Long-term outcomes after recurrent acute thoracic aortic dissection: Insights from the International Registry of Aortic Dissection.

OBJECTIVE: With an aging population and advancements in imaging, recurrence of thoracic aortic dissection is becoming more common. METHODS: All patients enrolled in the International Registry of Aortic Dissection from 1996 to 2023 with type A and type B acute aortic dissection were identified. Among them, initial dissection and recurrent dissection were discerned. The study period was categorized into 3 eras: historic era, 1996 to 2005; middle era, 2006 to 2015; most recent era, 2016 to 2023. Propensity score matching was applied between initial dissection and recurrent dissection. Outcome of interests included long-term survival and cumulative incidence of major aortic events defined by the composite of reintervention, aortic rupture, and new dissection. RESULTS: The proportion of recurrent dissection increased from 5.9% in the historic era to 8.0% in the most recent era in the entire dissection cohort. In patients with type A dissection, propensity score matching between initial dissection and recurrent dissection yielded 326 matched pairs. Kaplan-Meier curves showed similar long-term survival between the 2 groups. However, the cumulative incidence of major aortic events was significantly higher in the recurrent dissection group (40.3% ± 6.2% vs 17.8% ± 5.1% at 4 years in the initial dissection group, P = .02). For type B dissection, 316 matched pairs were observed after propensity score matching. Long-term survival and the incidence of major aortic events were equivalent between the 2 groups. CONCLUSIONS: The case volume of recurrent dissection or the ability to detect recurrent dissection has increased over time. Acute type A recurrent dissection was associated with a higher risk of major aortic events than initial dissection. Further judicious follow-up may be crucial after type A recurrent dissection.

Postoperative acute kidney injury after thoracic endovascular aortic repair for acute type B aortic dissection.

BACKGROUND: Thoracic endovascular aortic repair (TEVAR) has evolved as the standard for treating complicated acute type B aortic dissection (ATBAD). Acute kidney injury (AKI) is a common complication in critically ill patients and is commonly observed in patients with ATBAD. The purpose of the study was to characterize AKI after TEVAR. METHODS: All patients who underwent TEVAR for ATBAD from 2011 through 2021 were identified using the International Registry of Acute Aortic Dissection. The primary end point was AKI. A generalized linear model analysis was performed to identify a factor associated with postoperative AKI. RESULTS: A total of 630 patients presented with ATBAD and underwent TEVAR. The indication for TEVAR was complicated ATBAD in 64.3%, high-risk uncomplicated ATBAD in 27.6%, and uncomplicated ATBAD in 8.1%. Of 630 patients, 102 (16.2%) developed postoperative AKI (AKI group) and 528 patients (83.8%) did not (non-AKI group). The most common indication for TEVAR was malperfusion (37.5%). In-hospital mortality was significantly higher in the AKI group (18.6% vs 4%; P < .001). Postoperatively, cerebrovascular accident, spinal cord ischemia, limb ischemia, and prolonged ventilation were more commonly observed in the AKI group. The expected mortality was similar at 2 years between the two groups (P = .51). Overall, the preoperative AKI was observed in 95 (15.7%) in the entire cohort consisting of 60 (64.5%) in the AKI group and 35 (6.8%) in the non-AKI group. A history of CKD (odds ratio, 4.6; 95% confidence interval, 1.5-14.1; P = .01) and preoperative AKI (odds ratio, 24.1; 95% confidence interval, 10.6-55.0; P < .001) were independently associated with postoperative AKI. CONCLUSIONS: The incidence of postoperative AKI was 16.2% in patients undergoing TEVAR for ATBAD. Patients with postoperative AKI had a higher rate of in-hospital morbidities and mortality than those without. A history of CKD and preoperative AKI were independently associated with postoperative AKI.

Pacemaker Reuse in Portuguese Speaking Countries: A Clinical Reflection. / Reprocessamento de Marca-Passos em Países de Língua Portuguesa: Uma Reflexão Clínica.

There is a gap between high-income countries and others in terms of access to medical cardiac devices, such as pacemakers and implantable cardioverter defibrillators. Costs are one of the main barriers to the use of cardiac devices in these countries. There are international initiatives that aim to reduce the gap. The reuse of pacemakers has been discussed as a possible alternative to this problem. The concept of reusing pacemakers is not new; however, recent studies have proven to be safe, ethical, and effective for those who need cardiac implantable electronic devices and cannot afford them. Part of the Portuguese-speaking countries, especially in Africa, need an immediate response that benefits their countless patients who suffer from treatable arrhythmias.

Há uma enorme disparidade entre os países de alta renda e outros em termos de acesso a dispositivos médicos cardíacos, como marca-passos e desfibriladores implantáveis. Os custos são uma das principais barreiras ao uso de dispositivos cardíacos nesses países. Existem iniciativas internacionais que visam reduzir essa disparidade, e o reuso de marca-passos tem sido discutido como uma possível alternativa. O conceito de reutilização de marca-passos não é novo; entretanto, estudos recentes têm se mostrado seguros, éticos e eficazes para aqueles que precisam de dispositivos eletrônicos cardíacos implantáveis e não tem como adquiri-los. Parte dos países de língua portuguesa, especialmente na África, precisam de uma resposta imediata que beneficie seus inúmeros pacientes que sofrem de arritmias tratáveis.

Reprocessamento de Marca-Passos em Países de Língua Portuguesa: Uma Reflexão Clínica / Pacemaker Reuse in Portuguese Speaking Countries: A Clinical Reflection

Resumo Há uma enorme disparidade entre os países de alta renda e outros em termos de acesso a dispositivos médicos cardíacos, como marca-passos e desfibriladores implantáveis. Os custos são uma das principais barreiras ao uso de dispositivos cardíacos nesses países. Existem iniciativas internacionais que visam reduzir essa disparidade, e o reuso de marca-passos tem sido discutido como uma possível alternativa. O conceito de reutilização de marca-passos não é novo; entretanto, estudos recentes têm se mostrado seguros, éticos e eficazes para aqueles que precisam de dispositivos eletrônicos cardíacos implantáveis e não tem como adquiri-los. Parte dos países de língua portuguesa, especialmente na África, precisam de uma resposta imediata que beneficie seus inúmeros pacientes que sofrem de arritmias tratáveis.

Abstract There is a gap between high-income countries and others in terms of access to medical cardiac devices, such as pacemakers and implantable cardioverter defibrillators. Costs are one of the main barriers to the use of cardiac devices in these countries. There are international initiatives that aim to reduce the gap. The reuse of pacemakers has been discussed as a possible alternative to this problem. The concept of reusing pacemakers is not new; however, recent studies have proven to be safe, ethical, and effective for those who need cardiac implantable electronic devices and cannot afford them. Part of the Portuguese-speaking countries, especially in Africa, need an immediate response that benefits their countless patients who suffer from treatable arrhythmias.

Temporal trends in all-cause mortality according to smoking status: Insights from the Global Registry of Acute Coronary Events

Objective: Smoking has been shown to be a risk factor for heart disease. However, it was recently reported that despite the evolution in therapy for acute coronary syndrome (ACS), smokers have not demonstrated improved outcomes.The aim of the present study was to evaluate the temporal trends in the treatments and outcomes across a broad spectrum of ACS patients (STEMI and non-ST-elevation ACS [NSTEACS]) according to smoking status on presentation in the Global Registry of Acute Coronary Events (GRACE). Methods Our cohort was stratified into 3 groups: current smokers, former smokers and never smokers. We evaluated trends in demographics, treatment modalities and outcomes in these 3 groups from 1999 to 2007.ResultsThe study population comprised a total of 63,015 patients admitted to hospital with an ACS and with identifiable baseline smoking status. Smokers presented with STEMI more often than non-smokers. There was an unadjusted decline in 30-day mortality in all 3 groups. However, the adjusted decline was not statistically significant among current smokers (HR = 0.98 per study year, 95% CI 0.94–1.01, p = 0.20). A subgroup analysis of 22,894 STEMI patients demonstrated no reduction in annual adjusted 30-day mortality rates among smokers (HR = 1.01, 95% CI 0.96–1.06 (Table 5), whereas former and never smokers' mortality declined...

Late Consequences of Acute Coronary Syndromes: Global Registry of Acute Coronary Events (GRACE)Follow-up

PURPOSE: Short-term outcomes have been well characterized in acute coronary syndromes; however,longer-term follow-up for the entire spectrum of these patients, including ST-segment-elevation myocardialinfarction, non-ST-segment-elevation myocardial infarction, and unstable angina, is more limited. Therefore,we describe the longer-term outcomes, procedures, and medication use in Global Registry of AcuteCoronary Events (GRACE) hospital survivors undergoing 6-month and 2-year follow-up, and the performanceof the discharge GRACE risk score in predicting 2-year mortality.METHODS: Between 1999 and 2007, 70,395 patients with a suspected acute coronary syndrome wereenrolled. In 2004, 2-year prospective follow-up was undertaken in those with a discharge acute coronarysyndrome diagnosis in 57 sites.RESULTS: From 2004 to 2007, 19,122 (87.2%) patients underwent follow-up; by 2 years postdischarge,14.3% underwent angiography, 8.7% percutaneous coronary intervention, 2.0% coronary bypass surgery,and 24.2% were re-hospitalized. In patients with 2-year follow-up, acetylsalicylic acid (88.7%), betablocker(80.4%), renin-angiotensin system inhibitor (69.8%), and statin (80.2%) therapy was used. Heartfailure occurred in 6.3%, (re)infarction in 4.4%, and death in 7.1%. Discharge-to-6-month GRACE riskscore was highly predictive of all-cause mortality at 2 years (c-statistic 0.80).CONCLUSION: In this large multinational cohort of acute coronary syndrome patients, there were importantlater adverse consequences, including frequent morbidity and mortality. These findings were seen in thecontext of additional coronary procedures and despite continued use of evidence-based therapies in a highproportion of patients. The discriminative accuracy of the GRACE risk score in hospital survivors forpredicting longer-term mortality was maintained.

Late Consequences of Acute Coronary Syndromes: Global Registry of Acute Coronary Events (GRACE)Follow-up

PURPOSE: Short-term outcomes have been well characterized in acute coronary syndromes; however,longer-term follow-up for the entire spectrum of these patients, including ST-segment-elevation myocardialinfarction, non-ST-segment-elevation myocardial infarction, and unstable angina, is more limited. Therefore,we describe the longer-term outcomes, procedures, and medication use in Global Registry of AcuteCoronary Events (GRACE) hospital survivors undergoing 6-month and 2-year follow-up, and the performanceof the discharge GRACE risk score in predicting 2-year mortality.METHODS: Between 1999 and 2007, 70,395 patients with a suspected acute coronary syndrome wereenrolled. In 2004, 2-year prospective follow-up was undertaken in those with a discharge acute coronarysyndrome diagnosis in 57 sites.RESULTS: From 2004 to 2007, 19,122 (87.2%) patients underwent follow-up; by 2 years postdischarge,14.3% underwent angiography, 8.7% percutaneous coronary intervention, 2.0% coronary bypass surgery,and 24.2% were re-hospitalized. In patients with 2-year follow-up, acetylsalicylic acid (88.7%), betablocker(80.4%), renin-angiotensin system inhibitor (69.8%), and statin (80.2%) therapy was used. Heartfailure occurred in 6.3%, (re)infarction in 4.4%, and death in 7.1%. Discharge-to-6-month GRACE riskscore was highly predictive of all-cause mortality at 2 years (c-statistic 0.80).CONCLUSION: In this large multinational cohort of acute coronary syndrome patients, there were importantlater adverse consequences, including frequent morbidity and mortality. These findings were seen in thecontext of additional coronary procedures and despite continued use of evidence-based therapies in a highproportion of patients. The discriminative accuracy of the GRACE risk score in hospital survivors forpredicting longer-term mortality was maintained.

Comparison of acute coronary syndrome in patients receiving versus not receiving chronic dialysis (from the Global Registry of Acute Coronary Events [GRACE] Registry).

Patients with end-stage renal disease commonly develop acute coronary syndromes (ACS). Little is known about the natural history of ACS in patients receiving dialysis. We evaluated the presentation, management, and outcomes of patients with ACS who were receiving dialysis before presentation for an ACS and were enrolled in the Global Registry of Acute Coronary Events (GRACE) at 123 hospitals in 14 countries from 1999 to 2007. Of 55,189 patients, 579 were required dialysis at presentation. Non-ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction was the most common ACS presentation in patients receiving dialysis, occurring in 50% (290 of 579) of patients versus 33% (17,955 of 54,610) of those not receiving dialysis. Patients receiving dialysis had greater in-hospital mortality rates (12% vs 4.8%; p <0.0001) and, among those who survived to discharge, greater 6-month mortality rates (13% vs 4.2%; p <0.0001), recurrent myocardial infarction (7.6% vs 2.9%; p <0.0001), and unplanned rehospitalization (31% vs 18%; p <0.0001). The outcome in patients receiving dialysis was worse than that predicted by their calculated GRACE risk score for in-hospital mortality (7.8% predicted vs 12% observed; p <0.05), 6-month mortality/myocardial infarction (10% predicted vs 21% observed; p <0.05). In conclusion, in the present large multinational study, approximately 1% of patients with ACS were receiving dialysis. They were more likely to present with non-ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction, and had markedly greater in-hospital and 6-month mortality. The GRACE risk score underestimated the risk of major events in patients receiving dialysis.

Age and sex differences, and changing trends, in the use of evidence-based therapies in acute coronary syndromes: perspectives from a multinational registry.

BACKGROUND: A limited number of studies have examined the age and sex differences, and potentially changing trends, in cardiac medication and procedure use in patients hospitalized with an acute coronary syndrome (ACS). METHODS: Using data from a large multinational study, we examined the age and sex differences, and changing trends (1999-2007) therein, in the hospital use of evidence-based therapies in patients hospitalized with an ACS using data from the Global Registry of Acute Coronary Events (n=50 096). RESULTS: After adjustment for several variables, in comparison with men below 65 years, patients in other age-sex strata had a significantly lower odds of receiving aspirin [odds ratios (ORs) for men 65-74, 75-84, and >or=85 years, women <65, 65-74, 75-84, and >or=85 years were 0.86, 0.84, 0.72, 0.80, 0.86, 0.68 and 0.46, respectively], angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors or angiotensin II receptor blockers (ORs, 1.08, 1.01, 0,71, 0.83, 0.90, 0.89, and 0.63), beta blockers (ORs, 0.66, 0.52, 0.53, 0.67, 0.54, 0.53, and 0.52), statins (ORs, 0.72, 0.49, 0.29, 0.82, 0.68, 0.44, and 0.22), and undergoing coronary artery bypass graft surgery or a percutaneous coronary intervention (ORs, 0.79, 0.53, 0.21, 0.64, 0.57, 0.38, and 0.13) during their acute hospitalization. Age and sex differences in the receipt of these therapies remained relatively unchanged during the period under study. CONCLUSION: Although there were increasing trends in the use of evidence-based medications and cardiac procedures over time, important gaps in the utilization of effective cardiac treatment modalities persist in elderly patients and younger women.

Pulmonary artery catheterization in patients with acute coronary syndromes

Background There are limited recent data evaluating the use of the pulmonary artery catheter (PAC) in patients hospitalized with an acute coronary syndrome (ACS). Using data from the multinational Global Registry of Acute Coronary Events, we examined trends in PAC use among patients hospitalized for an ACS and the association between PAC andhospital outcomes. Methods Trends in PAC utilization between 2000 and 2007 were examined through the review of data contained in hospital medical records. We identified factors associated with PAC utilization and compared differences in the length ofhospitalization and in-hospital death rates between patients undergoing PAC during the index hospitalization (PAC+, n = 2,879) and those managed without PAC (PAC−, n = 56,091). Results The utilization of PAC during hospitalization for an ACS declined over time such that 3.0% of patients underwent PAC in 2007 compared with 5.4% in 2000. Admission Killip classification was the strongest factor associated with PACinsertion. The duration of hospitalization was significantly longer among PAC+ (median = 10.0 days) as compared with PAC− patients (median = 5.0 days). In-hospital death rates were significantly higher among PAC+ patients after adjustment for differences in baseline characteristics (odds ratio 4.00, 95% CI 3.41-4.70). Conclusions The frequency of PAC utilization in “real-world” patients hospitalized with ACS has declined during recent years. Our finding of increased in-hospital mortality among patients undergoing PAC is consistent with prior studies and mayfurther challenge the efficacy of PAC in the setting of ACS.

Mortality following placement of drug-eluting and bare-metal stents for ST-segment elevation acute myocardial infarction in the Global Registry of Acute Coronary Events

To assess mortality after drug-eluting stent (DES) or bare-metal stent (BMS) for ST-segment elevation myocardialinfarction (STEMI). Methodsand results In this multinational registry, 5093 STEMI patients received a stent: 1313 (26%) a DES and 3780 (74%) only BMS. Groups differed in baseline characteristics, type, or timing of percutaneous coronary intervention, with a higher baseline risk for patients receiving BMS. Two-year follow-up was available in 55 and 60% of the eligible BMS and DES patients, respectively. Unadjusted mortality was lower during hospitalization, similar for the first 6 months after discharge, and higher from 6 months to 2 years, for DES patients compared with that of BMS patients. Overall, unadjusted 2-year mortality was 5.3 vs. 3.9% for BMS vs. DES patients (P » 0.04). In propensity- and risk-adjusted survival analyses (Cox model), post-discharge mortality was not different up to 6 months (P » 0.21) or 1 year (P » 0.34). Late post-discharge mortality was higher in DES patients from 6 months to 2 years (HR 4.90, P » 0.01) or from 1 to 2 years (HR 7.06, P » 0.02). Similar results were observed when factoring in hospital mortality. Conclusion The observation of increased late mortality with DES vs. BMS suggests that DES should probably be avoided inSTEMI, until more long-term data become available.

Unprotected left main revascularizationin patients with acute coronary syndromes

In acute coronary syndromes (ACS), the optimal revascularization strategy for unprotected left main coronary disease (ULMCD) has been little studied. The objectives of the present study were to describe the practice of ULMCD revascularization in ACS patients and its evolution over an 8-year period, analyse the prognosis of this population and determine the effect of revascularization on outcome. Methods and results Of 43 018 patients enrolled in the Global Registry of Acute Coronary Events (GRACE) between 2000 and 2007, 1799 had significant ULMCD and underwent percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) alone (n » 514), coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) alone (n » 612), or no revascularization (n » 673). Mortality was 7.7% in hospital and 14% at 6 months. Over the 8-year study, the GRACE risk score remained constant, but there was a steady shift to more PCI than CABG over time. Patients undergoing PCI presented more frequently with ST-segment elevationmyocardial infarction (STEMI), after cardiac arrest, or in cardiogenic shock; 48% of PCI patients underwent revascularization on the day of admission vs. 5.1% in the CABG group. After adjustment, revascularization was associated with an early hazard of hospital death vs. no revascularization, significant for PCI (hazard ratio (HR) 2.60, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.62–4.18) but not for CABG (1.26, 0.72–2.22). From discharge to 6 months, both PCI (HR 0.45, 95% CI 0.23–0.85) and CABG (0.11, 0.04–0.28) were significantly associated with improved survival in comparison with an initial strategy of no revascularization...

Association of peripheral artery disease with treatment and outcomes in acute coronary syndromes. The Global Registry of Acute Coronary Events (GRACE) / Association of peripheral artery disease with treatment and outcomes in acute coronary syndromes. The Global Registry of Acute Coronary Events (GRACE)

Background National guidelines recommend the use of secondary prevention modalities for patients with peripheral artery disease (PAD) and coronary artery disease. The effect of prior PAD on the treatment and outcomes of patients with acute coronary syndromes (ACS), however, is not well characterized. The objectives of this study were to assess treatment practices and hospital outcomes in patients with ACS and prior PAD. Methods Data were analyzed from 41,108 patients aged z18 years with ACS and enrolled in the large multinational GRACE between 1999 and 2004. Results Of the 41,108 patients, 4003 (9.7%) had prior PAD. Patients with PAD were older, more likely to be men, to have a variety of prior comorbidities, and to present with non–ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction and a higher Killip class than patients without PAD. Patients with PAD were less likely to be treated with effective cardiac medications than patients without PAD. At the time of hospital presentation, patients with prior PAD had low rates of use of beneficial cardiac medications, including angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors, aspirin, h-blockers, and lipid-lowering agents. Patients with PAD were significantly more likely to experience the composite hospital end point (death, shock, recurrent angina, stroke) than patients without prior PAD (adjusted OR 1.17; 95% CI 1.08-1.26). Conclusions Patients with prior PAD received less aggressive treatment with proven cardiac medications during hospitalization for an ACS than patients without PAD. Utilization of beneficial medical therapies in patients with PAD before hospitalization with ACS was also less than optimal. Given the poorer hospital outcomes in patients with PAD, our findings suggest considerable opportunity to improve care for these high-risk patients.

Access to catheterisation facilities in patients admitted with acute coronary syndrome: multinational registry study

Objective To investigate the relation between access to a cardiac catheterisation laboratory and clinical outcomes in patients admitted to hospital with suspected acute coronary syndrome. Design Prospective, multinational, observational registry. Setting Patients enrolled in 106 hospitals in 14 countries between April 1999 and March 2003. Participants 28 825 patients aged ¡Ý 18 years. Main outcome measures Use of percutaneous coronary intervention or coronary artery bypass graft surgery, death, infarction after discharge, stroke, or major bleeding. Results Most patients (77%) across all regions (United States, Europe, Argentina and Brazil, Australia, New Zealand, and Canada) were admitted to hospitals with catheterisation facilities. As expected, the availability of a catheterisation laboratory was associated with more frequent use of percutaneous coronary intervention (41% v 3.9%, P < 0.001) and coronary artery bypass graft (7.1% v 0.7%, P < 0.001). After adjustment for baseline characteristics, medical history, and geographical region there were no significant differences in the risk of early death between patients in hospitals with or without catheterisation facilities (odds ratio 1.13, 95% confidence interval 0.98 to 1.30, for death in hospital; hazard ratio 1.05, 0.93 to 1.18, for death at 30 days). The risk of death at six months was significantly higher in patients first admitted to hospitals with catheterisation facilities (hazard ratio 1.14, 1.03 to 1.26), as was the risk of bleeding complications in hospital (odds ratio 1.94, 1.57 to 2.39) and stroke (odds ratio 1.53, 1.10 to 2.14). Conclusions These findings support the current strategy of directing patients with suspected acute coronary syndrome to the nearest hospital with acute care facilities, irrespective of the availability of a catheterisation laboratory, and argue against early routine transfer of these patients to tertiary care hospitals with interventional facilities.

Impact of age on management and outcome of acute coronary syndrome: observations from the Global Registry of Acute Coronary Events (GRACE).

BACKGROUND: Evidence-based cardiac therapies are underutilized in elderly patients. We assessed differences in practice patterns, comorbidities, and in-hospital event rates, by age and type of acute coronary syndrome (ACS). METHODS: We studied 24165 ACS patients in 102 hospitals in 14 countries stratified by age. RESULTS: Approximately two-thirds of patients were men, but this proportion decreased with age. In elderly patients (> or = 65 years), history of angina, transient ischemic attack/stroke, myocardial infarction(MI), congestive heart failure, coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) surgery, hypertension or atrial fibrillation were more common, and delay in seeking medical attention and non-ST-segment elevation MI were significantly higher. Aspirin, beta-blockers, thrombolytic therapy, statins and glycoprotein IIb/IIIa inhibitors were prescribed less, while calcium antagonists and angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors were prescribed more often to elderly patients. Unfractionated heparin was prescribed more often in young patients, while low-molecular-weight heparins were similarly prescribed across all age groups. Coronary angiography and percutaneous intervention rates significantly decreased with age. The rate of CABG surgery was highest among patients aged 65-74 years (8.1%) and 55-64 years (7.7%), but reduced in the youngest (4.7%) and oldest (2.7%) groups. Major bleeding rates were 2-3% among patients aged < 65 years, and > 6% in those > or = 85 years. Hospital-mortality rates, adjusted for baseline risk differences, increased with age (odds ratio: 15.7 in patients > or = 85 years compared with those < 45 years). CONCLUSIONS: Many elderly ACS patients do not receive evidence-based therapies, highlighting the need for clinical trials targeted specifically at elderly cohorts, and quality-of-care programs that reinforce the use of such therapies among these individuals.

Impact of age on management and outcome of acute coronary syndrome: observations from the Global Registry of Acute Coronary Events (GRACE)

Evidence-based cardiac therapies are underutilized in elderly patients. We assessed differences in practice patterns, comorbidities, and in-hospital event rates, by age and type of acute coronary syndrome (ACS). We studied 24165 ACS patients in 102 hospitals in 14 countries stratified by age. Results Approximately two-thirds of patients were men, but this proportion decreased with age. In elderly patients ( 65 years), history of angina, transient ischemic attack/stroke, myocardial infarction(MI), congestive heart failure, coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) surgery, hypertension or atrial fibrillation were more common, and delay in seeking medical attention and non-ST-segment elevation MI were significantly higher. Aspirin, -blockers, thrombolytic therapy, statins and glycoprotein IIb/IIIa inhibitors were prescribed less, while calcium antagonists and angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors were prescribed more often to elderly patients. Unfractionated heparin was prescribed more often in young patients, while low-molecular-weight heparins were similarly prescribed across all age groups. Coronary angiography and percutaneous intervention rates significantly decreased with age. The rate of CABG surgery was highest among patients aged 65–74 years (8.1%) and 55–64 years (7.7%), but reduced in the youngest (4.7%) and oldest (2.7%) groups. Major bleeding rates were 2–3% among patients aged 65 years, and 6% in those 85 years. Hospitalmortality rates, adjusted for baseline risk differences, increased with age (odds ratio: 15.7 in patients 85 years compared with those 45 years). Many elderly ACS patients do not receive evidence-based therapies, highlighting the need for clinical trials targeted specifically at elderly cohorts, and quality-of-care programs that reinforce the use of such therapies among these individuals.