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.