| Abstract: | Prognostic features of 115 patients with ventricular tachycardia complicating acute myocardial infarction were analyzed. Age, sex, infarct location and peak CPK levels were not significantly different when comparing survivors (S) and non-survivors (NS). Highly significant clinical characteristics of NS compared to S were: heart rate, presence of cardiogenic shock and a poor response to lidocaine therapy (P<0.0001, 0.0003 and 0.001 respectively). Electrocardiographic features distinguishing S and NS were: coupling intervals (S=522.9, NS=389.9, P<0.004), prematurity index (S=1.36, NS=1.04, P<0.001), ventricular tachycardia rate (S=132, NS=174, P<0.0013) and number of episodes of ventricular tachycardia (S=4.04, NS=6.75, P<0.0058). These findings have importance for the evaluation of newer active and prophylactic therapies. |
