[Value of readaptation after myocardial infarction. Apropos of 100 cases]

The short-term and mid-term readaptation of 10000 patients has been studied by means of 400 follow-up exercise tests and a very detailed questionnaire. The effects of physical training are at their maximum at between 9 and 12 months, with an increase in exercise capacity of 26% occuring between one and a half and nine months post-infarction. This improvement in capacity for work seems to be due exclusively to a peripheral mechanism originating from an economy in the work of the heart. Although it does not totally relieve them of their anxiety, a training programme gives the patients an attitude of mind which helps them to regain their socioprofessional position. 82% of the trainees who still had a professional position were able to restart work within an average period of 5 months. Since we have not been able to make up an adequate control group, we have not been able to assess the effect of training on the natural history of coronary artery disease.