Acute metabolic response in myocardial infarction.

Acute myocardial infarction is viewed as a severe trauma causing a generalized metabolic reaction; an acute emotional stress with further metabolic implications; and a localized wound in which there is an acute increase in carbohydrate metabolism, followed by protein synthetic reactions leading to scar formation. The metabolic response is vital to the patient's successful adaptation to his myocardial infarction.