Benefits of aspirin and beta-blockade after myocardial infarction in patients with chronic kidney disease

Background There have been no randomized trials of cardioprotective therapy after acute myocardial infarction in patients with chronic kidney disease who should be largely eligible for aspirin (acetylsalicylic acid; ASA) and beta-blockers (BB) as a base of therapy. Methods We analyzed a prospective coronary care unit registry of 1724 patients with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction. Results Usage rates were 52.3%, 19.0%, 15.2%, and 13.5% for ASA and BB (ASA+BB), BB alone, ASA alone, and no ASA or BB therapy. Patients who received ASA+BB were more likely to be male, free of earlier cardiac disease, and recipients of thrombolysis. Conversely, the absence of ASA+BB was observed in patients with heart failure on admission, left bundle branch block, atrial and ventricular arrhythmias, and shock. The combination of ASA+BB was used in 63.9%, 55.8%, 48.2%, and 35.5% of patients with corrected creatinine clearance values of >81.5, 81.5 to 63.1, 63.1 to 46.2, and <46.2 mL/min/72 kg (P < .0001). ASA+BB was used in 40.4% of patients undergoing dialysis. The age-adjusted relative risk reduction for the inhospital mortality rate was similar among all renal groups and ranged from 64.3% to 80.0% (all P < .0001). Conclusion ASA+BB is an underused therapy in patients with acute myocardial infarction who have underlying kidney disease. (Am Heart J 2002;144:226-32.)