This study was undertaken to characterise patients without overt heart failure and with a left ventricular ejection fraction > or = 40% 2-7 days following an acute myocardial infarction. Patients with an ejection fraction > or = 40% (n = 868) had a lower prevalence of anterior myocardial infarction (p or = 40% had smaller left ventricular volume and mass (p or = 40%. Pro-ANP levels were not correlated with the ejection fraction or left ventricular volume. Approximately two thirds of the patients received thrombolytic treatment.
