Prognostic significance of peripheral monocytosis after reperfused acute myocardial infarction:a possible role for left ventricular remodeling.

OBJECTIVES The aim of this study was to determine the significance of peripheral monocytosis in clinical outcome after reperfused acute myocardial infarction (AMI), especially relating to post-infarct left ventricular (LV) remodeling. BACKGROUND Peripheral monocytosis occurs two to three days after AMI, reflecting infiltration of monocytes and macrophages into the necrotic myocardium. However, the prognostic significance of peripheral monocytosis after AMI remains to be determined. METHODS A total of 149 patients with first Q-wave AMI were studied. White blood cell (WBC) count, percentage of monocytes and serum C-reactive protein level were measured every 24 h for four days after the onset of AMI. We assessed association between peripheral monocytosis and prognosis including pump failure, LV aneurysm and long-term outcome after AMI. RESULTS Patients with pump failure (p < 0.0001) or LV aneurysm (p = 0.005) had higher peak monocyte counts than those without these complications. Predischarge left ventriculography revealed that peak monocyte count was positively correlated with LV end-diastolic volume (p = 0.024) and negatively correlated with ejection fraction (p = 0.023). Multivariate analyses showed that peak monocyte count > or = 900/mm(3) was an independent determinant of pump failure (relative risk [RR] 9.83, p < 0.0001), LV aneurysm (RR 4.78, p = 0.046) and cardiac events (RR 6.30, p < 0.0001), including readmission for heart failure, recurrent myocardial infarction and cardiac deaths, including sudden deaths. CONCLUSIONS Peripheral monocytosis is associated with LV dysfunction and LV aneurysm, suggesting a possible role of monocytes in the development of LV remodeling after reperfused AMI.