Comparability of old and new world health organization criteria for definite myocardial infarction

Abstract

New epidemiological criteria for definite myocardial infarction are now in use as part of the international study of trends and determinants of cardiovascular disease coordinated by the World Health Organization (MONICA Project). In this paper we use data from a myocardial infarction register to assess the comparability of the old and new World Health Organization criteria for definite myocardial infarction. The new criteria were applied to 905 cases who had been categorized as definite myocardial infarction on the old criteria. 739 (82%) of these cases met the new criteria for definite myocardial infarction; a further 157 cases (17%) met the new criteria for possible myocardial infarction. This study indicates that the two sets of criteria produce results that are too dissimilar for reliable comparisons to be made between studies using different criteria for definite myocardial infarction. © 1987 International Epidemiological Association.