Coronary heart disease has been mainly considered as men disease. However, it is the leading cause of morbidity and mortality in women worldwide.

We aimed to determine the clinical profile and angiographic outcomes in women following primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) for ST elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI).

We included 352 patients admitted for STEMI and managed with PCI. They were enrolled between January 2000 and march 2017 in Cardiology B department of Fattouma Bourguiba university hospital.

Among 352 patients, 56 were women (15.9%). They were older than men. Mean age was 66.5±10 years versus 58±11 years. Females had higher incidence of hypertension (55.4% vs. 24.7%; P<0.001), diabetes (44.6% vs. 30.4%; P=0.037), and dyslipidemia (12.5% vs. 10.8%; P=0.012). Smoking and history of coronary disease were more prevalent in men (P<0.001 and P=0.024 respectively). Women had longer door to balloon time (P=0.004). Anterior wall myocardial infarction was more represented in women population (62.5% vs. 47.3%; P=0.020), but no significant difference was observed in the incidence of initial or post procedural cardiogenic shock. Women were more likely to have multivessel disease (17.9% vs. 10.8%; P=0.01), initial reduced TIMI flow (78.6% vs. 70.3%; P=0.04), no reflow (21.4% vs. 11%; P=0.033) and per procedural coronary dissection (12.5% vs. 6.8%; P=0.013). In hospital mortality rate was higher in female population (23.2% vs. 9.8%; P=0.005). In multivariate analysis, female sex was not an independent factor of in hospital death.

STEMI in women remains a serious pathology. Its particularities must be better known and studied in order to optimize management and prognosis.