OBJECTIVETo observe the dynamic changes of plasma matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) and investigate the effect of early or delayed percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) in the presence or absence cilostazol on left ventricle (LV) remodeling in patients with non-ST elevation myocardial infarction (NSTEMI).

METHODSOne hundred and sixty-four patients undergoing PCI with NSTEMI were randomized to early PCI (PCI within 24 h) group or delayed PCI group (PCI after 36 h), and patients in both group were further assigned to cilostazol or no cilostazol group. Plasma MMP-2 and MMP-9 concentrations were measured at 2, 4 days and 2 and 4 weeks after PCI. Left ventricular end-diastolic volume (LVEDV), left ventricle ejection fraction (LVEF), left ventricle posterior wall (LVPW) and interventricular septum (IVS) were measured by echocardiography at baseline and 1 year after PCI.

RESULTSMMP-2 concentration at 2 weeks after PCI is higher than that at 2, 4 days and 4 weeks after PCI. MMP-9 concentration at 4 days is higher than that at 2 days, 2 weeks and 4 weeks after PCI. MMP-2 and MMP-9 were significantly lower in cilostazol group compared with that in non-cilostazol group at 4 days, 2 weeks and 4 weeks after NSTEMI (all P < 0.05). Changes of LVEDV and LVEF were significantly less in cilostazol group and early PCI group than that in no cilostazol group and delay PCI group (P < 0.05 or P < 0.01) at 1 year after NSTEMI.

CONCLUSIONSEarly PCI and Cilostazol use are associated with less LV remodeling in patients with NSTEMI. Cilostazol attenuated LV remodeling possibly by reducing concentration of MMP-2 and MMP-9 after PCI.