Myocardial Infarction Case-Fatality Gradient in Three French Regions: The Influence of Acute Coronary Care

Abstract

The objective of this study was to evaluate the influence of acute coronary care on the myocardial infarction (MI) case-fatality gradient observed in three French regions. In 1989, a total of 813 hospitalized events of premature MI, ocurring in men and women aged 25–64, were registered in three WHO-MONICA sitas established in Lille (North of France), Strasbourg (East of France) and Toulouse (South of France). The case-fatality rates observed 28 days after the onset of the MI, were 30.6% in Lille, 17.5% in Strasbourg and 9.9% in Toulouse (PPPPPPPPP<0.0001), as suggested by the odds ratio (3.27, 95% confidence interval: 1.69–6.32). In conclusion, the influence of acute coronary care on the MI case-fatality gradient observed between the North and South of France is very weak.