Changes in the mortality of acute myocardial infarction in the area of Zalaegerszeg

Introduction Morbidity and mortality data of acute myocardial infarction highlight the significance of this patient population worldwide. Rapid and accurate diagnosis and timely initiation of an appropriate therapy are of crucial importance in this group of patients. Invasive cardiology, i.e. primary percutaneous coronary intervention is already a basic requirement of up-to-date medical care for acute myocardial infarction. However, American and European guidelines of 1999 positioned primary percutaneous coronary intervention as Class I recommendation, only as an alternative to thrombolysis and for the treatment of patients with a complicated cardiogenic shock. In Hungary, we organized a 24 h intervention service for acute myocardial infarction at the Department of Cardiology in the Zala County Hospital, Zalaegerszeg for the first time in 1998. Objectives Our study was aimed at demonstrating that the timely intervention therapy of acute myocardial infarction reduced the mortality rate of the disease in our region to a more significant extent as compared to the national average, and the effects of this can be experienced even now. Methods The Western Transdanubian Regional Institute of the Hungarian National Public Health and Medical Officer Service (ÁNTSZ) processed the mortality data of the period between 1997 and 2005 in the Western Transdanubian Region and in the Zalaegerszeg area, and compared them with each other and with the national average published by the Hungarian Central Statistical Office. With the help of our own computerised data base, we studied the changes in the number of invasive interventions during this period, and correlated them with mortality statistics. Results During the first “complete” year, in 1998, we performed 82 primary and 283 “elective” primary percutaneous coronary interventions; by 2005 these numbers increased to 318 and 1,265, respectively. In parallel with this, early and total mortality rate due to myocardial infarction among male patients decreased in the Zalaegerszeg area to a significantly (p < 0.001) greater extent than the national average. Conclusion Our 24-h intervention care for acute infarction, launched as the first of its kind in Hungary, improved mortality statistics in the area to a significant degree as compared to the national average. The results of these experiments by the team, which has gained considerable experience, represent an advantage for the patients of the Zalaegerszeg area.