RESUMEN
OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the in-hospital mortality of acute myocardial infarction among different age groups. DESIGN: Descriptive study. PLACE AND DURATION OF STUDY: Coronary Care Unit and Cardiology Ward of Nishtar Hospital, Multan from 1st of September 2002 till 10th of April 2003. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: The subjects were 460 admitted patients of acute myocardial infarction who fulfilled our inclusion criteria. Patients were divided into four age groups. Group-I included patients in 20-40 years, group-II (41-50 years), group-III (51-60 years) and group-IV (>60 years). Mortality was compared between different age groups by Chi-square and linear-regression models. RESULTS: The total in-hospital mortality was 16.7%. It gradually increased from 5.6% in group-I (20-40 years) patients to 21% in group-IV (>60 years) patients. While mortality in groups group-II (41-50 years) and group-III (51-60 years) patients was 16.7% and 18.6% respectively. A marked increase in mortality was noted with increase in age. Group-IV (>60 years) patients presented 2 hours late to the hospital than the group-I (20-40 years) patients. There was no statistical difference in site of infarction in different age groups. Old age (group-IV i.e. >60 years old) was more associated with heart failure (higher Killip class) on presentation. Lesser number of patients in group-IV received thrombolytic therapy than group-I. Only 31.09% patients in group-IV and 62.5% patients in group-I received streptokinase therapy respectively. CONCLUSION: In patients with acute myocardial infarction age was a powerful independent predictor of in-hospital mortality and complications.