Prevalence and outcome of Middle-eastern Arab and South Asian patients hospitalized with heart failure: insight from a 20-year registry in a Middle-eastern country (1991–2010)

Outcomes of guideline-based medical therapy in patients with acute heart failure and reduced left ventricular ejection fraction: Observations from the Gulf acute heart failure registry (Gulf CARE)

This study aimed to report on the use, predictors and outcomes of guideline-based medical therapy (GBMT) in patients with acute heart failure (HF) with reduced ejection fraction of <40% (HFrEF), from seven countries in the Arabian Gulf.Patients with acute HFrEF (N = 2680), aged 18 years or older, and hospitalized February-November 2012 were recruited and data were collected post discharge at 3 months (n = 2477) and 1 year (n = 2418). The use and doses of GBMT were evaluated as per European, American and Canadian HF guidelines. Analyses were performed using multivariate logistic regression. This study was registered at clinicaltrials.gov (NCT01467973).The majority of patients were on dual (39%) and triple (39%) GBMT modalities, 14% received one GBMT medication, while 7.2% were not on any GBMT medications. On admission, 80% of patients were on renin-angiotensin system (RAS) blockers, 75% on b-blockers and 56% on mineralocorticoid receptor antagonists (MRAs), with a small proportion of these patients were taking target doses (RAS blockers 13%, b-blockers 7.3%, MRAs 14%). Patients taking triple GBMT were younger (P < .001), less likely to have comorbidities such as diabetes mellitus (P < .001) and CKD/dialysis (P < .001), less likely to receive in-hospital invasive treatments (P < .001), and more likely to be treated by a cardiologist (P < .001), than patients on a single medication. Patients taking triple GBMT showed significantly reduced all-cause mortality both at 3-months (P = .048), and at 12-months (P = .003), compared to patients taking no GBMT.Triple GBMT prescribing and dosing in patients with HFrEF were suboptimal in the Arabian Gulf. Further studies are required to investigate GBMT utilization and dosing in the outpatient setting.

Inotropic agents use in patients hospitalized with acute decompensated heart failure: a retrospective analysis from a 22-year registry in a Middle-Eastern Country (1991-2013)

Background

Data about the use of positive inotropic agents in patients hospitalized with acute decompensated heart failure (ADHF) is limited.

Methods

The records of 8066 patients with ADHF who were hospitalized at Hamad Medical Corporation, Qatar from 1991 to 2013 were analyzed to explore demographics and clinical characteristics of the patients according to inotropic agents use.

Results

Eight hundred fifty eight patients [10.6 %, 95 % CI (10 to 11.3 %)] received intravenous inotropic support. Patients receiving inotropes were more likely to be female and have preserved ejection fraction when compared to those not receiving inotropic agents. Comorbidities associated with higher likelihood of receiving inotropic treatment included acute myocardial infarction, chronic renal impairment, dyslipidemia, hypertension, obesity and hyperglycemia. Patient on inotropes were more likely to undergone percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI), intra-aortic balloon pump support and intubation. There were no differences in the mean plasma BNP and CK-MB levels between the 2 groups. Heart failure patients receiving inotropes also were more likely to have complications including ventricular tachycardia (2.0 % vs. 0.9 %, p = 0.003), prolonged hospital stay (8.0 vs. 5.0 days, p = 0.001), cardiac arrest (14.6 % vs. 3.2 %, p = 0.001) and in-hospital mortality (30.8 % vs. 9.1 %, p = 0.001). Over the study period there was an increase use of inotropic agents and decreased mortality rates.

Conclusion

Inotropic use increased over the period whereas; female gender and conventional cardiac risk factors were predictors of inotropic agents use in the study.

Comparison of Indian subcontinent and Middle East acute heart failure patients: Results from the Gulf Acute Heart Failure Registry

OBJECTIVE

To compare Middle East Arabs and Indian subcontinent acute heart failure (AHF) patients.

METHODS

AHF patients admitted from February 14, 2012 to November 14, 2012 in 47 hospitals among 7 Middle East countries.

RESULTS

The Middle Eastern Arab group (4157) was older (60 vs. 54 years), with high prevalence of coronary artery disease (48% vs. 37%), valvular heart disease (14% vs. 7%), atrial fibrillation (12% vs. 7%), and khat chewing (21% vs. 1%). Indian subcontinent patients (382) were more likely to be smokers (36% vs. 21%), alcohol consumers (11% vs. 2%), diabetic (56% vs. 49%) with high prevalence of AHF with reduced ejection fraction (76% vs. 65%), and with acute coronary syndrome (46% vs. 26%). In-hospital mortality was 6.5% with no difference, but 3-month and 12-month mortalities were significantly high among Middle East Arabs, (13.7% vs. 7.6%) and (22.8% vs. 17.1%), respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

AHF patients from this region are a decade younger than Western patients with high prevalence of ischemic heart disease, diabetes mellitus, and AHF with reduced ejection fraction. There is an urgent need to control risk factors among both groups, as well as the need for setting up heart failure clinics for better postdischarge management.

Ethnic differences among implantable cardioverter defibrillators recipients in Israel

Heart failure is an increasingly common condition arising from a variety of different pathophysiological processes. Little is known about the unique features of Israeli Arabs who present with heart failure and who undergo cardiac device implantation. The study population comprised of 4,671 patients who were enrolled in the national Israeli Implantable Cardioverter Defibrillator registry. We compared demographic, clinical, and echocardiographic characteristics; device-related indications; and outcomes between Israeli Arabs (n = 733) and Jews (n = 3,938), who were enrolled in the registry from July 2010 through December 2013. Israeli Arabs constituted 15.7% of the study population. They were younger at presentation compared with Jews (57 ± 15 vs 66 ± 12 years, respectively; p <0.001), with a greater burden of co-morbidities, including diabetes mellitus and chronic obstructive lung disease and smoking. In addition, Arab patients had a greater frequency of non-ischemic cardiomyopathy (40.2% vs 24.6%, respectively; p <0.001), which was associated with a greater frequency of familial history of sudden cardiac death. During 15 ± 9 month follow-up, the mortality rates and appropriate device therapy were similar in both ethnic groups. In conclusion, Israeli Arab patients implanted with implantable cardioverter defibrillators display unique clinical features with greater prevalence of non-ischemic cardiomyopathy characterized by an early-onset and rapid deterioration.

Clinical characteristics, management, and outcomes of acute heart failure patients: observations from the Gulf acute heart failure registry (Gulf CARE)

AIMS

The purpose of this study was to describe the clinical characteristics, management, and outcomes of acute heart failure (HF) patients from the Gulf acute heart failure registry (Gulf CARE).

METHODS AND RESULTS

Data from 5005 HF patients admitted to 47 hospitals in seven Gulf countries during February to November 2012 were analysed. Fifty-five per cent of patients presented with acute decompensated chronic HF, while 45% had new-onset HF. Mean age was 59 ± 15 years, 63% were males, and 83% were Gulf citizens. Co-morbid conditions were hypertension (61%), diabetes mellitus (50%), CAD (47%), and atrial fibrillation or flutter (14%). The median LVEF was 35% (25-45%) with 69% presenting as HF with reduced EF (HFrEF). CAD was the most prevalent aetiology (53%) followed by idiopathic cardiomyopathy (18%), hypertensive heart disease (16%), and valvular heart disease (9%). At discharge, 71% and 78% of patients received beta-blockers and ACE inhibitors/ARBs, respectively. Use of coronary intervention and device therapy was <10%. In-hospital mortality was 6.3%. Re-hospitalization and cumulative mortality at 3 and 12 months were 18%/13% and 40%/20%, respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

Gulf CARE results show that patients from this region are a decade younger than their Western counterparts, with a high prevalence of diabetes and HFrEF, and a lower prevalence of AF. Use of coronary intervention and device therapy was low, with high re-hospitalization rates. Short- and long-term mortality rates were similar to those of Western registries, but should be interpreted in the light of the younger age of Gulf CARE patients.

The Dallas Heart Study using the probability sample technique for ethnicity and cardiovascular health differences

The decrease in cardiovascular death rates in the United States has been slower in blacks than whites, especially in patients < 65 years of age. The Dallas Heart Study was designed as a single-site, multiethnic, population-based probability sample to produce unbiased comparison of cardiovascular health among multiple ethnicities.

Left Bundle Branch Block in Acute Cardiac Events: Insights From a 23-Year Registry

Between 1991 and 2013, we evaluated the demographics, presentations, and final diagnosis of patients hospitalized with acute cardiac events and left bundle branch block (LBBB). Of 50 992 patients, 768 (1.5%) had LBBB. Compared with non-LBBB patients, patients with LBBB were mostly older, female, diabetic, and had hypertension and chronic kidney failure (CKF; P < .001 for all). Dyspnea (P < .001) and dizziness (P = .037) were more frequent in patients with LBBB. The most frequent cause of admission with LBBB was congestive heart failure (CHF; 54.2%), followed by ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI; 13.3%), valvular heart disease (9.4%), unstable angina (8.3%) and Non-STEMI (7.7%). On multivariate analysis, CKF (odds ratio [OR]: 2.02, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.09-3.70) and LBBB (OR: 2.96, 95% CI: 2.01-4.42) were predictors of in-hospital mortality in the entire study population. Further analysis of patients with LBBB showed that CKF (OR: 2.93, 95% CI: 1.40-6.12) was the only predictor of in-hospital mortality. Regardless the presenting symptoms, CHF was the final diagnosis in most cases with LBBB.

Short-term outcomes after hospital discharge in patients admitted with heart failure in Abeokuta, Nigeria: data from the Abeokuta Heart Failure Registry

Background

Compared to other regions of the world, there is a paucity of data on the short-term outcome of acute heart failure (AHF) in Africa’s most populous country, Nigeria. We examined the six-month outcomes (including case fatalities) in 285 of 309 AHF subjects admitted with HF to a tertiary hospital in Abeokuta, Nigeria.

Methods

The study cohort of 285 subjects comprised 150 men (52.6%) and 135 women (47.4%) with a mean age of 56.3 ± 15.6 years and the majority in NYHA class III (75%).

Results

There were a number of differences according to the subject’s gender; men being older and more likely to present with hypertensive heart disease (with greater left ventricular mass) while also having greater systolic dysfunction. Mean length of stay was 10.5 ± 5.9 days. Mean follow up was 205 days, with 23 deaths and 20 lost to follow up. At 30 days, 4.2% (95% CI: 2.4–7.3%) had died and by 180 days this had increased to 7.5% (95% CI: 4.7–11.2%); with those subjects with pericardial disease demonstrating the highest initial mortality rate. Over the same period, 13.9% of the cohort was re-admitted at least once.

Conclusions

The characteristics of this AHF cohort in Nigeria were different from those reported in high-income countries. Cases were relatively younger and presented with non-ischaemic aetiological risk factors for HF, especially hypertensive heart disease. Moreover, mortality and re-admission rates were relatively lower, suggesting region-specific strategies are required to improve health outcomes.

Rationale, Design, Methodology and Hospital Characteristics of the First Gulf Acute Heart Failure Registry (Gulf CARE)

BACKGROUND

There is paucity of data on heart failure (HF) in the Gulf Middle East. The present paper describes the rationale, design, methodology and hospital characteristics of the first Gulf acute heart failure registry (Gulf CARE).

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Gulf CARE is a prospective, multicenter, multinational registry of patients >18 year of age admitted with diagnosis of acute HF (AHF). The data collected included demographics, clinical characteristics, etiology, precipitating factors, management and outcomes of patients admitted with AHF. In addition, data about hospital readmission rates, procedures and mortality at 3 months and 1-year follow-up were recorded. Hospital characteristics and care provider details were collected. Data were entered in a dedicated website using an electronic case record form.

RESULTS

A total of 5005 consecutive patients were enrolled from February 14, 2012 to November 13, 2012. Forty-seven hospitals in 7 Gulf States (Oman, Saudi Arabia, Yemen, Kuwait, United Gulf Emirates, Qatar and Bahrain) participated in the project. The majority of hospitals were community hospitals (46%; 22/47) followed by non-University teaching (32%; 15/47 and University hospitals (17%). Most of the hospitals had intensive or coronary care unit facilities (93%; 44/47) with 59% (28/47) having catheterization laboratory facilities. However, only 29% (14/47) had a dedicated HF clinic facility. Most patients (71%) were cared for by a cardiologist.

CONCLUSIONS

Gulf CARE is the first prospective registry of AHF in the Middle East, intending to provide a unique insight into the demographics, etiology, management and outcomes of AHF in the Middle East. HF management in the Middle East is predominantly provided by cardiologists. The data obtained from this registry will help the local clinicians to identify the deficiencies in HF management as well as provide a platform to implement evidence based preventive and treatment strategies to reduce the burden of HF in this region.

Mortality trends in women and men presenting with acute coronary syndrome: insights from a 20-year registry

BACKGROUND

Coronary artery disease (CAD) is the leading cause of mortality worldwide. The present study evaluated the impact of gender in patients hospitalized with acute coronary syndromes (ACS) over a 20-year period in Qatar.

METHODS

Data were collected retrospectively from the registry of the department of cardiology for all patients admitted with ACS during the study period (1991-2010) and were analyzed according to gender.

RESULTS

Among 16,736 patients who were admitted with ACS, 14262 (85%) were men and 2474 (15%) were women. Cardiovascular risk factors were more prevalent among women in comparison to men. On admission, women presented mainly with non-ST-elevation ACS and were more likely to be undertreated with β-blockers (BB), antiplatelet agents and reperfusion therapy in comparison to men. However, from 1999 through 2010, the use of aspirin, angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors and BB increased from 66% to 79%, 27% to 41% and 17% to 49%, respectively in women. In the same period, relative risk reduction for mortality was 64% in women and 51% in men. Across the 20-year period, the mortality rate decreased from 27% to 7% among the Middle Eastern Arab women. Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that female gender was independent predictor of in-hospital mortality (odd ratio 1.51, 95% CI 1.27-1.79).

CONCLUSIONS

Women presenting with ACS are high-risk population and their in-hospital mortality remains higher for all age groups in comparison to men. Although, substantial improvement in the hospital outcome has been observed, guidelines adherence and improvement in the hospital care have not yet been optimized.

Secular Trends, Treatments, and Outcomes of Middle Eastern Arab and South Asian Patients Hospitalized With Atrial Fibrillation

A prospective registry was made of all patients hospitalized with atrial fibrillation (AF) in the State of Qatar from 1991 to 2010. Clinical characteristics, management, and outcomes were compared according to ethnicity (Middle Eastern Arab vs South Asian). During this 20-year period, 2857 Arabs and 548 Asians were hospitalized for AF. Arabs were 9 years older and more likely to have hypertension, diabetes mellitus (DM), chronic renal impairment, and dyslipidemia than the Asians. Valvular heart disease and acute coronary syndromes were more common among Asians, while congestive heart failure was more common in Arabs. The overall inhospital mortality was lower in Asians than that of Arabs, while stroke rates were comparable. There was an increase in the prevalence of DM and hypertension in both the groups in the latter years of the study period, but there was no change in mortality trends. Our findings underscore the need to study AF according to ethnicity.

Effect of age on clinical presentation and outcome of patients hospitalized with acute coronary syndrome: a 20-year registry in a middle eastern country

Introduction:

Despite the fact that the elderly constitute an increasingly important group of patients with acute coronary syndrome (ACS), they are often excluded from clinical trials and are underrepresented in clinical registries.

Aims:

To evaluate the impact of age in patients hospitalized with ACS.

Methods:

Data collected for all patients presenting with ACS (n=16,744) who were admitted in Qatar during the period (1991-2010) and were analyzed according to age into 3 groups (≤50 years [41.4%], 51-70 years [48.7%] and >70 years [9.8%]).

Results:

Older patients were more likely to be women and have hypertension, diabetes mellitus, and renal failure, while younger patients were more likely to be smokers. Non-ST-elevation myocardial infarction and heart failure were more prevalent in older patients. Older age was associated with undertreatment with evidence-based therapies and had higher mortality rate. Age was independent predictor for mortality. Over the study period, the relative reduction in mortality rates was higher in the younger compared with the older patients (61, 45.9 and 35.5%).

Conclusions:

Despite being a higher-risk group, older patients were undertreated with evidence based therapy and had worse short-term outcome. Guidelines adherence and improvement in hospital care for elderly patients with ACS may potentially reduce morbidity and mortality.