Treatment adherence in patients without ST-elevation acute coronary syndrome.

BACKGROUND: Despite progress during the last decades, patients with coronary artery disease (CAD) remain with a high residual risk due to multiple reasons. Optimal medical treatment (OMT) provides a decrease of recurrent ischemic events after acute coronary syndrome (ACS). Therefore, treatment adherence results crucial to reduce further outcomes after the index event. No recent data are available in Argentinian population; the main objective of our study was to evaluate the adherence at 6 and 15 months in post non-ST elevation acute coronary syndrome (NST-ACS) consecutive patients. Secondary objective was to evaluate the relationship of adherence with 15-month events. METHODS: A prespecified sub-analysis in the prospective registry Buenos Aires I was performed. The adherence was evaluated using the modified Morisky-Green Scale. RESULTS: A number of 872 patients had information about adherence profile. Of them 76.4% were classified as adherents at month 6 and 83.6% at 15 (P=0.06). We did not find any difference in baseline characteristic between the adherent and non-adherent patients at 6 months. The adjusted analysis showed that non-adherent patients had a rate of ischemic events at 15th month of 20% (27/135) vs. 11.5% (52/452) in adherent patients (P=0.001). The bleeding events defined were of 3.6% in the non-adherent group vs. 5% in the adherent group without a statistical difference (P=0.238). CONCLUSIONS: Adherence to treatment is still a major issue as almost 25% of patients should be considered as non-adherent to OMT. No clinical predictor of this phenomenon was identified but our criteria were not exhaustive. Good adherence to treatment was highly associated to a reduction of ischemic events, whereas no impact on bleeding events was found. These data support a better network and collaboration with shared decision between healthcare professionals with patients and family members to improve acceptance and adherence to optimal medical strategies.

Precise Score Validation in Buenos Aires 1 Registry.

The PRECISE-DAPT score predicts the bleeding risk in patients treated with dual antiplatelet treatment after PCI. We asess the prediction power of the score in patients suffering from non-ST elevation acute coronary syndromes. Our cohort included 862 patients from Buenos Aires 1 registry. The PRECISE-DAPT score was calculated upon admission and the follow up period was 15 months. The score as a continuous variable had low to moderate ability to predict bleeding events BARC 2, 3 or 5 (c-statistics 0.58 [95% CI, 0.52-0.61]); moderate at BARC 3 or 5 (c-statistics 0.72 [95% CI, 0.64-0.78]), and poor for MACE (c-statistics 0.49 [95% CI, 0,45-0.51]). PRECISE-DAPT score as a dichotomous variable (≥25, n= 210 [24%]) was associated with very high risk of bleeding (HR 2.1) and ischemic events (HR 1.9, 95% CI 1.8-2.1). As conclusion, PRECISE-DAPT score ≥25 was able to identify a subgroup of patients with high bleeding, and thrombotic events.

Health-Related Quality of Life in Patients Under Treatment With Apixaban in Latin America.

Atrial fibrillation (AF) has a strong impact on the quality of life (QOL) of patients and anticoagulation has a lot to do with it. We evaluated the QOL of patients with nonvalvular AF who start treatment with apixaban in Latin America. QOL was analyzed through a questionnaire developed to evaluate anticoagulated patients, which was completed by them 3 months after starting treatment. We included 521 patients from Uruguay, Bolivia, Ecuador, Paraguay, and Peru. A high index of general treatment satisfaction (5.34 ± 0.46) and self-efficacy (5.11 ± 0.68) were observed; the distress index was low (1.77 ± 0.88), as was the perception of daily hassles (1.35 ± 0.49) and strain social network related to medication (1.21 ± 0.34). Patients with AF who started treatment with apixaban has good satisfaction and self-efficacy scores with low index of stress, few daily limitations and social disruptions.

High-Sensitivity Troponin T For The Risk Assessment Of Patients With Acute Atrial Fibrillation.

Elevations of high-sensitivity troponin T (Hs-TnT) in the setting of acute atrial fibrillation (AF) are not clearly understood. This study evaluated factors associated with these elevations and its prognostic implication. We prospectively included 413 consecutive patients who presented to our institution with acute AF. The median Hs-TnT on admission was 12 ng/l and 39.4% had values above the 99th percentile. At 1-year, AF recurrence occurred in 38.3% of patients, and MACE in 5.6%. Hs-TnT levels were not associated with AF reversion (p 0.869) or with 1-year AF recurrence (p 0.132) but they were with MACE (12 vs 24 ng/l, p 0.001). Thus, Hs-TnT was a strong predictor of MACE (HR 3.486, 95% CI 1.256-5.379, p 0.009) in this population. In conclusion, Hs-TnT elevation was frequently observed in patients with acute AF, and although it was not associated with AF reversion or recurrence, it was highly predictive of MACE at 1-year.

Antiagregación en el síndrome coronario agudo sin elevación del segmento ST en adultos mayores - hipótesis popular age / Antiplatelet Therapy in Non-ST-Segment Elevation Acute Coronary Syndromes in Elderly Patients. POPular AGE Hypothesis

RESUMEN Introducción: El estudio POPular AGE demostró que, en pacientes mayores de 70 años, el clopidogrel sería el inhibidor del receptor P2Y12 (iP2Y12) de elección por su asociación con menor incidencia de sangrado, sin diferencia en eventos isquémicos. Objetivos: Analizar la seguridad y eficacia de los diferentes esquemas de tratamiento con iP2Y12 en mayores de 70 años con síndrome coronario agudo sin elevación del segmento ST (SCASEST), a fin de contrastar la hipótesis "POPular AGE" en el mundo real. Material y métodos: Para el presente subanálisis del registro prospectivo BUENOS AIRES I, se analizaron datos correspondientes a 1100 pacientes de 21 centros médicos de Buenos Aires, Argentina, con seguimiento a 15 meses. Consideramos al subgrupo de pacientes mayores de 70 años, estratificados de acuerdo al iP2Y12 indicado al alta sanatorial. Resultados: Observamos gran carga de comorbilidades, con un 85,1% de hipertensión, 30,3% de diabetes mellitus y 43,2% de enfermedad renal crónica. Los pacientes tratados con ticagrelor/prasugrel (n = 54) presentaron mayor prevalencia de tabaquismo activo, menor fibrilación auricular y menor puntaje de score CRUSADE, sin diferencias en el puntaje de score GRACE, en relación a los tratados con clopidogrel (n = 286). A 15 meses de seguimiento, en la tasa, con más eventos de sangrado BARC ≥ 2 en el grupo clopidogrel (25,4% vs. 18,2%) aunque sin diferencias significativas (p = 0,327), y beneficio en la incidencia de eventos adversos cardiovasculares mayores (MACE) en el grupo de tratamiento con ticagrelor/prasugrel (18,6% vs 36,3%, p = 0,023). Conclusiones: En pacientes con SCASEST mayores de 70 años, adecuadamente seleccionados, el tratamiento con ticagrelor/ prasugrel podría ser una estrategia segura y efectiva.

ABSTRACT Background: The POPular AGE study demonstrated that in patients over 70 years of age clopidogrel would be the P2Y12 receptor inhibitor (P2Y12i) of choice due to its association with lower bleeding incidence and no difference in ischemic events. Objective: We analyzed the safety and efficacy of different treatment regimens with P2Y12i, in patients ≥70 years with nonST-segment elevation acute coronary syndromes (NSTE-ACS) to test the "POPular AGE" hypothesis in the real world. Methods: This subanalysis of the prospective BUENOS AIRES I registry analyzed data corresponding to 1100 patients from 21 medical centers in Buenos Aires, Argentina, followed-up for 15 months. We considered the subgroup of patients ≥70 years, stratified according to the P2Y12i indicated at discharge. Results: This subgroup had a high burden of comorbidities, with 85.1% hypertension, 30.3% diabetes mellitus, and 43.2% chronic kidney disease. Patients treated with ticagrelor/prasugrel (n=54) presented with higher prevalence of active smoking, less atrial fibrillation and lower CRUSADE score, with no differences in the GRACE score, compared whit those treated with clopidogrel (n=286). At the 15-month follow-up, no significant differences were observed in the BARC ≥2 bleeding rate, with more events in the clopidogrel group (25.4% vs. 18.2%; p=0.327) and a benefit in the incidence of major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE) in the ticagrelor/prasugrel treatment group (18.6% vs 36.3%, p= 0.023). Conclusions: In adequately selected patients with NSTE-ACS ≥70 years, treatment with ticagrelor/prasugrel could be a safe and effective strategy.

Fibrilación auricular de novo en pacientes con síndrome coronario agudo sin elevación del segmento ST. Datos del Registro Buenos Aires I / De Novo Atrial Fibrillation in Patients with Non-ST-Segment Elevation Acute Coronary Syndrome. Data from the Buenos Aires I Registry

RESUMEN Introducción: La fibrilación auricular (FA) es la arritmia con mayor incidencia a nivel mundial y tiene una clara asociación con los síndromes coronarios agudos. El propósito de nuestro trabajo es describir la incidencia, los factores predisponentes y el pronóstico de pacientes con FA de novo luego de un síndrome coronario agudo, en una población representativa de nuestro medio. Material y métodos: Se realizó un subanálisis del registro BUENOS AIRES I, el cual incluyó 1110 pacientes con síndrome coronario agudo sin elevación del ST (SCASEST), con un seguimiento a 6 meses. Resultados: Se evidenció una incidencia del 7,7% de FA de novo y se identificaron como factores predictores independientes de su desarrollo la edad (OR 1,04; IC95% 1,02-1,08; p = 0,001), la presentación inicial con infarto agudo de miocardio (OR 2,35; IC95% 1,20-4,57; p = 0,012) y la necesidad de revascularización quirúrgica (OR 6,86; IC95% 3,95-11,89; p <0,001). Los pacientes que desarrollaron FA presentaron mayor mortalidad por todas las causas, mayor mortalidad cardiovascular y eventos de sangrado BARC ≥2. Se identificó a la FA de novo post-SCASEST como un factor predictor independiente de mortalidad cardiovascular (OR 3,67; IC95% 1,25-10,76; p = 0,018) y sangrado a 6 meses BARC ≥2 (OR 3,024; IC95% 1,49-6,11; p = 0,002). Conclusiones: Este subanálisis preespecificado del registro BUENOS AIRES I demostró una incidencia significativa de FA de novo en el contexto de un SCASEST, vinculada a una mayor edad, mayor daño estructural cardíaco agudo y requerimiento de cirugía de revascularización, y con una peor evolución en términos de eventos clínicos adversos en el seguimiento a mediano plazo.

ABSTRACT Background: Atrial fibrillation (AF) is the most prevalent cardiac arrhythmia worldwide and has a close correlation with acute coronary syndromes. The aim of our study is to describe the incidence, predisposing factors and outcome of patients with de novo AF after an acute coronary syndrome in a population representative of our environment. Methods: We conducted a sub-analysis of the BUENOS AIRES I registry, which included 1110 patients with non- ST-segment elevation acute coronary syndrome (NSTE-ACS) followed-up at 6 months. Results: The incidence of de novo AF was 7.7%. The independent predictors of de novo AF were age (OR, 1.04; 95% CI, 1.021.08; p = 0.001), initial presentation as MI (OR, 2.35; 95% CI, 1.20-4.57; p = 0.012) and requirement of myocardial revascularization surgery (OR 6.86; 95% CI 3.95-11.89; p < 0.001). Patients who developed AF had greater all-cause mortality, cardiovascular mortality and bleeding events ≥BARC type 2. The development of de novo AF after NSTE-ACS was identified as an independent predictor of cardiovascular mortality (OR, 3.67; 95% CI 1.25-10.76; p = 0.018) and of bleeding events ≥ BARC type 2 (OR, 3.024; 95% CI, 1.49-6.11; p = 0.002). Conclusions: This prespecified sub-analysis of the BUENOS AIRES I registry demonstrated a significant incidence of de novo AF in the setting of a NSTE-ACS, associated with elderly patients, greater acute myocardial structural damage and need for myocardial revascularization surgery, with worse outcome in terms of adverse clinical events at mid-term follow-up.