Risk factor for acute ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction in young adults

AIM:To analyze the risk factors of acute ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction(STEMI) in young adults with acute myocardial infarction(AMI).METHODS: A cohort of 1137 consecutive STEMI patients admitted to our hospitals from April 1995 to May 2005 were divided into three groups according to ages: 21-to 40-year-old group(n=55),41-to 60-year-old group(n=364) and 61-to 90-year-old group(n=718).Data on clinical cardiovascular risk factors,demographic features and angiographic findings were gathered and analyzed.RESULTS: Only 4.84% of the hospitalized STEMI patients over the 10-year period were 40 years of age.Young adults were found to be predominantly male and most had a smoking and alcohol history(P0.01).Diabetes and hypertension were less prevalent in the group of young adults.Analysis of lipid profiles showed comparatively higher total cholesterol,low-density lipoprotein,high-density lipoprotein and triglyceride values in the young age group(P0.01).Angiography showed a high propensity toward single-vessel involvement in the young adult group(P0.01).In-hospital and 5-year all-cause deaths in the young age group were lower than those in older adults(P0.01).CONCLUSION: The risk factor profile and angiographic involvement differ considerably between the high-risk young population and older adults.However,the short-and long-term prognosis in young adults is more favorable.