Is increased body mass index associated with a cardioprotective effect after ST‐segment‐elevation myocardial infarction?

Recent studies highlighted the ‘obesity paradox’ after revascularization, suggesting a ‘cardioprotective’ effect of obesity. We assessed the association of BMI and regional wall motion score (RWMS) and peak CK and cTnI values (markers of infarct size) and 30‐day survival among consecutive first ST‐segment‐elevation myocardial infarction patients who underwent successful primary PCI. Of the 164 patients, we found no difference in infarct size among the different groups, BMI⩽25kg/m2, 25 30 kg/m2, and no association between BMI as continuous variable and these variables. Thirty‐day death rates were not statistically different among the three groups (10, 5, 2%, respectively, P = 0.83). Increased BMI does not confer any protective effect on the heart during acute ischemia.