Analysis of Clinical and Epidemiological Profiles as Predictors of Complications in Women Admitted to the Acute Cardiac Care Unit for Acute Coronary Syndrome.

Abstract

Introduction: In women, cardiovascular disease accounts for 35% of annual deaths, with ischemic heart disease being the leading cause. There are knowledge gaps in research, prevention, treatment, and access to cardiovascular care in women.

Objectives: To describe the clinical and epidemiological profiles of women with acute coronary syndrome (ACS) admitted to an Acute Cardiac Care Unit (ACCU) and to study their association with the development of complications.

Methods: This descriptive study included women admitted to the ACCU of a tertiary hospital for ACS. Sociodemographic, anthropometric, and clinical variables were assessed. Descriptive and inferential statistical analyses were performed using the SPSS v25 software.

Results: Eighty women (mean age, 68 ± 13 years) with a high prevalence of cardiovascular risk factors were included, and 66.2% presented ST-segment elevation ACS. The prevailing symptom was chest pain in 96.3% of patients, followed by associated symptoms such as sweating, nausea, and dyspnea (86.3%). The etiology was secondary to obstructive coronary artery disease in 81.3%, and the therapeutic strategy was percutaneous coronary intervention in 72.5% of patients. Among the women, 64.1% attributed their symptoms to non-cardiac causes, 60% did not perceive severity, and 35.2% presented complications of ACS, particularly cardiac arrest and arrhythmias. A reduced ejection fraction and being alone at the onset of symptoms were associated with a higher risk of complications.

Conclusions: Despite severe clinical presentations and complications, women have a low perception of severity and attribute cardiovascular symptoms to non-cardiac causes. Increasing awareness of ACS and its complications in women is needed among the population in order to improve health outcomes.