Acute myocardial infarction mortality in Chile. Thrombolysis or angioplasty Mortalidad por infarto del miocardio en Chile. Trombolíticos o angioplastía

Abstract

During recent decades, acute myocardial infarction short-term mortality has decreased to one digit levels, in the United States. Data from Chilean registries give figures around 11% for patients receiving thrombolysis, and 5 to 6 % for patients treated with angioplasty. The decrease in mortality in Chile is related to the implementation of the AUGE program at a national level, initiative than gives patients the opportunity to receive at least thrombolytic therapy as well as a standardized and rapid diagnosis and treatment for this condition. There is a lack of Outcome Research studies in Chile, that would guide public health decisions such as the use of fibrin-specific agents for early presentation and high risk cases, and a rational system providing better access to primary angioplasty.