Biomedical subjects

E Magnus Ohman

Publications and source records attributed to E Magnus Ohman.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

PubMed2007

A comparison of acute coronary syndrome care at academic and nonacademic hospitals.

PURPOSE: Although adherence to guidelines recommendations is assumed to be more difficult for nonacademic community hospitals, patterns of adherence have not been evaluated by hospital type. We sought to identify hospital characteristics associated with high levels of adherence in order to gain insight into successful processes of care. METHODS: From January 2001 through March 2004, we analyzed data from 86,042 patients in the CRUSADE Initiative with high-risk non-ST-segment elevation acute coronary syndromes (NSTE ACS) defined by positive cardiac markers or ischemic ST-segment changes. Academic sites were defined by Council of Teaching Hospital affiliation in the American Hospital Association database. Adherence was determined for each hospital based on guidelines recommendations for the use of 4 acute (<24 hrs) and 5 discharge therapies in patients without contraindications. Multivariable modeling was used to standardize hospital estimates for patient characteristics and control for clustering within centers. RESULTS: A total of 60,285 patients were admitted to nonacademic hospitals (n=355), and 25,757 were admitted to academic hospitals (n=125). Academic hospitals were larger (median 500 vs 268 beds, P <.001) and more often had bypass services (88% vs 60%, P <.001). Composite adherence to recommended therapies was slightly higher at academic vs. nonacademic hospitals (median 77.8% vs 73.7%, P <0.01), and variance in individual hospital performance was greater among nonacademic sites. Nonacademic hospitals accounted for 15 of the 20 highest performing sites and 19 of the 20 lowest performing sites. In-hospital clinical outcomes, including cardiogenic shock, stroke, and death were similar for patients admitted to both types of hospital. CONCLUSION: Adherence to American College of Cardiology and American Heart Association (ACC/AHA) guidelines for NSTE ACS care at academic hospitals is slightly higher than at nonacademic hospitals; however there is significant room for improvement within both systems. The larger performance variation in care among nonacademic hospitals highlights the need for continued emphasis on consistent care processes.

Academic Medical Centers↗

PubMed2006

Bivalirudin for patients with acute coronary syndromes.

BACKGROUND: Current guidelines for patients with moderate- or high-risk acute coronary syndromes recommend an early invasive approach with concomitant antithrombotic therapy, including aspirin, clopidogrel, unfractionated or low-molecular-weight heparin, and glycoprotein IIb/IIIa inhibitors. We evaluated the role of thrombin-specific anticoagulation with bivalirudin in such patients. METHODS: We assigned 13,819 patients with acute coronary syndromes to one of three antithrombotic regimens: unfractionated heparin or enoxaparin plus a glycoprotein IIb/IIIa inhibitor, bivalirudin plus a glycoprotein IIb/IIIa inhibitor, or bivalirudin alone. The primary end points were a composite ischemia end point (death, myocardial infarction, or unplanned revascularization for ischemia), major bleeding, and the net clinical outcome, defined as the combination of composite ischemia or major bleeding. RESULTS: Bivalirudin plus a glycoprotein IIb/IIIa inhibitor, as compared with heparin plus a glycoprotein IIb/IIIa inhibitor, was associated with noninferior 30-day rates of the composite ischemia end point (7.7% and 7.3%, respectively), major bleeding (5.3% and 5.7%), and the net clinical outcome end point (11.8% and 11.7%). Bivalirudin alone, as compared with heparin plus a glycoprotein IIb/IIIa inhibitor, was associated with a noninferior rate of the composite ischemia end point (7.8% and 7.3%, respectively; P=0.32; relative risk, 1.08; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.93 to 1.24) and significantly reduced rates of major bleeding (3.0% vs. 5.7%; P<0.001; relative risk, 0.53; 95% CI, 0.43 to 0.65) and the net clinical outcome end point (10.1% vs. 11.7%; P=0.02; relative risk, 0.86; 95% CI, 0.77 to 0.97). CONCLUSIONS: In patients with moderate- or high-risk acute coronary syndromes who were undergoing invasive treatment with glycoprotein IIb/IIIa inhibitors, bivalirudin was associated with rates of ischemia and bleeding that were similar to those with heparin. Bivalirudin alone was associated with similar rates of ischemia and significantly lower rates of bleeding. (ClinicalTrials.gov number, NCT00093158 [ClinicalTrials.gov].).

Adult↗

PubMed2006

Insurance coverage and care of patients with non-ST-segment elevation acute coronary syndromes.

BACKGROUND: The impact of insurance coverage on the care of patients with non-ST-segment elevation acute coronary syndromes (NSTE ACS) is unclear. OBJECTIVE: To compare NSTE ACS care patterns by insurance type. DESIGN: Comparison of Medicaid patients younger than 65 years of age and Medicare patients 65 years of age or older with patients of similar age who have health maintenance organization (HMO) or private insurance coverage. SETTING: 521 U.S. hospitals participating in the CRUSADE (Can Rapid Risk Stratification of Unstable Angina Patients Suppress ADverse Outcomes with Early Implementation of the ACC [American College of Cardiology]/AHA [American Heart Association] Guidelines) quality improvement initiative from January 2001 through March 2005. PATIENTS: 37,345 NSTE ACS patients younger than 65 years of age and 59,550 patients 65 years of age or older. MEASUREMENTS: Guideline-recommended treatments, and in-hospital outcomes. RESULTS: Medicaid was the primary payer for 18.7% (6999 of 37,345) of patients younger than age 65 years, whereas Medicare was the primary payer for 67.5% (40,199 of 59,550) of patients age 65 years or older. Medicaid patients were statistically significantly less likely to receive short-term (less than 24 hours) medications and to undergo invasive cardiac procedures than patients covered by HMO and private insurance. They also had higher mortality rates (2.9% vs. 1.2%; adjusted odds ratio, 1.33; 95% CI, 1.08 to 1.63). Medications and invasive procedures were used to a similar extent in patients with Medicare and HMO or private insurance, and respective mortality rates were not significantly different (6.2% vs. 5.6%; adjusted odds ratio, 1.08; 95% CI, 0.99 to 1.18). LIMITATIONS: Self-pay patients and patients without insurance were not assessed. CONCLUSIONS: NSTE ACS patients with Medicaid (but not Medicare) as the primary payer were less likely to receive evidence-based therapies and had worse outcomes than patients with HMO or private insurance as the primary payer. The causes of these treatment differences and solutions for narrowing the gaps in quality require further investigation.

Aged↗

PubMed2006

Impact of carotid endarterectomy on medical secondary prevention after a stroke or a transient ischemic attack: results from the Reduction of Atherothrombosis for Continued Health (REACH) registry.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Whether a history of carotid endarterectomy influences patient compliance with medical treatments and physician attitude toward treatments after ischemic stroke or transient ischemic attack (TIA) is not well known. METHODS: We studied the baseline data of 18,467 ischemic stroke and TIA patients from the international REduction of Atherothrombosis for Continued Health (REACH) Registry and investigated the impact of a history of endarterectomy on the secondary medical prevention measured by the use of antiplatelet agents and statins, and by the control of cholesterol level, glucose level, and blood pressure. RESULTS: Among the patients with a history of ischemic stroke or TIA, those with a history of endarterectomy (n=1474) were more likely to receive antiplatelet agents and statins, to have a blood pressure <140/90 mm Hg, and a fasting total cholesterol <200 mg/dL. In diabetic patients, endarterectomy was associated with lower fasting blood glucose levels. In multivariate logistic regression analyses, endarterectomy was significantly associated with the use of antiplatelet agents (odds ratio [OR], 1.6; 95% CI, 1.3 to 1.9; P<0.0001) and statins (OR, 1.8; 1.6 to 2.0; P<0.0001), and with a cholesterol level <200 mg/dL (OR, 1.3; 1.2 to 1.5; P<0.0001). By contrast, the associations with blood pressure and blood glucose levels were no longer significant. There was no heterogeneity across the world regions or among the specialists who enrolled the patients. CONCLUSIONS: Carotid endarterectomy is associated with a higher use of antiplatelet agents and statins in stroke/TIA patients. The absence of such an association with blood pressure and blood glucose control suggests that the individual determinants of the quality of the secondary medical prevention vary from one risk factor to another and from one class of drugs to another.

Aged↗

PubMed2006

Recent trends in the care of patients with non-ST-segment elevation acute coronary syndromes: insights from the CRUSADE initiative.

BACKGROUND: The extent to which national health quality improvement initiatives have altered reported treatment gaps among patients with non-ST-segment elevation acute coronary syndromes (NSTE ACS) is unknown. We sought to determine recent trends in adherence to guideline-based therapies for NSTE ACS. METHODS: We evaluated the treatment of patients with high-risk (positive cardiac markers and/or ischemic ST-segment changes) NSTE ACS enrolled in the Can Rapid Risk Stratification of Unstable Angina Patients Suppress Adverse Outcomes With Early Implementation of the ACC/AHA (American College of Cardiology/American Heart Association) Guidelines (CRUSADE) Quality Improvement Initiative from 2002 through 2004 (a total of 113 595 patients over 11 calendar quarters). We analyzed adherence to guideline-recommended therapies, including medications used in the acute care period (<24 hours after presentation), invasive procedures, in-hospital outcomes, and discharge therapies and interventions. RESULTS: The use of each class I guideline recommendation, as well as overall adherence to the guidelines, improved significantly (P<.001) during the study period. In the acute care setting, the use of antiplatelet agents increased by 5% and beta-blockers by 12%; at hospital discharge, the use of antiplatelet agents increased by 3% and beta-blockers by 8%. Heparin use in the acute care period increased by 6%, largely owing to a 9% increase in the use of low-molecular-weight heparin. Use of glycoprotein IIb/IIIa inhibitors in the acute care period also increased by more than 13%. At discharge, clopidogrel use increased by 22%, lipid-lowering agents by 11%, and angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors by 5%. While adherence improved, many patients still failed to receive 100% indicated treatments at the end of the study period. CONCLUSIONS: During the 4 years since the initial release of the ACC/AHA guidelines for NSTE ACS, adherence to class I recommendations has significantly improved among hospitals participating in CRUSADE. Still, further improvements are needed for optimal implementation of the these guidelines.

Adrenergic beta-Antagonists↗

PubMed2006

Sex differences in major bleeding with glycoprotein IIb/IIIa inhibitors: results from the CRUSADE (Can Rapid risk stratification of Unstable angina patients Suppress ADverse outcomes with Early implementation of the ACC/AHA guidelines) initiative.

BACKGROUND: Glycoprotein (GP) IIb/IIIa inhibitors are beneficial in patients with non-ST-segment elevation acute coronary syndromes (NSTE ACS); their safe use in women, however, remains a concern. The contribution of dosing to the observed sex-related differences in bleeding is unknown. METHODS AND RESULTS: We explored the relationship between patient sex, GP IIb/IIIa inhibitor use, dose, and bleeding in 32 601 patients with NSTE ACS across 400 CRUSADE (Can Rapid risk stratification of Unstable angina patients Suppress ADverse outcomes with Early implementation of the ACC/AHA guidelines) hospitals, of whom 18 436 were treated. GP IIb/IIIa inhibitor dose was defined as excessive if not reduced when creatinine clearance was < 50 mL/min for eptifibatide or < 30 mL/min for tirofiban. Major bleeding was defined as a hematocrit drop > or = 0.12, need for transfusion, or intracranial bleeding. Major bleeding was adjusted for clinical factors and antithrombotic dose. The risk for bleeding attributable to excess GP IIb/IIIa dose was determined by sex using prevalence and adjusted odds ratios (ORs). Women had higher rates of major bleeding than men among those treated with GP IIb/IIIa inhibitors (15.7% versus 7.3%, P<0.0001) and among those not treated (8.5% versus 5.4%, P<0.0001). Despite similar serum creatinine levels, creatinine clearance averaged 20 points lower among treated women than men. Treated women were also more likely to receive excess GP IIb/IIIa doses than men (46.4% versus 17.2%, P<0.0001; adjusted OR 3.81, 95% confidence interval [CI] 3.39 to 4.27). Excess dosing was associated with increased risk of bleeding in women (OR 1.72, 95% CI 1.30 to 2.28) and men (OR 1.27, 95% CI 0.97 to 1.66); however, bleeding risk attributable to dosing was much higher in women (25.0% versus 4.4%). CONCLUSIONS: Women experience more bleeding than men whether or not they are treated with GP IIb/IIIa inhibitors; however, because of frequent excessive dosing in women, up to one fourth of this sex-related risk difference in bleeding is avoidable. Appropriate dosing will improve care of all patients with NSTE ACS, with a particular benefit for women.

Acute Disease↗

PubMed2006

Temporal trends in the use of early cardiac catheterization in patients with non-ST-segment elevation acute coronary syndromes (results from CRUSADE).

We evaluated temporal trends in the use of early (<48 hours) catheterization in patients with non-ST-segment elevation acute coronary syndromes with respect to baseline risk features since publication of the American College of Cardiology/American Heart Association guidelines, which include a class IA recommendation for an early invasive strategy for high-risk patients with non-ST-segment elevation acute coronary syndromes. Overall, we found that early catheterization use increased from 53% to 61% during the 3 years after the guidelines were released, but the increased use of early catheterization was highest (11%) in the group that was at lowest risk of predicted mortality, and it was lowest (6%) in the group at highest risk of predicted mortality who would potentially receive the most benefit from an aggressive treatment approach. In conclusion, despite the overall increase in the use of early catheterization, the gap between the use of an early invasive strategy in the highest and lowest risk patients remains large and tends to increase over time.

Acute Disease↗

PubMed2006

Challenges in predicting the need for coronary artery bypass grafting at presentation in patients with non-ST-segment elevation acute coronary syndromes.

In the case of non-ST-segment elevation acute coronary syndromes (NSTE-ACSs), the acute use of certain antiplatelet agents is complicated by concerns about perioperative bleeding risks in patients requiring coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) during the index hospitalization. As a result, clinicians often withhold potentially useful agents, such as clopidogrel, before determining patients' coronary anatomy. An accurate predictive model could allow for a better balance of this safety concern with the demonstrated benefits of agents such as clopidogrel. To create an accurate decision-making tool that would assess, at hospital presentation, the need for CABG in patients with NSTE-ACSs, we studied 61,974 high-risk patients with NSTE-ACS admitted to 311 CABG-capable hospitals participating in Can Rapid Risk Stratification of Unstable Angina Patients Suppress Adverse Outcomes With Early Implementation of the American College of Cardiology/American Heart Association Guidelines (CRUSADE) from 2001 to 2003. A total of 8,395 patients (14%) underwent CABG during their initial hospital stay. A multivariate model was developed and identified 13 presenting clinical characteristics significantly associated with the likelihood of CABG (previous CABG, male gender, previous heart failure, diabetes, hyperlipidemia, renal insufficiency, ST depression and transient ST elevation, age > or = 75 years, previous percutaneous coronary intervention, family history of coronary artery disease, hypertension, trends in CABG rates, and previous stroke). This model had only modest predictive accuracy and calibration (c-index = 0.67). In conclusion, although certain presenting clinical features are associated with an increased likelihood of CABG in patients with NSTE-ACSs during the index hospitalization, it remains difficult to reliably identify, before diagnostic angiography, those who will subsequently undergo surgical revascularization.

Acute Disease↗

PubMed2006

Acute clopidogrel use and outcomes in patients with non-ST-segment elevation acute coronary syndromes undergoing coronary artery bypass surgery.

OBJECTIVES: We sought to characterize patterns of clopidogrel use before coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) and examine the drug's impact on risks for postoperative transfusions among patients with non-ST-segment elevation acute coronary syndromes (NSTE ACS). BACKGROUND: Adherence in community practice to American College of Cardiology/American Heart Association guidelines for clopidogrel use among NSTE ACS patients has not been previously characterized. METHODS: We evaluated 2,858 NSTE ACS patients undergoing CABG at 264 hospitals participating in the CRUSADE (Can Rapid Risk Stratification of Unstable Angina Patients Suppress Adverse Outcomes With Early Implementation of the ACC/AHA Guidelines) Initiative. We examined the patterns of acute clopidogrel therapy and its association with bleeding risks among those having "early" CABG < or =5 days and again among those having "late" surgery >5 days after catheterization. RESULTS: Within 24 h of admission, 852 patients (30%) received clopidogrel. In contrast to national guidelines, 87% of clopidogrel-treated patients underwent CABG < or =5 days after treatment. Among those receiving CABG within < or =5 days of last treatment, the use of clopidogrel was associated with a significant increase in blood transfusions (65.0% vs. 56.9%, adjusted odds ratio [OR] 1.36, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.10 to 1.68) as well as the need for transfusion of > or =4 U of blood (27.7% vs. 18.4%, OR 1.70, 95% CI 1.32 to 2.19). In contrast, acute clopidogrel therapy was not associated with higher bleeding risks if CABG was delayed >5 days (adjusted OR 1.18, 95% CI 0.54 to 2.58). CONCLUSIONS: Despite guideline recommendations, the overwhelming majority of NSTE ACS patients treated with acute clopidogrel needing CABG have their surgery within < or =5 days of treatment. A failure to delay surgery is associated with increased blood transfusion requirements that must be weighed against the potential clinical and economic impacts of such delays.

Aged↗

PubMed2006

Association between hospital process performance and outcomes among patients with acute coronary syndromes.

CONTEXT: Selected care processes are increasingly being used to measure hospital quality; however, data regarding the association between hospital process performance and outcomes are limited. OBJECTIVES: To evaluate contemporary care practices consistent with the American College of Cardiology/American Heart Association (ACC/AHA) guideline recommendations, to examine how hospital performance varied among centers, to identify characteristics predictive of higher guideline adherence, and to assess whether hospitals' overall composite guideline adherence was associated with observed and risk-adjusted in-hospital mortality rates. DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS: An observational analysis of hospital care in 350 academic and nonacademic US centers of 64,775 patients enrolled in the CRUSADE (Can Rapid Risk Stratification of Unstable Angina Patients Suppress Adverse Outcomes With Early Implementation of the ACC/AHA Guidelines) National Quality Improvement Initiative between January 1, 2001, and September 30, 2003, presenting with chest pain and positive electrocardiographic changes or cardiac biomarkers consistent with non-ST-segment elevation acute coronary syndrome (ACS). MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Use of 9 ACC/AHA class I guideline-recommended treatments and the correlation among hospitals' use of individual care processes as well as overall composite adherence rates. RESULTS: Overall, the 9 ACC/AHA guideline-recommended treatments were adhered to in 74% of eligible instances. There was modest correlation in hospital performance among the individual ACS process metrics. However, composite adherence performance varied widely (median [interquartile range] composite adherence scores from lowest to highest hospital quartiles, 63% [59%-66%] vs 82% [80%-84%]). Composite guideline adherence rate was significantly associated with in-hospital mortality, with observed mortality rates decreasing from 6.31% for the lowest adherence quartile to 4.15% for the highest adherence quartile (P<.001). After risk adjustment, every 10% increase in composite adherence at a hospital was associated with an analogous 10% decrease in its patients' likelihood of in-hospital mortality (adjusted odds ratio, 0.90; 95% confidence interval, 0.84-0.97; P<.001). CONCLUSION: A significant association between care process and outcomes was found, supporting the use of broad, guideline-based performance metrics as a means of assessing and helping improve hospital quality.

Academic Medical Centers↗

PubMed2006

Impact of congestive heart failure in patients with non-ST-segment elevation acute coronary syndromes.

The presence of congestive heart failure (CHF) has been associated with treatment disparities and worse outcomes in patients with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction, but the incidence and effect of CHF in patients with non-ST-segment elevation acute coronary syndromes (NSTE ACSs) has not been well characterized. We evaluated 45,744 patients with NSTE ACS (positive cardiac markers and/or ischemic ST-segment changes) who were treated at 424 hospitals in the CRUSADE Quality Improvement Initiative between March 2000 and March 2003. Treatment patterns and in-hospital outcomes in patients with signs of CHF on presentation and those who developed in-hospital CHF were compared with those in patients without CHF. In total, 10,398 patients (22.7%) had signs of CHF on presentation, and 1,664 patients (3.6%) later developed in-hospital CHF. Compared with patients without CHF, early (<24 hours from presentation) medications and invasive cardiac procedures were used less often in patients with signs of CHF on presentation. Likewise, patients with in-hospital CHF were less likely than those without CHF to receive acute antiplatelet agents and undergo cardiac catheterization but more likely to receive acute beta blockers, angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors, and heparin and to undergo coronary artery bypass grafting. Adjusted mortality was higher in patients with signs of CHF on presentation (odds ratio 2.64, 95% confidence interval 2.31 to 3.01) and those with in-hospital CHF (odds ratio 4.93, 95% confidence interval 4.05 to 5.99) than in patients without CHF. In conclusion, CHF occurs frequently in patients with NSTE ACS but is associated with less aggressive treatment and a higher risk of mortality. Further study is needed to determine the causes of these treatment differences and the optimal therapeutic approach for patients with NSTE ACS and concomitant CHF.

Adrenergic beta-Antagonists↗

PubMed2006

Optimizing use of revascularization and clinical outcomes in ST-elevation myocardial infarction: insights from the GUSTO-V trial.

AIMS: To examine the relationship between revascularization within 7 days and 1-year mortality among ST-elevation myocardial infarction patients enrolled in GUSTO-V trial (n=13 451). To examine the relative contribution of system and patient level factors to the variation in international revascularization rates, and their impact on mortality outcomes. METHODS AND RESULTS: Patients from North America (USA, Canada), Australia, and Europe (UK, France, Germany, Italy, Spain, Poland, Norway, The Netherlands, Belgium, Finland) were included in the study. Revascularization was associated with lower 1-year mortality. Norway, Belgium, Spain, Poland, and Italy also had lower than expected revascularization rates but higher than expected mortality rates. France and USA had almost two times the expected rate of 7-day revascularization, which was associated with modest mortality benefits. Patients' propensity for revascularization based on clinical factors alone was associated with lower 1-year mortality (OR 0.97, 95% CI: 0.96-0.99). Country-level factors had an impact on propensity for revascularization but no impact on 1-year mortality. CONCLUSION: Our study reveals the potential for some countries with lower than expected 7-day revascularization rates to improve their clinical outcomes. Also highlighted is the possibility for more economically efficient delivery of care in USA and France.

Adult↗

PubMed2006

Clopidogrel to treat patients with non-ST-segment elevation acute coronary syndromes after hospital discharge.

BACKGROUND: Clopidogrel added to aspirin improved outcomes after hospitalization in patients with non-ST-segment elevation acute coronary syndromes (NSTE ACS) in the Clopidogrel in Unstable angina to prevent Recurrent Events (CURE) trial, regardless of in-hospital treatment approach. The American College of Cardiology/American Heart Association (ACC/AHA) Guidelines for treating NSTE ACS thus recommend prescribing clopidogrel plus aspirin at discharge for all patients, not just for those undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). METHODS: We studied 61 052 patients with high-risk NSTE ACS (defined as the presence of positive cardiac markers and/or ischemic ST-segment changes) from January 2002 through December 2003 at 461 US hospitals participating in the CRUSADE (Can Rapid Risk Stratification of Unstable Angina Patients Suppress Adverse Outcomes With Early Implementation of the ACC/AHA Guidelines) Quality Improvement Initiative. We evaluated temporal trends of clopidogrel use at discharge since the ACC/AHA 2002 Guidelines update and examined variables associated with clopidogrel use in patients who did not undergo PCI. RESULTS: A total of 34 319 patients (56.2%) received clopidogrel when they were discharged from the hospital. Among patients who did not undergo PCI, variables associated with receiving clopidogrel at discharge included prior PCI, coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG), stroke, or myocardial infarction; hypercholesterolemia; elevated cardiac markers; and cardiology inpatient care. By late 2003, 96.3% of patients who underwent PCI received clopidogrel at discharge, compared with 42.8% of patients who did not undergo cardiac catheterization and 23.5% of the patients who underwent CABG, although clopidogrel prescription at discharge increased in each of these treatment groups from 2002 to 2003. CONCLUSION: Since release of the ACC/AHA Guidelines recommendations for treatment of NSTE ACS, prescription of clopidogrel at hospital discharge in patients with NSTE ACS who are treated with medical therapy alone and in those who undergo CABG has increased, but most of these patients still do not receive clopidogrel at discharge.

Aged↗

PubMed2006

Influence of imprecision on ROC curve analysis for cardiac markers.

BACKGROUND: There has been considerable debate regarding the impact of assay imprecision on the performance of cardiac biomarkers for diagnosis of acute coronary syndromes (ACS) and risk stratification for future adverse cardiac events. METHODS: Using existing data from 2 published clinical trials, we used a resampling method to statistically introduce 5%, 10%, and 20% imprecision to results for B-type natriuretic peptide (BNP) and cardiac troponin I (cTnI) and examined its impact on ROC curve analysis. RESULTS: Superimposition of artificial imprecision produced no significant difference in the area under the ROC curve observed for BNP for diagnosis of heart failure or for cTnI for 30-day risk stratification of patients with ACS. CONCLUSION: Assay imprecision does not appear to be a critical determinant in the interpretation of cardiac marker results for patients with heart disease.

Acute Disease↗

PubMed2006

Frequency and clinical implications of discordant creatine kinase-MB and troponin measurements in acute coronary syndromes.

OBJECTIVES: We sought to evaluate the association between discordant cardiac marker results and in-hospital mortality and treatment patterns in patients with non-ST-segment elevation acute coronary syndromes (NSTE ACS). BACKGROUND: Creatine kinase-MB (CK-MB) and cardiac troponins (cTn) are often measured concurrently in patients with NSTE ACS. The significance of discordant CK-MB and cTn results is unknown. METHODS: Among 29,357 ACS patients in the CRUSADE initiative who had both CK-MB and cTn measured during the first 36 hours, we examined relationships of four marker combinations (CK-MB-/cTn-, CK-MB+/cTn-, CK-MB-/cTn+, and CK-MB+/cTn+) with mortality and American College of Cardiology/American Heart Association guidelines-recommended acute care. RESULTS: The CK-MB and cTn results were discordant in 28% of patients (CK-MB+/cTn-, 10%; CK-MB-/cTn+, 18%). In-hospital mortality was 2.7% among CK-MB-/cTn- patients; 3.0%, CK-MB+/cTn-; 4.5%, CK-MB-/cTn+; and 5.9%, CK-MB+/cTn+. After adjustment for other presenting risk factors, patients with CK-MB+/cTn- had a mortality odds ratio (OR) of 1.02 (95% confidence interval [CI] 0.75 to 1.38), those with CK-MB-/cTn+ had an OR of 1.15 (95% CI 0.86 to 1.54), and those with CK-MB+/cTn+ had an OR of 1.53 (95% CI 1.18 to 1.98). Despite variable risk, patients with CK-MB+/cTn- and CK-MB-/cTn+ were treated similarly with early antithrombotic agents and catheter-based interventions. CONCLUSIONS: Among patients with NSTE ACS, an elevated troponin level identifies patients at increased acute risk regardless of CK-MB status, but an isolated CK-MB+ status has limited prognostic value. Recognition of these risk differences may contribute to more appropriate early use of antithrombotic therapy and invasive management for all cTn+ patients.

Aged↗

PubMed2006

International prevalence, recognition, and treatment of cardiovascular risk factors in outpatients with atherothrombosis.

CONTEXT: Atherothrombosis is the leading cause of cardiovascular morbidity and mortality around the globe. To date, no single international database has characterized the atherosclerosis risk factor profile or treatment intensity of individuals with atherothrombosis. OBJECTIVE: To determine whether atherosclerosis risk factor prevalence and treatment would demonstrate comparable patterns in many countries around the world. DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS: The Reduction of Atherothrombosis for Continued Health (REACH) Registry collected data on atherosclerosis risk factors and treatment. A total of 67,888 patients aged 45 years or older from 5473 physician practices in 44 countries had either established arterial disease (coronary artery disease [CAD], n = 40,258; cerebrovascular disease, n = 18,843; peripheral arterial disease, n = 8273) or 3 or more risk factors for atherothrombosis (n = 12,389) between 2003 and 2004. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Baseline prevalence of atherosclerosis risk factors, medication use, and degree of risk factor control. RESULTS: Atherothrombotic patients throughout the world had similar risk factor profiles: a high proportion with hypertension (81.8%), hypercholesterolemia (72.4%), and diabetes (44.3%). The prevalence of overweight (39.8%), obesity (26.6%), and morbid obesity (3.6%) were similar in most geographic locales, but was highest in North America (overweight: 37.1%, obese: 36.5%, and morbidly obese: 5.8%; P<.001 vs other regions). Patients were generally undertreated with statins (69.4% overall; range: 56.4% for cerebrovascular disease to 76.2% for CAD), antiplatelet agents (78.6% overall; range: 53.9% for > or =3 risk factors to 85.6% for CAD), and other evidence-based risk reduction therapies. Current tobacco use in patients with established vascular disease was substantial (14.4%). Undertreated hypertension (50.0% with elevated blood pressure at baseline), undiagnosed hyperglycemia (4.9%), and impaired fasting glucose (36.5% in those not known to be diabetic) were common. Among those with symptomatic atherothrombosis, 15.9% had symptomatic polyvascular disease. CONCLUSION: This large, international, contemporary database shows that classic cardiovascular risk factors are consistent and common but are largely undertreated and undercontrolled in many regions of the world.

Aged↗

PubMed2006

Aortic counterpulsation: a review of the hemodynamic effects and indications for use.

In the ever evolving field of cardiovascular medicine and coronary intervention, the intra-aortic balloon pump (IABP) is a mature technology, which still plays an important role. The balloon pump invasively supports patient hemodynamics by augmenting diastolic perfusion and increasing diastolic blood pressure, thereby increasing coronary perfusion and reducing afterload. Its efficacy has been demonstrated in a multitude of clinical situations, including acute coronary syndromes, high-risk coronary interventions, cardiogenic shock, and cardiovascular surgery. The potential complications of aortic counterpulsation are serious, although much lower than once feared. With proper patient selection, insertion technique, and management, the IABP is a powerful tool to assist in the treatment of patients with cardiovascular disease. This article will review the hemodynamics, indications, and complications associated with its use.

Angina, Unstable↗

PubMed2006

Low-molecular-weight heparin compared with unfractionated heparin for patients with non-ST-segment elevation acute coronary syndromes treated with glycoprotein IIb/IIIa inhibitors: results from the CRUSADE initiative.

BACKGROUND: Both heparin and glycoprotein (GP) IIb/IIIa inhibitor therapy and early invasive management strategies are recommended by the American College of Cardiology (ACC)/American Heart Association (AHA) guidelines for the treatment of patients with non-ST-segment elevation acute coronary syndromes (NSTE ACS). However, controversy exists about which form of heparin-unfractionated (UF) or low-molecular-weight (LMW)-is preferable. We sought to compare the efficacy and safety of these treatment strategies in a large contemporary population of patients with NSTE ACS. METHODS: Using data from the CRUSADE Initiative, we evaluated LMWH and UFH in high-risk NSTE ACS patients (positive cardiac markers and/or ischemic ST-segment changes) who had received early (< 24 hours) GP IIb/IIIa inhibitor therapy and underwent early invasive management. In-hospital outcomes were compared among treatment groups. RESULTS: From a total of 11,358 patients treated at 407 hospitals in the US from January 2002-June 2003, 6881 (60.6%) received UFH and 4477 (39.4%) received LMWH. Patients treated with UFH were more often admitted to a cardiology inpatient service (73.6% vs. 65.5%, P < 0.0001) and more frequently underwent diagnostic catheterization (91.8% vs. 85.9%, P < 0.0001) and percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) (69.7% vs. 56.9%, P < 0.0001) than patients treated with LMWH. The point estimate of the adjusted risk of in-hospital death or reinfarction was slightly lower among patients treated with LMWH (odds ratio [OR] 0.81, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.67-0.99) and the risk of red blood cell transfusion was similar (OR 1.01, 95% CI 0.89-1.15). Among patients who underwent PCI within 48 hours, adjusted rates of death (OR 1.14, 95% CI 0.71-1.85), death or reinfarction (OR 0.93, 0.67-1.31), and transfusion (OR 1.16, 0.89-1.50) were similar. Patients who underwent PCI more than 48 hours into hospitalization had reduced rates of death (OR 0.64, 0.46-0.88), death or reinfarction (OR 0.57, 0.44-0.73), and transfusion (OR 0.66, 0.52-0.84). CONCLUSIONS: In routine clinical practice, patients treated with GP IIb/IIIa inhibitors have slightly improved outcomes and similar bleeding risks with LMWH than with UFH. These findings are consistent with current ACC/AHA guidelines but raise important questions about the safety and effectiveness of antithrombotic therapy in real-world clinical practice. Using data from the CRUSADE Initiative, we evaluated low-molecular-weight heparin (LMWH) and unfractionated heparin (UFH) in high-risk patients with non-ST-segment elevation acute coronary syndromes (NSTE ACS) who received early (<24 hours) glycoprotein (GP) IIb/IIIa inhibitors and early invasive management. In-hospital outcomes were compared among treatment groups. LMWH was associated with slightly improved clinical outcomes and similar rates of transfusion compared with UFH. Our results support the current ACC/AHA guidelines recommendations but raise concerns about the safety and efficacy of UFH in the setting of background use of upstream GP IIb/IIIa inhibitors for patients with NSTE ACS in routine clinical practice.

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