RESUMO
BACKGROUND: A limited number of studies have been published about coronary artery disease in Hispanics, particularly among the Puerto Rican population. The aim of this study was to present a clinical epidemiological profile and management practices in patients hospitalized in Puerto Rico with acute myocardial infarction (AMI). METHODS: This secondary data analysis from the Puerto Rico Cardiovascular Surveillance Study included 6,162 patients at 19 hospitals in Puerto Rico, during years 2007, 2009 and 2011. RESULTS: The mean age of the patients diagnosed with AMI was 67 ± 13.6 years old, with women being older than men (P < 0.001). Women had a different risk factor burden when compared to men. Car/walked in was the principal mode of hospital transportation (65.9%). Women received less medications and cardiac procedures when compared to men. While no significant differences in length of hospital stay (LOS) were observed between genders, in-hospital mortality rate was higher in females when compared with males (6.5% vs. 4.5%; P < 0.001). CONCLUSION: Prompt initiatives should be implemented to raise awareness, reduce gender disparities and improve outcomes in patients hospitalized with an AMI in Puerto Rico.
