A comparison of front-line oral anticoagulants for the treatment of non-valvular atrial fibrillation: effectiveness and safety of direct oral anticoagulants in the FANTASIIA registry.

INTRODUCTION: For a long time, vitamin K antagonists (VKA) were the only oral anticoagulation therapy available to reduce adverse events in atrial fibrillation (AF) patients. Direct-acting oral anticoagulants (DOAC) are at least as effective and safe as VKA with few drug interactions, rapid onset, and short half-life. Four DOACs, dabigatran, apixaban, rivaroxaban, and edoxaban, have demonstrated efficacy and safety for treatment in AF patients. AREAS COVERED: The purpose of this review article is to analyze the current evidence in clinical trials and in real-world populations and performed a new analysis with the estimated effect of those DOACs over the VKA population from the FANTASIIA registry. EXPERT OPINION: In the absence of randomized, controlled head-to-head comparisons between DOACs, high-quality observational data can provide useful information on the comparative effectiveness of DOACs. Current clinical guidelines recommend the management of oral anticoagulation in AF patients with DOACs over VKA for stroke prevention; however, many guidelines generally do not suggest a specific DOAC choice in clinical practice. The revised evidence in this manuscript and our real experience reflects that apixaban and dabigatran show the best efficacy and safety profile.

Impact of Integrated Care Management on Clinical Outcomes in Atrial Fibrillation Patients: A Report From the FANTASIIA Registry.

Background: An integrated and holistic approach is increasingly advocated in patients with atrial fibrillation (AF), based on the "Atrial fibrillation Better Care (ABC) pathway: A, Avoid stroke with anticoagulation; B, better symptom management; C, cardiovascular and comorbidity risk management." The aim of this study was to examine the prevalence of adherence to each component of the ABC pathway and to analyze its impact on long-term prognosis in the "real-world" cohort of AF patients from the FANTASIIA registry. Methods: This prospective study included consecutive AF outpatients anticoagulated with direct oral anticoagulants (DOAC) or vitamin K antagonists (VKA) from June 2013 to October 2014. From the ABC pathway, adherence to the "A criterion" was defined by a time in the therapeutic range (TTR) ≥ 70% or correct dose with DOAC; "B criterion" adherence was defined by a European Heart Rhythm Association (EHRA) Symptom Scale I-II; and "C criterion" adherence was defined as optimized risk factors and comorbidity management. Baseline features and embolic events, severe bleeding, and all-cause and cardiovascular mortality rates up to 3 years of follow-up were analyzed, and a Cox multivariate analysis was performed to investigate the role of each component of the ABC pathway in predicting major events. Results: A total of 1,955 AF patients (age: 74.4 ± 9.4 years; 43.2% female patients) were included in this study: adherence to A criterion was observed in 920 (47.1%) patients; adherence to B criterion was observed in 1,791 (91.6%) patients; and adherence to C criterion was observed in 682 (34.8%) patients. Only 394 (20.2%) of the whole population had good control of AF according to the ABC pathway. After a median follow-up of 1,078 days (IQR: 766-1,113), adherence to A criterion was independently associated with reduced cardiovascular mortality [HR: 0.67, 95%CI (0.45-0.99); p = 0.048] compared with non-adherence. Adherence to the B criterion was independently associated with reduced stroke [HR: 0.28, 95%CI (0.14-0.59); p < 0.001], all-cause mortality [HR: 0.49, 95%CI (0.35-0.69); p < 0.001], cardiovascular mortality [HR: 0.39, 95%CI (0.25-0.62); p < 0.001], and major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE) [HR: 0.41, 95%CI (0.28-0.62); p < 0.001] compared with non-adherence. AF patients with C criterion adherence had a significantly lower risk of myocardial infarction [HR: 0.31, 95%CI (0.15-0.66); p < 0.001]. Fully adherent ABC patients had a significant reduction in MACE [HR: 0.64, 95%CI (0.42-0.99); p = 0.042]. Conclusion: In real-world anticoagulated AF patients from FANTASIIA registry, we observed a lack of adherence to integrated care management of AF following the ABC pathway. AF managed according to the ABC pathway was associated with a significant reduction in adverse outcomes during long follow-up, suggesting the benefit of a holistic and integrated approach to AF management.

Relationship between multimorbidity and outcomes in atrial fibrillation.

BACKGROUND: Multimorbidity is common in atrial fibrillation (AF) patients. Charlson comorbidity index (CCI) is used to evaluate multimorbidity in the general population. Limited long-term data are available on the relationship between CCI and AF. We examined the association between CCI, anticoagulation control and outcomes in AF patients. METHODS: We studied 1956 from the FANTASIIA registry, an observational Spanish nationwide study on anticoagulated AF patients. Time in therapeutic range (TTR) was used to evaluate anticoagulation control. Stroke/TIA, major bleeding, cardiovascular (CV) death and all-cause death were study outcomes. RESULTS: Mean ± SD CCI was 1.1 ± 1.2. Based on CCI quartiles, patients were categorised in four groups: 676 (34.6%) in Q1 (CCI 0); 683 (34.9%) in Q2 (CCI 1); 345 (17.6%) in Q3 (CCI 2); and 252 (12.9%) in Q4 (CCI ≥3). In vitamin K antagonist treated patients, the highest CCI quartile was inversely associated with TTR >70% (odds ratio:0.67, 95% confidence interval (CI):0.45-0.99). During observation, a progressively higher rate of major bleeding, CV death and all-cause death was found across the quartiles (all p < 0.001). The final Cox multivariable regression analysis showed an association with increasing risk for major bleeding occurrence in Q3 and Q4 (hazard ratio (HR):1.69, 95%CI:1.00-2.87 and HR:1.92, 95%CI:1.08-3.41). An increasing risk for all-cause death and CV death was found across CCI quartiles. CONCLUSIONS: In a nationwide contemporary cohort of AF anticoagulated patients, multimorbidity was inversely associated with good anticoagulation control. A progressively higher risk for major bleeding, CV death and all-cause death was found across CCI quartiles.

Role of cardiovascular magnetic resonance in the prognosis of patients with myocardial infarction with non-obstructive coronary arteries.

BACKGROUND: It is estimated that 5% to 10% of patients with myocardial infarction (MI) present with no obstructive coronary artery lesions. Until now, most studies have focused on acute coronary syndrome, including different clinical entities with a similar presentation encompassed under the term MINOCA (MI with non-obstructive coronary arteries). The aim of this study is to assess the prognosis of patients diagnosed with true infarction, confirmed by cardiovascular magnetic resonance (CMR), in the absence of significant coronary lesions. METHODS: Prospective multicenter registry study, including 120 consecutive patients with a CMR-confirmed MI without obstructive coronary artery lesions. The primary clinical outcome was major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE: death, non-fatal infarction, stroke, or cardiac readmission), assessed over three years. RESULTS: Seventy-six patients (63.3%) were admitted with a diagnosis of acute coronary syndrome, and 44 (36.6%) for other causes (mainly heart failure); the definitive diagnosis was established by CMR. Most patients (64.2%) were men, and the mean age was 58.8 ± 13.5 years. Patients presented with small infarcts: 83 (69.1%) showed late gadolinium enhancement (LGE) in one or two myocardial segments, mainly transmural (in 77.5% of patients) and with a preserved left ventricular ejection fraction (median 54.8%, interquartile range 37-62). The most frequent infarct location was inferolateral (n = 38, 31.7%). During follow-up, 43 patients (35.8%) experienced a MACE, including 9 (7.5%) who died. In multivariable analysis, LGE in two versus one myocardial segment doubled the risk of adverse cardiac events (hazard ratio [HR] 2.32, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.97-5.83, p = 0.058). Involvement of three or more myocardial segments almost tripled the risk (HR 2.71, 95% CI 1.04-7.04, p = 0.040 respectively). CONCLUSIONS: Patients with true MI but without significant coronary artery lesions predominantly had small infarcts. Myocardial 3-segment LGE involvement is associated with a significantly higher risk of adverse cardiac events.

Peripheral artery disease and clinical outcomes in patients with atrial fibrillation: A report from the FANTASIIA registry.

BACKGROUND: Atrial fibrillation (AF) and peripheral artery disease (PAD) are common conditions that increase cardiovascular risk. We determined the association between PAD and prognosis in a cohort of real-world patients receiving oral anticoagulant therapy for nonvalvular AF. METHODS: We prospectively included 1956 patients (mean age 73.8 ± 9.5 years, 44.0% women) receiving oral anticoagulant therapy for AF. Clinical characteristics were collected at baseline. Patients were followed for a period of 3 years. Survival analysis and multivariable regression analyses were performed to assess variables related to death, stroke, bleeding, myocardial infarction and major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE). RESULTS: Patients with PAD (n = 118; 6%) exhibited higher rates of cardiovascular risk factors and cardiovascular diseases. After 3 years of follow-up, there were a total of 255 deaths (no PAD 233, vs PAD 22), 45 strokes (43 vs 2), 146 major bleedings (136 vs 10) and 168 MACE (148 vs 20). On univariate analysis, there was a higher risk of cardiovascular mortality (2.02%/year no PAD vs 4.08%/year PAD, P = .02), myocardial infarction (0.99%/year no PAD vs 2.43%/year PAD, P = .02) and MACE (3.18%/year no PAD vs 6.99%/year PAD, P < .01). There was no statistically significant association with these events after multivariable adjustment. CONCLUSIONS: In a large cohort of anticoagulated patients with AF, the presence of PAD represents a higher risk subgroup and is associated with worse crude outcomes. The exact contribution of the PAD independently of other cardiovascular diseases or risk factors requires further investigation.

Clinical effectiveness of a cardiology outpatient management plan to reduce inefficiency in consultations.

Objectives: Longer delays in carrying out complementary tests in cardiology services have resulted in patients arriving for consultation without these tests being performed (inefficient consultations). To ameliorate this situation, a management-based intervention was designed, optimizing the available resources and modifying the appointment system. Therefore, our objective was to determine the effectiveness of this intervention to reduce the number of inefficient consultations and improve the clinical care process.Methods: A non-randomized experimental study comparing two periods (pre- and post-intervention) was designed, analyzing a total of 473 outpatients attending cardiology consultations in a Spanish region in February 2014 (pre-intervention) and 441 patients attending cardiology consultations in November 2014 (post-intervention). The outcome of management measures aimed at optimizing coordination in outpatient care to reduce inefficient consultations was analyzed. After the visit, treatment modifications, requests for new examinations or tests, outpatient discharges, and new diagnoses were evaluated.Results: In the pre-intervention period, 37.2% of the patients had not had the tests performed, while in the post-intervention period, this figure dropped to 10.7% (p < 0.001). When the patients had all the tests completed, there was an increase in the number of new examinations (p < 0.001), outpatient discharges (p < 0.001) and new diagnoses (p = 0.004). Treatment modifications were not significant (p = 0.223).Conclusions: The intervention proved effective, clinically relevant, and statistically significant in reducing the proportion of inefficient consultations, thereby enabling continuation of the clinical care process.

A simple score to select patients for manual thrombectomy in emergent percutaneous coronary interventions: the DDTA score.

BACKGROUND: The objective of manual thrombectomy is the removal of occlusive thrombus to improve the results of primary angioplasty. The better understanding of the factors associated with successful manual thrombectomy may provide relevant information regarding thrombus formation and resolution. METHODS: Observational study of all consecutive patients remitted for emergent percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) in a single centre. Successful manual thrombectomy was considered when TIMI 3 was achieved after using the device and a score to predict successful manual thrombectomy was designed. RESULTS: We included 618 patients, 65.1% treated with manual thrombectomy. No relevant differences in clinical features or time delays were observed between patients treated with vs. without manual thrombectomy, but manual thrombectomy treated patients received more often dual antiplatelet treatment (DAPT) before PCI. Final TIMI flow 3 was achieved in most patients and more frequently in manual thrombectomy treated patients (94.8 vs. 86.6%; P < 0.01). The successful manual thrombectomy rate was 81.3% and it was higher in patients pretreated with DAPT (89.0 vs. 73.3%; P < 0.01). The time delay to first medical contact was not related to the final TIMI 3, but it was significantly and negatively related to successful manual thrombectomy. According to the multivariate analysis, we designed the DDTA score: DAPT pretreatment (2), delay less than 2 h (3) or 2-4 h (2), TIMI flow improvement after wiring the lesion (2) and age less than 55 years (3). Patients with DDTA score at least 4 had lower no-reflow, mortality and major cardiovascular complications incidence. CONCLUSION: The DDTA score (DAPT pretreatment, time delays, TIMI flow improvement after wiring the lesion and age) identifies patients who benefit mostly from manual thrombectomy.

Relationship of adverse events to quality of anticoagulation control in atrial fibrillation patients with diabetes: real-world data from the FANTASIIA Registry.

BACKGROUND: Atrial fibrillation (AF) patients with diabetes (DM) have high risk of cardiovascular events. PURPOSE: To compare clinical characteristics, adverse outcomes and quality of anticoagulation in AF patients regarding DM status. METHODS: AF patients from FANTASIIA registry were included. Baseline characteristics and comorbidities were recorded. After 2-years follow-up, the association between adverse events and DM was evaluated. RESULTS: 1956 patients (mean age 73.8 ± 9.5 years, 56% male) were analyzed; 574 (29.3%) had DM. Diabetic patients had also high prevalence of hypertension (90.6% vs 76.1%; p < .001) or renal disease (21.4% vs 15.9%; p < .001). After median follow-up of 1077 days (IQR 766-1113 days), diabetic patients had high total mortality (16.9%/year vs 11.4%/year; p < .001), cardiovascular mortality (9.1%/year vs 3.9%/year; p < .001) and MACE (12.9%/year vs 6.8%/year; p < .001). DM patients had poor anticoagulation control (time in therapeutic range: 58.52 ± 24.37% vs 62.68 ± 25.31%; p = .002). DM with lower TTR showed higher cardiovascular death and MACE. Multivariate analysis showed an independent association between DM and cardiovascular mortality [HR 1.73 (IC95% 1.07-2.80); p = .024]. CONCLUSION: AF Diabetic patients have higher comorbidities and poorer TTR than nondiabetic patients. Low TTR was associated with adverse events. The risk of cardiovascular outcomes was higher in DM patients, with independent association between DM and mortality risk.

Influence of sex on long-term prognosis in patients with atrial fibrillation treated with oral anticoagulants. Results from the prospective, nationwide FANTASIIA study.

BACKGROUND: While many risk factors for Atrial Fibrillation (AF) have been identified, there are important differences in their relative impact between sexes. The aim of our study was to investigate the influence of sex as a long-term predictor of adverse events in "real world" AF patients treated with direct oral anticoagulants. METHODS: The FANTASIIA registry is a prospective, national and multicentric study including outpatients with anticoagulated AF patients. Baseline characteristics and adverse events at 3 years of follow-up were collected and classified by sex. Cox multivariate analysis was performed to investigate the role of sex in major events and composite outcomes. RESULTS: A total of 1956 patients were included in the study. 43.9% of them were women, with a mean age of 73.8 ± 9.4 years (women were older 76.5 ± 7.9 vs 71.7 ± 10.1, p<0.001). Women had higher rate of cardiovascular risk factors and higher mean of CHA2DS2-VASc (4.4 ± 1.4 vs 3.7 ± 1.6, p<0.001) and HAS-BLED (2.1 ± 1.0 vs 1.9 ± 1.1, p<0.001) than men. After 3 years of follow-up, rates of major events were similar in both groups with limit difference for all-cause mortality (4.4%/year in women vs 5.6%/year in men; p = 0.056). However, all the composite events were more frequent in women. We observed in the non-adjusted adverse events lower rate of all-cause mortality (HR 0.62, 95%CI 0.47-0.81; p<0.001), composite 1 outcomes (HR 0.80, 95%CI 0.65-0.98; p = 0.029) and composite 2 (HR 0.77, 95%CI 0.64-0.94; p = 0.010) in women compared with men. In multivariate Cox regression analysis observed that female sex was an independently protector factor for all-cause mortality and for the composite outcomes 1 and 2. CONCLUSIONS: In this "real world" study of anticoagulated AF patients, women could have a protective role against development of adverse events, mainly on all-cause mortality and combined events.

Anticoagulantes orales directos frente a antagonistas de la vitamina K en pacientes del «mundo real» con fibrilación auricular no valvular. Estudio FANTASIIA / Direct oral anticoagulants versus vitamin K antagonists in real-world patients with nonvalvular atrial fibrillation. The FANTASIIA study

INTRODUCCIÓN Y OBJETIVOS: Comparar los resultados a largo plazo de los anticoagulantes orales directos (ACOD) frente a los antagonistas de la vitamina K (AVK) en pacientes del mundo real con fibrilación auricular no valvular (FANV) en un estudio nacional prospectivo. MÉTODOS: El estudio FANTASIIA incluyó consecutivamente a pacientes ambulatorios con FANV anticoagulados con ACOD o AVK desde junio de 2013 hasta octubre de 2014. Se compararon las tasas de eventos según el anticoagulante administrado. RESULTADOS: Se incluyó a 2.178 pacientes (edad, 73,8+/-9,4 años; el 43,8% mujeres); de ellos, 533 (24,5%) recibían ACOD y 1.645 (75,5%), AVK. Tras una mediana de seguimiento de 32,4 meses, los pacientes con ACOD tuvieron tasas más bajas de ictus -0,40 (IC95%, 0,17-0,97) frente a 1,07 (IC95%, 0,79-1,46) pacientes/año; p = 0,032-, hemorragias mayores -2,13 (IC95%, 1,45-3,13) frente a 3,28 (IC95%, 2,75-3,93) pacientes/año; p = 0,044-, muerte cardiovascular -1,20 (IC95%, 0,72-1,99) frente a 2,45 (IC95%, 2,00-3,00) pacientes/año; p = 0,009- y muerte total -3,77 (IC95%, 2,83-5,01) frente a 5,54 (IC95%, 4,83-6,34) pacientes/año; p = 0,016-. En el análisis de Cox modificado según el método de Andersen-Gill para datos con múltiples eventos, las razones de riesgos instantáneos para los pacientes con ACOD fueron 0,42 (0,16-1,07) para el ictus; 0,47 (0,20-1,16) para la embolia sistémica en general; 0,76 (0,50-1,15) para las hemorragias mayores; 0,67 (0,39-1,18) para la muerte cardiovascular; 0,86 (0,62-1,19) para la mortalidad total y 0,82 (0,64-1,05) para el combinado de ictus, embolias, hemorragias mayores y muerte. CONCLUSIONES: El tratamiento con ACOD se asocia con una tendencia a una menor tasa de todos los eventos graves, incluida la mortalidad, en relación con los AVK en pacientes con FANV en España

INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVES: To compare the long-term results of direct oral anticoagulants (DOAC) vs vitamin K antagonists (VKA) in real-world-patients with nonvalvular atrial fibrillation (NVAF) in a nationwide, prospective study. METHODS: The FANTASIIA registry prospectively included outpatients with AF anticoagulated with DOAC or VKA (per protocol, proportion of VKA and DOAC 4:1), consecutively recruited from June 2013 to October 2014 in Spain. The incidence of major events was analyzed and compared according to the anticoagulant treatment received. RESULTS: A total of 2178 patients were included in the study (mean age 73.8+/-9.4 years), and 43.8% were women. Of these, 533 (24.5%) received DOAC and 1645 (75.5%) VKA. After a median follow up of 32.4 months, patients receiving DOAC vs those receiving VKA had lower rates of stroke-0.40 (95%CI, 0.17-0.97) vs 1.07 (95%CI,0.79-1.46) patients/y, P=.032-, severe bleedings-2.13 (95%CI, 1.45-3.13) vs 3.28 (95%CI, 2.75-3.93) patients/y; P = .044-, cardiovascular death-1.20 (95%CI, 0.72-1.99) vs 2.45 (95%CI, 2.00-3.00) patients/y; P = .009-, and all-cause death-3.77 (95%CI, 2.83-5.01) vs 5.54 (95%CI, 4.83-6.34) patients/y; P = .016-. In a modified Cox regression model by the Andersen-Gill method for multiple events, hazard ratios for patients receiving DOAC were: 0.42 (0.16-1.07) for stroke; 0.47 (0.20-1.16) for total embolisms; 0.76 (0.50-1.15) for severe bleedings; 0.67 (0.39-1.18) for cardiovascular death; 0.86 (0.62-1.19) for all-cause death, and 0.82 (0.64-1.05) for the combined event consisting of stroke, embolism, severe bleeding, and all-cause death. CONCLUSIONS: Compared with VKA, DOAC is associated with a trend to a lower incidence of all major events, including death, in patients with NVAF in Spain

Direct oral anticoagulants versus vitamin K antagonists in real-world patients with nonvalvular atrial fibrillation. The FANTASIIA study.

INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVES: To compare the long-term results of direct oral anticoagulants (DOAC) vs vitamin K antagonists (VKA) in real-world-patients with nonvalvular atrial fibrillation (NVAF) in a nationwide, prospective study. METHODS: The FANTASIIA registry prospectively included outpatients with AF anticoagulated with DOAC or VKA (per protocol, proportion of VKA and DOAC 4:1), consecutively recruited from June 2013 to October 2014 in Spain. The incidence of major events was analyzed and compared according to the anticoagulant treatment received. RESULTS: A total of 2178 patients were included in the study (mean age 73.8±9.4 years), and 43.8% were women. Of these, 533 (24.5%) received DOAC and 1645 (75.5%) VKA. After a median follow up of 32.4 months, patients receiving DOAC vs those receiving VKA had lower rates of stroke-0.40 (95%CI, 0.17-0.97) vs 1.07 (95%CI,0.79-1.46) patients/y, P=.032-, severe bleedings-2.13 (95%CI, 1.45-3.13) vs 3.28 (95%CI, 2.75-3.93) patients/y; P = .044-, cardiovascular death-1.20 (95%CI, 0.72-1.99) vs 2.45 (95%CI, 2.00-3.00) patients/y; P = .009-, and all-cause death-3.77 (95%CI, 2.83-5.01) vs 5.54 (95%CI, 4.83-6.34) patients/y; P = .016-. In a modified Cox regression model by the Andersen-Gill method for multiple events, hazard ratios for patients receiving DOAC were: 0.42 (0.16-1.07) for stroke; 0.47 (0.20-1.16) for total embolisms; 0.76 (0.50-1.15) for severe bleedings; 0.67 (0.39-1.18) for cardiovascular death; 0.86 (0.62-1.19) for all-cause death, and 0.82 (0.64-1.05) for the combined event consisting of stroke, embolism, severe bleeding, and all-cause death. CONCLUSIONS: Compared with VKA, DOAC is associated with a trend to a lower incidence of all major events, including death, in patients with NVAF in Spain.

Association of Body Mass Index With Clinical Outcomes in Patients With Atrial Fibrillation: A Report From the FANTASIIA Registry.

Background Obesity and atrial fibrillation (AF) frequently coexist and independently increase mortality. We sought to assess the association between obesity and adverse events in patients receiving oral anticoagulants for AF. Methods and Results Consecutive AF outpatients receiving anticoagulant agents (both vitamin K antagonists and direct oral anticoagulants) were recruited into the FANTASIIA (Atrial fibrillation: influence of the level and type of anticoagulation on the incidence of ischemic and hemorrhagic stroke) registry. This observational, multicenter, and prospective registry of AF patients analyzes the quality of anticoagulation, incidence of events, and differences between oral anticoagulant therapies. We analyzed baseline patient characteristics according to body mass index, normal: <25 kg/m2, overweight: 25-30 kg/m2, and obese: ≥30 kg/m2), assessing all-cause mortality, stroke, major bleeding and major adverse cardiovascular events (a composite of ischemic stroke, myocardial infarction, and total mortality) at 3 years' follow-up. In this secondary prespecified substudy, the association of weight on prognosis was evaluated. We recruited 1956 patients (56% men, mean age 73.8±9.4 years): 358 (18.3%) had normal body mass index, 871 (44.5%) were overweight, and 727 (37.2%) were obese. Obese patients were younger (P<0.01) and had more comorbidities. Mean time in the therapeutic range was similar across body mass index categories (P=0.42). After a median follow-up of 1070 days, 255 patients died (13%), 45 had a stroke (2.3%), 146 a major bleeding episode (7.5%) and 168 a major adverse cardiovascular event (8.6%). Event rates were similar between groups for total mortality (P=0.29), stroke (P=0.90), major bleeding (P=0.31), and major adverse cardiovascular events (P=0.24). On multivariate Cox analysis, body mass index was not independently associated with all-cause mortality, cardiovascular mortality, stroke, major bleeding, or major adverse cardiovascular events. Conclusions In this prospective cohort of patients anticoagulated for AF, obesity was highly prevalent and was associated with more comorbidities, but not with poor prognosis.

Experiencia inicial en la práctica clínica con los inhibidores PCSK-9 para las indicaciones actuales de financiación en España / Initial real-world experience with PCSK-9 inhibitors in current indications for reimbursement in Spain

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Causas de la mayor mortalidad hospitalaria por IAM en Canarias y sus posibles soluciones / Causes of higher in-hospital mortality due to ACS in the Canary Islands and possible solutions

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Incidence and predictors of stroke in patients discharged with the diagnosis of acute coronary syndrome.

BACKGROUND: Stroke is one the most feared cardiovascular disease due to its high risk of disability and its incidence after an acute coronary syndrome (ACS) is not uncommon. METHODS: Retrospective study of all consecutive patients admitted for an ACS in two hospitals. Competing risk regression, taking all-cause mortality as a competing event, was used for the assessment of stroke incidence. RESULTS: We included 8771 patients, AF prevalence 12.4%. AF patients were older and presented higher prevalence of cardiovascular risk factors, previous cardiovascular disease, and lower glomerular filtration rate. Less than half of AF patients were receiving oral anticoagulation before admission. In-hospital mortality was 5.1% and it was more than two-fold higher in AF patients (10.2% vs. 4.4%; p < 0.01). Relevant differences on medical treatments were observed at discharge and oral anticoagulation was roughly <50% in AF patients. During a median follow-up was 58.7 months, 313 patients experienced at least one stroke (incidence 3.8%, 95% CI 3.4-4.2,) and it was 2-fold higher in patients with AF: 7.8% vs. 3.3% (p < 0.01). Median time to first stroke was 33.0 (30.1) months and it was shorter for AF patients compared to non-AF patients (28.2 ±â€¯22.3 vs. 34.6 ±â€¯31.1; p < 0.01). The adjusted competing risk regression identified AF, previous stroke and CHA2DS2-VASc score = 2 or ≥3 as independent predictors of stroke; CHA2DS2-VASc score = 2 was associated to higher risk of stroke only in AF patients. CONCLUSIONS: The long-term incidence of stroke after an ACS was 3.8%, 7.8% in AF-patients and 3.3% in patients without any diagnosis of AF.

Cáncer y síndrome coronario agudo. Una estrecha, pero complicada relación. Respuesta / Cancer and acute coronary syndrome. A close, but complicated relationship. Response

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Correction: Lipid profile, cardiovascular disease and mortality in a Mediterranean high-risk population: The ESCARVAL-RISK study.

[This corrects the article DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0186196.].