Gender differences in primary percutaneous coronary intervention outcomes in patients with ST-elevation myocardial infarction

Background

Higher mortality is reported among women with ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI). This study aimed to evaluate the clinical and angiographic profiles, as well as outcomes of patients submitted to primary percutaneous coronary intervention (pPCI), according to gender.

Methods

Retrospective study that included patients with STEMI undergoing pPCI between March 2012 and May 2013 at a regional referral center, followed from admission until hospital discharge or death.

Results

208 patients underwent pPCI, of whom 51 (24.5%) were women and 157 (75.5%) men. A significant difference was observed for age (65.5 ± 14.0 vs. 58.8 ± 11.0 years; p = 0.001), diabetes (43.1% vs. 24.8%; p = 0.02), Killip-Kimball class III/IV (7.0% vs. 17.6%; p = 0.02), pain-to-door time (181 ± 154 minutes vs. 125 ± 103 minutes; p = 0.004), and door-to-balloon time (181 ± 87 vs. 133 minutes ± 67 minutes; p = 0.001). The success of the procedure was similar (92.1% vs. 91.1%; p = 0.22). In-hospital mortality was higher for females (23.5% vs. 8.9%; p = 0.006). Multivariate analysis identified age ≥ 70 years (odds ratio - OR = 2.75; 95% confidence interval - 95% CI: 1.81–3.64; p = 0.029) and Killip-Kimball class III/IV (OR = 2.45; 95% CI: 1.49–4.02; p = 0.002) as independent predictors of mortality.

Conclusions

Women with STEMI had a more severe clinical profile and longer pain-to-door and door-to-balloon times than men. Females had higher in-hospital mortality after pPCI, but the female gender was not identified as an independent predictor of death.