Risk factors for major adverse cardiovascular events after the first acute coronary syndrome.

AIMS: To evaluate risk factors for major adverse cardiac event (MACE) after the first acute coronary syndrome (ACS) and to examine the prevalence of risk factors in post-ACS patients. METHODS: We used Finnish population-based myocardial infarction register, FINAMI, data from years 1993-2011 to identify survivors of first ACS (n = 12686), who were then followed up for recurrent events and all-cause mortality for three years. Finnish FINRISK risk factor surveys were used to determine the prevalence of risk factors (smoking, hyperlipidaemia, diabetes and blood pressure) in post-ACS patients (n = 199). RESULTS: Of the first ACS survivors, 48.4% had MACE within three years of their primary event, 17.0% were fatal. Diabetes (p = 4.4 × 10-7), heart failure (HF) during the first ACS attack hospitalization (p = 6.8 × 10-15), higher Charlson index (p = 1.56 × 10-19) and older age (p = .026) were associated with elevated risk for MACE in the three-year follow-up, and revascularization (p = .0036) was associated with reduced risk. Risk factor analyses showed that 23% of ACS survivors continued smoking and cholesterol levels were still high (>5mmol/l) in 24% although 86% of the patients were taking lipid lowering medication. CONCLUSION: Diabetes, higher Charlson index and HF are the most important risk factors of MACE after the first ACS. Cardiovascular risk factor levels were still high among survivors of first ACS.

Case fatality of acute coronary events is improving even among elderly patients; the FINAMI study 1995-2012.

AIM: To examine trends in incidence and 28-day case fatality of myocardial infarction (MI) in persons aged 75-99 years in four areas of Finland. METHODS AND RESULTS: The Finnish Acute Myocardial Infarction (FINAMI) register is a population-based MI register study, which during 1995-2012 recorded 30561 suspected acute coronary syndromes in persons aged ≥75 years. Of them, 16229 fulfilled the American Heart Association criteria for a definite, probable or possible MI or coronary death. This age-group contributed 56.8% of all MIs of which 62.7% occurred in women. The incidence of MI decreased by -3.3%/year (95% CI -4.2; -2.4) in women aged 75-84 years, and by -1.2%/year (-1.9; -0.5) in women aged 85-99 years, but among men in these age-groups, only a non-significant reduction occurred. The 28-day case fatality of MI was high. In the age-group 75-84 years, it decreased non-significantly by -1.6%/year in men, and significantly by -2.4%/year (-3.9; -0.8) in women. In the age-group 85-99 years, the decrease was more remarkable: -5.1%/year (-7.8; -2.3) and -3.9%/year (-5.5; -2.2), respectively. CONCLUSIONS: In Finland, more than half of MIs occur in the age-group 75-99 years, and most of them in women. The incidence of MI decreased significantly in elderly women but non-significantly in elderly men. The 28-day case fatality decreased especially in the age-group 85-99 years. Key Messages In Finland, more than one half of all myocardial infarctions (MIs) occur in the age-group of 75 years or older. Furthermore, 62.7% of MIs among elderly patients occur among women, although 58.0% of the elderly population are women. The incidence of MI decreased significantly in elderly women but not in elderly men. The 28-day case fatality in elderly patients was high but decreased significantly during the study period 1995-2012. This study provides population-based data on treatment strategies and trends in incidence, event rate, mortality and case fatality of MI in elderly individuals. Elderly patients with acute coronary syndromes still present a remarkable burden to the healthcare system in Finland as well as in many other developed countries. Especially considering the modern trend of reducing hospital resources and shifting patient care to outpatient clinics, the epidemiology of MI in elderly patients remains an important issue for the future planning of the healthcare system.

Trends in long-term prognosis after acute coronary syndrome.

Background Coronary heart disease incidence, mortality and short-term case-fatality have improved substantially during the past decades. Recent changes in the long-term prognosis among survivors of acute coronary syndrome are less well known. Our aim was to investigate the long-term prognosis of acute coronary syndrome. Design An observational myocardial infarction register study. Methods Data was derived from the population based Finnish Myocardial Infarction register. Patients aged 35 or higher, who had their first acute coronary syndrome during 1993-2011 and survived the first 28 days, were included in the analysis ( n = 13,336). Endpoints were fatal and non-fatal cardiovascular disease events and all-cause mortality at one year and three years after the index event. We also compared the prognosis of acute coronary syndrome survivors with the prognosis of an apparently healthy population with the same age, sex and area of residence, derived from the FINRISK study. Results Significant declines over time were observed in the risk of a new cardiovascular disease event. At three year follow-up the age- and study area-adjusted hazard ratio per calendar year was 0.969 (95% confidence interval 0.960-0.977, p = 4.63 × 10-13) among men and 0.969 (95% confidence interval 0.961-0.978, p = 1.01 × 10-11) among women. Despite the improvement in prognosis, the age-standardized three year cardiovascular disease free survival of acute coronary syndrome patients was significantly lower than in the FINRISK control group (for men p = 6.64 × 10-27 and for women p = 2.11 × 10-15). Conclusion The prognosis of acute coronary syndrome survivors has improved during the 18-year period but is still much worse than the prognosis of comparable general population.

Decreased mortality risk due to first acute coronary syndrome in women with postmenopausal hormone therapy use.

OBJECTIVES: The role of postmenopausal hormone therapy (HT) in the incidence of acute coronary syndrome (ACS) has been studied extensively, but less is known of the impact of HT on the mortality risk due to an ACS. STUDY DESIGN AND MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: We extracted from a population-based ACS register, FINAMI, 7258 postmenopausal women with the first ACS. These data were combined with HT use data from the National Drug Reimbursement Register; 625 patients (9%) had used various HT regimens. The death risks due to ACS before admission to hospital, 2-28, or 29-365days after the incident ACS were compared between HT users and non-users with logistic regression analyses. RESULTS: In all follow-up time points, the ACS death risks in HT ever-users were smaller compared to non-users. Of women with HT ever use, 42% died within one year as compared with 52% of non-users (OR 0.62, p<0.001). Most deaths (84%) occurred within 28days after the ACS, and in this group 36% of women with ever use of HT (OR 0.73, p=0.002) and 30% of women with ≥5year HT use (OR 0.54, p<0.001) died as compared to 43% of the non-users. Age ≤60 or >60 years at the HT initiation was accompanied with similar reductions in ACS mortality risk. CONCLUSIONS: Postmenopausal HT use is accompanied with reduced mortality risk after primary ACS.

Prognosis of acute coronary events is worse in patients living alone: the FINAMI myocardial infarction register.

BACKGROUND: Single living has been associated with a worse prognosis of acute coronary syndrome (ACS). We aimed to study the relation of sociodemographic characteristics to the morbidity, mortality, and case fatality (CF) of ACS in a large population-based ACS register. METHODS: The population-based FINAMI myocardial infarction register recorded 15,330 cases of ACS among persons aged 35-99 years in Finland in 1993-2002. Record linkage with the files of Statistics Finland provided information on sociodemographic characteristics (marital status, household size). RESULTS: ACS incidence and 28-day mortality rate were higher in unmarried men and women in all age groups. The prehospital CF of incident ACS was higher in single living and/or unmarried 35-64-year-old people. The 28-day CF was 26% (95% confidence interval, CI, 24-29%) in married men, 42% (95% CI 37-47%) in men who had previously been married, and 51% (95% CI 46-57%) in never-married men. Among women, the corresponding figures were 20% (95% CI 15-24%), 32% (95% CI 25-39%), and 43% (95% CI 31-56%). Most of these CF differences were apparent already at the prehospital phase. The only difference in treatment was that middle-aged men living alone or unmarried received thrombolysis less often. The disparities in ACS morbidity and mortality by marital status tended to widen during the study period. CONCLUSIONS: Single living and/or being unmarried increases the risk of having a heart attack and worsens its prognosis both in men and women regardless of age. Most of the excess mortality appears already before the hospital admission and seems not to be related to differences in treatment of ACS.

Aging of the population may not lead to an increase in the numbers of acute coronary events: a community surveillance study and modelled forecast of the future.

OBJECTIVE: To examine the incidence, mortality and case fatality of acute coronary syndrome (ACS) in Finland during 1993-2007 and to create forecasts of the absolute numbers of ACS cases in the future, taking into account the aging of the population. DESIGN: Community surveillance study and modelled forecasts of the future. SETTING AND METHODS: Two sets of population-based coronary event register data from Finland (FINAMI and the National Cardiovascular Disease Register (CVDR)). Bayesian age-period-cohort (APC) modelling. PARTICIPANTS: 24 905 observed ACS events in the FINAMI register and 364 137 in CVDR. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Observed trends of ACS events during 1993-2007, forecasted numbers of ACS cases, and the prevalence of ACS survivors until the year 2050. RESULTS: In the FINAMI register, the average annual declines in age-standardised incidence of ACS were 1.6% (p<0.001) in men and 1.8% (p<0.001) in women. For 28-day case fatality of incident ACS, the average annual declines were 4.1% (p<0.001) in men and 6.7% (p<0.001) in women. Findings in the country-wide CVDR data were consistent with the FINAMI register. The APC model, based on the CVDR data, suggested that both the absolute numbers of ACS events and the prevalence of ACS survivors reached their peak in Finland around 1990, have declined since then, and very likely will continue to decline until 2050. CONCLUSIONS: The ACS event rates and absolute numbers of cases have declined steeply in Finland. The declining trends are likely to continue in the future despite the aging of the population.

Socioeconomic inequalities in the morbidity and mortality of acute coronary events in Finland: 1988 to 2002.

PURPOSE: To examine the changes in socioeconomic disparities in the incidence of coronary heart disease (CHD) and mortality in Finland and to analyze the effects of the severe economic recession of the early 1990s on these disparities. METHODS: The population-based FINAMI Myocardial Infarction (MI) register recorded all suspected MI events among men and women ages 35 to 99 years in four geographical areas of Finland. Record linkage with the files of Statistics Finland provided us with detailed information on the indicators of socioeconomic status (SES; income, education, and profession). Rates were expressed per 100,000 inhabitants of each socioeconomic group per year and age-standardized to the European standard population. Poisson regression was used for analyzing rate ratios and time trends of coronary events in different socioeconomic groups. RESULTS: The mortality rate ratio of coronary events among 35- to 64 year-old men was 5.21 (95% confidence interval, 4.23-6.41) when the lowest income sixth to the highest income sixth were compared. Among women, the respective rate ratio was 11.13 (5.77-21.45). Significant differences in the incidence and 28-day mortality by SES were seen also in the older age groups. Some socioeconomic differences were found in the proportions of patients receiving thrombolysis or undergoing early revascularization. No substantial changes were observed in inequalities between the socioeconomic groups during the study period. CONCLUSIONS: The excess CHD morbidity and mortality among persons with lower SES is still considerable in Finland, but the economic recession did not widen the differences.

Coronary events in persons aged 75 years or older in Finland from 1995 to 2002: the FINAMI study.

The authors used population-based myocardial infarction (MI) register data to examine trends in incidence, case fatality, treatment strategies of MI, and coronary heart disease (CHD) mortality in persons aged 75 to 99 years in 4 areas of Finland during 1995 through 2002. This age group contributed 53% (n=13,977) of all CHD events, and 65% occurred in women. CHD mortality declined among men annually by 3.5% and 1.0% in the 75- to 84-year-old and 85- to 99-year-old age groups, respectively. Among women, it declined by 2.2% per year in the 75- to 84-year-old age group but increased by 1.3% per year in the 85- to 99-year-old age group. MI attack rate did not change in men but increased significantly in women aged 85 to 99 years. Clinical management of MI in elderly patients was more conservative than in middle-aged patients. In conclusion, one-half of all CHD events occur among persons aged 75 years or older, and elderly patients with CHD represent an increasing burden to the health care system.

The effect of correcting for troponins on trends in coronary heart disease events in Finland during 1993-2002: the FINAMI study.

AIMS: The object of this study is to analyse the trends in coronary events in Finland during 1993-2002, correcting for the effect of troponins. METHODS AND RESULTS: A population-based myocardial infarction register recorded all coronary events (n=14 782) in four geographical areas of Finland during 1993-2002. Correction coefficients for the effect of troponins were calculated on the basis of 4359 coronary events, with simultaneous determination of troponins and the 'old' enzymatic markers of myocardial injury. Coronary mortality declined steeply, except in women aged > or = 75 years. The incidence of first coronary events declined 2.0% (95% confidence interval -3.0, -0.9%) per year among men and 1.0% (-2.7, 0.6%) per year among women aged 35-74 years. After correcting for the effect of troponins, also the decline among women became statistically significant: 2.7% (-4.5, -0.8%) per year. The effect of troponins tended to be stronger in women and older individuals than in men and younger individuals. The 28-day case fatality declined among men, but not among women. The effect of troponins on case fatality trends was weak. CONCLUSION: Declining trends in the incidence of coronary events in Finland during 1993-2002 were partly hidden by the effect of troponins. Both incidence and case fatality declines have contributed to the decline in mortality.

A new definition for myocardial infarction: what difference does it make?

AIMS: As a response to changing diagnostic tools of myocardial infarction (MI), new case definitions for acute coronary events were published in 2003 as the American Heart Association Scientific Statement. We assessed the new definition in hospitalized patients in a large population-based MI register study. METHODS AND RESULTS: We identified all suspected acute coronary syndromes with data either on troponin T or on troponin I and at least one of the enzymatic markers of myocardial injury (n=6104). The 2003 definition with the use of troponins identified 83% more definite MIs than the WHO MONICA definition using cardiac enzymes. The additional patients were older, had more often diabetes, and received less often thrombolysis and revascularization than those having MI by both definitions. Adjusting for age, sex, study area, and study year, the additional patients with their first MI aged 25-74 had a higher risk of cardiovascular death within 1 year than patients having definite MI by both definitions (hazard ratio 1.6, 95% CI 1.1-2.2). CONCLUSION: The changing diagnostic criteria present a considerable challenge for the assessment of long-term trends in MI events in the community as well as for longitudinal studies of the natural history of MI. The 2003 definition, when applied using troponins, identified a sizable new group of MI patients, among persons with suspected acute coronary syndrome, at high risk of a recurrent event.

The validity of the Finnish Hospital Discharge Register and Causes of Death Register data on coronary heart disease.

BACKGROUND AND DESIGN: The recent introduction of sensitive markers of myocardial injury is likely to affect the epidemiology of coronary heart disease (CHD). The American Heart Association together with other societies and research agencies have recently published a new definition on acute CHD to improve consistency in epidemiological and clinical studies (referred here as the '2003 definition'). METHODS: In this study we compare the data on CHD events in the Finnish National Hospital Discharge Register (HDR) and the Causes of Death Register (CDR) with the population-based myocardial infarction (MI) register, FINMONICA/FINAMI. The FINMONICA/FINAMI events were classified according to the 2003 definition. The relevant International Classification of Diseases (ICD) codes from the HDR and CDR were used. RESULTS: Using the 2003 definition as the reference, the overall sensitivity of the ICD codes for MI in the combined HDR and CDR was 83% and the positive predictive value (PPV) was 90%. When the ICD codes for unstable angina were added to the analyses, the sensitivity improved to 85% and the PPV declined to 83%. In the age group 35-74 the sensitivity of the MI codes improved over time, in men from 64% in 1988-1992 to 81% in 1998-2002, and in women from 61 to 78%, respectively. The oldest age group, 75 years or older, had sensitivity and PPV values comparable to those of the younger. CONCLUSION: Diagnoses of fatal and non-fatal CHD events in the Finnish HDR and Causes of Death register were reasonably valid indicators for hard CHD events when compared with the FINMONICA/FINAMI register data.

Low-risk patients with chest pain and without evidence of myocardial infarction may be safely discharged from emergency department.

AIMS: This study is an audit of the risk stratification of patients admitted to a university hospital emergency department with a suspected acute coronary syndrome (ACS). The main aim of the study was to investigate the prognosis of those patients who were discharged to home from the emergency room (ER) or adjacent chest pain observation unit (CPU). METHODS AND RESULTS: Three thousand one hundred and seven consecutive patients admitted to the ER with a suspected ACS were retrospectively identified. Seven hundred and sixty-four (25%) patients were discharged from the ER and 417 (13%) from the CPU after observation and ruling out myocardial infarction (MI) and high-risk ACS. One thousand seven hundred and two patients were hospitalized. Follow-up end-points were cardiovascular mortality, hospitalization for ACS and incidence of any cardiovascular disease event during 6 months. During 4 weeks after the discharge from the ER and CPU cardiovascular mortality was 0.1% and 0.5% and during 6 months 0.8% and 1.7%, respectively. Within 6 months 4.2% and 8.4% of the patients were hospitalized for ACS and 9.3% and 11.5% had a cardiovascular disease event. CONCLUSIONS: Patients admitted with chest pain may be safely discharged from the emergency department, if there is no evidence of MI or high-risk ACS. However, further examination and appropriate treatment must be arranged.

Myoglobin, creatine kinase MB isoforms and creatine kinase MB mass in early diagnosis of myocardial infarction in patients with acute chest pain.

OBJECTIVES: Measurements of myoglobin and creatine kinase (CK)-MB isoforms have been suggested to be sensitive tests for the early diagnosis of myocardial infarction (MI). We have investigated the utility of myoglobin, creatine kinase (CK)-MB isoforms and creatine kinase MB mass (CK-MBm) in early diagnosis of MI using cardiac troponin T (cTnT) positivity as a reference. DESIGN AND METHODS: The study population comprised 440 patients who had had chest pain for less than 12 h. Patients were divided into cTnT negative (cTnT-) or cTnT positive (cTnT+) patients (concentration of cTnT >0.1 microg/L at two different time points during 72 h). RESULTS: At the time of admission to the emergency department receiver operating characteristics (ROC) curves of CK-MB isoforms and CK-MBm were not better than that of myoglobin. Six hours after admission CK-MB isoforms and CK-MBm provided statistically significantly larger areas under the curve (AUC) than myoglobin (p < 0.01). When ROC curves were related to the onset of chest pain (< 3 h, 3-6 h, and > 6 h) there were no significant differences between the cardiac markers studied. CONCLUSIONS: According to the present findings, CK-MB isoforms or myoglobin offer no advantage over CK-MBm as early markers of myocardial infarction.