Impact of early vs. late microvascular obstruction assessed by magnetic resonance imaging on long-term outcome after ST-elevation myocardial infarction: a comparison with traditional prognostic markers

Abstract

Aims Early and late microvascular obstruction (MO) assessed by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) are prognostic markers for combined clinical endpoints after ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI). However, there are only limited data for hard endpoints and no consensus exists which of the two best predicts clinical outcome. Furthermore, it is unclear whether the assessment of MO by MRI adds incremental prognostic information independent of traditional outcome markers. Methods and results STEMI patients reperfused by primary angioplasty (n = 438) P = 0.002). Furthermore, the presence and extent of late MO provided an incremental prognostic value above the traditional prognostic markers. Conclusion In contrast to early MO, the presence and extent of late MO are strong independent prognosticators after STEMI. www.ClinicalTrials.gov: NCT00299377.