The predictive value of some major ECG changes.

Out of a group of 5,000 men included in an action of primary prevention of coronary heart disease and arterial hypertension, started in 1971 in the "N. Gh. Lupu" Institute of Internal Medicine--Bucharest, the authors have selected the subjects presenting major ST--T changes and conduction troubles. The predictive value of some ST--T changes for the subsequent occurrence of major coronary accidents was also investigated in 3,000 male subjects of similar age and occupation, also selected at random, but who were not included in the action of primary prevention of the risk factors. The results obtained demonstrated the value of such an early intervention upon the risk factors of coronary heart disease, the incidence of coronary accidents (myocardial infarction, sudden death) being smaller in the group of intervention than in the control one.