Echocardiographically detected left ventricular impairment after myocardial infarction is accompanied by latent complex arrhythmias.

The relationship between left ventricular (LV) wall motion disturbances (2D Echo) and latent complex ventricular arrhythmias (24-hr Holter ECG, Lown classification) in the late hospital phase of MI was investigated. A positive correlation was found between the extent of LV damage and the occurrence of complex arrhythmias expressed as the highest Lown class. Echocardiographic indices predictive of latent complex arrhythmias were derived. The most specific and predictive indices are: presence of dyskinesia, Heger index greater than 9, Heger index greater than 6 with LV enlargement, and number of hypo-, a- and dyskinetic LV segments greater than 4 with LV enlargement. Echocardiographic estimation of LV wall motion disturbances can be used as a method to identify patients threatened with major arrhythmias.