Treatment with ramipril improves systolic function even in patients with mild systolic dysfunction and symptoms of heart failure after acute myocardial infarction

Background: Clinical signs of heart failure such as pulmonary rales and dyspnea, ventricular dysfunction, and ventricular arrhythmia are independent predictors of a poor prognosis after acute myocardial infarction (AMI). Hypothesis: The study aimed to assess the effect of ramipril treatment on mildly depressed left ventricular (LV) systolic function, assessed by atrioventricular (AV) plane displacement in patients with congestive heart failure after AMI. Methods:The study was a substudy in the Acute Infarction Ramipril Efficacy Study, a double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled trial of ramipril versus placebo in patients with symptoms of heart failure after AMI. In all, 56 patients were included in the main study, 4 refused to participate in the substudy, and 4 were excluded for logistical reasons. Echocardiography was performed at entry and after 6 months. Patients who underwent coronary artery bypass grafting during the follow-up period were excluded. Results: At baseline, the patients had modest LV dysfunction, and mean AV plane displacement of 9.7 mm. During follow-up, AV plane displacement increased in ramipril-treated patients from 9.5 to 10.9 mm (p < 0.01). No statistically significant changes were seen in the placebo group. Conclusions: Ramipril improves LV systolic function in patients with clinical signs of heart failure and only modest systolic dysfunction after AMI. Measurement of AV plane displacement is a simple and reproducible method for detection of small changes in systolic function and may be used instead of ejection fraction in patients with poor image quality.     

Differential prognostic importance of QRS duration in heart failure and acute myocardial infarction associated with left ventricular dysfunction

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Studies of the prognostic importance of QRS duration in patients with heart failure (HF) have shown conflicting results and few studies have estimated the importance after myocardial infarction (MI). METHODS: The Danish Investigations and Arrhythmia ON Dofetilide (DIAMOND) study randomised 3028 patients to dofetilide (class III antiarrhythmic) or placebo. The study consisted of two almost identical trials conducted simultaneously. One trial included 1518 patients with chronic HF and the other trial 1510 patients with a recent MI. All patients had left ventricular dysfunction. Dofetilide did not influence mortality in either trial. QRS duration was systematically measured at randomisation and was available in 2972 patients. RESULTS: Over a 10 year observation period 1037 (70%) patients in the MI study and 1324 (87%) in the HF study died. In the MI study, risk of death increased 6% for each 10 ms increase in QRS duration (HR=1.06/10 ms increase in QRS (CI=1.04-1.09), p<0.0001) whereas QRS duration had no influence in the HF study after multivariable adjustment. The difference between HF and MI was significant (p<0.0004 for interaction). CONCLUSION: QRS duration predicts death in patients with left ventricular dysfunction who have suffered MI. In patients with HF QRS duration is not predictive of mortality.     

左心室收缩功能代偿的住院心力衰竭患者临床特点与预后

目的:观察左心室收缩功能代偿的心力衰竭患者临床特点与预后情况。方法:连续入选1999年1月至2002年12月间在我院心内科住院的心力衰竭患者,心功能为Ⅲ~Ⅳ级,户籍在北京,住院期间均行超声心动图检查并用2D法测量左心室射血分数(LVEF)。对其生存情况及死亡时间进行随访。结果:145例患者的年龄中位数为64岁,其中男性94例(64.8%)。平均随访(47.5±12.5)个月,共61例(42%)死亡。不同LVEF的患者预后不同,LVEF越低,预后越差。按LVEF<25%,25%~39%,40%~49%与≥50%将患者分组,4组患者的生存时间中位数分别为:36.0,53.8,96.9与92.8个月,其1年病死率分别为50%、32.3%、13%与0%,5年病死率为76.8%、73.1%、46.1%与21.1%。本组患者左心室收缩功能代偿者(LVEF≥50%)占21.4%,其预后较左心室收缩功能减低者(LVEF<40%)好,2组的病死率有明显差异(P=0.008)。Cox回归分析显示,LVEF(P<0.01)与年龄(P<0.05)是影响预后的因素。结论:心力衰竭患者总体预后差,LVEF越低,预后越差,收缩功能代偿者的预后良好。     

急性心肌梗塞后左室舒张功能影响因素的探讨

为探讨急性心肌梗塞（ＡＭＩ）左室舒张功能的变化及影响因素，我们用脉冲多普勒超声心动图测量了７２例ＡＭＩ患者的左室舒张功能，并用多元逐步回归对其影响因素进行了分析。结果表明，７２例病人中Ｅ／Ａ＜１者４１例，占５６．９％。ＡＭＩ后左室舒张功能除受年龄影响外，梗塞面积的大小直接影响左室舒张功能，但与梗塞部位无关，梗塞前心绞痛可减轻梗塞后左室舒张功能的损害，是通过减小梗塞面积而实现的。溶栓治疗可以改善心肌梗塞后的左室舒张功能。     

Dofetilide in patients with left ventricular dysfunction and either heart failure or acute myocardial infarction: Rationale,design, and patient characteristics of the DIAMOND studies

Background: Attempts to prolong life with antiarrhythmic drugs in patients at increased risk of sudden cardiac death have so far been disappointing or inconclusive. Hypothesis: The Danish Investigations of Arrhythmia and Mortality ON Dofetilide (DIAMOND) encompass two survival studies testing the prophylactic use of the selective potassium-channel blocker, dofetilide, in patients at high risk of sudden death. Methods: The first study includes patients admitted to hospital with congestive heart failure (CHF), the other includes patients with acute myocardial infarction (MI) within the previous 7 days. In both studies patients must have left ventricular systolic dysfunction (ejection fraction 35%) determined by echocardiography. Each of the two studies are planned to enroll 1500 patients. Consecutive hospitalized patients with MI or CHF are screened in 37 Danish hospitals. Eligible patients are randomized to receive dofetilide or matching placebo. All patients are continuously monitored by telemetry for the first 3 days of the study to detect possible arrhythmic events and to ensure resuscitation in case of serious arrhythmias. Minimum duration of follow-up is 12 months. Results: Between November 1993 and July 1996, a total of 5812 consecutive patients with CHF and 8688 consecutive patients with MI was screened for entry. Of these, 1518 patients were included in the CHF study and 1510 patients in the MI study. Overall 1-year mortality of randomized patients were 28 and 22%, respectively. Conclusion: DIAMOND will provide important data on the safety and efficacy of dofetilide in high-risk patients with left ventricular dysfunction and either CHF or MI, as well as evaluate tolerability in these populations.     

米力农治疗急性心肌梗死并发急性左心衰竭的临床观察

目的评价米力农治疗急性心肌梗死并发急性左心衰竭的疗效及安全性。方法2005年1月2006年4月在沈阳军区总医院心内科诊断急性心肌梗死并发急性左心衰的住院患者120例,随机分为2组,每组60例,心功能均为Killip ⅢⅣ级,对照组给予常规抗心衰治疗,米力农组在常规治疗的基础上加用米力农0.5μg/（kg.min）静脉滴注5 h,每日1次,应用7 d。观察患者用药前后的症状变化、心功能级别及不良反应。结果米力农组心功能改善总有效率为88%,对照组为70%,两组总有效率有显著差异（P<0.05）。米力农组无明显药物不良反应。结论米力农治疗急性心肌梗死并发急性左心衰疗效确切、安全可靠。     

Spontaneous recovery of left ventricular function following acute anterior myocardial infarction

Four patients with acute anterior wall myocardial infarction showing spontaneous and marked improvement in systolic left ventricular function are described. All 4 patients showed abnormal Q waves and severe wall motion abnormalities soon after acute infarction. In all 4 patients, at least some regeneration of R-wave forces occurred and the regional wall motion in the involved area of the left ventricle improved dramatically without coronary angioplasty or surgical revascularization during the intervening period. The improvement in left ventricular function was attributed to spontaneous increase in nutrient flow to the involved area. It is concluded that Q waves and severe wall motion abnormalities do not necessarily indicate irreversible scar formation.     

Profile of plasma N-terminal proBNP following acute myocardial infarction; correlation with left ventricular systolic dysfunction.

AIMS: The aims of this study were to describe the temporal pattern of plasma N-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide, to examine the optimum time of sampling and to compare plasma N-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide to clinical criteria in terms of identification of impaired left ventricular systolic function following acute myocardial infarction. METHODS AND RESULTS: Measurements of N-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide were made in 60 patients at 14-48 h, 49-72 h, 73-120 h, 121-192 h following myocardial infarction and at 6 weeks in survivors. Left ventricular wall motion index was assessed during hospitalization (WMI-1) and at 6 weeks (WMI-2). N-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide levels were elevated at all time points, to a greater extent in anterior compared to inferior infarction (P < 0.05). A biphasic profile of plasma concentration was observed in anterior infarction with peaks at 14-48 h and 121-192 h. This was sustained at 6 weeks. N-terminal pro- brain natriuretic peptide at 73-120 h was the best independent predictor of WMI-1 (P < 0.005). N-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide was higher at all times in patients who received ACE inhibitor therapy compared to those who did not (P < 0.005). N-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide at 73-120 h (R(2) = 17.7%, P = 0.005) and previous myocardial infarction (R(2) = 5.3%, P < 0.05) were independent predictors of poor outcome (WMI-2 < or = 1.2 or death by 6 weeks). CONCLUSIONS: A biphasic pattern of plasma N-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide is seen after anterior myocardial infarction. Plasma level is strongly correlated to wall motion index soon after and remote from acute myocardial infarction. Plasma N-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide measured later in hospitalization better predicts poor outcome following myocardial infarction than when it is measured in the immediate post infarction period.     

Clinical presentation,hospital length of stay,and readmission rate in patients with heart failure with preserved and decreased left ventricular systolic function

BACKGROUND: Congestive heart failure is the leading cause of hospital admissions for adults in the United States. To our knowledge, there are limited data comparing the clinical presentation, hospital length of stay, and readmission in patients with preserved and decreased left ventricular (LV) systolic function. HYPOTHESIS: The goal of the study was to determine whether there are differences in clinical presentation, hospital length of stay, and readmission in patients with preserved (> or = 50%) and reduced (< 50%) systolic function. METHODS: We prospectively evaluated 187 patients admitted with congestive heart failure confirmed by the presence of pulmonary vascular congestion on chest x-ray, and with recent (< 6 months) documentation of LV systolic function by two-dimensional echocardiography. History and physical examination findings, patient demographics, comorbidities, discharge medications, and length of hospital stay data were documented. Readmission rate over a 6-month follow-up period was also documented. RESULTS: Of the 187 patients, 130 (70%) patients had an ejection fraction (EF) <50%, and 57 (30%) patients had an EF > or = 50%. Patients with EF < 50% were more likely to be men (54 vs. 37%, p = 0.03). African Americans (79 vs. 60%, p = 0.007), had a higher prevalence of previous stroke (17 vs. 5%, p = 0.03), and were more likely to carry no medical insurance at the time of admission (14 vs. 2%, p = 0.01) and to be discharged on digoxin (60 vs.30%, p<0.001). There were no significant differences in symptoms (exertional dyspnea, rest dyspnea, orthopnea, or paroxysmal nocturnal dyspnea), or in physical examination findings (S3, S4, elevated jugular venous pressure, rales, or peripheral edema). According to chest x-ray, patients with EF <50% had more frequent cardiomegaly (88 vs. 72% p = 0.008), but there were no differences in the presence of pleural effusion or pulmonary vascular congestion (p = NS). The mean length of stay was 5.9 and 5.2 days, respectively (p = 0.34). During the 6-month follow-up period, the readmission rates were 33% (43 patients) and 26% (15 patients), respectively (p = 0.36). CONCLUSION: The clinical presentation, hospital length of stay, and readmission rate for congestive heart failure are similar in patients with preserved and decreased LV systolic function.     

Coronary collaterals and left ventricular function early after acute transmural myocardial infarction

The coronary collateral circulation and ventricular function,segmental wall motion and infarct size, were investigated fromhemodynamic and angiographic data in 126 patients with acutetransmural myocardial infarction and complete obstruction ofa major coronary vessel. The patients were divided into twogroups: 74 with obstruction of the right coronary artery and52 with obstruction of the left anterior descending artery.The collateral circulation was rated as absent, poor, fair oradequate: two weeks after infarction, collateral vessels wereobserved in only 27% (poor 15.4%, fair 5.8%, adequate 5.8%)of the patients with an anterior myocardial infarction and inonly 35% (poor 13.5%, fair 16.4%, adequate 4.5%) of the patientswith an inferior myocardial infarction. In both groups of patients, the presence of collateral vesselshad no significant influence on the following parameters: leftventricular performance (left ventricular end-diastolic pressure,left ventricular enddiastolic volume, ejection fraction andmean velocity of fiber shortening), extent of abnormally contractingsegment and segmental wall motion. After anterior myocardialinfarction, there was an insignificant trend to lesser myocardialdamage in patients with coronary collaterals. Thus, coronary collaterals are infrequent in patients with acutetransmural myocardial infarction and total obstruction of acoronary vessel; in these patients we conclude that the collateralshave no effect either on left ventricular function or on thesize of the infarction.     

The acute effects of intravenous nisoldipine on left ventricular function within 24 h after acute myocardial infarction.

Nisoldipine is a calcium antagonist with potent coronary vasodilating effects in patients with chronic stable angina pectoris. We studied the acute effects of nisoldipine in six patients within 24 h (mean 14 +/- 4 h) after the onset of myocardial infarction. Nisoldipine was administered as a 4.5 micrograms kg-1 intravenous bolus over 3 min followed by intravenous infusion of 0.2 microgram kg-1 min-1 during 60 min. Radionuclide angiography, cardiac output and intra-arterial blood pressure measurements were performed before and during nisoldipine. Left ventricular ejection fraction increased from 48.3 +/- 10.3% to 55.3 +/- 11.8% (P = 0.034) during nisoldipine infusion. Regional wall motion score changed during nisoldipine infusion from 3.3 +/- 2.5 to 1.8 +/- 2.6 (P = 0.027). Cardiac output increased from 5.5 +/- 1.0 to 7.3 +/- 1.3 l min-1 (P = 0.0001). Heart rate increased from 78 +/- 12 to 88 +/- 11 beats.min-1 (P = 0.004). Mean arterial blood pressure decreased from 91.7 +/- 20.2 to 78.7 +/- 13.1 mmHg (P = 0.038). The rate-pressure product did not change significantly during nisoldipine infusion. It is concluded that nisoldipine improves global and regional left ventricular function in patients with acute myocardial infarction within the first 24 h. Our findings suggest that this effect is achieved without increasing myocardial oxygen demand.     

平衡法门控心血池显像评价不同分级前壁心肌梗死患者左室收缩及舒张功能

目的我们应用平衡法门控心血池显像技术对不同Killip分级的前壁心肌梗死患者进行左室总体和局部收缩和舒张功能参数的对比分析。方法对照组15例（G0）,前壁心肌梗死KillipⅠ级17例（G1）,前壁心肌梗死KillipⅡⅢ级12例（G2）。利用平衡法门控心血池显像技术评价3组的左室总体和局部的收缩与舒张功能。结果①左室整体收缩功能,在LVEF,ESC 2个参数中,G1比G0有显著差异（P<0.05）,G2分别比G1和G0有显著差异（P<0.05）。在PER、1/3EF、1/3ER 3个参数中,G2分别比G1和G0显著下降（P<0.05）。②左室总体舒张功能,在PFR、1/3FF、1/3FR、EDC中,G1比G0有显著差异（P<0.05）,G2分别比G1和G0有显著差异（P<0.05）。③左室局部收缩功能,在以LVREF为参数时,G1在4个节段比G0显著差异（P<0.05）,G2在所有6个节段中比G1和G0均显著下降（P<0.05）。④左室局部舒张功能,在以LVR1/3FF为参数时,G1在4个节段比G0显著下降（P<0.05）,G2在所有6个节段比G0和G1均显著下降（P<0.05）。结论前壁心肌梗死后出现心功能受损或心力衰竭的主要原因为左室重构。     

老年舒张性心力衰竭与收缩性心力衰竭患者左心形态及功能的超声评价

目的　探讨老年舒张性心力衰竭与收缩性心力衰竭患者超声左心形态、功能的特点。方法　对临床确诊的 30例老年左心室舒张性心力衰竭 (L VDHF)病例及 36例老年左心室收缩性心力衰竭 (L VSHF)病例进行超声检测 ,以2 0例正常人为对照组。结果　 1与 L VSHF组比较 ,L VDHF组左心房内径 (L AD)、左心室内径 (L VD)扩大程度小 ,但室间隔厚度 (IVST)、左心室后壁厚度 (PWT)增加。 2与对照组比较 ,L VDHF组 L AD、IVST、PWT增加 ,但L VD无显著性差异 ,L VSHF组 L VD显著性扩大。 3L VDHF组左心室射血分数 (L VEF)、心脏指数 (CI)与对照组比较无显著差异 ,而 L VSHF组 L VEF、CI减低。4与对照组比较 ,L VDHF组二尖瓣舒张早期流速峰值 (EPFV)、二尖瓣舒张早、晚期流速峰值比 (E/ A )、舒张早期减速度 (DC)减低 ,二尖瓣舒张晚期流速峰值 ((APFV )、等容舒张时间 (IRT)增高。L VDHF组上述指标与 L VSHF组无显著差异。结论　难以单纯从超声左心室舒张功能指标判断有无 L VDHF的存在 ,应综合分析判断。     

链激酶溶栓治疗急性心肌梗死对左心室功能的改善作用

为评价链激酶溶栓治疗急性心肌梗死（ＡＭＩ）对左心室功能的影响，应用二维超声心动图对２６例接受链激酶溶栓治疗的ＡＭＩ患者和２７例未溶栓的ＡＭＩ患者，分别在急性期及６个月后随访时测量并计算左心室容积（ＥＤＶ和ＥＳＶ），射血分数（ＥＦ）以及室壁运动指数（ＧＷＭＩ和ＲＷＭＩ）。以上各项指标在急性期时比较各组无显著性差异；在随访期再通组ＥＦ值明显高于未通组和未溶栓组，再通组左室容量减小。急性期各组心功能无差异，随访时再通组心功能较未通组显著改善。提示:链激酶溶栓能明显减轻ＡＭＩ患者的左心室扩张，改善左心室功能和长期预后     

Heart failure after myocardial infarction: the importance of diastolic dysfunction: A prospective clinical and echocardiographic study

Clinical signs of heart failure based on predefined criteriawere analysed in 217 survivors (<75 years of age) of an acutemyocardial infarction (AMI). A Doppler investigation and M-modeechocardiography were performed 3–5 days after the indexinfarction. All patients were stratified according to left ventricularend-diastolic diameter 28 mm. m^–2 body surface area. Fractionalshortening, E-point septal separation, Keren's echo-index basedon left ventricular end-diastolic diameter, fractional shorteningand E-point septal separation were used as indices of systolicfunction, and the EI A ratio and isovolumic relaxation timeas indices of diastolic function. Fifty-one per cent of thepatients (n=111) had heart failure. Left ventricular end-diastolicdiameter was <28 mm. m^–2 body surface area in 32 (29%)of the heart failure patients and in 44 (45%) of those withoutheart failure. An abnormal Keren's echo-index was found in 58(52%) of the heart failure patients compared with 17 (18%) withoutheart failure. The EIA ratio was lower (0.65 vs 0.77, P=0.01)in heart failure patients with a normal left ventricular end-diastolicdiameter compared with patients without heart failure and anormal left ventricular end-diastolic diameter. Infarct size,E-point septal separation, heart rate and age were determinantsof heart failure in multivariate analyses with all patientsincluded. Infarct size and the EI A ratio were determinantsof heart failure in patients with a normal left ventricularend-diastolic diameter. Systolic dysfunction is a determinant of heart failure in themajority of patients after AMI, whereas diastolic dysfunctionis a determinant of heart failure in patients with a normalleft ventricular end-diastolic diameter. Abnormal findings regardingleft ventricular diameter and systolic function are presentin 55% and 18%, respectively, of the patients without heartfailure.     

急性心梗心电图QRS波终末变形与左室功能变化的研究

目的探讨急性心肌梗死患者心电图QRS波终末变形情况与左心室功能变化的关系。方法根据入院心电图将急性心梗患者分成QRS终末变形阳性(QRS+)组(n=22)与QRS终末变形阴性(QRS-)组(n=46),于经皮冠状动脉介入术后2周与6个月时行超声心动图检查。结果术后6个月时QRS-组左心室舒张末期容积指数(LVEDVI)、左室收缩末期容积指数(LVESVI)及室壁活动异常积分(VWMA)明显小于QRS+组p<0.05),而左室射血分数(LVEF)显著高于QRS+组(p<0.05)。结论心电图QRS终末变形可作为急性心梗后左室重构和左室功能变化的预测因子之一。     

Simultaneous assessment of segmental and global left ventricular function by two-dimensional echocardiography in acute myocardial infarction

Both segmental and global left ventricular performance were assessed simultaneously in 29 patients with acute myocardial infarction using two-dimensional echocardiography. Comparisons were made between left ventricular wall motion versus peak CK-MB, site of infarction, and occurrence of heart failure. Two-dimensional echocardiography identified areas of dyssynergy which corresponded to electrocardiographic areas of infarction in 89% of all cases. Patients with heart failure had more dyssynergic segments, and these segments manifested more severe dyssynergy than patients without heart failure. Patients with severe global dysfunction manifested higher peak CK-MB values, and those with anterior infarction had more global dyssynergy than did those patients with inferior infarction. These observations suggest that two-dimensional echocardiography is a useful technique for localization and assessment of segmental and global dyssynergy in acute myocardial infarction. Information so derived correlates with the clinical status of patients with acute myocardial infarction, and may offer important insights into both prognosis and treatment.     

The duration of beta‐blocker therapy and outcomes in patients without heart failure or left ventricular systolic dysfunction after acute myocardial infarction: A multicenter prospective cohort study

BackgroundThe duration of beta‐blocker therapy in patients without heart failure (HF) or left ventricular systolic dysfunction after acute myocardial infarction (AMI) is unclear.HypothesisContinuous beta‐blocker therapy is associated with an improved prognosis.MethodsThis is a prospective, multicenter, cohort study. One thousand four hundred and eighty‐three patients eventually met the inclusion criteria. The study groups included the continuous beta‐blocker therapy group (lasted ≥6 months) and the discontinuous beta‐blocker therapy group (consisting of the no‐beta‐blocker therapy group and the beta‐blocker therapy <6 months group). The inverse probability treatment weighting was used to control confounding factors. The study tried to learn the role of continuous beta‐blocker therapy on outcomes. The median duration of follow‐up was 13.0 months. The primary outcomes were cardiac death and major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE). The secondary outcomes were all‐cause death, stroke, unstable angina, rehospitalization for HF, and recurrent myocardial infarction (MI).ResultsCompared with discontinuous beta‐blocker therapy, continuous beta‐blocker therapy was associated with a reduced risk of unstable angina, recurrent MI, and MACE (hazard ratio [HR]: 0.51; 95% CI: 0.32–0.82; p = 0.006); but this association was not available for cardiac death (HR: 0.57; 95% CI: 0.24–1.36; p = 0.206). When compared to the subgroups of no‐beta‐blocker therapy and beta‐blocker therapy <6 months, respectively, continuous beta‐blocker therapy was still observed to be associated with a reduced risk of unstable angina, recurrent MI, and MACE.ConclusionsContinuous beta‐blocker therapy was associated with a reduced risk of unstable angina or recurrent MI or MACE in patients without HF or left ventricular systolic dysfunction after AMI.     

Emergency coronary angioplasty in patients with severe left ventricular dysfunction or cardiogenic shock after acute myocardial infarction

Emergency percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty (PTCA) was performed during an acute myocardial infarction (AMI) after either systemic or intracoronary thrombolytic therapy in six patients with severe ischaemic left ventricular dysfunction or cardiogenic shock, among 37 patients (17%) who were treated with PTCA during AMI over a 13-month period. Thrombolytic therapy with streptokinase (1.5 x 10 Units) was initiated after a mean (+/- SD) time delay of 5.5 +/- 1.3 h from the onset of symptoms. The infarct-related artery was found to be occluded (TIMI grade 0-1) in three patients and partially reperfused (TIMI grade 2) in the remaining patients at baseline coronary angiography. Intracoronary administration of urokinase (100-200,000 Units) was ineffective in those patients failing systemic thrombolysis and resulted in only a slight increase of residual lumen in three patients. The coronary artery could be opened by a guidewire mechanical technique in patients with persistent coronary artery occlusion and coronary dilation could be done in all patients. The mean percentage diameter stenosis of the infarct-related vessel was reduced from 98.8 +/- 2% to 27 +/- 11% (P less than 0.005). After the procedure, left ventricular ejection fraction increased from 27 +/- 8% to 41 +/- 7% (P less than 0.02), systemic blood pressure and cardiac index increased respectively from 86 +/- 10 to 126 +/- 14 mmHg (P less than 0.005) and from 2.2 +/- 0.6 to 3.3 +/- 0.6 (P less than 0.01). Left ventricular end-diastolic pressure decreased from 26 +/- 8 to 18 +/- 3 mmHg (P less than 0.05). Severe mitral regurgitation was relieved in one patient.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)