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Comparative prognostic significance of simultaneous versus independent resolution of ST segment depression relative
A Shah1, G S Wagner, R M Califf
1Division of Cardiology, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, North Carolina 27710, USA. wagne004@mc.duke.edu
Insights
Persistent ST segment depression after ST elevation resolution during acute myocardial infarction indicates higher in-hospital mortality. This finding helps identify high-risk patients for better acute myocardial infarction management.
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Clinical Medicine
- Medical Diagnostics
Background:
- ST segment depression during acute myocardial infarction (AMI) is common but its prognostic value is debated.
- The timing of ST segment depression resolution relative to ST segment elevation may stratify patient risk.
- Hypothesis: resolution patterns of ST depression differentiate high-risk from low-risk AMI patients.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine the prognostic significance of simultaneous versus independent resolution of ST segment depression during AMI.
- To investigate if ST depression resolution patterns predict adverse outcomes in AMI patients.
- To identify patient subgroups with increased mortality risk based on ST segment changes.
Main Methods:
- Continuous 12-lead ST segment monitoring post-thrombolytic therapy in 413 AMI patients.
- Patients categorized into: no ST depression, simultaneous resolution, or independent (persistent) ST depression.
- Outcomes (recurrent angina, reinfarction, heart failure, death) correlated with ST depression resolution patterns.
Main Results:
- Recurrent angina, reinfarction, and heart failure rates were similar across groups.
- In-hospital mortality was significantly higher in the independent ST depression group (13%) compared to simultaneous (1%) and control (0%) groups.
- The independent resolution of ST depression is a significant predictor of in-hospital mortality.
Conclusions:
- Continuous ST segment analysis identifies a subgroup of AMI patients with increased in-hospital mortality.
- Persistent ST segment depression post-ST elevation resolution signals a high-risk subgroup.
- The underlying mechanism for increased mortality in this subgroup requires further investigation.
Objectives:
We sought to determine the prognostic significance of simultaneous versus independent resolution of ST segment depression that occurs concomitant with ST segment elevation during acute myocardial infarction (AMI).
Background:
ST segment depression in leads other than those showing ST segment elevation during AMI is a common phenomenon. Whether this indicates adverse outcomes remains controversial. We hypothesized that the timing of ST segment depression resolution relative to ST segment elevation resolution might differentiate between a high risk group and a low risk group of patients.
Methods:
Continuous 12-lead ST segment monitoring was performed after thrombolytic therapy for AMI in 413 patients, 261 of whom met technical criteria for analysis. Blinded analysis of ST segment depression resolution patterns was used to group patients as follows: 1) no ST segment depression at any time (control group); 2) ST segment depression resolving simultaneously with ST segment elevation (simultaneous group); and 3) ST segment depression persisting after ST segment elevation resolution (independent group). These patterns were correlated with the outcomes-recurrent angina, reinfarction, heart failure and death-using chi-square analysis and the Fisher exact test for categoric variables and the Wilcoxon rank-sum test for continuous variables.
Results:
The incidence of recurrent angina, reinfarction and heart failure was similar among the three groups. In-hospital mortality, however, was significantly higher in the independent group (13%) than either the simultaneous group (1%, p < 0.001) or the control group (0%, p = 0.002).
Conclusions:
Continuous analysis of ST segment resolution identifies, among patients with AMI with concomitantly occurring ST segment elevation and depression, a subgroup with increased in-hospital mortality. The pathogenic mechanism of increased mortality is not currently known.