Hossein Vakili - Associate Professor, Cardiovascular Research Center, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
Roxana Sadeghi - Assistant Professor, Cardiovascular Research Center, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
Mahdiye Tabkhi - General Cardiologist, Cardiovascular Research Center, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
Morteza Safi - Associate Professor, Department of Cardiology, Cardiovascular Research Center, School of Medicine, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran

BACKGROUND: This study aimed to assess the associations between corrected thrombolysis in myocardial infarction frame count (CTFC) of the infarct-related artery (IRA) and ejection fraction (EF) after three-six months in patients who underwent primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PPCI) for ST segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI). METHODS: CTFC was determined by a digital system for ۷۸ patients. EF was measured through Simpson’s method upon discharge and three-six months later. The subjects were divided into two groups of CTFC ≤ ۲۰ (n = ۵۴) and CTFC > ۲۰ (n = ۲۴). Association between CTFC and EF were then specified. RESULTS: CTFC ≤ ۲۰ and CTFC > ۲۰ were present in ۶۹.۲% and ۳۰.۸% of the patients, respectively. There was no significant difference between the two groups regarding baseline characteristics. EF at the time of discharge was ۴۲.۱% ± ۱۰.۲% and ۴۳.۵% ± ۱۱.۴% in groups with CTFC ≤ ۲۰ and > ۲۰, respectively. There was no significant association between EF at discharge and CTFC (P = ۰.۶۱۱). After three months, EF changed to ۴۹.۶% ± ۸.۷% and ۴۱.۶ ± ۱۲.۴% in the groups with CTFC ≤ ۲۰ and CTFC > ۲۰, respectively. Three months after PPCI, EF and CTFC had a significant relation (P = ۰.۰۰۷). Cumulative number and percentage of shock and death were ۳ (۳.۸%) and ۲ (۲.۶%), respectively. CONCLUSION: Lower CTFC of the infarct-related artery in patients undergoing PPCI for STEMI was associated with higher left ventricular ejection fraction after three months.   Keywords: Corrected Thrombolysis in Myocardial Infarction Frame Count, Ejection Fraction, Percutaneous Coronary Intervention, Myocardial Infarction