Acute coronary syndromes in women

Abstract

Cardiovascular disease is the main cause of death in women. In contrast to men, cardiovascular mortality of females has been on the rise. However, the female gender is not an independent risk factor for death from acute coronary syndrome. We therefore thought it might be interesting to identify differences between males and females with acute coronary syndrome. The survey was designed to identify modifiable factors deteriorating the prognosis of females. Compared with males, females with acute coronary syndromes are older, have more cardiovascular risk factors and associated conditions. Females tend to seek health care later than males. It is more difficult to establish the diagnosis of acute coronary syndrome in females. The symptomatology is more diverse, and ECG-related changes show low specificity. Unlike males, females with acute coronary syndrome show less often increased troponin levels while coronary arteriography will more frequently reveal a non-significant stenosis. Percutaneous coronary intervention is equally effective in males and females with acute coronary syndrome. Females undergoing fibrinolytic therapy of acute myocardial infarction are at increased risk of death. Coronary intervention is less common in females than in males in everyday practice.