Gender perspective on risk factors, coronary lesions and long-term outcome in young patients with ST-elevation myocardial infarction

ObjectivePrevious data on young patients with acute coronary syndrome (ACS) have indicated higher rates of normal coronary angiograms but higher mortality in women than men. However, ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) differs from non-ST-elevation ACS in many aspects. We elucidated sex differences in risk factors, angiographic findings and outcome in consecutive STEMI patients below 46 years of age.DesignRetrospective cohort study.SettingThe Swedish registers for CCU care and coronary angioplasty; RIKS-HIA and SCAAR.Patients2132 STEMI patients below 46 years of age admitted to intensive coronary care units in Sweden between 1995 and 2006 and followed for at least 1 year.Main outcome measuresAngiographic findings and short-term and long-term mortality.ResultsRisk factors were more common in women. Significant coronary lesions were equally common (92.1% vs 93.1%, p=0.64) while single vessel disease was more common (72.9% vs 59.3%; p