Frontiers in Cardiovascular Medicine (Jul 2022)

Sex-Related Differences in Long-Term Outcomes After Early-Onset Myocardial Infarction

  • Maddalena Ardissino,
  • Adam J. Nelson,
  • Adam J. Nelson,
  • Giuseppe Maglietta,
  • Giuseppe Maglietta,
  • Guidantonio Malagoli Tagliazucchi,
  • Caterina Disisto,
  • Patrizia Celli,
  • Maurizio Ferrario,
  • Umberto Canosi,
  • Umberto Canosi,
  • Carlo Cernetti,
  • Francesco Negri,
  • Piera Angelica Merlini,
  • Piera Angelica Merlini,
  • Marco Tubaro,
  • Carlo Berzuini,
  • Chiara Manzalini,
  • Gianfranco Ignone,
  • Carlo Campana,
  • Luigi Moschini,
  • Elisabetta Ponte,
  • Roberto Pozzi,
  • Raffaela Fetiveau,
  • Silvia Buratti,
  • Elvezia Maria Paraboschi,
  • Rosanna Asselta,
  • Andrea Botti,
  • Domenico Tuttolomondo,
  • Federico Barocelli,
  • Serena Bricoli,
  • Andrea Biagi,
  • Rosario Bonura,
  • Tiziano Moccetti,
  • Antonio Crocamo,
  • Giorgio Benatti,
  • Giorgia Paoli,
  • Emilia Solinas,
  • Maria Francesca Notarangelo,
  • Elisabetta Moscarella,
  • Paolo Calabrò,
  • Stefano Duga,
  • Giulia Magnani,
  • Diego Ardissino,
  • Diego Ardissino

DOI
https://doi.org/10.3389/fcvm.2022.863811
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 9

Abstract

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ImportanceThere is growing awareness of sex-related differences in cardiovascular risk profiles, but less is known about whether these extend to pre-menopausal females experiencing an early-onset myocardial infarction (MI), who may benefit from the protective effects of estrogen exposure.MethodsA nationwide study involving 125 Italian Coronary Care Units recruited 2,000 patients between 1998 and 2002 hospitalized for a type I myocardial infarction before the age of 45 years (male, n = 1,778 (88.9%). Patients were followed up for a median of 19.9 years (IQR 18.1–22.6). The primary composite endpoint was the occurrence of cardiovascular death, non-fatal myocardial re-infarction or non-fatal stroke, and the secondary endpoint of hospitalization for revascularisation by means of a percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) or coronary artery bypass surgery (CABG).ResultsST-elevation MI was the most frequent presentation among both men and women (85.1 vs. 87.4%, p = ns), but the men had a greater baseline coronary atherosclerotic burden (median Duke Coronary Artery Disease Index: 48 vs. 23; median Syntax score 9 vs. 7; both p < 0.001). The primary composite endpoint occurred less frequently among women (25.7% vs. 37.0%; adjusted hazard ratio: 0.69, 95% CI 0.52–0.91; p = 0.01) despite being less likely to receive treatment with most secondary prevention medications during follow up.ConclusionsThere are significant sex-related differences in baseline risk factors and outcomes among patients with early-onset MI: women present with a lower atherosclerotic disease burden and, although they are less frequently prescribed secondary prevention measures, experience better long-term outcomes.Trial Registration4272/98 Ospedale Niguarda, Ca' Granda 03/09/1998.

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