Management and outcomes of patients with acute coronary syndromes in Australia and New Zealand, 2000-2007

Bernadette Aliprandi-Costa, Isuru Ranasinghe, Vincent Chow, Shruti Kapila, Craig Juergens, Gerard Devlin, John Elliott, Jeff Lefkowitz, David B. Brieger

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

32 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

Objectives: To describe temporal trends in the use of evidence-based medical therapies and management of patients with acute coronary syndromes (ACS) in Australia and New Zealand. Design, setting and participants: Our analysis of the Australian and New Zealand cohort of the Global Registry of Acute Coronary Events (GRACE) included patients with ST-segment-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) and non-ST-segment-elevation ACS (NSTEACS) enrolled continuously between January 2000 and December 2007 from 11 metropolitan and rural centres in Australia and New Zealand. Results: 5615 patients were included in this analysis (1723 with STEMI; 3892 with NSTEACS). During 2000-2007 there was an increase in the use of statin therapy, angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors or angiotensin receptor blockers, and thienopyridines (P < 0.0001 for each). Among patients with STEMI, there was an increase in emergency revascularisation with PCI (from 11% to 27% [P<0.0001]), and inhospital coronary angiography (from 61% to 76% [P < 0.0001]). Among patients with NSTEACS, there was an increase in revascularisation with PCI (from 20% to 25% [P =0.004]). Heart failure rates declined substantially among STEMI and NSTEACS patients (from 21% to 12% [P=0.0002], and from 13% to 4% [P<0.0001], respectively) as did rates of hospital readmission for ischaemic heart disease at 6 months (from 23% to 9% [P=0.0001], and from 24% to 15% [P=0.0001], respectively). Conclusions: From 2000 to 2007 in Australia and New Zealand, there was a fall in inhospital events and 6-month readmissions among patients admitted with ACS. This showed an association with improved uptake of guideline-recommended medical and interventional therapies. These data suggest an overall improvement in the quality of care offered to contemporary ACS patients in Australia and New Zealand.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)116-121
Number of pages6
JournalMedical Journal of Australia
Volume195
Issue number3
Publication statusPublished - 1 Aug 2011
Externally publishedYes

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