Early invasive versus ischaemia-guided strategies in the management of non-Q wave myocardial infarction patients with and without prior myocardial infarction. Results of Veterans Affairs Non-Q Wave Infarction Strategies In Hospital (VANQWISH) trial

Aims To compare the role of early invasive vs conservative management strategies in treating patients with non-Q wave myocardial infarction with or without a prior myocardial infarction. Background In patients recovering from non-Q wave myocardial infarction, the prognosis among patients with a first non-Q wave myocardial infarction is significantly better than in patients with a prior myocardial infarction, yet physicians often adopt an early invasive strategy to treat patients with a first non-Q wave myocardial infarction. Methods Non-Q wave myocardial infarction patients enrolled in the VANQWISH trial with a history of prior myocardial infarction were compared to those with a first non-Q wave myocardial infarction, for the trial primary end-point of death or myocardial infarction at 1 and 12 months, as well as for the initial randomized treatment strategy. Results Of the 920 non-Q wave myocardial infarction patients, 396 had a history of prior myocardial infarction and 524 did not. Patients with a history of prior myocardial infarction were older and had a higher incidence of multiple high-risk baseline characteristics than those with a first non-Q wave myocardial infarction. Compared to the group with a first myocardial infarction, the prior myocardial infarction group suffered more events at both 1 month (11% vs 6%, P=0·007) and at 12 months (29% vs 16%, P