Anemia has been associated with adverse outcomes in patients with acute coronary syndromes (ACS). However, the underlying pathophysiologic mechanisms have not been well elucidated. We sought to ...determine the independent relation between the hemoglobin level and recurrent ischemia in patients with non–ST-segment elevation ACS using continuous electrocardiographic monitoring. In the Integrilin and Enoxaparin Randomized Assessment of Acute Coronary Syndrome Treatment (INTERACT) trial, 746 patients presenting with non–ST-segment elevation ACS underwent continuous ST-segment monitoring for 48 hours. The data were analyzed independently at a core laboratory. We stratified the study population according to their hemoglobin level on presentation. The primary outcome of the study was recurrent ischemia, defined as ST-segment shifts on continuous electrocardiographic monitoring. Of the 705 patients with analyzable data, 64 had a baseline hemoglobin level <120 g/L, 259 had a level of 120 to 139 g/L, 315 had a level of 140 to 159 g/L, and 67 had a level >160 g/L. The corresponding rates of recurrent ischemia were 39.1%, 22.0%, 15.6%, and 11.9% (p for trend <0.001). A lower hemoglobin level was associated with advanced age, co-morbidities, and a higher GRACE risk score. In multivariable analysis adjusting for these confounders, lower hemoglobin levels retained a significant independent association with recurrent ischemia (p for trend = 0.004). In conclusion, a lower hemoglobin level at presentation was independently associated with recurrent ischemia detected by continuous electrocardiographic monitoring in the setting of non–ST-segment elevation ACS. This suggests that anemia might predispose patients to recurrent ischemia, which could be an important underlying mediator of worse outcomes in patients with lower hemoglobin levels.
Despite the widespread use of statins, approximately 40% to 50% of Canadian patients with known cardiovascular disease do not achieve the low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) goal. Guidelines ...Oriented Approach to Lipid lowering (GOAL) is an investigator-initiated study aiming to ascertain the use of second- and third-line therapy and its impact on LDL-C goal achievement in a real-world setting.
GOAL enrolled patients with clinical vascular disease or familial hypercholesterolemia and LDL-C > 2.0 mmol/L despite maximally tolerated statin therapy. During follow-up, physicians managed patients as clinically indicated but with online reminders of guideline recommendations.
Of 2009 patients enrolled (median age 63 years, 42% were female), baseline total cholesterol was 5.5 ± 1.4 mmol/L, LDL-C was 3.3 ± 1.3 mmol/L, non–high-density lipoprotein cholesterol was 4.1 ± 1.4 mmol/L, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol was 1.3 ± 0.4 mmol/L, and triglycerides were 2.0 ± 1.5 mmol/L. Lipid-lowering therapy used at baseline was statin therapy in 76% (with 24% statin intolerant) and ezetimibe in 25%. During follow-up, the proportion of patients achieving an LDL-C level of < 2.0 mmol/L increased significantly to 50.8% as a result of additional lipid-lowering therapy. Patients achieving the recommended LDL-C level were more likely to not be statin intolerant (83.8% vs 70.7%, P < 0.0001) and to be taking a high-efficacy type and dose of statin (52.4% vs 35.9%, P < 0.0001). The 3 top reasons for not using the recommended therapy with ezetimibe were patient refusal in 33%, not needed in 22%, and intolerance in 20%, whereas for PCSK9i the reasons were cost in 26%, not needed in 27%, or patient refusal in 25%.
The results indicate the feasibility of optimizing management, resulting in achievement of the guideline-recommended LDL-C level. This has the potential to translate into reductions in cardiovascular morbidity and mortality of Canadian patients.
Malgré l’utilisation répandue des statines, environ 40 à 50 % des patients canadiens atteints d’une maladie cardiovasculaire connue n’atteignent pas les taux cibles de cholestérol à lipoprotéines de basse densité (C-LDL). L’étude GOAL (GuidelinesOrientedApproach toLipid lowering) est une étude entreprise par un chercheur afin d’évaluer, en contexte réel, l’utilisation de traitements de deuxième et de troisième intention et les effets de ceux-ci sur l’atteinte des taux cibles de C-LDL.
Des patients atteints d’une maladie vasculaire clinique ou d’une hypercholestérolémie familiale, présentant un taux de C-LDL > 2,0 mmol/l malgré un traitement par une statine à la dose maximale tolérée, ont été inscrits à l’étude GOAL. Pendant la période de suivi, les médecins prenaient en charge le traitement de leurs patients selon les besoins cliniques, mais en recevant par voie électronique des rappels des recommandations formulées dans les lignes directrices.
Chez les 2009 patients inscrits à l’étude (âge médian : 63 ans; femmes : 42 %), les taux initiaux moyens étaient les suivants : cholestérol total initial : 5,5 ± 1,4 mmol/l, C-LDL : 3,3 ± 1,3 mmol/l, C non HDL (autre que le cholestérol à lipoprotéines de haute densité) : 4,1 ± 1,4 mmol/l, C-HDL (des lipoprotéines de haute densité) : 1,3 ± 0,4 mmol/l et triglycérides : 2,0 ± 1,5 mmol/l. Le traitement hypolipidémiant utilisé au début de l’étude était composé d’une statine chez 76 % des participants (24 % des patients ne toléraient pas les statines) et d’ézétimibe chez 25 %. Pendant la période de suivi, la proportion de patients atteignant un taux de C-LDL < 2,0 mmol/l a augmenté de façon significative, jusqu’à atteindre 50,8 %, en raison de l’utilisation d’hypolipidémiants additionnels. Les patients atteignant les taux cibles de C-LDL étaient plus susceptibles de ne pas être intolérants aux statines (83,8 % vs 70,7 %, p < 0,0001) et de prendre un type et une dose de statine hautement efficaces (52,4 % vs 35,9 %, p < 0,0001). Les trois principales raisons évoquées pour expliquer le fait de n’avoir pas eu recours au traitement recommandé par l’ézétimibe étaient le refus du patient (33 %), l’absence de besoin (22 %) et l’intolérance (20 %), alors que dans le cas des inhibiteurs de la PCSK9, les raisons données étaient plutôt le coût élevé (26 %), l’absence de besoin (27 %) et le refus du patient (25 %).
Les résultats de cette étude montrent la faisabilité de l’optimisation de la prise en charge, qui entraîne l’atteinte des taux de C-LDL recommandés dans les lignes directrices. Ces résultats pourraient se traduire par des réductions de la morbidité et de la mortalité d’origine cardiovasculaire chez les patients canadiens.
Abstract Background Despite the beneficial effects of cardiac rehabilitation (CR) on morbidity and mortality after an acute coronary syndrome (ACS), CR referral rates have been lower than ...recommended. Using the Canadian Global Registry of Acute Coronary Events (GRACE) database, we examined the temporal trends of CR referral rates in Ontario and its associated factors. Methods From the main Canadian GRACE, we retrospectively analyzed data from 11 Ontario hospitals. CR referral rates were analyzed over time. Using multivariate logistic regression, we examined patient characteristics, in-hospital diagnosis, clinical events, and investigations associated with CR referral. Results From 2000 to 2007, 3338 ACS patients (median age, 64 years; 32% women) were assessed. CR referral rate increased from 2.7% in 2000 to 51.2% in 2007 ( P < 0.0001 for trend). Multivariate analysis identified increasing age per decade (odds ratio OR, 1.21; 95% confidence interval CI, 1.14-1.29), presentation Killip class ≥ 2 (OR, 1.42; 95% CI, 1.09-1.84), non–ST-elevation ACS (OR, 1.60; 95% CI, 1.35-1.89), no left ventricular function assessment (OR, 1.33; 95% CI, 1.11-1.59), heart failure during hospital admission (OR, 1.48; 95% CI, 1.10-2.00), and in-patient cardiac revascularization (OR, 1.70; 95% CI, 1.38-2.09) as independently associated with lack of CR referral. Conclusions CR referral rate after ACS in Ontario continues to be lower than recommended, although there has been a steady increase over time. Factors independently associated with lack of CR referral include advanced age, higher Killip class, non–ST-elevation ACS, lack of left ventricular function assessment, in-hospital heart failure, and revascularization. Targeting nonreferred populations might improve quality of care and close care gaps in secondary prevention.
Abstract Purpose Short-term outcomes have been well characterized in acute coronary syndromes; however, longer-term follow-up for the entire spectrum of these patients, including ST-segment-elevation ...myocardial infarction, non-ST-segment-elevation myocardial infarction, and unstable angina, is more limited. Therefore, we describe the longer-term outcomes, procedures, and medication use in Global Registry of Acute Coronary Events (GRACE) hospital survivors undergoing 6-month and 2-year follow-up, and the performance of the discharge GRACE risk score in predicting 2-year mortality. Methods Between 1999 and 2007, 70,395 patients with a suspected acute coronary syndrome were enrolled. In 2004, 2-year prospective follow-up was undertaken in those with a discharge acute coronary syndrome diagnosis in 57 sites. Results From 2004 to 2007, 19,122 (87.2%) patients underwent follow-up; by 2 years postdischarge, 14.3% underwent angiography, 8.7% percutaneous coronary intervention, 2.0% coronary bypass surgery, and 24.2% were re-hospitalized. In patients with 2-year follow-up, acetylsalicylic acid (88.7%), beta-blocker (80.4%), renin-angiotensin system inhibitor (69.8%), and statin (80.2%) therapy was used. Heart failure occurred in 6.3%, (re)infarction in 4.4%, and death in 7.1%. Discharge-to-6-month GRACE risk score was highly predictive of all-cause mortality at 2 years (c-statistic 0.80). Conclusion In this large multinational cohort of acute coronary syndrome patients, there were important later adverse consequences, including frequent morbidity and mortality. These findings were seen in the context of additional coronary procedures and despite continued use of evidence-based therapies in a high proportion of patients. The discriminative accuracy of the GRACE risk score in hospital survivors for predicting longer-term mortality was maintained.
Abstract Acute ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) accounts for approximately 30% of all acute coronary syndromes (ACS). The high early mortality for patients with STEMI is largely due ...to the extent of the ischemic injury. However, immediate reperfusion either pharmacologically with fibrinolysis or mechanically by primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) limits the size of the infarction and reduces mortality. Reperfusion therapy by primary PCI reduces mortality and the risk of reinfarction, beyond the benefits achieved by fibrinolysis, especially when the primary PCI is initiated within 90 minutes of first medical contact. The use of adjuvant therapy with antiplatelet and anticoagulant agents is essential to enhance the results of reperfusion, and/or maintain vessel patency following either mode of reperfusion. This review discusses the assessment and management of the patient with an acute STEMI, using recommendations from the most recent American College of Cardiology/American Heart Association, European Society of Cardiology, and existing Canadian guidelines. It provides an updated perspective and critical appraisal with practical application of the recommendations within the Canadian Healthcare system.
Cerebrovascular (CVD) disease is commonly associated with coronary artery disease and adversely affects outcome. The goal of the present study was to examine the temporal management patterns and ...outcomes in relation to previous CVD in a contemporary “real-world” spectrum of patients with acute coronary syndrome (ACS). From 1999 to 2008, 14,070 patients with non–ST-segment elevation ACS were recruited into the Canadian Acute Coronary Syndrome I (ACS I), ACS II, Global Registry of Acute Coronary Events (GRACE/GRACE2 ), and Canadian Registry of Acute Coronary Events (CANRACE) prospective multicenter registries. We stratified the study patients according to a history of CVD and compared their treatment and outcomes. Patients with a history of CVD were older, more likely to have pre-existing coronary artery disease, elevated creatinine, higher Killip class, and ST-segment deviation on admission. Despite presenting with greater GRACE risk scores (137 vs 117, p <0.001), patients with previous CVD were less likely to receive evidence-based antiplatelet and antithrombin therapies during the initial 24 hours of hospital admission. They were also less likely to undergo in-hospital coronary angiography and revascularization. These disparities in medical and invasive management were preserved temporally across all 4 registries. Patients with concomitant CVD had worse in-hospital outcomes. Previous CVD remained an independent predictor of in-hospital mortality (adjusted odds ratio 1.43, 95% confidence interval 1.06 to 1.92, p = 0.019) after adjusting for other powerful prognosticators in the GRACE risk score. However, it was independently associated with a lower use of in-hospital coronary angiography (adjusted odds ratio 0.70, 95% confidence interval 0.60 to 0.83, p <0.001). Underestimation of patient risk was the most common reason for not pursuing an invasive strategy. Revascularization was independently associated with lower 1-year mortality (adjusted odds ratio 0.48, 95% confidence interval 0.33 to 0.71, p <0.001), irrespective of a history of CVD. In conclusion, for patients presenting with non–ST-segment elevation-ACS, a history of CVD was independently associated with worse outcomes, which might have been, in part, because of the underuse of evidence-based medical and invasive therapies.
Abstract Background Previous Canadian high vascular risk registries have demonstrated suboptimal goal-directed reductions in cardiovascular risk factors and underutilization of guideline-recommended ...therapies in part because of physician underestimation of cardiovascular risk. Methods The Prospective Observational Longitudinal Registry of Patients With Stable Coronary Artery Disease (CLARIFY) registry enrolled 33,438 stable coronary artery disease patients in 45 countries. In Canada, supplemental information was obtained specifying reasons that patients were not taking guideline-recommended medications. Results In Canada, 1232 patients (9 provinces, 110 physicians) were enrolled and in comparison with the rest of the world, there were several differences in cardiovascular risk factors and medical history; in addition, the Canadian cohort had undergone less percutaneous coronary intervention, but more coronary artery bypass grafting. Among the Canadian cohort, many still continue to smoke (13%) and many do not meet secondary prevention targets for waist circumference (54%), body mass index (81%), physical activity (71%), cholesterol (43%), and systolic blood pressure (20%). Nevertheless, the use of guideline-recommended cardiovascular therapy was high and >90% reported partial/full financial coverage for medications. The number of patients not receiving guideline-recommended therapies because of apparent underestimation of risk was particularly low for antiplatelet agents (2%), β-blockers (11%), and lipid-lowering therapies (1%). Conclusions Canadian patients with stable coronary artery disease did not meet several guideline-recommended secondary prevention targets, despite high use of evidence-based therapy, extensive financial coverage for these medications, and low physician underestimation of risk. Additional work is needed to identify and address the remaining barriers to effective risk factor control.
Background Acute coronary syndrome (ACS) is one of the most frequent reasons for hospitalization worldwide. Although substantial advances have been made in the prevention and treatment of coronary ...artery disease, their impact on the rates of ACS hospitalization is unclear. Methods Data from the Canadian Institute for Health Information Discharge Abstract Database were used to estimate secular trends in ACS hospitalization. A total of 1.3 million ACS hospitalizations in Canada from April 1, 1994, to March 31, 2006, were examined. Overall hospitalization rates were standardized for age and sex using 1991 Canadian census data, and hospitalization rates were also stratified by age group, sex and Canadian province to assess trends in each subgroup. Results The Canadian age- and sex-standardized ACS hospitalization rate was 508 per 100,000 persons in 1994, and 317 per 100,000 persons in 2005 – a relative reduction of 37.8% and an average annual relative reduction of 3.9% per year. Declines in ACS hospitalization rates were observed among men (annual relative reduction 3.9%, relative reduction 39.0%) and women (annual relative reduction 3.8%, relative reduction 35.8%). Declining trends were also observed among patients of different age groups and among patients hospitalized across all Canadian provinces. Interpretation Over the past decade, a substantial decline in ACS hospitalization rates occurred, which has not been previously observed. This finding is likely due to improvements in primary and secondary prevention of coronary artery disease. The present study's data should provide important insights and guidance for future health care planning in Canada.
Introduction Despite advances in the management of patients with an acute coronary syndrome (ACS), cardiogenic shock (CS) remains the leading cause of death in these patients. The objective of this ...observational study was to describe the characteristics, management, and hospital outcomes of patients with an ACS complicated by CS. Our secondary study objective was to describe trends in the incidence and hospital case-fatality rates (CFRs) of CS and predictors of increased hospital mortality in these high-risk patients. Methods The population consisted of patients enrolled in the GRACE study between 1999 and 2007 who were hospitalized with an ACS. Results During the years under study, 2,992 patients (4.6%) developed CS. Patients with CS were more likely to be older, have a history of diabetes or atrial fibrillation, and present with a higher pulse rate or cardiac arrest. Cardiac catheterization was performed on 1,706 (57%) and in-hospital revascularization on 1,408 patients (47%) with CS. Patients with CS were less likely to receive evidence-based cardiac medications compared with patients who did not develop CS. The in-hospital CFR of patients with CS was 59.4%, compared with 2.3% in those who did not develop CS. Factors associated with an increased risk of dying in patients with CS included advanced age, diabetes mellitus, angina, and stroke. Adjusted incidence rates and hospital CFRs of CS showed modest declines over time. Conclusion Continued efforts are needed to reduce the incidence and CFRs of CS complicating ACS.
Abstract Background A strategy of early transfer for coronary angiography and intervention is superior to a standard approach of delayed coronary angiography after fibrinolysis for ST-elevation ...myocardial infarction (STEMI). STEMI patients with lesions in noninfarct-related arteries have a worse prognosis compared with patients with single vessel disease. This study aimed to assess whether the benefits of an early invasive strategy differ in patients with single vessel and multivessel disease. Methods The T rial of R outine AN gioplasty and S tenting after F ibrinolysis to E nhance R eperfusion in A cute M yocardial I nfarction (TRANSFER-AMI) randomized STEMI patients receiving fibrinolysis to a strategy of early transfer and coronary angiography vs a standard approach. In this post hoc analysis, we stratified 992 patients into 2 groups according to the presence or absence of multivessel disease. We compared the 2 groups in terms of baseline characteristics, in-hospital management, and patient outcomes, and tested for treatment heterogeneity. Results Multivessel disease was present in 369 (37%) patients. Patients with multivessel disease had a greater rate of the primary composite end point of in-hospital death, recurrence of infarction, recurrent ischemia, shock, or heart failure at 30 days (18.2% vs 10.8%; P < 0.001). An early invasive strategy was efficacious in both groups for the primary outcome. In multivariable analysis adjusting for G lobal R egistry of A cute C oronary E vents (GRACE) risk score, there was no significant treatment heterogeneity (all P interaction > 0.40) for the primary end point, or death/recurrence of infarction at 6 months and 1 year. Conclusions Multivessel disease is present in a significant proportion of STEMI patients treated with fibrinolysis and is associated with worse outcomes. A strategy of early transfer and coronary intervention after fibrinolysis was beneficial regardless of the presence or absence of multivessel disease.
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