Clinical and angiographic profile of young patients undergoing primary percutaneous coronary intervention

Abstract Background The current decline observed in mortality rate among patients with ST-segment elevation acute myocardial infarction can be attributed not only to the increased use of reperfusion strategies, but also to a change in the demographic profile of this population, notably the reduction in mean age. Methods We retrospectively reviewed all patients undergoing primary percutaneous coronary intervention in the period from April 2010 to December 2014. The primary objective was the characterization of the most prevalent risk factors, the angiographic nature of the lesions, the technical aspects of the procedure, and in-hospital clinical outcomes in patients aged ≤ 45 years, comparing them to those aged > 45 years. Results Among 489 patients with acute myocardial infarction, 54 were ≤ 45 years, and 435 were > 45 years. Young patients exhibited a higher prevalence of smoking and obesity, while patients > 45 years were more likely to have hypertension, diabetes mellitus, dyslipidemia, and previous myocardial infarction. Primary percutaneous coronary intervention in young patients was associated with the use of fewer guide catheters, shorter fluoroscopy time, and higher percentage of direct stent implantation. Young patients exhibited good in-hospital outcomes, with lower rate of adverse cardiac events (3.7% vs. 9.2%; p =  0.30). Conclusions Patients aged ≤ 45 years accounted for approximately 10% of cases of ST-segment elevation acute myocardial infarction and exhibited high prevalence of modifiable risk factors.