Clinical profile of patients presenting with acute ST elevation myocardial infarction

Objective: To identify risk factors and clinical profile of the patients presenting with acute ST Elevation Myocardial Infarction (STEMI). Methods: This prospective observational study was carried out from April to September 2005. The 300 consecutive patients presenting with typical electrocardiographic changes of acute ST elevation myocardial infarction to the Emergency Department of our hospital were recruited in the study. The physician (a fellow) on duty assessed the patients and documented the predefined independent variable and patients characteristics. The clinical history revealed information about age, gender, risk factors, modes of presentation and duration of symptoms. The details of physical examination including anthropometric data, vital signs and complete systemic evaluation were recorded. The regions of infarction and rhythm disturbances were also documented. Results: This study was predominantly male dominated 234 (78%) patients, with a mean age of 58 ± 11 years. Cigarette smoking was identified as a major risk factor in 138 (46%) patients. The least common risk factor i.e. obesity (BMI 25) was present in 12 (4%) patients. Majority of the patients, 282 (94%) presented with typical chest pain and within first six hours of onset of symptoms 216 (72%). Most of the patients 240 (80%) had normal examination at presentation and 60 (20%) had signs of Left Ventricle Failure. Isolated inferior and anterior myocardial infarction was noted in 138 (46%) and 48 (16%) patients respectively. Normal electrocardiographic rhythms at presentation were observed in 282 (94%) patients. Conclusion: Acute myocardial infarction was more common in adult males with smoking being the major risk factor. Most of the patients presented with typical chest pain and within six hours of onset of symptoms. The majority of patients demonstrated normal physical examination and cardiac rhythm. Inferior myocardial infarction was the most common lesion.