ABSTRACT
OBJECTIVES: The objective of this study was to identify risk factors and clinical profile of the patients presenting with ST elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI). We further evaluated the utility of the Framingham Risk Score (FRS) in the accurate identification of these patients if used before their coronary event. METHODS: We evaluated the demographic, clinical, and angiographic characteristics of patients admitted with STEMI. We also calculated cardiovascular event risk using the FRS in a subset of patients without prior known coronary artery disease and diabetes mellitus. RESULTS: A total of 44 patients, predominantly men (75%) and white (80%), with a mean age of 56 ± 10 years, were included in our analysis. Cigarette smoking was the predominant risk factor (83%) followed by hypertension (77%) and dyslipidemia (68%). The calculated FRS in a subset of patients without prior coronary artery disease or diabetes mellitus was 14.1% ± 5.8%. Based on the FRS, 8 (36%) patients had a 10-year risk >20% and 14 (63%) patients had a 10-year risk between 10% and 20%. CONCLUSIONS: In a series of consecutive patients with STEMI, we observed that high FRS was inadequate in correct identification and risk stratification of the majority of patients who had STEMI. Our study underlines the importance of being familiar with multiple risk scores and choosing the most applicable risk score based on the patient's individual characteristics. In addition, it is important to take into consideration the nontraditional risk factors or measurement of coronary artery calcium as a part of the risk assessment algorithm.
