OBJECTIVETo compare the delay of health seeking and the characteristics in patients of st segment elevation myocardial infarction with various symptoms.

METHODS1056 patients with STEMI were divided into two groups according to the types of symptoms, either typical or atypical and comparison was made on factors as:the delay of seeking help, clinical characteristics (gender, age, smoking, patient's condition and complications) and in-hospital mortality.

RESULTS(1) Among 1056 patients, 258 had atypical symptoms (24.4%). When comparing typical and atypical groups, female patients taking up 34.1% and 25.6% (P < 0.01), patient's age were 66.4 +/- 11.9 and 62.0 +/- 12.1 years old (P < 0.001), patients who smoked were 38.8% and 52.0% respectively (P < 0.001). (2) Rates on delay of seeking support in the two groups were 8.3 h +/- 9.0 h and 6.9 h 6.3 h respectively (P < 0.05). (3) Patients with complications were 37.6% and 23.3% (P < 0.001) while in-hospital mortality were 22.4% and 10.1%, respectively (P < 0.001). (4) Serum creatinine were 1.3 mg/dl 1.0 mg/dl and 1.1 mg/dl +/- 0.4 mg/dl (P < 0.05); peak of CKMB were 188.14 IU/L +/- 225.6 IU/L and 157.6 IU/L +/- 155.7 IU/L (P = 0.003); ejection fraction were 56.33% +/- 10.76% and 52.76% +/- 10.54% respectively (P < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONThe proportion of patients with atypical symptom took about one fourth and there was significant difference on the factors as delay of seeking help, clinical characteristics and in-hospital mortality. Patients with atypical symptom had more severe condition and worse prognosis.