The temperature course in acute myocardial infarction.

Area of Science:

• Cardiology
• Internal Medicine
• Clinical Research

Background:

• Acute myocardial infarction (AMI) can trigger inflammatory responses, including fever.
• Understanding post-AMI temperature fluctuations is crucial for patient management and prognosis.

Purpose of the Study:

• To retrospectively analyze the typical course of rectal temperature in patients following acute myocardial infarction.
• To identify patterns and characteristics of fever in AMI patients.

Main Methods:

• Retrospective analysis of rectal temperature data from 192 consecutive patients diagnosed with AMI.
• Characterization of temperature patterns based on timing, peak temperature, and temperature increase.

Main Results:

• Morning temperatures on day one rarely exceeded 38.2°C.
• Peak morning temperatures were typically observed between hospital days two and five.
• Maximal morning temperatures seldom surpassed 39.0°C.
• Temperature increases after day five were minimal.
• 74% of patients were afebrile after one week, 96% after two weeks.
• Higher peak SGOT (ASAT) levels correlated with a longer duration of fever.
• 11% of patients remained afebrile throughout their hospital stay.

Conclusions:

• The typical temperature course post-AMI is characterized by mild, transient fever.
• Fever resolution is generally rapid, with most patients afebrile within two weeks.
• SGOT levels may serve as an indicator for fever duration in AMI patients.