Prevalence and Predictors of Occlusive Myocardial Infarction in Patients Presenting With Non-ST-Elevation Acute Coronary Syndrome in Duhok, Iraq: A Cross-Sectional Study.

Background and aim Myocardial infarction is a major global health issue and the leading cause of death. Non-ST segment elevation acute coronary syndrome (NSTE-ACS) could behave like ST-segment elevation ACS in terms of causing total or near total occlusion of the coronary artery and leading to occlusive myocardial infarction (OMI). This study aims to assess OMI prevalence and associated factors in NSTE-ACS patients in Duhok, Iraq, to improve diagnosis and treatment outcomes. Materials and methods This prospective cross-sectional study, conducted at Azadi Heart Center and Zakho Teaching Hospital from March 2023 to March 2024, included 189 NSTE-ACS patients undergoing coronary angiography. Data collection encompassed demographics, clinical profiles, electrocardiographic (ECG) patterns, cardiac biomarkers, and angiographic outcomes. Patients were categorized into those with and without occlusive myocardial infarction (OMI). Results A total of 189 NSTE-ACS patients with a mean age of 58.65 (±10.38 SD) years were enrolled in the study. The overall OMI rate was 29.63%. OMI patients were older and had a higher prevalence of hypertension, dyslipidemia, and a family history of ischemic heart disease (IHD). Significant ECG changes associated with OMI included biphasic T-wave inversion and ST depression in specific leads. Marked elevation in troponin levels was also noted in OMI patients. The left anterior descending (LAD) artery was the most common culprit artery. Conclusions About one-quarter of our study cohort exhibited OMI. The condition was linked to clinical, ECG, and elevated troponin levels. The study underscores the importance of promptly recognizing occlusive myocardial infarction (OMI) in NSTE-ACS patients for better outcomes. Regular audits are imperative to augment awareness among healthcare professionals at cardiac centers regarding updated protocols and guidelines.