Initial treatment of patients with acute ischemic heart disease hospitalized in a community hospital.
During the 1980s, tremendous advances occurred in understanding the pathophysiology of ischemic heart disease. Numerous clinical trials were performed to help clinicians formulate treatment plans and diagnostic schemes to care for patients with coronary artery disease. To see how these studies affect the evaluation and treatment of patients with acute coronary syndromes today, we reviewed the hospital records of patients admitted to our community hospital during September 1990. We found that such patients generally have a good short-term prognosis. Most can be stabilized using modern medical means, and in-hospital mortality is low. Antithrombotic and antianginal therapies are used liberally. Thrombolytic therapy is administered commonly, even to elderly patients. Invasive and noninvasive diagnostic testing procedures are both used frequently, and most acute myocardial infarction and unstable angina patients undergo revascularization.
Feldman
R L
RL
Munroe Regional Medical Center, Ocala Heart Institute, Florida 32671.
Kaizer
J
J
Standley
M
M
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000789:Angina, Unstable / Q000628:therapy; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D003327:Coronary Disease / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000401:mortality / Q000628:therapy*; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D004630:Emergencies; D005260:Female; D006764:Hospitals, Community; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009203:Myocardial Infarction / Q000628:therapy; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D015996:Survival Rate; D014463:Ultrasonography