Patient outcome during the first year after uncomplicated ST-elevation myocardial infarction and the prediction of cardiac complications

Abstract

Objectives: To evaluate the patients’ outcomes during the first year after uncomplicated ST-elevation myocardial infarction and to determine the predictors of cardiac complications. Design and Methods: Thirty patients with uncomplicated ST-elevation myocardial infarction were followed up for 1 year. The rate of smoking, hypertension, diabetes, angina in anamnesis, Q-wave, a significant value of troponin T (TnT ≥ 2 ng/ml), positive exercise testing, conservative treatment, thrombolytic therapy, coronary angiography, PTCA, CABG, echocardiographic index of segmental wall motion and ejection fraction, infarct locations and patient age were compared between the groups with and without complications. Results: Only a significant value of TnT (69% vs. 37.5%, p = 0.04), positive in-hospital exercise testing (75% vs. 30%, p = 0.01) and, especially, both measurements together (71% vs. 10%, p = 0.001) were more common in the group with complications (n = 14). Conclusions: Nearly half of the patients with uncomplicated myocardial infarction developed cardiac complications within the first year of follow-up. Doctors should pay particular attention to those patients after uncomplicated myocardial infarction who had a significant value of TnT on admission and positive exercise testing before hospital discharge.