Left ventricular function following revascularization for occlusion of a coronary artery lasting 1 to 2 hours
Sigwart, U.; Grbic, M.; Goy, J.J.; Grec, V.; Morin, D.; Fischer, A.; Essinger, A.; Sadeghi, H.
Schweizerische Medizinische Wochenschrift 113(45): 1661-1664
1983
ISSN/ISBN: 0036-7672 PMID: 6658406 Document Number: 204527
The time-lag between coronary occlusion and irreversible damage to the myocardium is ill-defined in man. In 10 patients the changes in left ventricular function have been studied after coronary occlusion during diagnostic or therapeutic cardiac catheterization of 1-2 hours' duration. Revascularization was achieved either surgically or through intracoronary streptokinase infusion. The interval between occlusion and onset of extracorporal circulation or reopening was 61 to 119 minutes. Despite enzyme elevation (CPK, CK-MB, SGOT) and appearance of Q-waves in 5 patients, no significant alteration of left ventricular function was noted on repeat cardiac catheterization 10 to 230 days after the accident. These observations, suggest that coronary occlusion of 1-2 hours' duration fails to produce significant irreversible damage to the myocardium despite electrocardiographic and enzymatic signs of myocardial infarction.