Sex-based differences in adverse left ventricular remodelling and clinical outcomes after ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction.

Aims: The impact of sex on adverse left ventricular remodelling (LVR) after ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) is unclear due to conflicting results. This study sought to establish sex-based differences in adverse LVR using cardiovascular magnetic resonance (CMR) among STEMI patients and their impact on clinical outcomes.

Methods and results: The study included patients with a first STEMI who underwent primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). Cardiovascular magnetic resonance was performed at 6 days (interquartile range [IQR]: 4-9 days) and after 6 months (6.42 months; IQR: 5.98-7.47 months). Follow-up was 6.94 years (IQR: 4.48-9.32 years). The primary endpoint was the presence of adverse LVR (>15% of LV end-diastolic volume and a decrease of >3% in LV ejection fraction) at 6 months. The secondary endpoint was major adverse cardiac events (MACEs), defined as a combined variable: cardiovascular death, heart failure admission, or ventricular arrhythmias. One thousand sixty-seven patients were included (17.5% women; mean age: 58.71 ± 11.85 years). Women were older and had more cardiovascular risk factors (CVRF). There was no association between sex and adverse LVR [OR: 0.80; 95% confidence interval (CI), 0.39-1.64; P = 0.536]. Major adverse cardiac events occurred in 177 patients (16.7%) and was more frequent in women (22.6% vs. 15.4%; P = 0.017). However, after adjusting for baseline differences and CVRF, the female sex was not associated with MACE (hazard ratio: 1.21; 95% CI, 0.81-1.81; P = 0.343).

Conclusion: The higher rate of MACE after STEMI in women compared to men appears to be associated with a higher prevalence of CVRF and comorbidities rather than a more significant occurrence of adverse LVR.