PRODROMAL SYMPTOMS IN MYOCARDIAL INFARCTION

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Abstract
Of 139 patients with myocardial infarction 40 had prodromal symptoms (29%). This incidence was slightly less than that reported previously by Sampson and Eliaser and by Feil. In 21% of the prodromal group there was a history of angina of effort. The mortality rate was 13%. The duration of the pain was from 3 to 72 days with an average of 25 days. Pain was exertional in some and occurred at rest in others and tended to be crescendo, both in frequency and in severity. The ecg. taken in 10 of these cases showed no evidence of ischemia in 4, an ischemic pattern after exercise in 2, and ecgs. ischemic in type in 4. At postmortem, evidence for a gradually decreasing lumen of the obstructed artery was demonstrated. The importance of the clinical recognition of this syndrome is stressed, with the prophylactic use of rest and of anticoagulant therapy.
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