Incidence of hibernating myocardium after acute myocardial infarction treated with thrombolysis. Issue 5 (May 1996)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Adams, J. N.; Norton, M.; Trent, R. J.; Mikecz, P.; Walton, S.; Evans, N.
• Is Part Of: Heart. Volume 75:Issue 5(1996)
• Page Start: 442
• Page End: 446
• Publication Date: 1996-05
• Subjects: Heart -- Diseases -- Treatment -- Periodicals; Cardiology -- Periodicals; 616.12
• DOI: 10.1136/hrt.75.5.442
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1355-6037

Abstract

Abstract : OBJECTIVE: To establish the incidence of hibernating myocardium after myocardial infarction treated with thrombolysis and to observe differences in the clinical outcome between patients with and without hibernating tissue. METHODS: 41 patients underwent gated positron emission tomography with 18-fluorodeoxyglucose and 13N-ammonia at a median of eight days after first myocardial infarction. RESULTS: All 41 subjects had a matched perfusion-metabolism deficit in the region of myocardium indicated as the site of infarction by an electrocardiograph; 32 patients (78%) had scans which also showed at least one area of reduced blood flow and contraction with a concomitant increase in glucose uptake, representing hibernating myocardium. Patients were followed up at a median of six months: all 41 were alive and none had sustained a further infarct or cardiac arrhythmia; 17 subjects with hibernating tissue (53.1%) and two without (25%) reported chest pain after myocardial infarction. CONCLUSIONS: Hibernating myocardium is relatively common shortly after myocardial infarction treated with thrombolysis. It does not influence mortality or the incidence of postinfarction chest pain.