†These authors contributed equally.
Academic Editors: Gianluca Campo and Anindita Das
Background: Elevated heart rate (HR) is associated with
cardiovascular mortality and other events associated with acute myocardial
infarction (AMI). The heart rate after discharge is likely superior to reflect
the deteriorating heart function, which negatively responds to normal physical
activity. This study aimed to explore the effect of HR at the first outpatient
visit on clinical outcomes. Methods: We retrospectively identified 605
patients with AMI. HRs at admission, discharge, and first outpatient visits were
measured. The primary endpoint was defined as major adverse cardiovascular events
(MACEs), including cardiovascular (CV) death, readmission for worsening heart
failure, recurrent nonfatal myocardial infarction (MI), repeated coronary
revascularization, and ischemic stroke. Results: During the follow-up
period, 145 cases of MACE occurred, including 34 CV deaths, 31 recurrent MI, 89
revascularizations, 41 heart failures, and 4 strokes. The event group displayed
an elevated HR at the first outpatient visit compared to the event-free group
(p