Effect of remote ischemic postconditioning on left ventricular ejection fraction in patients with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction undergoing primary percutaneous coronary intervention

Muhammad Fadil, Departamento de Cardiología y Medicina Vascular, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad Andalas; Hospital General Central “Dr. M. Djamil”. Padang, Indonesia
Eryati Darwin, Departamento de Histología, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad Andalas, Padang, Indonesia
Hirowati Ali, Departamento de Bioquímica, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad Andalas, Padang, Indonesia
Doni Firman, Departamento de Cardiología y Medicina Vascular, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Indonesia; Centro Nacional Cardiovascular Harapan Kita, Yakarta, Indonesia
Muzakkir Amir, Departamento de Cardiología y Medicina Vascular, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad Hasanuddin, Makassar, Indonesia
Andriany Qanitha, Departamento de Cardiología y Medicina Vascular, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad Hasanuddin, Makassar; Departamento de Fisiología, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad Hasanuddin, Makassar. Indonesia

Background: Ischemic conditioning may help patients with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) to limit ventricular remodeling. Objectives: To investigate the effect of remote ischemic postconditioning (RIPC) on left ventricular function during primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PPCI) in patients with STEMI. Material and methods: Pre- and post-test intervention study with a total of 60 STEMI patients. Patients were divided in two groups: with and without RIPC. Results: At 6-month follow-up evaluation, a significant difference in left ventricular ejection fraction was observed in patients who underwent PPCI, which was higher in the group with RIPC in comparison with the group without RIPC: 1.0 (−1.0 to 4.3) vs. −1.0 (−4.0 to –1.3), p = 0.033. In addition, at 6-month measurement, left ventricular end-systolic volume in patients without RIPC was higher in comparison with their counterparts: 79.3 ± 30.5 mL versus 64.4 ± 21.4 mL, p = 0.032. Conclusions: RIPC shows favorable effects on left ventricular function and, therefore, in the future, it could be a potential cardioprotective strategy against ischemia-reperfusion injury in STEMI patients.

Keywords: Left ventricular ejection fraction. ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction. Remote ischemic postconditioning.