Long-term Survival after Myocardial Infarction: A National Follow-up Study on 642 Patients in Denmark

Abstract

All cases of acute myocardial infarction admitted to hospital in Denmark during a two month period in 1963 were notified. Of the 642 patients who were discharged alive, 399 died during the follow-up period of eight years. This is three times the number expected according to the normal mortality. The five-year survival for patients with first infarction was 56%, for patients with re-infarction 38%. The corresponding values for eight-year survival were 41% and 22%. The variation of excess mortality with age, sex, follow-up year, and number of previous myocardial infarctions respectively, was analysed by calculating standardized death rates. No significant difference in excess mortality was found between males and females. The total mortality for men in the youngest age group was 30 times higher than normal in the first year after myocardial Infarction. The absolute mortality increased with age, but this could be explained to a great extent by the increase in general mortality. The number of years lost due to excess mortality for men aged from 45 to 65 with first infarction was estimated to be 10–6 years. Of the 399 deceased patients 297 (74%) died of heart disease, including 92 of confirmed and 126 of probable infarction.