Survival after hospital discharge for ST-segment elevation and non-ST-segment elevation acute myocardial infarction: a population-based study

Reproducing extracellular matrix adverse remodelling of non-ST myocardial infarction in a large animal model

The rising incidence of non-ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (NSTEMI) and associated long-term high mortality constitutes an urgent clinical issue. Unfortunately, the study of possible interventions to treat this pathology lacks a reproducible pre-clinical model. Indeed, currently adopted small and large animal models of MI mimic only full-thickness, ST-segment-elevation (STEMI) infarcts, and hence cater only for an investigation into therapeutics and interventions directed at this subset of MI. Thus, we develop an ovine model of NSTEMI by ligating the myocardial muscle at precise intervals parallel to the left anterior descending coronary artery. Upon histological and functional investigation to validate the proposed model and comparison with STEMI full ligation model, RNA-seq and proteomics show the distinctive features of post-NSTEMI tissue remodelling. Transcriptome and proteome-derived pathway analyses at acute (7 days) and late (28 days) post-NSTEMI pinpoint specific alterations in cardiac post-ischaemic extracellular matrix. Together with the rise of well-known markers of inflammation and fibrosis, NSTEMI ischaemic regions show distinctive patterns of complex galactosylated and sialylated N-glycans in cellular membranes and extracellular matrix. Identifying such changes in molecular moieties accessible to infusible and intra-myocardial injectable drugs sheds light on developing targeted pharmacological solutions to contrast adverse fibrotic remodelling.

Culprit vessel vs. immediate multivessel vs. out-of-hospital staged intervention for patients with non-ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction and multivessel disease

Background and aims

The optimal interventional strategy remains undetermined in hemodynamically stable patients with NSTEMI and MVD. This study aimed to examine clinical prognosis among culprit vessel, immediate multivessel, and staged percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) in patients with NSTEMI and MVD.

Methods

This retrospective, observational, single-center study included 943 hemodynamically stable patients with NSTEMI and MVD who had undergone successful drug-eluting stent (DES) implantation from January 2014 to December 2019. Patients were categorized into culprit lesion-only PCI (CL-PCI), immediate multivessel PCI (MV-PCI), and out-of-hospital staged MV-PCI according to PCI strategy. The primary outcome was the composite of major adverse cardiac events (MACEs), including all-cause death, myocardial infarction (MI), or unplanned repeat revascularization. The secondary outcomes were all-cause death, cardiac death, MI, and unplanned repeat revascularization.

Results

Over a median follow-up of 59 months, immediate MV-PCI was associated with a lower risk of all-cause death than CL-PCI (HR: 0.591, 95%CI: 0.364-0.960, P = 0.034). Out-of-hospital staged MV-PCI was associated with a reduced risk of MACE (HR: 0.448, 95%CI: 0.314-0.638, P < 0.001) and all-cause death (HR: 0.326, 95%CI: 0.183-0.584, P < 0.001) compared with CL-PCI. The above results were accordant after multivariate COX analysis and propensity score matching. MACE (HR: 0.560, 95%CI: 0.385-0.813, P = 0.002) and repeat revascularization (HR: 0.627, 95%CI: 0.400-0.982, P = 0.041) were significantly less likely to occur with out-of-hospital MV-PCI rather than immediate MV-PCI. However, the incidences of primary and secondary outcomes were comparable between immediate and staged PCI after confounder adjustment using multivariate regression and propensity score matching analysis. For subgroup analyses stratified by synergy between PCI with taxus and cardiac surgery score, staged MV-PCI was found to lower the risk of MACE compared with immediate MV-PCI in patients with more complex coronary disease.

Conclusion

Hemodynamically stable patients with NSTEMI and MVD benefited from the strategy of MV-PCI. Patients with complex coronary anatomy treated with out-of-hospital staged MV-PCI rather than immediate MV-PCI had lower risks of MACE. These need to be confirmed in the future randomized study.

Adherence to Prescribing Guideline-Directed Medical Therapy at Hospital Discharge in Subjects With Acute Coronary Syndrome, and the Relationship With Mortality

Introduction

The use of guideline-directed medical therapy (GDMT) after acute coronary syndrome (ACS) is associated with a significant reduction in mortality; however, suboptimal prescribing of these therapies has been reported. This study aims to determine adherence to prescribing GDMT in subjects with ACS at hospital discharge and to measure the relationship between this adherence and one-year mortality.

Methods

A retrospective cohort study was conducted on adults admitted with an ACS. The primary outcome was adherence to GDMT, defined as compliance with prescribing aspirin, angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors (ACEIs), or angiotensin receptor blockers (ARBs), beta-blockers, and high-intensity statins, according to international guideline recommendations. The secondary outcomes included identifying predictors for adherence to prescribing GDMT and one-year mortality. Descriptive statistics and logistic regression analyses were used.

Results

In 460 patients identified, the average age was 61.42 (±11.85) and the majority were male (76.09%). Adherence to prescribing GDMT was achieved in 70.87% of study subjects. The highest prescribing rates were associated with statins (95.22%) and the lowest with ACEIs/ARBs (81.09%). In the multivariable analysis, females and those diagnosed with unstable angina had fewer odds of receiving GDMT (odds ratio [OR]=0.48, 95% confidence interval [CI]=0.30-0.78), and (OR=0.42, CI=0.24-0.75), respectively, while a history of dyslipidemia was associated with higher odds of receiving GDMT. During the one-year follow-up, 23 subjects died in this study, and adherence to GDMT was associated with fewer deaths (OR=0.38, CI=0.16-0.93).

Conclusions

This study shows that there is a pressing need to develop effective strategies to improve compliance with prescribing lifesaving drugs for secondary prevention in subjects with ACS.

Risk Assessment after ST-Segment Elevation Myocardial Infarction: Can Biomarkers Improve the Performance of Clinical Variables?

Introduction: Myocardial infarction with ST-segment elevation (STEMI) is the coronary artery disease associated with the highest risk of morbimortality; however, this risk is heterogeneous, usually being evaluated by clinical scores. Risk assessment is a key factor in personalized clinical management of patients with this disease. Aim: The aim of this study was to assess whether some new cardiac biomarkers considered alone, combined in a multibiomarker model or in association with clinical variables, improve the short- and long-term risk stratification of STEMI patients. Materials and Methods: This was a retrospective observational study of 253 patients with STEMI. Blood samples were obtained before or during the angiography. The assessed biomarkers were C-terminal fragment of insulin-like growth factor binding protein-4 (CT-IGFBP4), high sensitive cardiac troponin T (hs-cTnT), N-terminal fragment of probrain natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP), and growth differentiation factor 15 (GDF-15); they reflect different cardiovascular (CV) physiopathological pathways and underlying pathologies. We registered in-hospital and follow-up mortalities and their causes (cardiovascular and all-cause) and major adverse cardiac events (MACE) during a two year follow-up. Discrimination, survival analysis, model calibration, and reclassification of the biomarkers were comprehensively evaluated. Results and Discussion: In total, 55 patients (21.7%) died, 33 in-hospital and 22 during the follow-up, most of them (69.1%) from CV causes; 37 MACE occurred during follow-up. Biomarkers showed good prognostic ability to predict mortality, alone and combined with the multibiomarker model. A predictive clinical model based on age, Killip–Kimball class, estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR), and heart rate was derived by multivariate analysis. GDF-15 and NT-proBNP significantly improved risk assessment of the clinical model, as shown by discrimination, calibration, and reclassification of all the end-points except for all-cause mortality. The combination of NT-proBNP and hs-cTnT improved CV mortality prediction. Conclusions: GDF-15 and NT-proBNP added value to the usual risk assessment of STEMI patients.

Prevalence and real-world management of NSTEMI with multivessel disease

BACKGROUND

Non-ST elevation myocardial infarction (NSTEMI) has higher post-discharge mortality than ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI). Prognosis worsens in those with multivessel coronary disease (MVD). However, information about the prevalence and extent of MVD in NSTEMI is limited, in turn limiting insights into optimal treatment strategies. This study aimed to define the prevalence and extent of MVD, preferred treatment strategies and the predictors of MVD in a real-world NSTEMI population.

METHODS

The Coronary Angiogram Database of South Australia (CADOSA) was used to identify consecutive patients presenting to major teaching hospitals with NSTEMI between 2012 and 2016. Obtaining clinical and angiographic details, patients were stratified by the number of significantly diseased vessels (0,1,2,3-VD), defined by a stenosis of ≥70%, or ≥50% in the left main coronary artery. Data was analysed retrospectively.

RESULTS

The prevalence of MVD (2- or 3-VD) was 42% amongst 3,722 NSTEMI presentations. Multivariate logistic regression modelling showed age, male gender, diabetes, dyslipidaemia and prior myocardial infarction predicted MVD over 1-VD or 0-VD. Percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) was performed in 42% of patients with MVD. This comprised 61% of 2-VD patients and only 22% of 3-VD patients, with 24% and 66% of each group referred for coronary bypass grafting, respectively. Among MVD patients treated with PCI, 76% had their culprit lesion treated alone in the index admission.

CONCLUSIONS

In this NSTEMI cohort, over 40% had MVD. Notably, a minority of patients with MVD undergoing PCI received multivessel revascularisation. This real-world practice emphasises that further evaluation is required to determine whether complete revascularisation is beneficial in NSTEMI, as reported for STEMI.

Differences in mortality and causes of death between STEMI and NSTEMI in the early and late phases after acute myocardial infarction

BACKGROUND

The detailed causes of death in non-ST-segment-elevation myocardial infarction (NSTEMI) have not been adequately evaluated compared to those in ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI).

METHODS

The study population was 6,228 AMI patients who underwent percutaneous coronary intervention (STEMI: 4,625 patients and NSTEMI: 1,603 patients). The primary outcome was all-cause death.

RESULTS

Within 6 months after AMI, the adjusted mortality risk was not significantly different between NSTEMI patients and STEMI patients (HR: 0.83, 95%CI: 0.67-1.03, P = 0.09). Regarding the causes of death within 6 months after AMI, mechanical complications more frequently occurred in STEMI patients than in NSTEMI patients, while proportions of post resuscitation status on arrival and heart failure were higher in in NSTEMI patients than in STEMI patients. Beyond 6 months after AMI, the adjusted mortality risk of NSTEMI relative to STEMI was not significantly different. (HR: 1.04, 95%CI: 0.90-1.20, P = 0.59). Regarding causes of death beyond 6 months after AMI, almost half of deaths were cardiovascular causes in both groups, and breakdown of causes of death was similar between NSTEMI and STEMI.

CONCLUSION

The mortality risk within and beyond 6 months after AMI were not significantly different between STEMI patients and NSTEMI patients after adjusting confounders. Deaths due to post resuscitation status and heart failure were more frequent in NSTEMI within 6 months after AMI.

Management of multivessel coronary artery disease in patients with non-ST-elevation myocardial infarction: a complex path to precision medicine

Recent analyses suggest the incidence of acute coronary syndrome is declining in high- and middle-income countries. Despite this, overall rates of non-ST-elevation myocardial infarction (NSTEMI) continue to rise. Furthermore, NSTEMI is a greater contributor to mortality after hospital discharge than ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI). Patients with NSTEMI are often older, comorbid and have a high likelihood of multivessel coronary artery disease (MVD), which is associated with worse clinical outcomes. Currently, optimal treatment strategies for MVD in NSTEMI are less well established than for STEMI or stable coronary artery disease. Specifically, in relation to percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) there is a paucity of randomized, prospective data comparing multivessel and culprit lesion-only PCI. Given the heterogeneous pathological basis for NSTEMI with MVD, an approach of complete revascularization may not be appropriate or necessary in all patients. Recognizing this, this review summarizes the limited evidence base for the interventional management of non-culprit disease in NSTEMI by comparing culprit-only and multivessel PCI strategies. We then explore how a personalized, precise approach to investigation, therapy and follow up may be achieved based on patient-, disease- and lesion-specific factors.

The progress in outcomes of the management of patients with non-ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction between 2005 and 2014 in Poland - a propensity score matching analysis from the PL-ACS registry

Introduction

Dynamic changes both in clinical profile and treatment strategy of non ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (NSTEMI) patients have been observed recently. The exact impact of them on prognosis in a wide national population remains unclear.

Aim

To evaluate the impact of treatment advances between 2005 and 2014 on the outcomes of NSTEMI cases.

Material and methods

NSTEMI patients from the Polish Registry of Acute Coronary Syndromes (PL-ACS) were included to the analysis. The mortality rate in a hospital observation as well as in 12-month follow-up was evaluated.

Results

The frequency of diabetes, hypertension, prior coronary artery interventions (especially percutaneous coronary intervention) raised. A frequency of invasive procedures increased remarkably (coronary angiography from 35.8% to 90.7%; p < 0.05 and percutaneous coronary intervention from 25.7% to 63.6%; p < 0.05). The usage of P2Y12 – inhibitors raised substantially from 56% to 93%; p < 0.05. In-hospital mortality decreased by fifty percent (in women from 6.6% to 3.3%; p < 0.001 and in men from 4.9% to 2.5%; p < 0.001, respectively). Similarly, 12-month mortality decreased up to one third (in women from 21.6% to 15.1%; p < 0.001 and in men from 17.8% to 12.8%; p < 0.001, respectively). Invasive strategy appeared to be the strongest factor decreasing mortality. Into in-hospital observation it reduces triple mortality risk whereas in 12-month follow up twice. Using propensity score matching analysis the impact of the treatment improvements on relative risk reduction was estimated on over 60%.

Conclusions

In last decade the outcomes of NSTEMI in Poland improved substantially. The predominant impact on it had a routine invasive strategy.

Defining and managing patients with non-ST-elevation myocardial infarction: Sorting through type 1 vs other types

Advances in cardiovascular (CV) imaging, redefined electrocardiogram criteria, and high-sensitivity CV biomarker assays have enabled more differentiated etiological classification of myocardial infarction (MI). Type 1 MI has a different underlying pathophysiology than type 2 through type 5 MI; type 1 MI is characterized primarily by intracoronary atherothrombosis and the other types by a variety of mechanisms, which can occur with or without an atherosclerotic component. In type 2 MI, there is evidence of myocardial oxygen supply-demand imbalance unrelated to acute coronary atherothrombosis. Types 1 and 2 MI are spontaneous events, while type 4 and type 5 are procedure-related; type 3 MI is identified only after death. Most type 1 and type 2 MI present as non-ST-elevation MI (NSTEMI), although both types can also present as ST-elevation MI. Because of their different underlying etiologies, type 1 and type 2 NSTEMI have different presentation and prognosis and should be managed differently. In this article, we discuss the epidemiology, prognosis, and management of NSTEMI occurring in the setting of underlying type 1 or type 2 pathophysiology. Most NSTEMI (65%-90%) are type 1 MI. Patients with type 2 MI have multiple comorbidities and causes of in-hospital mortality among these patients are not always CV-related. It is important to distinguish between type 1 and type 2 NSTEMI early in the clinical course to allow for the use of the most appropriate treatments that will provide the greatest benefit for these patients.

Gender-related disparities in the treatment and outcomes in patients with non-ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction: results from the Polish Registry of Acute Coronary Syndromes (PL-ACS) in the years 2012-2014

INTRODUCTION

Gender-related differences in the treatment of patients with non-ST elevation myocardial infarction (NSTEMI) have been reported in many previous studies despite the fact that an equal approach is recommended in all current guidelines. The aim of the study was to investigate whether gender-related discrepancies in the management of NSTEMI patients have changed.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

Between 2012 and 2014 a total of 66,667 patients (38.3% of whom were women) with the final diagnosis of NSTEMI were included into the retrospective analysis of the Polish Registry of Acute Coronary Syndromes (PL-ACS). Differences in clinical profile, treatment, and outcomes were analysed.

RESULTS

Women were older than men and more often had comorbidities. They were less likely to undergo coronary angiography (88.4% vs. 92.1%, p < 0.05) as well as percutaneous coronary intervention (59.6% vs. 71.9%, p < 0.05). In the general population women had also significantly worse in-hospital prognosis as well as in 12-month follow-up. After the age adjustment the outcomes in women were at least as good as in men. In multivariate analysis females had the same risk as men in-hospital RR = 1.02 (95% CI: 0.97-1.08, p = 0.45) and lower in 12-month observation RR = 0.94 (95% CI: 0.92-0.97, p < 0.0001).

CONCLUSIONS

In comparison with previous reports on NSTEMI patients, gender-related disparities in the treatment and outcomes were radically reduced. Unadjusted mortality rates were still higher in women as a consequence of their older age. After the age adjustment, mortality ratios were similar in both genders. The long-term prognosis seems to be even better in women.

The Romanian National Registry of non-ST Elevation Acute Coronary Syndromes - Design and Rationale

Introduction:Non-ST segment elevation acute coronary syndromes (NSTE-ACS) form a large part of the number of annual emergency admissions in the Cardiology Departments in Romania, representing a significant burden on the health care system resources. The European Society of Cardiology (ESC) guidelines for the diagnosis and treatment of NSTE-ACS patients represent ideal standards, which are difficult to implement, given the significant differences in the socio-economic climates of the various European Union countries, as the access to modern reperfusion techniques for NSTE-ACS patients, including Romania, is usually suboptimal. Objectives:The evaluate the current implementation state of the ESC recommended protocols for the diagnosis and treatment of NSTE-ACS patients in Romania. There are no data regarding the number of patients who benefit from modern revascularization techniques, the time intervals between symptom onset, positive diagnosis and revascularization procedures, and the impact of these strategies on in-hospital and one-year mortality Materials and methods:We support the development of an online National Registry of NSTE-ACS patients, in which data obtained from the in-hospital medical records of patients undergoing invasive management will be prospectively recorded. The platform will initially be accessible to 11 interventional centers, and will include patients diagnosed and treated according to local protocols. Patient status at one year after the acute event will also be recorded. The Registry will eventually be accessible to any center in Romania caring for NSTE-ACS patients. The recorded variables will be based on those with a significant impact on the time from symptom onset to the positive diagnosis, type of clinical presentation, appropriate treatment initiation and the type of applied treatment. Eexpected outcomes:Local clinical expertise, the number of treated patients and center-level technical barriers are expected to significantly influence the reported diagnostic and therapeutic measures. The performance of the various local in-hospital guidelines and transfer protocols between non-interventional and interventional centers will be analyzed, based on which recommendations and objectives can be defined in order to optimize the ESC guidelines implementation. Conclusion:The National Registry of non-ST elevation acute coronary syndromes will provide an essential tool that facilitates the implementation of optimal ESC guideline-driven diagnostic and treatment measures, by adapting its recommendations to the socio-economic status in Romania and ensuring the best possible outcomes for the NSTE-ACS patient.

Comparison short time discharge with long time discharge following uncomplicated percutaneous coronary intervention for Non-ST elevation myocardial infarction patients

BACKGROUND

The rational length of stay following non-complicated percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) for Non-ST elevation myocardial infarction (NSTEMI) patients remains controversial. Few studies have examined the impact of early discharge on short-term outcomes in NSTEMI patients, but short-time discharge is not uncommon in real world practice. This study examined the impact of short time discharge following non-complicated PCI on 30-day net adverse clinical events in NSTEMI patients.

METHODS

This retrospective study enrolled 1424 consecutive patients with NSTEMI diagnoses who underwent non-complicated PCI. Of these patients, 432 were discharged early (< 24 h), whereas the remaining 992 NSTEMI patients underwent routine discharge. The primary end points of the study were the net adverse clinical events including major adverse cardiac or cerebral events or access site vascular/bleeding complications within 30 days. The differences between the two groups were analyzed after propensity score matching to reduce selection bias.

RESULTS

The incidence of crude 30-day net adverse events was numerically higher in the long-time discharge group at 11.6% (115/992) compared with 8.6% (37/432) in the short-time discharge group, although this difference was not significant (P = 0.09). This difference was mainly due to lesser radial access selected in the long-time discharge group (827/932, 83.4% vs. 387/432, 89.5%, P < 0.0005). After PS matching to balance the access difference, there was no significant difference in the incidence of the events mentioned above between two groups.

CONCLUSIONS

If an NSTEMI patient undergoes PCI without any procedural or hospital complications, short-time discharge after successful PCI would be feasible and safe in selected NSTEMI patients.

Poor long-term outcome in acute coronary syndrome in a real-life setting: Ten-year outcome of the TACOS study

BACKGROUND

Long-term outcome of the three categories of acute coronary syndrome (ACS) in real-life patient cohorts is not well known. The objective of this study was to survey the 10-year outcome of an ACS patient cohort admitted to a university hospital and to explore factors affecting the outcome.

METHODS

A total of 1188 consecutive patients (median age 73 years) with ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI), non-ST-elevation myocardial infarction (NSTEMI) or unstable angina pectoris (UA) in 2002-2003 were included and followed up for ≥ 10 years.

RESULTS

Mortality for STEMI, NSTEMI and UA patients during the follow-up period was 52.5%, 69.9% and 41.0% (p < 0.001), respectively. In multivariable Cox regression analysis, only age and creatinine level at admission were independently associated with patient outcome in all the three ACS categories when analyzed separately.

CONCLUSIONS

All the three ACS categories proved to have high mortality rates during long-term followup in a real-life patient cohort. NSTEMI patients had worse outcome than STEMI and UA patients during the whole follow-up period. Our study results indicate clear differences in the prognostic significance of various demographic and therapeutic parameters within the three ACS categories.

Impact of routine invasive strategy on outcomes in patients with non-ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction during 2005-2014: A report from the Polish Registry of Acute Coronary Syndromes (PL-ACS)

BACKGROUND

Non-ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (NSTEMI) has become the most frequently encountered type of myocardial infarction. The patient clinical profile and management has evolved over the past decade. As there is still a scarcity of data on the latest trends in NSTEMI, changes herein were observed and assessed in the treatment and outcomes in Poland between 2005 and 2014.

METHODS

A total of 197,192 patients with NSTEMI who enrolled in the Polish Registry of Acute Coronary Syndromes (PL-ACS) between 2005 and 2014 were analyzed. In-hospital and 12-month mortality were assessed.

RESULTS

Coronary angiography use increased from 35.8% in 2005-2007 to 90.7% in 2012-2014 (p < 0.05), whereas percutaneous coronary intervention increased from 25.7% in 2005-2007 to 63.6% in 2012-2014 (p < 0.05). There was a 50% reduction in in-hospital mortality (from 5.6% in 2005-2007 to 2.8% in 2012-2014; p < 0.05) and a 30% reduction in 1-year mortality (from 19.4% in 2005-2007 to 13.7% in 2012-2014; p < 0.05). A multivariate analysis confirmed an immense impact of invasive strategy on patient prognosis during in-hospital observation with an odds ratio (OR) of 0.31 (95% confidence interval [CI] 0.29-0.33; p < 0.05) as well as during the 12-month observation with an OR of 0.51 (95% CI 0.49-0.52; p < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

Over the past 10 years, an important advance in the management of NSTEMI has taken place in Poland. Routine invasive strategy resulted in a significant decrease in mortality rates in all groups of NSTEMI patients.

'Who does this patient belong to?' boundary work and the re/making of (NSTEMI) heart attack patients

This ethnography within ten English and Welsh hospitals explores the significance of boundary work and the impacts of this work on the quality of care experienced by heart attack patients who have suspected non-ST segment elevation myocardial infarction (NSTEMI) /non-ST elevation acute coronary syndrome. Beginning with the initial identification and prioritisation of patients, boundary work informed negotiations over responsibility for patients, their transfer and admission to different wards, and their access to specific domains in order to receive diagnostic tests and treatment. In order to navigate boundaries successfully and for their clinical needs to be more easily recognised by staff, a patient needed to become a stable boundary object. Ongoing uncertainty in fixing their clinical classification, was a key reason why many NSTEMI patients faltered as boundary objects. Viewing NSTEMI patients as boundary objects helps to articulate the critical and ongoing process of classification and categorisation in the creation and maintenance of boundary objects. We show the essential, but hidden, role of boundary actors in making and re-making patients into boundary objects. Physical location was critical and the parallel processes of exclusion and restriction of boundary object status can lead to marginalisation of some patients and inequalities of care (A virtual abstract of this paper can be viewed at: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC_979cmCmR9rLrKuD7z0ycA).

Adherence to Cardiac Practice Guidelines in the Management of Non-ST-Elevation Acute Coronary Syndromes: A Systematic Literature Review

BACKGROUND

In the management of non-ST-elevation acute coronary syndrome (NSTACS) a gap between guideline-recommended care and actual practice has been reported. A systematic overview of the actual extent of this gap, its potential impact on patient-outcomes, and influential factors is lacking.

OBJECTIVE

To examine the extent of guideline adherence, to study associations with the occurrence of adverse cardiac events, and to identify factors associated with guideline adherence.

METHOD

Systematic literature review, for which PUBMED, EMBASE, CINAHL, and the Cochrane library were searched until March 2016. Further, a manual search was performed using reference lists of included studies. Two reviewers independently performed quality-assessment and data extraction of the eligible studies.

RESULTS

Adherence rates varied widely within and between 45 eligible studies, ranging from less than 5.0 % to more than 95.0 % for recommendations on acute and discharge pharmacological treatment, 34.3 % - 93.0 % for risk stratification, and 16.0 % - 95.8 % for performing coronary angiography. Seven studies indicated that higher adherence rates were associated with lower mortality. Several patient-related (e.g. age, gender, co-morbidities) and organization-related (e.g. teaching hospital) factors influencing adherence were identified.

CONCLUSION

This review showed wide variation in guideline adherence, with a substantial proportion of NST-ACS patients possibly not receiving guideline-recommended care. Consequently, lower adherence might be associated with a higher risk for poor prognosis. Future research should further investigate the complex nature of guideline adherence in NST-ACS, its impact on clinical care, and factors influencing adherence. This knowledge is essential to optimize clinical management of NSTACS patients and could guide future quality improvement initiatives.

Long-term outcomes in high-risk patients with non-ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction

Greater use of evidence-based therapies has improved outcomes for patients with acute coronary syndromes (ACS) in recent decades. Consequently, more ACS patients are surviving beyond 12 months; however, limited data exist to guide treatment in these patients. Long-term outcomes have not improved in non-ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (NSTEMI) patients at the same rate seen in ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction patients, possibly reflecting NSTEMI patients’ more complex clinical phenotype, including older age, greater burden of comorbidities and higher likelihood of a previous myocardial infarction (MI). This complexity impacts clinical decision-making, particularly in high-risk NSTEMI patients, in whom risk–benefit assessments are problematical. This review examines the need for more effective long-term management of NSTEMI patients who survive ≥12 months after MI. Ongoing risk assessment using objective measures of risk (for bleeding and ischemia) should be used in all post-MI patients. While 12 months appears to be the optimal duration of dual antiplatelet therapy for most patients, this may not be the case for high-risk patients, and more research is urgently needed in this population. A recent subgroup analysis from the DAPT study in patients with or without MI who had undergone coronary stenting (31 % presented with MI; 53 % had NSTEMI) and the prospective PEGASUS-TIMI 54 trial in patients with a prior MI and at least one other risk factor (40 % had NSTEMI) demonstrated that long-term dual antiplatelet therapy improved cardiovascular outcomes but increased bleeding. Further studies will help clarify the role of dual antiplatelet therapy in stable post-NSTEMI patients.

Long-Term Survival Among Patients With Myocardial Infarction Before Age 50 Compared With the General Population: A Danish Nationwide Cohort Study

BACKGROUND

The long-term prognosis for young myocardial infarction (MI) survivors remains poorly understood.

METHODS AND RESULTS

We conducted a nationwide population-based cohort study using prospectively collected medical data from all hospitals in Denmark during 1980 to 2009. We examined 30-year cause-specific death rates among 21 693 MI patients <50 years versus 216 930 sex- and age-matched people from the general population. We calculated mortality rate ratios (MRRs) based on Cox regression. Between 1980 to 1989 and 2000 to 2009, MI mortality declined from 12.5% to 3.2% within 30 days, 5.1% to 1.6% within 31 to 365 days, and 24.2% to 8.9% within 1 to 10 years. Compared with the general population, the MRR adjusted for sex, age, and cardiovascular and noncardiovascular comorbidity decreased 4.5-fold within 30 days (from 468 to 97), 3-fold within 31 to 365 days (from 11.32 to 3.70), and 2.5-fold within 1 to 10 years (from 4.77 to 1.89). The remaining 1.89-fold increased mortality rate among 1-year survivors in 2000 to 2009 corresponded to 6 additional deaths each year per 1000 patients compared with the general population. Long-term causes of death were primarily because of cardiovascular and chronic pulmonary diseases. The excess 10-year MRR among 1-year survivors was consistent within MI subtypes, did not differ substantially between comorbidity categories, but was higher for women than men (3-fold versus 1.7-fold).

CONCLUSIONS

The long-term mortality rate after MI before age 50 has decreased remarkably over the last 3 decades, but remains increased relative to the general population, mainly because of deaths from ischemic heart disease and other smoking-related diseases.

Recent Trends in Hospitalization for Acute Myocardial Infarction in Beijing: Increasing Overall Burden and a Transition From ST-Segment Elevation to Non-ST-Segment Elevation Myocardial Infarction in a Population-Based Study

Comparable data on trends of hospitalization rates for ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) and non-STEMI (NSTEMI) remain unavailable in representative Asian populations.To examine the temporal trends of hospitalization for acute myocardial infarction (AMI) and its subtypes in Beijing.Patients hospitalized for AMI in Beijing from January 1, 2007 to December 31, 2012 were identified from the validated Hospital Discharge Information System. Trends in hospitalization rates, in-hospital mortality, length of stay (LOS), and hospitalization costs were analyzed by regression models for total AMI and for STEMI and NSTEMI separately. In total, 77,943 patients were admitted for AMI in Beijing during the 6 years, among whom 67.5% were males and 62.4% had STEMI. During the period, the rate of AMI hospitalization per 100,000 population increased by 31.2% (from 55.8 to 73.3 per 100,000 population) after age standardization, with a slight decrease in STEMI but a 3-fold increase in NSTEMI. The ratio of STEMI to NSTEMI decreased dramatically from 6.5:1.0 to 1.3:1.0. The age-standardized in-hospital mortality decreased from 11.2% to 8.6%, with a significant decreasing trend evident for STEMI in males and females (P < 0.001) and for NSTEMI in males (P = 0.02). The rate of percutaneous coronary intervention increased from 28.7% to 55.6% among STEMI patients. The total cost for AMI hospitalization increased by 56.8% after adjusting for inflation, although the LOS decreased by 1 day.The hospitalization burden for AMI has been increasing in Beijing with a transition from STEMI to NSTEMI. Diverse temporal trends in AMI subtypes from the unselected "real-world" data in Beijing may help to guide the management of AMI in China and other developing countries.