Background: Previous studies have demonstrated higher mortality rates from ischemic heart disease (IHD) among Israeli Arab patients (IAP) as compared with Israeli Jewish patients (IJP). Several explanations have been proposed including lifestyle differences and higher prevalence of DM and smoking.
We aimed herein to compare the clinical and angiographic characteristics and short and long-term outcomes of IAP undergoing primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PPCI) for ST segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) compared to IJP.
Methods: We used our registry of patients undergoing PPCI for STEMI between 1/2001 and 7/2012. The presentation, angiographic findings and clinical outcome of 2,275 patients (2,136 IJP and 139 IAP) were analyzed and compared according to ethnicity.
Results: IAP presented at a younger age, were more likely to be males, smokers, diabetic and to have a positive family history of IHD and a higher BMI. In contrast fewer IAP had been previously diagnosed with hypertension and hyperlipidemia. There was no significant difference between the groups in the clinical presentation and angiographic parameters. Additionally, no significant difference was detected in their treatment. 30-day and 1-year outcomes of patients without shock at presentation were not different between the 2 groups as well as the 30-day out of patients presenting with shock.
Conclusion: IAP presented with STEMI at a younger age and had more modifiable cardiovascular risk factors compared with IJP. However, there was no difference in their clinical presentation and angiographic findings. They received the same treatment and had the same short and long-term outcomes. More efforts should be focused on increasing the awareness of diagnosing and treating modifiable cardiovascular risk factors among the Arab population in Israel.
