Effects of a timely therapy with doxycycline on the left ventricular remodeling according to the pre-procedural TIMI flow grade in patients with ST-elevation acute myocardial infarction

Doxycycline has been demonstrated to reduced left ventricular (LV) remodeling, but its effect in patients with ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) and a baseline occluded [thrombolysis in myocardial infarction (TIMI) flow grade ≤1] infarct-related artery (IRA) is unknown. According to the baseline TIMI flow grade, 110 patients with a first STEMI were divided into 2 groups. Group 1: 77 patients with TIMI flow ≤1 (40 patients treated with doxycycline and 37 with standard therapy, respectively), and a Group 2: 33 patients with TIMI flow 2–3 (15 patients treated with doxycycline and 18 with standard therapy, respectively). The two randomized groups were well matched in baseline characteristics. A 2D-Echo was performed at baseline and at 6 months, together with a coronary angiography, for the remodeling and IRA patency assessment, respectively. The LV end-diastolic volume index (LVEDVi) decreased in Group 2 [−3 mL/m 2 (IQR: −12 to 4 mL/m 2 )], and increased in Group 1 [6 mL/m 2 (IQR: −2 to 14 mL/m 2 )], ( p = 0.001). In Group 2, LVEDVi reduction was similar regardless of drug therapy, while in Group 1 the LVEDVi was smaller in patients treated with doxycycline as compared to control [3 mL/m 2 (IQR: −3 to 8 mL/m 2 ) vs. 10 mL/m 2 (IQR: 1–27 mL/m 2 ), p = 0.006]. A similar pattern was observed also for LV end-systolic volume and ejection fraction. In STEMI patients at higher risk, as those with a baseline TIMI flow grade ≤1, doxycycline reduces LV remodeling.