High-density lipoproteins and myocardial necrosis in patients with acute myocardial infarction and ST segment elevation.

INTRODUCTION AND AIM: Low plasma levels of high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDLC) is a prognostic factor in patients with acute coronary syndrome. The aim of this study was to evaluate the relationship between HDLC and myocardial necrosis estimated by cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) in patients with acute ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) and reperfusion strategy. METHODS: Retrospective analysis of 139 patients (mean age 59.8 years; 79% men) admitted with STEMI who underwent a CMR in the first week. RESULTS: With a comparable reperfusion strategy used and time of ischemia, patients with HDLC ≤40 mg/dl (69% of total) had more extensive areas of myocardial necrosis after STEMI, in number of segments with late gadolinium enhancement (RTG) with transmural necrosis pattern (4.7 vs. 2.1%, p < .001) and in percentage of RTG with respect to total mass myocardial (18.2 vs. 11.3%, p < .01), and worst left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) (49.7 vs. 57.2%, p < .001). CONCLUSIONS: We conclude that low HDLC are very common in patients with STEMI and associated with increased necrosis and a worse LVEF in the CRM study.