Abstract: Objective To investigate the impact of collateral circulation on the short-term prognosis in patients with acute myocardial infarction. Methods A total of 130 patients with acute myocardial infarction treated with coronary angiography were selected and divided into 2 groups according to the Rentrop grade:collateral circulation group (n=43) and non-collateral circulation group (n=87). The clinical data, ventricular function, CK peak, CK-MB peak and clinical outcomes were compared between the two groups. Results There were no statistical differences between two groups in patients' age, gender, and past medical history. Non Q-wave myocardial infarction and preinfarciton angina were more common, and the incidence of multivessel lesions was higher in the collateral circulation group. Collateral flow was associated with better left ventricular ejection fraction (P<0.01). LVEDP, Cortina motion score of ventricular wall, CK and CK-MB peak level were significantly lower in the collateral circulation group (all P<0.01). The incidence of nosocomial complications and clinical cardiac events of collateral circulation group were lower than those of non-collateral circulation group. Conclusion The preinfarction angina indicates rich collateral circulation, and post-infarction angina predicts higher rate of major adverse cardiovascular events. The formation of collateral circulation of preinfarction angina can protect acute ischemic myocardium, and to a certain extent, reduce infarction size of acute myocardial infarction and prevent the occurrence of adverse cardiovascular events.

Key words: Collateral circulation, Acute myocardial infarction, Coronary angiography, Cardiac function, Myocardial ischemia