Association Between Preinfarction Angina and Angiographic Findings in Non-ST-Segment Elevation Myocardial Infarction
Naoki Misumida1, Akihiro Kobayashi1, Madeeha Saeed2
1Department of Internal Medicine, Mount Sinai Beth Israel, New York, New York.
Insights
Preinfarction angina in non-ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (NSTEMI) patients is linked to smaller infarct size and improved artery patency. Patients without this angina symptom face a higher risk of developing large myocardial infarctions (MI).
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Clinical Medicine
- Medical Research
Background:
- The relationship between preinfarction angina and angiographic outcomes in non-ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (NSTEMI) is not well understood.
- Investigating this association can provide insights into NSTEMI pathophysiology and patient risk stratification.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine if preinfarction angina is associated with favorable angiographic findings in patients with NSTEMI.
- To explore the impact of preinfarction angina on infarct size and infarct-related artery (IRA) patency.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective analysis of 481 NSTEMI patients undergoing coronary angiography.
- Preinfarction angina defined as chest pain within 7 days of admission.
- Infarct size assessed by peak cardiac troponin I (cTnI); large MI defined by cTnI >85th percentile; IRA patency by TIMI grade 2-3 flow.
Main Results:
- 42% of patients experienced preinfarction angina.
- Preinfarction angina was associated with smaller infarct size (lower peak cTnI, lower incidence of large MI) and IRA patency.
- Preinfarction angina and IRA patency were independent negative predictors of large MI on multivariate analysis.
Conclusions:
- Preinfarction angina predicts smaller infarct size and IRA patency in NSTEMI patients.
- NSTEMI patients without preinfarction angina are at increased risk of large myocardial infarction.
- Findings may aid in identifying high-risk NSTEMI patients needing closer monitoring or intervention.
Background:
The association between preinfarction angina and angiographic findings has not been elucidated in patients with non-ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (NSTEMI).
Hypothesis:
Patients with preinfarction angina have favorable angiographic findings.
Methods:
This retrospective study analyzed 481 patients who underwent coronary angiography within 5 days of presenting NSTEMI. Preinfarction angina was defined as experiencing ≥1 chest-pain episode within 7 days prior to admission. Infarct size was measured as the peak cardiac troponin I (cTnI) level, and large myocardial infarction (MI) was defined as a peak cTnI level >85th percentile value in the study population. Infarct-related artery (IRA) patency was defined as Thrombolysis In Myocardial Infarction grade 2 or 3 flow. Clinical and angiographic characteristics and in-hospital mortality were compared between patients with and without preinfarction angina.
Results:
Among 481 patients, 200 (42%) had preinfarction angina. Preinfarction angina was associated with smaller infarct size, indicated by lower peak cTnI levels (P = 0.006) and lower incidence of large MI (P = 0.02), and IRA patency (P = 0.03). There was no significant difference in in-hospital mortality. On multivariate analysis, both preinfarction angina (odds ratio: 0.53, 95% confidence interval: 0.29-0.94, P = 0.03) and IRA patency (odds ratio: 0.30, 95% confidence interval: 0.17-0.52, P < 0.001) were independent negative predictors of large MI.
Conclusion:
Our study demonstrates that preinfarction angina is a predictor of smaller infarct size and infarct-related artery patency in NSTEMI patients, suggesting that NSTEMI patients presenting without preinfarction angina are at increased risk of developing a large MI.
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