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Positive predictive value of the diagnosis of acute myocardial infarction in an administrative database

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Abstract

OBJECTIVE: To determine the positive predictive value of ICD-9-CM coding of acute myocardial infarction and cardiac procedures.

METHODS: Using chart-abstracted data as the standard, we examined administrative data from the Veterans Health Administration for a national random sample of 5,151 discharges.

MAIN RESULTS: The positive predictive value of acute myocardial infarction coding in the primary position was 96.9%. The sensitivity and specificity of coding were, respectively, 96% and 99% for catheterization, 95.7% and 100% for coronary artery bypass graft surgery, and 90.3% and 99.7% for percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty.

CONCLUSIONS: The positive predictive value of acute myocardial infarction and related procedure coding is comparable to or better than previously reported observations of administrative databases.

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Dr. Petersen is an Associate in the Career Development Award Program of the VA Health Services and Research Department (HSR&D) Service. Dr. Daley was a Senior Research Associate in the same program at the time this research was conducted. This project was supported by grants IIR 94-054 and PPR 942-D001 from the VA HSR&D Service.

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Petersen, L.A., Wright, S., Normand, SL.T. et al. Positive predictive value of the diagnosis of acute myocardial infarction in an administrative database. J GEN INTERN MED 14, 555–558 (1999). https://doi.org/10.1046/j.1525-1497.1999.10198.x

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1046/j.1525-1497.1999.10198.x

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