Background: This study was designed to explore the contribution of risk factors for coronary artery disease (CAD) in patients with indication for coronary angiography. Coronary angiography is defined as the radiographic visualization of the coronary vessels after injection of radio opaque contrast media. Despite the recognition of risk factors for CAD, the association between related risk factors and angiographic findings remains controversial. The aim of the present study was to explore the association between Gensini scores and major cardiovascular risk factors in patients with indications for coronary angiography.
Methods: We retrospectively enrolled 495 patients who had been hospitalized at Dr. Shariati Hospital during September 2009 to September 2010 and had undergone coronary angiography. The patients were evaluated for the severity of coronary lesions on the angiogram by Gensini scoring system. The patients were also evaluated for the presence or absence of DM, hypertension, family history of cardiac diseases, low HDL, hyperlipoproteinemia, hypertriglyceridemia and cigarette smoking. Statistical analysis wad done to find any relationship between Gensini scores and cardiovascular risk factors.
Results: The study population consisted of 249 men (50.3%) and 245 woman (49.5%) with a mean age of 58.1±10.3 years. A positive correlation was found between age (P=0.04), sex (P=0.008), HDL (P=0.04) smoking (P=0.0001) and diabetes (P<0.013) with Gensini scores.
Conclusion: In patients with indications of angiography, Gensini scores provide valuable prognostic information on cardiovascular risk factors. Age, sex, HDL, smoking and diabetes are related to the severity of coronary lesions on the angiograms.