Correlation between hemodynamic changes and the presence, size, and site of myocardial infarction.

Values for eight measured and calculated hemodynamic variables were recorded in 12 dogs before and after experimental anterior myocardial infarction. Changes were noted in stroke work and stroke power only; the changes in stroke work and stroke power were closely correlated with the presence of the infarct, whereas the changes in the other six dynamic variables were unpredictable and uncorrelated. The degree of correlation between the stroke work and power, and the size and site of the infarction, however, suggested that none of the eight variables would be an adequate indicator of all three characteristics of the infarction.