Underuse of reperfusion therapy with systemic thrombolysis in high-risk acute pulmonary embolism in a Portuguese center.

INTRODUCTION: Reperfusion therapy is generally recommended in acute high-risk pulmonary embolism (HR-PE), but several population-based studies report that it is underused. Data on epidemiology, management and outcomes of HR-PE in Portugal are scarce. OBJECTIVE: To determine the reperfusion rate in HR-PE patients, the reasons for non-reperfusion, and how it influences outcomes. METHODS: In this retrospective cohort study of consecutive HR-PE patients admitted to a thromboembolic disease referral center between 2008 and 2018, independent predictors for non-reperfusion were assessed by multivariate logistic regression. PE-related mortality and long-term MACE (cardiovascular mortality, PE recurrence and chronic thromboembolic disease) were calculated according to the Kaplan-Meier method. Differences stratified by reperfusion were assessed using the log-rank test. RESULTS: Of 1955 acute PE patients, 3.8% presented with hemodynamic instability. The overall reperfusion rate was 50%: 35 patients underwent systemic thrombolysis, one received first-line percutaneous embolectomy and one rescue endovascular treatment. Independent predictors of non-reperfusion were: age, with >75 years representing 12 times the risk of non-treatment (OR 11.9, 95% CI 2.7-52.3, p=0.001); absolute contraindication for thrombolysis (31.1%), with recent major surgery and central nervous system disease as the most common reasons (OR 16.7, 95% CI 3.2-87.0, p<0.001); and being hospitalized (OR 7.7, 95% CI 1.4-42.9, p=0.020). At a mean follow-up of 2.5±3.3 years, the survival rate was 33.8%. Although not reaching statistical significance for hospital mortality, mortality in the reperfusion group was significantly lower at 30 days, 12 months and during follow-up (relative risk reduction of death of 64% at 12 months, p=0.013). Similar results were found for MACE. CONCLUSIONS: In this population, the recommended reperfusion therapy was performed in only 50% of patients, with advanced age and absolute contraindications to fibrinolysis being the main predictors of non-reperfusion. In this study, thrombolysis underuse was associated with a significant increase in short- and long-term mortality and events.

OPTImized coronary interventions eXplaIn the bEst cliNical outcomEs (OPTI-XIENCE) study. Rationale and study design.

INTRODUCTION: Clinical events may occur after percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI), particularly in complex lesions and complex patients. The optimization of PCI result, using pressure guidewire and intracoronary imaging techniques, may reduce the risk of these events. The hypothesis of the present study is that the clinical outcome of patients with indication of PCI and coronary stent implantation that are at high risk of events can be improved with an unrestricted use of intracoronary tools that allow PCI optimization. METHODS AND ANALYSIS: Observational prospective multicenter international study, with a follow-up of 12 months, including 1064 patients treated with a cobalt­chromium everolimus-eluting stent. Inclusion criteria include any of the following: Lesion length > 28 mm; Reference vessel diameter < 2.5 mm or > 4.25 mm; Chronic total occlusion; Bifurcation with side branch ≥2.0 mm;Ostial lesion; Left main lesion; In-stent restenosis; >2 lesions stented in the same vessel; Treatment of >2 vessels; Acute myocardial infarction; Renal insufficiency; Left ventricular ejection fraction <30 %; Staged procedure. The control group will be comprised by a similar number of matched patients included in the "extended risk" cohort of the XIENCE V USA study. The primary endpoint will be the 1-year rate of target lesion failure (TLF) (composite of ischemia-driven TLR, myocardial infarction (MI) related to the target vessel, or cardiac death related to the target vessel). Secondary endpoints will include overall mortality, cardiovascular mortality, acute myocardial infarction, TVR, TLR, target vessel failure, and definitive or probable stent thrombosis at 1 year. IMPLICATIONS: The ongoing OPTI-XIENCE study will contribute to the growing evidence supporting the use of intra-coronary imaging techniques for stent optimization in patients with complex coronary lesions.

Clinical applications of exercise stress echocardiography in the treadmill with upright evaluation during and after exercise.

Exercise stress echocardiography is the most frequently used stress test in our laboratory. Exercise echocardiography is used mainly in the study of patients with coronary artery disease. However, the technique is increasingly being used to study other diseases. In our centre, we use an original methodology, published by us in 2000, in which we evaluate heart function during exercise in the treadmill. After the exercise, patients are maintained in orthostatic position when appropriate or lying down in left lateral decubitus for further evaluation. Since this method seems to increase the quality and the quantity of information obtained in so many clinical arenas, we now present a detailed review of this methodology and its applications.

Percutaneous versus surgical revascularization of unprotected left main coronary artery: Data from the Portuguese Registry of Acute Coronary Syndromes (ProACS).

BACKGROUND: In acute coronary syndromes (ACS), the optimal revascularization strategy for unprotected left main coronary artery (ULMCA) culprit lesion has been under-investigated. Therefore, we compared clinical characteristics and short- and medium-term outcomes of percutaneous and surgical revascularization in ACS. METHODS AND RESULTS: Of 31886 patients enrolled in a multicenter, national, prospective registry study between October 2010 and December 2020, 246 (0.8%) had ULMCA as a culprit lesion and underwent percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) alone (n=133, 54%) or coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) alone (n=113, 46%). Patients undergoing PCI presented more frequently ongoing chest pain (68% versus 41%, p<0.001) and cardiogenic shock (25% versus 1%, p<0.001). Time from admission to revascularization was higher in surgical group with a median time to CABG of 4.5 days compared to 0 days to PCI (p<0.001). Angiographic success rate was 93.2% in patients who underwent PCI. Primary endpoint (all-cause death, non-fatal reinfarction and/or non-fatal stroke during hospitalization) occurred in 15.9% of patients and was more frequent in the PCI group (p<0.001). After adjustment, surgical revascularization was associated with better in-hospital prognosis (odds ratio (OR) 0.164; 95% confidence interval (CI), 0.04-0.64; p=0.009). Similar results were achieved after propensity score matching. No difference was found at one-year all-cause death. CONCLUSION: Percutaneous coronary intervention was the most common revascularization strategy in the ACS with ULMCA culprit lesion. PCI was preferred in unstable patients and presented a high angiographic success. CABG was often delayed and preferred in low-risk patients. At one-year follow-up, PCI and CABG conferred a similar prognosis. The two approaches appear complementary in this high risk cohort.

Continuous Aspiration Mechanical Thrombectomy for the management of intermediate- and high-risk pulmonary embolism: Data from the first cohort in Portugal.

INTRODUCTION: This study describes the experience of a reference center using continuous aspiration mechanical thrombectomy for acute high- and intermediate-high-risk pulmonary embolism (PE). METHODS: Twenty-nine consecutive patients with acute central PE (48.3% high-risk PE; 82.8% in class >III from the original Pulmonary Embolism Severity Index score; median Charlson Comorbidity Index of 4) were treated with the Indigo® Mechanical Thrombectomy System between March 2018 and March 2020. Technical success was defined as successful placement of the device and initiation of aspiration thrombectomy. Clinical success was defined as any improvement in hemodynamic and/or oxygenation parameters, pulmonary hypertension or right heart strain at 48 hours, and survival to hospital discharge. Safety was defined as freedom from severe adverse events potentially related to the procedure. Three-month follow-up results were collected. RESULTS: Technical success was 96.6%. Miller index and systolic pulmonary arterial pressure were significantly reduced after the procedure (-5.5±3.0, and -10.2±11.5 mmHg, respectively, both p<0.001). There was a significant improvement in mean paO2/FiO2 ratio (+77.1±103.2; p=0.001), shock index (-0.4±0.4; p<0.001), need for aminergic support at 48 h after the procedure (-75.0%, p=0.006) and improvement in right ventricular function in 66.6% (p=0.008). Clinical success was 75.9%. Severe adverse event rate was 10.3%: two deaths during the procedure and one pulmonary macroembolization during device progression. In-hospital and three-month survival rates were 82.8% and 72.4%, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Aspiration thrombectomy for acute high- and intermediate-high-risk PE is feasible with a high technical and clinical success rate. Nevertheless, all-cause mortality is still high, probably related to the baseline high-risk features of the studied population and associated comorbidities.

Balloon pulmonary angioplasty protocol in a Portuguese pulmonary hypertension expert center.

INTRODUCTION: Balloon pulmonary angioplasty (BPA) has emerged as a promising therapeutic option for patients with chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension (CTEPH) who are not eligible for pulmonary thromboendarterectomy (PEA) or who have recurrent or persistent pulmonary hypertension after surgery. There is no standardized technique for BPA and, its complexity and high risk of severe complications, requires skills and appropriate training and should be reserved for expert CTEPH centers, as a complementary intervention to medical and surgical therapy. OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this document is to describe the BPA protocol used at a high-volume center nationwide, validated by its results. METHODS: The present protocol includes technical details, definition of outcomes and complications, as well as patient full diagnostic work-up and treatment algorithm, before and after BPA. RESULTS: The technical, hemodynamic, and clinical results of the application of this protocol will be subject of a later publication where they will be described in detail. In conclusion, we present a percutaneous intervention protocol in the treatment of pulmonary hypertension in the context of chronic pulmonary thromboembolism, validated by its clinical, hemodynamic, and technical results.

Revascularization Strategies in Patients with Acute Myocardial Infarction and Cardiogenic Shock: Results from the Portuguese Registry on Acute Coronary Syndromes. / Estratégias de Revascularização em Doentes com Infarto Agudo do Miocárdio em Choque Cardiogênico ­ Resultados do Registo Português de Síndromes Coronárias Agudas.

BACKGROUND: In patients with acute myocardial infarction (MI), cardiogenic shock (CS), and multivessel disease (MVD) questions remain unanswered when it comes to intervention on non-culprit arteries. OBJECTIVE: This article aims to 1) characterize patients with MI, CS and MVD included in the Portuguese Registry on Acute Coronary Syndromes (ProACS); 2) compare different revascularization strategies in the sample; 3) identify predictors of in-hospital mortality among these patients. METHODS: Observational retrospective study of patients with MI, CS and MVD included in the ProACS between 2010 and 2018. Two revascularization strategies were compared: complete during the index procedure (group 1); and complete or incomplete during the index hospitalization (groups 2-3). The primary endpoint was a composite of in-hospital death or MI. Statistical significance was defined by a p-value <0.05. RESULTS: We identified 127 patients with MI, CS, and MVD (18.1% in group 1, and 81.9% in groups 2-3), with a mean age of 7012 years, and 92.9% of the sample being diagnosed with ST-segment elevation MI (STEMI). The primary endpoint occurred in 47.8% of the patients in group 1 and 37.5% in group 2-3 (p = 0.359). The rates of in-hospital death, recurrent MI, stroke, and major bleeding were also similar. The predictors of in-hospital death in this sample were the presence of left ventricle systolic dysfunction on admission (OR 16.8), right bundle branch block (OR 7.6), and anemia (OR 5.2) (p ≤ 0.02 for both). CONCLUSIONS: Among patients with MI, CS, and MVD included in the ProACS, there was no significant difference between complete and incomplete revascularization during the index hospitalization regarding the occurrence of in-hospital death or MI. (Arq Bras Cardiol. 2021; 116(5):867-876).

FUNDAMENTO: Em doentes com infarto agudo do miocárdio (IAM), choque cardiogênico (CC) e doença multivaso (DMV) persistem dúvidas sobre a intervenção nas artérias não responsáveis. OBJETIVOS: 1) caracterizar a amostra de doentes com IAM, CC e DMV incluídos no Registo Nacional Português de Síndromes Coronárias Agudas (RNSCA); 2) comparar os eventos associados a diferentes estratégias de revascularização; e 3) identificar preditores de mortalidade intra-hospitalar nesta amostra. MÉTODOS: Estudo observacional retrospetivo de doentes com IAM, CC e DMV incluídos no RNSCA entre 2010 e 2018. Compararam-se duas estratégias de revascularização: completa durante o procedimento índice (grupo 1); e completa diferida ou incompleta durante o internamento (grupo 2-3). O endpoint primário foi a ocorrência de reinfarto ou morte intra-hospitalar. A significância estatística foi definida por um valor p < 0,05. RESULTADOS: Identificaram-se 127 doentes com IAM, CC e DMV (18,1% no grupo 1 e 81,9% no grupo 2-3), com idade média de 70 ± 12 anos e 92,9% com IAM com supradesnivelamento do segmento ST. O endpoint primário ocorreu em 47,8% dos doentes do grupo 1 e em 37,5% do grupo 2-3 (p = 0,359). As taxas de mortalidade intra-hospitalar, reinfarto, acidente vascular cerebral e hemorragia major foram também semelhantes nos dois grupos. Os preditores de mortalidade intra-hospitalar nesta amostra foram a presença na admissão de disfunção ventricular esquerda (OR 16,8), bloqueio completo de ramo direito (OR 7,6) e anemia (OR 5,2), (p ≤ 0,02). CONCLUSÕES: Entre os doentes com IAM, CC e DMV, incluídos no RNSCA, não se verificou diferença significativa entre revascularização completa no evento índex e completa diferida ou incompleta durante o internamento, relativamente à ocorrência de morte intra-hospitalar ou reinfarto. (Arq Bras Cardiol. 2021; 116(5):867-876).

Clinical and Echocardiographic Characterization of False-Positive Results from Stress Echocardiography.

BACKGROUND: Stress echocardiography has a 72%-85% sensitivity and an 80%-95% specificity. In this study, we characterized patients who received a false-positive stress echocardiogram result. METHODS: A total of 5,256 patients underwent a stress echocardiogram (induced by exercise, dobutamine, or dipyridamole) between 2009 to 2018, and 405 patients (7.7%) received a positive result. Among the positive patients, 300 underwent coronary angiography within 12 months, and these patients were included in this study (mean age = 64.9 ± 9.4 years, 230 men [76.7%]). Coronary artery disease was diagnosed by stenosis ≥50% in any epicardial coronary artery. Clinical and echocardiographic variables were compared between patients with true- and false-positive stress echocardiogram results. RESULTS: Seventy-two patients (24%) had a false-positive stress echocardiogram, with similar rates across stressor types (p = 0.574). Patients with false positives were less frequently men (63.9% vs. 80.7%, p = 0.003), had lower diabetes mellitus prevalence (15.3% vs. 45.6%, p = 0.001), were similar to true positive patients with regard to body-mass index, arterial hypertension prevalence, hyperlipidemia and smoking, and had lower pre-test probability of coronary artery disease (23% vs. 32%, p = 0.016). The wall motion score index (WMSI) was higher in the true-positive stress group, and wall motion abnormalities were more frequent in the apical segments (70.5% vs. 56.7%, p = 0.034). In a multivariable predictive model, men (odds ratio [OR] = 2.994), diabetes (OR = 5.440), and peak WMSI (OR = 10.690) were associated with a true-positive result. CONCLUSIONS: Twenty-four percent of our study population received a false-positive stress echocardiogram result, with similar rates across stressor types. Patients with true-positive stress echocardiogram results are more likely to be men, diabetic, and have a high peak WMSI.

Three-vessel myocardial bridging: A possible cause of myocardial stunning.

The authors report a rare clinical case of myocardial bridging of the three major coronary arteries, which manifested in an unusual way with severe biventricular dysfunction in the context of tachycardia. For the diagnosis, the authors relied on non-invasive multimodality cardiac imaging, including cardiac magnetic resonance, computed tomography angiography and myocardial perfusion scintigraphy. The implementation of targeted medical and neurohormonal therapy resulted in the recovery of ventricular function and clinical improvement.

A pregnant woman with a mechanical prosthetic valve.

A 24-year-old woman who was 11 weeks pregnant and had a mechanical mitral valve presented at the emergency department with ischemic stroke. Although treatment with aspirin and unfractionated heparin was initially successful, subsequent management was almost impossible, as she eventually suffered a right hemispheric stroke, requiring percutaneous intervention and an emergency cesarian; prosthetic valve thrombosis with hemodynamic instability; and multiple bleeding complications. This case demonstrates how difficult it can be to select the appropriate treatment strategy for prosthetic valve thrombosis.

Adopting an early invasive strategy for non-ST-elevation myocardial infarction: Analysis of the Portuguese Registry on Acute Coronary Syndromes. / Adoção da estratégia invasiva precoce no enfarte agudo do miocárdio sem supra desnivelamento de ST: análise dos resultados do Registo Nacional de Síndromas Coronárias Agudas.

INTRODUCTION: In patients with non-ST-elevation myocardial infarction (NSTEMI), the best timing for coronary angiography is not definitely established, although it is recognized that in high-risk patients it should be performed within the first 24 hours. The aim of this work was to describe the evolution over time of the use of an invasive strategy in the treatment of NSTEMI and in-hospital mortality. METHODS: We performed a retrospective analysis of patients admitted with NSTEMI included in the Portuguese Registry on Acute Coronary Syndromes (ProACS) between 2002 and 2015. The annual proportion of patients undergoing coronary angiography and the time from admission to coronary angiography were assessed, as were changes in mortality and length of stay. RESULTS: A total of 18 639 patients with NSTEMI were included in the ProACS registry between 2002 and 2015. Over this period there were significant increases in the proportion of patients undergoing coronary angiography (from 52.0 to 83.6%) and angioplasty (from 23.3 to 53.0%), as well as in the proportion of patients who underwent coronary angiography within 24 hours of admission (from 21.0 to 48.1%). In-hospital mortality decreased in those aged over 74 years (from 9.5 to 3.7%) and in males. CONCLUSIONS: The progressive adoption of an invasive strategy, particularly an early one (within 24 hours), was accompanied by a reduction in in-hospital mortality. Since coronary angiography is performed late (>24 hours) in half of NSTEMI patients, these patients could benefit from initiatives similar to Stent for Life.

Estratégias de Revascularização em Doentes com Infarto Agudo do Miocárdio em Choque Cardiogênico - Resultados do Registo Português de Síndromes Coronárias Agudas / Revascularization Strategies in Patients with Acute Myocardial Infarction and Cardiogenic Shock: Results from the Portuguese Registry on Acute Coronary Syndromes

Resumo Fundamento: Em doentes com infarto agudo do miocárdio (IAM), choque cardiogênico (CC) e doença multivaso (DMV) persistem dúvidas sobre a intervenção nas artérias não responsáveis. Objetivos: 1) caracterizar a amostra de doentes com IAM, CC e DMV incluídos no Registo Nacional Português de Síndromes Coronárias Agudas (RNSCA); 2) comparar os eventos associados a diferentes estratégias de revascularização; e 3) identificar preditores de mortalidade intra-hospitalar nesta amostra. Métodos: Estudo observacional retrospetivo de doentes com IAM, CC e DMV incluídos no RNSCA entre 2010 e 2018. Compararam-se duas estratégias de revascularização: completa durante o procedimento índice (grupo 1); e completa diferida ou incompleta durante o internamento (grupo 2-3). O endpoint primário foi a ocorrência de reinfarto ou morte intra-hospitalar. A significância estatística foi definida por um valor p < 0,05. Resultados: Identificaram-se 127 doentes com IAM, CC e DMV (18,1% no grupo 1 e 81,9% no grupo 2-3), com idade média de 70 ± 12 anos e 92,9% com IAM com supradesnivelamento do segmento ST. O endpoint primário ocorreu em 47,8% dos doentes do grupo 1 e em 37,5% do grupo 2-3 (p = 0,359). As taxas de mortalidade intra-hospitalar, reinfarto, acidente vascular cerebral e hemorragia major foram também semelhantes nos dois grupos. Os preditores de mortalidade intra-hospitalar nesta amostra foram a presença na admissão de disfunção ventricular esquerda (OR 16,8), bloqueio completo de ramo direito (OR 7,6) e anemia (OR 5,2), (p ≤ 0,02). Conclusões: Entre os doentes com IAM, CC e DMV, incluídos no RNSCA, não se verificou diferença significativa entre revascularização completa no evento índex e completa diferida ou incompleta durante o internamento, relativamente à ocorrência de morte intra-hospitalar ou reinfarto. (Arq Bras Cardiol. 2021; 116(5):867-876)

Abstract Background: In patients with acute myocardial infarction (MI), cardiogenic shock (CS), and multivessel disease (MVD) questions remain unanswered when it comes to intervention on non-culprit arteries. Objective: This article aims to 1) characterize patients with MI, CS and MVD included in the Portuguese Registry on Acute Coronary Syndromes (ProACS); 2) compare different revascularization strategies in the sample; 3) identify predictors of in-hospital mortality among these patients. Methods: Observational retrospective study of patients with MI, CS and MVD included in the ProACS between 2010 and 2018. Two revascularization strategies were compared: complete during the index procedure (group 1); and complete or incomplete during the index hospitalization (groups 2-3). The primary endpoint was a composite of in-hospital death or MI. Statistical significance was defined by a p-value <0.05. Results: We identified 127 patients with MI, CS, and MVD (18.1% in group 1, and 81.9% in groups 2-3), with a mean age of 7012 years, and 92.9% of the sample being diagnosed with ST-segment elevation MI (STEMI). The primary endpoint occurred in 47.8% of the patients in group 1 and 37.5% in group 2-3 (p = 0.359). The rates of in-hospital death, recurrent MI, stroke, and major bleeding were also similar. The predictors of in-hospital death in this sample were the presence of left ventricle systolic dysfunction on admission (OR 16.8), right bundle branch block (OR 7.6), and anemia (OR 5.2) (p ≤ 0.02 for both). Conclusions: Among patients with MI, CS, and MVD included in the ProACS, there was no significant difference between complete and incomplete revascularization during the index hospitalization regarding the occurrence of in-hospital death or MI. (Arq Bras Cardiol. 2021; 116(5):867-876)

Controlled pericardiocentesis in patients with cardiac tamponade complicating aortic dissection: experience of a centre without cardiothoracic surgery.

BACKGROUND: Cardiac tamponade has been reported in 18.7% of patients with acute type A aortic dissection and its presence is associated with worse outcomes. Emergency aortic repair together with intra-operative pericardial drainage is the recommended treatment approach. However, controversy surrounds how to manage patients with haemopericardium and cardiac tamponade who cannot survive until surgery. PURPOSE: To describe a case series of patients with critical cardiac tamponade complicating aortic dissection admitted to a hospital without cardiothoracic surgery, and in whom preoperative controlled pericardial drainage was performed. METHODS AND RESULTS: Single centre retrospective study: during a nine-year period, 21 patients with Stanford type A aortic dissection were admitted at our centre; six of them (28.6%) presented clinical and echocardiographic signs of cardiac tamponade (four males; mean age 58±17 years). In this subgroup, controlled pericardiocentesis was safely performed with no major immediate complications and it was effective in five patients, improving haemodynamic instability and allowing transfer to the operating room. CONCLUSIONS: Preoperative controlled pericardiocentesis can be lifesaving when managing patients with critical cardiac tamponade (pulseless electrical activity or refractory hypotension) complicating acute type A aortic dissection, namely when cardiac surgery is not immediately available.

Is the time in therapeutic range using the ratio of tests equivalent to the Rosendaal method?

The percentage of time in therapeutic range (TTR) is a measure of anticoagulation quality with vitamin K antagonists (VKAs). The method most commonly used in clinical trials is the Rosendaal TTR. However, the application of this method in daily practice for clinical decision lacks appropriate instruments. We aimed to evaluate the percentage of tests within the target international normalized ratio (INR) (tests ratio) as a surrogate of Rosendaal TTR. We performed an observational and retrospective study to evaluate the TTR according to the Rosendaal method and tests ratio. We included all outpatients who attended the cardiology anticoagulation clinic of a Portuguese hospital (2011-2013), whose target INR was 2.0-3.0. Three hundred and seventy-seven VKA-treated patients followed for a mean 1.3 years were evaluated. Rosendaal methold and tests ratio significantly correlated (Rho Spearman 0.88, P < 0.001), but the Bland-Altman plot evaluation showed a clinically relevant data dispersion [95% confidence interval (95% CI) -12.9 to 23.1] around a mean difference in TTR -5.1% using the tests ratio method. The linear regression Passing-Bablok confirmed the existence of significant data dispersion and systematic differences. The tests ratio less than 60% had a sensitivity of 91.6%, specificity of 72.3%, positive predictive value (PPV) of 72.2% and negative predictive value (NPV) of 91.6%, for the diagnosis of patients inadequately anticoagulated (Rosendaal TTR <60%). Tests ratio had a c-statistics of 0.94 (95% CI 0.91-0.96). Number of tests in 6 months had a c-statistics of 0.70 (95% CI 0.65-0.75). Tests ratio underestimated TTR in 5% and was not considered equivalent to Rosendaal TTR due to the high variability between methods. Nevertheless, the use of tests ratio less than 60% may be a reasonable option to detect inadequate anticoagulation, as it is a sensitive method and excluded most of the patients with adequate control.

Evaluation of time in therapeutic range in anticoagulated patients: a single-center, retrospective, observational study.

BACKGROUND: The percentage of time during which the patients have the INR within the target values (i.e. Time in Therapeutic Range [TTR]) is a measure of anticoagulation quality with Vitamin K Antagonists (VKA). To evaluate the quality of anticoagulation using TTR according to the Rosendaal method, we performed an observational, retrospective study. We included all outpatients who attended the cardiology anticoagulation clinic of a Portuguese hospital (2011-2013), whose target INR was 2.0-3.0. RESULTS: 377 VKA-treated patients were evaluated. Of these, 72.4% had non-valvular atrial fibrillation. Patients were followed for a mean period of 471 days. The mean TTR was 60.3% (SD 19.3%) and 44.3% of the patients had a mean TTR<60%. Patients were at high risk of bleeding (INR>4.5) and at high thrombotic risk (INR<1.5) during, respectively, 1.7% and 4.7% of the time. CONCLUSIONS: Anticoagulation control needs to be improved. These results are informative for all stakeholders: patients, health care professionals, and policymakers.