Coronary-Care Units and Mortality from Ischemic Heart Disease
Authors: BERNARD S. BLOOM
Journal: Annals of Internal Medicine (1980)

Letters1 February 1980Coronary-Care Units and Mortality from Ischemic Heart DiseaseBERNARD S. BLOOM, PH.D., OSLER L. PETERSON, M.D.BERNARD S. BLOOM, PH.D.Search for more papers by this author, OSLER L. PETERSON, M.D.Search for more papers by this authorAuthor, Article, and Disclosure Informationhttps://doi.org/10.7326/0003-4819-92-2-266_2 SectionsAboutPDF ToolsAdd to favoritesDownload CitationsTrack CitationsPermissions ShareFacebookTwitterLinkedInRedditEmail ExcerptTo the editor: The recent review by Dr. Stern on declining ischemic heart disease death rates is a model that deserves to be widely copied (1). It is critical in its use of information and conservative in reaching conclusions. Dr. Stern attributes the decline to primary prevention, changes in personal habits and life style, and secondary prevention, effects of specific medical care interventions. He makes appropriate reference to the supporting evidence for his conclusions.Dr. Stern ignores his own lessons in one small lapse. He ignored his citations of Mather and colleagues (2, 3) and Hill and co-workers (4) and...References1. STERN M. The recent decline in ischemic heart disease mortality. Ann Intern Med. 1979;91:630-40. LinkGoogle Scholar2. MATHERPEARSONREAD HNK. Acute myocardial infarction: home and hospital treatment. Br Med J. 1971;3:334-8. CrossrefMedlineGoogle Scholar3. MATHERMORGANPEARSON HDN. Myocardial infarction: a comparison between home and hospital care for patients. Br Med J. 1976;1:925-9. CrossrefMedlineGoogle Scholar4. HILLHAMPTONMITCHELL JJJ. A randomized trial of homeversus-hospital management for patients with suspected myocardial infarction. Lancet. 1978;1:837-41. CrossrefMedlineGoogle Scholar5. DAY H. Effectiveness of an intensive coronary care area. Am J Cardiol. 1965;15:51-4. CrossrefMedlineGoogle Scholar6. LAWRIEGREENWOODGODDARD DTM. A coronary-care unit in the routine management of acute myocardial infarction. Lancet. 1967;2:109-14. CrossrefMedlineGoogle Scholar7. HOEVENDAHE S. Influence of treatment in a coronary care unit on prognosis in acute myocardial infarction. Acta Med Scand. 1971;189:285-91. MedlineGoogle Scholar8. CHRISTIANSENIVERSONSKOUBY IKA. Benefits obtained by the introduction of a coronary care unit. Acta Med Scand. 1971;189:285-91. CrossrefMedlineGoogle Scholar9. HILLHOLDSTOCKHAMPTON JGJ. Comparison of mortality of patients with heart attacks admitted to a coronary care unit and an ordinary medical ward. Br Med J. 1977;2:81-3. CrossrefMedlineGoogle Scholar10. ROSE G. The contribution of intensive coronary care. Br J Prev Soc Med. 1975;29:147-50. MedlineGoogle Scholar11. NORRISBRANDTLEE RPA. Mortality in a coronary care unit analysed by a new coronary prognostic index. Lancet. 1969;1:278-81. CrossrefMedlineGoogle Scholar12. GORDISNAGGANTONASCIA LLJ. Pitfalls in evaluating the impact of coronary care units on mortality from myocardial infarctions. Johns Hopkins Med J. 1977;141:287-95. MedlineGoogle Scholar13. BUNKERBARNESMOSTELLER JBF. Costs, Risks and Benefits of Surgery. New York: Oxford University Press; 1977. Google Scholar This content is PDF only. To continue reading please click on the PDF icon. Author, Article, and Disclosure InformationAuthors: BERNARD S. BLOOM, PH.D.; OSLER L. PETERSON, M.D.Affiliations: University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine Philadelphia, PA 19104 PreviousarticleNextarticle Advertisement FiguresReferencesRelatedDetails Metrics 1 February 1980Volume 92, Issue 2_Part_1Page: 266-267KeywordsCardiovascular therapyDeath ratesHabitsMortality ePublished: 1 December 2008 Issue Published: 1 February 1980 PDF downloadLoading ...