Abstract
The mortality rate after myocardial infarction fell sharply with the advent of reperfusion methods and the use of efficient antithrombotic and antiischemic drugs. However, new infarcts, heart failure, arrythmias and sudden death remain frequent, especially in the first two years after the initial event. Large clinical studies have defined and validated therapies for secondary prevention, but the recommended measures are not always properly implemented. Patients with and without ST elevation after myocardial infarction share the same pathophysiologic mechanism, namely atherosclerotic plaque rupture or erosion, with different degrees of superimposed thrombosis and distal embolization. Secondary prevention is the same for these two patient categories. Acute coronary syndromes are associated with an increased risk of adverse cardiovascular outcomes (new myocardial ischemia, left ventricular dysfunction or sudden death) and require aggressive secondary prevention. However, risks factors such as smoking, hypertension, obesity, hypercholesterolemia and diabetes frequently persist. In addition, medical practice does not always respect consensus guidelines. Early risk stratification is necessary to detect residual myocardial ischemia in viable myocardium. After the acute phase, the prognosis depends on the degree of left ventricular dysfunction and the extent and severity of residual ischemia. Exercise and ambulatory electrocardiography, stress echocardiography, perfusion scintigraphy using vasodilator stress, magnetic resonance imaging and coronary angiography are all useful for identifying high-risk patients. Secondary prevention should include risk factor management with lifestyle modifications such as weight reduction, a reduction in saturated fats and an increase in monounsaturated fatty acids. Smoking cessation is crucial, and regular physical activity (30 min per day at least 5 days a week) is beneficial. Cardiac rehabilitation has been shown to improve exercise tolerance and cardiovascular outcome.
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