HISTORIC AND ANGIOGRAPHIC FEATURES OF YOUNG-ADULTS SURVIVING MYOCARDIAL-INFARCTION

Sixty-eight survivors of myocardial infarction occurring before the age of 36 years were studied using selective coronary cinearteriograms, regardless of symptoms. Three groups of patients were delineated; 56 patients (82%) had obstructive coronary arterial disease, nine (13%) had normal coronary arteries, and three (4%) had congenital coronary arterial anomalies. Because the prognosis in these three groups is different, all young patients with myocardial infarction should undergo coronary arteriographic studies after a suitable period of convalescence. Myocardial infarction in the young differs from that in the elderly by virtue of a more heterogeneous underlying coronary anatomy, an overwhelming preponderance of male patients, and a better reported prognosis.