Prognostic impact of the combination of serum transaminase and alkaline phosphatase determined in the emergency room in patients with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction undergoing primary percutaneous coronary intervention

Background: Elevated serum transaminase or alkaline phosphatase (ALP) has been proposed as a novel prognosticator for ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI). We evaluated the combined prognostic impact of elevated serum transaminases and ALP on admission in STEMI patients who underwent primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). Methods: A total of 1176 patients with STEMI undergoing primary PCI were retrospectively enrolled from the INTERSTELLAR registry. Hypoxic liver injury (HLI) was defined as serum transaminase > twice the upper limit of normal. The cut-off value of high ALP was set at the median level (73 IU/L). Patients were divided into four groups according to their serum transaminase and ALP levels. The primary endpoint was major adverse cardiac or cerebrovascular events (MACCE), defined as the composite of all-cause death, non-fatal myocardial infarction, non-fatal stroke, and ischemia-driven revascularization. Results: Median follow-up duration was 25 months (interquartile range, 10–39 months). The rate of MACCE was highest in patients with HLI (+) and high ALP (25.9%), compared to those in the other groups (8.2% in HLI [-] and low ALP, 11.8% in HLI [-] and high ALP, and 15.0% in HLI [+] and low ALP). Each of HLI or high ALP was an independent predictor for MACCE (HR 1.807, 95% CI 1.191–2.741; HR 1.721, 95% CI 1.179–2.512, respectively). Combined HLI and high ALP was associated with the worst prognosis (HR 3.145, 95% CI 1.794–5.514). Conclusions: Combined HLI and high ALP on admission is associated with poor clinical outcomes in patients with STEMI who have undergone primary PCI.