Internationale Zeitschrift für Herz-Kreislauf-Forschung

Effectiveness of Colchicine in the Treatment of Acute Myocardial Infarction

Rizwan Munir

Background: The global burden of cardiovascular and cerebrovascular events is increasing. Addition of Colchicine can be beneficial and more effective in reducing adverse events in STEMI patients. Therefore, we planned this study to get evidence for Colchicine in STEMI patients to improve their outcome and avert adverse outcomes.

Objective: To compare the effectiveness of colchicine in addition to conventional treatment after primary episode of Acute ST-elevation Myocardial Infarction (STEMI).

Study Design: Randomized controlled trial

Study place and duration: Department of Medicine, KEMU and Mayo Hospital, Lahore for 3 months

Material and methods: In this trial, 92 patients (46 patients in each group) were included with primary STEMI and randomly divided in two groups. Baseline investigations were done. Group A: Standard treatment plus placebo were given. Group B: Along with standard treatment plus Tablet Colchicine 0.5 mg once daily were given. Follow up at the end 01 month and then at 03 months to see Major Adverse Cardiovascular Events (MACE) and adverse events were noted. Data were entered into SPSS-26.

Results: In patients taking standard treatment, the mean age was 54.67 ± 13.41 years. In patients given Colchicine with standard treatment, the mean age was 48.83 ± 14.42 years. Within 1 month, cardiovascular deaths were noted as 9 (19.6%) vs. 2 (4.3%) cases and within 3 months, cardiovascular deaths were noted as 10 (21.7%) vs. 3 (6.5%). Hospitalization was noted as 13 (28.3%) vs. 3 (6.5%) within 1 months while 15 (32.6%) vs. 4 (8.7%) cases within 3 months. Ischemic stroke was 8 (17.4%) vs. 2 (4.3%) within 1 months while 12 (26.1%) vs. 2 (4.3%) within 3 months and difference was significant. Diarrhea was reported as 3 (6.5%) vs. 4 (8.7%) within 1 month while 8 (17.4%) vs. 5 (10.9%) within 3 months.

Conclusion: Thus addition of Colchicine in standard treatment for primary STEMI is more effective in reducing MACE, while having no significant adverse effects were noted.