In-hospital use of anticoagulants for myocardial infarction was associated with a significantly lower case fatality rate, with non-users having a rate 2.5 times higher than users (p<0.0001).
Cohort (n=1,156)
Yes
Do anticoagulants reduce in-hospital case fatality rates in patients with myocardial infarction?
In a retrospective cohort of myocardial infarction patients, anticoagulant use was associated with a significantly lower in-hospital case fatality rate.
Effect estimate: RR 2.5 (control vs intervention)
p-value: p=<0.0001
During a state-wide retrospective study of myocardial infarction discharges from Maryland hospitals from July, 1966, through June, 1967, the relation of in-hospital case fatality rates to use of anticoagulants was examined in 1,156 patients. In patients who did not receive anticoagulants, the rate was 2.5 times that of those who did (p less than 0.0001). A large difference in case fatality rates between the anticoagulant and no-anticoagulant groups persisted when the data were analyzed by demographic and medical-care variables. When patients were classified according to clinical characteristics relating to prognosis, including arrhythmia, congestive heart failure and shock, the difference between the groups were also demonstrated. Although such a retrospective study cannot demonstrate conclusively the value of anticoagulant therapy, the data are sufficiently suggestive of a beneficial effect to warrant reopening the anticoagulant question.
Tonascia et al. (Thu,) conducted a cohort in Myocardial infarction (n=1,156). Anticoagulants vs. No anticoagulants was evaluated on In-hospital case fatality rate (RR 2.5 (control vs intervention), p=<0.0001). In-hospital use of anticoagulants for myocardial infarction was associated with a significantly lower case fatality rate, with non-users having a rate 2.5 times higher than users (p<0.0001).