Relationship between BMI and severity of coronary artery disease in female population of Pakistani origin

To assess relationship between BMI and severity of coronary artery disease in female population of Pakistani origin. Cross sectional observational study. Armed Forces Institute of Cardiology - National Institute of Heart Diseases [AFIC-NIHD], 1st February 2010 to 31st August 2010. The study population included 132 female patients undergoing coronary angiography. Obesity was classified according to the BMI using the National Institutes of Health [NIH] criteria as Normal [BMI 21-24 kg/m2], overweight [BMI 25-29 kg/m2], obesity class I [BMI 30-34 kg/m2], Obesity class II [BMI 35 to 39 kg/m2 and obesity class III [BMI 40 or above kg/m2]. Coronary angiography data were obtained from the Siemens Queries software system, which maintains the database including detailed angiographic findings of all patients at this institution. Significant lesions were defined as those with >70% diameter narrowing of coronary arteries [>50% for the left main coronary artery]. We attempted to quantify the "severity of CAD" by ascertaining the prevalence of high-risk coronary anatomy [HRCA, defined as >50% stenosis of the left main coronary artery and/or significant three-vessel coronary artery disease]. Comparing overall obese [BMI >/= 30] vs. non obese groups, a statistically significant low prevalence of HRCA was encountered in the obese group [26 of 56, 46.4% vs. 54 of 76, 79.5% p < 0.05]. We concluded that obesity is associated with less severe coronary artery disease in women population of Pakistani origin