Left ventricular function after successful percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty for postinfarction angina pectoris

The purpose of this study was to determine if coronary revascularization by balloon angioplasty (PTCA) in patients with postinfarction angina can elicit an improvement of global systolic left ventricular (LV) function. LV function was evaluated in 18 patients with postinfarction angina based on peak aortic blood acceleration measured noninvasively with a continuous wave Doppler velocimeter. Initial Doppler measurements were made 4 ± 1 days after infarction and just before PTCA and were repeated 24 to 48 hours after PTCA. Patients were divided into 2 groups. Group I (n = 10) had successful PTCA (reperfusion). Group II (n = 8) either had an unsuccessful PTCA or did not undergo PTCA or thrombolytic therapy (no reperfusion). In group I patients, peak acceleration increased from 16 ± 1 m/s/s just before PTCA to 24 ± 2 m/s/s 24 to 48 hours after successful PTCA (p < 0.001). In group II patients, peak acceleration was 17 ± 2 m/s/s just before PTCA and remained relatively unchanged (18 ± 2 m/s/s) 24 to 48 hours later. These data indicate that revascularization of coronary arteries in patients with postinfarction angina can elicit considerable improvement of global LV systolic function.