Coronary flow velocity pattern assessed noninvasively by transthoracic color Doppler echocardiography serves as a predictor of adverse cardiac events and left ventricular remodeling in patients with acute myocardial infarction

Background: Quantitative assessment of microvascular injury is possible in patients with reperfused anterior myocardial infarction by invasive method. Coronary flow velocity patterns can also be assessed by transthoracic color Doppler echocardiography (TTCDE). Objectives: The purpose of this study was to determine whether the coronary flow velocity pattern assessed by TTCDE serves as a predictor of adverse cardiac events and left ventricular remodeling. Methods: The study population consisted of 64 consecutive patients. We could analyze coronary flow velocity patterns by TTCDE in 59 of 64 patients (92%) after coronary intervention. The patients were followed up for the occurrence of complications and underwent serial measurement of left ventricular volumes. Results: In patients with a short deceleration time of diastolic flow velocity, the frequency of adverse cardiac events and left ventricular remodeling was higher. Conclusion: It is possible to predict clinical outcome by assessing coronary flow velocity pattern by TTCDE.