Myocardial Infarction, Its Diagnosis and Treatment: Literature Review

¹ Jefferson Medical College.

In patients suffering an attack of myocardial infarction the history and symptoms are often sufficient to make a tentative diagnosis. Serial changes in the electrocardiogram are valuable but not essential. The diagnosis must be established by evidence of muscle necrosis.

The chief hazard in treatment is excessive therapy. Individualization and attention to details are two of the cardinal elements for success. Symptoms and complications should, in general, be treated as they arise. The chief complications which are potentially preventable causes of death are shock, serious arrhythmia, thromboembolic phenomena, and pulmonary edema.

A vast majority of these patients make a fair to good recovery and can lead productive lives for many years.