[Study of incidence and treatment of acute myocardial infarction by evaluating the financing database: 2004-2009]

In Hungary we have no comprehensive data on hospital care and short and long term prognosis of patients with myocardial infarction.

To collect data on number, hospital care and prognosis of patients treated for myocardial infarction in all Hungarian hospitals.

Authors studied the number of patients treated in hospital for acute myocardial infarction, the frequency of revascularization by coronary angioplasty during treatment, as well as the 30 and 365 day mortality of patients by the evaluation of the financing database of the National Health Insurance Fund for 6 years (2004-2009).

There has been no major change during the observation period in the number of patients treated in hospital for myocardial infarction (approximately 16,500 cases/year). The incidence in males (calculated by the number of patients treated in hospital) is higher in any age group compared to females; this difference is lower in older age groups. During the observation period the 30 and 365 day mortality has decreased by 1.8% (18.9% vs. 17.1% and 29.9% vs. 28.1%, respectively), which was caused by a decrease in the mortality of patients above age 70. The percentage of revascularization by coronary angioplasty during the treatment of myocardial infarction has significantly increased (18.2% vs. 49.8%). The International Classification of Diseases does not differentiate between the different forms of myocardial infarction, therefore the prognostic effects of coronary angioplasty cannot be evaluated in this respect.

Authors conclude that the financing database is suitable to evaluate the major aspects of care and to support healthcare management decisions, while the appropriateness of treatment and the effectiveness of different interventions can be assessed by prospective databases satisfying the needs of special aspects and can therefore be used for detailed assessments.