Objectives: This study was designed to evaluate the pattern of clinical presentation, risk factors and angiographic findingsin young males presenting with acute myocardial infarction (AMI).Materials and methodsThis cross-sectional descriptive study wasconducted at the Cardiology Department, Punjab Institute of Cardiology, Lahore from May 2005 till February 2006. After fulfilling the inclusioncriteria 200 male patients <40 years with coronary artery disease (CAD) were studied. Results: Mean age of the study population was31.5±9.2 years with an age range of 31 to 40 years. Most common risk factor was smoking present in 60% patients. Family history ofischemic heart disease (IHD) was present in 44.5% patients, hyperlipidemia in 35.5% patients, hypertension in 25.5% and diabetes mellitusin 17.5% of patients.Common mode of clinical presentation was AMI 42.5% patients. Left anterior descending (LAD) was diseased in 73.5%,followed by Left Circumflex (LCx) 51% and Right Coronary Artery (RCA) in 39% patients. Left Main Stem (LMS) disease occurred in 9.5%patients. Good left ventricular (LV) systolic function was observed in 38%, moderate LV systolic function in 34% and poor LV systolic functionin 14.5% patients. Conclusion: Patients with premature coronary artery disease have unheralded acute onset of symptoms. Smoking isthe most common risk factor. Young patients have single vessel CAD with frequent involvement of LAD and commonly have good leftventricular systolic function.
Homoarginine Supplementation Prevents Left Ventricular Dilatation and Preserves Systolic Function in a Model of Coronary Artery Disease