Comparison of Diagnostic Parameters of Acute Coronary Syndromes in Patients with and without Cancer: A Multifactorial Analysis

Abstract

Background: The simultaneous occurrence of cancer and acute coronary syndromes (ACSs) presents a complex clinical challenge. This study clarifies variances in diagnostic parameters among ACS patients with and without concurrent cancer. Methods: This retrospective study included 320 individuals diagnosed with ACS, stratified equally into two cohorts—one with cancer and the other cancer-free. We evaluated risk factors, symptom profiles, coronary angiography results, echocardiographic evaluations, and laboratory diagnostics. Statistical analysis was performed using Student’s t-test, the Mann–Whitney U test, and the chi-square test. Results: Cancer patients were older (mean age 71.03 vs. 65.13 years, p p p p p = 0.022). NSTEMI was more common in cancer patients (41.9% vs. 30.6%, p = 0.048), while STEMI was less common (20.6% vs. 45.3%, p p = 0.018; LAD: 18.8% vs. 30.0%, p = 0.026). Conclusions: This study demonstrates differences in the clinical presentation of ACS between patients with and without cancer. Cancer patients were less likely to present with chest pain and more likely to experience hypotension. Additionally, they had a higher prevalence of chronic kidney disease and they were less likely to have hyperlipidemia. These findings highlight the need for a careful approach to diagnosing ACS in oncology patients, considering their distinct symptomatology.

Keywords

• cancer
• acute coronary syndrome
• coronarography