Evaluation of arterial stiffness in patients with ST segment elevation and non st segment elevation myocardial infarction

Aim: It was demonstrated that rigidity in large arteries is a more reliable criterion than conventional cardiovascular risk factors to detect major cardiovascular events (MACE) in patients with coronary artery disease. However, there is no data on the degree of arterial stiffness in acute myocardial infarction. The aim of our study was to compare arterial stiffness parameters in patients with ST segment elevation (STEMI) and non ST segment elevation myocardial infarction (NSTEMI), and to validate its prognostic value.Methods: Ninety-four patients with acute MI (72 men and 22 women, mean age 60,41±11,17) were included in the study. There were 45 STEMI and 49 NSTEMI. Arterial stiffness was assessed non-invasively by using TensioMed Arteriograph.Results: Arteria stiffness parameters were found to be higher in NSTEMI group, but did not achieve statistical significance apart from pulse pressure (p=0,007). We observed 15 patients with MACE during 12 months. There was no significant difference at MACE rates between two groups. Pulse pressure and heart rate were also significantly higher in MACE observed group (p=0,012 and p=0.024; respectively). Aortic pulse wave velocity (aortikNDH), augmentation index (aortikAix), systolic area index (SAI), heart rate and pulse pressure were found to be higher, ejection fraction, the return time (RT), diastolic reflex area (DRA) and diastolic area index (DAI) were found to be significantly lower in patients with major cardiovascular events. However, aortikNDH, heart rate and ejection fraction were found to be independent indicators at development of MACE, (respectively, p = 0.001, p = 0.036 and p = 0.047).Conclusions: Parameters of arterial stiffness and MACE rates were similar in patients with STEMI and NSTEMI in one year follow-up. The independent prognostic indicator aortic pulse wave velocity may be an easy and reliable method for determining the risk of future events at patients hospitalized with MI.Keywords: Myocardial infarction, arterial stiffness, major adverse cardiovascular events