Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 11, 2026
Post-Myocardial Infarction Heart Failure in Closed-chest Coronary Occlusion/Reperfusion Model in Göttingen Minipigs and Landrace Pigs
Published on: April 17, 2021
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease after myocardial infarction in the community
Francesca Bursi1, Robert Vassallo, Susan A Weston
1Division of Cardiovascular Diseases, Department of Internal Medicine, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN 55905, USA.
Background:
Myocardial infarction (MI) and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) are frequent and share common risk factors. Yet, studies on MI patients reported limited and conflicting results on the prevalence of COPD, its impact on outcome, and how these may have changed over time. We examined, in a geographically defined community, the prevalence of COPD in patients with MI, its impact on mortality, and how these associations changed over time.
Methods:
Residents of Olmsted County, Minnesota, who experienced an MI meeting standardized criteria from 1979 to 2007 were included (3,438, 42% women, mean age 68 +/- 15 years). Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease was ascertained from the medical records.
Results:
Of 3,438 patients, 415 (12%) had COPD. During the study, COPD prevalence increased from 7% in 1979-1985 to 15% in 2000-2007 (P < .001). Survival was worse in patients with COPD than in those without COPD (5-year survival rate: 46% [95% CI 41%-52%] vs 68% [95% CI 66%-70%], respectively; P < .01). The association between COPD and death was independent of age and risk factors (adjusted hazard ratio 1.30, 95% CI 1.10-1.54, P < .01) and did not change over time.
Conclusions:
In a large community of patients with MI, the prevalence of COPD increased over time and was associated with a markedly increased risk of death after MI independently of age, risk factors, and comorbidity. This underscores the importance of this condition and the need to optimize care for these high-risk patients.
Insights
The prevalence of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) in myocardial infarction (MI) patients has doubled over time. COPD significantly increases mortality risk after MI, independent of other factors.
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Pulmonology
- Epidemiology
Background:
- Myocardial infarction (MI) and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) are prevalent conditions with shared risk factors.
- Previous studies on COPD prevalence in MI patients yielded conflicting results regarding impact and trends.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine the prevalence of COPD in MI patients within a defined community.
- To assess the impact of COPD on mortality following MI.
- To analyze changes in these associations over time.
Main Methods:
- A cohort of 3,438 MI patients from Olmsted County, Minnesota (1979-2007) was analyzed.
- COPD diagnosis was confirmed through medical record review.
- Mortality and risk factors were tracked over a 5-year period.
Main Results:
- COPD prevalence in MI patients increased from 7% to 15% between 1979-1985 and 2000-2007.
- Patients with COPD had significantly worse 5-year survival rates (46%) compared to those without COPD (68%).
- The increased mortality risk associated with COPD was independent of age, risk factors, and did not change over time.
Conclusions:
- COPD prevalence has risen among MI patients.
- COPD is an independent predictor of increased mortality post-MI.
- Optimizing care for MI patients with COPD is crucial due to their high-risk status.
Related Concept Videos
01:28Acute Coronary Syndrome IV: Interprofessional Care
01:25Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease-III: Symptoms and Complications.
Symptoms of COPD can be classified as primary or systemic. Primary symptoms relate to reduced airflow, while systemic or extrapulmonary symptoms relate to COPD's broader impact on the body.
Primary Symptoms of COPD:
01:24Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease
Smoking is a primary risk factor for COPD, with over 80% of patients having a history of it. Patients typically experience progressive dyspnea or labored breathing, frequent coughing, and recurrent pulmonary infections. Many eventually succumb to respiratory failure, characterized by...
01:30Acute Coronary Syndrome III: Diagnostic Studies
01:29Cardiomyopathy V: Interprofessional Care
01:29Cardiomyopathy III: Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy