Echocardiographic assessment of left ventricular ejection fraction recovery after primary percutaneous coronary intervention in patients under 40 years of age

Context: The context of this study was acute coronary syndrome. Aims: The purpose of the study was to evaluate left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) recovery in postprimary percutaneous coronary intervention (PPCI) patients under the age of 40 years. Settings and Design: Observational study, Hyderabad Satellite Center of National Institute of Cardiovascular Disease (NICVD), Pakistan. Subjects and Methods: This study was conducted on 104 patients at "NICVD, Hyderabad Satellite Center." ST segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) patients of both genders, between 18 and 40 years of age, and those who underwent coronary angiography were included in this study. LVEF of post-PPCI patients was assessed at admission, 40 and 90 days post-PPCI. Statistical Analysis Used: The McNemar-Bowker test was conducted to assess the variations in the distribution of LVEF at 40 and 90 days as compared to the baseline. Results: A total of 104 patients were included in this study. The mean age of the patients was 34.84 ± 4.82 years. The most common risk factors were hypertension 38.5% (40) and smoking 18.3% (19). At 6 weeks, 18.3% of patient's EF was 40%-50%. At 90 days, 23.1% EF was at 40%-50%. Maximum improvement in EF was seen in patients who timely underwent PPCI. Conclusion: A significant improvement in LVEF was observed in young STEMI patients after 40 and 90 days of PPCI. Timely intervention by PPCI not only preserves LV function at baseline but is also associated with better improvement in the short term in premature STEMI patients.