Comparisons between hemodynamics, during and after bathing, and prognosis in patients with myocardial infarction

The purpose of this study was to establish the safest way to bathe patients with myocardial infarction (MI) through measuring the hemodynamics during and after bathing. Seventy patients with MI were bathed supine in a Hubbard tank filled with 42 degrees C tap water for 5 min. The subjects were divided into 2 groups depending on their hemodynamic values 10 min after bathing: pulmonary capillary wedge pressure unchanged even after bathing (group A), and decreased pressure after bathing (group B). The left ventricular ejection fraction of group B was significantly higher than that of group A: 53.6% vs. 39.7%, respectively (p<0.01). The physical work capacity of group B was significantly higher at 5.6 METs, than that of group A with 4.5 METs (p<0.05). During the average of their 37-month follow-up period, there were 3 cardiac events in group B and 6 in group A. There were 2 cardiac events during bathing, both of which occurred in group A. When patients with MI take a bath, it is essential to closely monitor them, especially to those patients with lower cardiac function, because they have a higher possibility of a cardiac event.