Acute Coronary Syndrome Admissions Research Articles

P5570Complete revascularization does not reduce the incidence of new-onset heart failure during admission for acute coronary syndrome in patients with multivessel disease

P5570Complete revascularization does not reduce the incidence of new-onset heart failure during admission for acute coronary syndrome in patients with multivessel disease

The local earth magnetic field changes impact on weekly hospitalization due to unstable angina pectoris

Objectives: Acute coronary syndrome as an acute oxygenated blood deprivation to the heart muscle due to atherosclerotic plaque rupture in the coronary artery followed by thrombosis is possibly associated with changes in the Earth’s local time varying magnetic field as they strongly influence hormonal and other regulatory systems’ activity. This study analyses the correlation between prevalence of the acute coronary syndrome and the changes in the local time varying aspects of the magnetic field. Methods: Seven-hundred patients admitted to Cardiology Department of Hospital of Lithuanian University of Health Sciences Kaunas Clinics within 2016 due to acute coronary syndrome were retrospectively included into the study. The number of cases per week was compared with the weekly changes of the local Earth magnetic field. The one-year period was divided into two periods: the first-half of the year (weeks 1 to 26) and the second-half of the year (weeks 27 to 52) and more detailed analyses were performed accordingly to the significance of the left main artery lesion. Mean power of local magnetic field fluctuations in Lithuania, measured in pT2 in five different frequency ranges where overlaps between the Schumann resonance and EEG frequency ranges (named as SDelta (0-3.5 Hz), STheta (3.5-7 Hz), SAlpha (7-15 Hz), SBeta (15-32 Hz) and SGamma (32-66 Hz) to distinguish them from the EEG bands). Results: Statistically significant weak and moderate correlations between weekly prevalence of acute coronary syndrome admissions and the magnetic field intensities changes were found. Higher intensities in the SBeta and SGamma ranges were associated with a higher number of admissions throughout the year in females and the SGamma range was associated with higher number of admission only during the second-half of the year in males. A higher intensity magnetic field in SDelta, STheta, SAlpha and SBeta ranges was associated with a higher admissions number due to left main artery lesions in males, while a higher intensity in the SGamma range was associated with higher number of admissions due to left main artery lesions in females through the year. Conclusion: Significant correlation between acute coronary syndrome and changes in the local Earth time varying magnetic field intensities was found. Some frequency ranges are associated with an episode of an acute coronary syndrome. Left main artery lesions significantly correlated with magnetic field changes in most of the frequency ranges in males while only one of the frequency ranges in females.

MINOCA in Iceland. Acute coronary syndrome in patients with normal or nonobstructive coronary arteries

The classical pathophysiological process underlying acute coronary syndromes has been considered to be plaque rup-ture followed by platelet activation and aggregation and subsequent thrombus formation leading to myocardial ischemia and infarction. A substantial number of patients with acute coronary syndromes appear to have normal or near normal (<50% stenosis) coronary arteries on angiography. Recently, this clinical entity has been coined MINOCA (Myocardial Infarction with Non-Obstructive Coronary Arteries). The purpose of this paper is to describe the proportion of MINOCA among ACS patients in Iceland. We performed a retrospective analysis of all admissions for acute coronary syndromes at Landspitali University Hospital, the single coronary catheterization facility in Iceland, during a five year period between 2012 and 2016. All patients admitted for STEMI or NSTEMI that turned out to have normal or near normal coronary arteries were consecutively included in the study. For each patient the diagnosis was re-evaluated according to further assessments using a diagnostic algorithm specially constructed for this study. During the five year study period 1708 patients were studied with coronary angiography during first hospitalization for STEMI or NSTEMI. Among these, 225 (13.2%) had normal or non-obstructive coronary arteries with less than 50% luminal narrowing. The final diagnosis of these patients were plaque erosion / rupture in 72 indi-viduals (32%), myocarditis in 33 (14.7%), takotsubo cardiomyopathy in 28 (12.4%), type II myocardial infarction in 30 (13.3%), vasospastic angina in 31 (13.8%) and other or undetermined cause in 31 (13.8%) patients. The proportion of MINOCA in Iceland is 13.2% of patients admitted for acute coronary syndromes. Plaque erosion / rupture was considered a likely cause in one third of patients with other causes beeing evenly distributed with approximately half that frequency. Identification of the underlying cause of MINOCA would become more accurate with a consistent use of cardiac magnetic resonance imaging in these patients as it provided a definitive diagnosis in all of those -studied.

Trends in optimal medical therapy prescription and mortality after admission for acute coronary syndrome: a 9-year experience in a real-world setting.

Optimal medical therapy (OMT) is recommended in acute coronary syndrome (ACS) patients. Few studies present temporal trends of OMT prescription and its impact on outcomes in a real-world setting. We aimed to evaluate OMT prescription in a real-world ACS population and its relation to mortality during almost a decade. Consecutive ST-elevation myocardial infarction and non-ST-elevation myocardial infarction (NSTEMI) patients (n = 9202) admitted to a single Dutch tertiary hospital between 2006 and 2014 were included and followed for drug prescription and mortality up to 1 year. Optimal medical therapy was defined as prescription of aspirin, P2Y12inhibitors, statin, beta-blockers, and angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors or angiotensin receptor blockers (ACEi/ARB). Optimal medical therapy prescription was 43.7% at discharge, 46.6% at 30-days, and 25.5% at 1-year. Optimal medical therapy prescription at discharge was lower among NSTEMI patients (34.5% vs. 49.2%, P < 0.001). Optimal medical therapy prescription at discharge, 30-days and 1-year and mortality outcomes did not change during the study period. After adjustment for baseline and admission characteristics, OMT at discharge was associated with a reduction in mortality in patients who survived hospitalization for the index event [adjusted hazard ratio: 0.66, 95% confidence interval (0.46-0.93)]. In this single-centre observational registry with >9000 patients reflecting almost a decade of ACS care, <50% of patients were on OMT at discharge. Prescription of OMT and mortality outcomes remained stable during the study period. After adjustment, OMT prescription at discharge was associated with reduced mortality in ACS survivors. Further contemporary randomized studies are warranted to determine the role of beta-blockers and ACEi/ARBs in ACS patients with preserved left ventricular ejection fraction.

Confirming LV Function Assessment During Acute Coronary Syndrome (ACS) Admission at BOPDHB Hospitals

Aim: The LV Assessment Report by ANZACS-QI in 2017 indicated only 74.8% of Bay of Plenty (BOP) acute coronary syndrome (ACS) presentations had left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) measured during admission. This audit was performed to check the validity of the ANZACS-QI report and also ascertain the reasons for no LVEF assessment. Method: ANZACS-QI identified 295 BOP admissions between January 2016 and June 2017 recorded as ACS presentation and no LVEF. Notes were reviewed to determine if admissions fulfilled ACS criteria, whether LVEF was performed and, if performed, captured by ANZACS-QI. Results: LVEF was assessed but not captured in 114 admissions (38.6%). However, 22 admissions did not fit criteria for ACS and 42 admissions were classified as a type 2 myocardial infarction (MI) where the role of LVEF assessment is less certain. LVEF was not assessed in 181 (61.4%). In 33 admissions the reason was either recent inpatient or outpatient LVEF measurement and in 50 admissions it was deemed LVEF would not alter management. Conclusion: In the BOP ACS population, ANZACS-QI did not capture over one third of the LVEF assessments performed which appeared to be largely related to patients being transferred to another DHB and electronic record uploading delay. There is also a significant subgroup of patients where the treating clinicians, as stewards of the healthcare resource, omitted LVEF assessment as it would not alter clinical management. We recommend this audit should be extended to other DHBs in the country to determine the true rate of assessment and factored into future ANZACS-QI reports.

β-Blocker Therapy Prior to Admission for Acute Coronary Syndrome inPatients Without Heart Failure or Left Ventricular Dysfunction Improves In-Hospital and 12-Month Outcome: Results From the GULF-RACE 2 (Gulf Registry of Acute Coronary Events-2).

BackgroundThe prognostic impact of β‐blockers (BB) in acute coronary syndrome (ACS) patients without heart failure (HF) or left ventricular dysfunction is controversial, especially in the postreperfusion era. We sought to determine whether a BB therapy before admission for ACS has a favorable in‐hospital outcome in patients without HF, and whether they also reduce 12‐month mortality if still prescribed on discharge.Methods and ResultsThe GULF‐RACE 2 (Gulf Registry of Acute Coronary Events‐2) is a prospective multicenter study of ACS in 6 Middle Eastern countries. We studied in‐hospital cardiovascular events in patients hospitalized for ACS without HF in relation to BB on admission, and 1‐year mortality in relation to BB on discharge. Among the 7903 participants, 7407 did not have HF, of whom 5937 (80.15%) patients were on BB. Patients on BB tended to be older and have more comorbidities. However, they had a lower risk of in‐hospital mortality, mitral regurgitation, HF, cardiogenic shock, and ventricular tachycardia/ventricular fibrillation. Furthermore, 4208 patients were discharged alive and had an ejection fraction ≥40%. Among those, 84.1% had a BB prescription. At 12 months, they also had a reduced risk of mortality as compared with the non‐BB group. Even after correcting for confounding factors in 2 different models, in‐hospital and 12‐month mortality risk was still lower in the BB group.ConclusionsIn this cohort of ACS, BB therapy before admission for ACS is associated with decreased in‐hospital mortality and major cardiovascular events, and 1‐year mortality in patients without HF or left ventricular dysfunction if still prescribed on discharge.

Risk Factors Associated with Acute Coronary Syndrome after Successful Percutaneous Coronary Intervention

Abstract Objective: Admission for acute coronary syndrome after successful percutaneous coronary intervention is a delicate situation for the patient and doctor. Predictors of these cases are poorly described. Methods: We retrospectively analysed the files of post-percutaneous coronary intervention patients admitted to the Department of Cardiology of the Institute for Cardiovascular Disease and Heart Transplant in Tirgu Mures between January 2012 and December 2015. Analyses using the t-test, chi-square test, and Fisher test were performed to compare demographics, clinical and angiographic characteristics of patients with acute coronary syndrome, patients with stable angina, and those without symptoms. Results: One hundred eighty post-percutaneous coronary intervention patients were readmitted; 46 patients (25.55%) were readmitted for acute coronary syndrome. Histories of arterial hypertension and renal dysfunction at hospital admission were associated with acute coronary syndrome. Bare metal stent in-stent restenosis and localisation of bare metal stent in-stent restenosis of the left descendent coronary artery were angiographic predictors of acute coronary syndrome. Conclusion: Several clinical and angiographic factors identify patients at high risk for acute coronary syndrome after successful percutaneous coronary intervention. Recognition and treatment of these factors may prevent readmission for such a dangerous condition and may improve outcomes.

Contemporary stroke prevention strategies in 11 096 European patients with atrial fibrillation: a report from the EURObservational Research Programme on Atrial Fibrillation (EORP-AF) Long-Term General Registry

Contemporary data regarding atrial fibrillation (AF) management and current use of oral anticoagulants (OACs) for stroke prevention are needed. The EURObservational Research Programme on AF (EORP-AF) Long-Term General Registry analysed consecutive AF patients presenting to cardiologists in 250 centres from 27 European countries. From 2013 to 2016, 11 096 patients were enrolled (40.7% female; mean age 69 ± 11 years). At discharge, OACs were used in 9379 patients (84.9%), with non-vitamin K antagonists (NOACs) accounting for 40.9% of OACs. Antiplatelet therapy alone was used by 20% of patients, while no antithrombotic treatment was prescribed in 6.4%. On multivariable analysis, age, hypertension, previous ischaemic stroke, symptomatic AF and planned cardioversion or ablation were independent predictors of OAC use, whereas lone AF, previous haemorrhagic events, chronic kidney disease and admission for acute coronary syndrome (ACS) or non-cardiovascular causes independently predicted OAC non-use. Regarding the OAC type, coronary artery disease, history of heart failure, or valvular heart disease, planned cardioversion and non-AF reasons for admission independently predicted the use of vitamin K antagonists (VKAs). Wide variability among the European regions was observed in the use of NOACs, independently from other clinical factors. The EORP-AF Long-Term General Registry provides a full picture of contemporary use of OAC in European AF patients. The overall rate of OACs use was generally high (84.9%), and a series of factors were associated with the prescription of OAC. A significant geographical heterogeneity in prescription of NOACs vs. VKAs was evident.

Longitudinal Impact of the Smoking Ban Legislation in Acute Coronary Syndrome Admissions.

Background and Purpose. The association between smoking and CV has been proved; however smoking is still the first preventable cause of death in the EU. We aim to evaluate the potential impact of the smoke ban on the number of ACS events in the Portuguese population. In addition, we evaluate the longitudinal effects of the smoking ban several years after its implementation. Methods. We analyzed the admission rate for ACS before and after the ban using data from hospital admission. Monthly crude rate was computed, using the Portuguese population as the denominator. Data concerning the proportion of smokers among ACS patients were obtained from the NRACS. Interrupted time series were used to assess changes over time. Results. A decline of −5.8% was found for ACS crude rate after the smoking ban. The decreasing trend was observed even after years since the law. The effect of the ban was higher in men and for people over 65 years. The most significant reduction of ACS rate was found in Lisbon. Conclusions. Our results suggest that smoking ban is related to a decline in ACS admissions, supporting the importance of smoke legislation as a public health measure, contributing to the reduction of ACS rate.

C-Type Natriuretic Peptides in Coronary Disease.

C-type natriuretic peptide (CNP) is a paracrine growth factor expressed in the vascular endothelium. Although upregulated in atheromatous arteries, the predictive value of plasma CNP products for outcome in coronary disease is unknown. This study aimed to compare the prognostic value of plasma CNP products with those of other natriuretic peptides in individuals with coronary artery disease, and investigate their associations with cardiac and renal function. Plasma concentrations of CNP and amino-terminal proCNP (NT-proCNP) were measured at baseline in 2129 individuals after an index acute coronary syndrome admission and related to cardiac and renal function, other natriuretic peptides [atrial NP (ANP) and B-type NP (BNP)] and prognosis (primary end point, mortality; secondary end point, cardiac readmission). Median follow-up was 4 years. At baseline, and in contrast to CNP, ANP, and BNP, plasma NT-proCNP was higher in males and weakly related to cardiac function but strongly correlated to plasma creatinine. All NPs were univariately associated with mortality. Resampling at 4 and 12 months in survivors showed stable concentrations of NT-proCNP whereas all other peptides declined. When studied by diagnosis (myocardial infarction, unstable angina) at index admission using a multivariate model, NT-proBNP predicted mortality and readmission in myocardial infarction. In unstable angina, only NT-proCNP predicted both mortality and cardiac readmission. In contrast to the close association of NT-proBNP with cardiac function, and predictive value for outcome after myocardial infarction, plasma NT-proCNP is highly correlated with renal function and is an independent predictor of mortality and cardiac readmission in individuals with unstable angina.

Abstract 13804: Differential Outcome of Medical Therapy Compared With Percutaneous and Surgical Coronary Revascularization in Individuals With Chronic Kidney Disease at Low, Medium, or High Cardiovascular Risk

Introduction: Comparisons of medical therapy (MT) and percutaneous (PCI) or surgical coronary revascularization (CABG) for the treatment of coronary artery disease (CAD) in the setting of chronic kidney disease (CKD) have suggested that MT is inferior, but may be confounded by failure to adequately account for baseline cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk and by the nihilistic definition of MT as absence of revascularization rather than active titration of MT. Hypothesis: MT is superior to revascularization in CKD pts at low CV risk but PCI and CABG are superior to MT when CV risk is high. Methods: The 20% Medicare sample was used to identify pts in 2007-2012 with CKD, assess outcomes, and define risk groups: Low risk: angiography or stress testing in the absence of prior CVD; Medium risk: stress test or angiography with prior CVD history; High risk: admission for acute coronary syndrome (ACS). PCI and CABG were defined on the basis of procedures within 60 days of risk group entry. MT included non-PCI/CABG pts with addition of new CV medication during the same time frame. R esults: For low risk pts 1000 had PCI, 571 CABG, and 6848 MT. For medium risk 1751 PCI, 718 CABG and 9670 MT pts. For high risk 4542 PCI, 1481 CABG and 8287 MT pts. All-cause mortality rates increased across risk groups, consistent with excellent performance of our classification metric. Mortality rates per hundred pt years were lowest with MT in the low risk group—PCI 9.1, CABG 8.9, MT 8.1--and medium risk groups—PCI 13.5, CABG 14.6, MT 13.2. In contrast, survival was markedly better with CABG or PCI in high risk pts—PCI 18.4, CABG 13.1, MT 33.5 ( Table ). Conclusions: The relative benefits of MT and coronary revascularization in the setting of CKD vary according to pre-treatment CV risk. For pts at low or moderate risk, MT, PCI, and CABG have similar survival. In contrast, revascularization, particularly CABG, is associated with markedly improved survival (and higher ESRD rate) compared to MT after ACS.

Cardiac rehabilitation after acute coronary syndrome comparing adherence and risk factor modification in a community-based shared care model versus hospital-based care in a randomised controlled trial with 12 months of follow-up

To investigate whether phase II cardiac rehabilitation (CR) conducted by a community model of shared care CR (SC-CR) including health care centres and general practice was feasible and provided acceptable results and to compare SC-CR to hospital-based CR (H-CR) in a randomised controlled trial. Patients were randomised to H-CR or SC-CR after admission for acute coronary syndrome. In SC-CR, the general practitioner took over the responsibility of the remaining rehabilitation, pharmacological treatment and risk factor management after the initial visit to the hospital outpatient clinic. The Municipal Health Care Centres provided courses on smoking cessation, nutrition, and exercise training and contributed to disease education and psychosocial support. The main endpoint was adherence to the CR programme and compliance with lifestyle modifications. In total, 1364 patients were screened, 327 (24%) were eligible, and 212 (65%) accepted participation. Phase II CR was completed by 192 (91%) of the participants. Full adherence to the CR programme was seen in 53% in SC-CR versus 54% in H-CR (relative risk (RR): 0.98, 95% confidence interval: 0.73-1.32). In H-CR, patients had higher rates of adherence to dietary advice and health education. In SC-CR, 12% of patients did not attend the risk factor evaluation and clinical assessment with their general practitioner. No difference in risk factor improvement was found. Exercise training was declined by 25% in both groups. Adherence to phase II CR was high in both groups. SC-CR did not improve adherence and efficacy, but had comparable effects on medication and risk factors. Thus, SC-CR was safe and effective.

The Cardiac Depression Scale (CDS) During Hospital Admission for Acute Coronary Syndrome Identifies Patients at Risk of Persistent Depression

The Cardiac Depression Scale (CDS) During Hospital Admission for Acute Coronary Syndrome Identifies Patients at Risk of Persistent Depression

Rationale and design of a randomized trial of automated hovering for post–myocardial infarction patients: The HeartStrong program

Coronary artery disease is the single leading cause of death in the United States, and medications can significantly reduce the rate of repeat cardiovascular events and treatment procedures. Adherence to these medications, however, is very low. HeartStrong is a national randomized trial offering 3 innovations. First, the intervention is built on concepts from behavioral economics that we expect to enhance its effectiveness. Second, the implementation of the trial takes advantage of new technology, including wireless pill bottles and remote feedback, to substantially automate procedures. Third, the trial's design includes an enhancement of the standard randomized clinical trial that allows rapid-cycle innovation and ongoing program enhancement. Using a system involving direct data feeds from 6 insurance partners followed by mail, telephone, and email contact, we enrolled 1,509 patients discharged from the hospital with acute myocardial infarction in a 2:1 ratio of intervention:usual care. The intervention period lasts 1 year; the primary outcome is time to first fatal or nonfatal acute vascular event or revascularization, including acute myocardial infarction, unstable angina, stroke, acute coronary syndrome admission, or death. Our randomized controlled trial of the HeartStrong program will provide an evaluation of a state-of-the-art behavioral economic intervention with a number of important pragmatic features. These include a tailored intervention responding to patient activity, streamlining of consent and implementation processes using new technologies, outcomes centrally important to patients, and the ability to implement rapid-cycle innovation.

Association of coronary microvascular dysfunction with restenosis of left anterior descending coronary artery disease treated by percutaneous intervention

BackgroundSeveral patients with successful percutaneous coronary interventions (PCIs) show evidence of coronary microvascular dysfunction (CMVD), which can be responsible for persistent positivity of electrocardiographic exercise stress test (EST). In this study, we assessed whether post-PCI CMVD may predict clinical outcome in patients undergoing successful elective PCI of an isolated stenosis of the left anterior descending (LAD) coronary artery. MethodsWe studied 29 patients (age 64±6, 23 M) with stable coronary artery disease and isolated stenosis (>75%) of the LAD coronary artery who underwent successful PCI with stent implantation. Coronary blood flow (CBF) velocity response to adenosine and to cold-pressor test (CPT) was assessed in the LAD coronary artery by transthoracic Doppler echocardiography 24h and 3months after PCI. The primary end-point was a combination of death, admission for acute coronary syndromes (ACS) or target vessel revascularization (TVR). ResultsNo death or ACS occurred during 36months of follow-up, but TVR was performed in 5 patients (17.2%). CBF response to CPT at 3months after PCI was 1.31±0.2 vs. 1.71±0.4 in patients with or without TVR, respectively (p=0.03), whereas CBF response to adenosine at 3months in these two groups was 1.70±0.3 vs. 2.05±0.4 (p=0.059). ConclusionsOur data suggest that, in patients with successful PCI of LAD coronary artery stenosis, lower CBF response to the endothelium-dependent vasodilator stimulus CPT is associated with long-term recurrence of restenosis.

Impact of Sleep-Disordered Breathing on Long-Term Outcomes in Patients With Acute Coronary Syndrome Who Have Undergone Primary Percutaneous Coronary Intervention.

BackgroundSleep‐disordered breathing (SDB) has been recognized as an important risk factor for cardiovascular diseases; however, the impact of SDB on long‐term outcomes in patients with acute coronary syndrome has not been fully evaluated.Methods and ResultsWe performed overnight cardiorespiratory monitoring of 241 patients with acute coronary syndrome who were successfully treated with primary percutaneous coronary intervention between January 2005 and December 2008. The presence of SDB was defined as apnea–hypopnea index ≥5 events per hour. The end point was incidence of major adverse cardiocerebrovascular events, defined as a composite of all‐cause death, recurrence of acute coronary syndrome, nonfatal stroke, and hospital admission for congestive heart failure. Patients were followed for a median period of 5.6 years. Among the 241 patients who were finally enrolled, comorbidity of SDB with acute coronary syndrome was found in 126 patients (52.3%). The cumulative incidence of major adverse cardiocerebrovascular events was significantly higher in patients with SDB than in those without SDB (21.4% versus 7.8%, P=0.006). Multivariable analysis revealed that the presence of SDB was a significant predictor of major adverse cardiocerebrovascular events (hazard ratio 2.28, 95% CI 1.06–4.92; P=0.035).ConclusionsThe study's results showed that the presence of SDB among patients with acute coronary syndrome following primary percutaneous coronary intervention is associated with a higher incidence of major adverse cardiocerebrovascular events during long‐term follow‐up.

Prognostic Value of Cardiovascular Magnetic Resonance and Single-Photon Emission Computed Tomography in Suspected Coronary Heart Disease: Long-Term Follow-up of a Prospective, Diagnostic Accuracy Cohort Study.

There are no prospective, prognostic data comparing cardiovascular magnetic resonance (CMR) and single-photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) in the same population of patients with suspected coronary heart disease (CHD). To establish the ability of CMR and SPECT to predict major adverse cardiovascular events (MACEs). Annual follow-up of the CE-MARC (Clinical Evaluation of MAgnetic Resonance imaging in Coronary heart disease) study for a minimum of 5 years for MACEs (cardiovascular death, acute coronary syndrome, unscheduled revascularization or hospital admission for cardiovascular cause). (Current Controlled Trials registration: ISRCTN77246133). Secondary and tertiary care cardiology services. 752 patients from the CE-MARC study who were being investigated for suspected CHD. Prediction of time to MACE was assessed by using univariable (log-rank test) and multivariable (Cox proportional hazards regression) analysis. 744 (99%) of the 752 recruited patients had complete follow-up. Of 628 who underwent CMR, SPECT, and the reference standard test of X-ray angiography, 104 (16.6%) had at least 1 MACE. Abnormal findings on CMR (hazard ratio, 2.77 [95% CI, 1.85 to 4.16]; P< 0.001) and SPECT (hazard ratio, 1.62 [CI, 1.11 to 2.38; P= 0.014) were both strong and independent predictors of MACE. Only CMR remained a significant predictor after adjustment for other cardiovascular risk factors, angiography result, or stratification for initial patient treatment. Data are from a single-center observational study (albeit conducted in a high-volume institution for both CMR and SPECT). Five-year follow-up of the CE-MARC study indicates that compared with SPECT, CMR is a stronger predictor of risk for MACEs, independent of cardiovascular risk factors, angiography result, or initial patient treatment. This further supports the role of CMR as an alternative to SPECT for the diagnosis and management of patients with suspected CHD. British Heart Foundation.

LO005: Association between emergency department chest pain volume and outcomes among patients presenting with chest pain

Introduction: Chest pain is one of the most common reasons for emergency department (ED) visits in developed countries. Patients discharged after ED assessment remain at risk for adverse cardiac events. Although a volume-outcome relationship has been shown for myocardial infarction, it is uncertain whether a similar relationship exists with ED chest pain volume. Accordingly, we aimed to determine whether ED chest pain volume influences outcomes of patients presenting to the ED with chest pain who were discharged home. Methods: This was a retrospective cohort study using population-based data from Ontario, Canada. Patients who were discharged home from an ED in Ontario with a primary diagnosis of chest pain from April 1, 2004 to March 31, 2010 were included. High-risk patients were defined as the presence of diabetes or pre-existing cardiovascular disease, while low-risk patients were defined as the absence of these conditions. ED volume was categorized as low, medium, or high, based on tertiles of annual chest pain patient volume. The primary outcome of this study was all-cause mortality one year after the index ED visit. Mantel-Haenszel Chi-Square was used to compare crude outcome rates. Results: There were 56,767 high-risk patients. The average age was 66 years and 53% were male. All-cause mortality rates were 6.8%, 6.3%, and 6.0% (p=0.028), and rates of hospitalization for acute coronary syndrome were 5.8%, 4.6%, and 4.0% (p&lt;0.001) among low, medium, and high volume EDs respectively. There were 216,527 low-risk patients. The average age was 64 years and 42% were male. All-cause mortality rates were 2.0%, 1.9%, and 1.6% (p&lt;0.001), and rates of hospitalization for acute coronary syndrome were 1.5%, 1.4%, and 1.0% (p&lt;0.001) among low, medium, and high volume EDs respectively. Conclusion: Higher volume EDs were associated with decreased rates of all-cause mortality and admission for acute coronary syndrome among chest pain patients who were discharged home. Future research should study the reasons for this finding and attempt to improve outcomes in lower volume EDs.

Changes in mortality on weekend versus weekday admissions for Acute Coronary Syndrome in the United States over the past decade

BackgroundWe assessed in-hospital mortality and utilization of invasive cardiac procedures following Acute Coronary Syndrome (ACS) admissions on the weekend versus weekdays over the past decade in the United States. MethodsWe used data from the Nationwide Inpatient Survey (2001–2011) to examine differences in all-cause in-hospital mortality between patients with a principal diagnosis of ACS admitted on a weekend versus a weekday. Adjusted and hierarchical logistic regression model analysis was then used to identify if weekend admission was associated with a decreased utilization of procedural interventions and increased subsequent complications as well. Results13,988,772 ACS admissions were identified. Adjusted mortality was higher for weekend admissions for Non-ST-Elevation Acute Coronary Syndromes [OR: 1.15, 95% CI, 1.14–1.16] and only somewhat higher for ST-Elevation Myocardial Infarction [OR: 1.03; 95% CI, 1.01–1.04]. Additionally, patients were significantly less likely to receive coronary revascularization intervention/therapy on their first day of admission [OR: 0.97, 95% CI: 0.96–0.98 and OR: 0.75, 95% CI: 0.75–0.75 for STEMI and NSTE-ACS respectively]. For ACS patients admitted during the weekend who underwent procedural interventions, in-hospital mortality and complications were higher as compared to patients undergoing the same procedures on weekdays. ConclusionFor ACS patients, weekend admission is associated with higher mortality and lower utilization of invasive cardiac procedures, and those who did undergo these interventions had higher rates of mortality and complications than their weekday counterparts. This data leads to the possible conclusion that access to diagnostic/interventional procedures may be contingent upon the day of admission, which may impact mortality.

Legislative smoking bans for reducing harms from secondhand smoke exposure, smoking prevalence and tobacco consumption.

Smoking bans have been implemented in a variety of settings, as well as being part of policy in many jurisdictions to protect the public and employees from the harmful effects of secondhand smoke (SHS). They also offer the potential to influence social norms and the smoking behaviour of those populations they affect. Since the first version of this review in 2010, more countries have introduced national smoking legislation banning indoor smoking. To assess the effects of legislative smoking bans on (1) morbidity and mortality from exposure to secondhand smoke, and (2) smoking prevalence and tobacco consumption. We searched the Cochrane Tobacco Addiction Group Specialised Register, MEDLINE, EMBASE, PsycINFO, CINAHL and reference lists of included studies. We also checked websites of various organisations. Date of most recent search; February 2015. We considered studies that reported legislative smoking bans affecting populations. The minimum standard was having an indoor smoking ban explicitly in the study and a minimum of six months follow-up for measures of smoking behaviour. Our search included a broad range of research designs including: randomized controlled trials, quasi-experimental studies (i.e. non-randomized controlled studies), controlled before-and-after studies, interrupted time series as defined by the Cochrane Effective Practice and Organisation of Care Group, and uncontrolled pre- and post-ban data. One author extracted characteristics and content of the interventions, participants, outcomes and methods of the included studies and a second author checked the details. We extracted health and smoking behaviour outcomes. We did not attempt a meta-analysis due to the heterogeneity in design and content of the studies included. We evaluated the studies using qualitative narrative synthesis. There are 77 studies included in this updated review. We retained 12 studies from the original review and identified 65 new studies. Evidence from 21 countries is provided in this update, an increase of eight countries from the original review. The nature of the intervention precludes randomized controlled trials. Thirty-six studies used an interrupted time series study design, 23 studies use a controlled before-and-after design and 18 studies are before-and-after studies with no control group; six of these studies use a cohort design. Seventy-two studies reported health outcomes, including cardiovascular (44), respiratory (21), and perinatal outcomes (7). Eleven studies reported national mortality rates for smoking-related diseases. A number of the studies report multiple health outcomes. There is consistent evidence of a positive impact of national smoking bans on improving cardiovascular health outcomes, and reducing mortality for associated smoking-related illnesses. Effects on respiratory and perinatal health were less consistent. We found 24 studies evaluating the impact of national smoke-free legislation on smoking behaviour. Evidence of an impact of legislative bans on smoking prevalence and tobacco consumption is inconsistent, with some studies not detecting additional long-term change in existing trends in prevalence. Since the first version of this review was published, the current evidence provides more robust support for the previous conclusions that the introduction of a legislative smoking ban does lead to improved health outcomes through reduction in SHS for countries and their populations. The clearest evidence is observed in reduced admissions for acute coronary syndrome. There is evidence of reduced mortality from smoking-related illnesses at a national level. There is inconsistent evidence of an impact on respiratory and perinatal health outcomes, and on smoking prevalence and tobacco consumption.