[Clinical characteristics, management, and prognosis of patients with acute myocardial infarction not admitted to the coronary care unit. Usefulness of an intermediate care unit as the initial admission site].

INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVES There is little information about the management and prognosis of patients with acute myocardial infarction (AMI) who are not admitted to coronary care units (CCU) because of the lack of available beds. The aim of this study was to evaluate the characteristics and prognosis of the patients who were admitted to the intermediate care unit (INTCU) of a cardiology department. METHODS We compared the clinical profile, management, and 12-month prognosis of the patients admitted to the INTCU or general ward (Ward) instead of the CCU. RESULTS Out of 242 patients with AMI, 62 (23%) were not admitted to the CCU due to the lack of available beds. Of these, 29 (12%) were admitted to the INTCU and 26 (11%) to the Ward after being monitored for at least 24 h in the emergency room. Patients admitted to the CCU arrived at the hospital early, were younger, less frequently female, and had a lower prevalence of diabetes. ST-segment elevation AMI was more frequent in patients admitted to the CCU than in patients admitted to the INTCU or Ward (67 vs 17 and 23%, respectively; p < 0.0001), and non-Q wave AMI was less frequent (30 vs 76 and 81%; p < 0.0001). No differences were found between groups in the number of stress tests or revascularization procedures performed after the first 24 h, the duration of the hospital stay (median 8 days), or in-hospital mortality. The 12-month survival was 82, 80, and 64% in the patients admitted to the CCU, INTCU, or Ward (p < 0.05), respectively. These differences ceased to be significant after adjusting for the patients' baseline clinical profile and treatment received at admission. CONCLUSION Compared to patients with AMI admitted to the CCU, patients admitted to the INTCU or Ward after being monitored at least 24 h had non-ST elevation and non-Q wave AMI more frequently, but a less favorable risk profile for long-term mortality. The different types of AMI were managed similarly and had a similar 12-month prognosis. Intermediate care units may be useful for palliating the lack of CCU beds and care for some patients with AMI.