Baseline glucose and left ventricular remodeling after acute myocardial infarction

In patients with acute myocardial infarction (AMI), the mechanisms behind the increased mortality related to glucose levels (GL) are poorly understood. The main purpose of this study is to analyze the relationship between baseline glucose and left ventricular enlargement (LVE). We analyzed 52 patients with a first ST-elevation AMI <24 h of evolution. Glucose levels were obtained upon admission (median time, 3 h after the beginning of chest pain). The median GL was 123.5 mg/dl, and patients above this limit were considered hyperglycemic (n=26). Left ventricular enlargement was analyzed comparing two radionuclide ventriculographies, the first obtained within 4 days post-AMI (median, 55 h) and the second 6 months later (median, 188.5 days), taking into account the difference in the obtained end-systolic volumes. Myocardial reperfusion was evaluated comparing ST resolution between a first ECG done immediately upon hospital arrival with a second ECG performed 2 h after treatment. By univariate analysis, LVE correlated significantly with baseline hyperglycemia (P<.001), failed reperfusion by ECG criteria (P<.001), and no use of ACE inhibitors or AT1 blockers (P=.046) and aspirin (P=.046). A history of previous diabetes did not correlate significantly with LVE at 6 months. In the adjusted model, basal hyperglycemia (P<.001) and failed reperfusion (P=.001) were the only variables independently correlated with LVE. In conclusion, baseline glucose is a powerful and independent predictor of LVE after AMI, which reinforces the importance of a tight glucose control during the initial phase of the disease.