Characteristics of patients admitted with myocardial infarction to Chileanhospitals. Report of the GEMI study

Background: Acute myocardial infarction is the leading cause of death in Ch ile. Aim: To report the main features, hospital evolution, complications an d myocardial infarction. Patients and methods: Between 1993 and 1995, the G EMI group registered 2,957 patients admitted to 37 hospitals with the diagn osis of acute myocardial infarction. Results: Mean age of patients was 62 /- 2 years old and 74% were male. Forty six percent had a history of hypert ension and 40% were smokers. During the first five days of admission, 93% o f patients received aspirin, 59% received intravenous nitrates, 59% intrave nous heparin, 56% oral nitrates, 37% beta blockers, 32% angiotensin-convert ing enzyme inhibitors, 33% thrombolytic agents, 29% antiarrhythmics and 23% calcium antagonists. Coronary angiograms were performed in 28% of patients , angioplasty in 9% and 8% were subjected to a coronary bypass. Global hosp ital mortality was 13.4% (19.5% in women and 11.1% in men, p <0.001). Concl usions: This work gives a picture of myocardial infarction in Chilean hospi tals. Pharmacological treatment is similar to that used abroad, but certain ly it can be optimized.