The effect of ticagrelor on myocardial microcirculation, cardiac function, and adverse cardiovascular events in STEMI patients after PCI

<bold>Objective: </bold>This study aimed to investigate the effects of ticagrelor on myocardial microcirculation, cardiac function, and adverse cardiovascular events in ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) patients after percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI).<bold>Patients and methods: </bold>A total of 80 STEMI patients admitted to our hospital from February 2020 to March 2023 were selected and included in the retrospective study, all receiving PCI treatment. They were randomly and retrospectively divided into a control group (40 cases) and an observation group (40 cases), and treated with clopidogrel and ticagrelor, respectively. The clinical effects were compared.<bold>Results: </bold>The starting perfusion time of the contrast agent in the myocardial infarction area in the observation group was 2.22 +/- 0.27 s, and the peak perfusion time was 2.62 +/- 0.27 s, which was lower than those in the control group (2.51 +/- 0.29 s and 3.21 +/- 0.39 s, t=4.629, 7.867, p=0.000). The ratio of peak perfusion intensity between the two groups was significantly different (t=2.363, p=0.021). Left ventricular ejection fraction, stroke volume index, and cardiac index in the observation group were higher than those in the control group (55.03 +/- 6.03 vs. 52.33 +/- 5.13; 57.39 +/- 6.81 vs. 51.11 +/- 6.31 L/min<middle dot>m-2; 3.49 +/- 0.45 vs. 3.12 +/- 0.38 mL/m2, t=2.157, 4.278, 3.973, p<0.05). The observation group had lower levels of brain natriuretic peptide and C-reactive protein compared to the control group (425.35 +/- 55.71 vs. 589.36 +/- 70.24 pg/mL; 15.13 +/- 1.03 vs. 21.64 +/- 2.74 mg/L; t=11.570, 14.066, p=0.000). There was no statistical significance in the incidence of adverse cardiovascular events between the two groups (2.50% vs. 7.50%, chi 2=1.920, p=0.166).<bold>Conclusions: </bold>The use of ticagrelor can regulate myocardial microcirculation and improve cardiac function in STEMI patients undergoing PCI.