PROGNOSTIC VALUE OF TWO-DIMENSIONAL ECHOCARDIOGRAPHY IN THE ACUTE STAGE OF MYOCARDIAL-INFARCTION

To evaluate the prognostic value of two-dimensional echocardiography we have studied 43 consecutive patients during the acute stage of myocardial infarction. Recordings of sufficient quality where obtained in 74% of the patients. The extent of myocardial damage was estimated by a left ventricular wall motion index (SFR). Regional dyssynergy was found in all patients. Echocardiographic and electrocardiographic infarct localization were in agreement in 93%. Four patients died during hospitalization. The mean SFR in these patients (2.04 .+-. 0.46) was significantly higher than in surviving patients (1.16 .+-. 0.12; p < 0.025). The SFR was higher than 2 in three of the four patients who died. All surviving patients had an SFR of 2 or less. In conclusion, two-dimensional echocardiography performed during the first hours of acute myocardial infarction serves to localize the infarct and estimate the extent of myocardial damage. In addition, this technique seems to offer an appropriate means of identifying high risk patients.