Correlation between the Killip-Kimball classification and the mortality of patients with AMI, 55 years after its creation

Abstract

Introduction: The Killip and Kimball (KK) classification was introduced in 1967 and clinically divides patients with acute myocardial infarction (AMI) according to the degree of heart failure on hospital admission. The objective of this study is to determine if there are differences between the subgroups and compare it with that presented in the original trial. Materials and methods: An analytical, retrospective, longitudinal and observational study of patients admitted for AMI to the coronary unit of the Hospital Español de Rosario over a period of 2 years was carried out. Subsequently, a comparative statistical analysis was performed between the subgroups according to the KK classification and of these results with those of the original Killip and Kimball clinical trial. Results: There were 152 patients with AMI admitted, who presented an in-hospital and 30-day mortality since admission of 7.2%. In the comparative statistical analysis with that presented in the original work of KK (27.6%) a significant reduction is evident (P < 0.001). When evaluating mortality according to the KK classification, an increase was observed with a higher degree of heart failure presented on admission (Logrank test: P < 0.0001). Conclusion: This survey shows that the classification of these patients according to the degree of heart failure presented on admission continues to be a prognostic marker of in-hospital mortality, retaining its clinical importance.