Management of the post-myocardial infarction patient. Essential considerations

Management of patients who survive acute myocardial infarction (MI) demands the physician's awareness of certain essential considerations. Risk stratification, a useful prognostic indicator of mortality, should be done early in convalescence. If present, postinfarction angina or postinfarction syndrome warrants appropriate therapy. Low-level exercise testing should be under-taken within three weeks of acute MI, and left ventricular function should be assessed and arrhythmias delineated before the patient's discharge from the hospital. Findings may indicate the need for coronary bypass surgery or angioplasty, antiarrhythmic drug therapy, or permanent pacing. Digitalis should be used for treating congestive heart failure only if deemed absolutely necessary. If there are no contraindications, all postinfarction patients should receive beta blockers for at least two years after MI. Control of coronary risk factors is essential. Aspirin can be used prophylactically in patients at risk for recurrent MI; routine use of anticoagulants is not indicated.