Year: 1990
Type: article
Study design: Observational Study
Abstract: Three hundred and forty-six patients of all ages and both sexes were admitted to coronary care with documented unstable angina. Management was conservative, without the routine use of beta-blockers or calcium antagonists. Mortality was 3.2%, and the nonfatal myocardial infarction rate was 10.1% during the first 28 days. After one year, coronary mortality was 10.5% with a nonfatal infarction rate of 13.1%. Twenty-six patients were subjected to coronary artery bypass surgery, eleven during the first 28 days and fifteen subsequently. No patient underwent coronary angioplasty. The factors influencing immediate and long-term prognosis in these patients were studied. Persistence of pain in hospital, previous chronic angina, and age had an adverse effect on outcome. A total of 143 patients complained of persistent pain lasting for 24 hours or more. The use of beta blockers or calcium antagonists in patients with persistent pain exceeding five days did not appear to influence outcome. The current widespread adherence to "intensive medical treatment," including the routine use of beta blockers and calcium antagonists, is questioned.
Source: Clinical Cardiology
Authors: R. Mulcahy, R. Conroy, R. Katz, M. Fitzpatrick
Institutions: University College Dublin, St. Vincent's University Hospital
Language: English
Subfield: Cardiology and Cardiovascular Medicine
Field: Medicine
Domain: Health Sciences
Open Access status: bronze
OpenAlex ID: W2052693628