Relation of corrected thrombolysis in myocardial infarction frame count and ST‐segment resolution to myocardial tissue perfusion after acute myocardial infarction

Objectives : To evaluate myocardial tissue perfusion by corrected thrombolysis in myocardial infarction (TIMI) frame count (CTFC) and ST‐segment resolution after successful percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) in patients with acute myocardial infarction (AMI). Background : Early and sustained potency of infarct‐related artery (IRA) has become the main goal of reperfusion therapy in patients with AMI. However, myocardial tissue perfusion may remain impaired even after the achievement of TIMI grade 3 flow of the epicardial artery without residual stenosis. Methods : CTFC was measured after successful PCI in 63 patients with first AMI. The extent of ST‐segment resolution was recorded 1 hr after reperfusion therapy. The wall motion score index (WMSI) was assessed before and 1 month after PCI. Then we studied the correlation between CTFC, ST‐segment resolution, and WMSI. Results : According to CTFC, the patients with TIMI grade 3 flow after PCI were divided into two groups: CTFC fast group and CTFC slow group. CTFC fast group had higher percentage of complete ST resolution (54.1% vs. 25.0%, P < 0.05) and lower percentage of no ST resolution (2.6% vs. 29.2%, P < 0.05). Improvement of WMSI in the CTFC fast group was significantly greater than that of the CTFC slow group (1.30 ± 0.41 vs. 0.64 ± 0.30, P < 0.05). CTFC had a significant negative correlation with the change in WMSI (r = ?0.75, P < 0.01). Conclusions : Combined with ST‐segment resolution, CTFC could predict risk for patients with successful reperfusion therapy after AMI and provide evidence for additional adjunctive treatment. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.