[Long-Term Survival After Myocardial Infarction]

The purpose of this study was to explore the long-term survival of patients after myocardial infarction (MI) and to elucidate main medical and social factors affecting survival.

In 2006 we included into this study 791 consecutive patients with MI. Duration of follow-up was 8.5 years. Survival was analyzed by construction of life tables and calculation of Kaplan-Meier estimates.

During follow-up 446 patients died. Leading was cardiovascular death (88.2%). Other causes were cancer (7.1%), internal diseases (4.1%), and external causes (0.6%). Risk of death was the highest during first year. One, three, and five-year survival was 74.9, 62.2 and 53.8%, respectively. Main medical and social factors that reduced long-term survival were: old age, lack of work, no percutaneous coronary intervention during initial hospitalization, recurrent myocardial infarction, and male sex among working age patients.