The aim of the study is to investigate if global strain and mechanical dispersion may predict death and ventricular arrhythmias better than ejection fraction(EF) in patients with myocardial infarction and heart failure regardless of cause.

1. The main aim of this study is to investigate if global strain and mechanical dispersion may predict death and ventricular arrhythmias better than left ventricular ejection fraction in patients with myocardial infarction and heart failure.
2. In patients who receive internal cardioverter defibrillator(ICD) the main aim is to investigate if mechanical dispersion may predict ventricular arrhythmias better than EF.

3) No interventions,only evaluation of the measurements obtained with transthoracic echocardiography.

4) Follow up for 3 years, extended from 3 to 5 years.

Inclusion Criteria:

• All patients with

  1. myocardial infarction
  2. heart failure( defined as heart failure symptoms: reduced left ventricular function/ and or heart failure signs on chest x ray.
  3. planned for primary prophylactic ICD

• over 18 years of age

• Informed consent

Exclusion Criteria:

-

Patients with myocardial infarction, heart failure and patients planned for primary prophylactic ICD. Echocardiography is performed at inclusion. Comparism of the ability of left ventricular ejection fraction, global strain and mechanical dispersion to predict clinical outcome in patients with these conditions.