Abstract
Objectives To investigate whetherthe use and timing of prescription of
βblockers inpatientswithchronicobstructivepulmonarydisease(COPD)
having a first myocardial infarction was associated with survival and to
identify factors related to their use.
Design Population based cohort study in England.
Setting UK national registry of myocardial infarction (Myocardial
IschaemiaNationalAuditProject(MINAP))linkedtotheGeneralPractice
Research Database (GPRD), 2003-11.
Participants Patients with COPD with a first myocardial infarction in 1
January 2003 to 31 December 2008 as recorded in MINAP, who had
no previous evidence of myocardial infarction in their GPRD or MINAP