The aim of this prospective study carried out in picardy (Aisne, Oise and Somme Departments) between October 1st 1985 and September 30th 1986, was to determine the incidence and outcome of recent myocardial infarction (less than 1 month) hospitalised in the region, to assess the time delay before hospital admission, the mode of management, treatment in the acute phase and at discharge, and the attitudes to exercise stress testing and coronary angiography. All public and private hospitals of the 3 departments who admitted patients with acute myocardial infarction accepted to fill out the questionnaire. A total of 1260 infarcts in patients with an average age of 66.7 +/- 12.6 years were collected. Nearly 3 out of 4 patients were male, and the men generally 10 years younger (64 +/- 12.6 years) than the women (73.4 +/- 10 years). The time delay to hospital admission was very long: 16.6 +/- 47.5 hours. Two thirds of patients were transferred by non medicalised transport; 82 per cent of patients were directed to the casualty department which redirected 71 per cent to the cardiology department. Myocardial infarction was inaugural in 46.5 per cent of cases. The incidence of anterior and inferior infarction was almost identical (44 ans 45.5 per cent respectively). Treatment in the acute phase included Heparin (94 per cent), nitrate derivatives (93.7 per cent) and calcium inhibitors (78 per cent). Thrombolytic and betablocker therapy was only prescribed in 8.3 and 23.5 per cent of cases respectively. During the hospital period, average 17 +/- 9 days, the mortality rate was 22.3 per cent.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)