ABSTRACT
AIMS: The left ventricular global function index (LVGFI) is a novel indicator of left ventricular performance. Its prognostic value in patients after ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) is unknown. We sought to evaluate the prognostic significance of LVGFI measured by cardiovascular magnetic resonance (CMR) imaging after STEMI. METHODS AND RESULTS: Two hundred eligible STEMI patients (56 ± 11 years, 16% female) revascularized by primary percutaneous coronary intervention were followed-up for 3.1 [2-4.1] years for major adverse cardiac events (MACE). MACE was defined as a composite of death, non-fatal myocardial re-infarction, and new congestive heart failure. All patients underwent CMR imaging within 2 [2-4] days after STEMI. Late enhancement and cine images were acquired to assess myocardial injury as well as myocardial function, including LVGFI. Patients suffering a MACE event (n = 20, 10%) had a significantly lower LVGFI (P = 0.001). In Kaplan-Meier analysis, a decreased LVGFI was associated with a reduced MACE-free survival (P < 0.001). Multivariate Cox regression analysis revealed a decreased LVGFI as a predictor for MACE [hazard ratio = 4.79, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.46-15.67, P = 0.010] after adjusting for microvascular obstruction, left ventricular mass, and multivessel disease. In receiver operating characteristic analysis, LVGFI was a strong predictor for MACE (area under the curve = 0.73, CI 0.61-0.85). However, c-statistics revealed that LVGFI does not provide incremental prognostic information over left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) (P = 0.38). CONCLUSION: LVGFI assessed by CMR is a strong predictor of MACE within 3 years after first STEMI. A superior predictive value as compared with LVEF was not found in this study.