[Acute myocardial infarct and left ventricular dysfunction. Morphologic bases, clinical aspects and pharmacologic prevention].

The morphological bases which condition left ventricular disfunction after acute myocardial infarction as well as the concepts of expansion and remodelling of the myocardium are reviewed. The clinical aspects indicating ventricular disfunction are presented and several pharmacological effects which have been proposed for the prevention of this situation. Particular emphasis is given to the role of angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors in the prevention of left ventricular disfunction after acute myocardial infarctions, based on the most recent clinical trials.