Baseline Characteristics of a Patient Cohort and Predictors of In-hospital MORtality in CORonary Care Units (MORCOR-TURK) Trial in Türkiye

OBJECTIVE

The MORtality in CORonary Care Units in Türkiye (MORCOR-TURK) trial is a national registry evaluating predictors and rates of in-hospital mortality in coronary care unit (CCU) patients in Türkiye. This report describes the baseline demographic characteristics of patients recruited for the MORCOR-TURK trial.

METHODS

The study is a multicenter, cross-sectional, prospective national registry that included 50 centers capable of 24-hour CCU service, selected from all seven geographic regions of Türkiye. All consecutive patients admitted to CCUs with cardiovascular emergencies between September 1-30, 2022, were prospectively enrolled. Baseline demographic characteristics, admission diagnoses, laboratory data, and cardiovascular risk factors were recorded.

RESULTS

A total of 3,157 patients with a mean age of 65 years (range: 56-73) and 2,087 (66.1%) males were included in the analysis. Patients with arterial hypertension [1,864 patients (59%)], diabetes mellitus (DM) [1,184 (37.5%)], hyperlipidemia [1,120 (35.5%)], and smoking [1,093 (34.6%)] were noted. Non-ST elevation myocardial infarction (NSTEMI) was the leading cause of admission [1,187 patients (37.6%)], followed by ST elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) in 742 patients (23.5%). Other frequent diagnoses included decompensated heart failure (HF) [339 patients (10.7%)] and arrhythmia [272 patients (8.6%)], respectively. Atrial fibrillation (AF) was the most common pathological rhythm [442 patients (14%)], and chest pain was the most common primary complaint [2,173 patients (68.8%)].

CONCLUSION

The most common admission diagnosis was acute coronary syndrome (ACS), particularly NSTEMI. Hypertension and DM were found to be the two leading risk factors, and AF was the most commonly seen pathological rhythm in all hospitalized patients. These findings may be useful in understanding the characteristics of patients admitted to CCUs and thus in taking precautions to decrease CCU admissions.

The Relationship Between Endocan and Serum Inflammatory Markers in Patients with Senile Calcific Aortic Stenosis

BACKGROUND

Endocan is an indicator of many pathologies accompanied by inflammation, endothelial cell activation, and dysfunction. In this study, we examined the relationship between degenerative aortic sclerosis, which progresses in a similar pathophysiologic mechanism as atherosclerosis, and serum inflammatory markers and endocan levels.

METHODS

A total of 155 patients without known coronary artery disease, aged between 65 and 80 years, were consecutively included in the prospective cross-sectional study. The study population was analyzed in 4 different groups. The control group consisted of patients with normal aortic valve structure, while patients with aortic stenosis were classified as mild aortic stenosis (2-2.9 m/s), moderate aortic stenosis (3-3.9 m/s), and severe aortic stenosis (≥ 4 m/s) according to their aortic velocity. While there were 39 patients in the control group, there were 58, 24, and 34 patients in the mild, moderate, and severe aortic stenosis groups, respectively.

RESULTS

There was no statistically significant difference between the groups in terms of patient distribution and characteristics. History of dyspnea and angina was correlated with the severity of aortic stenosis (P <.001). In this study, no statistically significant correlation was found between serum endocan levels and the severity of aortic stenosis (control group: 17.3 ± 6.3 ng/mL, mild aortic stenosis: 17.6 ± 8.7 ng/mL, moderate aortic stenosis: 16.3 ± 3.8 ng/mL, severe aortic stenosis: 15.2 ± 5.9 ng/mL, P =.396). However, it was figured out that there was a positive correlation between endocan levels and hemoglobin (Hg) (r = 0.308, P =.001), platelet (PLT) (r = 0.320, P <.001), and albumin (Alb) (r = 0.206, P =.026).

CONCLUSION

In this study, no significant correlation was found between serum endocan levels and the severity of aortic stenosis. On the other hand, there was a positive correlation between endocan levels and Hg, PLT, and Alb.

Gender-Related Differences in Patients with Acute Heart Failure: Observation from the Journey Heart Failure-Turkish Population Study

BACKGROUND

Gender-related clinical variations in patients with acute heart failure have been described in previous studies. However, there is still a lack of research on gender differences in patients hospitalized for acute heart failure in Türkiye. The aim of this study is to compare the clinical features, in-hospital approaches, and outcomes of male and female patients hospitalized for acute heart failure.

METHODS

Differences in clinical characteristics, medication prescription, hospital management, and outcomes between males and females with acute heart failure were investigated from the Journey Heart Failure-Turkish Population study.

RESULTS

Nine hundred eighteen patients (57.2%) were men and 688 (42.8%) were women. Women were older than men (70.48 ± 13.20 years vs. 65.87 ± 12.82 years; P <.001). The frequency of comorbidities such as hypertension (72.7% vs. 62.4%, P <.001), diabetes (46.5% vs. 38.5%, P = .001),  atrial  fibrillation  (46.5%  vs.  33.4%,  P <.001), New York Heart Association class III-IV symptoms (80.6% vs. 71.2%, P =.001), and dyspnea in the rest (73.8% vs. 68.3%, P =.044) were more common in women on admission. Male patients were more frequently hospitalized with reduced left ventricular ejection fraction (51.0% vs. 72.4%, P <.001). In-hospital mortality was higher among female patients (9.3% vs. 6.4%, P =.022). Higher  New  York  Heart  Association  class,  lower  estimated  glomerular  filtration  rate, higher N-terminal pro-B type natriuretic peptide on admission, and mechanical ventilation usage were the independent parameters of in-hospital mortality, whereas the female gender was not.

CONCLUSION

Our study clearly demonstrated the diversity in presentation, management, and in-hospital outcomes of acute heart failure between male and female patients. Although left ventricular systolic functions were better in female patients, in-hospital mortality was higher. Recognizing these differences in the management of heart failure in different sexes will serve better results in clinical practice.

Echocardiographic reference ranges for normal cardiac Doppler data in healthy Turkish population: ECHO-DOP-TR Trial

AIM

Doppler echocardiography has become the standard imaging modality for diastolic function and provides pathophysiological insight into systolic and diastolic heart failure. In this study, we aimed to obtain normal echocardiographic Doppler parameters of healthy Turkish population.

METHODS

Among 31 collaborating institutions from all regions of Turkey, 1154 healthy volunteers were enrolled in this study. Predefined protocols were used for all participants during echocardiographic examination and The American Society of Echocardiography and European Association of Cardiovascular Imaging recommendations were used for echocardiographic Doppler measurements.

RESULTS

A total of 967 healthy participants were enrolled in this study after applying exclusion criteria. Echocardiographic examination was obtained from all subjects following predefined protocols. Mitral E wave velocity and E/A ratio were higher in females and decreased progressively in advancing ages. E wave deceleration time and A wave velocity were increased with aging. Assessment of tissue Doppler velocities showed that left ventricular lateral e', septal e', and septal s' were higher in younger subjects and in females. E/e' ratio was increased progressively with advancing decades. Right ventricular e' and s' were decreased but a' was increased with increasing age. Septal e' lower than 8 cm/s was 1.9% in the fifth decade and 13.7% in ages older than 50 years. The E/e' ratio greater than 15 (and also 13) was not found.

CONCLUSION

This study, for the first time, provides echocardiographic reference ranges for normal cardiac Doppler data in healthy Turkish population which will be useful in routine clinical practice as well as in future clinical trials.

Rationale, design, and methodology of the EPIC (Epidemiology of Polypharmacy and Potential Drug-Drug Interactions in Elderly Cardiac Outpatients) study

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this study is to assess the prevalence of polypharmacy, inappropriate drug use, and drug-drug interactions (DDIs) in elderly patients presenting at outpatient cardiology clinics in Turkey.

METHODS

The EPIC (Epidemiology of Polypharmacy and Potential Drug-Drug Interactions in Elderly Cardiac Outpatients) study will be an observational, real-world, multicenter study conducted to evaluate DDIs and polypharmacy in elderly cardiac outpatients. All consecutive patients (aged ≥65 years) admitted to outpatient cardiology clinics between July 30, 2018 and July 30, 2019 who provide written, informed consent will be enrolled. A total of approximately 5000 patients are to be enrolled in this non-interventional study. All of the data will be collected at one point in time and current clinical practice will be evaluated (ClinicalTrials.gov NCT03370523).

RESULTS

Patient demographics, comorbid disease characteristics, laboratory test results, and details of medication use will be collected using self-reports and medical records. The severity of comorbid disease will be recorded and scored according to Charlson Comorbidity Index (CCI) and patients will be divided into 3 groups: mild, those with a CCI score of 1-2; moderate, those with a CCI score of 3-4; and severe, those with a CCI score of ≥5. Polypharmacy will be defined as the use of 5 or more medications at one time. DDIs will be determined using the Lexicomp Online drug interaction screening tool and potentially inappropriate medications will be defined based on the 2015 update of the Beers Criteria for Potentially Inappropriate Medication Use in Older Adults. Severe drug interactions will be defined as those in category D or X.

CONCLUSION

EPIC will be the first large-scale study in Turkey to evaluate polypharmacy, potentially inappropriate medications, and DDIs in elderly cardiac outpatients in a real-world clinical setting.

Assessment of bicuspid aortic valve phenotypes and associated pathologies: A transesophageal echocardiographic study

OBJECTIVE

We investigated the frequency of different bicuspid aortic valve disease (BAV) phenotypes,the associated valvular pathologies, and the aortopathy phenotypes, using 2-dimensional (2D) transthoracic, 2D transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) and 3-dimensional (3D) TEE.

METHODS

A total of 154 patients with BAV were included. Five BAV phenotypes were detected. To better define valvular pathologies, binary classifications of BAV were used: BAV with antero-posterior commisural line (BAV-AP) and right-left commissural line (BAV-RL). Aortopathy phenotype was classified according to the involved tract(s).

RESULTS

Of the patients, 53.2% had type 1, 16.2% type 2, 15.6% type 3, 1.3% type 4, and 13.6% had type 5 BAV. The prevalence of BAV-AP and BAV-RL was 68.2% and 31.8%, respectively. No difference was detected with respect to aortic regurgitation between BAV-AP and BAV-RL (p=0.9), but the BAVRL group had an increased propensity to have a stenotic aortic valve (p=0.003). The indexed aortic diameter was larger in BAV-AP cases than BAV-RL at the sinus of Valsalva (p=0.008). In patients with dilatation of the root and tubular portion, a predominance of BAV-AP versus BAV-RL was observed (85% vs 15%). A markedly low prevalence of the root phenotype (3.2%) was observed. In 90.1% of the patients, 2D TEE was sufficient to classify BAV phenotypes; further 3D imaging was needed in 9.9% of the cases.

CONCLUSION

There may be racial differences in the frequency of valvular and aortopathy phenotypes in patients with BAV. BAV phenotypes differ with respect to aortic stenosis and aortopathy phenotypes. TEE may have good diagnostic utility in differentiating BAV phenotypes.

Real-world stroke prevention strategies in nonvalvular atrial fibrillation in patients with renal impairment

BACKGROUND

The data regarding stroke prevention strategies in nonvalvular atrial fibrillation (NVAF) are limited especially in patients with renal impairment (RI). We sought to evaluate management dilemmas in patients with concurrent NVAF and RI in RAMSES (ReAl-life Multicenter Survey Evaluating Stroke Prevention Strategies inTurkey) study.

METHODS

We conducted a prospective, multicenter, nation-wide registry in NVAF patients in outpatient cardiology clinics. All consecutive patients with NVAF were enrolled in RAMSES study (ClinicalTrials.gov identifier NCT02344901). The baseline data were collected. Glomerular filtration rate (GFR) was estimated by Cockcroft-Gault equation.

RESULTS

A total number of 6273 patients from 29 provinces of Turkey with the contribution of 83 investigators were enrolled to the study. Of the study population, 1964(33%) patients had RI which was defined as GFR < 60 mL/min. Patients with RI had significantly higher CHA₂ DS₂ VASc and HAS-BLED scores compared to those without RI (3·9 ± 1·5 vs. 2·9 ± 1·5, and 2·0 ± 1 vs. 1·4 ± 1; P < 0·001). Prior history of major bleeding (6·9% vs. 4·1%, P < 0·001) and stroke (16·2% vs. 11·8%, P < 0·001) was significantly higher among individuals with concomitant RI and NVAF. Although RI patients had a higher risk for thromboembolism, number of the patients who did not receive any anticoagulant therapy was higher in patients with RI than without RI (30·1 vs. 26·4%, P = 0·003).

CONCLUSION

RAMSES study showed that one-third of the patients with NVAF had RI in the real-world setting. Although it is mandatory in most of the patients with concomitant NVAF and RI, nearly one-third of these patients did not receive any anticoagulant therapy.

Impact of valvular heart disease on oral anticoagulant therapy in non-valvular atrial fibrillation: results from the RAMSES study

The definition of non-valvular atrial fibrillation (NVAF) is controversial. We aimed to assess the impact of valvular heart disease on stroke prevention strategies in NVAF patients. The RAMSES study was a multicenter and cross-sectional study conducted on NVAF patients (ClinicalTrials.gov identifier NCT02344901). The study population was divided into patients with significant valvular disease (SVD) and non-significant valvular disease (NSVD), whether they had at least one moderate valvular disease or not. Patients with a mechanical prosthetic valve and mitral stenosis were excluded. Baseline characteristics and oral anticoagulant (OAC) therapies were compared. In 5987 patients with NVAF, there were 3929 (66%) NSVD and 2058 (34%) SVD patients. The predominant valvular disease was mitral regurgitation (58.1%), followed by aortic regurgitation (24.1%) and aortic stenosis (17.8%). Patients with SVD had higher CHA₂DS₂VASc [3.0 (2.0; 4.0) vs. 4.0 (2.0; 5.0), p < 0.001] and HAS-BLED [2.0 (1.0; 2.0) vs. 2.0 (1.0; 2.0), p = 0.004] scores compared to patients with NSVD. Overall, 2763 (71.2%) of NSVD and 1515 (73.8%) of SVD patients were on OAC therapy (p = 0.035). When the patients with SVD were analyzed separately, the mean CHA₂DS₂VASc and HAS-BLED scores were higher in patients with mitral regurgitation compared to patients with aortic regurgitation and aortic stenosis [4.0 (3.0; 5.0), 3.0 (2.0; 4.0), 3.0 (2.0; 4.0) p < 0.001 and 2.0 (1.0; 3.0), 1.0 (1.0; 2.0), 1.0 (0.0; 2.0) p < 0.001, respectively]. In patients with SVD, 65.7% of mitral regurgitation, 82.6% of aortic regurgitation and 88.0% of aortic stenosis patients were on OAC therapy. One out of three NVAF patients had at least one moderate valvular heart disease with the predominance of mitral regurgitation. Patients with SVD were at greater risk of stroke and bleeding compared to patients with NSVD. Although patients with mitral regurgitation should be given more aggressive anticoagulant therapy due to their higher risk of stroke, they are undertreated compared to patients with aortic valve diseases.

Drug Adherence in Patients With Nonvalvular Atrial Fibrillation Taking Non-Vitamin K Antagonist Oral Anticoagulants in Turkey: NOAC-TR

Adherence to non-vitamin K antagonist oral anticoagulants (NOACs) is an important factor for ensuring efficacy and safety in nonvalvular atrial fibrillation (NVAF). There are controversial results regarding NOAC adherence in real-world data and there are no data about NOAC adherence in Turkish population. This study investigated the NOAC adherence based on self-report, factors affecting nonadherence, and the relation of the adherence level with efficacy and safety outcomes. This multicenter cross-sectional study included 2738 patients (59% female) using NOAC (dabigatran, apixaban, and rivaroxaban) due to NVAF for more than 3 months with >30 days of supply between September 1, 2015, and February 28, 2016. To measure the adherence level, an 8-item Morisky Medication Adherence Scale was used. The mean age of the patients was 70 ± 10 years. Of the 2738 patients, 44% were receiving dabigatran, 38% rivaroxaban, and 18% apixaban. A total of 630 (23%) patients had high medication adherence, 712 (26%) moderate adherence, and 1396 (51%) low adherence. Nonadherence had related to stroke (5.6% vs 2.5%, P < .001) and minor (21.2% vs 11.1%, P < .001) and major (6.1% vs 3.7%, P = .004) bleeding rates. The adherence to NOAC was found to be quite low in Turkey. Nonadherence is associated with bleeding and thromboembolic cardiovascular events. Age, taking NOAC twice a day, and the additional noncardiac diseases, depression, and dementia were the independent factors affecting poor medication adherence.

Gender-related differences in presentation and treatment of patients with non-valvular atrial fibrillation: results from RAMSES study

OBJECTIVE

Gender is an important feature in the management of atrial fibrillation (AF). This study investigated gender-related differences in patients with AF in Turkey.

METHODS

As a part of RAMSES (ReAl-life Multicenter Survey Evaluating Stroke prevention strategies in Turkey, NCT02344901) study, information of the patients with AF who successively applied to the hospital was analyzed. This cross-sectional, multicenter, nationwide observational study enrolled 6264 non-valvular AF (NVAF) outpatients (55.9% women) from Turkey.

RESULTS

Compared with men, women with NVAF were older (71 years [range: 65-78 years] vs. 70 years [range: 62-77 years]; p<0.001), had lower frequency of coronary artery disease (22.0% vs. 38.3%; p<0.001) and congestive heart failure (18.2% vs. 27.2%; p<0.001). Women had higher median CHA2DS2-VASc score (4 [range: 3-5] vs. 3 [range: 2-4]; p<0.001), but similar HAS-BLED score (2 [range: 1-2] vs. 2 [range: 1-2]; p=0.141) when compared with men. Anticoagulant therapy use was higher in women (74.5% vs. 69.9%; p<0.001). Analysis of anticoagulation therapy use revealed that 68.5% of men and 61.6% of women (p=0.204) who had low risk for stroke (CHA2DS2-VASc score: 0 [male], 1 [female]) received anticoagulation therapy, and 30.5% of the men. Meanwhile, 25.3% of the women (p<0.001) with high risk for stroke (CHA2DS2-VASc score: ≥1 [male], ≥2 [female]) had not received any anticogulant therapy.

CONCLUSION

Although women with NVAF receive better treatment than men, anticoagulation therapy is suboptimal in large proportion of men and women, with underuse in high-risk patients and overuse in low-risk patients. There is an urgent need to improve optimization of anticoagulation in patients with NVAF.

Suboptimal use of non-vitamin K antagonist oral anticoagulants: Results from the RAMSES study

This study aimed to investigate the potential misuse of novel oral anticoagulants (NOACs) and the physicians' adherence to current European guideline recommendations in real-world using a large dataset from Real-life Multicenter Survey Evaluating Stroke Prevention Strategies in Turkey (RAMSES Study).RAMSES study is a prospective, multicenter, nationwide registry (ClinicalTrials.gov identifier NCT02344901). In this subgroup analysis of RAMSES study, patients who were on NOACs were classified as appropriately treated (AT), undertreated (UT), and overtreated (OT) according to the European Society of Cardiology (ESC) guidelines. The independent predictors of UT and OT were determined by multivariate logistic regression.Of the 2086 eligible patients, 1247 (59.8%) received adequate treatment. However, off-label use was detected in 839 (40.2%) patients; 634 (30.4%) patients received UT and 205 (9.8%) received OT. Independent predictors of UT included >65 years of age, creatinine clearance ≥50 mL/min, urban living, existing dabigatran treatment, and HAS-BLED score of <3, whereas that of OT were creatinine clearance <50 mL/min, ongoing rivaroxaban treatment, and HAS-BLED score of ≥3.The suboptimal use of NOACs is common because of physicians' poor compliance to the guideline recommendations in patients with nonvalvular atrial fibrillation (NVAF). Older patients who were on dabigatran treatment with good renal functions and low risk of bleeding were at risk of UT, whereas patients who were on rivaroxaban treatment with renal impairment and high risk of bleeding were at risk of OT. Therefore, a greater emphasis should be given to prescribe the recommended dose for the specified patients.