ARE THERE ANYDIFFERENCES IN MORTALITY, COMPLICATIONS AND LATE OUTCOME OF PERCUTANEOUS CORONARY INTERVENTION IN PATIENTS WITH DIFFERENT EDUCATIONAL LEVELS?

Background- It has been shown that the socioeconomic and cultural status of adults in industrialized countries is related to cardiovascular disease mortality and morbidity. It has been shown also that higher education was associated with reduced mortality from all causes, cardiovascular diseases, and coronary heart disease in both genders. The aim of this study was to evaluate whether or not educational level of patients influences success, mortality rate, complications and late outcomes of PCI. Methods- 1030 consecutive patients who underwent PCI in Tehran Heart Center from April 2003 to March 2004 were analyzed. The patients were divided based on their educational level in three groups: Group A: no education, Group B: below diploma (high school), Group C: diploma and above. Results were analyzed regarding success rate, early and late outcomes in each educational group. Follow up period was about 8 months. Results- 25% (256) of our patients were in group A, 45% (461) in group B and 30% (315) in group C. There were significant differences regarding incidence of hyperlipidemia, previous MI, CABGS or PCI. The rate of ad hoc PCI procedures was significantly higher in group C compared to groups A and B. Conclusion- This study has shown no significant relationship between the level of education of patients who underwent PCI procedure and their procedural success rate, mortality and other early and late outcomes (Iranian Heart Journal 2005; 6 (3): 49-53).