Reality of obesity paradox: Results of percutaneous coronary intervention in Middle Eastern patients

Area of Science:

• Cardiology
• Public Health
• Obesity Research

Background:

• Obesity is a growing global health concern associated with increased cardiovascular risk.
• Understanding the impact of body mass index (BMI) on outcomes after percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) is crucial for patient management.
• Previous studies have shown mixed results regarding the association between obesity and cardiovascular events.

Purpose of the Study:

• To compare baseline clinical characteristics, coronary angiographic features, and adverse cardiovascular events (ACEs) in obese versus overweight and normal/underweight patients undergoing PCI.
• To evaluate the long-term impact of BMI on ACEs at 1-year follow-up.

Main Methods:

• A prospective, multicenter study involving 2425 consecutive patients undergoing PCI.
• Patients were categorized into three groups based on BMI: obese, overweight, and normal/underweight.
• Data collected included clinical characteristics, angiographic findings, and incidence of ACEs during hospitalization and at 1-year follow-up.

Main Results:

• Obese patients (28.8%) were more likely to be female and have higher rates of diabetes, hypertension, hypercholesterolemia, and prior PCI.
• No significant differences were observed in the prevalence of multi-vessel coronary artery disease or multi-vessel PCI among the groups.
• Rates of stent thrombosis, bleeding, and cardiac mortality were similar across all BMI groups during hospitalization and up to 1 year post-PCI.

Conclusions:

• Major adverse cardiovascular event rates were comparable among obese, overweight, and normal/underweight patients following PCI.
• BMI appears to be a weak risk factor for cardiovascular comorbidities in this Arab Jordanian population undergoing PCI.
• These findings suggest that obesity alone may not significantly worsen outcomes after PCI in this specific demographic.