Effect of Waist Circumference on Mortality and Morbidity in Patients with Acute Coronary Syndrome with St-Segment Elevation

Aim: Obesity is a known risk factor for cardiovascular diseases. However, there are also studies showing that increased body mass index is unexpectedly protective in myocardial infarction. More studies are needed to elucidate this situation, known as the obesity paradox. This study was conducted to investigate the relationship between waist circumference and mortality and morbidity in acute ST elevated myocardial infarct (STEMI). Material and Method: This is a prospective and observational study. Patients diagnosed with STEMI on electrocardiography (ECG) were included in the study. Immediately after the exhalation, waist circumference (WC) was measured on a horizontal plane at a point equidistant from the lowest floating rib and the upper border of the iliac crest. The role of waist circumference in the development of mortality and major cardiac events within 1 month was evaluated. Results: A total of 106 patients admitted to the emergency department with STEMI were included in the study. While increased waist circumference was associated with mortality, it was insignificant in terms of major adverse cardiovascular event (MACE) development. Low BMI is significant in terms of decreased mortality and MACE. Conclusions: The use of WC as an indicator of body fat ratio rather than weight in STEMI may be more valuable in the evaluation of mortality and MACE.