Sex differences in survival to discharge are getting smaller, but probably not because of improvements in the quality of care.
Previous prospective, observational data from the National Registry of Myocardial Infarction (NRMI) have shown that the risk for death after MI is higher in women than in men, particularly in younger patients (N Engl J Med 1999; 341:217). In a new NRMI study, researchers examined whether that sex difference persists.
The analysis included 916,380 patients hospitalized with confirmed acute coronary ischemia from 1994 through 2006. During this period, the prevalence of many coexisting conditions increased across age and sex subgroups, and the proportion of patients with ST-segment-elevation MI decreased. Diabetes, heart failure, and stroke were more prevalent among younger women than among younger men.
Over time, in-hospital mortality rates dec…
Reviewing Author
DisclosuresConsultant/Advisory BoardBristol Myers Squibb; CPC Clinical Research
Grant/Research SupportNational Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute
Editorial BoardsUpToDate; American College of Cardiology Self-Assessment Program (SAP)
Leadership Positions in Professional SocietiesAmerican College of Cardiology (Chair, Innovations Committee)
DisclosuresConsultant/Advisory BoardBristol Myers Squibb; CPC Clinical Research
Grant/Research SupportNational Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute
Editorial BoardsUpToDate; American College of Cardiology Self-Assessment Program (SAP)
Leadership Positions in Professional SocietiesAmerican College of Cardiology (Chair, Innovations Committee)