Measurement of ejection fraction after acute myocardial infarction. a comparison of measurements by means of radionuclide technique one week and 8 weeks after the infarction
Høgalmen, G.; Erikssen, G.; Rollag, A.; Nerdrum, H.J.; Harket, G.
Tidsskrift for den Norske Laegeforening Tidsskrift for Praktisk Medicin Ny Raekke 116(15): 1785-1788
1996
ISSN/ISBN: 0029-2001 PMID: 8693461 Document Number: 457110
Left ventricular ejection fraction was measured in 54 patients by means of radionuclide technique at one week after, and again at eight after acute myocardial infarction that had been treated with streptokinase. In 17 patients (31%) ejection fraction increased and in 15 patients (28%) it decreased > or = 5 ejection fraction units. In 22 patients (41%) ejection fraction remained unchanged. No obvious difference were found between the three groups as regards infarct localization, infarction size (enzyme activity), or level of first ejection fraction measurement. There was a statistically significant (p < 0.05) longer delay from start of chest pain until treatment was started among the patients with increased ejection fraction than among the patients with decreased ejection fraction.