Effect of metoprolol on indirect signs of the size and severity of acute myocardial infarction

• In a double-blind randomized trial, 1,395 patients with suspected acute myocardial infarction (MI) were investigated to evaluate the possibility of limiting indirect signs of the size and severity of acute MI with the beta1-selective adrenoceptor antagonist metoprolol. Metoprolol (15 mg) was given intravenously and followed by oral administration for 3 months (200 mg daily). Placebo was given in the same way. The size of the MI was estimated by heat-stable lactate dehydrogenase (LD[EC 1.1.1.27]) analyses and precordial electrocardiographic mapping. Lower maximal enzyme activities compared with placebo were seen in the metoprolol group (11.1 ± 0.5 μkat · liter−1)when the patient was treated within 12 hours of the onset of pain (13.3 ± 0.6 μkat · liter−1; n = 936; p = 0.009). When treatment was started later than 12 hours, no difference was found between the 2 groups. Enzyme analyses were performed in all but 20 patients (n = 1,375). Precordial mapping with 24 chest electrodes was performed in patients with anterior wall MI. The final total R-wave amplitude was higher and the final total Q-wave amplitude lower in the metoprolol group than in the placebo group. Patients treated with metoprolol ≤12 hours also showed a decreased need for furosemide, a shortened hospital stay, and a significantly reduced 1-year mortality compared with the placebo group, whereas no difference was observed among patients treated later on. After 3 months, however, there was a similar reduction in mortality among patients in whom therapy was started 12 hours and >12 hours after the onset of pain. The results support the hypothesis that intravenous metoprolol followed by oral treatment early in the course of suspected myocardial infarction can limit infarct size and improve longterm prognosis.

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