Acute Coronary Syndromes in Women: A Narrative Review of Sex-Specific Characteristics

Gender Differences Among Very Young Patients With Acute Coronary Syndrome: Long-Term Follow-Up of the STAMINA Study

The rate of hospitalization for acute coronary syndrome (ACS) among young patients is increasing. Healthcare disparities remain unsolved among female patients. We explored gender differences regarding risk factors, clinical presentation, in-hospital treatment, and long-term outcomes among ACS patients. A total of 445 patients with very early ACS (men ≤ 35 years and women ≤ 40 years of age) were followed for a median of 5 years. Primary clinical endpoint was the composite of cardiac death, non-fatal myocardial infarction, stroke, and coronary revascularization. Women accounted for 16% of cases. Smoking was the most prevalent risk factor, 56% and 60% of the females and males, respectively, continued to smoke after ACS. Chest pain was typical in 85% and 83% of the female and male patients, respectively. In-hospital treatment (pharmacological and reperfusion) as well as the composite clinical endpoint during follow-up did not differ between female and male patients. Lipid-lowering therapy was suboptimal in both genders, and persistence of smoking was the sole predictor for the composite clinical endpoint (hazard ratio: 2.30 [95% CI: 1.26-4.20]; P = .007). In conclusion, in-hospital treatment was similar between male and female patients. However, the majority of them continued smoking, and this was an independent predictor for future adverse outcomes.

Silent Myocardial Ischemia: From Pathophysiology to Diagnosis and Treatment

Silent myocardial ischemia (SMI), characterized by a lack of overt symptoms despite an inadequate blood supply to the myocardium, remains a challenging entity in cardiovascular medicine. The pathogenesis involves intricate interactions of vascular, neurohormonal, and metabolic factors, contributing to perfusion deficits without the characteristic chest pain. Understanding these mechanisms is pivotal for recognizing diverse clinical presentations and designing targeted interventions. Diagnostic strategies for SMI have evolved from traditional electrocardiography to advanced imaging modalities, including stress echocardiography, single-photon emission computed tomography (SPECT), positron emission tomography (PET), and cardiac magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Treating SMI is a matter of ongoing debate, as the available evidence on the role of invasive versus medical management is controversial. This comprehensive review synthesizes current knowledge of silent myocardial ischemia, addressing its pathophysiology, diagnostic modalities, and therapeutic interventions.