Impact of Combination Evidence-Based Medical Therapy on Mortality Following Myocardial Infarction in Elderly Patients

Abstract

Antiplatelet drugs, β-blockers, statins, and angiotensinogen-converting enzyme inhibitors reduce mortality following myocardial infarction (MI). The data on the impact of combination evidence-based medications on mortality following acute MI in elderly patients are limited. In this study, 5529 patients with MI admitted between January 2000 and December 2003 were assessed. Based on discharge use of evidence-based medications, the patients were divided into those using 0, 1, 2, 3, or 4 medications. The impact of medications on 1-year mortality was assessed for patients younger than 75 years and 75 years and older. Mean age of the patients was 63±13 years (71% male). The unadjusted 1-year mortality post-MI was 18.3% and 52.7% for young and elderly patients, respectively. Compared with patients with 0 medications, the adjusted odds ratio for 1-year mortality was lower in patients with 1, 2, 3, and 4 medications in both groups. Use of combination evidence-based medications was independently associated with lower 1-year post-MI mortality irrespective of age.