[Results of in-patient rehabilitation after myocardial infarction]

431 of 435 patients with recent myocardial infarction completed our clinic's 4-week rehabilitation program in 1979. 235 presented with post-infarction angina pectoris (a.p.). Of these patients, 152 achieved a decrease of one or more a.p. functional classes, 70 remained in the same class and in 12 the symptoms worsened by one or more classes. The mean physical work capacity under maximal bicycle-stress test increased by 19 Watt. Overall ventricular arrhythmia frequency under stress remained unchanged from beginning to end of our program. Individual arrhythmia frequency, however, varied widely with or without antiarrhythmic drug therapy. During exercise training, 3 nonfatal cardiac events occurred. There were no fatalities. It is concluded that our training program can be performed relatively safely and that physical work capacity can be increased during the rehabilitation program.