Even after a successful operation of mechanical complications on account of acute myocardial infarction gradually developing adverse remodelling of the left ventricle has to be envisaged. In a six-year clinical study by means of echocardiography the authors followed up systematically some cardiac dimensions and volumes and functional systolic and diastolic left ventricular parameters. The changes pertained in particular to the endsystolic and enddiastolic volume, the ejection fraction, the peak maximum rate, early and late diastolic filling and their ratio as well as to indirect values of the mean pressure in the pulmonary artery. These changes, which at first indicated impaired relaxation, are caused subsequently by increasing stiffness of the left ventricle. With regard to the large number of complicated pathophysiological phenomena pertaining to active relaxation and passive elastic properties of the left ventricle during ventricular diastole, different Doppler parameters must be evaluated very carefully, individually and with regard to the clinical condition. Attention is drawn to the importance of complicating mitral regurgitations and an increased pressure in the left atrium and lesser circulation after aneurysmectomy of the left ventricle. Mitral regurgitation has an impact on the process of left ventricular filling investigated by means of diastolic Doppler functions. Despite limitations of echocardiographic methods within the framework of assessment of diastolic left ventricular functions after myocardial infarction echocardiography remains the main means for evaluating left ventricular function by a non-invasive route and its position in this respect is irreplaceable. Further experimental work is needed for better understanding, use and more intelligent interpretation of non-invasive parameters of left ventricular function also in these complicated conditions after surgery of mechanical complications resulting from myocardial infarction.

Keywords: Aged; Echocardiography; Follow-Up Studies; Heart Aneurysm /diagnostic imaging/; Heart Rupture, Post-Infarction /diagnostic imaging/; Heart Ventricles /diagnostic imaging/; Humans; Male; Myocardial Infarction /complications/; Ventricular Function, Left; Ventricular Septal Rupture /diagnostic imaging/