The purpose of the study was to analyse acute phase and in-hospitalisation course of women with the first myocardial infarction (MI) compared to men. Study population consisted of 92 consecutive women (mean age 60.3 years) with the first MI (diagnosed according to WHO criteria) hospitalised between 01.01.1989 and 01.02.1992 in our Clinic. Patients were divided into four groups, according to age: Group I - under 45 yrs., Group II - 45-55 yrs., Group III - 56-69 yrs., Group IV - above 70 yrs. The control group consisted of 246 men. Clinical analysis of acute MI included: type and localisation of MI, delay of hospitalisation phase, clinical status in acute phase of MI according to Killip and Kimball classification, presence of rhythm disturbances (Lown's classification), treatment and complications of MI (including mortality). Chi square and Fisher's tests were used for the assessment of the correlation between features (p<0.05). For multivariate analysis the logistic regression model was used. In the present study sex was a strong independent predictor of mortality during hospitalisation in patients with the first acute MI.

Keywords: Coronary Artery Disease, acute myocardial infarction, hospitalisation phase