[Hospital mortality of acute myocardial infarct in Switzerland according to VESKA (Swiss Hospital Association) diagnosis statistics 1970, 1975 and 1981].

During the period spanned by the years 1970, 1975 and 1981, in-hospital mortality from acute myocardial infarction in Swiss hospitals fell by a total of 30%. The decrease was most marked in small and medium sized hospitals, in which mortality was highest in 1970. At the same time, the average length of hospital stay declined by some 50%. The possible causes of this development are discussed.