Impacto del plan AUGE en el tratamiento de pacientes con infarto agudo al miocardio con supradesnivel ST, en hospitales chilenos / The impact of Chilean health reform in the management and mortality of ST elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) in Chilean hospitals

Background: In 2005 the Chilean government started a health care reform (AUGE) that guarantees medical treatment for acute myocardial infarction. Aim: To quantify the impact ofAUGE on the management and inhospital mortality of STEMI in a group of Chilean hospitals. Material and methods: Three thousand five hundred and forty six patients with STEMI from 10 hospitals that perform thrombolysis as the main reperfusion therapy were analyzed. We compared demographic and clinical characteristics, hospital treatments and revascularization proceduresin two periods: before (2,623 patients) and after AUGE implementation (906 patients). Logistic regression was used to assess inhospital mortality according to AUGE in the entire sample and stratified by risk groups. Results: We found no differences in demographic and clinical characteristics between the two groups. During AUGE threre was a significant increase in the use of thrombolysis (50 percent to 60.5 percent), which was associated to an increase of hypotension from 29 percent to 35 percent (p <0.02) and minor bleedings, from 1.6 percent to 3.4 percent (p <0.001). After A UGE there was a significant increase in the use ofbeta blockers (65 percent to 75 percent), angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors (70 percent to 76 percent), statins (48 percent to 58 percent), and aspirin (96 percent to 97.5 percent) (p <0.05). Global inhospital mortality decreased from 12.0 percent to 8.6 percent (p <0.003) and from 10.6 percent to 6.8 percent (p <0.005) in patients treated with thrombolytics. The adjusted odds ratio for inhospital mortality comparing after and before AUGE, was 0.64 (IC 95 percent, 0,47-0.86). Conclusions: The implementation ofAUGE has been successful in reducing inhospital mortality of STEMI This has been achieved through a better use of evidence based medicine and reperfusion strategies.

Utilidad de la terapia trombolítica con estreptokinasa a dosis baja en infarto agudo del miocardio / Usefulness of thrombolytic therapy with low doses of streptokinase in acute myocardial infarction

Background: The optimal dose of Streptokinase in the treatment of acute myocardial infarction is not well established. Apparently, the thrombolytic efficacy would not increase with doses over 750.000 units. Aim: To compare the effectiveness and safety of treatment with low doses of Streptokinase, ranging from 500.000 to 750.000 units, in patients with ST elevation acute myocardial infarction. Patients and methods: From September 1993 to September 1998, the GEMI register of patients with acute myocardial infarction, was carried out in 37 hospitals, incorporating 4,938 patients. Of these, 1,631 patients received streptokinase. According to the administered dose of Streptokinase, patients were divided in two groups: 1,465 patients who received 1.5 millions U in 60 minutes (classical therapy group), and 166 patients with ischemic chest discomfort and either ST-segment elevation or left bundle-branch block on the electrocardiogram, who received 500.000 to 750.000 U streptokinase administered in no more than 30 minutes, with heparin, within 0 to 6 hours of symptom onset. Successful reperfusion, mortality, complications, and hospital outcome was evaluated in both groups. Results: The low dose group of patients had a better reperfusion criteria profile. No differences between groups were observed in patient evolution, mortality, maximum Killip classification, post myocardial infarction heart failure, ischemic complications, arrhythmias or mechanical complications. Conclusions: These results suggest that streptokinase in low doses is at least as effective as classical therapy, in the treatment of ST elevation acute myocardial infarction.

Resultados del primer registro chileno de angina inestable: características clínicas, perfil de riesgo y tratamiento / Results of the first Chilean registry of unstable angina: clinical features, risk profile and treatment

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 percent were women. Among coronary risk factors, 63 percent had hypertension, 27percent had diabetes, 52percent had dyslipidemia, 31percent smoked and 21percent had a family history of atherosclerosis. On admission 94percent of patients had chest pain, associated to ST segment depression in 44 percent, negative T waves in 28 percent and positive markers of myocardial damage in 30percent. Fifty seven percent received intravenous nitroglycerin, 47 percent received oral nitrates, 69 percent beta blockers and 15 percent, calcium antagonists. Antithrombotic therapy included aspirin in 96 percent, heparin in 74percent, ticlodipine or clopidogrel in 19 percent and IIb/IIIa inhibitors in 12percent. A coronary angiogram was performed in 52percent, angioplasty in 25percent and coronary bypass surgery in 13percent. Hospital mortality was 2.6percent. The incidence of new ischemic events was: myocardial infarction in 2.8percent recurrent ischemia in 9.5percent and refractory ischemia in 2percent. 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.

Cambios en el manejo intrahospitalario del infarto del miocardio en hospitales chilenos / Changes in the in-hospital treatment of the acute myocardial infarction in chilean hospitals

Antecedentes: En comunicaciones anteriores se han descrito los cambios en el tratamiento y la evolución del infarto del miocardio (IAM) intrahospitalario durante 2 período de registro en Chile. Objetivo: Evaluar los cambios en el tratamiento farmacológico y las terapias de reperfusión en pacientes con IAM que ingresaron durante 2001 en la red GEMI. Métodos: El registro 2001 (R3) se efectuó entr marzo y diciembre en 23 hospitales de Santiago y regiones. Fue comparado con los registros 93-95 (R1) y 97-98 (R2). Se recolectó información sobre características demográficas, el tratamiento y la evolución intrahospitalaria de los pacientes que ingresaron con el diagnostico de IAM. Resultados: En R3 se incluyeron 1.091 pacientes, cuya edad promedio fue 63 ± 13 años. El 70,4 por ciento fueron hombres. La frecuencia de uso de los medicamentos en R1, R2 y R3 fue respectivamente: aspirina 93 por ciento, 96,1 por ciento y 94,7 por ciento (p=ns); I-ECA 32 por ciento, 53 por ciento y 60 por ciento (p=ns); bloqueadores 37 por ciento, 55,2 por ciento y 60,9 por ciento (p=ns); heparina 59 por ciento, 55 por ciento y 43,5 por ciento (p=ns): nitratos iv 59 por ciento, 67,6 por ciento y 63,7 por ciento (p=ns); antagonista del calcio 23 por ciento, 12,4 por ciento y 6,2 por ciento (p <0,01); trombolíticos 33 por ciento, 33,7 por ciento y 32, por ciento. La angioplastía primaria no se efectuó en R1, pero R2 y R3 fue utilizada en el 9,5 por ciento y el 7,5 por ciento de los pacientes respectivamente. La mortalidad intrahospitalaria fue de 11,6 por ciento durante 2001, comparada con el 10,8 por ciento y el 13,4 por ciento obtenida en los registros 97-98 y 93-95. Conclusión: Se aprecia un aumento de la utilización de los I-ECA y (bloqueadores, fármacos de demostrada eficacia para reducir mortalidad en el IAM. Es racional la reducción del uso del calcio antagonista y probablemente la de antiarrítmicos. No se modifica el empleo de trombolíticos y la angioplastía primaria no aumenta debido a que está limitada a algunos hospitales. Se debe continuar estimulando el uso de terapias que mejoren el pronóstico de los pacientes con IAM, especialmente las orientadas a la reperfusión.