Sex Differences in Cardiovascular Outcomes in Patients With Kidney Failure.

BACKGROUND: Cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of mortality in patients with kidney failure, and their risk of cardiovascular events is 10 to 20 times higher as compared with the general population. METHODS AND RESULTS: We evaluated 508 822 patients who initiated dialysis between January 1, 2005 and December 31, 2014 using the United States Renal Data System with linked Medicare claims. We determined hospitalization rates for cardiovascular events, defined by acute coronary syndrome, heart failure, and stroke. We examined the association of sex with outcome of cardiovascular events, cardiovascular death, and all-cause death using adjusted time-to-event models. The mean age was 70±12 years and 44.7% were women. The cardiovascular event rate was 232 per thousand person-years (95% CI, 231-233), with a higher rate in women than in men (248 per thousand person-years [95% CI, 247-250] versus 219 per thousand person-years [95% CI, 217-220]). Women had a 14% higher risk of cardiovascular events than men (hazard ratio [HR], 1.14 [95% CI, 1.13-1.16]). Women had a 16% higher risk of heart failure (HR, 1.16 [95% CI, 1.15-1.18]), a 31% higher risk of stroke (HR, 1.31 [95% CI, 1.28-1.34]), and no difference in risk of acute coronary syndrome (HR, 1.01 [95% CI, 0.99-1.03]). Women had a lower risk of cardiovascular death (HR, 0.89 [95% CI, 0.88-0.90]) and a lower risk of all-cause death than men (HR, 0.96 [95% CI, 0.95-0.97]). CONCLUSIONS: Among patients undergoing dialysis, women have a higher risk of cardiovascular events of heart failure and stroke than men. Women have a lower adjusted risk of cardiovascular mortality and all-cause mortality.

Sex-differences in the management and clinical outcome among patients with acute coronary syndrome.

BACKGROUND: The current study was to compare the management and clinical outcome between women and men with acute coronary syndrome (ACS). METHOD: This was a retrospective study. Patients with ACS presented to the emergency department were enrolled. Management and clinical outcomes (including mortality and acute decompensated heart failure [ADHF]) were compared between women and men. RESULTS: A total of 686 patients were included and women accounted for 38.5% (n = 264). Women were less likely to receive ticagrelor at the emergency department (18.2% vs 25.1%). Duration from arrival at the emergency department to undergo electrocardiogram was longer in women (7.5 min vs 5.3 min). The duration from symptom onset to undergo percutaneous coronary intervention was longer in women (14.4 h vs 7.2 h). After adjusting for covariates, odds ratio (OR) for cardiovascular mortality was 0.42 (95% confidence interval [CI] 0.37-1.02) and ADHF was 0.63 (95% CI 0.55-1.01) for women vs men. Socioeconomic status, duration from symptom onset to arrive at the emergency department, and management at the emergency department were the important factors contributing to the sex-differences in clinical outcome. CONCLUSION: Among ACS patients undergoing PCI, there was no sex-difference in in-hospital clinical outcome after adjusting for covariates. Future studies are needed to evaluate whether improving management at the emergency department can improve clinical outcomes in women and men with ACS.

Treatment Outcomes of Clopidogrel in Patients With ACS and Diabetes Undergoing PCI-Analysis of Beijing Municipal Medical Insurance Database.

Background and Aims: Several clinical trials have proved the efficacy of clopidogrel treatment for patients with percutaneous coronary intervention. There are few large-scale studies to identify the mortality associated with different durations of treatment of clopidogrel in patients with diabetes and ACS undergoing PCI in the Chinese population. The objective of this analysis was to determine the efficacy of long-term clopidogrel therapy (≥12 months) versus short-term use (<12 months) in Chinese patients with diabetes after PCI. Methods and Results: We used the Beijing Municipal Medical Insurance Database provided by the Beijing Municipal Medical Insurance Bureau. The Beijing Municipal Medical Insurance Database contained medical data of about 16 million people, including about 990,000 patients with diabetes and a history of taking antidiabetic medicines. Patients were divided into two groups, one group of 9,116 patients receiving consecutive clopidogrel for one year or more, and another group of 3290 patients receiving consecutive clopidogrel for less than one year. The primary outcomes of this analysis were the risk of all-cause death, myocardial infarction, and revascularization. In patients with diabetes after PCI, long-term clopidogrel treatment was associated with a reduced risk of all-cause death (HR, 0.57[95%CI, 0.49-0.67], P<0.0001), myocardial infarction (HR, 0.79[95%CI, 0.68-0.93], P=0.0035) and an increased risk of angina (HR, 1.18[95%CI, 1.10-1.27], P<0.0001]) and revascularization (HR, 1.07[95%CI, 1.01-1.13], P=0.02]). There was no significant difference in the prevalence of all-cause re-hospitalization, diabetes-related re-hospitalization, and cerebrovascular re-hospitalization. Conclusion: The present study concluded that long-term dual antiplatelet therapy including clopidogrel and aspirin could decrease the risks of all-cause death, myocardial infarction. But it could increase the risks of angina and revascularization. Further studies should interpret the cause of this question.

Comparative Effectiveness and Costs of Enoxaparin Monotherapy Versus Unfractionated Heparin Monotherapy in Treating Acute Coronary Syndrome.

BACKGROUND: Enoxaparin and unfractionated heparin (UFH) are guideline-recommended anticoagulants for patients with acute coronary syndrome (ACS), including unstable angina (UA) and myocardial infarction with (STEMI) or without ST-segment elevation (NSTEMI). Prior efficacy and safety evidence are mainly from clinical trials. Economic data are insufficient. This study examined the differences in utilization, effectiveness, safety, and costs in treating ACS between enoxaparin and UFH monotherapy using real-world data. METHODS: Using data from 859 US hospitals, inpatients ≥ 18 years of age with a diagnosis of an initial episode of ACS between 2010 and 2016 were identified. Outcomes included 30-day risk of non-fatal myocardial infarction (MI), recurrent angina, in-hospital mortality, composite ischemic complication (having MI/recurrent angina/death), major bleeding, and costs. Multivariable regression was used to compare outcomes between enoxaparin and UFH monotherapy. RESULTS: Among 1,048,053 eligible patients (UA: 219,259; NSTEMI: 582,134; STEMI: 246,660), the prevalence of enoxaparin monotherapy was 12.0%, 13.9%, and 5.1%, and the prevalence of UFH monotherapy was 45.1%, 43.1% and 59.8%, for UA, NSTEMI, and STEMI patients, respectively. Enoxaparin was associated with a lower risk of ischemic complications and death among NSTEMI, but not in UA or STEMI patients, and with a lower risk of major bleeding in all patients. Cost savings per patient during index admission and 30-day follow-up for enoxaparin over UFH was $2972 for UA, $2475 for NSTEMI, and $3050 for STEMI. CONCLUSIONS: Enoxaparin was associated with a lower risk of ischemic complications (including death), lower costs, and better safety than UFH among NSTEMI patients. Improving upstream selection of anticoagulants in appropriate populations may help optimize clinical outcomes and costs.

Incidence of Non-variceal Upper Gastrointestinal Bleeding Worsens Outcomes with Acute Coronary Syndrome: Result of a National Cohort.

INTRODUCTION: Upper gastrointestinal bleeding (UGIB) is a feared complication of acute coronary syndrome (ACS) and has been shown to increase morbidity and mortality. Our aim was to assess the incidence of non-variceal UGIB in patients with ACS in a national cohort and its impact on in-hospital mortality, length of stay (LOS), and cost of hospitalization. METHODS: This was a retrospective cohort study analyzing the 2016 Nationwide Inpatient Sample (NIS) utilizing ICD 10 CM codes. Principal discharge diagnoses of ACS (STEMI, NSTEMI, and UA) in patients over 18 years old were included. Non-variceal UGIB with interventions including endoscopy, angiography, and embolization were also evaluated. Primary outcome was the national incidence of concomitant non-variceal UGIB in the setting of ACS. Secondary outcomes included in-hospital mortality, length of stay, and cost of stay. RESULTS: A total of 661,404 discharges with principal discharge diagnosis of ACS in 2016 were analyzed. Of the included cohort, 0.80% (n = 5324) were complicated with non-variceal UGIB with increased frequency in older patients (OR 1.03, 95% CI 1.03-1.04; p = 0.0001). Despite endoscopic evaluation, 17.35% (n = 744) underwent angiography. After adjustment of confounders, inpatient mortality was significantly higher in patients with UGIB (OR 2.07, 95% CI 1.63-2.63, p = 0.0001). Non-variceal UGIB also led to significantly longer LOS (10.38 days vs 4.37 days, p = 0.0001) and cost of stay ($177,324 vs $88,468, p = 0.0001). DISCUSSION: Our study shows that the national incidence of non-variceal UGIB complicating ACS is low at less than 1%, but resulted in significantly higher inpatient mortality, LOS, and hospitalization charges.

Objective Risk Assessment vs Standard Care for Acute Coronary Syndromes: A Randomized Clinical Trial.

Importance: Although international guidelines recommend use of the Global Registries of Acute Coronary Events (GRACE) risk score (GRS) to guide acute coronary syndrome (ACS) treatment decisions, the prospective utility of the GRS in improving care and outcomes is unproven. Objective: To assess the effect of routine GRS implementation on guideline-indicated treatments and clinical outcomes of hospitalized patients with ACS. Design, Setting, and Participants: Prospective cluster (hospital-level) randomized open-label blinded end point (PROBE) clinical trial using a multicenter ACS registry of acute care cardiology services. Fixed sampling of the first 10 patients within calendar month, with either ST-segment elevation or non-ST-segment elevation ACS. The study enrolled patients from June 2014 to March 2018, and data were analyzed between February 2020 and April 2020. Interventions: Implementation of routine risk stratification using the GRS and guideline recommendations. Main Outcomes and Measures: The primary outcome was a performance score based on receipt of early invasive treatment, discharge prescription of 4 of 5 guideline-recommended pharmacotherapies, and cardiac rehabilitation referral. Clinical outcomes included a composite of all-cause death and/or myocardial infarction (MI) within 1 year. Results: This study enrolled 2318 patients from 24 hospitals and was stopped prematurely owing to futility. Of the patients enrolled, median age was 65 years (interquartile range, 56-74 years), 29.5% were women (n = 684), and 62.9% were considered high risk (n = 1433). Provision of all 3 measures among high-risk patients did not differ between the randomized arms (GRS: 424 of 717 [59.9%] vs control: 376 of 681 [55.2%]; odds ratio [OR], 1.04; 95% CI, 0.63-1.71; P = .88). The provision of early invasive treatment was increased compared with the control arm (GRS: 1042 of 1135 [91.8%] vs control: 989 of 1183 [83.6%]; OR, 2.26; 95% CI, 1.30-3.96; P = .004). Prescription of 4 of 5 guideline-recommended pharmacotherapies (GRS: 864 of 1135 [76.7%] vs control: 893 of 1183 [77.5%]; OR, 0.97; 95% CI, 0.68-1.38) and cardiac rehabilitation (GRS: 855 of 1135 [75.1%] vs control: 861 of 1183 [72.8%]; OR, 0.68; 95% CI, 0.32-1.44) were not different. By 12 months, GRS intervention was not associated with a significant reduction in death or MI compared with the control group (GRS: 96 of 1044 [9.2%] vs control: 146 of 1087 [13.4%]; OR, 0.66; 95% CI, 0.38-1.14). Conclusions and Relevance: Routine GRS implementation in cardiology services with high levels of clinical care was associated with an increase in early invasive treatment but not other aspects of care. Low event rates and premature study discontinuation indicates the need for further, larger scale randomized studies. Trial Registration: anzctr.org.au Identifier: ACTRN12614000550606.

Hyperuricemia is a Risk Factor for One-Year Overall Survival in Elderly Female Patients with Acute Coronary Syndrome.

BACKGROUND: Hyperuricemia is a risk factor for cardiovascular diseases, but the impact of hyperuricemia and sex-related disparities is not fully clear in elderly patients with acute coronary syndrome (ACS). OBJECTIVE: To investigate the association between hyperuricemia and 1-year all-cause mortality in elderly patients with ACS. METHODS: This retrospective cohort study included 711 consecutive ACS patients aged ≥75 years, hospitalized in our center between January 2013 and December 2017. Serum uric acid (sUA), in-hospital events, and 1-year follow-up were analyzed. Multivariable logistic regression models were used to explore the risk factors for in-hospital events and 1-year all-cause mortality. RESULTS: sUA levels were higher in males than in females (381.4 ± 110.1 vs. 349.3 ± 119.1 µmol/l, P < 0.001). Prevalence of hypertension (80.5% vs. 72.6%, P < 0.001). Prevalence of hypertension (80.5% vs. 72.6%, P < 0.001). Prevalence of hypertension (80.5% vs. 72.6%, P < 0.001). Prevalence of hypertension (80.5% vs. 72.6%, P < 0.001). Prevalence of hypertension (80.5% vs. 72.6%, P < 0.001). Prevalence of hypertension (80.5% vs. 72.6%, P < 0.001). Prevalence of hypertension (80.5% vs. 72.6%, P < 0.001). Prevalence of hypertension (80.5% vs. 72.6%, P < 0.001). Prevalence of hypertension (80.5% vs. 72.6%. CONCLUSIONS: Hyperuricemia is an independent risk factor for 1-year all-cause mortality in elderly female patients with ACS.

Impact of public health initiatives on acute coronary syndrome fatality rates in Portugal.

INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVE: Every year cardiovascular disease (CVD) causes 3.9 million deaths in Europe. Portugal has implemented a set of public health policies to tackle CVD mortality: a smoking ban in 2008, a salt reduction regulation in 2010 and the coronary fast-track system (FTS) for acute coronary syndrome (ACS) in 2007. Our goal in this study was to analyze the impact of these three public health policies in reducing case-fatality rates from ACS between 2000 and 2016. METHODS: The impact of these policies on monthly ACS case-fatalities was assessed by creating individual models for each of the initiatives and implementing multiple linear regression analysis, using standard methods for interrupted time series. We also implemented segmented regression analysis to test which year showed a significant difference in the case-fatality slopes. RESULTS: Separate modeling showed that the smoking ban (beta=-0.861, p=0.050) and the FTS (beta=-1.27, p=0.003) had an immediate impact after implementation, but did not have a significant impact on ACS trends. The salt reduction regulation did not have a significant impact. For the segmented model, we found significant differences between case-fatality trends before and after 2009, with rates before 2009 showing a steeper decrease. CONCLUSIONS: The smoking ban and the FTS led to an immediate decrease in case-fatality rates; however, after 2009 no major decrease in case-fatality trends was found. Coronary heart disease constitutes an immense public health problem and it remains essential for decision-makers, public health authorities and the cardiology community to keep working to reduce ACS mortality rates.

Incidence and Outcomes of Acute Coronary Syndrome After Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement.

OBJECTIVES: This study sought to address a knowledge gap by examining the incidence, timing, and predictors of acute coronary syndrome (ACS) after transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) in Medicare beneficiaries. BACKGROUND: Evidence about incidence and outcomes of ACS after TAVR is scarce. METHODS: We identified Medicare patients who underwent TAVR from 2012 to 2017 and were admitted with ACS during follow-up. We compared outcomes based on the type of ACS: ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI), non-STEMI (NSTEMI), and unstable angina. In patients with non-ST-segment elevation ACS, we compared outcomes based on the treatment strategy (invasive vs. conservative) using inverse probability weighting analysis. RESULTS: Out of 142,845 patients with TAVR, 6,741 patients (4.7%) were admitted with ACS after a median time of 297 days (interquartile range: 85 to 662 days), with 48% of admissions occurring within 6 months. The most common presentation was NSTEMI. Predictors of ACS were history of coronary artery disease, prior revascularization, diabetes, valve-in-TAVR, and acute kidney injury. STEMI was associated with higher 30-day and 1-year mortality compared with NSTEMI (31.4% vs. 15.5% and 51.2% vs. 41.3%, respectively; p < 0.01). Overall, 30.3% of patients with non-ST-segment elevation ACS were treated with invasive approach. On inverse probability weighting analysis, invasive approach was associated with lower adjusted long-term mortality (adjusted hazard ratio: 0.69; 95% confidence interval: 0.66 to 0.73; p < 0.01) and higher risk of repeat revascularization (adjusted hazard ratio: 1.29; 95% confidence interval: 1.16 to 1.43; p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: After TAVR, ACS is infrequent (<5%), and the most common presentation is NSTEMI. Occurrence of STEMI after TAVR is associated with a high mortality with nearly one-third of patients dying within 30 days. Optimization of care is needed for post-TAVR ACS patients and if feasible, invasive approach should be considered in these high-risk patients.

Cost-Effectiveness of Multigene Pharmacogenetic Testing in Patients With Acute Coronary Syndrome After Percutaneous Coronary Intervention.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the cost-effectiveness of multigene testing (CYP2C19, SLCO1B1, CYP2C9, VKORC1) compared with single-gene testing (CYP2C19) and standard of care (no genotyping) in acute coronary syndrome (ACS) patients undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) from Medicare's perspective. METHODS: A hybrid decision tree/Markov model was developed to simulate patients post-PCI for ACS requiring antiplatelet therapy (CYP2C19 to guide antiplatelet selection), statin therapy (SLCO1B1 to guide statin selection), and anticoagulant therapy in those that develop atrial fibrillation (CYP2C9/VKORC1 to guide warfarin dose) over 12 months, 24 months, and lifetime. The primary outcome was cost (2016 US dollar) per quality-adjusted life years (QALYs) gained. Costs and QALYs were discounted at 3% per year. Probabilistic sensitivity analysis (PSA) varied input parameters (event probabilities, prescription costs, event costs, health-state utilities) to estimate changes in the cost per QALY gained. RESULTS: Base-case-discounted results indicated that the cost per QALY gained was $59 876, $33 512, and $3780 at 12 months, 24 months, and lifetime, respectively, for multigene testing compared with standard of care. Single-gene testing was dominated by multigene testing at all time horizons. PSA-discounted results indicated that, at the $50 000/QALY gained willingness-to-pay threshold, multigene testing had the highest probability of cost-effectiveness in the majority of simulations at 24 months (61%) and over the lifetime (81%). CONCLUSIONS: On the basis of projected simulations, multigene testing for Medicare patients post-PCI for ACS has a higher probability of being cost-effective over 24 months and the lifetime compared with single-gene testing and standard of care and could help optimize medication prescribing to improve patient outcomes.

Predictors of survival in patients with acute coronary syndrome undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention of unprotected left main coronary artery stenosis.

OBJECTIVE: Aim of this study was to investigate predictors of survival in unstable patients with high SYNTAX-1-score. BACKGROUND: In significant unprotected left main coronary artery (ULMCA) stenosis, treatment options include percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) and coronary artery bypass graft (CABG). While CABG is recommended for stable patients with ULMCA stenosis and a SYNTAX-1-score > 32, PCI may be preferable in unstable or high operative risk patients. METHODS: Retrospective single-center all-comers registry study. RESULTS: A total of 142 patients underwent ULMCA-PCI (~72.9 years, 23.2% females, 54.2% survival in 2-year follow-up), 84 of whom had a SYNTAX-1 > 32 (37.4 ± 12.8). Patients in the high-SYNTAX-1-group (score > 32) were more often in an acute condition compared to low-SYNTAX-2-group (score ≤ 32) including acute myocardial infarction (76.2% vs. 57.4%, p = .024), cardiogenic shock (48.2% vs. 14.8%, p = .001), or need for mechanical support (36.1% vs. 11.1%, p = .001). Survival was predicted by the acute condition including cardiogenic shock (OR 0.06 and 0.05) and myocardial infarction (OR 0.03 and 0.34) in both groups. Performance of the SYNTAX-1-score was limited in our patient collective in both groups (c-index 0.65 vs. 0.63) while SYNTAX-2-PCI-score performed better (c-index 0.67 vs. 0.67). EuroScore II had the best discriminative ability (c-index 0.87 vs. 0.78). CONCLUSIONS: The majority of patients undergoing ULMCA-PCI presented in acute conditions with high SYNTAX-1-score, and is therefore underrepresented in clinical trials. Prognosis was best predicted by the acute condition and the EuroScore II. These data suggest that therapy in unstable patients should be guided by clinical condition over the anatomical SYNTAX-1-score.

The Assessment of Scales of Frailty and Physical Performance Improves Prediction of Major Adverse Cardiac Events in Older Adults with Acute Coronary Syndrome.

BACKGROUND: The number of older adults admitted to hospital for acute coronary syndrome (ACS) has increased worldwide. The aim of this study was to determine which scale of frailty or physical performance provides incremental improvements in risk stratification of older adults after ACS. METHODS: A prospective cohort of 402 older (≥70 years) ACS patients were enrolled. Data about baseline characteristics, Global Registry of Acute Coronary Events (GRACE), and Thrombolysis in Myocardial Infarction (TIMI) risk scores were collected. Before hospital discharge, seven scales of frailty and physical performance were measured. The 1-year occurrence of adverse events (cardiac death, reinfarction, and cerebrovascular accident [MACCE] and all-cause mortality) was recorded. RESULTS: Out of the 402 patients, 43 (10.5%) had a MACCE and 35 (8.7%) died. Following adjustment for confounding factors, scales of frailty and physical performance were associated with adverse events. Among the scales, the addition of short physical performance battery (SPPB) produced the highest incremental value over the initial model generated by baseline characteristics both for MACCE (ΔC-statistic 0.043, p = .04; integrated discrimination improvement (IDI) 0.054, p = .001; net reclassification improvement (NRI) 0.752, p < .001) and all-cause mortality (ΔC-statistic 0.063, p = .02; IDI 0.061, p < .001; NRI 1.022, p < .001). The addition of SPPB scale on top of GRACE or TIMI risk scores led to a considerable improvement in the prediction of MACCE and all-cause mortality (about 15% and 20%, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: The assessment of the physical performance with SPPB scale before hospital discharge increases the ability to predict adverse events in older ACS patients and may be useful in the clinical decision-making process. CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRATION: www.clinicaltrials.gov NCT02386124.

Long-term health outcomes and cost-effectiveness of coronary CT angiography in patients with suspicion for acute coronary syndrome.

BACKGROUND: Randomized trials have shown favorable clinical outcomes for coronary CT angiography (CTA) in patients with suspected acute coronary syndrome (ACS). Our goal was to estimate the cost-effectiveness of coronary CTA as compared to alternative management strategies for ACP patients over lifetime. METHODS: Markov microsimulation model was developed to compare cost-effectiveness of competitive strategies for ACP patients: 1) coronary CTA, 2) standard of care (SOC), 3) AHA/ACC Guidelines, and 4) expedited emergency department (ED) discharge protocol with outpatient testing. ROMICAT-II trial was used to populate the model with low to intermediate risk of ACS patient data, whereas diagnostic test-, treatment effect-, morbidity/mortality-, quality of life- and cost data were obtained from the literature. We predicted test utilization, costs, 1-, 3-, 10-year and over lifetime cardiovascular morbidity/mortality for each strategy. We determined quality adjusted life years (QALY) and incremental cost-effectiveness ratio. Observed outcomes in ROMICAT-II were used to validate the short-term model. RESULTS: Estimated short-term outcomes accurately reflected observed outcomes in ROMICAT-II as coronary CTA was associated with higher costs ($4,490 vs. $2,513-$4,144) and revascularization rates (5.2% vs. 2.6%-3.7%) compared to alternative strategies. Over lifetime, coronary CTA dominated SOC and ACC/AHA Guidelines and was cost-effective compared to expedited ED protocol ($49,428/QALY). This was driven by lower cardiovascular mortality (coronary CTA vs. expedited discharge: 3-year: 1.04% vs. 1.10-1.17; 10-year: 5.06% vs. 5.21-5.36%; respectively). CONCLUSION: Coronary CTA in patients with suspected ACS renders affordable long-term health benefits as compared to alternative strategies.

Temporal Trends Analysis of the Characteristics, Management, and Outcomes of Women With Acute Coronary Syndrome (ACS): ACS Israeli Survey Registry 2000-2016.

Background Cardiovascular disease remains a leading cause of death among women. Despite improvements in the management of patients with acute coronary syndrome (ACS), women with an ACS remain at higher risk. Methods and Results We performed a time-dependent analysis of the management and outcomes of women admitted with ACS who enrolled in the prospective biennial ACS Israeli Surveys between 2000 and 2016. Surveys were divided into 3 time periods (2000-2004, 2006-2010, and 2013-2016). Outcomes included 30-day major adverse cardiac events (death, myocardial infarction, stroke, unstable angina, stent thrombosis, urgent revascularization) and 1-year mortality. Overall, 3518 women were admitted with an ACS. Their mean age (70±12 years) was similar among the time periods. Over the time course of the study, more women were admitted with non-ST-elevation ACS (51.9%, 59.6%, and 66.1%, respectively; P<0.001), and statins and percutaneous coronary intervention were increasingly utilized (66%, 91%, 93%, and 42%, 60%, and 68%, respectively; P<0.001 for each). Among women with ST-segment-elevation myocardial infarction, more primary percutaneous coronary interventions were performed (48.5%, 84.7%, and 95.3%, respectively; P<0.001). The rate of 30-day major adverse cardiac events has significantly decreased over the years (24.6%, 18.6%, and 13.5%, respectively; P<0.001). However, 1-year mortality rates declined only from 2000 to 2004 (16.9%, 12.8%, and 12.3%; P=0.007 for the overall difference), and this change was not significant after propensity matching or multivariate analysis. Conclusions Over more than a decade, 30-day major adverse cardiac events have decreased among women with ACS. Advances in pharmacological treatments and an early invasive approach may have accounted for this improvement. However, the lack of further reduction in 1-year mortality rates among women suggests that more measures should be provided in this high-risk population.

Income level and inequality as complement to geographical differences in cardiovascular trials.

BACKGROUND: Analyses of country or regional differences in cardiovascular (CV) trials are based on geographical subgroup analyses. However, apart from map location and related racial, ethnic, and genetic variations, identified differences may also depend on social structure and provision and access to health care, for which country income and income inequality are indicators. The aim of the study was to examine the association between country per capita income and income inequality and prognosis in patients with heart failure or an acute coronary syndrome in 3 international trials (EMPHASIS-HF, EPHESUS, and EXAMINE). METHODS: Countries were classified into high income or low-middle income (LMICs) and into low, middle, or high inequality using the Gini index. The main outcome measures were all-cause and CV death. RESULTS: Patients from LMICs and countries with higher inequality were younger, were less often white, had fewer comorbid conditions, and were less often treated with guideline-recommended therapies, including devices. These patients had higher adjusted mortality rates (+15% to +70%) compared with patients from high-income countries and countries with less inequality. Patients from countries with the combination of greater inequality and low-middle income had particularly high mortality rates (+80% to +190%) compared with those that did not have both characteristics. Living in a country that is poor and has inequality had more impact on death rates than any comorbidity. These findings were reproduced in 3 trials. CONCLUSIONS: Patients from LMICs and countries with greater inequality had the highest mortality rates. The prognostic impact of income and inequality is substantial and should be considered when looking into subgroup differences in CV trials.

Early and late case fatality after hospitalization for acute coronary syndrome in France, 2010-2015.

BACKGROUND: Case-fatality data for acute coronary syndromes (ACS) are scarce in unselected French patients. AIMS: To analyse early and late case-fatality rates in patients with ACS in France, case fatality determinants and time trends between 2010 and 2015. METHODS: For each year from 2010 to 2015, all patients hospitalized for ACS in France and aged>18 years were selected. Multivariable Cox models were used to assess determinants of case fatality at 3 days, 4-30 days and 31-365 days after hospital admission. RESULTS: In 2015, cumulative 3-day, 30-day and 1-year case-fatality rates were, respectively, 2.0%, 5.1% and 11.1% for all patients with ACS, and 3.9%, 8.5% and 13.8% for those with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI). Admission through the emergency department was associated with a higher risk of death, particularly at 3 days. Female sex was associated with higher case-fatality rates at 3 days, but with lower case-fatality rates at 31-365 days. Social deprivation was associated with higher case-fatality rates for all periods for all patients with ACS. A significant decrease was found between 2010 and 2015 in case-fatality rates at 31-365 days, particularly for patients with STEMI; this time trend was no longer significant after additional adjustment for hospital management. CONCLUSIONS: Case fatality up to 1 year after hospitalization for ACS was non-negligible, highlighting the need to ensure better follow-up after the acute stage, particularly in the most deprived patients. As hospital admission through the emergency department still occurs frequently, health policy should promote a national campaign to increase the awareness and preparedness of the general population regarding ACS. Finally, our results suggest that women need specific attention early after the index event.

Sex Differences in Instantaneous Wave-Free Ratio or Fractional Flow Reserve-Guided Revascularization Strategy.

OBJECTIVES: This study sought to evaluate sex differences in procedural characteristics and clinical outcomes of instantaneous wave-free ratio (iFR)- and fractional flow reserve (FFR)-guided revascularization strategies. BACKGROUND: An iFR-guided strategy has shown a lower revascularization rate than an FFR-guided strategy, without differences in clinical outcomes. METHODS: This is a post hoc analysis of the DEFINE-FLAIR (Functional Lesion Assessment of Intermediate stenosis to guide Revascularization) study, in which 601 women and 1,891 men were randomized to iFR- or FFR-guided strategy. The primary endpoint was 1-year major adverse cardiac events (MACE), a composite of all-cause death, nonfatal myocardial infarction, or unplanned revascularization. RESULTS: Among the entire population, women had a lower number of functionally significant lesions per patient (0.31 ± 0.51 vs. 0.43 ± 0.59; p < 0.001) and less frequently underwent revascularization than men (42.1% vs. 53.1%; p < 0.001). There was no difference in mean iFR value according to sex (0.91 ± 0.09 vs. 0.91 ± 0.10; p = 0.442). However, the mean FFR value was lower in men than in women (0.83 ± 0.09 vs. 0.85 ± 0.10; p = 0.001). In men, an FFR-guided strategy was associated with a higher rate of revascularization than an iFR-guided strategy (57.1% vs. 49.3%; p = 0.001), but this difference was not observed in women (41.4% vs. 42.6%; p = 0.757). There was no difference in MACE rates between iFR- and FFR-guided strategies in both women (5.4% vs. 5.6%, adjusted hazard ratio: 1.10; 95% confidence interval: 0.50 to 2.43; p = 0.805) and men (6.6% vs. 7.0%, adjusted hazard ratio: 0.98; 95% confidence interval: 0.66 to 1.46; p = 0.919). CONCLUSIONS: An FFR-guided strategy was associated with a higher rate of revascularization than iFR-guided strategy in men, but not in women. However, iFR- and FFR-guided strategies showed comparable clinical outcomes, regardless of sex. (Functional Lesion Assessment of Intermediate Stenosis to guide Revascularization [DEFINE-FLAIR]; NCT02053038).

Association of Hospital Racial Composition and Payer Mix With Mortality in Acute Coronary Syndrome.

Background Patient characteristics insufficiently explain disparities in cardiovascular outcomes among hospitalized patients, suggesting a role for community or hospital-level factors. Here, we evaluate the association of hospital racial composition and payer mix with all-cause inpatient mortality for patients hospitalized with acute coronary syndrome (ACS). Methods and Results Using the National Inpatient Sample, we identified adult hospitalizations from 2014 with a primary diagnosis of ACS (n=550 005). We divided National Inpatient Sample hospitals into quartiles based on percent of minority (black, Hispanic, Asian or Pacific Islander, Native American race/ethnicity) and low-income payer (Medicaid or uninsured) discharges in 2014. We utilized logistic regression to determine whether hospital minority or low-income payer makeup associated with all-cause inpatient mortality among those admitted for ACS . In adjusted models, ACS patients admitted to hospitals with >12.4% to 25.4% (Quartile 2), >25.4% to 44.3% (Q3), and >44.3% (Q4) minority discharges experienced a 14% (OR 1.14, 95% CI 1.06-1.23), 13% (OR 1.13, 95% CI 1.04-1.23), and 15% (OR 1.15, 95% CI 1.04-1.26) increased odds of all-cause inpatient mortality compared with hospitals with ≤12.4% (Q1) minority discharges. ACS patients admitted to hospitals with >18.7% to 25.7% (Q2) and >34.0% (Q4) low-income payer discharges experienced a 9% (OR 1.09, 1.01-1.17) and 9% (OR 1.09, 1.00-1.19) increased odds of all-cause inpatient mortality when compared with hospitals with ≤18.7% (Q1) low-income payer discharges. Conclusions Hospital minority and low-income payer makeup positively associate with odds of all-cause inpatient mortality among patients admitted for acute coronary syndrome.