Coronary angiography in complicated acute myocardial infarcts.

Left ventriculography with selective coronary angiography was performed on 13 patients with acute myocardial infarcts complicated by cardiogenic shock of left ventricular failure and hypotension. Twelve patients (92-3%) tolerated the procedure well. Irreversible ventricular fibrillation resulting in death occurred in one patient 7-7%) during the opacification of the left coronary artery. Seven (87-5%) of the eight patients treated surgically and two (50%) of the four patients treated medically died. This study shows that although acute myocardial infarction increases the risk of coronary angiography, it is justifiable if surgical therapy is contemplated.