ABSTRACT
Primary angioplasty is considered the best reperiusion therapy in the treatment of ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI). However, thrombolysis is the reperiusion method most commonly used, due to its wide availability, reduced costs and ease of administration. Aim: To compare inhospital mortality in STEMI patients according to reperiusion therapy. Material and Methods: Patients admitted to Chilean hospitals participating in the GEMI network, from 2001 to 2005, with STEMI were included. They were divided in three groups: a) treated with thrombolytics, b) treated with primary angioplasty, c) without reperiusion procedure. Inhospital mortality according to gender, was analized in each group, using a logistic regression method, to assess risk factors associated with mortality. Results: We included 3,255 patients. Global mortality was 9.9 percent (7.5 percent in men and 16.7 percent in women, p <0.001). Mortality in patients treated with thrombolytics, was 10.2 percent (7.6 percent in men and 18.7 percent in women, p <0.01). The figure for patients treated with primary angioplasty, was 4.7 percent (2.5 percent in men and 13 percent in women, p <0.01), and in patients without reperiusion, was 11.6 percent (9.8 percent in men and in 15.4 percent women, p <0.01). In each group women were older, had a higher prevalence of hypertension and a higher percentage of Killip 3-4 infarctions. Logistic regression showed that angioplasty, compared with no reperiusion, was associated with a reduced mortality only in men. The use oí thrombolytics in women was associated with a higher mortality. Conclusions: Primary angioplasty was the reperiusion therapy associated to the lower mortality in STEMI. Use of thrombolytics in women was associated with a higher mortality rate than in non reperfused women.