Exercise testing in the early period after myocardial infarction in the evaluation of prognosis.

Prognosis for the patient recovery from an acute myocardial infarction is related mainly to electrical instability, left ventricular function, residual ischemia, and extent of coronary atherosclerosis. Many procedures now exist that allow investigation of these various aspects of cardiovascular function and stratification of risk. No ideal marker of prognosis exists because prognosis is not related to a single factor, because the various determinants are often interdependent, and also because they are time dependent. Thus, the presence of ischemia may be particularly important in the first year when the risk is greater, whereas left ventricular function may be the most important factor thereafter. For this reason, an active strategy for detecting ischemia, by exercise testing or other means, may add to clinical observation. Exercise testing is a safe and noninvasive method that can provide information not only on residual ischemia but also on other aspects of cardiovascular function. Many parameters can be studied, such as ST segment elevation or depression, chest pain, ventricular arrhythmias, tolerance to exercise, completion or not of the test, and the heart rate and blood pressure responses. Some of these data are not specific and must be complemented by further investigation. Such as approach should allow an overall evaluation of the cardiovascular function of the patient and an assessment of risk, and help institute an optimal treatment.