Sudden death in the six-month postinfarction period.

Complex ventricular arrhythmias that appear during convalescence following an MI and up to a period of 6 months post MI are known to increase the risk of sudden death. The majority of subjects with this complication have above-normal left ventricular filling pressures, a hemodynamic measure of congestive heart failure. In this clinical setting, it is therefore important to consider and search for evidence of congestive heart failure. Drug therapy for arrhythmias is more effective in patients whose congestive heart failure has been adequately treated. Not infrequently, after cardiac compensation the arrhythmia subsides without any further intervention.