Improved prognosis since 1969 of myocardial infarction treated in a coronary care unit: Lack of relation with changes in severity

Abstract

Objective - To study changes from 1969 to 1983 in the prognosis of patients with acute myocardial infarction treated in a coronary care unit. Design - Mortality follow up of all patients with definite acute myocardial infarction. Setting - The coronary care unit of the Royal Melbourne Hospital, a tertiary referral centre. Subjects - 4253 Patients (3366 men, 887 women) admitted from 1969 to 1983. Main outcome measure - Mortality recorded at discharge from hospital and 12 months after admission. Results - Details of clinical findings, history, electrocardiograms, arrhythmias, and radiological findings were recorded on admission. Mean ages were 63 for women and 57 for men, and women had haemody..