Early Discharge After Acute Myocardial Infarction

Approximately 50% of patients hospitalized with acute myocardial infarction have an uncomplicated course and an excellent prognosis. To be considered as having an uncomplicated course, patients should not have ventricular tachycardia or fibrillation, second or third degree atrioventricular block, pulmonary edema, cardiogenic shock, infarct extension, persistent hypotension, sinus tachycardia, or sustained supraventricular tachycardia occurring within the first 4 days of hospitalization. Patients with recurrent angina in the postinfarction period may also be at increased risk. Early and rapidly progressive rehabilitation programs permit the safe discharge of patients with an uncomplicated course after 7 days. Functional exercise testing before, or soon after, early discharge may identify high-risk patients and alter their management.