Abstract

PINON PEREZ, Jorge et al. Death certifications vs. pathological studies in Acute Myocardial Infarction. Rev Ciencias Médicas [online]. 2006, vol.10, n.3, pp.61-700. ISSN 1561-3194.

A descriptive, retrospective, clinical anatomopathological study was performed on all the patients deceased due to a so-called acute miocardial infarction, according to the results from the issued death certificates or through the necropsic studies at Abel Santamaría Cuadrado Hospital in Pinar del Río province, from January 1^st. 2004 to December 31^st. 2005, aimed at helping to obtain mortality statistics due to AMI which are more objectively close to the current reality. Among the most significant results, we should state that 15.9% of the death certificates issued due to an acute miocardial  infarction was not consistent with this diagnosis, and the analysis of the necropsic studies showed that 23.5% of the deceased patients due to this entity were not diagnosed when alive. It was demonstrated that in the aged the diagnosis of this disease is harder to carry out when alive due to its atypical symptoms. There was a certain member of diseases or complications typical of an acute infarction which tend to disguise it or clinically simulate it, being the main complications the torpid progress bronchopneumonias, hypertensive crises, decompensated cronic obstructive pulmonary disease, and heart arrest. Most diagnostic mistakes were made at regular operation rooms and internal medicine wards, whereas the best results were obtained at the coronary intensive care unit. As a conclusion, great emphasis is made on the need to encourage the performance of necropsic studies and periodically repair the death certificates issued due to a so-called miocardial infarction, by the commission for in-hospital deceased.

Keywords : AUTOPSY; DEATH CERTIFICATES; ACUTE MYOCARDIAL INFARCTION.

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