Left ventricular asynergy in electrocardiographic "posterior" myocardial infarction

P2 300 selected patients, scalar electrocardiograms and contemporaneous radionuclide angiograms were analyzed retrospectively to assess the association between prominent right precordial R waves (duration greater than or equal to 0.04 second, R greater than or equal to S in lead V1 or V2), traditionally considered diagnostic of "posterior" infarction, and asynergy in various left ventricular segments. Mathematical methods for analysis of association between nonparametric variables clearly demonstrated that prominent right precordial R waves were strongly associated with asynergy of the basal lateral left ventricular wall, although asynergy of adjacent inferior and lateral segments was common. With the exclusion of right ventricular hypertrophy and bundle branch block, a prominent R wave in lead V1 exhibited a high specificity (greater than to 99%), a high positive predictive value (91%) and a low sensitivity (36%) for diagnosing basal lateral myocardial infarction. A prominent R wave in lead V2 exhibited a higher sensitivity (61%), a somewhat lower specificity (95%) and a significantly lower positive predictive value (76%). A newly developed criterion for such infarction--a prominent R wave in lead V2 and a Q wave inferior infarction--had intermediate characteristics and may be more clinically useful. The most common reasons for the decreased sensitivities of all three criteria were left ventricular hypertrophy or associated anterior myocardial infarction. These data demonstrate that prominent right precordial R waves are clinically useful in identifying inferior and lateral wall infarctions that involve the basal lateral left ventricular segment. Confusion results primarily from inappropriate use of the electrocardiographic term "posterior" for such infarctions.     

Noninvasive assessment of left and right ventricular filling in myocardial infarction with a two-dimensional Doppler echocardiographic method

Inflow characteristics of left and right ventricular filling were assessed in 40 patients with myocardial infarction and in 10 normal subjects by pulsed Doppler echocardiography. Patients with myocardial infarction were subdivided into four groups, focusing on the involvement of right ventricular and septal branches of the coronary arteries. Group I consisted of 11 patients with anterior infarction who showed an obstructive lesion of the proximal left anterior descending branch involving the first septal perforator with a patent right coronary artery. Group II consisted of 10 patients with inferior infarction who showed an obstructive lesion of the proximal right coronary artery involving the right ventricular branch. Group III consisted of 12 patients with both anterior and inferior infarction who showed obstructive lesions of both the proximal left anterior descending branch and the right coronary artery involving the right ventricular branch. Group IV consisted of seven patients with lateral infarction who showed an obstructive lesion of the diagonal branch or branches of the circumflex coronary artery with a patent left anterior descending branch and right coronary artery. Three measurements were performed from the transmitral and transtricuspidal inflow velocity patterns to assess the left and right ventricular diastolic behaviors. These measurements were: acceleration half-time, deceleration half-time of early diastolic rapid inflow, and the ratio of the peak velocity of early diastolic rapid inflow to that of the late diastolic inflow due to the atrial contraction. Impaired diastolic filling of the left ventricle compensated by enhanced left atrial contraction was observed in patients with myocardial infarction from groups I, II, III and IV.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Left ventricular assessment in myocardial infarction: the VALIANT registry

BACKGROUND: How often echocardiography and cardiac catheterization are used to evaluate left ventricular (LV) function in patients with myocardial infarction (MI) and how they are associated with quality of care is unknown. METHODS: Patients with MI in the Valsartan in Acute Myocardial Infarction (VALIANT) registry were divided into those with (n = 1423) and without (n = 3968) heart failure (HF), and the use of either echocardiography or cardiac catheterization for LV assessment in each group was compared along with associated baseline characteristics. We evaluated the association between LV assessment and discharge medications. Using a multivariable model with a propensity analysis, we evaluated the association of LV assessment with in-hospital outcomes. RESULTS: Of the patients with HF, 322 (22.6%) had no LV assessment. Patients with HF with LV assessment were discharged more frequently under treatment with aspirin (81.3% vs 70.0%; P<.001), beta-blockers (65.6% vs 56.4%; P = .008), clopidogrel (30.4% vs 14.0%; P<.001), and statins (45.9% vs 34.2%; P<.001). Patients without HF who underwent LV assessment were discharged more frequently under treatment with an angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor (53.8% vs 41.5%; P<.001). After adjustment for regional use, other covariates, and revascularization, LV assessment was associated with lower in-hospital mortality in patients with HF (adjusted odds ratio [OR], 0.45; P<.001) and in patients without HF (adjusted OR, 0.30; P<.001). After excluding deaths during the first 2 days, LV assessment remained associated with lower mortality in patients with HF (adjusted OR, 0.59; P = .03) and in patients without HF (adjusted OR, 0.41; P<.001). CONCLUSION: Left ventricular assessment was frequently not performed during the in-hospital stay of patients with acute MI, including those with clinical HF, and its use was associated with better quality of care.     

Right ventricular infarction: two-dimensional echocardiographic evaluation

Seventeen patients with predominant right ventricular infarction (RVMI) were studied with two-dimensional echocardiography (2DE). On initial 2DE all had abnormal wall motion (AWM), defined as akinesis plus dyskinesis, in the inferior right ventricle (RV), inferior interventricular septum, and inferior left ventricle (LV). The extent of RV vs LV AWM in short-axis sections at mitral, chordal, and papillary levels was 58% vs 29%, 56% vs 38%, and 59% vs 38%, respectively. The calculated topographic extent of AWM was greater in the RV than in the LV (58% vs 36%, p less than 0.05), and the RV/LV ratio (1.65) exceeded (p less than 0.001) unity. Peak creatine phosphokinase levels correlated significantly (p less than 0.001) with the topographic extent of LV AWM (r = 0.79) or RV + LV AWM (r = 0.75). Although all patients had RV dilatation, eight also had LV dilatation. Serial studies detected the cause of mechanical complications (n = 13), mural echo densities suggesting thrombi (LV in six and RV in seven), and persistent AWM in survivors. Thus, 2DE provided diagnostic data, and assessment of RV and LV AWM confirmed predominant RV involvement.     

Left ventricular thrombus following acute myocardial infarction: A prospective serial echocardiographic study of 96 patients

In a prospective serial study of 96 patients with acute myocardialinfarction, two dimensional echocardiography identified leftventricular thrombus in 18 patients. The majority of thrombi(15) developed within the first 4 days after admission. In threepatients thrombi were identified for the first time 4 monthsafter the acute episode. All 18 patients had received therapeuticanticoagulants on admission and had large anterior wall infarctionscomplicated by serve pump failure and motion abnormalities echocardiographically.None of the patients had systemic embolisation during the studyperiod. Thus, left ventricular thrombus is a not uncommon thoughsilent complication of acute anterior wall infarction even whenpatients receive therapeutic anticoagulants.     

Left ventricular mural thrombi in myocardial infarction in echocardiographic studies and clinical observations

Examinations were performed in 153 consecutive patients with myocardial infarction (MS), which were divided into two groups. Group I (21 persons) consisted of patients with echocardiographically diagnosed left ventricular mural thrombus, and in group II were patients without evidence of thrombi. Significantly more patients with anterior myocardial infarction were in the the group I, whereas those with inferior MI in the group II. Increased left ventricular wall contractility index and considerably percentage of dyskinesis, mostly of the apex region were stated in the group I. 15 patients (71%) of the group I were treated with heparin, but only 4 of them within 4 hours from the beginning of angina pain. In 4 patients of the group I (19%) thromboembolic complications occurred: in 1 patient during proper anticoagulant therapy and in 3 others without treatment with heparin. Thus mural thrombi were observed in majority in patients with anterior myocardial infarction and were localized in a diskinetic region. Echocardiograms of patients with mural thrombi testified to greater than in others left ventricular function impairment. Heparin administration during first hours of myocardial infarction seemed to lower the incidence of mural thrombi and probably thrombembolic complications.     

Early two-dimensional echocardiographic measurement of left ventricular ejection fraction in acute myocardial infarction

Left ventricular volume and ejection fraction were measured by 2-dimensional echocardiography from 2 orthogonal apical long axis views in 90 patients admitted with acute transmural myocardial infarction. Results were correlated with worst Killip class during hospital stay, enzymatic infarct size (peak CK-MB) and mortality. We used two algorithms, a biplane area-length algorithm and a modification of Simpson's rule. Both algorithms yielded essentially the same results: there were statistically significant trends towards higher end-diastolic and end-systolic volumes and lower ejection fraction with higher Killip -class. Ejection fraction was lower (P less than 0.01) in the 6 patients dying from cardiogenic shock (28.0 +/- 7.8% v. 46.6 +/- 10.1% in survivors with the area--length algorithm; 28.1 +/- 6.2% v. 48.1 +/- 10.2% with modified Simpson's rule). In 5 patients dying from other causes ejection fraction was 46.0 +/- 14.9% with the area-length method or 46.2 +/- 14.5% with Simpson's rule (not different from survivors). Correlation with peak CK-MB was only modest, though statistically significant: the regression equation was: y = -0. 39x + 54 (r = -0.35; P less than 0.01) with the area-length method; and y = -0. 41x + 55 (r = -0.37; P less than 0.01) with Simpson's rule. Left ventricular ejection fraction measured at the bedside in patients with acute myocardial infarction, can provide useful clinical information. Patients likely to develop shock can be identified shortly after admission.     

Ventricular free wall rupture following acute myocardial infarction: a two-dimensional echocardiographic assessment

To assess the usefulness of two-dimensional echocardiography (2DE) in diagnosing ventricular free wall rupture following acute myocardial infarction, we studied the 2DE findings and the clinical pictures of seven consecutive patients with ventricular free wall rupture confirmed at the time of surgery or autopsy. Three patients had acute rupture; four, subacute rupture. All patients apparently had circulatory collapse despite continuing electrical activity at the onset of cardiac rupture. Four patients with subacute rupture recovered. In all patients, mild pericardial effusion was imaged by 2DE; however, this was not characteristic for cardiac rupture. In the patients with acute rupture, active left ventricular contractions were not observed after each QRS complex of the electrocardiogram. However, weak mitral valve motion was recorded at the time of cardiopulmonary resuscitation. The interesting and constant finding in acute rupture was the right ventricular collapse observed throughout the cardiac cycle. Diastolic right ventricular collapse was consistently observed in patients with subacute rupture, immediately after recovery from cardiogenic shock. Subacute cardiac rupture is a potentially curable lesion, and the clinical features and quick 2DE confirmation of cardiac tamponade allowed immediate surgery which saved two of the four patients.     

Embolic potential of left ventricular thrombus after myocardial infarction: a two-dimensional echocardiographic study of 119 patients

Left ventricular thrombus complicating myocardial infarction was diagnosed by two-dimensional echocardiography in 119 patients. The infarct site was anterior in 98 patients and inferior in 11. Systemic embolism occurred in 26 patients (stroke in 18, lower limb embolism in 7 and mesenteric embolism in 1). A protruding configuration of the thrombus was more common in the patients with embolism than in those without (23 [88%] of 26 versus 17 [18%] of 93) (p less than 0.01). Free mobility of the thrombus was found in 15 (58%) of 26 and 3 (3%) of 93 cases, respectively (p less than 0.01). In predicting embolism, protruding thrombus configuration had a sensitivity of 88% and a specificity of 82%, and positive and negative predictive accuracy was 57 and 96%, respectively. For free mobility of the thrombus, sensitivity was 58%, specificity 97%, positive predictive accuracy 85% and negative predictive accuracy 89%. In the 46 patients whose echocardiogram was obtained during the hospital admission for the index infarct, repeat echocardiograms were obtained during oral anticoagulant therapy. Twelve of these 46 patients had embolism and 2 of the 12 died. In seven of these patients, full dose oral anticoagulant therapy had been given before embolism occurred and in five it was started after an embolic event. The thrombus decreased in size or disappeared in six patients; in four the thrombus showed no change, and in two of these four emboli recurred despite anticoagulation. It is concluded that two-dimensional echocardiography may help delineate the embolic potential of left ventricular thrombus complicating myocardial infarction and may be of value in weighing the benefits and disadvantages of oral anticoagulant therapy.     

Left ventricular function in acute myocardial infarction: assessment by nuclear angiography

Left ventricular function was assessed in 38 patients two to six days after acute myocardial infarction using nuclear angiocardiography and the following parameters were measured: Left ventricular end-diastolic (LVEDV) and end-systolic volumes (LVESV), ejection fraction (LVEF), indices of left ventricular filling and emptying, right ventricular ejection fraction and ejection rate. Their clinical significance was assessed by their relationship to the patients site and size of infarction, functional capacity, morbidity and mortality. The most sensitive indices of depressed left ventricular function were the EF and ESV. Thus, function was preserved in patients with a small inferior infarction (LVEF = 0.57 +/- 0.07, LVESV = 69 +/- 14 ml) and in Killip Class I (LVEF = 0.48 +/- 0.13, LVESV = 80 +/- 20 ml). Function was disturbed most in patients with extensive anterior infarction (LVEF = 0.18 +/- 0.12, LVESV = 131 +/- 46 ml), Killip Class IV (LVEF = 0.13 +/- 0.07, LVESV = 160 +/- 35 ml), cardiogenic shock (LVEF = 0.14 +/- 0.07, LVESV = 160 +/- 35 ml), pulmonary edema (LVEF = 0.11 +/- 0.06, LVESV = 166 +/- 25 ml) and pulmonary capillary wedge pressure greater than 20 mm Hg (LVEF = 0.14 +/- 0.07, LVESV = 160 +/- 33 ml). Previous infarction was associated with LV dilatation and a greater LVEDV. A lower ejection fraction signified a large infarct and poor left ventricular function. If the ejection fraction was less than 0.15, the patients were unlikely to leave the hospital alive, or if less than 0.25, they were left with poor residual ventricular function and either had significant cardiac failure or high late mortality. Nuclear angiocardiography was a simple method of predicting the clinical pattern and prognosis in each patient and emphasized the importance of limiting infarct size in acute myocardial infarction.     

Time course of left ventricular remodeling after myocardial infarction: a two-dimensional echocardiographic study

In order to forecast the clinical course of acute myocardial infarction (MI), the time course of the functional changes of the left ventricular myocardium that result in remodeling was evaluated with two-dimensional echocardiography (2DE). The study group comprised 45 patients with anterior MI treated with successful percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty. 2DE studies were performed on days 1, 3, 7 and 14; months 1 and 3 and 1 year after MI, and the following parameters were recorded: (1) infarcted wall thickness, (2) traced length of the endocardium and of the epicardium on end-diastolic apical long axis images, and (3) wall motion score (total of asynergy scores of 16 segments of left ventricle (LV); normal: 0, hypokinesis: 1, akinesis: 2, dyskinesis: 3). According to the peak creatine kinase (CK) level, patients were classified into L group (CK > or =8000 U/L, n=16), M group (8000> CK > or =4000, n=13) and S group (CK <4000, n=16). The following results were obtained. (1) There was progressive thinning of the infarcted myocardium up to 1 month after (1 day: 9.3+/-1.7, 14 days: 6.3+/-1.7 vs 1 month: 5.9+/-1.8 mm, p<0.05; vs 1 year: 5.9+/-1.9 mm, NS). (2) Dilatation of the LV cavity occurred shortly after MI and continued up to 14 days (endocardium at 14 days: 176.8+/-13.6 vs 1 day: 164.1+/-11.4 mm, p<0.01; vs 1 year: 176.3+/-12.7 mm, NS). (3) The wall motion score improved rapidly by 14 days, and continued to improve gradually to 1 year (1 day: 12.2+/-3.4, 14 days: 6.8+/-4.0, 1 year: 4.6+/-3.1). (4) The expansion ratio (endocardial length at 14 days/1 day) was significantly greater in the L group than in the S group (p<0.05). Comparing the groups, the LV cavity of the L group remained dilated up to 14 days, whereas that of the S and M groups was dilated up to 7 days (L group 14 days: 179.3+/-11.9 vs 1 day: 156.9+/-9.2mm, p<0.01; vs 1 year: 180.0+/-14.1 mm, NS) (S group 7 days: 171.7+/-13.6 vs 1 day: 161.5+/-7.2 mm, p<0.01; vs 1 year: 172.7+/-14.4 mm, NS) (M group 7 days: 170.5+/-10.5 vs 1 day: 157.7+/-14.5 mm, p<0.05; vs 1 year: 177.08+/-9.6 mm, NS). Serial 2DE on days 1 and 14 after MI were useful for evaluating the course of LV remodeling and to forecast cardiac function in the chronic phase of MI. Determining the length of hospital stay on the basis of infarction size is justified.     

Reliability of standard electrocardiogram in detecting left ventricular asynergy in 315 patients with recent myocardial infarction

The relationship between asynergy of the left ventricular wall detected by two-dimensional echocardiography and ECG signs of necrosis (number of Q waves greater than or equal to 40 ms, Wagner's score) was evaluated in 315 patients (NYHA I-II) 23-90 days after a first Q-wave myocardial infarction (MI). Poor correlations were found between asynergy and ECG parameters. An ECG anterior MI is an apicoseptal MI by echo (independently of the ECG extent of Q waves) and the ECG is of little or no help in predicting the extent of asynergy to the inferior wall and proximal segments of the septum. An ECG inferior MI is inferoposterior by echo and the ECG has very limited value in predicting the extent of asynergy to the apex and septum. Patients with Q waves in leads II, III, and aVF had more extensive asynergy than those with either 2Q or greater than 3Q. R/S greater than or equal to 1 in V1 and/or V2 was present in 44% of patients with inferior MI while asynergy of at least one segment of the posterior wall was observed in 94%. In conclusion, standard ECG is sensitive in identifying anterior versus inferior infarct but it is unreliable in predicting the real extent of asynergy of the left ventricle, particularly in inferior infarcts.     

Quantitative two-dimensional echocardiographic assessment of patients undergoing left ventricular aneurysmectomy

To evaluate the role of quantitative two-dimensional echocardiography (2DE) in the preoperative assessment of patients undergoing left ventricular (LV) aneurysmectomy, we identified 37 patients who were studied with 2DE 1 to 56 (mean 12.6) days prior to surgery. Diastolic (Dd) and systolic (Ds) minor-axis dimensions at the base were measured and fractional shortening (FS) was calculated. Global and basilar half ejection fraction (EF) as measured from right anterior oblique left ventriculograms. At follow-up (mean 17.9 months), 27 patients were alive and clinically improved (group A) and 10 patients either died or were symptomatically unimproved (group B). Basilar half EF was significantly greater among patients in group A (0.50 +/- 0.09) than in group B (0.37 +/- 0.10) (p less than 0.001). Echocardiographic FS provided the best separation between groups. Mean FS was 0.25 +/- 0.06 in group A and 0.15 +/- 0.04 in group B (p less than 0.001). All seven patients with FS less than 0.17 were in group B while 25 of 27 patients with FS greater than 0.17 were in group A (p less than 0.001). Considering all patients, basilar half EF and FS were highly correlated (r = 0.84).     

Prognostic significance and natural history of left ventricular thrombi in patients with acute anterior myocardial infarction: a two-dimensional echocardiographic study

Fifty-eight patients with transmural anterior myocardial infarction were prospectively studied with serial two-dimensional echocardiography to determine the clinical implications and prognostic significance of detection of left ventricular thrombus during acute myocardial infarction, the incidence of systemic embolization, and the possible occurrence of spontaneous regression of left ventricular thrombi. Patients were not treated with anticoagulants or platelet inhibitors during the acute phase of infarction or during follow-up. Two-dimensional echocardiograms were obtained within 24 hr of myocardial infarction, every 24 hr until day 5, every 48 hr until day 15, and every month for a follow-up of 2 to 11 months (mean 7), in the surviving patients; a total of 774 echocardiograms were obtained. Left ventricular thrombi were identified in 24 (41%) of the 58 study patients, and developed within 48 hr of infarction in 11 of these patients. Ten (91%) of the 11 patients with early thrombus formation died during hospitalization or during follow-up, while only two (15%) of the 13 who developed a thrombus after 48 hr of infarction died (p less than .005). Incidence of Killip class III or IV, total lactic dehydrogenase values, and extent of wall motion abnormalities were significantly higher in patients who developed a thrombus within 48 hr of infarction than in patients without thrombus. On the other hand, in patients who developed a thrombus after 48 hr of infarction, these parameters were not significantly different from those in patients who did not develop a thrombus. Spontaneous regression of thrombi was documented in three (20%) of the 15 patients who survived the acute phase of myocardial infarction.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Changes in left ventricular regional asynchrony after intracoronary thrombolysis in patients with impending myocardial infarction

Ventriculograms obtained before and a mean (SD) of 4.3 (2.5) weeks after intracoronary thrombolysis in 23 patients who were treated within 3.5 (3.1) hours of the onset of pain were examined for changes in asynchronous left ventricular wall motion. Lysis was achieved in 19 patients, and in 16 the affected artery was still patent at restudy. Angiograms were digitised frame by frame. Left ventricular volumes, ejection fraction, and peak ejection rate were all unchanged after thrombolysis, whereas peak filling rate fell, whether or not patency was achieved or maintained. Regional wall motion was examined by means of isometric and contour plots. The area supplied by the affected coronary artery showed simple hypokinesis or akinesis in 10 cases, which was unchanged at the second study in nine and improved in one. The commonest manifestation of asynchrony was delayed inward motion during isovolumic relaxation. This was present in 12 cases with or without associated hypokinesis; after thrombolysis wall motion improved significantly in eight and returned to normal in six, significantly more frequently than it did in patients with simple hypokinesis. Dyskinesis (three patients) and hyperkinesis (five patients) resolved in all. Outward wall motion during isovolumic relaxation reverted to normal in four out of five cases, and outward motion during isovolumic contraction reverted to normal in five out of seven. The frequency of improvement was also increased when the circulation to the affected segment was not compromised by an important residual stenosis. Flow in the affected artery was re-established or maintained significantly less frequently when simple hypokinesis or akinesis was present at the first study. These observations provide further evidence that asynchronous wall motion early after acute myocardial infarction represents residual contractile activity, and suggest that knowledge of its presence and distribution may be useful in assessing patients on whom thrombolysis is performed.     

First month course of left ventricular asynergy after intracoronary thrombolysis in acute myocardial infarction. A longitudinal echocardiographic study

Can intracoronary thrombolytic therapy (ITT) reduce the infarctsize and improve regional and global left ventricular functionand if so how long after recanalization does this improvementdevelop? 42 patients were treated with ITT, of whom 25 showedsuccessful recanalization (group A) and 17 had persistent occlusionor reocclusion (group B). Both groups were examined five timesduring the first month after infarction with two-dimensionalechocardiography. The ‘asynergy index’ improvedin group A by 45% of initial pre-treatment values, comparedwith no significant change in group B (P< 0.005). The ‘asynergyextent’ improved in group A by 35%, while in group B againno change was observed (P < 0.01). This improvement occurredslowly, significant differences being achieved by the 10th day.Entire normalization of left ventricular wall motion was observedin 5 patients (20% ) from group A and in no patient from groupB.We conclude that successful recanalization of the occludedcoronary artery by ITT improves left ventricular wall motionin 80% of patients, with entire normalization of local functionin 20% of cases. The improvement occurs slowly during the first10 days.     

Left ventricular remodeling in patients with stress hyperglycemia after acute myocardial infarction

Background To investigate the association between left ventricular remodeling and stress hyperglycemia (SH) inpatients with acute anterior wall myocardial Infarction. Methods Patients with acute anterior myocardial infarction and a successful primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) were enrolled and divided into two groups according to the presence or absence of SH. Patients with diabetes mellitus were excluded. Echocardiographic studies were performed on discharge and at 6 month follow-up. Left ventricular (LV) ejection fractions (EF), LV end-diastolic volume (EDV) and LV end-systolic volume (ESV) were obtained at baseline and at 6 month. Differences between changes of ESV (ΔESV) and changes of EDV (ΔEDV) in the two groups as well as EF improvement rate (ΔEF %) over six month were obtained. Correlation between SH and LV remodeling was investigated. Results (1) At baseline, the level of hemoglobin A1c was significantly higher in SH group (6.9±1.4 vs 6.2±0.8 P=0.04). Other baseline characteristics, including peak serum creatine kinase MB and LV function, were similar between two groups; (2) EF increased significantly over 6 months in both group with SH((41.1±7.2)% vs (52.7±8.4)%, P=0.02) and group without SH. ((43.6±8.7)% vs (54.5±9.3)%, P=0.03) (3) Only in SH group, EDV increased significantly at 6 month (139.6±26.7 vs 126.1±26.7 P=0.04); (4) There was a weak correlation between ΔEDV and the level of fasting plasma glucose on admission.(Pearson's r=0.35, P0.01). Conclusions (1) Previous glucose metabolism disorder is at least partially responsible for hyperglycemia on admission; (2) Given successful primary PCI within recommended time interval, left ventricular function improved regardless of whether SH is present or not; (3) The degree of glucose metabolic dysfunction on admission is weakly associated with the remodeling process in 6 months     

Right ventricular function in patients with acute anterior myocardial infarction: tissue Doppler echocardiographic approach

OBJECTIVE: Our purpose was to investigate the right ventricular (RV) performance of patients with a first acute anterior myocardial infarction (AAMI) by using pulsed wave Doppler tissue (PWDT) samplings of tricuspid annulus and RV free wall. METHODS AND RESULTS: The study group included 31 patients with AAMI and 20 age-matched controls. Conventional indexes of RV functions were the magnitude of tricuspid annular plane systolic excursion (TAPSE), and the transpulmonary and transtricuspid Doppler parameters. PWDT velocities were obtained by placing the sample volume at the lateral tricuspid annulus and the mid-segment of RV free wall; the peak systolic (S), early (E) and late (A) diastolic PWDT velocities and time intervals from ECG-Q wave to their peaks were analysed. Standard indexes were comparable except TAPSE that was significantly lower in AAMI-patients (p < 0.001). S velocities were similar; A of both regions (p = 0.018 and 0.012) and E of RV free wall (p = 0.011) were significantly increased in AAMI-group. Q-Sa intervals in both regions (p = 0.007 and 0.015) and Q-Ea of tricuspid annulus (p = 0.045) were significantly shorter in patients with AAMI. TAPSE and E of RV free wall had significant negative correlations with left ventricular systolic volume index and right atrial filling fraction (AFF), respectively (r = -0.46, p = 0.01 for both). A of tricuspid annulus had a positive correlation with left AFF (r = 0.42, p = 0.02). CONCLUSION: PWDT imaging of tricuspid annulus and RV free wall is capable to sensitively detect the adaptive mechanisms and unfavourable diastolic properties of RV dynamics in patients with AAMI.     

Left ventricular A wave amplitude in patients after myocardial infarction

The relations between left ventricular (LV) A wave amplitude and left ventricular dimensions, compliance, systolic function, and the size of abnormally contracting segments (ACS) of the left ventricle were examined in 42 patients studied within 1 year after acute myocardial infarction. Left ventricular A wave amplitude was measured from left ventricular pressure tracings both from zero (A₀) and from pre-A wave pressures (A_PAP). Left ventricular compliance was calculated from left ventricular volumes obtained from biplane angiograms and the left ventricular pressure recorded immediately before angiograms. Left ventricular compliance was evaluated by three formulas: $\text{ΔV}\text{ΔP}$ (angiographic stroke volume/left ventricular end-diastolic pressure (LVEDP) minus lowest early diastolic pressure); $\text{ΔV}\text{LV}$ end-systolic $\text{volume}\text{ΔP}$; and $\text{dV}\text{dP}{}_{\mathrm{ED}}\text{× 1/EDV/m}{}^2$. Percent ACS was measured as the akinetic or dyskinetic length along the end-diastolic perimeter on biplane left ventricular angiograms expressed as a percentage of the total left ventricular diastolic perimeter.A_O had a direct quadratic relation with A_PAP (r² = 0.72), and A₀ had high inverse quadratic correlations with $\text{ΔV}\text{ΔP}$ (r² = 0.59), $\text{δV}\text{ESV}$/δP (r² = 0.63), and dV/dPED × 1/EDV/m² (r² = 0.72). A₀ correlated directly with LVEDP (r² = 0.76), end-diastolic volume (r² = 0.32), LV mass (r² = 0.22) and percent ACS (r² = 0.36), and inversely with ejection fraction (r² = 0.43).Seven of the 42 patients were studied by dextran infusion. Diastolic volume change (ΔV_Ind.-Dil.) calculated from indicator-dilution cardiac output values, left ventricular diastolic pressure change (ΔP), and A₀ were obtained before infusion and after each 200 ml infusion. Values for diastolic pressure-volume slope ($\text{ΔP}\text{ΔV}{}_{\mathrm{Ind.-Dil.}}$ ) and A₀ increased with dextran infusion in all seven patients. The $\text{ΔP}\text{ΔV}{}_{\mathrm{Ind.-Dil.}}$ slopes had a significant direct linear relation with corresponding left ventricular A wave amplitudes. Thus, the slope of the diastolic pressure-volume curve for any ventricle, as reflected by the compliance values, is a major determinant of the increase in left ventricular A wave amplitude for a particular volume of dextran infused.In summary, increased left ventricular A wave amplitudes in patients after myocardial infarction signify a decrease in both left ventricular diastolic compliance and systolic function.     

Left ventricular systolic time intervals in patients with acute myocardial infarction.

Left ventricular systolic time intervals were measured daily during 601 episodes of acute myocardial infarction. The ratio of pre-ejection period to ejection period during the first 24 hours permitted patients to be arranged in six prognostic groups with mortalities while in hospital ranging from 4 to 60 per cent. The only factors completely independent of the systolic time intervals which were shown statistically to be associated with high mortality while in hospital were defects in atrioventricular and intraventricular conduction.