title: Angiographic prevalence and pattern of coronary artery disease in women.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  There are not many studies describing the prevalence and pattern of "coronary artery disease" (CAD) in women undergoing "coronary angiography" (CAG). Hence, uncertainty thrives with regard to the angiographic prevalence and pattern of CAD in women.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  Our objective was to study the prevalence and pattern of CAD among women undergoing CAG.
  
  
  METHODS
  Data of 500 women who underwent CAG for suspected CAD over 3 years were retrospectively analyzed. They were classified into young group (age < 55 years) and elderly group (age ≥ 55 years). Angiographic profile of "left main disease" (LMD) was also studied.
  
  
  RESULTS
  There was greater prevalence of obstructive CAD especially double vessel disease and triple vessel disease in elderly group while normal coronaries were more prevalent in young group. There was equal distribution of non-significant lesions and intermediate lesions between the two groups. The prevalence of LMD is 3.4%, obstructive CAD is 45.4%, and multivessel disease is 28%. The prevalence of LMD and multivessel disease is 31.4%. The pattern of involvement of coronary arteries was same between the two groups; left anterior descending artery is the most commonly affected vessel. Chronic total occlusion mostly involved right coronary artery. Bifurcation lesion involving distal left main coronary artery is the most prevalent pattern of LMD.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  There has been a change with regard to clinical presentation and onset of risk factors for CAD at young age, but the load of atherosclerotic burden and pattern of involvement of coronary arteries have not changed in women.
authors.affiliation: Department of Cardiology, Sri Venkateshwaraa Medical College Hospital and Research Centre, Puducherry, India. Electronic address: drebabu@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Babu
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Ezhumalai
authors.affiliation: Department of Cardiology, Jawaharlal Institute of Postgraduate Medical Education and Research, Puducherry, India.
authors.forename: Balachander
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Jayaraman
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D017023:Coronary Angiography; D003324:Coronary Artery Disease / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000453:epidemiology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007194:India / Q000453:epidemiology; D008875:Middle Aged; D015995:Prevalence; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012307:Risk Factors
keywords: Bifurcation lesion; Coronary angiography; Coronary artery disease; Left main disease; Women