Coronary Revascularization for Recurrent Pulmonary Edema in Elderly Patients with Ischemic Heart Disease and Preserved Ventricular Function

PULMONARY congestion in a patient with acute myocardial infarction is a poor prognostic sign,^{1 2 3} even if left ventricular ejection fraction measured at least six days after the acute event is normal or nearly so.^3,4 Acute pulmonary edema accompanying myocardial infarction may be associated with a 25 to 30 per cent mortality rate and a 50 per cent incidence of recurrent ischemic events at 6 to 12 months, even if the ejection fraction is normal before discharge.⁴ This lack of correlation between the ejection fraction during recovery and the ultimate prognosis presumably reflects the presence of a large or critical amount.