Cardiac Pacing in Acute Myocardial Infarction

Abstract

Before starting to review the indications for electrical stimulation during the acute phase of myocardial infarction, I would like to make two remarks. My premise will be that, in myocardial infarction, the use of electrical stimulation is an overall decision. I mean by that, that this decision is not to be made by looking at some isolated electrocardiographic findings, but that, in the acute phase, the same electrocardiographic appearance might very well be an indication for electrical stimulation in one patient — as we will see later on — whereas, in another patient, it will not be an indication. It means that you have to look not only at the electrocardiogram, but have to take into account also the hemodynamic situation of the patient who presents with some type of conduction defect.