Coronary flow velocity immediately after primary coronary stenting as a predictor of ventricular wall motion recovery in acute myocardial infarction

OBJECTIVES The purpose of this study was to examine the relationship between the pattern of coronary blood flow velocity immediately after successful primary stenting and the recovery of left ventricular (LV) wall motion in patients with acute myocardial infarction (AMI). BACKGROUND It is difficult to predict the recovery of LV wall motion immediately after direct angioplasty in AMI. Recent reports indicate that dysfunctional coronary microcirculation is an important determinant of prognosis for AMI patients after successful reperfusion. METHODS We measured left anterior descending coronary flow velocity variables using a Doppler guide wire immediately after successful primary stenting in 31 patients with their first anterior AMI. The patients were divided into two groups: those with and those without early systolic reverse flow (ESRF). Changes in LV regional wall motion (RWM) and ejection fraction (EF) at admission and at discharge were compared between the two groups. Coronary flow velocity variables immediately after primary stenting were compared with changes in left ventriculographic indexes. RESULTS The change in RWM was significantly greater in the non-ESRF group than it was in the ESRF group (0.9 ± 0.7 vs. −0.1 ± 0.3 standard deviation/chord, respectively, p < 0.001). The change in EF was also significantly greater in the non-ESRF group than it was in the ESRF group (10 ± 10 vs. 1 ± 6%, respectively, p < 0.05). In the non-ESRF group (diastolic to systolic velocity ratio [DSVR] <3.0), the DSVR correlated positively with the change in RWM (r = 0.60, p < 0.005, n = 24) and the change in EF (r = 0.52, p < 0.01). CONCLUSIONS The coronary flow velocity pattern measured immediately after successful primary stenting is predictive of the recovery of regional and global LV function in patients with AMI.