Comparison of Left Ventricular Ejection Fraction and Inducible Ventricular Tachycardia in ST-Elevation Myocardial Infarction Treated by Primary Angioplasty Versus Thrombolysis

Electrophysiologic studies predict the risk for sudden death after myocardial infarction (MI). Although primary angioplasty has become the preferred method of treatment for ST-elevation MI, intravenous thrombolysis remains the first-line treatment in 30% to 70% of cases worldwide. Rates of ventricular tachyarrhythmias may vary according to type of reperfusion treatment. This study was undertaken to examine the hypothesis that the left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) and rates of inducible ventricular tachycardia may be more favorable in treatment with primary angioplasty rather than thrombolysis. Consecutive patients receiving primary angioplasty (n = 225) or thrombolysis (n = 195) for ST-elevation MI were included. The mean LVEF was 48 ± 12% for the primary angioplasty group and 46 ± 13% for the thrombolysis group (p = 0.30). The proportion of patients with LVEFs