OBJECTIVETo evaluate the effect of Chinese guidelines issued on December 2001 on in-hospital management and prognosis of patients with acute myocardial infarction.

METHODSA retrospective study was carried out in patients hospitalized in our hospital with acute myocardial infarction from January 1994 to December 2004.

RESULTSThere were 1783 patients enrolled in our study. Reperfusion therapy was undergone in 21.7% of patients hospitalized between 1994 and 2001, and in 35.8% of patients hospitalized between 2002 and 2004 (P < 0.001). Beta-blockers, ACE inhibitors and/or angiotensin receptor blockers, lipid regulating agents and antithrombins were used more extensively between 2002 and 2004 than before (all P < 0.001). There were no significant differences in the usage of nitrates and antiplatelets before and after the guidelines was issued (98.8% vs 97.9%, P = 0.172; 97.4% vs 98.6%, P = 0.113 respectively). After the guidelines issued, the incidence of angina pectoris, heart failure and death in hospital were lower than before (32.2% vs 41.2%, P < 0.001; 17.2% vs 26.2%, P < 0.001; 6.4% vs 9.4%, P = 0.038).

CONCLUSIONSChinese guidelines issued on December 2001 have great effect on the management and prognosis of patients with acute myocardial infarction. After the guidelines was issued the management became more standardized and the incidence of in-hospital complications was lower than before.