The changing face after acute myocardial infarction

Excerpt

Implementation of modern reperfusion therapy for ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) has improved immediate outcome vastly [16, 19]. The improvement has come along with intensified preventive medication against recurrent cardiac events [19] and the reduction in infarct size obtained by rapid and efficient reperfusion that ensures preservation of left ventricular function [18]. The improved survival following optimal reperfusion therapy has changed the epidemiology of MI. An increasing number of patients may survive with residual symptoms predominantly manifesting as heart failure and ultimately mortality in a longer perspective than experienced before the reperfusion era. The recognition that the improvement in long-term outcome has not reached the same level as short-term advancement [2] suggests that additional reduction of infarct size beyond the improvement achieved by reperfusion therapy is needed to improve long-term outcome [8]. …