Stroke distance in acute myocardial infarction: a simple measurement of left ventricular function.

Stroke distance was measured by means of doppler ultrasound in 100 consecutive patients with acute myocardial infarction. Mean stroke distance on days 1-5 after infarction was 72% of the predicted normal value for age and rose to 77% of normal by days 6-10. Stroke distance was lower after anterior (65%) than inferior infarction (75%), and was negatively correlated with peak serum aspartate aminotransferase (r = 0.47, p less than 0.001). Of 16 patients whose stroke distance on days 1-5 was below 50% of normal for age, 4 died, all within the first week. Of 84 patients whose stroke distance was 50% of normal or higher, only 1 died (at 13 days). The simple bedside measurement of stroke distance offers a practical method of monitoring left ventricular function in acute myocardial infarction: the measurement may have prognostic value.