[Prognostic value of the ST elevation of the electrocardiogram in the acute stage of myocardial infarct].

The prognostic value of ST segment elevation on electrocardiograms is studied in 400 patients with acute myocardial infarction, 138 of them deceased. A close correlation was established between the degree of ST segment elevation and mortality rate. The average value of ST elevation in all deceased is 5.22 +/- 0.20 mm, und in all survived the acute stage--3.39 +/- 0.15 mm. Those values are higher in anterior infarction--5.55 +/- 0.23 mm and 3.99 +/- 0.15 mm and lower in posterior infarction 4.45 +/- 0.25 mm and 2.65 +/- 0.10 mm. The ST segment elevation over the average values in the deceased is a poor prognostic sign and an elevation slightly lower than the average values in the recovered is a favourable prognostic sign.