Hand preference in patients with acute coronary syndrome

The relationship between left handedness and morbidity and mortality in some disorders has been extensively studied in recent years. The present study investigated the potential relation between angiographically proven coronary artery disease (CAD) and hand preference.This was a prospective cross-sectional study including 633 patients admitted to the emergency department (ED). Hand preference was assessed using the Edinburg Handedness Inventory. Patients whose hand lateralization could not be evaluated using this inventory were excluded, in addition to those unable to undergo angiographic coronary artery disease detection. All patients with angina pectoris admitted to the ED were evaluated according to current guidelines. Selective left and right coronary angiography was performed, and the severity of the lesion and coronary anatomy were evaluated.The Edinburg handedness inventory assessment showed that 93.2% of the population were right handed and that 6.8% were left handed. Among patients ≥ 65 years with angiographically proven CAD, the ratio of right-handers was markedly higher than the ratio of left handers. Physicians should pay attention to the handedness of patients when evaluating coronary angiographies. Left handedness seems to have a protective effect against CAD in the elderly.

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