Left Atrial Distensibility and Left Ventricular Filling Pressure in Acute Myocardial Infarction

Primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) and stenting were performed for just the culprit lesion using standard techniques and bare-metal stents in all patients. Unfractionated heparin was used for 3 days after PCI, except in some cases with contraindications, and the dose of unfractionated heparin was selected to prolong the activated partial thromboplastin time by 2-3 times. The decision to use glycoprotein IIb/IIIa inhibitors was left to the discretion of the treating physician. The measurements of LVFP were performed via a fluid-filled pig-tail catheter placed into the LV after coronary angiography if PCI was not indicated or after primary PCI.