[The influence of "dry" bi-carbonate baths on the circadian profile of arterial pressure in patients who suffered acute myocardial infarction].

The objective of this study was to evaluate effect of "dry" bi-carbonate baths (DBB) on the circadian profile of arterial pressure (AP) in patients who suffered acute myocardial infarction (AMI). Diurnal AP profiles were analysed in all patients after AMI. The patients comprising group 1 were treated with the use of DBB while the remaining ones received a sham treatment. 24 hour AP monitoring was performed before and after therapy. The study revealed a reduction in the frequency of hypotensive diastolic values at the daytime and in the duration of night-time hypertensive episodes under the influence of therapy with the use of DBB. Variability of systolic AP throughout 24 hours and of diastolic AP at daytime also decreased. Generally speaking, patients with elevated AP showed a more pronounced effect of DBB on the night AP profile. It is concluded that therapy with the use of DBB after AMI has beneficial effect on the clinical state of the patients and reduces the risk of cardiovascular complications.