The Impact of Body Mass Index on the Mortality of Myocardial Infarction Patients With Nonobstructive Coronary Arteries

Clin Cardiol. 2024 Sep;47(9):e70013. doi: 10.1002/clc.70013.

Abstract

Objectives: Myocardial infarction without significant stenosis or occlusion of the coronary arteries carries a high risk of recurrent major adverse cardiovascular events and poor prognosis. This study aimed to investigate the association between body mass index and outcomes in patients with a suspected myocardial infarction with nonobstructive coronary artery disease (MINOCA).

Methods: Patients were recruited at Bergmannsheil University Hospital from January 2010 to April 2021. The primary outcomes were in-hospital and long-term mortality. Secondary outcomes consisted of adverse events during hospitalization and during follow-up.

Results: A total of 373 patients were included in the study, with a mean follow-up time of 6.2 years. The patients were divided into different BMI groups: < 25 kg/m² (n = 121), 25-30 kg/m² (n = 140), and > 30 kg/m² (n = 112). In-hospital mortality was 1.7% versus 2.1% versus 4.5% (p = 0.368). However, long-term mortality tended to be higher in the < 25 kg/m² group compared to the 25-30 and > 30 kg/m² groups (log-rank p = 0.067). Subgroup analysis using Kaplan-Meier analysis showed a higher rate of cardiac cause of death in the < 25 kg/m² group compared to the 25-30 and > 30 kg/m² groups: 5.7% versus 1.1% versus 0.0% (log-rank p = 0.042). No significant differences were observed in other adverse events between the different BMI groups during hospitalization and long-term follow-up.

Conclusions: Patients with a BMI < 25 kg/m² who experience a suspected myocardial infarction without significant coronary artery disease may have higher all-cause mortality and cardiovascular cause of death. However, further data are needed to confirm these findings.

Keywords: adverse events; mortality; myocardial infarction; obesity; overweight.

MeSH terms

  • Aged
  • Body Mass Index*
  • Coronary Angiography
  • Coronary Artery Disease / complications
  • Coronary Artery Disease / mortality
  • Coronary Vessels / diagnostic imaging
  • Female
  • Follow-Up Studies
  • Hospital Mortality*
  • Humans
  • MINOCA / complications
  • MINOCA / mortality
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Myocardial Infarction* / complications
  • Myocardial Infarction* / mortality
  • Prognosis
  • Retrospective Studies
  • Risk Assessment / methods
  • Risk Factors
  • Survival Rate / trends
  • Time Factors