ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: From January 2000 to June 2002, the first Chilean registry of unstable angina was carried out, with the participation of 15 hospitals. AIM: To report the clinical and demographic features of 600 patients with unstable angina, their risk profile and prognosis. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The inclusion criteria for this prospective registry were a history of recent onset of chest pain (<48 hours) or a change in the character of previous angina, associated to ischemic electrocardiographic changes and/or positive markers of myocardial damage. RESULTS: Mean age of the patients was 65 years and 37% were women. Among coronary risk factors, 63% had hypertension, 27% had diabetes, 52% had dyslipidemia, 31% smoked and 21% had a family history of atherosclerosis. On admission 94% of patients had chest pain, associated to ST segment depression in 44%, negative T waves in 28% and positive markers of myocardial damage in 30%. Fifty seven percent received intravenous nitroglycerin, 47% received oral nitrates, 69% beta blockers and 15%, calcium antagonists. Antithrombotic therapy included aspirin in 96%, heparin in 74%, ticlodipine or clopidogrel in 19% and IIb/IIIa inhibitors in 12%. A coronary angiogram was performed in 52%, angioplasty in 25% and coronary bypass surgery in 13%. Hospital mortality was 2.6%. The incidence of new ischemic events was: myocardial infarction in 2.8% recurrent ischemia in 9.5% and refractory ischemia in 2%. The incidence of adverse events increased according to a higher risk profile. CONCLUSIONS: The demographic and clinical features, treatment and mortality of these patients are similar to those reported in international registries, with a low mortality rate.
