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Clin. Cardiol. 24, 202–208 (2001)

Myocardial Bridging of the Left Anterior Descending Coronary Artery in Acute Inferior Wall Myocardial Infarction

Kohei Yano, M.D., Hideaki Yoshino, M.D., Masato Taniuchi, M.D., Eisei Kachi, M.D., Hisashi Shimizu, M.D., Atsushi Watanuki, M.D., Kyozo Ishikawa, M.D., FACC

Second Department of Internal Medicine, Kyorin University School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan

Summary

Background: We observed marked myocardial bridging of the left anterior descending coronary artery (LAD) in the acute stages of inferior wall myocardial infarction (MI) in a group of patients who developed shock despite successful reperfusion of the infarct-related lesion (IRL).

Hypothesis: The purpose of this study was to elucidate the clinical significance of myocardial bridging in patients with inferior wall MI and shock.

Methods: The study group consisted of 53 patients with single-vessel disease of the right coronary artery, who underwent coronary angiography for acute inferior wall MI. Clinical characteristics, coronary angiographic findings, and left ventricular function during the chronic phase were compared between the patients who developed shock (the shock group) and those who did not (the non-shock group). In addition, a multiple logistic analysis was performed to identify independent predictors of shock in patients with acute inferior wall MI.

Results: Reperfusion of the IRL was obtained in all 53 patients. The incidence of myocardial bridging of the LAD, the incidence of right ventricular MI, the peak creatine phosphokinase (CPK-MB), the pulmonary capillary wedge pressure, and the prevalence of pulmonary congestion seen on chest roentgenogram were significantly higher in the shock group than in the non-shock group. Myocardial bridging (p = 0.0018), right ventricular MI (p = 0.0374), and peak CPK-MB (p = 0.0189) were identified as independent predictors of shock in acute inferior wall MI.

Conclusion: This study suggests that myocardial bridging plays a role in left ventricular function in the acute stage of inferior wall MI.

Key words: myocardial bridging, inferior wall myocardial infarction, coronary angiography

Address for reprints:
Kyozo Ishikawa, M.D.
Second Department of Internal Medicine
Kyorin University School of Medicine
6-20-2 Shinkawa, Mitaka
Tokyo, 181-8611, Japan

Received: January 21, 2000
Accepted with revision: June 20, 2000


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