Does prior COPD increase morbidity and mortality in patients after myocardial infarction?
Patients with COPD have higher 1-year mortality and heart failure risk post-MI, largely driven by lower rates of revascularization and guideline-directed medical therapy.
In this nationwide contemporary study, patients with COPD frequently had an atypical presentation, less often underwent revascularisation and less often received guideline-recommended secondary preventive medications of established benefit. Prior COPD was associated with a higher 1-year mortality and a higher risk of subsequent new-onset heart failure after MI. The association seems to be mainly explained by differences in background characteristics, comorbidities and treatment, although a minor part might be explained by COPD in itself. Improved in-hospital MI treatment and post-MI secondary prevention according to the guidelines may lower the mortality in this high-risk population.
Andell et al. (Sat,) studied this question.