Abstract
In survivors of acute myocardial infarction, the restoration of antegrade flow in the infarct-related coronary artery may improve prognosis by a mechanism independent of its effect on left ventricular function. Survival may be enhanced even when restoration of flow is accomplished days or weeks after the acute event. In a series of retrospective studies of survivors of a first myocardial infarction, it was shown that long-term survival is significantly better in those with than in those without antegrade flow in the infarct-related artery. It is hypothesized that late restoration of antegrade flow in the infarct-related artery renders the border zone of the infarction more electrically stable, thereby diminishing the incidence of ventricular tachyarrhythmias and sudden death.
Original language | English (US) |
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Pages (from-to) | 522-524 |
Number of pages | 3 |
Journal | Clinical Cardiology |
Volume | 20 |
Issue number | 6 |
DOIs | |
State | Published - 1997 |
Externally published | Yes |
Keywords
- Infarct artery
- Patency
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Cardiology and Cardiovascular Medicine