Long-term changes of infarct-related lesions. Comparison of angiograms in recent and remote phases

Coronary angiograms recorded in the recent phase of an acute myocardial infarction in 73 patients were compared with those taken in the remote phase at least 12 months from the onset of the infarction. The infarct-related lesions of 23 patients (32%) showed a regression of 20% or more. Analysis of recent-phase angiograms proved that any one of several features (long-segment narrowing, intraluminal thrombus, flap-like structure or atheromatous ulceration) was present more frequently in the lesions showing a marked regression (18/23, 78%) than in the lesions without regression (15/40, 38%) (p less than 0.01). Thus, the narrowings of infarct-related lesions seen on the recent-phase angiograms regress frequently. The possibility of regression can be predicted from the angiographic features.