@article {Halvorsen:1 December 2001:1401-7431:379,
	author = "Halvorsen S.",
	author = "Muller C.",
	author = "Bendz B.",
	author = "Eritsland J.",
	author = "Brekke M.",
	author = "Mangschau A.",
	title = "Left Ventricular Function and Infarct Size 20 Months after Primary Angioplasty for Acute Myocardial Infarction",
	journal = "Scandinavian Cardiovascular Journal",
	volume = "35",
	year = "1 December 2001",
	abstract = "<B><I>Objective</I></B>&#151;To study changes in left ventricular function and infarct size during long-term follow-up after acute myocardial infarction treated with primary angioplasty. <B><I>Design</I></B>&#151;From 1996 to 1998, 100 consecutive patients were treated with primary angioplasty for acute ST-elevation myocardial infarction. Angioplasty was successful in 95% of the patients. Global left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) was determined by radionuclide ventriculography before discharge, after 6 weeks and after a mean follow-up time of 20 months. Infarct size was assessed by technetium 99m-tetrofosmin myocardial perfusion tomography (SPECT) at rest, performed at the same time intervals. <B><I>Results</I></B>&#151;Mean LVEF was 56% at discharge, 55% after 6 weeks and 57% after 20 months of follow-up. No significant improvement in LVEF was observed. Only 8% of the patients at follow-up had LVEF lower than 40%. After 1 week, a mean perfusion defect of 19% was measured by SPECT. After 6 weeks and 20 months of follow-up, the mean perfusion defects were reduced to 14% (<I>p</I> &#060; 0.001) and 15%, respectively. <B><I>Conclusion</I></B>&#151;Left ventricular function was well preserved with a mean LVEF of 57% 20 months after primary angioplasty for acute myocardial infarction. No significant change in LVEF was observed from 1 week after angioplasty to follow-up. Infarct sizes as assessed by SPECT imaging with tetrofosmin were reduced from 1 to 6 weeks, but did not change further during long-term follow-up. The reduction in the perfusion defects over time was probably due to gradual relief of stunning.",
	pages = "379-384(6)",
	url = "http://www.ingentaconnect.com/content/apl/scar/2001/00000035/00000006/art00005"
}