Introduction: ST segment elevation on Q-leads has been related to a greater infarct size and to the existence of ventricular aneurysm. On the other hand, ST elevation during exercise testing has been related to the presence of myocardial viability.
Objectives: In the present study we investigated the relation between ST segment elevation on infarct-related electrocardiographic leads at rest and during exercise with: a) the extension and severity of the regional dysfunction; b) the presence of myocardial viability (response to dobutamine), and c) the residual stenosis in the culprit artery.
Material and methods: The study group was composed of 51 patients; cardiac cathetherism (8 +/- 3 days) and exercise testing (8 +/- 2 days) were performed during the pre-discharge period. In contrast ventriculography (centerline method) we determined the circumferential extension (rads) and the severity (SD/rad) of the regional dysfunction at rest and after dobutamine (10 micrograms/kg/min). The minimal luminal diameter (MLD) in the culprit artery was also measured. Results are expressed as median [Q1-Q3] and the differences among the groups were assessed by Mann-Whitney U.
Results: Patients with ST segment elevation in two or more leads at rest (n = 36) showed a greater (41 [30-51] rads vs 20 [14-41] rads; p = 0.007) and more severe regional dysfunction (1.9 [1.5-2.5] SD/rad vs 0.6 [0.5-2.4] SD/rad; p = 0.01), less response to dobutamine (% of reduction of the dysfunction extension after dobutamine) (17 [0-42]% vs 50 [24-100]%; p = 0.004) and smaller MLD (0.5 [0-0.9] mm vs 0.8 [0.6-1.1] mm; p = 0.03). Likewise, patients with exercise-induced ST segment elevation (n = 28) showed less response to dobutamine (15 [0-45]% vs 40 [21-57]%; p = 0.03) and smaller MLD (0.5 [0-0.7] mm vs 0.9 [0.5-1] mm; p = 0.02). There were non significant differences between patients with and without ST elevation during exercise in the extension or severity of the regional dysfunction. ST segment elevation both at rest (RR 0.2; CI 95% 0.04-0.85) and during exercise (RR 0.19; CI 95%: 0.05-0.69) decreased the probability of improvement with dobutamine.
Conclusions: We conclude that ST segment elevation on Q-leads at rest is related to a more extended and severe dysfunction. Patients with ST segment elevation (at rest or during exercise) show less response to dobutamine (myocardial viability less likely) and a more severe residual coronary stenosis.