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BackgroundGender-related differences in mortality of acute coronary syndrome (ACS) have been reported. The extent and causes of these differences in the Middle-East are poorly understood. We studied to what extent difference in outcome, specifically 1-year mortality are attributable to demographic, baseline clinical differences at presentation, and management differences between female and male patients.Methodology/Principal FindingsBaseline characteristics, treatment patterns, and 1-year mortality of 7390 ACS patients in 65 hospitals in 6 Arabian Gulf countries were evaluated during 2008–2009, as part of the 2nd Gulf Registry of Acute Coronary Events (Gulf RACE-2). Women were older (61.3±11.8 vs. 55.6±12.4; P<0.001), more overweight (BMI: 28.1±6.6 vs. 26.7±5.1; P<0.001), and more likely to have a history of hypertension, hyperlipidemia or diabetes. Fewer women than men received angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors (ACE), aspirin, clopidogrel, beta blockers or statins at discharge. They also underwent fewer invasive procedures including angiography (27.0% vs. 34.0%; P<0.001), percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) (10.5% vs. 15.6%; P<0.001) and reperfusion therapy (6.9% vs. 20.2%; P<0.001) than men. Women were at higher unadjusted risk for in-hospital death (6.8% vs. 4.0%, P<0.001) and heart failure (HF) (18% vs. 11.8%, P<0.001). Both 1-month and 1-year mortality rates were higher in women than men (11% vs. 7.4% and 17.3% vs. 11.4%, respectively, P<0.001). Both baseline and management differences contributed to a worse outcome in women. Together these variables explained almost all mortality disparities.Conclusions/SignificanceDifferences between genders in mortality appeared to be largely explained by differences in prognostic variables and management patterns. However, the origin of the latter differences need further study.

a b s t r a c tContext: Elderly patients have more cardiovascular risk factors and a greater burden of ischemic disease than younger patients. Aims: To examine the impact of age on clinical presentation and outcomes in patients presenting with acute coronary syndrome (ACS). Methods and material: Collected data from the 2nd Gulf Registry of Acute Coronary Events (Gulf RACE-2), which is a prospective multicenter study from six adjacent Arab Middle Eastern Gulf countries. Patients were divided into 3 groups according to their age: 50 years, 51e70 years and >70 years and their clinical characteristics and outcomes were analyzed. Mortality was assessed at one and 12 months. Statistical analysis used: One-way ANOVA test for continuous variables, Pearson chi-square (X 2 ) test for categorical variables and multivariate logistic regression analysis for predictors were performed. Results: Among 7930 consecutive ACS patients; 2755 (35%) were 50 years, 4110 (52%) were 51e70 years and 1065 (13%) >70 years old. The proportion of women increased with increasing age (13% among patients 50 years to 31% among patients > 70 years). The risk factor pattern varied with age; younger patients were more often obese, smokers and had a positive family history of CAD, whereas older patients more likely to have diabetes mellitus, hypertension, and dyslipidemia. Advancing age was associated with under-treatment evidence-based therapies. Multivariate logistic regression analysis after adjusting for relevant covariates showed that old age was independent predictors for re-ischemia (OR 1.29; 95% CI 1.03e1.60), heart failure (OR 2.8; 95% CI 2.17e3.52) and major bleeding (OR 4.02; 95% CI 1.37 e11.77) and in-hospital mortality (age 51e70: OR 2.67; 95% CI 1.86e3.85, and age >70: OR 4.71; 95% CI 3.11e7.14). Conclusion: Despite being higher risk group, elderly are less likely to receive evidence-based therapies and had worse outcomes. Guidelines adherence is highly recommended in elderly.

We assessed the use and determinants of cardiac catheterization during index admissions, among patients with acute coronary syndrome (ACS) in the Middle East. Data were analyzed from 8150 consecutive ACS patients enrolled prospectively. The overall rate of cardiac catheterization was 20%. Major predictors of cardiac catheterization were university hospitals, hospitals with catheterization facilities, physician type, and Gulf citizenship. High-risk patients were catheterized less compared to low-risk patients; odds ratio (OR) 0.44, 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.33-0.60, P < .001 and OR 0.68, 95% CI: 0.48-0.98, P = .037 for patients with non-ST-elevation ACS and ST-elevation myocardial infarction, respectively. The use of cardiac catheterization in patients with ACS from Middle East is low. It is related more to hospital characteristics than to baseline risks. There is a need to explore ways to increase overall rate of in-hospital cardiac catheterization in the region and direct it to patients who would benefit most.

We describe management and outcomes of patients with nonvalvular atrial fibrillation (AF) in the Middle East. Consecutive patients with AF presenting to emergency departments (EDs) were prospectively enrolled. Among 1721 patients with nonvalvular AF, mean age was 59 ± 16 years and 44% were women. Comorbidities were common such as hypertension (59%), diabetes (33%), and coronary artery disease (33%). Warfarin was not prescribed to 40% of patients with Congestive heart failure, Hypertension, Age, Diabetes mellitus, Stroke/TIA2 score of ≥2. One-year rates of stroke/transient ischemic attack (TIA) and all-cause mortality were 4.2% and 15.3%, respectively. Warfarin use at hospital-ED discharge was independently associated with lower 1-year rate of stroke/TIA (odds ratio [OR], 0.38; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.17-0.85; P = .015) and all-cause mortality (OR, 0.51; 95% CI, 0.32-0.83; P = .006). Prior history of heart failure and peripheral vascular disease was independent mortality predictors. Our patients are relatively young with significant cardiovascular risk. Their anticoagulation treatment is suboptimal, and 1-year all-cause mortality and stroke/TIA event rates are relatively high.