ONE-YEAR MORTALITY AFTER ACUTE MYOCARDIAL-INFARCTION PRIOR TO AND AFTER THE IMPLEMENTATION OF A WIDESPREAD USE OF THROMBOLYSIS AND ASPIRIN - EXPERIENCES FROM THE COMMUNITY OF GOTEBORG, SWEDEN

During 1 year of follow-up, we compared the mortality after acute myoc ardial infarction (AMI) prior to and after the introduction of a more widespread use of thrombolytic agents and aspirin. Study period: Two p eriods (I = 1986-1987 and II = 1989-1990) were compared. Patients: All patients admitted to the coronary care units at the two city hospital s in the community of Goteborg who fulfilled the criteria for developm ent of AMI participated in the evaluation. Results: The overall 1-year mortality rate was 24% during period I and 23% during period II (NS). However, among patients up to 70 years of age, the mortality was redu ced from 15 to 11% (p < 0.05), whereas among patients aged over 70 yea rs the mortality remained almost unchanged (34 vs. 35%; NS). Conclusio n: The introduction of a more widespread use of thrombolytic agents an d aspirin has not substantially changed the overall mortality in AMI. However, among younger patients, the mortality appears to have been re duced but not among the elderly.