OBJECTIVETo explore the clinical characteristics and angiographic features of acute myocardial infarction in patients aged 30 years or younger.

METHODSData of 360 consecutive patients referred to Peking Union Medical College Hospital for evaluation of chest pain or discomfort from January 2007 to December 2009, diagnosed as acute myocardial infarction and underwent emergent coronary angiography were analyzed. Seven patients (1.9%) with age ≤ 30 years [4 male, (25 ± 5) years] were included in this study, patients were followed up for (12 ± 9) months.

RESULTSThere were 6 cases of ST-segment elevated myocardial infarction and 1 non-ST-segment elevated myocardial infarction. The culprit vessels were as follows: 5 left anterior descending artery, 1 left main and 1 right coronary artery. All 3 female patients were complicated with congenital coronary malformation or autoimmune disease, including 1 coronary artery aneurismal dilation of left anterior descending, 1 Takayasu's arteritis and 1 systemic lupus erythematosus. Three of the 4 male patients were smokers. Two patients underwent percutaneous coronary intervention. There was no death or cardiovascular re-admission during the follow-up.

CONCLUSIONSThe majority of acute myocardial infarction in patients aged 30 years or younger were presented with ST-segment elevated myocardial infarction and single vessel non-obstructive lesion. The most common culprit vessel was left anterior descending artery. All female patients were complicated with congenital coronary malformation or autoimmune disease. The short-term prognosis in patients of this cohort was good.