Long-term prognosis after myocardial infarction. Who is at risk for sudden death?
Patients who have survived myocardial infarction may be at risk for recurrent infarction or sudden death within the first year. Clinical factors that identify high-risk patients include the following: Poor left ventricular function Presence of spontaneous ventricular ectopy Abnormal signal-averaged electrocardiogram Decreased heart rate variability Exercise-induced depression of the ST segment Inducible ventricular tachyarrhythmia When these high-risk patients are identified, appropriate strategies (eg, use of antiarrhythmic agents or an implantable cardioverter-defibrillator) may improve outcome.
Mattioni
T A
TA
Arizona Heart Institute, Phoenix 85006.
D001145:Arrhythmias, Cardiac / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology; D016757:Death, Sudden, Cardiac / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control; D004562:Electrocardiography / Q000592:standards; D015716:Electrocardiography, Ambulatory / Q000592:standards; D005080:Exercise Test / Q000592:standards; D006801:Humans; D009203:Myocardial Infarction / Q000150:complications* / Q000401:mortality / Q000628:therapy; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D011379:Prognosis; D012307:Risk Factors; D012815:Signal Processing, Computer-Assisted; D013318:Stroke Volume; D015996:Survival Rate