Influence of left ventricular hypertrophy on microvascular dysfunction and left ventricular remodelling after acute myocardial infarction.

AIMS: To ascertain whether the presence of left ventricular (LV) hypertrophy in patients with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) influences microvascular dysfunction and LV remodelling at 6 months of follow-up.

METHODS AND RESULTS: Fifty-six consecutive STEMI patients successfully treated with primary or rescue percutaneous coronary intervention underwent conventional two-dimensional and myocardial contrast echocardiography within 24 h and at 6 months. Left ventricular mass, end-diastolic volume (EDV), end-systolic volume (ESV), ejection fraction, and wall motion score index (WMSI) were measured. Left ventricular hypertrophy was defined as LV mass index >116 g/m(2) in men and >104 g/m(2) in women. In order to evaluate the potential influence of microvascular dysfunction on LV remodelling, myocardial perfusion was semiquantitatively scored by contrast score index (CSI). Patients with LV hypertrophy had higher EDV and ESV both at 24 h and at 6 months, compared with patients without LV hypertrophy (P < 0.05). No significant changes over time were observed in both groups. Both WMSI and CSI were similar between groups at 24 h and at follow-up, but improved in both groups over time (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSION: Left ventricular hypertrophy does not appear to influence the development of post-acute myocardial infarction LV remodelling. Hypertrophic and non-hypertrophic left ventricles showed the same extent and temporal improvement in regional contractile function and microvascular perfusion.