The prevalence and prognosis of ventricular dyskinesis after myocardial infarction using radionuclide ventriculography

Abstract

To assess the prevalence and prognosis of ventricular dyskinesis, radionuclide ventriculography was performed on 100 consecutive patients just before discharge from hospital following their first myocardial infarction; thereafter follow-up studies were performed after one and four months. Dyskinesis of the left ventricle was seen in 25 patients who had sustained transmural infarction which was anterior in 19 and inferolateral in six. Clinical examination poorly predicted dyskinesis; 20 patients exhibited persisting ST segment elevation on the electrocardiogram, but only 10 had radiological cardiomegaly at the time of discharge. Mean left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) was significantly reduced at discharge (0.23 ± 0.07, mean ± 1 S.D) and for the group failed to improve four months after infarction. However, 10 patients remained free from cardiac failure during follow-up and could be distinguished by otherwise good left ventricular regional wall movement.