Evolution in the management of acute myocardial infarction in the autonomous community of valencia (Spain): ten years of the primvac registry (1995-2004).

INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVES: Several registries of acute myocardial infarction (AMI) have been carried out in Spain, but few remain active. This work analyses the evolution of the characteristics and control of patients with AMI during the first 10 years of the PRIMVAC registry, initiated in 1995. METHODS: The demographical and clinical characteristics, therapeutic-diagnostic procedures and pharmacological treatment of patients admitted with AMI between January 1995 and December 2004, were analysed in 17 coronary centres in the Autonomous Community of Valencia (South eastern Spain). RESULTS: The mean age of the 19,719 patients recruited was of 65. The percentage of women, hypertension, hypercholestrolemia and diabetes increased during registry period. The median time of symptoms onset-hospital arrival was 151 minutes, without a decrease over the time, and the delay of thrombolysis fell from 200 to 154 minutes (p<0.01). Percentage of thrombolytic treatment oscillated between 39% and 48%. The mortality in the coronary units decreased (14.1% vs. 8.9%; p<0.001). The number of coronary angiography and percutaneous revascularisation performed increased up to 61% and 32%, respectively, of patients included. On discharge, the use of beta-blockers (29.3% vs. 66.7%), angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors (41.7% vs. 57.9%) and statins (29.3% vs. 71%) went up. CONCLUSIONS: Overall mortality in the coronary unit decreased, without any variation in the incidence of serious complications. Time to thrombolysis was reduced over the time, with no significant increment in its use. The performance of coronary angiography and percutaneous revascularisation increased, with a low use of primary angioplasty. The use of beta-blockers, ACE inhibitors and statins increased at discharge.

Clinical course of acute myocardial infarction in the hypertensive patient in Eastern Spain: the PRIMVAC registry.

OBJECTIVE: The study's objective was to analyze the acute complications and prognosis of acute myocardial infarction (AMI) in hypertensive patients in Spain. METHOD: Complications and early mortality were recorded among the patients with AMI admitted to the coronary care units of the 17 hospitals in the Valencia Community (Spain) between 1995 and 2000. RESULTS: A total of 12.071 patients were registered, of whom 46% were hypertensive (5.550 cases). Atrial fibrillation was more frequent in the hypertensive group, whereas ventricular fibrillation was more common among normotensive patients. We found higher mortality rates in the hypertensive group (14.4% vs 12.4%; P<.001). However, after multivariate adjustment, hypertension was not independently associated with mortality (odds ratio: .95; P=.46), and remained independently associated with a lower risk of primary ventricular fibrillation (odds ratio: .83; P<.05). CONCLUSION: Hypertensive patients do not present comparatively greater mortality during AMI, although primary ventricular fibrillation is less common in such subjects.

[Acute myocardial infarction in patients under 45 years]. / Infarto agudo de miocardio en pacientes menores de 45 años.

INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the differential features of acute myocardial infarction in patients younger than 45 years old compared to older patients. PATIENTS AND METHODS: From 1995 to 1999, delays in the assistance, evaluation, and therapeutic strategies as well as complications in patients hospitalized with a diagnosis of acute myocardial infarction, have been registered in the intensive care units of the 17 hospitals participating in the PRIMVAC Register. RESULTS: During the study, 10,213 patients were registered, 6.8% younger than 45 years old (691 patients). Young patients show a greater prevalence of cigarette smoking (80.9 vs 34.1%; p < 0.0001) and hypercholesterolemia (39.9 vs 28.6%; p < 0.0001), whereas arterial hypertension, diabetes, and history of coronary disease were significantly more frequent in the older group. This subgroup reached the healthcare system at an earlier stage (120 vs 160 min; p < 0.0001). Thrombolysis was performed in 59.9% of patients younger than 45 years and in 45.9% of patients older than 45 years. Young patients were more frequently given aspirin (94.5%), heparin (70.6%), and beta-blocker drugs (38.4%), whereas patients older than 45 years were given a higher percentage of ACEI, digoxin, and inotropic drugs. Younger patients had a better prognosis and a lower mortality rate (3.5 vs 14%; p < 0.00001). CONCLUSIONS: Acute myocardial infarction in patients younger than 45 years had different clinical features and responded to different therapeutic and diagnostic approaches than acute myocardial infarction in patients over 45 years, as well as a better short-term prognosis.

Infarto agudo de miocardio en pacientes menores de 45 años / Acute Myocardial Infarction in Patients Under 45

Introducción y objetivo. Evaluar las características diferenciales del infarto agudo de miocardio en el paciente joven (menor de 45 años) en relación con el paciente de mayor edad.Pacientes y métodos. Se han recogido las características clínicas, retrasos en la asistencia, estrategias diagnósticas y terapéuticas y complicaciones de los pacientes ingresados con diagnóstico de infarto agudo de miocardio entre los años 1995 y 1999 en las unidades de cuidados intensivos de los 17 hospitales que participan en el registro PRIMVAC.Resultados. Se han registrado 10.213 pacientes, de los cuales el 6,8 por ciento tenía una edad menor de 45 años (691pacientes). Los pacientes jóvenes presentan una mayor prevalencia de tabaquismo (80,9 frente a 34,1 por ciento; p < 0,0001) e hipercolesterolemia (39,9 frente a 28,6 por ciento; p < 0,0001), mientras que la hipertensión arterial, la diabetes y los antecedentes de enfermedad coronaria son significativamente superiores en el grupo de mayor edad.Este subgrupo contacta antes con el sistema sanitario (120 frente a 160 min; p < 0,0001). La trombólisis se realizó en el 59,9 por ciento de los pacientes jóvenes en comparación con el 45,9 por ciento de los pacientes mayores de 45 años.Los pacientes jóvenes recibieron más frecuentemente aspirina (94,5 por ciento), heparina (70,6 por ciento) y bloqueadores beta (38,4 por ciento), mientras que la administración de IECA, digoxina e inotrópicos fue superior en los mayores de 45 años.Los pacientes jóvenes tuvieron un pronóstico mejor, con una menor mortalidad (3,5 frente a 14 por ciento; p < 0,00001).Conclusiones. El infarto agudo de miocardio en el paciente joven presenta unas características clínicas y un tratamiento diagnóstico y terapéutico diferentes respecto al grupo de mayor edad, así como un pronóstico a corto plazo más favorable (AU)