Young Women and Myocardial Infarction: Unveiling Clinical Patterns and Prognostic Outcomes.

Area of Science:

• Cardiology
• Internal Medicine
• Epidemiology

Background:

• Myocardial infarction (MI) incidence is increasing in women under 50.
• Limited data exists on premature coronary artery disease in this demographic.
• Understanding MI in young women is crucial for targeted prevention and treatment.

Purpose of the Study:

• To describe clinical, paraclinical, and angiographic features of MI in young women (<50 years) compared to older women (≥50 years).
• To determine and compare the prognosis of MI in these two age groups.

Main Methods:

• Single-center retrospective study of 197 women hospitalized for MI between July 2019 and December 2021.
• Patients divided into two groups: young women (<50) and older women (≥50).
• Comparison of clinical characteristics, risk factors, angiographic findings, and outcomes between groups.

Main Results:

• Young women (n=44) had a mean age of 44±6 years. Key risk factors included smoking (46%), hypertension (53%), and diabetes (44%).
• Young women more frequently presented with non-ST-elevation MI (NSTEMI), spontaneous coronary artery dissection (SCAD), and monovessel disease.
• In-hospital and long-term follow-up showed fewer major adverse cardiac and cerebrovascular events (MACCE) and longer event-free survival in young women compared to older women.

Conclusions:

• MI incidence is rising in young women, with smoking and hypertension as significant risk factors.
• Young women with MI have a generally good prognosis with rare hospital complications and low mortality.
• Early identification and management of risk factors in young women are essential.