Left ventricular dyssynchrony acutely after myocardial infarction predicts left ventricular remodeling

Objectives: We sought to identify predictors of left ventricular (LV) remodeling after acute myocardial infarction. Background: Left ventricular remodeling after myocardial infarction is associated with an adverse long-term prognosis. Early identification of patients prone to LV remodeling is needed to optimize therapeutic management. Methods: A total of 178 consecutive patients presenting with acute myocardial infarction who underwent primary percutaneous coronary intervention were included. Within 48 h of intervention, 2-dimensional echocardiography was performed to assess LV volumes, LV ejection fraction (LVEF), wall motion score index, left atrial dimension, E/E' ratio, and severity of mitral regurgitation. Left ventricular dyssynchrony was determined using speckle-tracking radial strain analysis. At 6-month follow-up, LV volumes, LVEF, and severity of mitral regurgitation were reassessed. Results: Patients showing LV remodeling at 6-month follow-up (20%) had comparable baseline characteristics to patients without LV remodeling (80%), except for higher peak troponin T levels (p < 0.001), peak creatine phosphokinase levels (p < 0.00i), wall motion score index (p < 0.05), E/E' ratio (p < 0.05), and a larger extent of LV dyssynchrony (p < 0.001). Multivariable analysis demonstrated that LV dyssynchrony was superior in predicting LV remodeling. Receiver-operating characteristic curve analysis demonstrated that a cutoff value of 130 ms for LV dyssynchrony yields a sensitivity of 82% and a specificity of 95% to predict LV remodeling at 6-month follow-up. Conclusions: Left ventricular dyssynchrony immediately after acute myocardial infarction predicts LV remodeling at 6-month follow-up.