Anemia as a Risk Factor of Complications in Acute Myocardial Infarction

Background: Mild anemia in patients with myocardial infarction (AMI) is yet underdiagnosed and undertreated, and it’s role in hemorrhagic complications of antithrombotic therapy is still underestimated.

Materials and methods: prospective study included 171 patients of both genders (63,7 % men) (mean age 59,6 ± 11 in men and 69,2 ± 11 in woman) with AMI, who passed fibrinolytic therapy. Early prognosis was assessed with hemorrhagic complications of thrombolytic therapy and several parameters, included in “combined clinical endpoint”(CCE): recurrent angina episodes, recurrent myocardial infarction, death.

Findings: anemia on admission was found in 29,3% of men, 29,0% woman. Basic characteristics of anemic and non-anemic groups were not statistically different. All patients had mild anemia (≥ 90 g/l). In the group of patients with CCE mean Hb and Erythrocyte level (Er) was lower (122,9±19,62 g/l and Er 3,77±0,62*10¹²/l) than in the group of patients with good prognosis (133,0±12,75 g/l and Er 4,11±0,38*10¹²/l) (p<0,05). Hemorrhagic complications occurred in 11,1 % of patients, in 25 % of patients with anemia and 8,8% - without it. Mean Hb and Er in patients with hemorrhages was lower - 121,9±14,3g/l and 3,73±0,44, than in the group with no hemorrhagic manifestations - 133,4±14,0g/l and 4,11± 0,43*10¹²/l) (p<0,05).

Conclusion: Anemia is associated with poor prognosis in AMI and hemorrhagic complications af antithrombotic therapy.