Related Experiment Videos
[Progressive left ventricular dilatation following anterior myocardial infarct as a determinant for the development
F X Kleber1, H P Einwang, D Kronski
1Krankenhaus München-Schwabing, Akademisches Lehrkrankenhaus, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München.
Insights
Echocardiography can predict congestive heart failure (CHF) risk after myocardial infarction. Left ventricular dilation, identified via echocardiography, is a significant risk factor for developing CHF post-heart attack.
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Medical Imaging
- Clinical Research
Background:
- Anterior myocardial infarction can lead to changes in left ventricular size.
- Left ventricular dilation is a potential complication following myocardial infarction.
Purpose of the Study:
- To prospectively evaluate left ventricular size using echocardiography after anterior myocardial infarction.
- To determine if left ventricular dilation is a risk factor for congestive heart failure (CHF) and mortality.
Main Methods:
- Prospective echocardiographic study of 35 patients post-anterior myocardial infarction.
- Comparison of echocardiography with angiocardiography and nuclear magnetic resonance imaging for accuracy.
- Assessment of reproducibility and definition of normal left ventricular size values.
Main Results:
- One-third of patients developed marked left ventricular dilation (41% above normal).
- All patients who developed CHF or died had significant left ventricular dilation.
- Mean left ventricular dilation was 22% at 4 weeks and 26% at 6.3 months.
Conclusions:
- Serial echocardiography is valuable for risk stratification of CHF after myocardial infarction.
- Left ventricular dilation is a major risk factor for developing CHF post-myocardial infarction.
Abstract:
35 consecutive patients were studied prospectively with respect to echocardiographic left ventricular size after anterior myocardial infarction. In 25 patients sufficient follow-up was possible. Another 57 patients and volunteers were examined to prove accuracy in comparison to angiocardiography and nuclear magnetic resonance imaging and reproducibility as well as to define normal values. While two-thirds of all patients did not develop left ventricular dilation, one-third showed marked dilation with left ventricular size being 41% above mean normal value. All patients who subsequently developed congestive heart failure or died were in this group. Two-thirds showed no left ventricular dilation and had an uneventful follow-up. Mean left ventricular dilation for all infarcts was 22% within 4 weeks and 26% within 6.3 months, but some patients showed marked left ventricular dilation beyond 4 weeks. We conclude that serial echocardiography is very useful for stratification of risk for CHF after myocardial infarction, and left ventricular dilation is a major risk factor for CHF.