Background: This study investigated the use of echocardiography in the early detection of regional wall motion abnormalities (RWMA) in patients presenting with acute myocardial infarction (AMI). The relationship between RWMA and mechanical complications, as assessed by two-dimensional echocardiography, and admission levels of amino terminal fragment of pro-brain natriuretic peptide (NT- proBNP) was also examined.
Material/methods: The study population comprised 226 patients admitted to hospital with a diagnosis of AMI.