Abstract

ABSTRACT: Data regarding 787 patients admitted to Saint Francis Hospital in Tulsa, Oklahoma, with acute myocardial infarction (MI) were analyzed to determine circadian variation and to assess demographic and anatomic characteristics. The study population consisted of 634 men (81%) and 153 women (19%). This cohort displayed a circadian rhythm that nearly duplicated a previously published national data base. As was seen nationally, our patients had a peak incidence between 6 AM and noon. Of the total population, 448 patients had acute cardiac catheterization allowing definition of the infarct vessel. The majority of myocardial infarctions were from right coronary artery occlusions. Men were more likely than women to have an anterior MI. Both men and women were more likely to have an inferior MI if they were less than 65 years of age, though this was more pronounced for women. As the population aged, they were more likely to have an anterior myocardial infarction.