Epidemiological Profile of Hispanics Admitted With Acute Myocardial Infarction in Puerto Rico: The Experience of 2007, 2009 and 2011

A limited number of studies have been published about coronary artery disease in Hispanics, particularly among the Puerto Rican population. The aim of this study was to present a clinical epidemiological profile and management practices in patients hospitalized in Puerto Rico with acute myocardial infarction (AMI). This secondary data analysis from the Puerto Rico Cardiovascular Surveillance Study included 6,162 patients at 19 hospitals in Puerto Rico, during years 2007, 2009 and 2011. The mean age of the patients diagnosed with AMI was 67 ± 13.6 years old, with women being older than men (P < 0.001). Women had a different risk factor burden when compared to men. Car/walked in was the principal mode of hospital transportation (65.9%). Women received less medications and cardiac procedures when compared to men. While no significant differences in length of hospital stay (LOS) were observed between genders, in-hospital mortality rate was higher in females when compared with males (6.5% vs. 4.5%; P < 0.001). Prompt initiatives should be implemented to raise awareness, reduce gender disparities and improve outcomes in patients hospitalized with an AMI in Puerto Rico.