Abstract

Seven hundred and twenty-one patients were admitted during 22 months. Recent myocardial infarction was confirmed in 518. In this group, 115 (22%) died in hospital and 33 (6%) were resuscitated and left hospital alive. Prophylactic measures probably prevented cardiac arrest in a number of patients and contributed to lowering the mortality rate. Other factors influencing cardiac arrest and death were sex, age, time after onset of infarction and ECG pattern. Anticoagulants had no influence. The clinical presentation was most varied and several difficult diagnostic patterns are described.