Circulatory changes associated with systemic hypotension in patients with acute myocardial infarction.

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Abstract
Serial measurements of heart rate, cardiac output, and arterial pressure have been made in patients with acute myocardial infarction admitted to an intensive care unit. Seven patients were selected to illustrate different hemodynamic patterns accompanying a fall in arterial pressure. Low arterial pressure may be associated with low stroke volume and cardiac output or with low peripheral resistance. In some patients both cardiac and peripheral factors may be important. The behavior of heart rate and peripheral resistance sometimes did not follow a simple homeostatic principle. Persistent low arterial pressure was associated with low stroke volume and cardiac output. Possible physiological and clinical implications of the results are discussed.