Association between low-density lipoprotein cholesterol and number of stenotic coronary arteries in patients with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction
Abstract:
Introduction: ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) is a severe form of heart attack associated with a high mortality rate. Current data suggests a correlation between low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-c) levels and coronary artery disease. Elevated LDL-C levels are associated with an increased risk of coronary artery disease. However, there is limited research on the relationship between LDL-C levels and the number of stenotic coronary arteries.Objectives: To investigate the association between LDL-C levels and the number of stenotic coronary arteries in patients with STEMI and identify factors influencing multivessel coronary artery disease.Method: A retrospective study was conducted using medical records of STEMI patients from King Chulalongkorn Memorial Hospital from January 1, 2017, to December 31, 2022. LDL-c levels and the number of stenotic coronary arteries were analyzed to determine the relationship between LDL-c levels and the occurrence of multivessel coronary artery disease.Result: Among 927 STEMI patients between 22 and 100 years old (Median age of 58 years), 715 were males (77.1%), and 212 were females (22.9%). The analysis revealed no statistically significant difference in the mean LDL-c levels among patients with single-vessel disease, double-vessel disease, and triple-vessel disease (129, 136, and 126 mg/dL, respectively; p = 0.23). Factors significantly associated with multivessel coronary artery disease included age, hypertension, HbA1C >= 7% and LDL-c levels > 190 mg/dL (p = 0.008, 0.016, 0.013, 0.017, respectively).Conclusion: The study found no significant association between LDL-C levels and the number of stenotic coronary arteries in STEMI patients. However, age, hypertension, HbA1C >= 7% and LDL-c levels >= 190 mg/dL were identified as significant factors associated with multivessel coronary artery disease. Therefore, controlling blood sugar and lipid levels may reduce the likelihood of having multiple stenotic coronary arteries.