EFFICACY OF PERCUTANEOUS TRANSLUMINAL CORONARY ANGIOPLASTY IN PATIENTS WITH ACUTE MYOCARDIAL-INFARCTION COMPLICATED BY CARDIOGENIC-SHOCK

Cardiogenic shock still remains a highly lethal complication of acute myocardial infarction (AMI). This study reviews our hospital experience in treating AMI complicated by cardiogenic shock to evaluate whether coronary angioplasty improves survival or not. We have treated 523 AMI patients from 1985 to 1990, and among these, 26 patients with AMI complicated by cardiogenic shock who underwent percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty (PTCA) compose the study group. In 16 patients, PTCA was successful (Groups S) and in 10 patients, unsuccessful (Group F). There were no statistical differences between the Groups with respect to clinical background, intraaortic balloon counter-pulsation (IABP) or emergency coronary bypass graft surgery. Before PTCA, hemodynamic variables including cardiac index, pulmonary capillary wedge pressure and systolic blood pressure were similar in the 2 groups. After PTCA, cardiac index in Group S patients was better than in Group F patients (2.18+/-0.61 versus 1.62+/-0.65, p<0.05). Thirty day and 1 year survivals were also better in Group S than in Group F (30 day survival: Group S 56.2%, Group F 10%, 1 year survival: Group S 31.2%, Group F 0%, p<0.05). Multivariate analysis showed that age under 75 years old, systolic blood pressure over 90 mmHg after PTCA and successful PTCA were independent predictors of 30 day survival (p<0.05). It was suggested that PTCA was an effective procedure to reduce mortality in patients with cardiogenic shock.