[Heart rupture in myocardial infarction]

Area of Science:

• Cardiology
• Pathology
• Public Health

Context:

• Analysis of mortality data from Dr. Josip Kajfes General Hospital in Zagreb spanning 1972-1986.
• Inclusion of 4,459 post-mortem examinations from 8,589 deceased adult patients.
• Focus on cases consistent with ischaemic heart disease (IHD).

Purpose:

• To investigate the incidence and characteristics of ischaemic heart disease (IHD), including acute myocardial infarction (AMI) and heart rupture (HR).
• To analyze demographic differences, particularly age and sex, in IHD, AMI, and HR occurrences.
• To assess trends in mortality rates for IHD, AMI, and HR over a 15-year period.

Summary:

• A total of 496 IHD cases were identified, with 322 diagnosed as AMI and 64 as heart rupture (HR).
• IHD and AMI were more prevalent in individuals over 60, with women experiencing these conditions approximately six years later than men.
• The anterior wall of the left ventricle was the most frequent site for both AMI and HR. Heart rupture typically occurred around 3.46 days post-AMI, with a delay in women.
• Mortality rates for IHD and AMI showed a decline over the study period, whereas HR mortality remained relatively constant.

Impact:

• Provides insights into the epidemiological patterns of IHD, AMI, and HR in a specific population.
• Highlights age and sex disparities in the manifestation and timing of these cardiac events.
• Demonstrates changing mortality trends for different manifestations of ischaemic heart disease over a significant period.