Comparison of Mortality Rates in Women Versus Men Presenting With ST-Segment Elevation Myocardial Infarction

Women who present with coronary artery disease have different characteristics, undergo different treatment, and have a different prognosis than men. The increasing use of coronary stenting has improved the outcome of percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). However, little is known about the outcomes for men versus women after PCI, especially for those presenting with a diagnosis of acute coronary syndrome. Thus, we compared the baseline features, management, and long-term outlook of men versus women undergoing PCI. All consecutive patients who had undergone PCI with stents at our center from July 1, 2002 to June 30, 2004 were identified retrospectively. The primary end point was the long-term rate of major adverse cardiac events (i.e., death, infarction, and repeat revascularization). The secondary end points were the individual components of the major adverse cardiac events and stent thrombosis. A total of 833 patients were included, 210 women (25.2%) and 623 men (75.8%). The women were significantly older (70.9 vs 63 years, p