Serial echocardiographic assessment of the left ventricular function after direct PCI.

Background: Acute myocardial infarction (AMI) causes remodelling of the left ventricle (LV). Restoration of patency of an infarct-related artery by percutaneous coronary interventions (PCI) may prevent or inhibit cardiac remodelling.

Aim: To assess LV contractility and function by serial echocardiographic examinations.

Methods: The study group consisted of 61 patients (47 males, mean age 60+/-10 years) with acute MI treated with direct PCI. Echocardiography was performed 6-8 days after PCI, and 1, 6 and 12 months thereafter.

Results: LV ejection fraction increased significantly at the end of the first month in comparison with the baseline examination whereas EF values obtained after 6 months and after 1 year were not significantly different. Wall motion score index showed a significant improvement after one month, whereas it did not show any further improvement when measured after 6 or 12 months after AMI. The baseline LV end-diastolic diameter was 49+/-6 mm and did not change after one or 6 months, whereas it increased significantly 12 months after AMI. The baseline LV end-systolic diameter was 37+/-5 mm. At the one-month and six-month examinations it was similar to the baseline values but increased significantly to 38+/-6 mm after one year.

Conclusions: These results confirm the beneficial effects of PCI-induced infarct-related artery patency on LV remodelling after AMI.