Hemodynamics in acute myocardial infarction the use of impedance cardiography

Thirty-two consecutive patients with acute myocardial infarction (AMI) were studied during the first seven days following AMI. The stroke volume was measured by impedance cardiography. The patients were divided into two groups: Group A (n = 22), with clinically uncomplicated myocardial infarction and Group B (n = 10) with evidence of congestive failure, but not of pulmonary edema. Patients in Group B had predominantly anterior wall myocardial infarction compared to Group A (p less than 0.05). The heart rate was significantly greater in Group B compared to Group A (p = 0.0002). The systolic blood pressure, the mean blood pressure, stroke volume index, and left ventricular stroke work index were significantly lower (p less than 0.05) in Group B than Group A. Impedance cardiography can be easily applied to follow the course of the patients during the acute phase of myocardial infarction.