ABSTRACT
Effective risk stratification is integral to management of acute coronary syndromes [ACS]. The Thrombolysis in Myocardial Infarction [TIMI] risk score for ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction [STEMI] is a simple integer score based on 8 high-risk parameters that can be used at the bedside for risk stratification of patients at presentation with STEMI. To evaluate the prognostic significance of TIMI risk score in a local population group of acute STEMI. The study included 160 cases of STEMI eligible for thrombolysis. TIMI risk score was calculated for each case at the time of presentation and were then followed during their hospital stay for the occurrence of electrical and mechanical complications as well as mortality. The patients were divided into three risk groups, namely 'lowrisk', 'moderate-risk' and 'high-risk' based on their TIMI scores [0-4 low-risk, 5-8 moderate-risk, 9-14 high risk]. The frequencies of complications and deaths were compared among the three risk groups. Post MI arrhythmias were noted in 2.2%, 16% and 50%; cardiogenic shock in 6.7%, 16% and 60%; pulmonary edema in 6.7%, 20% and 80%; mechanical complications of MI in 0%, 8% and 30%; death in 4.4%, 8%, and 60% of patients belonging to low-risk, moderate-risk and high-risk groups respectively. Frequency of complications and death correlated well with TIMI risk score [p=0.001]. TIMI risk score correlates well with the frequency of electrical or mechanical complications and death after STEMI
ABSTRACT
A number of researchers have used different electrocardiographical criteria to predict the culprit vessel in acute inferior wall myocardial infarction [MI] cases. Therefore, the determination of infarct related artery in AMI is extremely important with regard to prediction of potential complications, furthermore, predicting the probable site of occlusion within RCA is worthwhile because proximal occlusions are likely to cause greater myocardial damage and an early invasive strategy may be planned in such cases. Our study aimed at evaluating the ECG criteria to predict the proximity of lesion in the right coronary artery [RCA] in acute inferior wall MI cases. The Objectives were to predict the presence of a proximal lesion in right coronary artery by severity of ST segment elevation in inferior ECG leads. This cross-sectional study carried out at the department of cardiology and cardiac catheterization at Jinnah Hospital, Lahore from April 2008 to September 2008. A total of 60 patients who suffered from inferior wall MI were included in the study who underwent coronary angiography in the first week. The ECGs of these patients were then compared with the angiographic findings to correlate the proximity of culprit lesion in RCA with the degree of ST segment elevation in inferior limb leads. Out of 60 patients, 29 [48.4%] had the culprit lesion in proximal, 23 [38.5%] in mid and 8 [13.4%] in distal RCA. Patients with proximal RCA disease showed a mean ST segment elevation of 12.55 +/- 1.38 mm, with mid RCA disease 8.39 +/- 0.89 mm and with distal RCA disease 6.0 +/- 0.54 mm. This study demonstrated that the severity of ST segment elevation was correlated with proximity of RCA lesion