Objectives: To investigate acute coronary syndromes (ACS) in the young Saudi population in Aseer Region, southwestern Saudi Arabia.
Materials and methods: We retrospectively reviewed our database between January 2006 and May 2009, 924 patients were diagnosed to have ACS. Among them 107 patients (11.6%) met our definition of young [66 (61.7%) male < 45 years, and 41 (38.3%) female < 55 years]. We compared this study population to a control group of 50 elderly patients consecutively enrolled in a contemporary period.
Results: The overall age was 42.3 ± 7.9 and 68.7 ± 10.1 years in the study population and control respectively. 100% of the population and 92% of the control group presented with chest pain. Diabetes mellitus (DM) prevalence was 46.7% in the study population (63.4% in females), and 62% in the control group. Hypertension, smoking, dyslipidemia and overweight/obesity were reported in 31.8%, 25.2%, 21.5% and 44.9% of the study population and 58%, 6%, 26% and 42% of the control group, respectively. Past history of coronary artery disease was documented in 16.8% of the study population and 38% of the control group. The discharge diagnoses were ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) in 41 (38.3%) (representing 4.4% of the whole ACS population) and 11 (22%) patients of the study population and control group respectively, non-ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction in 36 (33.6%) and 23 (46%) patients of the study population and control group, respectively, and unstable angina in 30 (28.0%) and 15 (30%) patients of the study population and control group, respectively. Coronary angiography was performed in 86 (80.4%) and 41 (82%) patients in the study population and control group respectively. In hospital, one young patient had acute ischemic stroke and one elderly patient died, 22.4% of the study population and 32% of control group were discharged with clinical diagnosis of heart failure or in need for diuretics.
Conclusion: In our study, the young Saudi population with ACS had chest pain as the leading symptom. STEMI was the major final diagnosis and among one of the highest reported worldwide. There is a high prevalence of DM; however, they have favorable in hospital and short-term outcome.
Keywords: Acute coronary syndrome; Cardiovascular risk factors; Myocardial infarction; Young Saudi.