Prognostic value of circulating dead monocytes in patients with acute st-elevation myocardial infarction undergoing primary percutaneous coronary intervention

Abstract

Objectives: This study tested the hypothesis that the level of apoptotic and necrotic peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) is a predictor of the 30-day combined major adverse clinical outcome (MACO) [defined as advanced congestive heart failure (CHF), a high Killip score, or 30-day mortality] in patients with ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) undergoing primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI).

Methods: Between April 2009 and January 2010, 98 patients undergoing primary PCI were assessed for both apoptotic and necrotic PBMCs (apoptotic cells are referred to as annexin V+/propidium iodide- and necrotic cells are defined as annexin V+/propidium iodide+) using flow cytometry 24 h after STEMI. Patients with higher (≥ 3.2%) and lower (<3.2%) levels of necrotic cells were categorized into group 1 (n = 40) and group 2 (n = 58), respectively, according to the ROC curve method.

Results: Higher incidences of advanced CHF and a high Killip score were noted in group 1 patients (p < 0.0001). Moreover, the peak level of creatine phosphokinase was higher in group 1 (p < 0.0001), whereas the left ventricular ejection fraction was lower in group 1 than in group 2 (p < 0.001). Multivariate analysis revealed that high necrotic cells (≥ 3.2%) was the strongest independent predictor of 30-day MACO (p = 0.001).

Conclusion: A high level of necrotic cells (PBMCs) may serve as a useful biomarker for predicting 30-day MACO in patients with STEMI undergoing primary PCI.