BACKGROUND Dilation of end-systolic and end-diastolic volumes (ESV, EDV) has been used to define left ventricular remodelling after acute myocardial infarction (MI), but the prognostic significance of different enlargement patterns has not been evaluated fully. OBJECTIVE To analyse the evolution of left ventricular volumes and parameters of global and regional contractility and their correlations with long-term prognosis in patients treated by angioplasty in the acute phase of MI. METHODS Seventy-four patients (mean age 56+/-13 years; 77% men), treated successfully by angioplasty in the acute phase of MI, were included prospectively. Significant enlargement of left ventricular volumes was defined as a greater than 20% increase between acute phase and 6-month control, assessed by contrast ventriculography. Clinical follow-up was obtained for all patients at 82+/-19 months. RESULTS Four groups were identified based on volume evolution: Group I (n=29, 39%; no volume enlargement); Group II (n=8, 11%; isolated EDV enlargement); Group III (n=10, 14%; isolated ESV enlargement); Group IV (n=27, 36%; ESV plus EDV enlargement). Global left ventricular ejection fraction increased in Groups I (p=0.001) and II (p=0.037), but decreased in Groups III (p=0.0002) and IV (p=0.019). The 6-year event-free survival rate was significantly (p=0.0039) better in Groups I and II (100%) than in Groups III and IV (80 and 78%, respectively). CONCLUSIONS ESV enlargement in patients with reperfused acute MI impacts negatively on long-term prognosis, while isolated EDV enlargement does not.