The Journal of medicine and philosophy
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Acute myocardial infarction (AMI) is a common disease in the Western world and has been the topic of much research. Conducting clinical trials with patients in the acute phase of a myocardial infarction, however, poses an ethical challenge. ⋯ This paper describes how physicians have dealt with the informed consent process in various AMI trials and summarizes the results from empirical studies of the consent process of such trials. Finally, the ethical issues and their implications for future trials involving this particular group of patients are discussed.