Early discharge after ST-elevation myocardial infarction and short-term cardiovascular events

Abstract

A group of patients with ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) can be discharged early. The aim was to determine the prevalence of low-risk patients (early discharge candidate) and to describe the frequency of cardiovascular events 30 days after the episode. Materials and methods: Retrospective, observational, descriptive study of patients admitted with STEMI from January 2015 to December 2019. Consecutive nonprobability sampling. Patients were divided into two groups according to pre-established low or high-risk criteria. Categorical variables are expressed in percentages and continuous variables in median and interquartile range. Results: A total of 82 patients were included. Median age 58 years (IQR 52-71 years), 15.9% were female and 12.2% had previous myocardial infarction. Median days of hospitalization 4 days (IQR 3-5 days). Two patients died during or immediately after interventional catheterization. Of the remaining 80 patients, 16 patients were classified as in low risk (20% CI 95 12%-28%) and 64 patients as in high risk (80% CI 95 72%-88%). There were 2.5% of events. The low-risk group had no events at 30 days while the high-risk group had 3 events (3.75%) due to 1 reinfarction and 2 deaths. Conclusion: About one fourth of the population could be candidates for early discharge with a low risk of presenting cardiovascular events at 30 days.