Effects of infusion of glucose-insulin-potassium on myocardial function after a recent myocardial infarction

We studied the effects of glucose, insulin, and KCI infusion (GIK), on regi onal myocardial perfusion and function by 99m-Tc-tetrofosmin-gated SPECT. Methods - we studied 21 male patients with their first uncomplicated acute myocardial infarction (AMI), All patients underwent a rest and submaximal s tress perfusion study before and after 24-hour infusion of GIK-solution (gr oup A) or saline solution (group B). Results - Group A showed better stress tolerance and ischaemic threshold im provement after GIK infusion whilst no statistical differences were found b etween basal and post-infusion test in group B, At first the stress test in group A, of the 192 segments analysed, 52 (27%) showed reversible perfusio n defect. In group B, of 144 segments analysed, 31 (21%) showed reversible perfusion defect. A postinfusion analysis in group A showed a post-G IK end -diastolic significant count improvement in 21 segments, and a post-GIK end -systolic count improvement in 22 segments. In group B, perfusion increase was observed only in 4 segments, whilst systolic thickening increase was ob served only in I segment. Conclusion - these data demonstrate the efficacy of GIK infusion to improve regional myocardial perfusion and function mainly in segments adjacent to the recently infarcted area.