Effect of clinical variables on the correlation between amount of ST elevation and myocardial scintigraphic perfusion defect during coronary occlusion

Abstract

We investigated if the correlation between the amount of ST elevation (STE) and myocardial ischemia could be altered by variables such as hypertension or body mass index (BMI). A 12-lead electrocardiogram and a technetium-99m tetrofosmin injection were performed during balloon coronary occlusion in 34 patients with single-vessel disease. The sum of STE correlated with scintigraphic extent of ischemia (r = 0.441; P = .009), but this correlation improved significantly in men and patients with BMI of 28 kg/m2 or less and was highest in nonhypertensive patients (r = 0.763; P < .001). In contrast, it was poor in women and patients with BMI greater than 28 kg/m2 or arterial hypertension, being lowest in the latter subset (r = 0.110; P = .664). Moreover, 8 (80%) of 10 patients with extensive hypoperfusion but with low SigmaSTE (< or =20 mm) were hypertensive. If confirmed by larger studies, electrocardiographic underestimation of transmural ischemia during coronary occlusion in patients with hypertension or increased BMI may lead to adjustments in STE criteria for reperfusion therapy.