Coronary artery disease
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Coronary artery disease · Sep 1994
Apparently coronary heart disease-free patients in the coronary care unit: characteristics, medical care, and 1-year outcome.
Coronary care units (CCUs) have contributed significantly to the improved survival rates among patients with acute myocardial infarction. Many patients admitted to CCUs are certified to be free of coronary heart disease (CHD) at discharge. There is little literature on the hospital course and prognosis of such patients. ⋯ Patients certified to be CHD-free after admission to a CCU with suspected acute myocardial infarction have a lower 1-year mortality rate than patients experiencing acute myocardial infarction or chronic CHD. Their mortality rate, however, is substantially higher than expected, probably because of a high prevalence of cigarette smoking and hypertension.