Late potential as a predictor of re-hospitalization after percutaneous coronary intervention for acute coronary syndrome

Objective: The aim of this study was to investigate the significance of late potential (LP) after percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) in acute coronary syndrome (ACS). Method: We enrolled 135 consecutive patients with ACS admitted to Tokai University Hospital from February to December 2012. Twenty-four hour high-resolution ambulatory electrocardiogram was performed between post-PCI procedure and hospital discharge. The patients were divided into the LP-positive (33 patients) and LP-negative (102 patients) groups, and the relationship between LP and re-hospitalization was prospectively investigated. Results: The body mass index, serum creatinine, and creatine phosphokinase-MB were higher in the LP-positive group than in the LP-negative group (p < 0.05). The re-hospitalization rate was higher in the LP-positive group. (9 patients, 27.3% vs. 10 patients, 9.8%; p = 0.03). There were no significant differences in the occurrence of ventricular tachycardia or cardiac death between the groups. According to Kaplan-Maier analysis, proportion of re-hospitalization was significantly lower in the LP-positive group than in the LP-negative group (p = 0.01; average follow-up, 451.4 ± 25.9 days). The odds ratio of LP presence was 3.45 (highest among all variables; 95% confidence interval, 1.3-9.4; p < 0.01). Conclusion: Positive LP in patients with ACS after PCI may predict re-hospitalization.