Abstract

Gender Differences in Mortality After Myocardial Infarction: Are There Any Differences?

Many studies have suggested that female gender is a modest independent predictor of adverse outcome after myocardial infarction (MI). In the recent issue of Heart, Radovanovic et al examined the relationship between gender and in-hospital mortality after MI and did not find gender to be a predictor of adverse outcomes. This investigation highlights the unanswered questions regarding women with MIs. Currently, the best treatment plan for women with non-STEMI and unstable angina remains unknown. Moreover, younger women have worse outcomes despite having less coronary atherosclerotic burden and smaller infarcts. The reasons for this remain unknown and will likely be the topic of many future studies.