Regional differences in infective endocarditis epidemiology and outcomes in Spain. A contemporary population-based study.

INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVES: Our aim was to describe the contemporary epidemiological profile of infective endocarditis (IE) in Spain, and to evaluate variations in IE incidence, characteristics, and outcomes among the different Spanish regions (autonomous communities [AC]). METHODS: We conducted a retrospective, population-based study, using data obtained from national in-patient hospital activity of all patients discharged with a diagnosis of IE from hospitals included in the Spanish National Health System, from January 2016 to December 2019. Differences in the IE profile between the 17 Spanish AC were analyzed. RESULTS: A total of 9008 hospitalization episodes were identified during the study period. Standardized incidence of IE was 5.77 (95%CI, 5.12-6.41) cases per 100 000 population. Regarding predisposing conditions, 26.8% of episodes occurred in prosthetic valve carriers, 36.8% had some kind of valve heart disease, and 10.6% had a cardiac implantable electronic device. Significant differences were found between AC in terms of incidence, predisposing conditions, and microbiological profile. Cardiac surgery was performed in 19.3% of episodes in the total cohort, and in 33.4% of the episodes treated in high-volume referral centers, with wide variations among AC. Overall in-hospital mortality was 27.2%. Risk-adjusted mortality rates also varied significantly among regions. CONCLUSIONS: We found wide heterogeneity among Spanish AC in terms of incidence rates and the clinical and microbiological characteristics of IE episodes. The proportion of patients undergoing surgery was low and in-hospital mortality rates were high, with wide differences among regions. The development of regional networks with referral centers for IE could facilitate early surgery and improve outcomes.

Clinical profile, management and outcomes of patients with cardiogenic shock undergoing transfer between centers in Spain.

INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to analyze the clinical profile, management, and prognosis of ST segment elevation myocardial infarction-related cardiogenic shock (STEMI-CS) requiring interhospital transfer, as well as the prognostic impact of structural variables of the treating centers in this setting. METHODS: This study included patients with STEMI-CS treated at revascularization-capable centers from 2016 to 2020. The patients were divided into the following groups: group A: patients attended throughout their admission at hospitals with interventional cardiology without cardiac surgery; group B: patients treated at hospitals with interventional cardiology and cardiac surgery; and group C: patients transferred to centers with interventional cardiology and cardiac surgery. We analyzed the association between the volume of STEMI-CS cases treated, the availability of cardiac intensive care units (CICU), and heart transplant with hospital mortality. RESULTS: A total of 4189 episodes were included: 1389 (33.2%) from group A, 2627 from group B (62.7%), and 173 from group C (4.1%). Transferred patients were younger, had a higher cardiovascular risk, and more commonly underwent revascularization, mechanical circulatory support, and heart transplant during hospitalization (P<.001). The crude mortality rate was lower in transferred patients (46.2% vs 60.3% in group A and 54.4% in group B, (P<.001)). Lower mortality was associated with a higher volume of care and CICU availability (OR, 0.75, P=.009; and 0.80, P=.047). CONCLUSIONS: The proportion of transfers in patients with STEMI-CS in our setting is low. Transferred patients were younger and underwent more invasive procedures. Mortality was lower among patients transferred to centers with a higher volume of STEMI-CS cases and CICU.

Impact of annual volume of cases and intensive cardiac care unit availability on mortality of patients with acute myocardial infarction-related cardiogenic shock treated at revascularization capable centres.

AIMS: Cardiogenic shock (CS) is associated with high mortality. The purpose of this study was to assess the impact of hospital structure-related variables on mortality in patients with CS treated at percutaneous and surgical revascularization capable centres (psRCC) from a large nationwide registry. METHODS AND RESULTS: Retrospective observational study including consecutive patients with main or secondary diagnosis of CS and ST elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI). Patients discharged from Spanish National Healthcare System psRCC were included (2016-20). The association between the volume of CS cases attended by each centre, availability of intensive cardiac care unit (ICCU) and heart transplantation (HT) programmes, and in-hospital mortality was assessed by multilevel logistic regression models. The study population consisted of 3074 CS-STEMI episodes, of whom 1759 (57.2%) occurred in 26 centres with ICCU. A total of 17/44 hospitals (38.6%) were high-volume centres, and 19/44 (43%) centres had HT programmes availability. Treatment at HT centres was not associated with a lower mortality (P = 0.121). Both high volume of cases and ICCU showed a trend to an association with lower mortality in the adjusted model [odds ratio (OR): 0.87 and 0.88, respectively]. The interaction between both variables was significantly protective (OR 0.72; P = 0.024). After propensity score matching, mortality was lower in high-volume hospitals with ICCU (OR 0.79; P = 0.007). CONCLUSION: Most CS-STEMI patients were attended at psRCC with high volume of cases and ICCU available. The combination of high volume and ICCU availability showed the lowest mortality. These data should be taken into account when designing regional networks for CS management.

Characteristics and in-hospital mortality of elderly patients with heart failure in Spanish hospitals.

BACKGROUND: The prevalence of heart failure (HF) increases with age, and it is one of the leading causes of hospitalization and death in older patients. However, there are little data on in-hospital mortality in patients with HF ≥ 75 years in Spain. METHODS: A retrospective analysis of the Spanish Minimum Basic Data Set was performed, including all HF episodes discharged from public hospitals in Spain between 2016 and 2019. Coding was performed using the International Classification of Diseases, 10th Revision. Patients ≥ 75 years with HF as the principal diagnosis were selected. We calculated: (1) the crude in-hospital mortality rate and its distribution according to age and sex; (2) the risk-standardized in-hospital mortality ratio; and (3) the association between in-hospital mortality and the availability of an intensive cardiac care unit (ICCU) in the hospital. RESULTS: We included 354,792 HF episodes of patients over 75 years. The mean age was 85.2 ± 5.5 years, and 59.2% of patients were women. The most frequent comorbidities were renal failure (46.1%), diabetes mellitus (35.5%), valvular disease (33.9%), cardiorespiratory failure (29.8%), and hypertension (26.9%). In-hospital mortality was 12.7%, and increased with age [odds ratio (OR) = 1.07, 95% CI: 1.07-1.07, P < 0.001] and was lower in women (OR = 0.96, 95% CI: 0.92-0.97, P < 0.001). The main predictors of mortality were the presence of cardiogenic shock (OR = 19.5, 95% CI: 16.8-22.7, P < 0.001), stroke (OR = 3.5, 95% CI: 3.0-4.0, P < 0.001) and advanced cancer (OR = 2.6, 95% CI: 2.5-2.8, P < 0.001). In hospitals with ICCU, the in-hospital risk-adjusted mortality tended to be lower (OR = 0.85, 95% CI: 0.72-1.00, P = 0.053). CONCLUSIONS: In-hospital mortality in patients with HF ≥ 75 years between 2016 and 2019 was 12.7%, higher in males and elderly patients. The main predictors of mortality were cardiogenic shock, stroke, and advanced cancer. There was a trend toward lower mortality in centers with an ICCU.

One-year readmissions for circulatory diseases and in-hospital mortality after an index episode of heart failure in elderly patients. A nationwide data from public hospitals in Spain between 2016 and 2018.

INTRODUCTION: Heart failure (HF) is one of the leading causes of hospitalization and death in elderly patients. However, there is limited evidence on readmission and mortality 1-year after discharge for HF. METHODS: Retrospective analysis of the Minimum Basic Data Set, including HF episodes, discharged from Spanish hospitals between 2016 and 2018 in ≥ 75 years. We calculated: (a) the rate of readmissions due to circulatory system diseases (CSD) 365 days after index episode; (b) in-hospital mortality in readmissions; and (c) predictors of mortality and readmission. RESULTS: We included 178,523 patients (59.2% women) aged 85.1 ± 5.5 years. The most frequent comorbidities were arrhythmias (56.0%) and renal failure (39.5%). During the follow-up, 48,932 patients (27.4%) had at least one readmission for CSD and a crude rate of 40.2%, the most frequent one HF (52.8%). The median between the date of readmission and discharge from the last admission was 70 days [IQI 24; 171] for the first readmission. The most relevant predictors of the number of readmissions were valvular heart disease and myocardial ischemia. During the readmissions, 26,757 patients (79.1%) died, representing a cumulative in-hospital mortality of 47,945 (26.9%). The factors in the index episode predictors of mortality during readmissions were cardio-respiratory failure and stroke. The number of readmissions was a risk factor for in-hospital mortality (OR 1.13; 95% CI 1.11-1.14). CONCLUSIONS: The readmission rate for CSD 1-year after the index episode of HF in patients ≥ 75 years was 28.4%. The cumulative in-hospital mortality rate during the readmissions was 26.9%, and the number of rehospitalizations was identified as one of the main predictors of mortality.

Impact of shock aetiology and hospital characteristics on the clinical profile, management and prognosis of patients with non ACS-related cardiogenic shock.

BACKGROUND: A significant proportion of cases of cardiogenic shock (CS) are due aetiologies other than acute coronary syndromes (non ACS-CS). We assessed differences regarding clinical profile, management, and prognosis according to the cause of CS among nonselected patients with CS from a large nationwide database. METHODS: We performed an observational study including patients admitted from the hospitals of the Spanish National Health System (SNHS) with a principal or secondary diagnosis code of CS (2016-2019). Data were obtained from the Minimum Basic Data Set (MBDS). Hospitals were classified according to the availability of cardiology related resources, as well as the availability of Intensive Cardiac Care Unit (ICCU). RESULTS: A total of 10,826 episodes of CS were included, of whom 5,495 (50.8%) were non-ACS related. Non ACS-CS patients were younger (71.5 vs. 72.4 years) and had a lower burden of arteriosclerosis-related comorbidities. Non ACS-CS cases underwent less often invasive procedures and presented lower in-hospital mortality (57.1% vs. 61%,p < 0.001). The most common main diagnosis among non ACS-CS was acute decompensation of chronic heart failure (ADCHF) (35.4%). A lower risk-adjusted in-hospital mortality rate was observed in high volume hospitals (52.6% vs. 56.7%; p < 0.001), as well as in centers with ICCU (OR: 0.71; CI 95%: 0.58-0.87; p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: More than a half of cases of CS were due to non-ACS causes. Non ACS-CS cases are a very heterogeneous group, with different clinical profile and management. Management at high-volume hospitals and availability of ICCU were associated with lower risk adjusted mortality among non ACS-CS patients.

Epidemiología de las enfermedades valvulares aórticas no reumáticas en España, 2003-2018 / Time trends in the epidemiology of nonrheumatic aortic valve disease in Spain, 2003-2018

Introducción y objetivos: El impacto de las mejoras terapéuticas en las enfermedades valvulares aórticas no reumáticas (EVANR) se ha evaluado a nivel individual, pero no en la población hospitalizada. El objetivo del estudio es evaluar la evolución de las tasas de ingreso, tratamiento y letalidad en pacientes hospitalizados con EVANR como diagnóstico principal o secundario. Métodos: Análisis retrospectivo de los pacientes hospitalizados con EVANR entre 2003 y 2018 en España a partir del Conjunto Mínimo Básico de Datos. Se evaluó la evolución de las tasas estandarizadas por edad y sexo de hospitalización y utilización de procedimientos, características basales y letalidad por tipo de diagnóstico mediante regresión de Poisson y análisis de Joinpoint. Resultados:b Las hospitalizaciones por EVANR aumentaron de 69.213 en 2003 a 136.185 en 2018. La letalidad cruda aumentó del 6,7% al 8,7% (IRR, 1,015; IC95%, 1,012-1,018; p <0,001). La letalidad estandarizada disminuyó en los pacientes con diagnóstico principal (5,5 a 3,5%; IRR, 0,953; IC95%, 0,942-0,964), pero aumentó en aquellos con diagnóstico secundario (8,0 a 8,8%; IRR, 1,005; IC95%, 1,002-1,009). Las sustituciones valvulares aórticas aumentaron de 10,5 a 17,1 procedimientos por 100.000 habitantes (IRR, 1,033; IC95%, 1,030-1,037), principalmente los procedimientos transcatéter (IRR, 1,345; IC95%, 1,302-1,389). Conclusiones: Las hospitalizaciones de pacientes con EVANR están aumentando, sobre todo como diagnóstico secundario. El uso de la sustitución de válvula aórtica está aumentando en paralelo con una disminución de la letalidad posprocedimiento, pero únicamente en los pacientes con diagnóstico principal de EVANR.(AU)

Introduction and objectives: The impact of therapeutic improvements in nonrheumatic aortic valve disease (NRAVD) has been assessed at the patient level but not in the whole population with the disease. Our objective was to assess temporal trends in hospitalization rates, treatment and fatality rates in patients with a main or secondary NRAVD diagnosis. Methods: Retrospective analysis of administrative claims from patients hospitalized with a main or secondary NRAVD diagnosis between 2003 and 2018 in Spain. Time trends in age- and sex-standardized hospitalization and procedure rates, baseline characteristics and case fatality rates by diagnosis type were assessed by Poisson regression and joinpoint analysis. Results: Hospital admissions in patients with NRAVD increased from 69 213 in 2003 to 136 185 in 2018. The crude in-hospital fatality rate increased from 6.7% to 8.7% (IRR, 1.015; 95%CI, 1.012-1.018; P <.001) without changes after adjustment. Adjusted fatality rates decreased in patients with a main NRAVD diagnosis (5.5% to 3.5%; IRR, 0.953; 95%CI, 0.942-0.964) but increased in those with a secondary diagnosis (8.0% to 8.8%; IRR, 1.005; 95%CI, 1.002-1.009). Aortic valve replacements increased from 10.5 to 17.1 procedures per 100 000 population (IRR, 1.033; 95%CI, 1.030-1.037), mainly driven by transcatheter procedures (IRR, 1.345; 95%CI, 1.302-1.389). Conclusions: Hospitalizations in patients with NRAVD are increasing, with most being secondary diagnoses. The use of aortic valve replacement is increasing with a reduction in fatality rates but only in patients with a main diagnosis.(AU)

Time trends in the epidemiology of nonrheumatic aortic valve disease in Spain, 2003-2018.

INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVES: The impact of therapeutic improvements in nonrheumatic aortic valve disease (NRAVD) has been assessed at the patient level but not in the whole population with the disease. Our objective was to assess temporal trends in hospitalization rates, treatment and fatality rates in patients with a main or secondary NRAVD diagnosis. METHODS: Retrospective analysis of administrative claims from patients hospitalized with a main or secondary NRAVD diagnosis between 2003 and 2018 in Spain. Time trends in age- and sex-standardized hospitalization and procedure rates, baseline characteristics and case fatality rates by diagnosis type were assessed by Poisson regression and joinpoint analysis. RESULTS: Hospital admissions in patients with NRAVD increased from 69 213 in 2003 to 136 185 in 2018. The crude in-hospital fatality rate increased from 6.7% to 8.7% (IRR, 1.015; 95%CI, 1.012-1.018; P <.001) without changes after adjustment. Adjusted fatality rates decreased in patients with a main NRAVD diagnosis (5.5% to 3.5%; IRR, 0.953; 95%CI, 0.942-0.964) but increased in those with a secondary diagnosis (8.0% to 8.8%; IRR, 1.005; 95%CI, 1.002-1.009). Aortic valve replacements increased from 10.5 to 17.1 procedures per 100 000 population (IRR, 1.033; 95%CI, 1.030-1.037), mainly driven by transcatheter procedures (IRR, 1.345; 95%CI, 1.302-1.389). CONCLUSIONS: Hospitalizations in patients with NRAVD are increasing, with most being secondary diagnoses. The use of aortic valve replacement is increasing with a reduction in fatality rates but only in patients with a main diagnosis.

Sex bias in admission to tertiary-care centres for acute myocardial infarction and cardiogenic shock.

BACKGROUND: There are limited data on sex-specific outcomes and management of cardiogenic shock complicating ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (CS-STEMI). We investigated whether any sex bias exists in the admission to revascularization capable hospitals (RCH) or intensive cardiac care units (ICCU) and its impact on in-hospital mortality. METHODS: We used the Spanish National Health System Minimum Basic Data from 2003 to 2015 to identify patients with CS-STEMI. The primary outcome was sex differences in in-hospital mortality. RESULTS: Among 340 490 STEMI patients, 20 262 (6%) had CS and 29.2% were female. CS incidence was higher in women than in men (7.9% vs 5.1%, P = .001). Women were older and had more hypertension and diabetes, and were less often admitted to RCH than men (from 58.7% in 2003 to 79.6% in 2015; and from 61.9% in 2003 to 85.3% in 2015; respectively, P = .01), and to ICCU centres (25.7% vs 29.2%, P = .001). Adjusted mortality was higher in women than men over time (from 79.5 ± 4.3% to 65.8 ± 6.5%; and from 67.8 ± 6% to 58.1 ± 6.5%; respectively, P < .001). ICCU availability was associated with higher use of Percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) in women (46.8% to 67.2%; P < .001) but was even higher in men (54.8% to 77.4%; P < .001). In ICCU centres, adjusted mortality rates decreased in both sexes, but lower in women (from 74.9 ± 5.4% to 66.3 ± 6.6%) than in men (from 67.8 ± 6.0% to 58.1 ± 6.5%, P < .001). Female sex was an independent predictor of mortality (OR 1.18 95% CI 1.10-1.27, P < .001). CONCLUSIONS: Women with CS-STEMI were less referred to tertiary-care centres and had a higher adjusted in-hospital mortality than men.

Impact of sex differences and network systems on the in-hospital mortality of patients with ST-segment elevation acute myocardial infarction.

INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVES: Network systems have achieved reductions in both time to reperfusion and in-hospital mortality in patients with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI). However, the data have not been disaggregated by sex. The aim of this study was to analyze the influence of network systems on sex differences in primary percutaneous coronary intervention (pPCI) and in-hospital mortality from 2005 to 2015. METHODS: The Minimum Data Set of the Spanish National Health System was used to identify patients with STEMI. Logistic multilevel regression models and Poisson regression analysis were used to calculate risk-standardized in-hospital mortality ratios and incidence rate ratios (IRRs). RESULTS: Of 324 998 STEMI patients, 277 281 were selected after exclusions (29% women). Even when STEMI networks were established, the use of reperfusion therapy (PCI, fibrinolysis, and CABG) was lower in women than in men from 2005 to 2015: 56.6% vs 75.6% in men and 36.4% vs 57.0% in women, respectively (both P<.001). pPCI use increased from 34.9% to 68.1% in men (IRR, 1.07) and from 21.7% to 51.7% in women (IRR, 1.08). The crude in-hospital mortality rate was higher in women (9.3% vs 18.7%; P<.001) but decreased from 2005 to 2015 (IRRs, 0.97 for men and 0.98 for women; both P < .001). Female sex was an independent risk factor for mortality (adjusted OR, 1.23; P<.001). The risk-standardized in-hospital mortality ratio was lower in women when STEMI networks were in place (16.9% vs 19.1%, P<.001). pPCI and the presence of STEMI networks were associated with lower in-hospital mortality in women (adjusted ORs, 0.30 and 0.75, respectively; both P<.001). CONCLUSIONS: Women were less likely to receive pPCI and had higher in-hospital mortality than men throughout the 11-year study period, even with the presence of a network system for STEMI.

Validez del Conjunto Mínimo Básico de Datos para la investigación de resultados en la atención al síndrome coronario agudo. Respuesta / Validity of the Minimum Basic Data Set for research into outcomes in the care of acute coronary syndrome. Response

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Datos clínicos y administrativos en la investigación de resultados del síndrome coronario agudo en España. Validez del Conjunto Mínimo Básico de Datos / Clinical and administrative data on the research of acute coronary syndrome in Spain. Minimum Basic Data Set Validity

Introducción y objetivos: La investigación de resultados en salud utiliza tanto registros clínicos como bases de datos administrativas. El objetivo de este trabajo es evaluar la concordancia del Conjunto Mínimo Básico de Datos (CMBD) con el registro DIOCLES (Descripción de la Cardiopatía Isquémica en el Territorio Español) y su utilidad en la investigación de resultados del síndrome coronario agudo en España. Métodos: Mediante identificadores indirectos, se vinculó el DIOCLES con el CMBD y se seleccionaron los emparejamientos únicos. Considerando algunas de las variables más relevantes para ajustar por riesgo la mortalidad intrahospitalaria por infarto agudo de miocardio, se calculó la concordancia interobservadores, la sensibilidad, la especificidad y los valores predictivos positivo y negativo para medir la validez del CMBD, y el área bajo la curva ROC (receiver operating characteristic) para determinar su discriminación. Los resultados se compararon entre quintiles de hospitales según su contribución a DIOCLES. El impacto de los emparejamientos fallidos se evaluó mediante un análisis de sensibilidad con criterios de vinculación más laxos. Resultados: Se lograron 1.539 (60,85%) emparejamientos únicos. Entre los episodios emparejados, la prevalencia fue mayor en el DIOCLES (infarto agudo de miocardio, el 71,09%; Killip 3-4, el 9,17%; accidente cerebrovascular, el 0,97%; trombolisis, el 8,64%; angioplastia, el 61,92%, y bypass, el 1,75%) que en el CMBD (p < 0,001). El acuerdo observado fue casi perfecto (κ = 0,863); la sensibilidad del CMBD resultó del 85,10% y su especificidad, del 98,31%. El análisis de sensibilidad (el 79,95% de emparejamientos) confirmó, en general, estos resultados. Conclusiones: El CMBD puede ser un instrumento útil para la investigación de resultados del síndrome coronario agudo en España. El contraste de DIOCLES y CMBD con las historias clínicas podría verificar su validez

Introduction and objectives: Health outcomes research is done from clinical registries or administrative databases. The aim of this work was to evaluate the concordance of the Minimum Basic Data Set (MBDS) with the DIOCLES (Descripción de la Cardiopatía Isquémica en el Territorio Español) registry and to analyze the implications of use of the MBDS in the study of acute coronary syndrome in Spain. Methods: Through indirect identifiers, DIOCLES was linked with MBDS and unique matches were selected. Some of most relevant variables for risk adjustment of in-hospital mortality due to acute myocardial infarction were considered. Kappa coefficient was used to evaluate the concordance; sensitivity, specificity and positive and negative predictive values to measure the validity of the MBDS, and the area under ROC (receiver operating characteristic) curve to calculate its discrimination. The results were compared among hospitals quintiles according to their contribution to DIOCLES. The influence of unmatched episodes on results was assessed by a sensitivity analysis, using looser linking criteria. Results: Overall, 1539 (60.85%) unique matches were achieved. The prevalence was higher in DIOCLES (acute myocardial infarction: 71.09%; Killip 3-4: 9.17%; cerebrovascular accident: 0.97%; thrombolysis: 8.64%; angioplasty: 61.92% and coronary bypass: 1.75%) than in the MBDS (P < .001). The agreement level observed was almost perfect (κ = 0.863). The MBDS showed a sensitivity of 85.10% and a specificity of 98.31%. Most results were confirmed by using sensitivity analysis (79.95% episodes matched). Conclusions: The MBDS can be a useful tool for outcomes research of acute coronary syndrome in Spain. The contrast of DIOCLES and MBDS with medical records could verify their validity

Clinical and Administrative Data on the Research of Acute Coronary Syndrome in Spain. Minimum Basic Data Set Validity.

INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVES: Health outcomes research is done from clinical registries or administrative databases. The aim of this work was to evaluate the concordance of the Minimum Basic Data Set (MBDS) with the DIOCLES (Descripción de la Cardiopatía Isquémica en el Territorio Español) registry and to analyze the implications of use of the MBDS in the study of acute coronary syndrome in Spain. METHODS: Through indirect identifiers, DIOCLES was linked with MBDS and unique matches were selected. Some of most relevant variables for risk adjustment of in-hospital mortality due to acute myocardial infarction were considered. Kappa coefficient was used to evaluate the concordance; sensitivity, specificity and positive and negative predictive values to measure the validity of the MBDS, and the area under ROC (receiver operating characteristic) curve to calculate its discrimination. The results were compared among hospitals quintiles according to their contribution to DIOCLES. The influence of unmatched episodes on results was assessed by a sensitivity analysis, using looser linking criteria. RESULTS: Overall, 1539 (60.85%) unique matches were achieved. The prevalence was higher in DIOCLES (acute myocardial infarction: 71.09%; Killip 3-4: 9.17%; cerebrovascular accident: 0.97%; thrombolysis: 8.64%; angioplasty: 61.92% and coronary bypass: 1.75%) than in the MBDS (P < .001). The agreement level observed was almost perfect (κ = 0.863). The MBDS showed a sensitivity of 85.10% and a specificity of 98.31%. Most results were confirmed by using sensitivity analysis (79.95% episodes matched). CONCLUSIONS: The MBDS can be a useful tool for outcomes research of acute coronary syndrome in Spain. The contrast of DIOCLES and MBDS with medical records could verify their validity.