Electrocardiographic evolutionary changes and left ventricular remodeling after acute myocardial infarction: Results of the gissi-3 echo substudy

• Published in: Journal of the American College of Cardiology 2000, Vol.35 (1), p.127-135
• Main Authors: BOSIMINI, E, GIANNUZZI, P, HEYMAN, I, LEVANTESI, G, CERVESATO, E, GERACI, E, NICOLOSI, G. L, TEMPORELLI, P. L, GENTILE, F, LUCCI, D, MAGGIONI, A. P, TAVAZZI, L, BADANO, L, STOIAN, I, PIAZZA, R
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Adult; Aged; Aged, 80 and over; Angioplasty, Balloon, Coronary; Biological and medical sciences; Cardiology. Vascular system; Coronary Artery Bypass; Coronary heart disease; Echocardiography; Electrocardiography; Female; Heart; Heart Ventricles - physiopathology; Humans; Male; Medical sciences; Middle Aged; Myocardial Infarction - diagnosis; Myocardial Infarction - physiopathology; Myocardial Infarction - therapy; Predictive Value of Tests; Stents; Ventricular Function, Left - physiology; Ventricular Remodeling - physiology
• ISSN: 0735-1097; 1558-3597
• DOI: 10.1016/S0735-1097(99)00487-8

The aim of this study was to describe the electrocardiographic (ECG) evolutionary changes after an acute myocardial infarction (AMI) and to evaluate their correlation with left ventricular function and remodeling. The QRS complex changes after AMI have been correlated with infarct size and left ventricular function. By contrast, the significance of T wave changes is controversial. We studied 536 patients enrolled in the GISSI-3-Echo substudy who underwent ECG and echocardiographic studies at 24 to 48 h (S1), at hospital discharge (S2), at six weeks (S3) and six months (S4) after AMI. The number of Qwaves (nQ) and QRS quantitative score (QRSs) did not change over time. From S2 to S4, the number of negative T waves (nT NEG) decreased (p < 0.0001), wall motion abnormalities (%WMA) improved (p < 0.001), ventricular volumes increased (p < 0.0001) while ejection fraction remained stable. According to the T wave changes after hospital discharge, patients were divided into four groups: stable positive T waves (group 1, n = 35), patients who showed a decrease > or =1 in nT NEG (group 2, n = 361), patients with no change in nT NEG (group 3, n = 64) and those with an increase > or =1 in nT NEG (group 4, n = 76). The QRSs and nQ remained stable in all groups. Groups 3 and 4 showed less recovery in %WMA, more pronounced ventricular enlargement and progressive decline in ejection fraction than groups 1 and 2 (interaction time x groups p < 0.0001). The analysis of serial ECG can predict postinfarct left ventricular remodeling. Normalization of negative T waves during the follow-up appears more strictly related to recovery of regional dysfunction than QRS changes. Lack of resolution and late appearance of new negative T predict unfavorable remodeling with progressive deterioration of ventricular function.