Objective: The aim of this study was to describe the procedural characteristics, myocardial perfusion, and long-term outcomes in ST-elevation myocardial infarction patients with an ectatic infarct-related artery (IRA).
Patients and methods: The retrospective analysis included 1270 consecutive ST-elevation myocardial infarction patients treated by primary percutaneous coronary intervention who were categorized according to the coronary anatomy of the IRA as follows: ectatic group (n=91) and control group (n=1179).
Results: Compared with the control group, patients in the ectatic group experienced lower Thombolysis in myocardial infarction grade 3 flow rate after percutaneous coronary intervention (64.8 vs. 88.2%: ectatic group vs. nonectatic group, P<0.001) and more frequent distal embolization (44.4 vs. 11.1%, P<0.001). ECG ST resolution was significantly lower in the ectatic group (P<0.001). Paradoxically, the left ventricular ejection fraction values at discharge were significantly higher in the ectatic group (P=0.032) and the infarct size assessed within 6-12 months after discharge tended to be smaller (P=0.06). The 30-day mortality rate was not significantly different between the two groups (3.3 vs. 5.0%, P=0.378) as well as Kaplan-Meier analysis for long-term overall survival in both groups (P=0.8).
Conclusion: Patients with ectatic IRA were characterized by discrepancies between high angiographic thrombus burden in a larger vessel and impact on left ventricular function that may influence their long-term survival.