EAPCI Summit 2026: New Insights into Women’s Acute Coronary Syndrome Management

Munich, Germany – February 19, 2026 – Preliminary findings from the Italian GEDI-ACS registry, presented today at the inaugural EAPCI Summit 2026, highlight the unique risk profile of women experiencing acute coronary syndromes (ACS) and offer potential avenues for improved management. The EAPCI Summit, organized by the European Association of Percutaneous Cardiovascular Interventions (EAPCI) under the umbrella of the European Society of Cardiology (ESC), brought together leading experts in interventional cardiology.

Understanding Acute Coronary Syndromes and Gender Disparities

Ischaemic heart disease, characterized by the narrowing of coronary arteries due to fatty material buildup, manifests in various forms, including acute coronary syndromes (ACS) such as angina and heart attacks (myocardial infarction). While ACS is less common in women than in men, research indicates that women face a higher risk of mortality within the same age group.

The GEDI-ACS Registry: A Multidimensional Approach

Doctor Francesca Napoli from IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute in Milan, Italy, emphasized the need for more comprehensive research on ACS in women. “There is underrepresentation of women with ACS in clinical trials, despite cardiovascular disease being a leading cause of mortality.” The Gender, Diversity and Inclusion–Acute Coronary Syndromes (GEDI–ACS) registry was established as a multicentre, prospective Italian study dedicated to understanding ACS in women, integrating clinical, sex-specific, socioeconomic, psychosocial, biochemical and molecular data.

Key Findings from the Initial 68 Patients

The study is currently enrolling 100 consecutive women presenting with ACS (STEMI, NSTEMI, or unstable angina) across multiple centers in Northern and Southern Italy. Preliminary data from the first 68 patients, presented at the EAPCI Summit, revealed the following:

• Median age: 68 years
• Non-Caucasian representation: 7.4%
• Low health literacy: 85.3%
• High prevalence of cardiovascular risk factors:
• Dyslipidaemia: 83.6%
• Hypertension: 77.9%
• History of smoking: 50.0%
• Significant non-cardiac comorbidities:
• Miscarriage: 32.3%
• Premature menopause: 16.2%
• Autoimmune diseases: 32.2%
• History of cancer: 16.2%
• Anxiety/depression: 42.6%
• ACS as a first cardiovascular event: 86.0%
• Primary symptom: Chest pain (88.2%)
• ACS type distribution:
• STEMI: 38.2%
• NSTEMI: 36.8%
• Unstable angina: 25.0%
• MINOCA (Myocardial Infarction with Non-Obstructive Coronary Arteries): 38.2%

Notably, no deaths, strokes, or reinfarctions occurred within the first 30 days, and recurrent chest pain was reported by 11.3% of patients.

Implications for Improved Care

Doctor Napoli highlighted the implications of these findings: “ACS often represented the first cardiovascular event. The common coexistence of ACS with noncardiac comorbidities, miscarriage and premature menopause provide insights into how we may be able to tailor preventive approaches. MINOCA was similarly a frequent finding and yet the best way to treat it is still unknown. The high levels of anxiety/depression and poor health literacy we found are important considerations as we try to support women with ACS more effectively to enhance recovery.”

Professor Alaide Chieffo, Principal Investigator of the GEDI-ACS registry and EAPCI President, emphasized the ongoing nature of the research. “The registry will continue with additional enrolment and follow-up. We will also combine clinical findings with genetic and molecular data to deepen our understanding of disease mechanisms and contribute to more precise and inclusive approaches to ACS care in women.”

Funding: This research was funded by the European Union – Next Generation EU – NRRP M6C2 – Investment 2.1 Enhancement and strengthening of biomedical research in the NHS PNRR-MCNT2-2023-12377431; Master CUP: C43C24000290007.