Relation of presystolic wave on doppler examination to syntax score in patients with acute myocardial infarction.

BACKGROUND

There are few reports demonstrating a relationship between presystolic wave (PSW) and left ventricular function. The aim of the present study was to investigate the associations between PSW and angiographic and echocardiographic characteristics of patients with acute myocardial infarction (AMI).

METHODS

We studied 348 consecutive patients with AMI. Pulsed Doppler-echocardiography was used to assess the both diastolic functions and presence of PSW from left ventricular outflow tract. Patients were divided into two groups by the presence or absence of PSW. The Syntax score (SXscore) was calculated from baseline angiograms to assess the complexity and severity of coronary artery disease.

RESULTS

The overall prevalence of PSW was 51.1%. Compared to patients without PSW, patients with PSW presence had greater left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF), greater septal a' velocity, lower mitral E and septal e' velocity and lower E/A and e'/a' ratios. Also, median SXscore were significantly lower in the PSW presence group compared to PSW absence group [1 (6-14) vs. 12 (7-18), P = 0.013]. In addition, the number of patients with high-SXscore (> 16) was significantly lower in PSW presence group (24 vs. 42), (P = 0.006). In multiple logistic regression analysis, absence of PSW found independent predictor of high-SXscore (OR 2.297 95% CI 1.235-4.272; P = 0.009).

CONCLUSIONS

We found that the presence of PSW was related with higher LVEF, lower SXscore and lower stage diastolic dysfunction in patients with AMI. PSW may be used in prediction of the coronary artery disease complexity and it could help risk stratification in patients with AMI.