Ventricular tachycardia during the first 72 hours after acute myocardial infarction

At least one episode of ventricular tachycardia occurred in 81% of tape-recorded electrocardiograms from 227 patients during the first 72 h after the start of acute myocardial infarction. Among survivors, the occurrence of ventricular tachycardia increased progressively from the start of infarction, reaching a peak between the 8th and 14th h, and declining thereafter. In comparison, the peak incidence was higher and earlier in those patients who died while in hospital.