Effect of postconditioning on coronary blood flow velocity and endothelial function in patients with acute myocardial infarction

Abstract

Objectives. To observe the effect of postconditioning on coronary blood flow velocity and endothelial function in acute myocardial infarction (AMI). Methods. We recruited patients with AMI who underwent primary PCI. The patients were randomized to an ischemic-reperfusion group (IR group) and a postconditioning group. Corrected TIMI frame count (CTFC), Wall motion score index (WMSI), Creatine phosphokinase (CK), CK-MB, malondialdehyde (MDA) were measured. Arterial endothelial function was studied non-invasively by echo Doppler technique. Results. Patients with postconditioning had much faster CTFC. After 8 weeks, the WMSI in Postcond group was significantly larger. There was a significant negative correlation between WMSI and CTFC in IR group and Postcond group(r=-0.90, p<0.01; r=-0.79, p<0.01). The peaks of CK and CK-MB of Postcond group were much lower than those of the IR group, and MDA-reactive products were significantly lower than those of the IR group after PCI. The endothelium-dependent vasodilatory function was improved in the Postcond group. Conclusion. Postconditioning is a simple interventional procedure for salvage of the coronary endothelial function and increasing coronary blood flow velocity.