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Background: CABG and PCI are effective means for revascularization of patients with multi-vessel coronary artery disease, but previous studies have not focused on treatment of patients that first undergo primary PCI., Methods: Among patients enrolled in the global registry of acute coronary events (GRACE), clinical outcomes for patients presenting with STEMI treated with primary PCI were compared according to whether residual stenoses were treated medically, surgically, or with staged PCI. Clinical characteristics and data pertaining to major adverse cardiac events during hospitalization and 6 months after discharge were collected., Results: Of the 1,705 patients included, 1,345 (79%) patients were treated medically, 303 (18%) underwent staged PCI, and 57 (3.3%) underwent CABG following primary PCI. Hospital mortality was lowest among patients treated with staged PCI (Medical = 5.7%; PCI = 0.7%; CABG = 3.5%; P < 0.001 [PCI vs. Medical]), a finding that persisted after risk adjustment (Odds Ratio PCI vs. Medical 5 0.16, [0.04-0.68]; P 5 0.01). Six month postdischarge mortality likewise was lowest in the staged PCI group (Medical = 3.1%; PCI = 0.8%; CABG = 4.0%; P = 0.04 [PCI vs. Medical]). Patients revascularized surgically were rehospitalized less frequently (Medical = 20%; PCI = 19%; CABG = 6.3%; P < 0.05) and underwent fewer unscheduled procedures (Medical 5 9.8%; PCI = 10.0%; CABG = 0.0%; P < 0.02)., Conclusions: The results of this multinational registry demonstrate that hospital mortality in patients who undergo staged percutaneous revascularization of multivessel coronary disease following primary PCI is very low. Patients undergoing CABG following primary PCI are hospitalized less frequently and undergo fewer unplanned catheter-based procedures., (© 2011 Wiley-Liss, Inc.)

Purpose: To identify patient and health care factors which are related to the use of medical treatments that comprise quality measures and to assess the relation of these measures with mortality., Methods: The study sample consisted of 20 140 patients with acute coronary syndromes from the international GRACE registry. Multivariable logistic regression modeling was used to determine predictors of quality performance. Quality indicators were use of aspirin and beta-blockers within 24 hours and at hospital discharge, use of angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors at discharge, and in-hospital mortality., Results: Use of medications in eligible patients at discharge ranged from 73% for ACE inhibitors to 93% for aspirin. High-risk features (eg, heart failure, older age) were related to failure to use aspirin and beta-blockers. Being at a teaching hospital and care by a cardiologist were associated with better use of aspirin and beta-blockers. Coronary artery bypass surgery was associated with failure to use ACE inhibitors and aspirin. When hospitals were divided into quartiles of quality performance, adjusted in-hospital mortality was 4.1% in the top versus 5.6% in the bottom quartile, representing a 27% (95% confidence interval: 11% to 42%) lower relative mortality., Conclusion: Identification of factors associated with failure to use proven treatments, including high-risk groups that would derive particular benefit from effective therapies, provides an opportunity to focus quality improvement interventions. The association of lower hospital mortality with better use of selected medical treatments supports their measurement to improve quality of care.