Invasive vs. conservative management of older patients with non-ST-elevation acute coronary syndrome: individual patient data meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Older patients with non-ST-elevation acute coronary syndrome (NSTEACS) are less likely to receive guideline-recommended care including coronary angiography and revascularization. Evidence-based recommendations regarding interventional management strategies in this patient cohort are scarce. This meta-analysis aimed to assess the impact of routine invasive vs. conservative management of NSTEACS by using individual patient data (IPD) from all available randomized controlled trials (RCTs) including older patients. METHODS: MEDLINE, Web of Science and Scopus were searched between 1 January 2010 and 11 September 2023. RCTs investigating routine invasive and conservative strategies in persons >70 years old with NSTEACS were included. Observational studies or trials involving populations outside the target range were excluded. The primary endpoint was a composite of all-cause mortality and myocardial infarction (MI) at 1 year. One-stage IPD meta-analyses were adopted by use of random-effects and fixed-effect Cox models. This meta-analysis is registered with PROSPERO (CRD42023379819). RESULTS: Six eligible studies were identified including 1479 participants. The primary endpoint occurred in 181 of 736 (24.5%) participants in the invasive management group compared with 215 of 743 (28.9%) participants in the conservative management group with a hazard ratio (HR) from random-effects model of 0.87 (95% CI 0.63-1.22; P = .43). The hazard for MI at 1 year was significantly lower in the invasive group compared with the conservative group (HR from random-effects model 0.62, 95% CI 0.44-0.87; P = .006). Similar results were seen for urgent revascularization (HR from random-effects model 0.41, 95% CI 0.18-0.95; P = .037). There was no significant difference in mortality. CONCLUSIONS: No evidence was found that routine invasive treatment for NSTEACS in older patients reduces the risk of a composite of all-cause mortality and MI within 1 year compared with conservative management. However, there is convincing evidence that invasive treatment significantly lowers the risk of repeat MI or urgent revascularisation. Further evidence is needed from ongoing larger clinical trials.

Safety and Feasibility Using a Fluid-Filled Wire to Avoid Hydrostatic Errors in Physiological Intracoronary Measurements.

Background: Using a fluid-filled wire with a pressure sensor outside the patient compared to a conventional pressure wire may avoid the systematic error introduced by the hydrostatic pressure within the coronary circulation. Aims: To assess the safety and effectiveness of the novel fluid-filled wire, Wirecath (Cavis Technologies, Uppsala, Sweden), as well as its ability to avoid the hydrostatic pressure error. Methods and Results: The Wirecath pressure wire was used in 45 eligible patients who underwent invasive coronary angiography and had a clinical indication for invasive coronary pressure measurement at Sahlgrenska University Hospital, Gothenburg, Sweden. In 29 patients, a simultaneous measurement was performed with a conventional coronary pressure wire (PressureWire X, Abbott Medical, Plymouth, MN, USA), and in 19 patients, the vertical height difference between the tip of the guide catheter and the wire measure point was measured in a 90-degree lateral angiographic projection. No adverse events caused by the pressure wires were reported. The mean Pd/Pa and mean FFR using the fluid-filled wire and the sensor-tipped wire differed significantly; however, after correcting for the hydrostatic effect, the sensor-tipped wire pressure correlated well with the fluid-filled wire pressure (R = 0.74 vs. R = 0.89 at rest and R = 0.89 vs. R = 0.98 at hyperemia). Conclusion: Hydrostatic errors in physiologic measurements can be avoided by using the fluid-filled Wirecath wire, which was safe to use in the present study. This trial is registered with NCT04776577 and NCT04802681.

Characteristics, survival and neurological outcome in out-of-hospital cardiac arrest in young adults in Sweden: A nationwide study.

Aim: The aim of this study was to present a comprehensive overview of out-of-hospital cardiac arrests (OHCA) in young adults. Methods: The data set analyzed included all cases of OHCA from 1990 to 2020 in the age-range 16-49 years in the Swedish Registry of Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (SRCR). OHCA between 2010 and 2020 were analyzed in more detail. Clinical characteristics, survival, neurological outcomes, and long-time trends in survival were studied. Logistic regression was used to study 30-days survival, neurological outcomes and Utstein determinants of survival. Results: Trends were assessed in 11,180 cases. The annual increase in 30-days survival during 1990-2020 was 5.9% with no decline in neurological function among survivors. Odds ratio (OR) for heart disease as the cause was 0.55 (95% CI 0.44 to 0.67) in 2017-2020 compared to 1990-1993. Corresponding ORs for overdoses and suicide attempts were 1.61 (95% CI 1.23-2.13) and 2.06 (95% CI 1.48-2.94), respectively. Exercise related OHCA was noted in roughly 5%. OR for bystander CPR in 2017-2020 vs 1990-1993 was 3.11 (95% CI 2.57 to 3.78); in 2020 88 % received bystander CPR. EMS response time increased from 6 to 10 minutes. Conclusion: Survival has increased 6% annually, resulting in a three-fold increase over 30 years, with stable neurological outcome. EMS response time increased with 66% but the majority now receive bystander CPR. Cardiac arrest due to overdoses and suicide attempts are increasing.

No obesity paradox in out-of-hospital cardiac arrest: Data from the Swedish registry of cardiopulmonary resuscitation.

Background: Although an "obesity paradox", which states an increased chance of survival for patients with obesity after myocardial infarction has been proposed, it is less clear whether this phenomenon even exists in patients suffering out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA) and if diabetes, which is often associated with obesity, implies an additional risk. Objective: To investigate if and how obesity, with or without diabetes, affects the survival of patients with OHCA. Methods: This study included 55,483 patients with OHCA reported to the Swedish Registry of Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation between 2010 and 2020. Patients were classified in five groups: obesity only (Ob), type 1 diabetes only (T1D), type 2 diabetes only (T2D), obesity and any diabetes (ObD), or belonging to the group other (OTH). Patient characteristics and outcomes were studied using descriptive statistics, logistic, and Cox proportional regression. Results: Obesity only was found in 2.7% of the study cohort, while 3.2% had obesity and any type of diabetes. Ob patients were significantly younger than all other patients (p ≤ 0.001); the 30 day-survival was 9.6% in Ob, and 10.6%, 7.3%, 6.9%, and 12.7% in T1D, T2D, ObD, and OTH, respectively, with OR (95% CI) of 0.69 (0.57-0.82), 0.78 (0.56-1.05), 0.65 (0.59-0.71), and 0.55 (0.45-0.66) for Ob, T1D, T2D, and ObD, respectively (reference group OTH). No time-related trends in 30-days survival were found. Conclusion: Obesity was present in 6% of the population and was associated with younger age and a 30% reduction in survival; a combination of obesity and diabetes further reduced the survival rate.

Characteristics, survival and neurological outcome in out-of-hospital cardiac arrest: A nationwide study of 56,203 cases with emphasis on cardiovascular comorbidities.

Background: We studied clinical characteristics, survival and neurological outcomes in patients with pre-existing cardiovascular (CV) conditions who experienced an out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA). Methods: We studied all cases of OHCA in the Swedish Registry for Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (2010-2020). Patients were grouped according to the following pre-existing CV conditions prior: hypertension (HT), heart failure (HF) with HT, HF with ischemic heart disease (IHD), HF without HT or IHD, IHD, myocardial infarction (MI) and diabetes mellitus (DM), with groups being mutually exclusive. We studied 30-day survival and neurological outcomes using logistic and Cox regression. Results: A total of 56,203 patients were included. The lowest rates of shockable rhythm occurred in cases with HT (19%), HF and HT (18%) and DM (18%). Median time to OHCA from diagnosis of HT was 2.0 years in cases aged 0-40 years at diagnosis of HT, 4.4 years in those aged 41-60 at diagnosis, 5.0 years in those aged 61-70 years, 5.6 years in those aged 71-80 years and 6.0 years in those aged 81 years or older. The lowest survival was noted for patients with HF and HT. Age and sex adjusted OR for CPC score 1 did not differ in any group. Conclusion: The combination of HT and HF has the lowest survival of all cardiovascular comorbidities. Early onset of hypertension is a predictor for early cardiac arrest.

Effects of Cardiac Rehabilitation on Physical Fitness, Physical Function, and Self-reported Outcomes in Patients ≥80 yr: A RANDOMIZED CONTROLLED TRIAL.

PURPOSE: The beneficial effects of exercise-based cardiac rehabilitation (CR) after an acute coronary syndrome (ACS) are well known, but patients ≥80 yr have been less studied. The aim was to evaluate the effects of CR on patients with ACS ≥80 yr on peak cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF), physical function, and patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs) compared with a control group. METHODS: A total of 26 patients with ACS, median age 82 (81, 84) yr, were randomized to hospital-based CR combined with a home-based exercise program (CR group) or to a control group (C) for 4 mo. Outcomes were assessed at baseline and 4 mo and included the peak CRF (primary outcome), 6-min walk test (6MWT), muscle endurance, Timed Up and Go (TUG), Short Physical Performance Battery (SPPB), one-leg stand test, and PROMs. RESULTS: There were no significant differences between the groups in peak CRF. The CR group improved significantly in terms of the 6MWT ( P = .04), isotonic muscle endurance ( P < .001), one-leg stand test ( P = .001), SPPB total score ( P =.03), Activities-specific Balance Confidence ( P =.01), and anxiety ( P =.03), as compared with C. There were no significant intergroup differences in the TUG, the self-reported health question or depression. CONCLUSIONS: Patients with ACS ≥80 yr improved in walking distance, muscle endurance, physical function, and PROMs, but not in peak CRF, by participating in a CR program. These results suggest an increased referral to CR for this growing group of patients to enable preserved mobility and independence in daily living, but this needs to be confirmed in larger studies.

Cardiorenal function and survival in in-hospital cardiac arrest: A nationwide study of 22,819 cases.

BACKGROUND: We studied the association between cardiorenal function and survival, neurological outcome and trends in survival after in-hospital cardiac arrest (IHCA). METHODS: We included cases aged ≥ 18 years in the Swedish Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation Registry during 2008 to 2020. The CKD-EPI equation was used to calculate estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR). A history of heart failure was defined according to contemporary guideline criteria. Logistic regression was used to study survival. Neurological outcome was assessed using cerebral performance category (CPC). RESULTS: We studied 22,819 patients with IHCA. The 30-day survival was 19.3%, 16.6%, 22.5%, 28.8%, 39.3%, 44.8% and 38.4% in cases with eGFR < 15, 15-29, 30-44, 45-59, 60-89, 90-130 and 130-150 ml/min/1.73 m2, respectively. All eGFR levels below and above 90 ml/min/1.73 m2 were associated with increased mortality. Probability of survival at 30 days was 62% lower in cases with eGFR < 15 ml/min/1.73 m2, compared with normal kidney function. At every level of eGFR, presence of heart failure increased mortality markedly; patients without heart failure displayed higher mortality only at eGFR below 30 ml/min/1.73 m2. Among survivors with eGFR < 15 ml/min/1.73 m2, good neurological outcome was noted in 87.2%. Survival increased in most groups over time, but most for those with eGFR < 15 ml/min/1.73 m2, and least for those with normal eGFR. CONCLUSIONS: All eGFR levels below and above normal range are associated with increased mortality and this association is modified by the presence of heart failure. Neurological outcome is good in the majority of cases, across kidney function levels and survival is increasing.

Inequalities in Income and Education Are Associated With Survival Differences After Out-of-Hospital Cardiac Arrest: Nationwide Observational Study.

BACKGROUND: Despite the acknowledged importance of socioeconomic factors as regards cardiovascular disease onset and survival, the relationship between individual-level socioeconomic factors and survival after out-of-hospital cardiac arrest is not established. Our aim was to investigate whether socioeconomic variables are associated with 30-day survival after out-of-hospital cardiac arrest. METHODS: We linked data from the Swedish Registry for Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation with individual-level data on socioeconomic factors (ie, educational level and disposable income) from Statistics Sweden. Confounding and mediating variables included demographic factors, comorbidity, and Utstein resuscitation variables. Outcome was 30-day survival. Multiple modified Poisson regression was used for the main analyses. RESULTS: A total of 31 373 out-of-hospital cardiac arrests occurring in 2010 to 2017 were included. Crude 30-day survival rates by income quintiles were as follows: Q1 (low), 414/6277 (6.6%); Q2, 339/6276 (5.4%); Q3, 423/6275 (6.7%); Q4, 652/6273 (10.4%); and Q5 (high), 928/6272 (14.8%). In adjusted analysis, the chance of survival by income level followed a gradient-like increase, with a risk ratio of 1.86 (95% CI, 1.65-2.09) in the highest-income quintile versus the lowest. This association remained after adjusting for comorbidity, resuscitation factors, and initial rhythm. A higher educational level was associated with improved 30-day survival, with the risk ratio associated with postsecondary education ≥4 years being 1.51 (95% CI, 1.30-1.74). Survival disparities by income and educational level were observed in both men and women. CONCLUSIONS: In this nationwide observational study using individual-level socioeconomic data, higher income and higher educational level were associated with better 30-day survival after out-of-hospital cardiac arrest in both sexes.

Radial artery access is associated with lower mortality in patients undergoing primary PCI: a report from the SWEDEHEART registry.

OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this observational study was to evaluate the effects of radial artery access versus femoral artery access on the risk of 30-day mortality, inhospital bleeding and cardiogenic shock in patients with ST-elevation myocardial infarction undergoing primary percutaneous coronary intervention. METHODS: We used data from the SWEDEHEART registry and included all patients who were treated with primary percutaneous coronary intervention in Sweden between 2005 and 2016. We compared patients who had percutaneous coronary intervention by radial access versus femoral access with regard to the primary endpoint of all-cause death within 30 days, using a multilevel propensity score adjusted logistic regression which included hospital as a random effect. RESULTS: During the study period, 44,804 patients underwent primary percutaneous coronary intervention of whom 24,299 (54.2%) had radial access and 20,505 (45.8%) femoral access. There were 2487 (5.5%) deaths within 30 days, of which 920 (3.8%) occurred in the radial access and 1567 (7.6%) in the femoral access group. After propensity score adjustment, radial access was associated with a lower risk of death (adjusted odds ratio (OR) 0.70, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.55-0.88, P = 0.025). We found no interaction between access site and age, gender and cardiogenic shock regarding 30-day mortality. Radial access was also associated with a lower adjusted risk of bleeding (adjusted OR 0.45, 95% CI 0.25-0.79, P = 0.006) and cardiogenic shock (adjusted OR 0.41, 95% CI 0.24-0.73, P = 0.002). CONCLUSIONS: In patients with ST-elevation myocardial infarction, primary percutaneous coronary intervention by radial access rather than femoral access was associated with an adjusted lower risk of death, bleeding and cardiogenic shock. Our findings are consistent with, and add external validity to, recent randomised trials.

Ticagrelor is Not Superior to Clopidogrel in Patients With Acute Coronary Syndromes Undergoing PCI: A Report from Swedish Coronary Angiography and Angioplasty Registry.

Background Ticagrelor reduces ischaemic end points in acute coronary syndromes. However, outcomes of ticagrelor versus clopidogrel in real-world patients with acute coronary syndromes treated with percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) remain unclear. We sought to examine whether treatment with ticagrelor is superior to clopidogrel in unselected patients with acute coronary syndromes treated with PCI. Methods and Results We used data from SCAAR (Swedish Coronary Angiography and Angioplasty Registry) for PCI performed in Västra Götaland County, Sweden. The database contains information about all PCI performed at 5 hospitals (∼20% of all data in SCAAR). All procedures between January 2005 and January 2015 for unstable angina/non‒ST-segment‒elevation myocardial infarction and ST-segment‒elevation myocardial infarction were included. We used instrumental variable 2-stage least squares regression to adjust for confounders. The primary combined end point was mortality or stent thrombosis at 30 days, secondary end points were mortality at 30 days and 1-year, stent thrombosis at 30 days, in-hospital bleeding, in-hospital neurologic complications and long-term mortality. A total of 15 097 patients were included in the study of which 2929 (19.4%) were treated with ticagrelor. Treatment with ticagrelor was not associated with a lower risk for the primary end point (adjusted odds ratio [aOR], 1.20; 95% CI, 0.87-1.61; P=0.250). Estimated risk of death at 30 days (aOR, 1.18; 95% CI, 0.88-1.64; P=0.287) and at 1-year (aOR, 1.28; 95% CI, 0.86-1.64; P=0.556) was not different between the groups. The risk of in-hospital bleeding was higher with ticagrelor (aOR, 2.88; 95% CI, 1.53-5.44; P=0.001). Conclusions In this observational study, treatment with ticagrelor was not superior to clopidogrel in patients with acute coronary syndromes treated with PCI.

Percutaneous coronary intervention in the very elderly with NSTE-ACS: the randomized 80+ study.

Objective: The treatment strategy in the very elderly with NSTE-ACS is debated, as they are often under-represented in clinical trials. The aim of this multicenter randomized controlled trial was to compare invasive and conservative strategies in the very elderly with NSTE-ACS.Methods: We randomly assigned patients ≥ 80 years of age with NSTE-ACS to an invasive strategy with coronary angiography and optimal medical treatment or a conservative strategy with only optimal medical treatment. The primary outcome was the combined endpoint of major adverse cardiac and cerebrovascular events (MACCE). Sample size was powered for a 50% reduction of event rate in MACCE with an invasive strategy. We used intention-to-treat analysis.Results: Altogether, 186 patients were included between 2009 and 2017. The study was terminated prematurely due to slow enrollment. At 12-month follow-up, the primary outcome occurred in 31 (33.3%) of the invasive treatment group and 34 (36.6%) of the conservative treatment group, with a hazard ratio (HR) of 0.90 (95% CI 0.55‒1.46; p = 0.66) for the invasive group relative to the conservative group. The corresponding HR value for urgent revascularization was 0.29 (95% CI 0.10‒0.85; p = 0.02), 0.56 (95% CI 0.27‒1.18; p = 0.13) for myocardial infarction, 0.70 (95% CI 0.31‒1.58; p = 0.40) for all-cause mortality, 1.35 (95% CI 0.23‒7.98; p = 0.74) for stroke, and 1.62 (95% CI 0.67‒3.90; p = 0.28) for recurrent hospitalization for cardiac reasons.Conclusion: In the very elderly with NSTE-ACS, we did not find any significant difference in MACCE between invasive and conservative treatment groups at 12-month follow-up, possibly due to small sample size. ClinicalTrials.gov: NCT02126202.

Comorbidity and bystander cardiopulmonary resuscitation in out-of-hospital cardiac arrest.

​OBJECTIVE: Cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) performed before the arrival of emergency medical services (EMS) is associated with increased survival after out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA). The aim of this study was to determine whether patients who receive bystander CPR have a different comorbidity compared with patients who do not, and to determine the association between bystander CPR and 30-day survival when adjusting for such a possible difference. ​METHODS: Patients with witnessed OHCA in the Swedish Registry for Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation between 2011 and 2015 were included, and merged with the National Patient Registry. The Charlson Comorbidity Index (CCI) was used to measure comorbidity. Multiple logistic regression was used to examine the effect of CCI on the association between bystander CPR and outcome. ​RESULTS: In total, 11 955 patients with OHCA were included, 71% of whom received bystander CPR. Patients who received bystander CPR had somewhat lower comorbidity (CCI) than those who did not (mean±SD: 2.2±2.3 vs 2.5±2.4; p<0.0001). However, this difference in comorbidity had no influence on the association between bystander CPR and 30-day survival in a multivariable model including other possible confounders (OR 2.34 (95% CI 2.01 to 2.74) without adjustment for CCI and OR 2.32 (95% CI 1.98 to 2.71) with adjustment for CCI). ​CONCLUSION: Patients who undergo CPR before the arrival of EMS have a somewhat lower degree of comorbidity than those who do not. Taking this difference into account, bystander CPR is still associated with a marked increase in 30-day survival after OHCA.

Prognostic impact of percutaneous coronary intervention in octogenarians with non-ST elevation myocardial infarction: A report from SWEDEHEART.

AIMS: Percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) improves outcomes in non-ST elevation acute coronary syndromes (NSTE-ACSs). Octogenarians, however, were underrepresented in the pivotal trials. This study aimed to assess the effect of PCI in patients ≥80 years old. METHODS AND RESULTS: We used data from the SWEDEHEART registry for all hospital admissions at eight cardiac care centres within Västra Götaland County. Consecutive patients ≥80 years old admitted for NSTE-ACS between January 2000 and December 2011 were included. We performed instrumental variable analysis with propensity score. The primary endpoint was all-cause mortality at 30 days and one year after index hospitalization. During the study period 5200 patients fulfilled the inclusion criteria. In total, 586 (11.2%) patients underwent PCI, the remaining 4613 patients were treated conservatively. Total mortality at 30 days was 19.4% (1007 events) and 39.4% (1876 events) at one year. Thirty-day mortality was 20.7% in conservatively treated patients and 8.5% in the PCI group (adjusted odds ratio 0.34; 95% confidence interval 0.12-0.97, p = 0.044). One-year mortality was 42.1% in the conservatively treated group and 16.3% in the PCI group (adjusted odds ratio 0.97; 95% confidence interval 0.36-2.51, p = 0.847). CONCLUSIONS: PCI in octogenarians with NSTE-ACS was associated with a lower risk of mortality at 30 days. However, this survival benefit was not sustained during the entire study-period of one-year.

Analysis of data for comorbidity and survival in out-of-hospital cardiac arrest.

The data presented in this article is supplementary to the research article titled "Comorbidity and survival in out-of-hospital cardiac arrest" (Hirlekar et al., 2018). The data contains information of how Charlson Comorbidity Index (CCI) is calculated and coded from ICD-10 codes. Multivariable logistic regression was used in the analysis of association between comorbidity and return of spontaneous circulation. We present baseline characteristics of patients found in VF/VT. All patients with non-missing data on all baseline variables are analyzed separately. We compare the baseline characteristics of patients with and without complete data set. Analysis of when comorbidity was identified in relation to outcome is also shown.

Comorbidity and survival in out-of-hospital cardiac arrest.

BACKGROUND: Patients suffering out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA) have a poor prognosis but survival among subgroups differs greatly. Previous studies have shown conflicting results on whether patient comorbidity affects outcome. The aim of this national study was to investigate the effect of comorbidity on outcome after OHCA in Sweden. METHODS: We included all patients with bystander-witnessed OHCA from 2011 to 2015 in the national Swedish Registry of Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation. In order to assess comorbidity, the database was merged with the comprehensive National Patient Registry, which includes all out-patient and in-patient care in Sweden. The Charlson comorbidity index (CCI) and the specific comorbidity conditions constituting the CCI was used to identify whether comorbidity was associated with outcome. RESULTS: A total of 12,012 patients were included in the study. Of these, 1598 patients survived to 30 days (13%). The most common comorbidities were a history of congestive heart failure (29%), myocardial infarction (24%), and diabetes without complications (23%). Renal disease (odds ratio [OR] 0.53; 95% CI 0.53‒0.72), diabetes with complications (OR 0.65; 95% CI 0.49‒0.84), diabetes without complications (OR 0.63; 95% CI 0.52‒0.75), congestive heart failure (OR 0.84; 95% CI 0.71‒0.99), and metastatic carcinoma (OR 0.61; 95% CI 0.40‒0.93) were significantly associated with a reduced chance of 30-day survival when adjusted for demographic characteristics and also resuscitation-associated factors such as shockable initial rhythm, bystander cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR), and place of arrest. With increasing comorbidity, the chance of 30-day survival decreased: adjusted OR was 0.82 (59% CI 0.68-0.99) for CCI 3-4, 0.62 (95% CI 0.47-0.83) for CCI 5-6, and 0.51 (95% CI 0.36-0.72) for CCI > 6, respectively, all in relation to those with CCI 0-2. Additionally, increasing morbidity was associated with reduced odds of return of spontaneous circulation (ROSC) and ROSC at hospital admission. CONCLUSION: This large national study showed that increasing comorbidity decreased the chance of survival to 30 days in OHCA. This association remained after covariate adjustment.

A 20-year perspective of in hospital cardiac arrest: Experiences from a university hospital with focus on wards with and without monitoring facilities.

BACKGROUND: Knowledge about change in the characteristics and outcome of in hospital cardiac arrests (IHCAs) is insufficient. AIM: To describe a 20year perspective of in hospital cardiac arrest (IHCA) in wards with and without monitoring capabilities. SETTINGS: Sahlgrenska University Hospital (800 beds). The number of beds varied during the time of survey from 850-746 TIME: 1994-2013. METHODS: Retrospective registry study. Patients were assessed in four fiveyear intervals. INCLUSION CRITERIA: Witnessed and nonwitnessed IHCAs when cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) was attempted. EXCLUSION CRITERIA: Age below 18years. RESULTS: In all, there were 2340 patients with IHCA during the time of the survey. 30-Day survival increased significantly in wards with monitoring facilities from 43.5% to 55.6% (p=0.002) for trend but not in wards without such facilities (p=0.003 for interaction between wards with/without monitoring facilities and time period). The CPC-score among survivors did not change significantly in any of the two types of wards. In wards with monitoring facilities there was a significant reduction of the delay time from collapse to start of CPR and an increase in the proportion of patients who were defibrillated before the arrival of the rescue team. In wards without such facilities there was a significant reduction of the delay from collapse to defibrillation. However, the latter observation corresponds to a marked decrease in the proportion of patients found in ventricular fibrillation. CONCLUSION: In a 20year perspective the treatment of in hospital cardiac arrest was characterised by a more rapid start of treatment. This was reflected in a significant increase in 30-day survival in wards with monitoring facilities. In wards without such facilities there was a decrease in patients found in ventricular fibrillation.

Delay and inequality in treatment of the elderly with suspected acute coronary syndrome.

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study is to determine differences between elderly patients (≥80 years) and younger patients with suspected acute coronary syndrome (ACS) regarding delay times before diagnostic tests and treatments. METHODS: All patients with chest pain who were admitted to a hospital in the Gothenburg area were included consecutively over a 3-month period. They were divided into an elderly group (≥80 years) and a reference group (<80 years). Previous medical history, ECG findings, treatments, diagnostic tests, and delay times were registered. RESULTS: Altogether, 2588 patients were included (478 elderly and 2110 reference). There were no significant differences in delay time to hospital ward admission, to first medical therapy with aspirin, or to investigation with coronary angiography (CA) between the two groups. The elderly patients had a significantly shorter median time from first medical contact to first ECG (12 vs. 14 min, p=0.002) but after adjustment for confounding factors, especially mode of transport, the opposite was found to be the case (p=0.002). Elderly hospitalized patients with ACS were less often investigated with CA (44% vs. 89%, p<0.0001) and received less medical treatment with P2Y12 antagonists and lipid lowering drugs. CONCLUSIONS: Elderly individuals with chest pain could not be shown to have a delay to hospital admission compared to their younger counterparts. Nevertheless, higher age was associated with a longer time to first ECG. The elderly patients received less active therapy, and fear of age-related side effects might explain this difference.

Coronary angioplasty in octogenarians with emergent coronary syndromes: study protocol for a randomized controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: Invasive treatment (coronary angiography and intervention if feasible) of patients with acute coronary syndrome (ACS) has been shown to lead to better outcomes than medical therapy alone, but the elderly have been under-represented in many of the studies. In the elderly, medical therapy is common in ACS. Fear of complications related to the procedure and unclear benefit in older patients are common reasons for invasive procedures being withheld. Our hypothesis is that invasive treatment of elderly patients with ACS will lead to a better outcome in terms of survival and quality of life than medical therapy alone, with acceptable risk. METHODS/DESIGN: This multicenter, randomized controlled trial of patients 80 years of age and over has two parallel treatment arms, a medical group and an invasive group. In Swedish hospitals, 200 patients with non-ST elevation myocardial infarction or unstable angina will be randomized to medical or invasive treatment strategy. The primary outcome measure is the combined endpoint major adverse cardiac or cerebrovascular event (MACCE) within one year. Secondary outcome measures include quality of life, angina, and adverse events such as bleeding. Assessments will be conducted during hospitalization, at 1 month after allocation, and at 12 months. DISCUSSION: This study seeks to determine the efficacy and safety of invasive and medical treatment strategies in the elderly with ACS. The study is currently recruiting. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov trial identifier: NCT02126202. Registered on 7 January 2014.