Among patients seen within 30 minutes of acute myocardial infarction onset, 92% exhibited signs of autonomic imbalance, including excessive vagal (55%) or sympathetic (36%) activity.
Observational (n=74)
Of 74 patients seen within 30 minutes of the onset of acute myocardial infarction 68 (92%) had signs of autonomic imbalance. Excessive vagal activity was evident in 41 (55%) and there was sympathetic overactivity in 27 (36%). The high incidence of sudden death in the acute phase of a coronary attack probably results from the electrical imbalance caused by autonomic disturbance. This disturbance must therefore be taken into account in any prophylactic regimen against the lethal early ventricular dysrhythmias.
Webb et al. (Sat,) conducted a observational in Acute myocardial infarction (n=74). Among patients seen within 30 minutes of acute myocardial infarction onset, 92% exhibited signs of autonomic imbalance, including excessive vagal (55%) or sympathetic (36%) activity.