[Outcome after hospital rehabilitation of patients with myocardial infarct].

A series of follow-ups were carried out in 947 patients who had 12 to 28 months previously (average 16.6 months) undergone a period of rehabilitation at this clinic in Gais . 17 patients were not traced, but from the remaining 930 patients, 35 (3.8%) had died of cardiac disorders, 21 had had nonfatal infarctions, and 51 patients had undergone aortocoronary bypass operation by the follow-up period. The prevalence and grade of angina pectoris (NYHA functional classification) in 816 patients from whom data was obtained remained unchanged. Even after exclusion of all patients with reinfarction or bypass surgery, there was no increase in the severity of angina pectoris in the remaining 752 patients. 705 patients had returned to work, 555 of whom were still in full employment and 118 part-time , while 32 remained active housewives. From the remaining 112 patients who were not working, 55 had retired. In conclusion, a stable course and high grade of employment were observed during the first year after infarction in patients who had undergone a course of rehabilitation at this clinic.