Acute coronary syndrome in diabetics admitted in King Abdul-Aziz University Hospital, Jeddah, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia

Abstract EN

To study the presentation and outcome of diabetic patients admitted with acute coronary syndrome through emergency room to the medical wards of King Abdulaziz University Hospital in Jeddah, and compare with non-diabetic acute coronary syndrome patients.

By reviewing charts from January 2005 to December 2006, detailed data, diagnosis, the use of cardiac interventional procedures and outcomes that were recorded.

Out of 279 patients, 60 % were diabetic.

The number increased with age, male predominance of 59 % for age 35 till 70 years ; females constituted 72 % of patients for age 70 years and above (p = 0.0001).

55 % diabetics had unstable angina, 36 % had non-ST elevation myocardial infarction and 9 % had ST elevation myocardial infarction.

67 % of ST elevation myocardial infarction were younger than 60 years (p = 0.02).

These were comparable to non-diabetics.

In hospital mortality was 4 % for diabetics and 0 % for non-diabetics (p = 0.03).

18 % had angiography while 6 % had percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty and coronary artery bypass grafting.

No difference was detected between diabetics and non-diabetics.

We conclude that diabetics with acute coronary syndrome are high-risk patients with high in-hospital mortality.

Intensive care unit or coronary care unit admission is needed for appropriate management.

Coronary angiography should be carried out frequently.