Infarct site-related early mortality in patients with recurrent myocardial infarction

The effect of the location of acute Myocardial infarction [MI] on early mortality in patients with previous old MI was retrospectively studied. Ninety two patients with acute MI, admitted to the coronary care unit [CCU] in the years 1988-1992, were introduced to the study. The patients were divided into four groups according to different sites [anterior or inferior]. All groups exhibited statistically significant differences in morbidity and mortality [p.05]. There was increased incidence of congestive Heart failure [CHF], Cardiac arrest, cardiogenic shock and high degree A-V block specifically in group 3 [acute inferior-old anterior]. Twenty nine patient died within 7 days of hospitalization and the highest mortality was also noted in group 3. Therefore, a subgroup of patients with this combination of MIs was identified to be at high risk from early mortality. These patients may have the priority for early medical intervention