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Heart Attack (AMI) Mortality Measure |
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A heart attack or acute myocardial infarction (AMI) usually happens when a clot in the heart (coronary) artery blocks the supply of blood and oxygen to the heart. This blockage usually leads to an irregular heartbeat (arrhythmia) that causes a severe decrease in the pumping function of the heart. A blockage that is not treated within a few hours causes the affected heart muscle to die.
Heart attacks affect 1.5 million people each year, and approximately one-third of patients die in the acute phase of the heart attack. Timely and effective treatment for a heart attack are essential for patient survival. Better processes of care in hospitals may reduce the risk of death (mortality) from a heart attack.
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Quality Measures 
