Role of lipid profile in the short term prognosis of acute myocardial infarction in a rural hospital in South India

BackgroundAcute myocardial infarction is a major cause of morbidity and mortality, more so in Indians.AimTo establish the hypothesis that cholesterol level affects the short term prognosis of acute myocardial infarction.MethodOne hundred patients with acute myocardial infarction attending a rural tertiary care hospital were selected randomly and assessed for complications their lipid profiles were measured and mean values calculated and compared for complicated and uncomplicated groups.ResultsIn the group without complications 79.1% had total cholesterol <250 mg/dl and 85.58% had non-HDL cholesterol <160 mg/dl. In the group with complications 69.7% had total cholesterol >250 mg/dl and 75.76% had non-HDL cholesterol >160 mg/dl. The mean non-HDLC values for the two groups were 124 ± 10 and 189 ± 8 respectively (p = 0.08373).ConclusionsThe study shows strong relation between the short term prognosis of acute myocardial infarction and baseline cholesterol values, especially non-HDL cholesterol.