ST-Elevation Myocardial Infarction in Patients With Malignancies.

Acute myocardial infarction (MI), the most severe complication of coronary artery disease, develops in 2-4% of patients with various malignancies.

PURPOSE: to explore the specific properties of ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) course in patients with cancer and its effect on short-term outcome.

MATERIALS AND METHODS: We included in this study 45 patients with STEMI and history of cancer hospitalized in the period from 01.01.2015 to 01.01.2017 (group I; 58% men, mean age 69.07±11.60 years). In the comparison group (group II) we selected 90 age and gender matched persons (58% men, mean age 68.16±11.75 years) from patients with STEMI without oncological diseases.

RESULTS: There were no differences between groups in main risk factors of cardiovascular diseases, except greater proportion of patients with damage of peripheral arteries in group 1 (22.2% compared with 5.6% in group 2, p=0.025). There were also no differences between groups in clinical characteristics at admission. However values of the following parameters were significantly lower in group I: concentration of hemoglobin (115.56±23.07 vs. 133.70±16.45 g/l in group 2, р<0.001), red blood cell count (3.95±0.66x1012/l vs. 5.57±0.72x1012/l in group 2, р<0.001), platelets (93±0.97x109/l vs 186±18.3x109/l in group 2, p<0.001), total cholesterol (4.12±2.17 vs. 6.24±2.56 mmol/L in group 2, р<0.001). There were differences in the frequency of use of antiplatelet drugs: at prehospital stage acetylsalicylic acid was given to 48.9% and 77.8% of patients in groups 1 and 2, respectively (p=0.044); clopidogrel and ticagrelor were also significantly more rarely used in group 1. There was no difference in use of thrombolysis and percutaneous coronary interventions (4.4 and 53.3% vs 5.6 and 56.6% in groups 1 and 2, respectively). In group 2 greater portion of patients was given statins (68.9 vs. 77.8%, p=0.021) and angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors (55.6 vs. 82.2%, p=0.008). Inhospital mortality was the same in both groups (4.4%). Occurrence of complications (bleeding, pulmonary edema, cardiogenic shock), and frequency of use of intra-aortic balloon counterpulsation, temporary cardiac pacing were similar. However in group 1 greater portion of patients had ventricular tachyarrhythmias (15.6 vs 2.2% in group 2, р=0.007); the presence of cancer was the only independent predictor of their emergence in multiple logistic regression (OR 8.11 [1.11-40.83], p=0.011).

CONCLUSIONS: Rates of application of myocardial reperfusion in STEMI patients with and without history of cancer were the same. Despite similar hospital mortality revealed peculiarities of STEMI course could affect long-term outcomes. Confirmation of this hypothesis requires planned prospective studies.