Survival and Rehabilitation After Coronary Occlusion

When the diagnosis of acute coronary occlusion first became clinically feasible, the prognosis of the patient with an acute attack and his outlook for long survival were considered doubtful. However, during the past 20 years, two of us (A. M. M. and H. L. J.) have repeatedly expressed their optimism concerning both recovery from the attack and subsequent ability to work.¹In 1935, they found the mortality rate to be only 10% in private patients who suffered from the first attack of coronary occlusion.1aAt present, the mortality rate in these patients has dropped to 5%. This very encouraging figure, lower than that found in ward patients, is the result of improved diagnosis and methods of treatment. Our diagnostic acumen, aided by the routin use of 12 leads in the electrocardiogram, has become sharpened in coronary thrombosis. This has led to earlier diagnosis and the detection of many