[Medico-social aspects of the post-infarct state. Clinical, functional, psychological and return-to-work studies of 100 patients with myocardial infarct treated in the coronary unit].

To determine whether intensive care unit are able to improve long term as well as immediate prognosis of acute myocardial infarction, one hundred patients, aged 40 to 60 years, six months to three years after discharge have been studied. All patients were examined with ergometric test, psychological assessment and medico-social survey. Comparison was made with patients treated in general medical wards. Correlations between clinical picture, psychological pattern, functional capacity and return to work prove that treatment in a coronary care unit positively affects the future of these patients. The importance of a rehabilitation program and its principles are also discussed.