A study of 127,959 Medicare patients hospitalized between January 1994 and 1996 with heart attacks found that 30-day death rates were higher in December than in other months, but delivery of proven therapies was similar in both time periods (Article, p. 481).

Approximately 22 percent of patients hospitalized in December died within 30 days compared with 20.1 percent of patients hospitalized in other months.

The study authors looked for use of aspirin, beta-blockers, clot-dissolving drugs and procedures such as balloon angioplasty.

Authors say they do not know why the death rate is higher in December.

Annals of Internal Medicine is published by the American College of Physicians. These highlights are not intended to substitute for articles as sources of information.