Early and late ventricular arrhythmias complicating ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction

Background. - Ventricular arrhythmias can be life-threatening complications of ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI). Aims. - To describe the incidence, predictors and in-hospital impact of early ventricular arrhythmia (EVA, occurring < day 2 after STEMI) and late ventricular arrhythmia (LVA, occurring > day 2 after STEMI) in patients with STEMI. Methods. - Data from 13,523 patients enrolled in a prospective registry were analysed. Logistic and Cox regressions were performed to identify predictors of EVA, LVA and in-hospital all-cause mortality. Predictors of LVA were used to build a risk score. Results. - EVA occurred in 678 patients (5%), whereas 120 patients (0.9%) experienced LVA, at a median timing of 3 days after STEMI. EVA was associated with a significantly higher risk of all cause mortality (hazard ratio: 1.44, 95% confidence interval: 1.17-1.76; P = 0.001), whereas no association was observed with LVA (hazard ratio 0.86, 95% confidence interval 0.57-1.28; P = 0.45). Multivariable predictors of LVA were: age > 65 years; serum creatinine > 85 mu mol/L on admission; pulse pressure < 45 mmHg on admission; presence of a Q wave on admission electrocardiogram; Thrombolysis In Myocardial Infarction flow grade < 3 after percutaneous coronary intervention; and left ventricular ejection fraction < 45%. The score derived from these variables allowed the classification of patients into four risk categories: low (0-21); low to-intermediate (22-34); intermediate-to-high (35-44); and high (> 45). Observed LVA rates were 0.2%, 0.3%, 0.9% and 2.5%, across the four risk categories, respectively. The model demonstrated good discrimination (20-fold cross-validated c-statistic of 0.76) and adequate calibration (Hosmer-Lemeshow P = 0.23). Conclusions. - EVA is 5-fold more common than LVA in the setting of STEMI, and portends a higher risk of in-hospital all-cause mortality. LVA is mainly associated with the patient's baseline risk profile and surrogate markers of larger infarct size. We developed and internally validated a risk score identifying patients at high risk of LVA for whom early intensive care unit discharge may not be suitable. (c) 2021 Elsevier Masson SAS. All rights reserved.

Automated summary

This study describes the incidence, predictors, and in-hospital impact of early and late ventricular arrhythmias in patients with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI). Early ventricular arrhythmia is more common than late ventricular arrhythmia and is associated with a higher risk of in-hospital all-cause mortality.