Myocardial infarction in Antigua. 1990 to 1995

Between January 1990 and May 1995, 117 patients were admitted to the Intensive Care Unit at Holberton Hospital, Antigua, for chest pain due to suspected acute myocardial infarction. 39 (45%) of 86 patients whose records were available for retrospective review had confirmed (27 patients) or probable (12 patients) acute myocardial infarction. Risk factors identified among the patients included hypertension, diabetes, tobacco smoking, hypercholesterolaemia and obesity. On admission, 82% were Killip class I and 18% were Killip class II. Medications in the Intensive Care Unit included nitrates, aspirin, calcium channel blockers, beta-adrenergic blockers, heparin and angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors (21%). No thrombolytic agents were available. The average hospital stay was 10 days and the in-hospital mortality rate was 13%. These data indicate that early mortality from acute myocardial infarction can be reduced in developing countries by early admission to an Intensive Care Unit and use of drugs known to be effective in its treatment.