[Organized myocardial infarct rehabilitation]

Abstract

Rehabilitation of patients with myocardial (coronary) infarction during 1969/70 has been analyzed. Thereafter a therapeutic chain was organized with rapid transfer from the acute hospital to a rehabilitation clinic and further treatment in ambulatory coronary groups at residence. Participants and non-participants of ambulatory coronary groups from 1969 to 1976 were compared. The results concern the influence of organization, return to work, behavior of physicians and patients, risk factors and physical capacity. During the first three years under study the death rates of participants and non-participants of coronary groups were 1.3% per year. The small number of patients does not permit further interpretation.