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Updated: Aug 13, 2026

Myocardial Infarction and Functional Outcome Assessment in Pigs
Published on: April 25, 2014
Incidence and age distribution of patients with myocardial infarction and normal coronary arteriograms
Insights
Younger patients (35 and under) experiencing myocardial infarction often have normal coronary arteriograms. Selective coronary arteriography is recommended for these individuals to determine prognosis.
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Diagnostic Imaging
Background:
- Myocardial infarction (MI) in younger individuals is less common but warrants investigation.
- Previous studies suggest a generally favorable prognosis for MI patients with normal coronary arteriograms.
Observation:
- Selective coronary arteriography was performed on 25 patients aged 35 and under with documented MI.
- 16% of these younger patients showed no arteriographic evidence of coronary artery disease.
Findings:
- In contrast, all 152 patients over 35 with MI demonstrated obstructive coronary artery disease.
- The absence of coronary artery disease in younger MI patients suggests alternative etiologies.
Implications:
- Selective coronary arteriography is recommended for all patients aged 35 and under who have sustained a myocardial infarction.
- This diagnostic procedure is crucial for establishing an accurate prognosis in this demographic.
- Further research may explore non-atherosclerotic causes of MI in young adults.
Abstract:
Over a 41 month period selective coronary arteriography was performed on all patients age 35 and under seen at our hospital with a documented myocardial infarction. In these 25 patients, 4 (16%) demonstrated no arteriographic evidence of coronary artery disease. One-hundred and fifty-two patients over age 35 with a documented myocardial infarction underwent selective coronary arteriography during the same period. In each of the 15 2 cases, obstructive coronary artery disease was demonstrated. The generally favorable prognosis of patients with myocardial infarction and normal coronary arteriograms has been previously documented. On the basis of our experience and a review of the literature, it is recommended that all patients age 35 and under sustaining a myocardial infarction should undergo selective coronary arteriography, in order to establish prognosis.
Related Concept Videos
Coronary Artery Disease I: Introduction
Coronary Artery Disease II: Pathophysiology
Coronary Artery Disease III: Clinical Manifestations
Acute Coronary Syndrome I: Introduction
Acute Coronary Syndrome II: Pathophysiology and Clinical Manifestations
Acute Coronary Syndrome III: Diagnostic Studies

