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Patients with kidney failure have a high risk for cardiovascular events. We aimed to evaluate the prognostic importance of selected biomarkers related to haemostasis, endothelial function, and vascular regulation in patients with acute coronary syndrome (ACS), and to study whether this association differed in patients with renal dysfunction.Plasma was collected in 1370 ACS patients included between 2008 and 2015. Biomarkers were analysed using a Proximity Extension Assay and a Multiple Reaction Monitoring mass spectrometry assay. To reduce multiplicity, biomarkers correlating with eGFR were selected a priori among 36 plasma biomarkers reflecting endothelial and vascular function, and haemostasis. Adjusted Cox regression were used to study their association with the composite outcome of myocardial infarction, ischemic stroke, heart failure or death. Interaction with eGFR strata above or below 60 mL/min/1.73 mTissue factor, proteinase-activated receptor, soluble urokinase plasminogen activator surface receptor (suPAR), thrombomodulin, adrenomedullin, renin, and angiotensinogen correlated inversely with eGFR and were selected for the Cox regression. Mean follow-up was 5.2 years during which 428 events occurred. Adrenomedullin, suPAR, and renin were independently associated with the composite outcome. Adrenomedullin showed interaction with eGFR strata (p = 0.010) and was associated with increased risk (HR 1.88; CI 1.44-2.45) only in patients with eGFR ≥60 mL/min/ 1.73 mAdrenomedullin, suPAR, and renin were associated with the composite outcome in all. Adrenomedullin, involved in endothelial protection, showed a significant interaction with renal function and outcome, and was associated with the composite outcome only in patients with preserved kidney function.

Aims Describe the characteristics, management and outcomes of hospitalized ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) patients according to national ongoing myocardial infarction registries in Estonia, Hungary, Norway, and Sweden. Methods and results Country-level aggregated data was used to study baseline characteristics, use of in-hospital procedures, medications at discharge, in-hospital complications, 30-day and 1-year mortality for all patients admitted with STEMI during 2014–2017 using data from EMIR (Estonia; n = 4584), HUMIR (Hungary; n = 23 685), NORMI (Norway; n = 12 414, data for 2013–2016), and SWEDEHEART (Sweden; n = 23 342). Estonia and Hungary had a higher proportion of women, patients with hypertension, diabetes, and peripheral artery disease compared to Norway and Sweden. Rates of reperfusion varied from 75.7% in Estonia to 84.0% in Sweden. Rates of recommendation of discharge medications were generally high and similar. However, Estonia demonstrated the lowest rates of dual antiplatelet therapy (78.1%) and statins (86.5%). Norway had the lowest rates of beta-blockers (80.5%) and angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors/angiotensin II receptor blockers (61.5%). The 30-day mortality rates ranged between 9.9% and 13.4% remaining lowest in Sweden. One-year mortality rates ranged from 14.8% in Sweden and 16.0% in Norway to 20.6% in Hungary and 21.1% in Estonia. Age-adjusted lethality rates were highest for Hungary and lowest for Sweden. Conclusion This inter-country comparison of data from four national ongoing European registries provides new insights into the risk factors, management and outcomes of patients with STEMI. There are several possible reasons for the findings, including coverage of the registries and variability of baseline-characteristics’ definitions that need to be further explored.

Aims Data on how differences in risk factors, treatments, and outcomes differ between sexes in European countries are scarce. We aimed to study sex-related differences regarding baseline characteristics, in-hospital managements, and mortality of ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) patients in different European countries. Methods and results Patients over the age of 18 with STEMI who were treated in hospitals in 2014–17 and registered in one of the national myocardial infarction registers in Estonia (n = 5817), Hungary (n = 30 787), Norway (n = 33 054), and Sweden (n = 49 533) were included. Cardiovascular risk factors, hospital treatment, and recommendation of discharge medications were obtained from the infarction registries. The primary outcome was mortality, in-hospital, after 30 days and after 1 year. Logistic and cox regression models were used to study the associations of sex and outcomes in the respective countries. Women were older than men (70–78 and 62–68 years, respectively) and received coronary angiography, percutaneous coronary intervention, left ventricular ejection fraction assessment, and evidence-based drugs to a lesser extent than men, in all countries. The crude mortality in-hospital rates (10.9–15.9 and 6.5–8.9%, respectively) at 30 days (13.0–19.9 and 8.2–10.9%, respectively) and at 1 year (20.3–28.1 and 12.4–17.2%, respectively) after hospitalization were higher in women than in men. In all countries, the sex-specific differences in mortality were attenuated in the adjusted analysis for 1-year mortality. Conclusion Despite improved awareness of the sex-specific inequalities on managing patients with acute myocardial infarction in Europe, country-level data from this study show that women still receive less guideline-recommended management.

Background: Patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) have poor outcomes following myocardial infarction (MI). We performed an untargeted examination of 175 biomarkers to identify those with the strongest association with CKD and to examine the association of those biomarkers with long-term outcomes. Methods: A total of 175 different biomarkers from MI patients enrolled in the Swedish Web-System for Enhancement and Development of Evidence-Based Care in Heart Disease Evaluated According to Recommended Therapies (SWEDEHEART) registry were analysed either by a multiple reaction monitoring mass spectrometry assay or by a multiplex assay (proximity extension assay). Random forests statistical models were used to assess the predictor importance of biomarkers, CKD and outcomes. Results: A total of 1098 MI patients with a median estimated glomerular filtration rate of 85 mL min−1/1.73 m2 were followed for a median of 3.2 years. The random forests analyses, without and with adjustment for differences in demography, comorbidities and severity of disease, identified six biomarkers (adrenomedullin, TNF receptor-1, adipocyte fatty acid-binding protein-4, TNF-related apoptosis-inducing ligand receptor 2, growth differentiation factor-15 and TNF receptor-2) to be strongly associated with CKD. All six biomarkers were also amongst the 15 strongest predictors for death, and four of them were amongst the strongest predictors of subsequent MI and heart failure hospitalization. Conclusion: In patients with MI, a proteomic approach could identify six biomarkers that best predicted CKD. These biomarkers were also amongst the most important predictors of long-term outcomes. Thus, these biomarkers indicate underlying mechanisms that may contribute to the poor prognosis seen in patients with MI and CKD. (Less)

Introduction Patients with atrial fibrillation (AF) and severe chronic kidney disease (CKD) were excluded from most phase III randomized controlled trials (RCTs) of direct oral anticoagulants (DOACs). Evidence of warfarin versus DOAC in the AF population with stage IV-V CKD is therefore limited. Aim To evaluate the effectiveness and safety of DOAC compared with warfarin on this population including dialysis patients. Methods A systematic review and meta-analysis of RCTs and observational studies involving AF patients with stage IV-V CKD treated with warfarin versus DOACs were conducted to evaluate the following outcomes: stroke (ischemic and hemorrhagic) or systemic embolism (SE), all-cause mortality, major bleeding, gastrointestinal (GI) bleeding, and intracranial bleeding. If the heterogeneity between studies was moderate to high calculated as the I2 ≥50%, a meta regression was undertaken between baseline characteristics and the study outcomes. We conducted a literature search using key words related to AF, severe CKD, DOAC and warfarin in PubMed, Embase and Cochrane Library. Results Nine studies were included in the meta-analysis. Compared to warfarin, DOAC was significantly associated with a reduced risk of stroke or systemic embolism (SE) (risk ratio [RR] = 0.69; 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.50–0.95) (Figure 1), intracranial bleeding (RR=0.54; 95% CI 0.35–0.84) and hemorrhagic stroke (RR=0.39; 95% CI 0.16–0.95). There was no significant difference between DOACs and warfarin in the risk of all-cause mortality (RR=0.80; 95% CI 0.57–1.13), major bleeding (RR = 0.70; 95% CI 0.44–1.11) (Figure 2) and GI bleeding (RR=0.76; 95% CI 0.56–1.02). For the outcome stroke or SE, dabigatran (compared with apixaban) significantly eliminated the net effect of DOAC as compared with warfarin (coefficient, 0.8; P=0.003). Regarding major bleeding, rivaroxaban and dabigatran both eliminated the DOAC effect from the meta-analysis as compared to apixaban (P=0.01 & P Conclusion Among patients with AF and stage IV or V CKD including dialysis patients, DOAC appears to have similar or better effectiveness and safety compared to warfarin. Funding Acknowledgement Type of funding sources: None. Stroke or systemic embolism

Introduction Women receive less evidence-based care than men and have higher mortality after myocardial infarctions than men. But it is not known how the gender difference in risk factors, treatments and outcomes differs between European countries. Purpose In order to investigate the gender differences in European countries with different economic predispositions we aimed to describe and compare baseline characteristics, in-hospital management, medications at discharge and death outcomes of man and woman ST-elevation infarction (STEMI) patients following routine clinical practice in Sweden, Norway, Hungary and Estonia. Methods The study population is patients over the age of 18 with STEMI who were treated in hospital 2014–2017 (for Norway between 2013–2016) and registered in one of the national myocardial infarction registers. Patients with non-ST elevation infarction and unstable angina were excluded. Risk factors, hospital treatment, and prescription medications were obtained from the national myocardial infarction registries from each country. Mortality in-hospital, after 30 days and after 1 year, was obtained from national death registers. Results Women were on average older, had more comorbidities and higher mortality in hospital, after 30 days and one year after hospitalization. Women received coronary angiography, percutaneous coronary intervention, left ventricular ejection fraction assessment and evidence-based drugs to a lesser extent than men. Conclusions The study illustrates that there are differences in characteristics, management, treatments and outcomes between men and women in all of the studied countries no matter economic predispositions. Generally, women are treated with guideline recommended therapy to a lesser extent than men in the studied countries. Funding Acknowledgement Type of funding sources: None.

We hypothesized that the transition from bare-metal stents (BMS) to newer generation drug-eluting stents (n-DES) in clinical practice may have reduced the risk also in patients with kidney dysfunction.Observational study in the national SWEDEHEART registry, that compared the 1-year risk of in-stent restenosis (RS) and stent thrombosis (ST) in all percutaneous coronary intervention treated patients(n = 92 994) during 2007-2013.N-DES patients were younger than BMS, but had more often diabetes, previous myocardial infarction, previous revascularization and were more often treated with potent platelet inhibition. N-DES versus BMS, was associated with lower 1-year risk of RS in patients with estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR)60 with a cumulative probability of 2.1% versus 5.3%, adjusted hazard ratio 0.30, 95% CI (0.27-0.34) and with eGFR 30-60: 3.0% versus 4.9%; hazard ratio 0.46 (0.36-0.60) but not in patients with eGFR30: 8.1% versus 6.0%; hazard ratio 1.32 (0.71-2.45) (pinteraction = 0.009) as well as lower risk of ST for eGFR60 and eGFR 30-60: 0.5% versus 0.9%; hazard ratio 0.52 (0.40-0.68) and 0.6% versus 1.3%; hazard ratio 0.54 (0.54-0.72) but not for eGFR30; 2.1% versus 1.1%; hazard ratio 1.49 (0.56-3.98) (pinteraction = 0.027).N-DES is associated with lower 1-year risk of in-stent restenosis and stent thrombosis in patients with normal or moderately reduced kidney function but not in patients with severe kidney dysfunction, where stenting is associated with worse outcomes regardless of stent type.

Aims Trastuzumab and anthracyclines, often used in the treatment of breast cancer, may impair myocardial function, and reduce left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF), potentially causing heart failure. Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) have evaluated the effects of beta-blockers (BBs), angiotensin receptor blockers (ARBs), and angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors (ACEI) on trastuzumab- and anthracycline-associated cardiotoxicity. We report a meta-analysis of these RCTs in patients with breast cancer. Methods and results The primary analysis was on the effect of BBs and ACEI/ARBs on LVEF in patients treated with either trastuzumab or anthracyclines. A secondary analysis was done investigating the effect of BBs or ACEI/ARBs on LVEF in trastuzumab and anthracycline treatments. Only RCTs were included using the search term ‘ARBs, ACEIs, BBs, anthracyclines, trastuzumab, and breast cancer’ in PubMed, Embase, and CENTRAL up to 31 March 2021. A meta-analysis was conducted to estimate the mean difference (MD) in LVEF between intervention and placebo groups at follow-up. A total of nine RCTs (n = 1362) were included in the analysis. All patients were women. BBs and ACEI/ARBs were shown to attenuate the decline in LVEF during trastuzumab and anthracycline treatments [MD: 2.4; 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.3–4.2 and MD: 1.5; 95% CI: –0.6 to 3.7]. Compared with placebo, LVEF was significantly higher in patients assigned to BB or ACEI/ARB on trastuzumab (MD: 2.3; 95% CI: 0.0–4.6) but not on anthracyclines (MD: 1.9; 95% CI: –0.5 to 4.2). Conclusion Both BB and ACEI/ARB therapies were associated with the preservation of LVEF during trastuzumab and anthracycline-containing regimens as compared with placebo, suggesting both to be beneficial.

Aims To study baseline characteristics, in-hospital managements and mortality of non-ST-elevation myocardial infarction (NSTEMI) patients in different European countries. Methods and results NSTEMI patients enrolled in the national myocardial infarction (MI) registries [EMIR; n = 5817 (Estonia), HUMIR; n = 30 787 (Hungary), NORMI; n = 33 054 (Norway), and SWEDEHEART; n = 49 533 (Sweden)] from 2014 to 2017 were included and presented as aggregated data. The median age at admission ranged from 70 to 75 years. Current smoking status was numerically higher in Norway (24%), Estonia (22%), and Hungary (19%), as compared to Sweden (17%). Patients in Hungary had a high rate of diabetes mellitus (37%) and hypertension (84%). The proportion of performed coronary angiographies (58% vs. 75%) and percutaneous coronary interventions (38% vs. 56%), differed most between Norway and Hungary. Prescription of dual antiplatelet therapy at hospital discharge ranged from 60% (Estonia) to 81% (Hungary). In-hospital death ranged from 3.5% (Sweden) to 9% (Estonia). The crude mortality rate at 1 month was 12% in Norway and 5% in Sweden (5%), whereas the 1-year mortality rates were similar (20–23%) in Hungary, Estonia, and Norway and 15% in Sweden. Conclusion Cross-comparisons of four national European MI registries provide important data on differences in risk factors and treatment regiments that may explain some of the observed differences in death rates. A unified European continuous MI registry could be an option to better understand how implementation of guideline-recommended therapy can be used to reduce the burden of cardiovascular disease.

Background Large-scale collection of standardized variables in patients with myocardial infarction (MI) in national real-world registries are only available in a few European countries and there is lack of cross-country comparisons. Purpose To compare demography, risk factors, hospital treatment and short- and long-term survival in patients hospitalized for non-ST elevation MI (NSTEMI) in four different European countries. Methods NSTEMI patients hospitalized and enrolled in national MI registries; EMIR (Estonia), HUMIR (Hungary), NORMI (Norway (2013–2016)) and SWEDEHEART (Sweden) from 2014 to 2017 were included. Results In total 119,191 patients with NSTEMI were included. The mean age at admission ranged from 70 years (Hungary) to 75 years (Estonia). The proportion of women was 36% in Sweden and 44% in Estonia. In Norway 24% were smokers, as compared to 17% in Sweden. Patients in Hungary had a high rate of diabetes mellitus (37%) and antihypertensive treatment (84%) but a low rate of lipid lowering treatment (32%). The proportion of patients with prior MI ranged from 28% (Norway) to 37% (Sweden). The presence of previous peripheral artery disease ranged from 7% (Sweden) to 17% (Hungary). The absolute proportion of performed coronary angiographies (58% versus 75%) and percutaneous coronary interventions (38% versus 56%), differed most between Norway and Hungary. Dual antiplatelet therapy ranged from 60% (Estonia) to 81% (Hungary) and statins from 78% (Norway) to 89% (Hungary), at discharge. The crude mortality rates at 1 month and 1 year are listed in table 1. Conclusion Cross-comparison of four national European MI registries provide new insights in differences in risk factors, treatment and outcomes. Possible reasons for the observed differences, include differences in the underlying expected mortality in the populations, inclusion-criteria and coverage of the registries and variable definitions, that need to be further explored. Funding Acknowledgement Type of funding source: Public grant(s) – National budget only. Main funding source(s): Estonian Research Council

Background There is a high need for real-world international comparisons of management of patients with acute myocardial infarction. In Europe Estonia, Hungary, Norway and Sweden are among the few countries with national ongoing acute myocardial infarction registries with a high degree of completeness of data. Purpose To compare the management and outcome of hospitalized ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) patients in four European countries with a national ongoing myocardial infarction registry. Methods We compared patient baseline characteristics, use of in-hospital procedures and medications at discharge as well as 30-day and 1-year mortality for all patients admitted with STEMI during 2014–2017 using EMIR (Estonia; n=4,584), HUMIR (Hungary; n=23,685), NOMIR (Norway; n=12,414; data available for years 2013–2016) and SWEDEHEART (Sweden; n=23,342). Country-level results were compared as aggregated data. Results Mean age ranged from 65 to 69 years (table 1). Estonia and Hungary had compared to Norway and Sweden a higher proportion of women (resp. 39%; 38% vs. 29%; 31%), as well as patients with hypertension (resp. 79%; 72% vs. 39%; 50%), diabetes (resp. 21%; 27% vs. 14%; 19%) and peripheral artery disease (resp. 9% vs. 6%; 4%). Proportion of current smokers was highest in Norway (38%) and lowest in Sweden (27%). Rates of discharge medications were generally high. The results for in-hospital procedures and mortality are shown in table 1. Estonia had the lowest rates of dual antiplatelet treatment (78%) and statins (86%). Norway had the lowest rates of beta-blockers (80%) and angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors/ angiotensin II receptor blockers (61%). Conclusions This cross-country comparison of four national European registries provide new insights into differences in risk factors, treatment regiments and outcomes of patients with STEMI. There are several possible reasons for the observed differences, including differences in underlying expected mortality in the populations, inclusion-criteria and coverage of the registries and variable definitions, that need to be further explored. Funding Acknowledgement Type of funding source: Public grant(s) – National budget only. Main funding source(s): Estonian Research Council

Background Percutaneous coronary interventions (PCIs) are often aimed at the culprit vessel in acute coronary syndromes (ACSs) followed by revascularisation of other stenoses later in the index hospitalisation or shortly after discharge. PCI delay of non-culprit coronary vessels stenoses is supported by lower contrast fluid use and thrombocyte aggregation. Distinct coronary interventions increase the risk of both non- and coronary artery complications, e.g. acute abdominal and periphery artery bleeding, suggesting undertaking all PCIs at the same time. Purpose To assess the effect on mortality and re-myocardial infarction (MI) of immediate versus staged revascularisation in multivessel coronary disease, with the latter constrained to initial PCI of the culprit coronary vessel. Methods The syntax of “randomised controlled trial (RCT) & acute coronary syndrome & complete revascularisation” was undertaken in PubMed. Clinical characteristics were gathered at the index hospitalisation. The intervention scenario was acute coronary syndrome or not. Meta-analyses calculated relative risk (RR) reductions on outcomes of 1) mortality and 2) re-MI. Meta-regression assessed linear difference between interventional treatment benefits and baseline characteristics. Results A total of 148 studies was found. Of those, 8 was found eligible for further analyses and their baseline characteristics are shown in Table 1. Comparison of immediate versus staged revascularisation on mortality was nonsignificant (RR, 1.19; 95% CI: 0.78–1.81, p=0.43) (Figure 1). The impact of Immediate vs staged revascularisation on re-MI was also nonsignificant (RR, 0.83; 95% CI: 0.44–1.55, p=0.56). Meta-regression found no associations between the outcomes and study characteristics (not shown). Conclusion The intervention of immediate compared to staged revascularisation assessed on outcomes of all-cause mortality and re-MI were nonsignificant. Figure 1 Funding Acknowledgement Type of funding source: None

ObjectivesWe aimed to analyse outcomes of ticagrelor and clopidogrel stratified by estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) in a large unselected cohort of patients with acute myocardial infarction (MI).MethodsWe used follow-up data in MI survivors discharged on ticagrelor or clopidogrel enrolled in the Swedish Web-System for Enhancement and Development of Evidence-Based Care in Heart Disease Evaluated According to Recommended Therapies registry. The association between ticagrelor versus clopidogrel and the primary composite outcome of death, MI or stroke and the secondary outcome rehospitalisation with bleeding diagnosis at 1 year, was studied using adjusted Cox proportional hazards models, stratifying after eGFR levels.ResultsIn total, 45 206 patients with MI discharged on clopidogrel (n=33 472) or ticagrelor (n=11 734) were included. The unadjusted 1-year event rate for the composite endpoint of death, MI or stroke was 7.0%, 18.0% and 48.0% for ticagrelor treatment and 11.0%, 33.0% and 64.0% for clopidogrel treatment in patients with eGFR>60 (n=33 668), eGFR30–60 (n=9803) and eGFR (n=1735), respectively. After adjustment, ticagrelor as compared with clopidogrel was associated with a lower 1-year risk of the composite outcome (eGFR>60: HR 0.87, 95% CI 0.76 to 99, eGFR30–60: 0.82 (0.70 to 0.97), eGFR: 0.95 (0.69 to 1.29), P for interaction=0.55) and a higher risk of bleeding (eGFR>60: HR 1.10, 95% CI 0.90 to 1.35, eGFR30–60: 1.13 (0.84 to 1.51), eGFR: 1.79 (1.00 to 3.21), P for interaction=0.30) across the eGFR strata.ConclusionsTreatment with ticagrelor as compared with clopidogrel in patients with MI was associated with lower risk for the composite of death, MI or stroke and a higher bleeding risk across all strata of eGFR. Of caution, bleeding events were more abundant in patients with eGFR.

Objective: To evaluate the risk of hard clinical endpoints of different types of PCI stents in relation to renal function. Methods: During 2007 and 2013, 103.747 patients enrolled in the Swedish Coronary Angiography & Angioplasty Registry (SCAAR) with a known serum creatinine were treated with PCI using new generation drug eluting stents (n-DES) (n=32.440), old generation drug eluting stents (o-DES) (n=17.363) or bare metal stents (BMS) (n=53.974). Renal function groups were derived from creatinine estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) and expressed in ml/min/1.73 m2. The hazard risk (HR) of the combined endpoint (all-cause mortality or myocardial infarction readmission) was estimated using Cox landmark analyses (≤1 year and >1 year to 3 years). Adjustments were made for year, hospital, extent of coronary artery disease, indication for PCI, use of multiple stents, periprocedural antithrombotic treatment, number of stents, stent dimensions, diabetes, age, gender, risk factors and history of cardiovascular disease. Results: N-DES was associated with a significantly lower up-to 1 year risk compared to BMS in patients with eGFR >60. These associations were attenuated and not significant in patients with eGFR There was no significant difference between n-DES and BMS after 1 year. Compared to BMS, o-DES had significantly higher risks in patients with eGFR ≥60 and in patients with eGFR 30-59 HR was similarly but not significantly elevated. Conclusion: In this large national registry we found that in patients with normal renal function, n-DES was associated with a lower up to 1-year risk of MI readmission or all-cause mortality, whereas o-DES was associated with a higher risk after 1 year. A similar trend was seen for patients with moderately reduced renal function but not for patients with severely reduced renal function.

Background There is no consensus whether angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor (ACEI) and angiotensin receptor blocker (ARB) should be used for secondary prevention in all or in only high-risk patients after an acute myocardial infarction (AMI). Objectives This study sought to investigate whether ACEI/ARB treatment after AMI is associated with better outcomes across different risk profiles, including the entire spectrum of estimated glomerular filtration rates. Methods This study evaluated discharge and continuous follow-up data on ACEI/ARB use among AMI survivors (2006 to 2009) included in a large Swedish registry. The association between ACEI/ARB treatment and outcomes (mortality, myocardial infarction, stroke, and acute kidney injury [AKI]) was studied using Cox proportional hazards models (intention-to-treat and as treated). Results In total, 45,697 patients (71%) were treated with ACEI/ARB. The 3-year mortality was 19.8% (17.4% of ACEI/ARB users and 25.4% of nonusers). In adjusted analysis, significantly better survival was observed for patients treated with ACEI/ARB (3-year hazard ratio: 0.80; 95% confidence interval: 0.77 to 0.83). The survival benefit was consistent through all kidney function strata, including dialysis patients. Overall, those treated with ACEI/ARB also had lower 3-year risk for myocardial infarction (hazard ratio: 0.91; 95% confidence interval: 0.87 to 0.95), whereas treatment had no significant effect on stroke risk. The crude risk for AKI was in general low (2.5% and 2.0% for treated and nontreated, respectively) and similar across estimated glomerular filtration rate categories but was significantly higher with ACEI/ARB treatment. However, the composite outcome of AKI and mortality favored ACEI/ARB treatment. Conclusions Treatment with ACEI/ARB after AMI was associated with improved long-term survival, regardless of underlying renal function, and was accompanied by low rates of adverse renal events.

Aims To study the association between renal function and outcomes in a nationwide cohort of unselected consecutive patients with stable coronary artery disease (SCAD) symptoms and with a defined coronary anatomy by a coronary angiogram (CA). Methods and results We included 45 348 consecutive patients with available plasma creatinine undergoing CA for suspected SCAD from the Swedish Coronary Angiography and Angioplasty Registry (SCAAR). We adjusted for clinical background, severity of CAD and subsequent revascularization in a Cox regression analysis. Patients were followed for a median (interquartile range) time of 2.6 (1.2–4.1) years. The 3-year cumulative probability of death, myocardial infarction (MI), heart failure, and stroke increased from 2.7, 4.6, 4.4, and 2.0% in patients with estimated glomerular function (eGFR) >90 to 39.8, 32.8, 30.2, and 6.2% in patients with eGFR 90 mL/min/m2, patients with impaired renal function (eGFR 30–59, 15–29, and

Importance Fondaparinux was associated with reduced major bleeding events and improved survival compared with low-molecular-weight heparin (LMWH) in a large randomized clinical trial involving patients with non–ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (NSTEMI). Large-scale experience of the use of fondaparinux vs LMWH in a nontrial setting is lacking. Objective To study the association between the use of fondaparinux vs LMWH and outcomes in patients with NSTEMI in Sweden. Design, Setting, and Patients Prospective multicenter cohort study from the Swedish Web-System for Enhancement and Development of Evidence-Based Care in Heart Disease Evaluated According to Recommended Therapies registry involving 40 616 consecutive patients with NSTEMI who received fondaparinux or LMWH between September 1, 2006, through June 30, 2010, with the last follow-up on December 31, 2010. Exposures In-hospital treatment with fondaparinux or LMWH during the hospital stay. Main Outcomes and Measures In-hospital severe bleeding events and death and 30- and 180-day death, MI, stroke, and major bleeding events. Logistic regression models adjusted for calendar time, admitting hospital, baseline characteristics, and in-hospital revascularization. Results In total, 14 791 patients (36.4%) were treated with fondaparinux and 25 825 (63.6%) with LMWH. One hundred sixty-five patients (1.1%) in the fondaparinux group vs 461 patients (1.8%) in the LMWH group experienced in-hospital bleeding events (adjusted odds ratio [OR], 0.54; 95% CI, 0.42-0.70). A total of 394 patients (2.7%) in the fondaparinux group died while in the hospital vs 1022 (4.0%) in the LMWH group (adjusted OR, 0.75; 95% CI, 0.63-0.89). The differences in major bleeding events and mortality between the 2 treatments were similar at 30 and 180 days. There were no significant differences in the number of recurrent MI and stroke events at 30 or 180 days among the 2 treatment groups. Conclusions and Relevance In routine clinical care of patients with NSTEMI, fondaparinux was associated with lower odds than LMWH of major bleeding events and death both in-hospital and up to 180 days afterward.

Survival after myocardial infarction (MI) has improved markedly during the last decade. It is still unknown whether this improvement in survival also confers to MI patients with renal impairment. We used the SWEDEHEART registry covering all emergency hospitals in Sweden. All MI cases with available

"Rabbit fever" (Francisella Tularensis) is a rare infection in Denmark. It was first described in Denmark in 1987. It is most likely to affect people who come into close contact with infected animals or ticks, such as hunters, butchers and veterinarians. The diagnosis should be suspected in such persons presenting with fever, headache, lethargy, lymphadenitis and bite wounds. We present a Danish case describing the diagnosis and treatment of a hunter infected with T. tularensis.

Background – Approximately 20–30% of patients with epilepsy are misdiagnosed and syncope often seems to be the mistaken cause. We re-evaluated patients referred to an epilepsy clinic where suspicion of neurally mediated (reflex) syncope were raised using tilt table testing (HUT). Methods – HUT laboratory results and medical records of 120 consecutive patients were reviewed retrospectively over a period of 27 months. Results – HUT was positive in 59 (49%) patients. Seventeen of 38 (45%) patients previously diagnosed with epilepsy and taking antiepileptic drugs were found to be misdiagnosed. Four of 21 patients with epilepsy (19%) had dual diagnoses of reflex syncope and epilepsy. Conclusion – HUT is an informative investigation when suspicions of reflex syncope are raised in patients referred to an epilepsy clinic. Reflex syncope is an important and common differential diagnosis of epilepsy.

Recent studies suggest that warfarin increases the risk of ischemic stroke and mortality in people with end-stage renal disease and atrial fibrillation (AF). It is unknown at which degree of renal dysfunction the risk outweights the benefit. Cross-sectional study with prospective follow-up in the SWEDEHEART registry. Inclusion criteria were consecutive survivors of MI with history of AF and known serum creatinine (n=24317). Patients were classified into 5 renal disease stages according to their estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR). Primary outcome was a composite of death, readmission due to MI, ischemic stroke and bleeding within 1 year. Secondary outcomes were each event separately. Multivariate adjustment included age, sex, comorbidities, presentation, hospital course and discharge medication. A total of 5292 (21,7%) patients received warfarin at discharge. Warfarin treatment was significantly associated with lower risk for both the primary (HR and 95% CI 0.76 [0.72-0.81]) and secondary outcomes (Death, 0.67 [0.61, 0.73]; MI readmission 0.88 [0.81, 0.96]; Ischaemic stroke 0.58 [0.48, 0.71]) without increasing the risk of bleeding (1.04 [0.88, 1.23]). As many as 53,5% of patients had moderate to several renal disease (eGFR

Renal function and outcome in patients with stable coronary artery disease undergoing coronary angiography. Data from 6 years of consecutive patients in a nationwide registry