Selective risk factors profiles and outcomes among patients with stroke and history of prior myocardial infarction. The European Community Stroke Project

Background and objective Previous myocardial infarction (MI) has been linked with poorer stroke outcome. Whether this depends on a greater stroke severity is still uncertain. The aim of the study was to assess the effect of previous MI on characteristics and outcome of stroke in a large hospital cohort of patients. Methods In a European Union Concerted Action, patients hospitalized for first-in-a-lifetime stroke were assessed for demographics, risk factors, clinical presentation, and 3-month survival and handicap. Results Out of 4190 study patients, 460 (11%) reported a history of MI. Compared with patients without previous MI, those with MI were significantly older, more often males, smokers, alcohol consumers, and with a more severe pre-stroke level of handicap. They had more frequently atrial fibrillation and a history of transient ischemic attack. The acute neurological state and the 28-day mortality did not differ between the two groups. At 3 months, death or severe handicap were more frequent in the MI group (28.3% vs. 21.7%, P =0.001; 74.8% vs. 65.8%, P =0.008). Controlling by logistic regression analysis for age, sex, vascular risk factors, comorbidities, prior to stroke therapy, pre-stroke level of handicap, and clinical acute phase variables, prior MI remained an independent predictor of 3-month death (OR 1.30; 95% CI, 1.02–1.66) and 3-month handicap (OR 1.46; 95% CI, 1.01–2.11). Conclusions Previous MI has no impact on clinical severity of acute stroke, but significantly affects 3-month outcome in terms of handicap and mortality.