Lack of effect of recent alcohol consumption on the course of acute myocardial infarction

Background and Objective Alcohol has marked effects on hemodynamic and hemo static variables that might alter the presentation of acute myocardial infa rction that Follows its use. We sought to determine whether recent alcohol consumption alters the course or complications of acute myocardial infarcti on. Methods in the Determinants of Myocardial Infarction Onset Study, we perfor med chart reviews and face-to-face inter views with 2.161 patients who did not receive thrombolytic therapy. We assessed alcohol use before infarction , peak creatine kinase levels (1043 patients), electrocardiographic interpr etations (1408 patients), and the presence of ventricular arrhythmias or co ngestive heart failure (all patients). Results Among the 2161 patients, 399 (18.5%) drank alcohol within 24 hours before myocardial infarction. We found no significant difference in mean pe ak creatine kinase level between those who had recently used alcohol and th ose who had not in an adjusted comparison (-6.1% difference; 95% confidence interval [Cl] -20.3%-10.7%; P = .46). We also found no differences in adju sted risk for Q-wave infarction, congestive heart failure, or ventricular a rrhythmias (odds ratios 1.03 [95% CI, 0.73-1.45; P = .88], 1.01 [95% CI, 0. 57-1.54; P = .95], and 1.04 [95% CI, 0.66-1.65; P = .86]). Categorization o f the duration since last alcohol use into 6-hour intervals revealed no tre nds between time since last use of alcohol and any of these outcomes, Conclusions Recent alcohol use is not associated with changes in infarct si ze or risk for Q-wove infarction, congestive heart failure, or ventricular arrhythmia among this population.