Cardiac electrophysiological alterations and clinical response in cardiac resynchronization therapy with a defibrillator treated patients affected by metabolic syndrome.

Metabolic syndrome (MS) is a multifactorial disease that can affect clinical outcomes in patients treated by Cardiac Resynchronization Therapy with a defibrillator (CRT-d).Ninety-one patients received a CRT-d. According to clinical diagnosis, the study population was divided into 46 MS (cases) versus 45 no MS (controls) patients.

Determinants of microvascular damage recovery after acute myocardial infarction: results from the acute myocardial infarction contrast imaging (AMICI) multi-centre study.

Aims: Microvascular damage (MD) occurring soon after primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PPCI) may reverse or remain sustained within the first week after ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI). We investigated the incidence, determinants, and long-term clinical relevance of MD reversal after PPCI.

Methods And Results: Serial two-dimensional echocardiograms (2DE) and a myocardial contrast study were obtained within 24 h of PPCI (T1) and at pre-discharge (T2) in 110 successfully re-perfused STEMI patients.

Incidence, determinants, and prognostic value of reverse left ventricular remodelling after primary percutaneous coronary intervention: results of the Acute Myocardial Infarction Contrast Imaging (AMICI) multicenter study.

Aims: Few data are available on the extent and prognostic value of reverse left ventricular remodelling (r-LVR) after ST-elevation acute myocardial infarction (STEMI). We sought to evaluate incidence, major determinants, and long-term clinical significance of r-LVR in a group of STEMI patients treated with primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PPCI). In particular, the role of preserved microvascular flow within the infarct zone in inducing r-LVR has been investigated.

The extent of microvascular damage during myocardial contrast echocardiography is superior to other known indexes of post-infarct reperfusion in predicting left ventricular remodeling: results of the multicenter AMICI study.

Objectives: We sought to evaluate the value of the extent of microvascular damage as assessed with myocardial contrast echocardiography (MCE) in the prediction of left ventricular (LV) remodeling after ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) as compared with established clinical and angiographic parameters of reperfusion.

Background: Early identification of post-percutaneous coronary intervention microvascular dysfunction may help in tailoring appropriate pharmacological interventions in high-risk patients. The ideal method to establish effective microvascular reperfusion after percutaneous coronary intervention remains to be determined.

Does coronary angioplasty after timely thrombolysis improve microvascular perfusion and left ventricular function after acute myocardial infarction?

Background: Recent data show that percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) in patients with stable postthrombolytic ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) is better than no PCI or ischemia-guided PCI. These results still have to find a pathophysiologic explanation. We hypothesized that complete mechanical recanalization of infarct-related artery improves clinical benefits of thrombolysis as a result of more preserved and better perfused coronary microcirculation.