Clinical profiles and outcomes of acute ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction in young adults in a tertiary care center in Saudi Arabia

OBJECTIVES: To investigate the clinical profiles and outcomes of young adults presenting with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI). METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed King Saud Medical City, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, registry between January 2016 and November 2017 for all patients younger than 45 years old who were admitted with STEMI. We compared this study population to a control group of patients aged 45 years and older who were enrolled in the same period. RESULTS: In total, 402 patients were enrolled; 197 were younger than 45 years. The incidence of newly diagnosed dyslipidemia was higher in younger patients (44% vs. 32%, p=0.01). Smoking was significantly more prevalent in the younger group (52% vs. 35%, p=0.001). The prevalence of pulmonary edema and cardiogenic shock on presentation was significantly higher in the older group (3% vs. 10; odds ratio, 4.43; 95% confidence interval, 1.750-10.94; p=0.002). Hospital stay was also longer in the older group (4±2 vs. 5±2 days, p=0.03). CONCLUSION: ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction in young patients has a favorable outcome. Smoking and dyslipidemia are the main risk factors for STEMI in young individuals. The majority of young patients with dyslipidemia were not aware of their pre-existing condition. Our findings recommend local adaptation and implementation of screening programs for dyslipidemia in the young and the reinforcement of smoking prevention programs.