title: Autonomic disturbance at onset of acute myocardial infarction.
abstract: Of 74 patients seen within 30 minutes of the onset of acute myocardial infarction 68 (92%) had signs of autonomic imbalance. Excessive vagal activity was evident in 41 (55%) and there was sympathetic overactivity in 27 (36%). The high incidence of sudden death in the acute phase of a coronary attack probably results from the electrical imbalance caused by autonomic disturbance. This disturbance must therefore be taken into account in any prophylactic regimen against the lethal early ventricular dysrhythmias.
mesh_terms: D000083:Acetanilides / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000319:Adrenergic beta-Antagonists / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000605:Amino Alcohols / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001145:Arrhythmias, Cardiac / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000209:etiology; D001285:Atropine / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001341:Autonomic Nervous System / Q000503:physiopathology*; D001795:Blood Pressure Determination; D001919:Bradycardia / Q000209:etiology; D005260:Female; D006339:Heart Rate; D006801:Humans; D006973:Hypertension / Q000209:etiology; D007022:Hypotension / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000209:etiology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009203:Myocardial Infarction / Q000150:complications / Q000503:physiopathology*; D013564:Sympathetic Nervous System / Q000503:physiopathology; D013610:Tachycardia / Q000209:etiology; D014630:Vagus Nerve / Q000503:physiopathology; D014693:Ventricular Fibrillation / Q000209:etiology
chemical_list: D000083:Acetanilides; D000319:Adrenergic beta-Antagonists; D000605:Amino Alcohols; D001285:Atropine