Correlations between Cardiovascular Risk Factors and Ventricular Arrhythmias Following Primary Percutaneous Coronary Intervention in Patients with ST-Elevation Myocardial Infarction

BACKGROUND: Ventricular arrhythmias (VAs), which result from acute myocardial infarction and revascularization, are preventable causes of sudden cardiac death. This study aimed to determine the incidence, types, and risk factors of VAs in patients with ST-elevation myocardial infarction undergoing primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). METHODS: This cross-sectional study was conducted at the cardiology department of a tertiary care cardiac center in Zanjan, Iran. All the patients were monitored during hospitalization, and the incidence of cardiac arrhythmias and the outcomes were recorded. RESULTS: Among 315 patients, the mean age was 62.14±10.11 years, and 76.2% were male. Male gender was significantly associated with VA occurrence (P=0.038). Among the patients, 50.5% had VAs, of which 26.4% were sustained ventricular tachycardia (sustained VT) and ventricular fibrillation (VF). Sustained VT and VF, but not total arrhythmias, were more common in anterior infarctions. Most arrhythmias occurred during the first 12 hours, and frequent premature ventricular contractions (43.3%) and idioventricular rhythm (20.1%) were the most common. A history of PCI and coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) was associated with substantially reduced arrhythmias (P=0.017 and P=0.013, respectively). However, cardiovascular risk factors exerted no statistically significant effects on the VA type. CONCLUSION: Approximately half of our patients experienced reperfusion-induced VAs. Overall, gender and a history of PCI and CABG were significantly associated with VA occurrence. Therefore, males and patients without a positive history of PCI and CABG should receive antiarrhythmic drugs as a precaution.