The economic impact of acute coronary syndrome on length of stay: an analysis using the Healthcare Cost and Utilization Project (HCUP) databases

OBJECTIVE

To assess the economic impact of initial and repeat hospitalizations associated with acute coronary syndrome (ACS) over 1 year (2009).

DESIGN AND METHODS

National- and state-level data on length of stay (LOS) and related charges for ACS-associated hospital admissions were assessed using two Healthcare Utilization Project databases. The first, the Nationwide Inpatient Sample (NIS), provided clinical and resource use information from ∼8 million hospital stays, representing a 20% stratified sample of ∼40 million annual hospital stays in the US in 2009. The second, the State Inpatient Databases, provided 100% of inpatient data from nine states that included both patient age and linked information on multiple patient admissions within the same calendar year. For patients with repeat admissions, the LOS, primary diagnosis, and total charges between the first and subsequent admissions were evaluated. All patients≥18 years of age with at least one diagnosis of ACS, defined using the International Classification of Diseases, 9th Revision, were included (code 410.xx [except 410.x2], 411.1x and 411.8x). Variables evaluated for each discharge included demographics, cardiovascular events and procedures, LOS, discharge status, and total charges.

RESULTS

The NIS reported 1,437,735 discharges for ACS in 2009. In this dataset, mean LOS for an initial ACS event was 5.56 days. Patients>65 years of age had the highest numbers of admissions; this group also had the most comorbidities. Approximately 40% of ACS patients with data on repeat visits had more than one admission, >70% of these within 2 months of the primary discharge. Mean charges were $71,336 for the first admission and $53,290 for the second admission.

CONCLUSION

Despite a variety of new therapies to prevent ACS, it remains a common condition. Better therapies are called for if the clinical and cost burden of ACS is to be alleviated.

Improving long-term ACS management: is there a role for the new antiplatelets?

Acute coronary syndrome (ACS) is a major health burden, resulting in increased hospital admissions and significant morbidity and mortality. Platelet activation, which leads to thrombin generation, is highly implicated in ACS, and antiplatelet agents represent the current standard of care. Established antiplatelet agents include acetylsalicylic acid (ASA), thienopyridines (clopidogrel, ticlopidine), and glycoprotein IIb/IIIa inhibitors. Recently, antiplatelet therapy for ACS has evolved to include more potent inhibitors (e.g., prasugrel, cangrelor, and ticagrelor). During the acute phase of an acute coronary event, both anticoagulation and dual antiplatelet therapy with aspirin and a thienopyridine are guideline recommended as first-line treatment. While anticoagulation is usually limited to the acute in-patient phase, dual antiplatelet therapy is recommended for 12 months. Despite the efficacy of antiplatelet agents in ACS, in many patients the residual risk of death from cardiac events, myocardial infarction, stroke, and refractory ischemia remains high. Dual therapy (i.e., ASA or clopidogrel plus a vitamin K antagonist [VKA]), and triple therapy (two antiplatelets plus a VKA) are associated with increases in bleeding complications. New oral anticoagulants that offer a novel mechanism of action may, when added to the current standard of care, provide a more comprehensive response to thrombin generation. In this review, we examine the pathology of ACS, investigate antiplatelet therapies and describe emerging anticoagulants that may be of benefit when used as combination therapy with antiplatelet agents for secondary prevention in ACS patients.