[Long-term follow-up of 100 patients with acute myocardial infarction treated with angioplasty].
BACKGROUND
There is little information available on long-term follow up of patients treated with primary angioplasty for acute myocardial infarction.


METHODS
100 consecutive patients with acute ST-elevation myocardial infarction and symptoms of less than six hours' duration were treated with primary angioplasty. Clinical examination was performed in 97 patients and exercise stress test in 74 patients 11-37 months (mean 20 months) later. Patients were observed for survival up to 48 months.


RESULTS
24 patients had been rehospitalized, 16 because of chest pain. 77 patients were treated with beta blocker, 83 with statins, and 95 with antithrombotic medication. 84 patients were in NYHA (New York's Heart Association's classification's) class I at follow-up examination. Three patients died. 11 patients had a serious event, reinfarction (n = 3) or need for revascularization (n = 8) during the first 13 months. Total cumulative mortality rates after one and three years were 3% (95% CI 1-8) and 11% (95% CI 6-19).


CONCLUSIONS
The good initial results in primary angioplasty are maintained in long-term follow-up. This is in accordance with reports from centres abroad.
Mangschau
A
A
Hjerte-lunge-senteret, Ullevål sykehus 0407 Oslo. arild.mangschau@ulleval.no
Eritsland
J
J
Stavnes
S
S
Sevre
K
K
Stenseth
K H
KH
Kløw
N E
NE
Müller
C
C
Sandvik
L
L
Bendz
B
B
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D015906:Angioplasty, Balloon, Coronary; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D009203:Myocardial Infarction / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000401:mortality / Q000628:therapy*; D009664:Norway / Q000453:epidemiology; D010359:Patient Readmission; D012008:Recurrence