OBJECTIVETo compare the differences on therapeutic approach and short-term outcomes between male and female patients with ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI).

METHODSData of Chinese STEMI patients were retrospectively analyzed from a global multicenter clinical trial of reviparin and metabolic modulation in acute myocardial infarction treatment evaluation (CREATE). The patients were divided into two groups according to gender and difference on demographic, baseline clinical characteristics at admission, reperfusion and drug therapy and 30-day all-cause mortality, re-infarction, stroke, hemorrhage, heart failure and combined end points were compared.

RESULTSOf the 7431 patients, 29.1% were female. Female patients were older than male patients [(68.2 ± 9.1) years vs. (60.3 ± 12.1) years]. On admission, heart rate, diastolic blood pressure and Killip class were higher and the delay between onset of chest pain and arrival at hospital was longer in female patients than in male patients (all P < 0.01). Male patients often presented MI in anterior leads while female patients often presented MI in inferior and lateral leads. History of diabetes mellitus, hypertension and heart failure was significantly higher in female than in male patients (all P < 0.01). Incidence of high blood glucose was higher in female while high blood potassium was higher in male patients (P < 0.01). Rate of reperfusion therapy was lower and the use aspirin and diuretic was more frequent in female patients than in male patients, while frequency of clopidogrel, Glycoprotein IIb/IIIa receptor inhibitor, β-blockers, angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitor, lipid-lowering drug use was significantly higher in male than in female patients (all P < 0.01). Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that female gender was a predictor for less PCI therapy (P < 0.01). Thirty-day all cause mortality (OR = 1.425, 95%CI: 1.163 - 1.747, P < 0.01) and combined end points (OR = 1.193, 95%CI: 1.010 - 1.410, P = 0.04) were significantly higher in female patients than in male patients.

CONCLUSIONSThere are gender-related differences on therapeutic approach and short-term outcome in Chinese STEMI patients. The unfavorable demographic and baseline clinical profile could partially explain the less reperfusion therapy rate and worse prognosis in female patients.