Department of Medical and Health Sciences, Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, Linköping University Hospital, SE-581 85 Linköping, Sweden. sofla@imv.liu.se
OBJECTIVE: Previous 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. DESIGN: Retrospective cohort study. SETTING: The Swedish registers for CCU care and coronary angioplasty; RIKS-HIA and SCAAR. PATIENTS: 2132 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 MEASURES: Angiographic findings and short-term and long-term mortality. RESULTS: Risk 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