Non-lethal complications in the acute myocardial infarction: Analysis in a coronary care unit

Abstract

Introduction: Acute Myocardial Infarction is defined as the presence of acute myocardial injury detected by the use of cardiac biomarkers in the demonstrated evidence of acute myocardial ischemia. Objectives: To evaluate possible factors associated with the appearance of non-lethal in-hospital complications in patients presenting with ST-segment elevation acute myocardial infarction. Method: An observational, analytical, cross-sectional study was conducted in the Intensive Coronary Care Unit of the "Hospital Clínico-Quirúrgico Manuel Fajardo" in 2016 and 2017. The descriptive statistical method and the necessary statistical tests (χ2 or Fisher's Exact Test,odds ratio and Student's t-test) were used. Results: The male sex predominated (59.0%) and the average age was 62 years. Only 41.0% of patients received fibrinolysis. Dyslipidemia showed a statistically significant association with the appearance of complications (p=0.046). Age was related to the appearance of hemodynamic complications (p=0.02). There were no statistically significant differences between patients who received thrombolysis and those who did not, regarding complications (OR=1.33; CI 95%: 0.54-3.24), nor between these and the topography of the infarction (anterior wall OR=0.57; CI 95%: 0.23-1.43; inferior wall OR=1.73; CI 95%: 0.70-4.27). Conclusions: Dyslipidemia was associated with the appearance of complications in patients with acute myocardial infarction. Age was associated with hemodynamic complications. Thrombolytic therapy and the affected myocardial walls were not related to the occurrence of non-lethal in-hospital complications.