Abstract

ABSTRACTThe clinical courses of 57 patients who had an acute myocardial infarction when less than 45 years of age were reviewed to identify descriptors which might be useful in selecting candidates for coronary artery surgery. Follow-up for the subgroup of 45 patients seen initially with acute myocardial infarction was 98% (44/45) complete. Those patients referred to the medical center because of complications or specifically for coronary artery surgery following recent infarction were not followed. Average duration of follow-up for survivors without coronary surgery was 45 months and ranged from 10 to 105 months. The hospital mortality for the above group was 16% (7/45). During the follow-up period, 11% (4/37) died, 51% (19/37) had angina, 19% (7/37) had congestive heart failure, 51% (19/37) returned to work, and only 43% (16/37) remained asymptomatic. Angiographic assessment of coronary artery lesions by the Friesinger method indicated moderately severe disease in these young patients. Multiple regression analysis did not reveal a reliable predictor of hospital or late death or subsequent morbidity.