[The clinical significance of controlled artificial respiration in patients with acute myocardial infarct].

It is reported on the results of the treatment with artificial ventilation in 20 patients with complicated myocardial infarction. As indicating sign a decreased arterial PO2 (lower than 70 Torr at an respiration of 50% O2 in the respiration air) was considered. Further references to clinical indications were depression of the breathing centre, severe pulmonary oedema, shock and life-threatening therapy-resistent disturbances of the rhythm. The long-term successes of the treatment with controlled respiration showed a clear dependence on the severity of the cardiac lesion and the general condition of the patient. In 10 cases only a transient improvement could be achieved. Three patients survived.