title: Correlation between markers of reperfusion and mortality in ST-elevation myocardial infarction: a systematic review.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To correlate early and late mortality with markers of reperfusion in ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI).
  
  
  BACKGROUND
  Early reperfusion improves STEMI outcomes. Reperfusion can be assessed using angiographic (Thrombolysis in Myocardial Infarction [TIMI] flow grade or myocardial blush grade [MBG]) or electrocardiographic markers (ST-segment recovery (STR).
  
  
  METHODS
  We searched electronic databases for all STEMI randomized clinical studies from the last decade reporting markers of reperfusion and clinical outcome. We used a generalized estimating equation (GEE) model with logistic regression link in order to assess the correlation between each marker of reperfusion and mortality at 30 and 365 days. We also performed random effect meta-analysis for selected studies comparing mortality for specific categories of MBG.
  
  
  RESULTS
  We identified 44 studies with 19,955 patients. Final TIMI 3 flow was achieved in 87%, 70% had MBG 2 or 3, and 66% had complete STR. Average 30-day and 1-year mortality was 2.97 ± 2.34% and 4.11 ± 2.52%, respectively. Adjusting (study level) for age, diabetes, chronic kidney disease, infarct location, ejection fraction, and female sex, there was significant correlation between each of the three markers and 1-year mortality (P=.03 for TIMI 3; P=.02 for MBG 2 or 3; and P=.04 for STR). In nearly 6000 patients, there was substantial excess mortality in those with MBG 0/1 compared with MBG 2/3 (relative risk = 2.14 [1.65-2.77] with P<.001 at 30 days; relative risk = 1.49 [1.3-1.7] and P<.001 at 1 year).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  After correcting for clinical factors known to affect outcome, there was a significant correlation between survival and better reperfusion.
authors.affiliation: Division of Cardiology, Department of Medicine, New York Methodist Hospital, Brooklyn, New York, USA. sjb9005@nyp.org.
authors.forename: Sudhakar
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Sattur
authors.forename: Bilal
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Sarwar
authors.forename: Terrence J
authors.initials: TJ
authors.lastname: Sacchi
authors.forename: Sorin J
authors.initials: SJ
authors.lastname: Brener
mesh_terms: D003326:Coronary Circulation / Q000187:drug effects; D004562:Electrocardiography / Q000187:drug effects*; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009203:Myocardial Infarction / Q000401:mortality* / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000628:therapy*; D015425:Myocardial Reperfusion; D011379:Prognosis; D016032:Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic; D013223:Statistics as Topic; D013318:Stroke Volume / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology; D016019:Survival Analysis; D015912:Thrombolytic Therapy