[Arrhythmias during automobile driving in patients after acute myocardial infarction]

In 90 patients after acute whole-thickness myocardial infarction suffered 3-48 months earlier 24-hour ECG recording was done for assessment of arrhythmias occurring while they were driving cars and for their comparison with the remaining recording hours. In most patients driving cars episodes of sinus tachycardia even up to 130/min were noted, in about half the patients some increase occurred in the frequency of ventricular ectopic beats, in two patients double and in one patient triple ectopic beats (salvoes) appeared, although they had not been recorded when the patients were not driving cars. The study was carried out (and is still continued) in autumn-winter, when the conditions of car driving were worse. None of the patients was in a collision-threatening situation which could increase dangerous arrhythmias.