Subendocardial Myocardial Infarction

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Abstract
Consecutive patients (61) with acute subendocardial myocardial infarction (SEAMI) and 223 consecutive patients with transmural infarction (TMI) seen in a coronary care unit were followed for 1 yr. All patients were < 70 yr of age. The patients with SEAMI had a higher frequency of previous infarction (34 vs. 21%, P < 0.025), less cardiac failure (44 vs. 65%, P < 0.005) and were more often free from arrhythmias (61 vs. 31%, P < 0.001) than patients with TMI. Hospital mortality was less in patients with SEAMI (0 vs. 8%, P < 0.05) but total mortality to 1 yr was similar (15 vs. 17%). Among the patients with SEAMI, 2 died within 2 wk of infarction, but all other deaths occurred at least 6 wk after infarction. Patients with SEAMI and a history of previous infarction had a higher 1 yr mortality than patients without such a history (29 vs. 7%, P < 0.05). Coronary angiography with a view to coronary artery surgery should be considered in the former group.