Neopterin predicts left ventricular remodeling in patients with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction undergoing primary percutaneous coronary intervention

Background: Left ventricle remodeling (LVR) is a relatively common and unfavourable event occurring after acute myocardial infarction. A link exists between inflammation and LVR. Neopterin, a marker of inflammation and macrophage activation, is a predictor of left ventricular dysfunction in patients with coronary artery disease. We therefore sought to assess whether both neopterin and brain natriuretic peptide (BNP), a marker of LV dysfunction and patient outcome, correlate with LVR in patients with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI). Methods: We prospectively assessed 108 STEMI patients (age 64 +/- 11 years; 85% male) undergoing primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) who were assessed echocardiographycally assessment was performed at 96 +/- 10 h after the onset of symptoms and 12 month after STEMI. LVR was defined as > 20% increase in LV end-diastolic volume at 12 months of follow-up compared to baseline. Neopterin and BNP serum concentrations were measured immediately before primary PCI. Results: At 1 year, 21 patients (19%) showed LVR and 87 (81%) had no LVR. Patients with LVR had higher levels of neopterin at study entry (7.45 +/- 1.04 vs 5.19 +/- 1.39 nmol/L; p < 0.001). After adjustment for relevant confounders, neopterin levels were found to be an independent predictor of LVR (OR ranging from [3.10, CI 95% 1.928-4.990, p < 0.001] to [3.32, CI 95% 1.999-5.532, p < 0.001]). ROC analysis showed an area under the curve of 0.901 for neopterin (CI 95% 0.84-0.96, p < 0.0001) compared to 0.579 for BNP (CI 95% 0.409-0.748) regarding LVR. Conclusions: In STEMI patients undergoing primary PCI, high neopterin levels - but not BNP - predict LVR at 1-year follow-up. (C) 2010 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.