humans; D017379:Hypertrophy, Left Ventricular / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000473:pathology / Q000628:therapy; D008297:Male; D008833:Microcirculation; D008875:Middle Aged; D009203:Myocardial Infarction / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000473:pathology / Q000628:therapy; D012307:Risk Factors; D013318:Stroke Volume; D016277:Ventricular Function, Left; D020257:Ventricular Remodeling