Infarct size and exercise capacity after myocardial infarction

Abstract

Estimation of infarct size from serum creatine phosphokinase elevations of 22 acute myocardial infarction (AMI) patients was compared to their functional exercise capacity determined on a bicyle ergometer. Eleven of these patients entered a controlled exercise program for 3–4 mo and were subsequently retested. Aerobic power of the exercise group increased significantly (mean +- SE 1.42 +- 0.5 met) and was also significantly greater than an unpaired control group tested the same number of months after infarct. Patients grouped 2.5–4.5 mo post-AMI demonstrated a correlation between aerobic power and estimated infarct size (r = -0.68, n = 15). This correlation was higher (r = -0.84, n = 11) after 3–4 mo of a controlled exercise program.