Sex differences in treatment and prognosis of acute coronary syndrome with interventional management

Female sex has been associated with differences in diagnostic and management of acute coronary syndrome (ACS). Our aim was to analyze sex differences in ACS with interventional management in a tertiary care hospital.

Patients with ACS admitted to a Spanish tertiary care referral center were included prospectively and consecutively. All patients included in the study underwent a coronary angiography.

From the total cohort of 1214 patients, 290 (24%) were women. Women were older (71 ± 12.8 vs 64 ± 13.4 years, p < 0.001) and showed lower ischemic risk and higher hemorrhagic risk scores (GRACE 159 ± 45 vs 171 ± 42, p = 0.005; CRUSADE 41 ± 19 vs 28 ± 17, p < 0.001). There were no significant differences in time to coronary angiography and revascularization rates between sex groups. A lower proportion of women received high-potency antiplatelet agents (29% vs 41.3%, p = 0.004). In-hospital evolution and one-year mortality were similar between groups.

In our population, there were no gender differences in management and prognosis of ACS. Differences in risk profile among groups could have an influence on antiplatelet therapy.