Comparison of clinical signs and hemodynamic state in the early hours of transmural myocardial infarction.

The initial PCW, Killip-Scheidt classification, presence of third heart sound, and mortality were compared in 90 patients presenting with acute transmural myocardial infarction. Clinical and hemodynamic assessment was performed within 12 hours (time to clinical classification = 4.7 +/- 2.7 hours (mean +/- SD), time to hemodynamic assessment = 5.8 +/- 2.4) of the sentinel event. A poor correlation was observed between early Killip-Scheidt clinical classification and early hemodynamic state when measured as percent correct classification (66%) or as a Kappa statistic (36% for the total population, 9% for nonsurvivors). Increased initial LVFP (greater than 18 mm Hg) was associated with increased mortality (p less than 0.01) and early clinical classification was not. Addition of third heart sound information did not alter this observation.