Anemia: A significant cardiovascular mortality risk after ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction complicated by the comorbidities of hypertension and kidney disease.

BACKGROUND

The effect of anemia on patients with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) remains a controversial issue. The aim of this study was to explore the effect of anemia on STEMI patients.

METHODS AND RESULTS

From January 2005 to December 2014, 1751 patients experienced STEMI checked serum hemoglobin initially before any administration of fluids or IV medications. 1751 patients then received primary percutaneous intervention immediately. A total of 1388 patients were enrolled in the non-anemia group because their serum hemoglobin level was more than 13 g/L in males, and 12 g/L in females. A total of 363 patients were enrolled in the anemia group because their serum hemoglobin level was less than 13 g/L in males, and 12 g/L in females. Higher incidences of major adverse cerebral cardiac events (22.9% vs. 33.8%; p<0.001) were also noted in the anemia group, and these were related to higher incidence of cardiovascular mortality (6.5% vs. 20.4%; p<0.001). A higher incidence of all-cause mortality (8.6% vs. 27.7%; p<0.001) was also noted in the anemia group. A Kaplan-Meier curve of one-year cardiovascular mortality showed significant differences between the non-anemia and anemia group in all patients (P<0.001), and the patients with hypertension (P<0.001), and chronic kidney disease (CKD) (P = 0.011).

CONCLUSION

Anemia is a marker of an increased risk in one-year cardiovascular mortality in patients with STEMI. If the patients have comorbidities such as hypertension, or CKD, the effect of anemia is very significant.