Left main coronary artery disease in adults younger than 50 years: A comparison with older patients

Abstract

Left main coronary artery (LMCA) disease is a potentially lethal disease that can be effectively treated if it is recognized expeditiously. To determine whether clinical signs and symptoms vary with age, we examined data from 100 patients with angiographically significant LMCA disease (> or =50% stenosis). The majority of patients had myocardial infarction (32%) or Braunwald class I unstable angina (46%). There were no differences in initial symptoms, electrocardiographic findings (normal or only nonspecific changes in 52% of patients), or left ventricular function (normal or only mildly impaired in 76% of patients) between younger patients (< 50 yr; n = 29) and older patients (n = 71). Severe atherosclerosis was common in both groups. Risk factor profiles were different, however, in that diabetes mellitus (10% vs. 34%; P = 0.028) and hypertension (38% vs. 73%; P = 0.002) were less common and tobacco use was more common (79% vs. 39%; P <0.001) in younger patients. In summary, age influenced the risk factors associated with but not the clinical signs and symptoms of LMCAD.

Prevalence of unfavorable angiographic characteristics for percutaneous intervention in patients with unprotected left main coronary artery disease

“…However, the proportion of patients with left main disease was similar to another report identifying LMCD in 4.3% of patients undergoing catheterization for chest pain syndromes [27]. Our finding of extensive coronary disease in association with LMCD is similar to a recent report which identified significant, coexisting coronary disease in 94.5% of patients with LMCD [28].…”

Outcome of coronary artery bypass grafting in a tertiary-care center in Pakistan

“…Additionally, there is a high incidence of bifurcation stenosis which favors restenosis. 3 Globally, 25%-30% of patients who undergo coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) or a percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) have both multivessel coronary artery disease (CAD) as well as diabetes mellitus (DM). 4 Given the much higher prevalence DM in our region, it is becoming increasingly important to determine the best region-specific treatment.…”