[Acute myocardial infarction during athletic activity. 38 cases in the military milieu]

38 observations of myocardial infarction (M.I.) (group A), remarkable by their occurrence immediately (31 cases) or with a delay (less than 12 hours, 7 cases) after the onset of chest pain and/or lipothymia during (30 cases) or a the end (7 cases) of a non unusual physical effort, have been documented with a 60 items questionnaire for the analysis of exercise, mesologic and personal data. Group A comprised men averaging 37 +/- 8 years, with extreme at 24-54 (less than 40 years: n = 21, m = 30, 5 +/- 3.5 years), divided into high-level athletes (n = 15), very well (n = 12) or moderately (n = 7) trained, and sedentary (n = 4). This group was compared to a historical population of 105 men suffering from a M.I. non preceded by exertion (group B), average age 41 +/- 9, extreme at 19-54 years, with a comparable social status (sports adepts: 26 per cent). The analysis of the responses in group A discloses in order: time of onset of the M.I. (69 per cent before 9 hours), the need for physical performance (45%), heat discomfort (31%). It is endurance work 19 times (50%). Groups A and B are undifferentiated (0.8 less than chi 2 less than 2, p = N,5) concerning the number of risk factors (2.18 +/- 0.98 and 2.42 +/- 1.18), the preceding angor on exertion (24 or 63% and 59 or 56%), the topography of the M.I. (lower 58 and 59),the incidence of complications (extension, left ventricular failure, arrhythmias) in the acute phase (24 and 30%).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)