ACUTE MYOCARDIAL-INFARCTION MORTALITY IN VA VERSUS NON-VA SETTINGS

Mortality associated with acute myocardial infarction has declined ste adily over the past 25 years. This study was conducted to compare in-h ospital mortality among men treated in VA versus non-VA settings. Resu lts supported declines in mortality since 1980 to an overall rate of 1 1%, as reported in published literature and found in the VA data base. Mortality among-men treated in VA settings mirrored rates reported fo r non-VA settings, both overall and by age groups. Findings were share d with VA Medical Centers for use in identifying opportunities to impr ove clinical practice.