Annica Ravn-Fischer

Oxygen Therapy in Suspected Acute Myocardial Infarction

BACKGROUND The clinical effect of routine oxygen therapy in patients with suspected acute myocardial infarction who do not have hypoxemia at baseline is uncertain. METHODS In this registry‐based randomized clinical trial, we used nationwide Swedish registries for patient enrollment and data collection. Patients with suspected myocardial infarction and an oxygen saturation of 90% or higher were randomly assigned to receive either supplemental oxygen (6 liters per minute for 6 to 12 hours, delivered through an open face mask) or ambient air. RESULTS A total of 6629 patients were enrolled. The median duration of oxygen therapy was 11.6 hours, and the median oxygen saturation at the end of the treatment period was 99% among patients assigned to oxygen and 97% among patients assigned to ambient air. Hypoxemia developed in 62 patients (1.9%) in the oxygen group, as compared with 254 patients (7.7%) in the ambient‐air group. The median of the highest troponin level during hospitalization was 946.5 ng per liter in the oxygen group and 983.0 ng per liter in the ambient‐air group. The primary end point of death from any cause within 1 year after randomization occurred in 5.0% of patients (166 of 3311) assigned to oxygen and in 5.1% of patients (168 of 3318) assigned to ambient air (hazard ratio, 0.97; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.79 to 1.21; P=0.80). Rehospitalization with myocardial infarction within 1 year occurred in 126 patients (3.8%) assigned to oxygen and in 111 patients (3.3%) assigned to ambient air (hazard ratio, 1.13; 95% CI, 0.88 to 1.46; P=0.33). The results were consistent across all predefined subgroups. CONCLUSIONS Routine use of supplemental oxygen in patients with suspected myocardial infarction who did not have hypoxemia was not found to reduce 1‐year all‐cause mortality. (Funded by the Swedish Heart–Lung Foundation and others; DETO2X‐AMI ClinicalTrials.gov number, NCT01787110.)

Improved outcomes in patients with ST-elevation myocardial infarction during the last 20 years are related to implementation of evidence-based treatments : experiences from the SWEDEHEART registry 1995-2014

Abstract Aims Impact of changes of treatments on outcomes in ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) patients in real-life health care has not been documented. Methods and results All STEMI cases (n = 105.674) registered in the nation-wide SWEDEHEART registry between 1995 and 2014 were included and followed for fatal and non-fatal outcomes for up to 20 years. Most changes in treatment and outcomes occurred from 1994 to 2008. Evidence-based treatments increased: reperfusion from 66.2 to 81.7%; primary percutaneous coronary intervention: 4.5 to 78.0%; dual antiplatelet therapy from 0 to 89.6%; statin: 14.1 to 93.6%; beta-blocker: 78.2 to 91.0%, and angiotensin-converting-enzyme/angiotensin-2-receptor inhibitors: 40.8 to 85.2% (P-value for-trend <0.001 for all). One-year mortality decreased from 22.1 to 14.1%. Standardized incidence ratio compared with the general population decreased from 5.54 to 3.74 (P < 0.001). Cardiovascular (CV) death decreased from 20.1 to 11.1%, myocardial infarction (MI) from 11.5 to 5.8%; stroke from 2.9 to 2.1%; heart failure from 7.1 to 6.2%. After standardization for differences in demography and baseline characteristics, the change of 1-year CV-death or MI corresponded to a linear trend of 0.915 (95% confidence interval: 0.906–0.923) per 2-year period which no longer was significant, 0.997 (0.984–1.009), after adjustment for changes in treatment. The changes in treatment and outcomes were most pronounced from 1994 to 2008. Conclusion Gradual implementation of new and established evidence-based treatments in STEMI patients during the last 20 years has been associated with prolonged survival and lower risk of recurrent ischaemic events, although a plateauing is seen since around 2008.

Inequalities in the early treatment of women and men with acute chest pain

PURPOSE The aim of this study was to identify sex differences in the early chain of care for patients with chest pain. DESIGN This is a retrospective study performed at 3 centers including all patients admitted to the emergency department because of chest pain, during a 3-month period in 2008, in the municipality of Göteborg. Chest pain or discomfort in the chest was the only inclusion criterion. There were no exclusion criteria. DATA SOURCES Data were retrospectively collected from ambulance and medical records and electrocardiogram (ECG), echocardiography, and laboratory databases. MAIN FINDINGS A total of 2588 visits (1248 women and 1340 men) made by 2393 patients were included. When adjusting for baseline variables, female sex was significantly associated with a prolonged delay time (defined as above median) between (a) admission to hospital and admission to a hospital ward (odds ratio [OR], 1.59; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.25-2.03), (b) first physical contact and first dose of aspirin (OR, 2.22; 95% CI, 1.30-3.82), and (c) admission to hospital and coronary angiography (OR, 2.50; 95% CI, 1.29-5.13). Delay time to the first ECG recording did not differ significantly between women and men. PRINCIPAL CONCLUSIONS Among patients hospitalized due to chest pain, when adjusting for differences at baseline, female sex was associated with a prolonged delay time until admission to a hospital ward, to administration of aspirin, and to performing a coronary angiography. There was no difference in delay to the first ECG recording.

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

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

Chain of care in chest pain — Differences between three hospitals in an urban area

AIM To describe differences in treatment and delay times in acute chest pain at the three hospitals in Göteborg, Sweden. METHODS All patients admitted to the three hospitals within Sahlgrenska University (SU) (Sahlgrenska: SU/S, Östra: SU/Ö and Mölndal: SU/M) with acute chest pain during 3 months in 2008 were evaluated for diagnosis, early treatment and outcome. RESULTS In all, 2588 visits by 2393 patients were included (visits n=1253 SU/S; n=853 SU/Ö; n=482 SU/M) of which 50%, 63% and 51% were hospitalised (p<0.0001). Among hospitalised patients, a diagnosis of ACS was reported in 26%, 9% and 22% respectively (p<0.0001). Among ACS patients, 83%, 66% and 57% respectively underwent coronary angiography (p=0.004). The median delay to coronary angiography in ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) was 42 min at SU/S, 3h 47 min at SU/Ö and 2h 34 min at SU/M (p=0.008). The corresponding values for coronary angiography in unstable coronary artery disease were 42h 7min, 48h 35 min and 123h 42 min (p=0.007). Overall mortality at 30 days was 3.6%, 3.2% and 1.5% (NS) and, at 1 year, it was 9.9%, 9.6% and 7.3% respectively (NS). CONCLUSION In acute chest pain in the Municipality of Göteborg, there was a marked difference between hospitals in: 1) the percentage of hospitalised patients, 2) the percentage of ACS among hospitalised patients and 3) the delay to and rate of coronary angiography. The clinical consequences of these deviations remain to be proven.

Prehospital ECG signs of acute coronary occlusion are associated with reduced one-year mortality

BACKGROUND We wanted to evaluate predictors of direct admittance to a coronary care unit (CCU) and predictors of death in patients with suspected acute coronary syndromes (ACS). METHODS During 2004-2007, all consecutive prehospitally triaged patients with suspected ACS were prospectively included. Prehospital and emergency data were collected at point of care. Data from medical records, ECG-, echocardiography- and laboratory databases was collected retrospectively. RESULTS In all, 2757 patients were included. Out of these 858 were directly admitted to the CCU or cath/lab. Predictors for direct admittance to the CCU were ST-segment elevation on the initial ECG; odds ratio (OR) 46.11, left bundle branch block; OR 3.30, ongoing symptoms; OR 2.90, current smoking; OR 2.18 and ST-segment depression; OR 2.05. Independent predictors for 1-year mortality were cardiogenic shock; OR 14.40, increasing age OR (per year) 1.08, diabetes; OR 2.09 and chronic heart failure; OR 1.67. ST-segment elevation was associated with a lower 1-year mortality rate; OR 0.52. CONCLUSIONS Among patients with a suspected ACS, prehospital ECG-signs indicating an acute coronary occlusion were not only a predictor for direct admission to acute coronary care but also a predictor for increased survival. To improve future outcome in acute ischemic heart diseases we must find and treat not only the STEMIs but also the high-risk NSTEMIs that otherwise would have a poor prognosis.

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

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

Is early treatment of acute chest pain provided sooner to patients who speak the national language

OBJECTIVE Identify differences in the early treatment of acute chest pain patients with regard to the language proficiency of patients and thus identify opportunities for improving equity in cardiac care. DESIGN Retrospective cross-sectional study comparing care delivered to Swedish-speaking (SS) and non-Swedish-speaking (NSS) patients. SETTING A Swedish university hospital that provides highly specialized care to 1.6 million inhabitants. PARTICIPANTS All patients with acute chest pain or symptoms suggestive of acute coronary syndrome who sought care between mid-September and mid-December 2008 (2588 visits). Missing data on the patient group to which study subjects belonged were 2% (45 visits). NSS represented 8% of the 2543 visits (NSS = 2334; NNSS = 209). MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S) Delay times from arrival in hospital to admission to catheterization laboratory or ward (ΔTHOSP-PCI), first physical contact to first electrocardiogram (ΔTCONTACT-ECG), first physical contact to first aspirin (ΔTCONTACT-ASA) and arrival in hospital to coronary angiography (ΔTHOSP-ANGIO). Also included baseline characteristics of patients, diagnosis and findings in hospital and secondary preventive activities. RESULTS The median ΔTHOSP-PCI was longer for NSS by 43 min [254 versus 211, 95% confidence interval (CI), odds ratio (OR) = (1.3; 2.8)]. The median ΔTCONTACT-ECG and ΔTHOSP-ANGIO were longer for NSS by 4 min [17 versus 13, 95% CI, OR = (0.8; 1.8)] and 14 h [44 versus 30, 95% CI, OR = (0.6; 3.6)], respectively. Conversely, the median ΔTCONTACT-ASA was longer for SS by 20 min [81 versus 61, 95% CI, OR = (0.3; 1.6)]. CONCLUSIONS Poorer language proficiency was associated with longer delay time from arrival in hospital to admission to catheterization laboratory or ward. No other delay times were found to be statistically significantly different with respect to the language proficiency of patients.

Relations between implementation of new treatments and improved outcomes in patients with non-ST-elevation myocardial infarction during the last 20 years: experiences from SWEDEHEART registry 1995 to 2014

Aims We assessed the changes in short- and long-term outcomes and their relation to implementation of new evidence-based treatments in all patients with non-ST-elevation myocardial infarction (NSTEMI) in Sweden over 20 years. Methods and results Cases with NSTEMI (n = 205 693) between 1995 and 2014 were included from the nationwide Swedish Web-System for Enhancement and Development of Evidence-Based Care in Heart Disease Evaluated According to Recommended Therapies (SWEDEHEART) registry. During 20 years in-hospital invasive procedures increased from 1.9% to 73.2%, percutaneous coronary intervention or coronary artery bypass grafting 6.5% to 58.1%, dual antiplatelet medication 0% to 72.7%, statins 13.3% to 85.6%, and angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors/angiotensin II receptor blocker 36.8% to 75.5%. The standardized 1-year mortality ratio compared with a control population decreased from 5.53 [95% confidence interval (CI) 5.30-5.75] to 3.03 (95% CI 2.89-3.19). If patients admitted the first 2 years were modelled to receive the same invasive treatments as the last 2 years the expected mortality/myocardial infarction (MI) rate would be reduced from 33.0% to 25.0%. After adjusting for differences in baseline characteristics, the change of 1-year cardiovascular death/MI corresponded to a linearly decreasing odds ratio trend of 0.930 (95% CI 0.926-0.935) per 2-year period. This trend was substantially attenuated [0.970 (95% CI 0.964-0.975)] after adjusting for changes in coronary interventions, and almost eliminated [0.988 (95% CI 0.982-0.994)] after also adjusting for changes in discharge medications. Conclusion In NSTEMI patients during the last 20 years, there has been a substantial improvement in long-term survival and reduction in the risk of new cardiovascular events. These improvements seem mainly explained by the gradual uptake and widespread use of in-hospital coronary interventions and evidence-based long-term medications.

Measurements of time intervals after in-hospital cardiac arrest give important information but can be further improved

Measurements of time intervals after in-hospital cardiac arrest give important information but can be further improved.