[Trends in the case-fatality rates for acute myocardial infarction in China from 2015 to 2019]

Objective: To assess the trends in case-fatality rates for acute myocardial infarction (AMI) in China from 2015 to 2019. Methods: This study employed a population-based surveillance. Data from the China Registry of Acute Cardiovascular Event (China RACE) were utilized, including AMI cases reported by Grade Ⅱ and Grade Ⅲ hospitals at the disease surveillance sites across China from January 1^st 2015 to December 31^st 2019. The 28-day mortality outcome for reported AMI events was obtained by linking to the national death certificate registry system. The study analyzed the overall and age-standardized case-fatality rates, as well as their annual percent change (APC), during the study period, stratified by gender, age, and region. Results: The overall 28-day case fatality rate for AMI was 28.97% (22 532/77 764) from 2015 to 2019. The age-standardized case-fatality rate for AMI declined significantly from 37.53% in 2015 to 18.58% in 2019, with an APC of -14.33% (P=0.018). We observed a significant downward trend in case-fatality rates of AMI in both genders (both P<0.05). Among males, the case-fatality rate decreased more steeply in younger males compared to elder counterparts. The most marked decreases were seen in males aged<35 years and 35 to 44 years, with APC of -27.63% (P=0.007) and -22.65% (P=0.004), respectively. In females, we observed a relatively stable decrease in case-fatality across age groups. The age-standardized case-fatality rate of AMI in eastern and central China decreased significantly from 2015 to 2019, with the APC of -19.22% (P=0.006) and -15.62% (P=0.032) respectively. However, the age-standardized case-fatality rate of AMI in western China remained stable (P=0.227). Conclusions: The prognosis of AMI has considerably improved from 2015 to 2019 in China, regardless of ages and gender. Inequality in case-fatality rates among geographic regions highlights the need for targeted strategies in AMI prevention in western regions.