Prognosis after myocardial infarction.

A substantial number of patients die in the first year after myocardial infarction. The major determinants of risk during this period appear to be the extent of either damaged or potentially ischemic myocardium and the degree of electrical instability. Anterior infarction, early left ventricular failure, late significant arrhythmias, and markedly reduced radionuclide left ventricular ejection fraction are the major clinical markers of risk.