Concordance of angiographic and electrocardiographic indexes of microvascular obstruction: myocardial haemorrhage role

Background Angiographic and electrocardiographic (ECG) indexes of microvascular obstruction (MVO) have been described. We aimed at assessing by cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) anatomical features underlying concordance between them. Methods Forty-one patients were enrolled. Patients presented with neither angiographic nor ECG indexes of MVO (without MVO) (44%), with either angiographic or ECG indexes of MVO (discordant with MVO) (22%) or with both angiographic and ECG indexes of MVO (concordant with MVO) (34%). All patients underwent in-hospital CMR. Echocardiographic data obtained after 6 months were compared with those obtained in hospital. Results Concordant patients with MVO had larger infarct size, lower myocardial salvage index and higher rate of myocardial haemorrhage (all assessed by CMR) [33% (25–41%), 15% (10–29%) and 88%, respectively] as compared with patients without MVO [12% (9–16%), 66% (52–79%) and 0%; Bonferroni-adjusted P < 0.001, Bonferroni-adjusted P < 0.001 and P < 0.001, respectively], or with discordant ones [25% (21–39%), 35% (20–48%) and 7%; Bonferroni-adjusted P = 0.03, Bonferroni-adjusted P = 0.002 and P = 0.04, respectively]. After 6 months, ejection fraction significantly decreased in concordant patients with MVO (P < 0.001) without significant changes in the other groups. Conclusions Concordance of angiographic and ECG indexes of MVO reflects more severe myocardial damage translating into unfavourable left ventricular remodelling.