[The prognosis of patients after acute myocardial infarction in Iceland 1986 and 1996.].
OBJECTIVE
During the last decade the treatment of patients with acute myocardial infarction (AMI) has changed dramatically. We set out to study the impact of these changes on one year mortality in Icelandic patients.


METHODS
We compared one-year mortality of all patients hospitalised for AMI in Reykjavík, Iceland during 1986 and 1996.


RESULTS
Demographical characteristics of AMI patients did not change significantly during the study period. One-year mortality decreased from 26.3% to 19.7% (p<0.05) between 1986 and 1996. Patients discharged with acetylsalisylic acid or 8-antagonists as well as those who received thrombolytic therapy had decreased one-year mortality both years. Patients discharged with diuretics, digoxin or antiarrhythmic agents as well as patients taking diuretics, digoxin or nitrates prior to admission had increased one-year mortality. Risk factors of cardiovascular disease were insufficiently registered in hospital records.


CONCLUSIONS
We conclude that the 25% relative reduction in one-year mortality is partially attributed to changes in medical therapy.
J M
JM
Kristjansson
K
K
Andersen