Abstract

Background: Increased concentrations of asymmetric dimethylarginine (ADMA) have been detected in patients with cardiovascular risk factors. In addition, high baseline plasma concentrations of ADMA have been shown to be an independent predictor of adverse outcomes in various disorders. This study aimed to evaluate the impact of admission ADMA concentrations on microvascular flow after primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) in patients with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI).

Methods: Blood samples from 39 patients with STEMI were collected at admission to measure the concentrations of ADMA and other cardiovascular risk factors including inflammatory markers and the lipid profile. Primary PCI was performed in patients with STEMI. The maximum ST-segment elevation in standard 12-leads electrocardiogram (ECG) before and 24 h after PCI was measured, and patients were stratified as complete or incomplete ST-segment resolution (STR).

Results: Twenty-five patients had complete (≥70%) and 14 incomplete (<70%) STR. In patients with incomplete STR, ADMA concentrations were significantly higher than that seen in others (0.447±0.215 μmol/L vs. 0.310±0.134, p=0.019), and was independently associated with STR.

Conclusions: Admission concentrations of ADMA appeared to be useful for early risk stratification in reperfusion therapy for acute myocardial infarction.