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Background To investigate the diagnostic performance of native cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) T1 and T2 mapping for cardiac iron overload (CIO) in thalassemia patients. Methods All thalassemia patients who underwent CMR were enrolled on a clinical 1.5T scanner. Native T1 mapping with the Modified Look-Locker Inversion recovery (MOLLI) technique, T2 mapping using a black-blood multi-echo spin-echo technique, and conventional T2* mapping using multi-echo gradient-echo techniques were performed. CIO was defined by a T2* of < 20 ms; while severe CIO was considered as < 10 ms. Results A total of 200 patients were enrolled in the study (23.9 ± 14.6 years old [mean ± SD], 102 male). Among these, 8 patients (4.0%) had CIO. Both native T1 and T2 times were significant different among patients with no CIO, mild-to-moderate CIO, and severe CIO (1012.7 ± 57.7 vs. 846.4 ± 34.4 vs 601.3 ± 34.6 ms for T1, p < 0.05; 59.6 ± 6.5 vs. 48.7 ± 2.5 vs. 32.8 ± 1.2 ms for T2, p < 0.05). The best cut-off values for detection of CIO were 887 and 52 ms for T1 and T2, respectively. This yielded a sensitivity, specificity and area under the curve (AUC) of 100%, 98.4% and 0.997 respectively for T1, in comparison to 100%, 88.8% and 0.961 respectively for T2. Conclusions Native T1 mapping can differentiate between severe, mild-to-moderate, and no CIO, which appears to be a promising technique for detection and assessment of myocardial iron. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease is a global health burden. However, there are heterogeneities among countries or regions in the risk factors and clinical manifestations of atherosclerotic diseases as well as management patterns.Methods: We collected data from 25 centres in Thailand. Patients with documented coronary artery disease, cerebrovascular disease or peripheral arterial disease, or with at least three atherosclerosis risk factors were enrolled between April 2011 and March 2014. Data on demographics, atherosclerosis risk factors and the management pattern of risk factors, including laboratory findings, were recorded.Results: In total, 9,390 patients, including 4,861 patients with established atherosclerotic disease and 4,529 patients with multiple risk factors, were enrolled. The modifiable risk factors, other than current smoking habit (5.3%), were common: hypertension (83.8%), dyslipidaemia (85.9%) and diabetes mellitus (57.4%). A majority of patients with hypertension (96.3%), dyslipidaemia (93.8%) and diabetes mellitus (78.5%) received medications for their conditions. Antiplatelet agents were given to 73.9% of patients. The undertreatment rate of cardiovascular risk factors, such as blood pressure, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, haemoglobin A1c and smoking status, was 35.8%, 59.0%, 45.3% and 5.3%, respectively.Conclusion: Conventional atherosclerosis risk factors were common among Thai patients with established atherosclerotic disease. Even though most of the patients received recommended treatments according to established guidelines, a significant proportion of them were undertreated for atherosclerosis risk factors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Prevalence of cardiac and liver iron overload in patients with thalassemia in real-world practice may vary among different regions especially in the era of widely-used iron chelation therapy. The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of cardiac and liver iron overload in and the management patterns of patients with thalassemia in real-world practice in Thailand. We established a multicenter registry for patients with thalassemia who underwent magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) as part of their clinical evaluation. All enrolled patients underwent cardiac and liver MRI for assessment of iron overload. There were a total of 405 patients enrolled in this study. The mean age of patients was 18.8 ± 12.5 years and 46.7% were male. Two hundred ninety-six (73.1%) of patients received regular blood transfusion. Prevalence of cardiac iron overload (CIO) and liver iron overload (LIO) was 5.2% and 56.8%, respectively. Independent predictors for iron overload from laboratory information were serum ferritin and transaminase for both CIO and LIO. Serum ferritin can be used as a screening tool to rule-out CIO and to diagnose LIO. Iron chelation therapy was given in 74.6%; 15.3% as a combination therapy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Hypertension and chronic kidney disease (CKD) are common conditions and both are major risk factors for cardiovascular events. The objectives were 1) to study the prevalence of CKD in hypertensive patients and 2) to study the association of CKD with cardiac and vascular complications in a multicenter, nation-wide fashion.Methods: This cross-sectional study evaluated patients aged 20 years or older who were diagnosed with hypertension and who had been treated for at least 12 months at 831 public hospitals in Thailand during the 2012 study period. Outcome measurements included calculated glomerular filtration rate (GFR) and cardiac and vascular complications that included coronary artery disease, stroke, peripheral arterial disease, heart failure, and atrial fibrillation. Multivariable modeling was conducted to determine independent factors associated with increased risk of cardiac and vascular complications.Results: A total of 28770 patients were enrolled. Average age was 62.8 years and 37% were male. Prevalence of CKD stage 3 and 4-5 was 33.2 and 4.3%, respectively. Prevalence of cardiac and vascular complications was 10.5% (5% having coronary artery disease, 3.9% stroke, 1.7% heart failure, and 1.2% atrial fibrillation). CKD was an independent risk factor associated with each of the complications and overall cardiac and vascular complications with an adjusted Odds ratio of 1.4 for CKD stage 3 and 1.9 for CKD stage 4-5.Conclusion: Prevalence of CKD stage 3-5 in hypertensive population was 37.5%. CKD is an independent risk factor for adverse cardiac and vascular outcome. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: To describe real-world inter-hospital transfer patterns for ACS patients in Asia in terms of surgical facilities. Background: Little is known about acute coronary syndromes (ACS) management and inter-hospital transfer, and any role of on- or off-site catheterization laboratory (cath lab) facilities in Asia. Results: EPICOR Asia (NCT01361386) is a prospective, multi-country, observational, cohort study of 12,922 ACS patients surviving to hospital discharge (51.2% ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction [STEMI], and 48.8% non-STEMI-ACS [19.9% non-NSTEMI, 28.9% unstable angina]). Patients were enrolled in Asia (218 hospitals/eight countries and regions) between June 2011 and May 2012 and categorized as non-transferred or transferred (latter includes patients transferred-in from another hospital and discharged, or transferred-out to a second hospital but discharged from their initial hospital after transfer back). Results: Most (82.9%) ACS patients were non-transferred, 16.9% were transferred-in and 0.2% transferred-out. Admission hospitals for most patients non-transferred (97.6%) had cath lab facilities while most transferred patients (83.5%) were initially admitted to a hospital without cath lab facilities and transferred to a hospital with facilities. The most frequent reasons for transfer were need for primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) in STEMI, elective/routine PCI, and more advanced care, irrespective of diagnosis. Median times from symptom-onset to catheterization were consistently longer for patients who were transferred versus those who were not. Conclusions: In Asia, lack of either on-site cath lab facilities or need for more advanced care are frequent reasons for inter-hospital transfer in ACS. Follow-up of such patients will help evaluate if patterns of transfer affect outcomes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Matching supply side of the Internal Medicine (IM) subspecialists to the demand for complex medical care at referral medical centers would lead to more efficient health system management and ultimately optimal clinical outcome. The second decade of the universal health coverage policy in Thailand has raised the awareness on how to reach equitable utilization goals of good quality medical services, while barriers of accession have been removed. More accurate evidence-based human resource planning is timely needed. Objective: To estimate the number of the ten subspecialists in internal medicine (neurologist, cardiologist, endocrinologist, gastroenterologist and hepatologist, nephrologist, hematologist, oncologist, rheumatologist, pulmonologist, and infectious disease specialist) needed for complex medical care based on the workload in the year 2013. Material and Method: The present study applied a needs assessment model with evidence-based approach. Claimed data of inpatients in the year 2013 from the three government insurance schemes (the Civil Servant Medical Benefit, the Social Security and the Universal Health Coverage schemes), and out-patient data from Universal Coverage System were used to estimate demand for subspecialists. The Human Resource Working Group of the Royal College of Physicians of Thailand agreed on the conceptual framework to estimate the need for ten subspecialists based on clinical activities of outpatient consultations, inpatient ward rounds and non-operating room procedures on medical cases of respective diagnosis related group with severe and catastrophic comorbidities and complications by the Thai-DRG version 5. Representatives from the Associations of IM subspecialties approved the lists of ICD-10 diagnosis and ICD-9-CM procedure codes specific to each subspecialist care and proposed assumptions on rates of consultations from other specialists. Surveys were done to subspecialists in 6 major provincial clusters and representatives from IM subspecialty Associations asking time spent on main activities of patient care. The number of full-time-equivalent (FTE) subspecialists needed was calculated by multiplying the clinical workloads measured in minutes spent for each activity (ward round, ward work, inpatient and outpatient consultations) to get the total time needed, then divided by the available time for clinical activity of one subspecialist. Results: From 5.9 million inpatient discharges in the year 2013, primary responsibility of patients in respective severe and catastrophic DRGs related to specific subspecialist workloads were summed up for teaching hospitals and regional hospitals ranging from as lowest the 2,849 cases for rheumatology to the highest 24,610 cases for gastroenterology and hepatology. The number of inpatient non-operating room procedures by ICD-9-CM as listed by IM subspecialty Associations ranged from 8 times for endocrinologists to 22,927 times for cardiologists for the whole year. Of ten subspecialists, the estimated numbers of cardiologist, nephrologist, neurologist, gastroenterologist and hepatologist, endocrinologist, oncologist, rheumatologist, hematologist, pulmonologist and infectious disease subspecialist needed at teaching and regional hospitals were 516, 241; 345, 144; 312, 143; 195, 124; 189, 45; 137, 170; 90, 47; 96, 111; 203, 87 and; 129, 44 respectively according to the workload recorded in the year 2013. The forecast FTE found the overall gap of discrepancy at 7 percent. If the distributions of these subspecialists in public and private hospitals were taken into account, the gap of discrepancy in public hospitals increased to 47 percent. Conclusion: The demand-based forecast for the number of subspecialist needed was made possible with assumptions on conceptual framework for case selection, the rates of consultation and time-spent related to activities of patient care. The estimated numbers of subspecialists were anticipated far from optimum since the workload in the year 2013 was derived as a consequence of pre-existing suboptimal infrastructure of healthcare system. In addition, the deficit of subspecialists may increase in the near future when highly efficient, non- or mildly invasive, time-consuming procedures of acute illness increase. Sustainable matching demand and supply of human resource for health needed further validations of these assumptions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The common pathophysiological consequences of chronic mitral regurgitation (MR) are left atrial (LA) remodeling/dilatation and pulmonary hypertension (PH). We aimed to study the association between LA volume (LAV) and PH in patients with chronic organic MR.Methods: We prospectively studied 154 patients (age 55.0 ± 16.4 years, 39.6 % female) with isolated moderate to severe chronic organic MR. Severity of MR was assessed using proximal isovelocity surface area method. LAV was assessed using the area-length biplane method. PH was defined as pulmonary artery systolic pressure > 50 mmHg.Results: Ruptured chordae and flail leaflets were the most common etiology of MR (53.2 %). Severe MR (effective regurgitant orifice area (EROA) > 40 mm(2)) was described in 123 (79.9 %) patients. Dyspnea, history of heart failure and atrial fibrillation was reported in 37.7 %, 20.1 % and 29.4 % of patients, respectively. Left ventricular (LV) ejection fraction was 68.1 ± 5.9 %. LAV index and EROA were 67.1 (24.7-391.3) ml/m(2)and 60.3 (10.5-250.9) mm(2), respectively. Age, presence of atrial fibrillation, EROA, LV end-systolic and end-diastolic volume, LV mass index, LAV index and tricuspid annular plane systolic excursion were all factors univariately associated with PH. In multiple logistic regression analysis, age (OR = 1.03, 95 % CI: 1.001-1.06, p = 0.04), EROA (OR = 1.02, 95 % CI: 1.003-1.03, p = 0.017) and LAV index (OR = 1.01, 95 % CI: 1.002-1.02, p = 0.021) were independently associated with PH.Conclusions: In patients with chronic organic MR, a significant association exists between LAV index and PH. Age, the severity of MR as assessed by EROA, and LAV index are the independent determinants of PH. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Hypertension is a common disease, and hypertensive patients are at increased risk of cardiovascular events. The prevalence and socioeconomic burden of hypertension in the Asia-Pacific region are predicted to increase in the coming decades. Effective blood pressure lowering reduces overall cardiovascular morbidity and mortality in patients, yet doubt has been raised regarding the use of (mainly older generation) β-blockers as initial therapy in hypertension. Consequently, several international treatment guidelines do not recommend β-blockers for the treatment of hypertension. However, in contrast to first-generation and second-generation β-blockers, the third-generation, vasodilating β-blocker nebivolol has a considerably better metabolic, haemodynamic and side effect profile. In addition to providing effective blood pressure control similar to other β-blockers and drugs from other antihypertensive classes, nebivolol exerts a dual mechanism for increasing the bioavailability of the naturally occurring vasodilator nitric oxide. The clinical benefits and significance of enhancing nitric oxide levels in hypertensive patients have been shown in direct comparisons of nebivolol with other β- blockers. While β-blockers generally provide comparable blood pressure reductions, only nebivolol demonstrated enhanced vasodilation and blood flow by increasing the expression of endothelial nitric oxide synthase and therefore increasing nitric oxide release from the endothelium. In contrast to other β-blockers, therefore, it has been suggested that nebivolol has beneficial effects in several hypertensive subgroups due to its vasodilating properties. Considering the existing data, it may be timely for treatment guidelines to recommend thirdgeneration vasodilating β-blockers as a first-line option for the pharmacotherapy of hypertension. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aims Since patients with Brugada syndrome usually have symptoms at nighttime, we hypothesize that changes in autonomic modulation have an important role in the occurrence of the ventricular fibrillation episodes. The objective of this study was to determine the changes in heart rate variability (HRV) in patients with Brugada syndrome compared to asymptomatic subjects with Brugada ECG and controls.Methods and results We studied 17 patients with Brugada syndrome, 10 asymptomatic subjects with Brugada ECG and 45 controls. Patients with Brugada syndrome and asymptomatic subjects with Brugada ECG underwent echocardiography, exercise stress testing, 24-h Holter monitoring, signal-averaged ECG. Patients with Brugada syndrome also underwent coronary angiography and electrophysiologic study. Time domain and frequency domain HRV analysis were performed at daytime and nighttime. The results of this study showed that patients with Brugada syndrome had lower HRV or lower vagal tone at night compared to the controls. They also had lower heart rate during the day and higher during the night compared to asymptomatic subjects and the controls.Conclusion Patients with Brugada syndrome had low heart rate variability at night which may predispose to the occurrence of VF episodes. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is associated with increased risk of stroke, major bleeding, morbidity and overall mortality in atrial fibrillation patients. The aim of this study is to demonstrate the effect of different eGFR strata and the TTR on clinical outcomes in AF patients with CKD.NVAF patients were consecutively enrolled from hospitals across Thailand. eGFR were categorized into three different eGFR categories; eGFR >60, 30-59 and <30 mL/min/1.73 m2. TTR values were also categorized into TTR >75%, TTR 60-75 and TTR <60%. We identified 1,739 patients who received warfarin. Among patients who acquired TTR<60, those with eGFR <30 ml/min/1.73 m2 demonstrated the highest stroke/SSE rate of 8.5% (P<0.001). Patients with eGFR <30 ml/min/1.73 m2, in addition to the presence of TTR<60, were at the highest risk to developing major bleeding with the rate of 17.9% (p <0.001). However, intracranial hemorrhage (ICH) appeared towards increasing rate with the combination of eGFR at even <60 ml/min/1.73 m2 and TTR <60. Death was also considerably high with the rate of 17.9% in patients with the combination of TTR <60 and eGFR <30 ml/min/1.73 m2. Severe CKD resulted in higher risks of stroke/SSE, major bleeding and death in patients with low TTR. Patients with TTR >60, especially TTR >75%, is associated with reduced risk of stroke/SSE, major bleeding and death irrespective of eGFR level. The combination of low TTR <60 and eGFR level less than 60 ml/min/1.73 m2 substantially increased risks of all cardiovascular outcomes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) spin-lattice relaxation time (T1) may be influenced by pathologic conditions due to changes in myocardial water content. We aimed to validate the principle and investigate T1 mapping at rest and adenosine stress to differentiate ischemic and infarcted myocardium from controls. Patients with suspected coronary artery disease who underwent CMR were prospectively recruited. Native rest and adenosine stress T1 maps were obtained using standard modified Look-Locker Inversion-Recovery technique. Among 181 patients included, T1 values were measured from three groups. In the control group, 72 patients showed myocardium with a T1 profile of 1,039 ± 75 ms at rest and a significant increase during stress (4.79 ± 3.14%, p < 0.001). While the ischemic (51 patients) and infarcted (58 patients) groups showed elevated resting T1 compared to controls (1,040 ± 90 ms for ischemic; 1,239 ± 121 ms for infarcted, p < 0.001), neither of which presented significant T1 reactivity (1.38 ± 3.02% for ischemic; 1.55 ± 5.25% for infarcted). We concluded that adenosine stress and rest T1 mapping may be useful to differentiate normal, ischemic and infarcted myocardium. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Increased arterial stiffness is linked to markers of endothelial dysfunction and vasculopathy such as albuminuria, vascular calcification, left ventricular hypertrophy and cardiovascular (CV) diseases. Studies of arterial stiffness on renal progression are limited. Objective: The study aimed to evaluate the association between high cardio-ankle vascular index (CAVI) and renal endpoint and all-cause mortality in a Thai population with high atherosclerosis risk. Methods: A multicenter prospective cohort study was conducted among subjects with high CV risk or established CV diseases in Thailand. Subjects were divided into 3 groups with mean CAVI < 8, 8–8.9, and ≥ 9, respectively. Primary composite outcome consisted of estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) decline over 40%, eGFR less than 15 mL/min/1.73 m2, doubling of serum creatinine, initiation of dialysis and death related to renal causes. The secondary outcomes were all-cause mortality, CV mortality and eGFR decline. Results: A total of 4898 subjects (2743 men and 2155 women) were enrolled. Cox proportional hazards model showed a significant relationship of high CAVI (CAVI ≥ 9) and primary composite outcome. Subjects with high CAVI at baseline had a 1.45-fold (95% CI 1.13–1.84) significant risk for the primary composite outcome and 1.72-fold (95% CI 1.12–2.63) risk for all-cause mortality, compared with normal CAVI (CAVI < 8). After stepwise multivariate analysis, the high CAVI group was only positively associated with primary composite outcome. Kaplan–Meier curve of the primary composite outcome and all-cause mortality demonstrated the worst survival in the high CAVI group (log-rank test with P < 0.05). Conclusion: In a Thai cohort with high atherosclerosis risk, increased arterial stiffness was a risk factor for worsening renal function, including end-stage renal disease and initiation of dialysis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Data are scarce regarding the optimal international normalized ratio (INR) in Thai patients who require warfarin therapy after mechanical mitral valve replacement. Accordingly, the aim of this study was to identify the optimal INR level for warfarin therapy after mechanical mitral valve replacement in Thai patients.Methods: This is a retrospective cohort study design. We retrospectively reviewed the medical records of mechanical mitral valve replacement patients who received warfarin therapy at Siriraj Hospital. INR range was classified into 6 groups (< 2, 2.0-2.4, 2.5-2.9, 3.0-3.4, 3.5-4.5, and > 4.5). The optimal INR level was defined as the level with the lowest incidence density of thromboembolic or hemorrhagic complications.Results: Two hundred patients were included and followed over a period of 707.81 patient-years. Mean duration of follow-up was 3.53 ± 1.27 years. Eleven patients experienced 13 thromboembolic events (3.42 per 100 patient-years), and 12 patients experienced 18 total bleeding events (5.50 per 100 patient-years). Intracranial bleeding occurred in 3 patients (2.62 per 100 patient-years). The percentage of patient time spent within INR 2.5-3.4, INR < 2.5, and INR > 3.4 was 41.96, 54.04, and 4%, respectively. The overall event rate was lowest in the 2.0 to 3.4 INR range. Statistically significant differences were observed between INR 2.3 to 4 and < 2 (p < 0.001) and between INR 2.3 to 4 and > 3.4 (p < 0.001).Conclusions: The optimal INR level was within the range of 2.0 to 3.4 in our cohort of Thai mechanical mitral valve replacement patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Electrocardiography (ECG) may be an efficacious diagnostic and prognostic tool in hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM). This study aimed to investigate association between deep T-wave inversion (TWI) and apical HCM, and between fragmented QRS (fQRS) complex and myocardial fibrosis in patients with HCM.Methods: Patients with documented HCM by cardiac magnetic resonance imaging (CMR) during 2005-2015 were studied. The 12-lead ECG and CMR were performed on the same day. All patients underwent CMR for the assessment of cardiac structure, function, and late gadolinium enhancement (LGE). LGE was used to detect myocardial fibrosis.Results: One hundred forty-four HCM (mean age 66 ± 15.8 years, 60.4% male) were included. Twenty-nine (20.14%) subjects had deep TWI, and apical HCM was found in 76 (52.78%). Deep TWI was associated with apical HCM with the Odds ratio (95%CI) of 5.82 (2.07, 16.04) and p < 0.001 in univariate analysis model. The association was still significant in multivariate analysis with adjusted Odds ratio (95%CI) of 9.86 (3.17, 30.66), p < 0.001. Forty-seven (32.64%) subjects had fQRS complex, and myocardial fibrosis was detected in 101 (70.14%). fQRS complex was found to be associated with myocardial fibrosis in univariate analysis with the Odds ratio (95%CI) = 2.75 (1.16, 6.54), p = 0.019. However, the association cannot be demonstrated in the multivariate analysis.Conclusion: Deep TWI is independently associated with apical HCM, but the relationship between fQRS complex and myocardial fibrosis did not survive multivariate analysis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Evaluate and compare the efficacy and safety of molnupiravir and favipiravir in outpatients with mild to moderate COVID-19 and at risk of severe COVID-19. In an open-label, parallel-group, multicenter trial in Thailand, participants with moderate COVID-19 and at least one factor associated with severe COVID-19 were randomly assigned 1:1 to receive oral molnupiravir or oral favipiravir (standard of care). Phone calls for remote symptom assessment were made on Days 6, 15, and 29. Participants with worsening symptoms were instructed to return to the hospital. The primary endpoint was pulmonary involvement by Day 29, as evidenced by ≥2 of the following: dyspnea, oxygen saturation <92% or imaging. Nine hundred seventy-seven participants (487 molnupiravir, 490 favipiravir) were enrolled from 8 July 2022 to 19 January 2023. 98% had received ≥1 dose of COVID-19 vaccine and 83% ≥3 doses. By Day 29, pulmonary involvement occurred in 0% (0/483) in molnupiravir arm versus 1% (5/482) in favipiravir arm (−1.0%; Newcombe 95.2% CI: −2.4% to −0.0%; P = 0.021); all-cause death in 0% (0/483) and <1% (1/482); COVID-19 related hospitalization in <1% (1/483) and 1% (3/482); treatment-related adverse event in 1% (5/483) and 1% (4/486); and serious adverse event in 1% (4/483) and 1% (4/486). Favipiravir and molnupiravir had a similar efficacy and safety profile. Whether either of the two reduced the risk of complications during the omicron era in this population with a low risk of pulmonary involvement and a high vaccine coverage remains unclear. There were no differences in any of the safety endpoints. TCTR20230111009. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Fragmented QRS (fQRS) complex is an electrocardiographic pattern that reflects the inhomogeneity of ventricular depolarization. The aims of this study were to determine the prognostic significance of fQRS for predicting in-hospital life-threatening arrhythmic complications in ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) patients, and to identify the most appropriate duration of cardiac rhythm monitoring in STEMI patients with fQRS.Methods: Patients diagnosed with and treated for STEMI at Siriraj Hospital (Bangkok, Thailand) during 2009-2012 were enrolled. Patients were divided according to fQRS status (having or not having fQRS) at hospital admission. The primary outcome was in-hospital life-threatening arrhythmic events, including sustained ventricular tachycardia and ventricular fibrillation. Time to last life-threatening arrhythmic event from hospital admission was recorded.Results: Of the 452 patients that were included, 96 patients (21.2%) had fQRS. There were significantly more life-threatening arrhythmic events in the fQRS group than in the non-fQRS group (22.9% vs. 4.5%, respectively; p < 0.001). Median (IQR) time to last life-threatening arrhythmic event from hospital admission was significantly longer in fQRS than in non-fQRS (6.58 hr [3.08-39.34] vs. 2.59 hr [1.75-5.75], respectively; p = 0.047). Multivariate analysis identified fQRS as an independent predictor of in-hospital life-threatening arrhythmic events (OR: 4.162, 95% CI: 1.669-10.384; p = 0.002).Conclusions: The presence of fQRS complex on admission ECG was found to be an independent predictor of in-hospital life-threatening arrhythmic events in STEMI patients. Since the time to last life-threatening arrhythmic event from admission was longer in fQRS than in non-fQRS, cardiac rhythm monitoring longer than 24-48 hr may be needed in patients with fQRS. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Non-vitamin K antagonist oral anticoagulants (NOACs) have been recommended as preferred options for stroke prevention in patients with atrial fibrillation (AF) versus warfarin by guidelines worldwide.Aim: This study aimed to evaluate the cost-effectiveness of each NOAC in a Thai health care environment, a country with upper middle-income economies based on the World Bank's classification.Method: A lifetime Markov model was created from a Thai societal perspective. The model consisted of 19 health states separated into two cycles: event cycle and consequence cycle. The consequences of AF included in the model were ischaemic stroke, intracranial haemorrhage, extracranial haemorrhage, and myocardial infarction. All NOACs available in Thailand (dabigatran 150 mg and 110 mg twice daily; rivaroxaban 20 mg once daily; apixaban 5 mg twice daily; edoxaban 60 mg and 30 mg once daily) were assessed using warfarin with an international normalised ratio of 2-3 as the reference. Inputs were a combination of published literature and local data when available. A willingness-to-pay of 160,000 Thai baht (THB)/quality-adjusted life year (QALY) was used as the threshold of being cost-effective. Incremental cost-effectiveness ratios and cost-effectiveness acceptability curves were estimated.Results: All NOACs were not cost-effective strategies for the Thai AF population. The ranking of incremental cost-effectiveness ratios from lowest to highest were apixaban 5 mg twice daily (THB 692,136 or US$21,862) followed by edoxaban 60 mg once daily (THB 911,772 or US$28,799), edoxaban 30 mg once daily (THB 913,749 or US$28,861), dabigatran 150 mg twice daily (THB 1,102,106 or US$34,811), dabigatran 110 mg twice daily (THB 1,195,347 or US$37,756), and rivaroxaban 20 mg once daily (THB 1,347,650 or US$42,566). Cost-effectiveness acceptability curve indicated that apixaban had the highest potential to be a cost-effective strategy versus other NOACs.Conclusions: Our findings indicated that all NOACs were not cost-effective in the Thai AF population. Of the NOACs, apixaban may be the most likely to be cost-effective. These data may be useful for policymakers to perform a comprehensive evaluation of these agents for formulary decision and pricing negotiation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]