The authors report on their experience with the semiquantitative echocardiographic evaluation of left ventricular asynergy (group of 36 patients examined by two-dimensional echocardiography, dividing the left ventricle into 20 segments) in the early stage of myocardial infarction and its application in the prediction of complications of infarction. The authors evaluated asynegry using two parameters: RA (range of asynergy and IA (asynergy index) which characterizes the grade of ventricular affection. They describe the calculation of these parameters. The authors revealed a significant correlation (p less than 0.005) between RA or IA and the incidence of decompensation or cardiogenic shock. RA and IA values (median values and scatter) in three groups of patients (non-complicated infarction, complicated infarction and infarction with cardiogenic shock and death) give the opportunity of early stratification of patients with acute infarction. RA above 50% and IA above 20 indicate that the patients is at high risk. On the other hand, RA lower than 25% and IA lower than 5 suggest a minor infarction and probably an uncomplicated course of the disease. In the investigated group anterior infarctions affected a greater mass of the left ventricle than diaphragmatic ones and the higher death rate in this group (20% vs. 14%) was consistent with this.

Keywords: Adult; Aged; Aged, 80 and over; Echocardiography; Female; Humans; Male; Middle Aged; Myocardial Contraction; Myocardial Infarction /complications/; Prognosis; Ventricular Function, Left