Short-Term Left Ventricular Remodeling After Revascularization in Subacute Total and Subtotal Occlusion With the Infarct-Related Left Anterior Descending Artery

BACKGROUND: Large randomized studies revealed that percutaneous coronary intervention has no clinical benefit in patients with total occlusion. The purpose of this study is to evaluate left ventricular remodelling after PCI for total and subtotal infarct-related left anterior desending artery in stable patients who have not received trombolytic theraphy. METHODS: Sixty stable patients with subacute anterior myocardial infarction who have total or subtotal occlusion in the infarct-related left anterior descending artery were enrolled the study (20 patient in the total-medical group, 20 patient in the total-PCI group and 20 patient in the subtotal-PCI group). All patients’ left ventricular diameters, volumes and ejection fractions measured at admission and after a month. RESULTS: The necrotic segment number in scintigraphy were similar in three groups. In the total-PCI group, there were significant increases in left ventricular diastolic diameter, left ventricular end-diastolic volume and left ventricular end-systolic volume at first month. A borderline significant increase was observed in LVEDV in the total-medical group at first month. No significant difference was seen in all echocardiographic parameters in the subtotal-PCI group at a month after discharge. The percentage of increase in LVEDV was significantly higher and the percentage of increase in LVESV was borderline significantly higher in the total-PCI group than the other groups. CONCLUSIONS: In stable patients, PCI for total occlusion in the subacute phase of anterior MI causes an increase in LV remodeling. Nevertheless PCI for subtotal occlusion in the subacute phase of anterior MI may prevent LV remodeling.