[Serial study on nail fold microcirculation in patients with acute myocardial infarction]

The nail fold microcirculation was studied in 55 patients with acute myocardial infarction (AMI). At 12, 24, 36, 48, 60 hours and 3, 5, 7, 10, 14, 21, 28 days after AMI, sixteen indices of nail fold microcirculation were observed and analysed according to Tian Niu's "Multiple Weighted Evaluation Method of Nail Fold Microcirculation" using microscopic video system. The results showed: (1) The nail fold microcirculatory multiple weighted values were 6.6 +/- 0.8 within 12 hours after AMI, the mean value decreased significantly while the patient got better (P less than 0.0005). Significant difference among the different weighted values after AMI was shown. (2) The multiple weighted values in patients with complication were higher than those without complications (P less than 0.001). The values in patients with cardiogenic shock were much higher than those with cardiac failure or arrhythmia (P less than 0.01, P less than 0.05). (3) The weighted values in patients with multiple infarction were significantly higher than those with single infarction (P less than 0.05). (4) The nail fold multiple weighted values positively correlated with CPK, LDH, GOT (r = +0.82-0.97, P less than 0.0005) respectively. Thus, the higher the weighted value the much more serious condition of patients with AMI was. Continuous nail fold microcirculation observation and electrocardiographic monitoring would be helpful in early diagnosis and treatment of the complications with AMI to reduce the total mortality.