PATTERNS OF RECURRENCE AND SURVIVAL IN AMI PATIENTS IN CANADA

OBJECTIVE: To describe the patterns of recurrence and survival of pati ents following their first acute myocardial infarction (AMI). DESIGN: A retrospective follow-up study based on the population of Nova Scotia and Saskatchewan from 1981-85. SUBJECTS: The analyses were performed on patients aged 25 to 75 years (n=2083) who had been admitted to hosp ital with their first AMI during 1981 from the provinces of Nova Scoti a and Saskatchewan. MAIN RESULTS: The rate of recurrence of AMI was 10 % in men and 7% in women, regardless of age. Median time to recurrence was 13 to 15 months in men and seven months in women. After the first AMI, mortality rates were higher in women one week and one month afte r the initial infarction, reaching statistical significance (only in t he 55- to 74-year-old age group) - P<0.01 and P<0.02, respectively. Fi ve-year mortality rates were significantly higher in the older age gro ups (P<0.01), but were similar in men and women. CONCLUSIONS: Reinfarc tion occurs more quickly in women, who also appear to be at a higher r isk of death during the first month, and especially during the first w eek, postinfarction.