Comparison of clinical profiles and associated factors for acute myocardial infarction among young and very young patients with coronary artery disease

BACKGROUND: This study aimed to compare the profiles of young and very young patients with coronary artery disease (CAD) and explore the factors associated with acute myocardial infarction (AMI) based on age. METHODS: Young CAD patients aged between 18 and 44 years diagnosed by angiography were enrolled retrospectively. They were divided into two groups according to age: young CAD was defined as patients aged between 36 and 44 years, and very young CAD was defined as patients aged between 18 and 35 years. Demographic and clinical characteristics of the patients were collected. RESULTS: In total, 9286 patients were included in the final database. Most were assigned to the young CAD group (86.5%), and 1250 (13.5%) had very young CAD. Most demographic and clinical characteristics of the young and very young patients with CAD differed significantly. The proportion of patients with CAD in the total population increased with age, whereas the incidence of AMI showed a decreasing trend. A previous percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) was negatively associated with AMI. Dyslipidemia, current smoking, and hyperhomocysteinemia were positively associated with AMI in the overall and young population with CAD. CONCLUSIONS: The clinical profiles and factors associated with AMI in CAD patients of different ages were significantly different. Lifestyle-related factors were significantly associated with AMI in young patients with CAD.