Effect of recanalization of chronic total occlusions on global and regional left ventricular function in patients with or without previous myocardial infarction

Previous studies have demonstrated improvement of regional wall motion and global left ventricular function after successful recanalization of chronic total occlusion in coronary artery. However, the difference of benefits of recanalization between infarct site and noninfarct site is unknown. This study assessed the changes in left ventricular ejection fraction, regional wall motion after successful angioplasty of chronic total occlusions with or without previous myocardial infarction. This study also evaluated the factors that influenced the outcome of left ventricular function. We retrospectively studied 75 patients with a successfully recanalized chronic total occlusion in native coronary artery. Left ventriculograms were obtained at baseline and after 6 months. Global and regional left ventricular function were determined. The patients were divided into two groups. Group 1 comprised patients without previous myocardial infarction in the territories of total occlusion vessel that was recanalized. Group 2 comprised patients with previous myocardial infarction in the territories of total occlusion vessel that was recanalized. Left ventricular ejection fraction increased from 53.2% +/- 16.3% at baseline to 57.3% +/- 20.1 % at 6-month follow-up in the whole group (P = 0.001). In group 1 patients, the evolution of left ventricular (LV) ejection fraction increased from 59.5% +/- 13.7% to 67.3% +/- 14.6% (P < 0.001). In group 2 patients, the evolution of LV ejection fraction increased, but not significantly, from 48.9% +/- 16.2% to 50.5% +/- 16.9% (P = NS). The evolution of LV ejection fraction increased from 47.6% +/- 17.4% to 50.8% +/- 17.5% (P < 0.05) in the subgroup of recanalization in infarct-related vessel that had rich collateral circulation and had long-term patency. The regional wall motion all significantly improved in group 1 patients (P < 0.05). The regional wall motion did not change in group 2 patients (P = NS). The influence of recanalization of chronic coronary occlusions on the improvement of left ventricular global function was different between myocardial infarction and nonmyocardial infarction patients. The left ventricular function did not improve in myocardial infarction patient. Regional wall motion improved in patients without previous myocardial infarction. For reliable improvement of left ventricular function after recanalization of chronic total occlusions, evidence (not only by symptom or treadmill test) of viable myocardium in recanalized vessel is important. It is also important to keep patency of infarct-related vessel that has good collateral circulation for improving the left ventricular function.