Prevalence, clinical characteristics, and impact of active cancer in patients with acute myocardial infarction: data from an all-comer registry

Abstract Background Although a history of cancer is a poor prognostic factor in patients with acute myocardial infarction (AMI), the clinical importance of coexisting active cancer remains unclear. Methods In this single-center retrospective study, we reviewed an AMI registry and assessed the prevalence and predictors of active cancer, 1-year incidence of cardiac death or major bleeding events (defined as a Bleeding Academy Research Consortium type 3 or 5), and the impact of coexisting active cancer on clinical outcomes. Active cancer was defined as either an already-diagnosed or undiagnosed occult cancer. Results Between January 2012 and December 2017, 1140 AMI patients (median age, 69 years; male, 76.0%) were enrolled. Active and historical cancers were diagnosed in 63 patients (5.5%) and 50 patients (4.4%), respectively. The most common location was the urinary tract (n=21). In the Kaplan-Meier analysis, the active cancer group had a higher incidence of 1-year cardiac death (17.5% vs. 5.3%, p Conclusions In patients with AMI, coexisting active cancer was rare, but it significantly impacted cardiac death and major bleeding events.