Acute Coronary Syndrome Mortality Research Articles

Trends, Treatment Approaches, and In-Hospital Mortality for Acute Coronary Syndrome in Japan During the Coronavirus Disease 2019 Pandemic.

Aim: The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has left negative spillover effects on the entire health care system. Previous studies have suggested significant declines in cases of acute coronary syndrome (ACS) and primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) during the COVID-19 pandemic. Methods: We performed a quasi-experimental, retrospective cohort study of ACS hospitalisations by using a multi-institutional administrative claims database in Japan. We used interrupted time series analyses to ascertain impacts on cases, treatment approaches, and in-hospital mortality before and after Japan’s state of emergency to respond to COVID-19. The primary outcome was the change in ACS cases per week. Results: A total of 30,198 ACS cases (including 21,612 acute myocardial infarction and 8,586 unstable angina) were confirmed between 1st July 2018 and 30th June 2020. After the state of emergency, an immediate decrease was observed in ACS cases per week (-18.3%; 95% confidence interval, -13.1 to -23.5%). No significant differences were found in the severity of Killip classification (P=0.51) or cases of fibrinolytic therapy (P=0.74). The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on in-hospital mortality in ACS patients was no longer observed after adjustment for clinical characteristics (adjusted odds ratio, 0.93; 95% confidence interval, 0.78 to 1.12;P=0.49). Conclusions: We demonstrated the characteristics and trends of ACS cases in a Japanese population by applying interrupted time series analyses. Our findings provide significant insights into the association between COVID-19 and decreases in ACS hospitalisations during the pandemic.

Temporal trends in short and long-term outcomes after percutaneous coronary interventions among cancer patients.

While mortality of acute coronary syndrome (ACS) is known to have steadily decline over the last decades, data are lacking regarding the complex sub-population of patients with both coronary artery disease and cancer. A large single-center percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) registry was used to retrieve patients who had a known diagnosis of malignancy during PCI. Patients were divided into two groups according to the period in which PCI was performed (period 1: 2006-2011, period 2: 2012-2017). Cox regression hazard models were implemented to compare primary endpoint, defined as the composite outcomes of major adverse cardiac events (MACE) (which include cardiovascular death, myocardial infarction or target vessel revascularization) and secondary endpoint of all-cause mortality, between the two time periods. A total of 3286 patients were included, 1819 (55%) had undergone PCI in period 1, and 1467 (45%) in period 2. Both short- and long-term MACE and overall mortality were significantly lower in patients who underwent PCI at the latter period (2.3% vs. 4.3%, p < 0.001 and 1.1% vs. 3.2%, p < 0.001 after 30days and 24% vs. 30%, p < 0.001 and 12% vs. 22%, p < 0.001 after 2years, respectively). However, in a multivariate analysis, going through PCI in the latter period was still associated with lower rates of overall mortality (HR 0.708, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.53-0.93, p = 0.014) but there was no significant difference in MACE (HR 0.83, 95% CI 0.75-1.42, p = 0.16). Patients with cancer undergoing PCI during our most contemporary period had an improved overall survival, but no significant differences were observed in the composite cardiovascular endpoints, compared to an earlier PCI period. The management of coronary patients with cancer disease remains challenging.

Modern NCDR and ACTION risk models outperform the GRACE model for prediction of in-hospital mortality in acute coronary syndrome in a German cohort

Background and purposeRisk prediction with the Global Registry of Acute Coronary Events (GRACE) risk model is guideline-recommended in acute coronary syndrome (ACS) patients. However, the performance of more contemporary scores derived from ACTION (Acute Coronary Treatment and Intervention Outcomes Network) and National Cardiovascular Data (NCDR) registries remains incompletely understood. We aimed to compare these models in German ACS patients. Methods and resultsA total of 1567 patients with (Non-)ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (NSTEMI: 1002 patients, STEMI: 565 patients) undergoing invasive management at University Hospital Düsseldorf (Germany) from 2014 to 2018 were included. Overall in-hospital mortality was 7.5% (NSTEMI 3.7%, STEMI 14.5%). Parameters for calculation of GRACE 1.0, GRACE 2.0, ACTION and NCDR risk models and in-hospital mortality were assessed and risk model performance was compared. The GRACE 1.0 risk model for prediction of in-hospital mortality discriminated risk superior (c-index 0.84) to its successor GRACE 2.0 (c-index 0.79, pGRACE1.0vsGRACE2.0 = 0.0008). The NCDR model performed best in discrimination of risk in ACS overall (c-index 0.89; pACTIONvsNCDR < 0.0001; pGRACEvsNCDR < 0.0001) and showed superior performance compared to GRACE in NSTEMI and STEMI subgroups (pGRACEvsNCDR both < 0.02). ACTION and GRACE risk models performed comparable to each other (both c-index 0.84, pGRACEvsACTION = 0.68), with advantages for ACTION in NSTEMI patients (c-index 0.87 vs. 0.84 (GRACE); pGRACEvsACTION = 0.02). ACTION and GRACE 2.0 showed the most accurate calibration of all models. ConclusionsIn a contemporary German patient population with ACS, modern NCDR and ACTION risk models showed superior performance in prediction of in-hospital mortality compared to the gold-standard GRACE model.

Correlation between Troponin I, N-terminal pro–B-type natriuretic peptide, and left ventricular ejection fraction in acute coronary syndrome patients with mortality

Background: Troponin I (Trop 1) and N-terminal pro–B-type natriuretic peptide (NT-ProBNP) can be a discerning marker for the patients presenting with symptoms of acute cardiac ischemia and risk of death. The present study was to find a correlation between NT-ProBNP, troponin 1, and left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) in acute coronary syndrome (ACS) patients with mortality. Methods: Ninety ACS patients >18 years of age were included for this prospective observational study. Each patient was subjected to detailed clinical history, clinical examination, Trop I, NT-ProBNP, and LVEF at the time of admission. The primary outcome measures were to study the correlation of NT-ProBNP and Trop I and LVEF at the time of admission with mortality, whereas the secondary outcome measure was to study LVEF after ACS up to 1 month. Medians of continuous variables of two groups and three groups were tested. Results: The median Trop 1 levels were 12.0, 378.0, and 2454.0 in patients of unstable angina (UA), non-ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (NSTEMI), and ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI), respectively (P = 0.001). The median NT-ProBNP levels were 1027.0, 1494.0, and 3728.5 in patients of UA, NSTEMI and STEMI, respectively (P = 0.002). The median Trop 1 levels were 5433.0, 627.5, and 92.0 in patients whose LVEF was 50%, respectively (P = 0.001). The median NT-ProBNP levels were 14,554.0, 2009.0, and 306.0 in patients whose LVEF was 50%, respectively (P = 0.001). The median Trop 1 levels were 11439.0 and 570.0 in patients who expired and survived, respectively (P = 0.001). The median NT-ProBNP levels were 21047.0 and 1869.5 in patients who expired and survived, respectively (P = 0.001). The median LVEF were 30.0 and 45.0 in patients who expired and survived, respectively (P = 0.001). Trop I showed a significant positive correlation (r = 0.636) with NT-ProBNP levels (P Conclusion: Trop I, NT-ProBNP, and LVEF at the time of admission are strong predictors of 1-month mortality in ACS.

Body mass index and mortality in patients with cardiovascular disease: an umbrella review of meta-analyses.

Although many previous meta-analyses of epidemiological studies have demonstrated a relationship between body mass index (BMI) and mortality, inconsistent findings among cardiovascular disease patients have been observed. Thus, we performed an umbrella review to understand the strength of evidence and validity of claimed associations between BMI and mortality in patients with cardiovascular diseases. We comprehensively re-analyzed the data of meta-analyses of observational studies and randomized controlled trials on associations between BMI and mortality among patients with cardiovascular diseases. We also assessed the strength of evidence of the re-analyzed outcomes, which were determined from the criteria including statistical significance of the p-value of random-effects, as well as fixed-effects meta-analyses, small-study effects, between-study heterogeneity, and a 95% prediction interval. We ran comprehensive re-analysis of the data from the 21 selected studies, which contained a total of 108 meta-analyses; 23 were graded as convincing evidence and 12 were suggestive, 42 were weak, and 23 were non-significant. Underweight increased mortality in acute coronary syndrome (ACS), heart failure, and after therapeutic intervention for patients with cardiovascular diseases. Overweight, on the other hand decreased mortality in patient's ACS, atrial fibrillation, and heart failure with convincing evidence.

Sex differences in the management of patients with acute coronary syndrome: A population-based ecological cross-sectional study in Spain

Introduction and objectivesDespite evidence of a reduction in the incidence and mortality of acute coronary syndrome (ACS), some studies have highlighted differences in outcomes between men and women. We aimed to explore sex differences in the management and treatment of patients with ACS in Spain. MethodsThis ecological cross-sectional study combined ACS data from 10 Spanish registries (54 centres). Meta-regression analysis was performed using aggregated data of baseline characteristics, interventional procedures, treatments, and events that occurred during hospitalization and one-year follow-up. ResultsAggregated data from 34605 patients (75.1% men) was included. ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction was the most frequent diagnosis (58.9%) and almost 80% of patients were Killip Class I. Compared to men, women were older (mean age: 71.0 vs 63.3 years) and presented higher rates of hypertension (68.1% vs 51.7%) and diabetes (37.7% vs 26.5%). Women were also less likely to undergo percutaneous coronary interventions, revascularization surgery, and to receive drug-eluting stents during hospitalization. Regarding to antiplatelet therapy, even though indicated, 23.1% of women were not treated with P2Y12 inhibitors (vs 14.2% of men; P<.001); clopidogrel was the most frequently administered agent (> 60%). Significantly higher in-hospital (5.4% vs 3.7%) and 1-year (8.2% vs 4.9%) mortality was observed among women compared to men, which was mainly attributed to cardiovascular causes. ConclusionsDespite older age and unfavourable risk profile, female ACS patients seem to be suboptimally treated with P2Y12 inhibitors. To reduce mortality associated with ACS, improved prevention and optimized therapeutic approaches are needed.

Maximum blood glucose levels during hospitalisation to predict mortality in patients with acute coronary syndrome: a retrospective cohort study

ObjectiveThe aim in this study was to stratify maximum blood glucose levels to identify the the best cut-off value of glucose levels to predict mortality in acute coronary syndrome (ACS)...

Abstract 13173: Unusual Fatigue and Failure to Utilize Emergency Medical Services Are Associated With Prolonged Prehospital Delay for Suspected Acute Coronary Syndrome

Introduction: Rapid reperfusion reduces infarct size and mortality for acute coronary syndrome (ACS) but efficacy is time dependent. Time to presentation in the Emergency Department (ED) remains excessive and patient-controlled prehospital delay may be a modifiable variable for intervention. The aim of the study was to determine if transportation factors and clinical presentation predicted prehospital delay for suspected ACS stratified by final diagnosis (ACS vs. no ACS). Hypothesis: Symptoms other than chest pain would contribute to longer prehospital delay that would vary by final diagnosis. Methods: Secondary analysis of data collected from a multi-center prospective study. A heterogeneous sample of ED patients with symptoms suggestive of ACS were enrolled at five sites in the US. Accelerated failure time (AFT) models were used to specify a direct relationship between delay time and variables to predict prehospital delay by final diagnosis. Results: The sample of 975 adults included 609 (62.5%) men and 366 (37.5%) women who were predominantly Caucasian (69.1%), had a mean age of 60.32 (±14.07) years, and had lower income levels (66.4% ≤$50,000 annually). Median delay time was 6.68 (1.91, 24.94) hours and only 26.2% had a prehospital delay of 2 hours or less. Patients with and without ACS presenting with unusual fatigue (TR=1.71, p=0.002; TR=1.54, p=0.003 , respectively) or self-transporting to the ED experienced significantly longer prehospital delay (TR 1.93, p&lt;0.001; TR 1.71, p&lt;0.001 , respectively). Predictors of shorter delay in patients with ACS were shoulder pain and lightheadedness (TR=0.65, p =0.013 and TR=0.67, p =0.022, respectively). Predictors of shorter delay for patients ruled-out for ACS were the presence of chest pain, sweating (TR=0.071, p =0.025 and TR=0.073, p =0.032, respectively). Conclusion: Patients self-transporting to the ED had prolonged prehospital delays. Encouraging the use of EMS is an important modifiable factor for patients with symptoms concerning for ACS. Calling 911 can be positively framed to at risk patients and the community as having advanced care come to them since EMS diagnostic capabilities include 12-lead ECG acquisition and possibly high sensitivity troponin assays.

Relation of Adiponectin to Cardiovascular Events and Mortality in Patients With Acute Coronary Syndrome

The association between serum adiponectin levels and cardiovascular events, particularly how adiponectin predicts the development of cardiovascular events and mortality in acute coronary syndrome (ACS) patients remains unresolved. Hence, we aimed to determine whether higher adiponectin levels predict cardiovascular events and mortality in these patients. Regression analyses were performed to clarify adiponectin's ability to predict cardiovascular events and mortality among 1,641 ACS patients. Subgroup analyses were performed according to gender, age, and body mass index (BMI). The primary end point was a composite of the first all-cause death, nonfatal myocardial infarction, or nonfatal stroke event. The secondary end point was all-cause death. Hazard ratios for the primary and secondary end points per 5-µg/ml increase in adiponectin levels were 1.31 (95% confidence interval [CI], 1.13 to 1.47; p = 0.0007) and 1.32 (95% CI, 1.13 to 1.51; p = 0.001), respectively. Higher adiponectin levels were associated with increased cardiovascular events in men, patients aged ≥65 years, and those with BMI <25 kg/m2. In conclusion, higher adiponectin levels were associated with increased cardiovascular events and all-cause mortality in ACS patients. Its predictive ability might be limited in women, patients aged <65 years, and patients with BMI ≥25 kg/m2.

Analysis of hospital mortality in acute coronary syndrome in elderly and long-lived patients

Abstract Objective To evaluate the effect of clinical and medical history, laboratory and instrumental indicators, patient management tactics on the level of hospital mortality in patients with ACS in senile patients and long-livers. Materials and methods The study included 1520 senile patients (75–90 years old) and 96 long-livers (90–103 years old) hospitalized with a diagnosis of ACS. Depending on the management tactics, each age group was divided into 2 subgroups - invasive management - balloon angioplasty and stenting of the coronary arteries (n=670 in the group of old age, n=12 in the group of long-livers) and conservative management - patients who refused invasive intervention (n=850 in the group of senile age, n=84 in the group of centenarians). Results Hospital mortality rates in elderly patients were 11%, long-livers were significantly higher - 30%, significantly differing in the subgroups of invasive and conservative treatment in elderly patients (7.5% vs 14.5%; p=0.0368) while in long-livers these differences did not reach statistical significance (15.8% vs 38.7%; p=0.1175). Most patients of both age groups died during the first days of hospitalization - 68.2% and 73.5% of cases for senile age and long-livers, respectively, while the level of pre-mortality was comparable with conservative and invasive approaches to treatment. Clinical-anamnestic, laboratory and instrumental indicators that had a significant impact on the level of hospital mortality in elderly patients, regardless of management tactics, included the presence of clinically manifest multifocal atherosclerosis (p=0.003), class acute cardiac failure III-IV according to Killip (p=0.007), the presence of ST segment elevation (p=0.001), decreased LVEF (S) &amp;lt;42% (p=0.01), the development of acute kidney damage (p=0.006), and an electric storm (p=0.0005). In long-livers, these parameters also, regardless of management tactics, included Killip class acute cardiac failure III-IV (p=0.03), the presence of ST segment elevation (p=0.004), the development of acute kidney damage (p=0.001), and an electric storm (p=0.003), grade 3 atrioventricular block (p=0.02), acute erosive-ulcerative gastropathy with a decrease in hemoglobin level of more than 20 g / l (p=0.04). Conclusions Patients of older age groups are characterized by high rates of daily mortality. The level of hospital mortality in senile patients and long-livers is determined by a number of clinical and medical history, laboratory and instrumental parameters, the significance of which does not depend on patient management tactics. The choice of treatment strategy has a significant effect on hospital mortality in elderly people, while the development of complications of ACS played a large role in thanatogenesis in long-livers. Funding Acknowledgement Type of funding source: None

Effect of body mass index on ischemic and bleeding events in patients presenting with acute coronary syndromes: insights from the START-ANTIPLATELET registry

Abstract Background The protective effect of obesity on mortality in acute coronary syndromes (ACS) patients remains debated. We aimed at evaluating the impact of obesity on ischemic and bleeding events as possible explanations to the obesity paradox in ACS patients. Methods For the purpose of this sub-study, patients enrolled in the START-ANTIPLATELET registry were stratified according to Body Mass Index (BMI) into three groups: normal, BMI &amp;lt;25kg/m2; overweight, BMI: 25–29.9kg/m2; obese, BMI ≥30kg/m2. The primary endpoint was net adverse clinical endpoints (NACE), defined as a composite of all-cause death, myocardial infarction (MI), stroke, and major bleeding. Results Patients were classified as follows: 410 (33.9%) normal, 538 (44.5%) overweight, 261 (21.6%) obese. Compared to the normal weight group, obese and overweight patients had a higher prevalence of cardiovascular risk factors, but were younger, with a better left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) and lower PRECISE-DAPT score. At one-year follow-up NACE was more frequently observed in normal than in overweight and obese patients (15.1%,8.6%,and9.6%, respectively; p=0.004), driven by a significantly higher rate of all-cause death (6.3%,2.6%, and 3.8%, respectively; p=0.008), while no significant differences were noted in terms of MI, stroke, and major bleeding. When correcting for confounding variables, BMI loses its power in independently predicting outcomes, failing to confirm the obesity paradox in a real-world ACS population. Conclusions Our study conflicts the obesity paradox in real-world ACS population, and suggest that the reduced mortality rate may be explained by a lower bleeding risk in obese patients allowing a more aggressive medical treatment, and by a better LVEF translating into a higher survival rate. Funding Acknowledgement Type of funding source: None

ACTION and NCDR risk models outperform GRACE for prediction of in-hospital mortality in acute coronary syndrome – a retrospective analysis from a German Heart Center

Abstract Background Risk prediction with the GRACE risk model is guideline-recommended clinical practice in acute coronary syndrome (ACS). However, more modern risk models such as ACTION (Acute Coronary Treatment and Intervention Outcomes Network) Registry–GWTG (Get With the Guidelines) and National Cardiovascular Data Registry (NCDR) risk models are available. We aimed to compare these models to the established GRACE risk model in ACS. Methods and results In-hospital mortality was retrospectively assessed in 1,138 patients undergoing cardiac catheterization for Non-ST-Elevation Myocardial Infarction (NSTEMI, 566 patients, 70.7% male) or ST-Elevation Myocardial Infarction (STEMI, 572 patients, 69.1% male) at a German University Hospital from 2014 to 2017. In-hospital mortality was 14.7% for STEMI and 3.7% for NSTEMI, respectively. GRACE, ACTION and NCDR risk models for prediction of in-hospital mortality were calculated for individual patients, 0.75% missing data were imputed. ACTION risk model showed a good discrimination of risk (c-index 0.85, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.83–0.87) with a slight numerical advantage in NSTEMI (c-index 0.92, 95% CI 0.86–0.98) over STEMI patients (c-index 0.83, 95% CI 0.79–0.88). The NCDR risk model showed comparable performance in the overall cohort (c-index 0.86, 95% CI 0.84–0.88; NCDR vs. ACTION p=0.4097), also with superior performance in NSTEMI (c-index 0.89, 95% CI 0.86–0.91) vs. STEMI (c-index 0.81, 95% CI 0.78–0.84). The GRACE risk model showed significantly worse performance in the overall cohort (c-index 0.76, 95% CI 0.74–0.79; vs ACTION p&amp;lt;0.0001; vs. NCDR p&amp;lt;0.0001) and in STEMI patients (c-index 0.72, 95% CI 0.69–0.76; vs ACTION p&amp;lt;0.0001; vs. NCDR p=0.0018). In NSTEMI patients, GRACE discrimination performance was comparable to NCDR (c-index 0.87, 95% CI 0.84–0.90, p=0.73), but still inferior to ACTION (p=0.04). The ACTION risk model showed a good calibration whereas NCDR and GRACE models lacked accuracy in our cohort. Conclusion In a contemporary German patient population with acute coronary syndrome, ACTION and NCDR risk models outperform the established GRACE risk model for prediction of in-hospital mortality. This performance difference was more pronounced in STEMI than in NSTEMI. Funding Acknowledgement Type of funding source: None

Unusual Fatigue and Failure to Utilize EMS Are Associated With Prolonged Prehospital Delay for Suspected Acute Coronary Syndrome.

Rapid reperfusion reduces infarct size and mortality for acute coronary syndrome (ACS), but efficacy is time dependent. The aim of this study was to determine if transportation factors and clinical presentation predicted prehospital delay for suspected ACS, stratified by final diagnosis (ACS vs. no ACS). A heterogeneous sample of emergency department (ED) patients with symptoms suggestive of ACS was enrolled at 5 US sites. Accelerated failure time models were used to specify a direct relationship between delay time and variables to predict prehospital delay by final diagnosis. Enrolled were 609 (62.5%) men and 366 (37.5%) women, predominantly white (69.1%), with a mean age of 60.32 (±14.07) years. Median delay time was 6.68 (confidence interval 1.91, 24.94) hours; only 26.2% had a prehospital delay of 2 hours or less. Patients presenting with unusual fatigue [time ratio (TR) = 1.71, P = 0.002; TR = 1.54, P = 0.003, respectively) or self-transporting to the ED experienced significantly longer prehospital delay (TR = 1.93, P < 0.001; TR = 1.71, P < 0.001, respectively). Predictors of shorter delay in patients with ACS were shoulder pain and lightheadedness (TR = 0.65, P = 0.013 and TR = 0.67, P = 0.022, respectively). Predictors of shorter delay for patients ruled out for ACS were chest pain and sweating (TR = 0.071, P = 0.025 and TR = 0.073, P = 0.032, respectively). Patients self-transporting to the ED had prolonged prehospital delays. Encouraging the use of EMS is important for patients with possible ACS symptoms. Calling 911 can be positively framed to at-risk patients and the community as having advanced care come to them because EMS capabilities include 12-lead ECG acquisition and possibly high-sensitivity troponin assays.

Predictor of in-hospital mortality among acute coronary syndrome patients after treatment with an intra-aortic balloon pump in tertiary Hospital, Thailand

Objective: Intra-aortic balloon pump (IABP), a mechanical hemodynamic support device, had widely been used to treat cardiogenic shock patients for several decades. However, the information about the predictive factors associated with mortality was scarce. This study aims to identify the predictive factors associated with in-hospital mortality in acute coronary syndrome (ACS) patients who performed IABP for their hemodynamic support during admission.Methods: We conduct a retrospective cohort study design. All admission records of ACS patients with IABP at Suratthani Hospital between October 2015 and September 2019 were retrieved.Results: Overall 75 ACS patients with IABP insertion were enrolled. Thirty-one patients died during admission, in-hospital mortality was 41.3%. From the multivariable analysis, we identified 3 predictors associated with in-hospital mortality included cardiac arrest at presentation (adjusted OR [aOR]=11.18, 95%CI: 2.42-51.57, P=0.002), a higher number of inotropes or vasopressors (aOR 6.10, 95%CI 1.36-27.24, P=0.018) and Killip class IV (aOR 5.64, 95%CI 1.01-31.39, P=0.048).Conclusion: ACS patients who required IABP support had high mortality. Cardiac arrest, Killip class IV (cardiogenic shock) at presentation and requiring a higher number of inotropes or vasopressors were independent predictive factors of in-hospital mortality.

Sleep problems associated with long-term mortality in acute coronary syndrome: Effects of depression comorbidity and treatment

ObjectivesThe effects of sleep disturbance and its treatment on the prognosis of patients with acute coronary syndrome (ACS) are not well understood. This study investigated the impact of sleep disturbance on long-term all-cause mortality, according to depression comorbidity and treatment, in patients with ACS. MethodsA cross-sectional baseline study and a nested 24-week double-blind escitalopram–placebo controlled trial were carried out from May 2007 to March 2013; 5–12-year follow-up for all-cause mortality was conducted. A total of 1152 patients with ACS were stratified by baseline depression comorbidity and treatment allocation into four groups: no depression (N = 706), depression on escitalopram (N = 149), depression on placebo (N = 151), and depression on medical care as usual (CAU; N = 146). Sleep disturbance was evaluated by the Leeds Sleep Evaluation Questionnaire. During the 5–12-year follow-up, Kaplan–Meyer event rates for all-cause mortality were calculated; hazard ratios (HRs) using Cox regression models were estimated after adjustment for a range of covariates. ResultsWorse sleep states at baseline increased long-term all-cause mortality in all patients (HRs 1.08–1.59). The associations between worse sleep states and long-term all-cause mortality were significant in patients without depression and in patients with depression who received CAU, but not in patients with depression who participated in the 24-week trial. ConclusionsRoutine evaluations of sleep disturbance in ACS and further treatment allocation may contribute to reducing long-term mortality associated with the disease. Trial registrationClinicalTrials.gov Identifier for the 24 week drug trial, NCT00419471.

Fragmented QRS complex frequency and location as predictor of cardiogenic shock and mortality following acute coronary syndrome

BackgroundWorldwide, coronary heart disease (CHD) is topping the foremost important chief causes of mortality. Fragmented QRS (f-QRS) is a pattern of QRS complex in 12 leads surface ECG which showed a promising value in predicting the outcome in cardiac diseases including ischemic heart disease.We aimed to research the importance of using f-QRS as a non-invasive and cheap tool for the prediction of cardiogenic shock and mortality in acute coronary syndrome (ACS).MethodsA retrospective study includes eighty four critically ill ACS patients. Patients were classified consistent with the presence or absence of fragmented QRS into two groups (46 and 38 patients respectively). Exclusion criteria include past history of important ischemic events (MI, PCI, and CABG), permanent AF, and/or cardiomyopathy.No statistical significant differences were detected between the 2 groups as regards the age, gender, major risk factors of ischemic heart condition, cardiac bio-markers, Killip class, LVEF, updated GRACE risk score of ACS, and in-hospital mortality.ResultsA number value of f-QRS leads > 3 yields sensitivity and specificity (83.3% and 72.5% respectively) for predicting hospital mortality. The f-QRS group was further split-up according to the numbers of f-QRS leads into 2 subgroups; subgroup (A1) including patients with > 3 f-QRS leads and subgroup (A2) including patients ≤ 3 f-QRS leads. Subgroup (A2) showed considerable difference as regards some important variables including a higher SBP (P = 0.016), a slower HR (P = 0.014), a lower up-dated GRACE risk score (3.22 ± 6.95 vs 6.81 ± 12, P value 0.048), and a lower rate of hospital death (1/30 vs. 5/16, P = 0.015). Anterior f-QRS showed statistically significant higher HR, lower SBP, a higher frequency of shock, a higher updated GRACE risk score, and a higher chance of in-hospital mortality (P = 0.004) compared to non-anterior f-QRS.ConclusionThe position and number of f-QRS leads provide a non-invasive and a readily accessible tool to predict the prognosis, occurrence of cardiogenic shock, and in-hospital mortality.

Transitioning from a coronary to a critical cardiovascular care unit: trends over the past three decades.

Coronary care units were established in the 1960s to reduce acute-phase mortality in acute coronary syndrome. In the 21st century, the original coronary care unit concept has evolved into an intensive cardiovascular care unit. The aim of this study was to analyse trend changes in characteristics and mortality of patients admitted to a coronary care unit over the past three decades. Between February 1989 and December 2017, a total of 18,334 patients was consecutively admitted to the coronary care unit of a university hospital in Barcelona. Data were analysed in five time frames: 1989-1994, 1995-1999, 2000-2004, 2005-2009 and 2010-2017. We analysed demographic profile, diagnoses at admission and trend changes in mortality across periods. During the periods, the patients' ages and comorbidities increased. Diagnoses at admission have evolved. Acute coronary syndrome cases declined from the first to the last period (72.6% vs. 62.8%) while heart failure (6.0% vs. 8.6%) and malignant arrhythmias (0.8% vs. 4.0%) increased significantly. Overall, coronary care unit mortality decreased 34% from the first to the last period (6.8% vs. 4.5%, P<0.001). Furthermore, the cause of death has changed, those due to acute coronary syndrome declining (66.7% vs. 45.5%), and death from malignant arrhythmias increasing (1.9% vs. 16.2%) from the first to the last period. Although acute coronary syndrome remained the main diagnosis, heart failure and arrhythmias have increased. Despite the aging and comorbidities, overall mortality in the coronary care unit decreased by 34% in the past three decades. Deaths due to acute coronary syndrome have declined, whereas those due to malignant arrhythmias have increased.

A Study on Clinical Profile, Risk Factors, Angiographic Profile and Short-Term Mortality of Acute Coronary Syndrome in Smokers vs Non Smokers

Background: Smoking has long been positively associated with the development and progression of coronary heart disease. However, lon- gitudinal cohort studies evaluating smoking habits among cardiac patients as well as the role of socio-demographic factors determining such behaviours are scarce and have been focused on primary care practice. Prevalence of acute coronary syndrome in young individuals is increasing progressively. Previous studies have focused on the analysis of risk factors and to some extent coronary angiographic profile in smokers vs non-smokers patients with acute coronary syndrome. The aim of the study is to study the acute coronary syndrome in smokers versus non-smokers and to analyse with respect to baseline characteristics. Subjects and Methods: It was a prospective study conducted at Department of Cardiology, Katuri Medical College &amp; Hospital Guntur. Results: In the present study, Acute coronary syndrome occurred seven years earlier in smokers compared with non-smokers (p&lt;0.05) Smokers were frequently male subjects compared with non-smokers (p&lt;0.001) Smokers had a lower prevalence of Diabetes compared with non-smokers (p&lt;0.001) Smokers had a higher prevalence of Obesity compared with non-smokers (p&lt;0.001). Smokers presented with more acute infarctions and less Unstable angina compared with non-smokers (P&lt;0.001). Conclusion: In the present study, significant differences were observed in coronary risk factor profile between smokers and non-smokers patients with STEMI and NSTEMI/UA. Larger studies will be required to establish specific associations between presentation of acute coronary syndromes and angiographic profiles in smokers.

IMPACT OF ADMISSION TO A CARDIOLOGY UNIT ON MORTALITY IN PATIENTS AGED >85 YEARS PRESENTING WITH NON-ST ELEVATION MYOCARDIAL INFARCTION (NSTEMI)

It is well established that specialised cardiology units have contributed to reduced mortality in acute coronary syndromes. It is uncertain whether admission under cardiology leads to more aggressive management and improved outcomes in the elderly. 956 consecutive patients aged >85 years presenting

Pregnancy Associated Plasma Protein-A as a Cardiovascular Risk Marker in Patients with Stable Coronary Heart Disease During 10 Years Follow-Up-A CLARICOR Trial Sub-Study.

Elevated pregnancy-associated plasma protein A (PAPP-A) is associated with mortality in acute coronary syndromes. Few studies have assessed PAPP-A in stable coronary artery disease (CAD) and results are conflicting. We assessed the 10-year prognostic relevance of PAPP-A levels in stable CAD. The CLARICOR trial was a randomized controlled clinical trial including outpatients with stable CAD, randomized to clarithromycin versus placebo. The placebo group constituted our discovery cohort (n = 1.996) and the clarithromycin group the replication cohort (n = 1.975). The composite primary outcome was first occurrence of cardiovascular event or death. In the discovery cohort, incidence rates (IR) for the composite outcome were higher in those with elevated PAPP-A (IR 12.72, 95% Confidence Interval (CI) 11.0–14.7 events/100 years) compared to lower PAPP-A (IR 8.78, 8.25–9.34), with comparable results in the replication cohort. Elevated PAPP-A was associated with increased risk of the composite outcome in both cohorts (discovery Hazard Ratio (HR) 1.45, 95% CI 1.24–1.70; replication HR 1.29, 95% CI 1.10–1.52). In models adjusted for established risk factors, these trends were attenuated. Elevated PAPP-A was associated with higher all-cause mortality in both cohorts. We conclude that elevated PAPP-A levels are associated with increased long-term mortality in stable CAD, but do not improve long-term prediction of death or cardiovascular events when added to established predictors.