Angiographic characteristics of coronary disease and postresuscitation electrocardiograms in patients with aborted cardiac arrest outside a hospital.

Postresuscitation electrocardiogram (ECG) in patients with aborted cardiac death may demonstrate ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI), ST-T changes, intraventricular conduction delay, or other nonspecific findings. In the present study, we compared ECG to urgent coronary angiogram in 158 consecutive patients with STEMI and 54 patients not fulfilling criteria for STEMI admitted to our hospital from January 1, 2003 through December 31, 2008. At least 1 obstructive lesion was present in 97% of patients with STEMI and in 59% of patients without STEMI with ≥1 occlusion in 82% and 39%, respectively (p <0.001). Obstructive lesion was considered acute in 89% of patients with STEMI and in 24% of patients without STEMI (p <0.001). An acute lesion in STEMI had a higher thrombus score (2.6 vs 1.3, p = 0.05) and more often presented with Thrombolysis In Myocardial Infarction grade 0 to 1 flow (75% vs 36%, p <0.01). Percutaneous coronary intervention, which was attempted in 148 lesions in patients with STEMI and in 17 lesions in patients without STEMI, resulted in final Thrombolysis In Myocardial Infarction grade 3 flow in 87% and 71%, respectively (p = 0.34). In conclusion, STEMI on postresuscitation ECG is usually associated with the presence of an acute culprit lesion. However, in the absence of STEMI, an acute culprit lesion is still present in 1/4 of patients. An acute lesion in STEMI is more thrombotic and more often leads to complete occlusion. Urgent percutaneous coronary intervention is feasible and successful regardless of postresuscitation ECG.