A protective role of early collateral blood flow in patients with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction

Background Conflict persists regarding whether the presence of early collateral blood flow to the infarct-related artery has an effective role in reducing infarct size and improving myocardial salvage in patients with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI). We sought to investigate the impact of the collateral circulation on myocardial salvage and infarct size in STEMI patients. Methods In 306 patients who were diagnosed with STEMI and underwent cardiac magnetic resonance within 1 week after revascularization, initial collateral flow to the infarct-related artery was assessed by coronary angiography. Using cardiac magnetic resonance imaging, myocardial infarct size and salvage were measured. Results Among 247 patients with preprocedural Thrombolysis in Myocardial Infarction flow 0/1, 54 (22%) patients had good collaterals (Rentrop grade Collateral Connection Score Infarct size and area at risk were significantly smaller in patients with good collaterals than those with poor collaterals (infarct size: 17.1 +/- 10.1 %LV vs 21.8 +/- 10.5 %LV, P = .003, area at risk: 33.8 +/- 16.8 %LV vs 38.8 +/- 15.5 % LV, P = .039). There was a significant difference of myocardial salvage index between 2 groups (50.9% 15.0% vs 43,8% 18.5%, P = .005). Poor collateralization was an independent predictor for large infarct size (odd ratio 2.48 [1.28-4.80], P = .007). Conclusions. In patients with STEMI, the presence of well-developed collaterals to occluded coronary artery from the noninfarct vessel and. its extent were independently associated with reduced infarct burden and improved myocardial salvage. Our results help explain why MI patients with well-developed collateralization have reduced mortality and morbidity.