Background- Coronary artery disease is the most common etiology of disability and death in the world. We evaluated the efficacy of echocardiography in patients after myocardial infarction, as a diagnostic means for identifying risk of future cardiac events.
Methods- This is a cross -sectional study on 150 patients admitted with acute myocardial infarction who were followed for three months. We compared the baseline wall motion score index (WMSI) accessed within the first 24 hours and the hemodynamic function as determined according to Killip' s classification in patients admitted with acute myocardial infarction to Shaheed Rajaie Cardiovascular Medical Center in Tehran, Iran.
Results- There was a positive correlation between WMSI determined immediately following admission in patients with acute myocardial infarction and good prognosis. Patients included in this study were grouped into four Killip's classes: Class I (n=72 patients), Class 11(n=58 patients), Class III (n=13 patients) and Class IV (n= 7 patients). Overall, patients with high WMSI were subclassified within higher Killip's classes. Early mortality rate was greater in patients with both WMS³2 and a higher Killip' s class. Patients with anterior myocardial infarction (MI), WMS³2 and high Killip's class had higher peak CPK-MB levels.
Conclusion- Echocardiographic left ventricular WMSI obtained shortly after an acute myocardial infarction is an affordable and readily available technique, which provides important prognostic information regarding patients' clinical outcome and prognosis. We conclude that patients presenting with high WMSI need early invasive procedures for improved prognosis.