[Echocardiographic findings, pro-ANP and treatment in acute myocardial infarction without overt heart failure].

This study was undertaken to characterise patients without overt heart failure and with a left ventricular ejection fraction > or = 40% 2-7 days following an acute myocardial infarction. Patients with an ejection fraction > or = 40% (n = 868) had a lower prevalence of anterior myocardial infarction (p < 0.001) and lower levels of N-terminal pro-ANP (atrial natriuretic peptide) (p < 0.001) than those with ejection fraction < 40% (n = 305). Patients with ejection fraction > or = 40% had smaller left ventricular volume and mass (p < 0.001). Pro-ANP levels did not correlate significantly with left ventricular volume or ejection fraction in this group. Among patients with ejection fraction < 40%; statistically significant correlations between pro-ANP levels and both ejection fraction and left ventricular endsystolic volume were found. 64% and 61% of patients in the two groups were given thrombolytic treatment. In this study, most patients with acute myocardial infarction had an ejection fraction > or = 40%. Pro-ANP levels were not correlated with the ejection fraction or left ventricular volume. Approximately two thirds of the patients received thrombolytic treatment.