[Secondary prevention after myocardial infarction in the aged (author's transl)]

Mortality during the first six to eight months after acute myocardial infarction is primarily due to sudden cardiac death and myocardial reinfarction. Therefore any secondary preventive measures have to be aimed at these complications of coronary heart disease and should be effective during the first six months after myocardial infarction. Results of comprehensive studies permit the following conclusions: application of beta-blocking agents may result in a significant reduction of total mortality, sudden cardiac death and the incidence of reinfarction in the old patient. They should be used as the regimen of first choice in a general routine prevention after myocardial infarction. In special cases coronary artery surgery provides an additional means for effective prevention. Compared to this platelet aggregation inhibitors, modification (resp. treatment) of risk factors and physical methods are of minor importance for secondary prevention after myocardial infarction in old patients.