Tachyarrhythmias in Acute Myocardial Infarction

Abstract

In 1505 patients with acute myocardial infarction (MI) serious ventricular arrhythmias were commoner in those with transmural ECG changes, and were associated with an increase in mortality and in the incidence of left ventricular failure (LVF) as well as higher peak serum lactic dehydrogenase (LDH) levels. Atrial fibrillation (AF) occurred more often in older patients and in those with LVF and clinical evidence of pericarditis.

Incidence and prognostic significance of atrial fibrillation in acute myocardial infarction: the GISSI-3 data

“…In many studies atrial fibrillation has been associated with advanced age,1-4 7 17 congestive heart failure, poor left ventricular function,1 2 7 18 19and extensive myocardial infarction 45Other associated conditions include mitral insufficiency,2increased incidence of ventricular arrhythmias and right bundle branch block,3 and left bundle branch block 18.…”

Supraventricular Tachyarrhythmias in Acute Myocardial Infarction

“…It has been suggested that these atrial tachyarrhythmias are due to atrial infarction/ischemia, vagal reflexes or increased sympathoadrenal activity (3). Pericarditis has also been claimed to be a causative factor (6,7,9). The most widely held opinion seems to be that atrial tachyarrhythmias are due to pump failure, especially left ventricular failure (8).…”