Aims The distribution of coronary lesions in young patients presenting with acute coronary syndrome (ACS) is not known. Methods and results We included 82 consecutive young patients (≤45 years at presentation) with ACS and obstructive coronary artery disease referred from October 2013 until March 2021 to our clinic. Significant coronary lesions (>50%) at each segment during coronary angiography were evaluated. A total of 158 lesions have been evaluated. Multivessel disease was observed in 37% of patients. Lesions at proximal and mid left anterior descending (LAD) coronary artery were the most common observation (Figure A). Roughly one in three lesions affected a proximal coronary segment (i.e. segment 1, 5, 6, or 11), and 45.1% of patients presented at least one lesion in these segments. Within each segment, lesions affected the ostium in 15.8%, proximal third in 26.8%, mid-third in 32.9%, and distal-third in 15.9% of cases. Among those presenting with ST-segment elevated myocardial infarction, culprit lesion distribution is presented in Figure B. Proximal segments were affected in 33.9%, while culprit lesion of the LAD, left circumflex, and right coronary artery was observed in 51.8%, 16.1%, and 32.1% respectively. Conclusions In conclusion, coronary artery disease in patients presenting with ACS occur more often in the LAD and in proximal coronary segments. A significant lesion in a proximal coronary segment affected roughly half of young patients presenting with ACS.
Aims Early onset acute coronary syndrome (ACS) is associated with a more aggressive evolution and its consequences can be devastating to the quality of life (QOL), affecting the patient’s psychology, ability to work, and the socioeconomic burden. In the last decade, the incidence of ACS in young patients (≤45 years old) is increased but unfortunately, little is known about long-term follow-up and impact on quality of life. The aim of this study was to analyse the clinical evolutions and the QOL in this specific group of patients. Methods and results We included 91 consecutive young patients (≤45 years at the time of presentation) with ACS referred from October 2013 until March 2021 to our clinic. All enrolled patients underwent angiography. We analysed the clinical presentation, echocardiography, and therapy at the time of discharge. Furthermore, patients underwent telephone follow-up after 40 months: new hospitalizations, cardiovascular events, bleeding, and relevant changes in medical therapy were investigated. In addition, patients were also invited to participate to a survey to investigate QOL, sexual, and socioeconomic changes after ACS. QOL was explored through the EQ-5D scale using the time trade-off (TTO) and visual analogue scale (VAS) technique based on European values. Mean age was 40.6 ± 3.6 years and 17.6% were women. Most patients had obstructive coronary artery disease at angiography (90.1%) and 85.7% underwent PCI. At a median follow-up of 40 months, major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE) a composite of death, myocardial infarction, stroke and definite stent thrombosis, occurred in 12% of patients (Figure 1). Patient reported bleeding occurred in 29.8%, while bleeding requiring hospitalization in 3.6%. Univariate predictors of MACE were previous stroke, Killip class at presentation, current drug use, left ventricle ejection fraction, wall motion score index (WMSI), and haemoglobin at admission. Young patients showed reduced levels of QOL (TTO: 0.85 ± 0.17—VAD: 0.79 ± 0.17), with higher levels among individuals without obstructive coronary artery disease (Figure 2). Predictors of lower quality of life were WMSI, left anterior descending (LAD) stenting, left ventricular aneurysm and ventricular thrombus (Figure 3). After 12 months from the index event, 31.5% of patients were still on dual antiplatelet therapy, and the mean number of medications was 4.65 ± 2.3. Conclusions In conclusion, young patients have a high residual risk of ischaemic and bleeding events and impaired QOL. Optimization of medical therapy and better patient information is of upmost importance to mitigate residual risk of adverse events.
Aims Distribution of wall motion abnormalities (WMA) in young patients presenting with acute coronary syndrome (ACS) is not well described. Methods and results We included 91 consecutive young patients (≤45 years at presentation) with ACS with obstructive or without obstructive coronary artery disease referred from October 2013 until March 2021 to our clinic. Wall motion abnormalities, wall motion score index (WMSI) and left ventricle ejection fraction (LVEF) were evaluated. A wall motion abnormality in at least one segment was present in 78.7% of patients. Mean LVEF was 50.9 ± 8.8% and mean WMSI was 1.38 ± 0.37%. Akinesia of at least one segment was present in 49.4%, dyskinesia and aneurysm were rare (1.1%, respectively). Ventricular thrombus was observed in 4.7%. Distribution of wall motion abnormalities is presented in Figure A. Most frequently WMA affected the apex and the basal inferior wall. The severity of WMA for each segment is presented in Figure B. The mean highest severity of WMA affected the apex, and the inferior and infero-septal wall. In the subgroup of patients presenting without obstructive coronary artery disease, WMA were less prevalent (37.5%), LVEF was higher (57.1% vs. 50.4% P = 0.032), and WMSI was lower (1.16% vs. 1.40% P = 0.07), but similarly affected with higher frequency the apex area. Conclusions In conclusion, WMA are frequent in young patients presenting with ACS, mostly affecting the apex. More severe abnormalities of wall kinesis affect the apex and the inferior and infero-septal wall.
Aims Acute coronary syndrome (ACS) has a huge potential impact on patients’ life, and little is known on the long-term effect on mental health in young patients. Methods and results We included consecutive young patients (≤45 years at presentation) with ACS referred from October 2013 until March 2021 to our clinic. Physical and mental status was evaluated through the standardized SF12 scale for physical (PCS) and mental status (MCS). Depression and perceived stress were evaluated with the patient health questionnaire 9 (PHQ9) and perceived stress scale (PSS). A total of 91 patients have been included and followed for a median of 40 months. History of anxiety or depression at baseline was reported in 1.1% and 2.2%, respectively. Physical and mental health status was impaired in 65.8% and 42.1% of patients, respectively (Figure). Predictors of poorer physical health were lower LVEF, WMSI, and multivessel disease. Predictors of poorer mental health were age and nuisance bleeding during follow-up. Mild/moderate depression was reported in 47.3%. Moderate/high stress was reported in 78.1%. 37.1% patients affirmed that their career trajectory worsened after the event and 37.8% declared a reduction of income. 53.8% declared mild to significant changes in their sexual activity, while 83.8% declared to have received no advises on sexual activity from their Doctor. Conclusions In conclusion, ACS is a dramatic event with a significant impact on young patients’ life at a physical, mental, and social level. Measures of social/psychological support in the aftermath of the event merit consideration in future research.
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