What is known and objective: The use of medications for secondary prevention is the cornerstone in the treatment of coronary artery disease (CAD). However, adherence to these medications is still suboptimal worldwide. This retrospective observational study aimed to assess the adherence to post-percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) medications, along with predictors of non-adherence. Methods:We conducted a retrospective observational cohort study to assess the adherence to post-PCI medications by determining the rate of prescription refills for 12 months after discharge among STEMI patients, as well as predictors of non-adherence. Adherence was assessed by medication availability 80% of the time monitored by the prescription refills rate for 1 year post-discharge.Results and discussion: A total of 1334 patients who presented with STEMI and underwent primary PCI were included in our retrospective analysis. The majority of patients included were male (96%) with a mean age of 51 ± 10.2 years. The overall adherence rate for all medications was only 28.4%, with an individual adherence rate of 50.5% for aspirin, 49.9% for P 2 Y 12 inhibitors, 48.1% for statins, 39.6% for betablockers and 42.9% for angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors/angiotensin II receptor blockers (ARB). Factors that increased the likelihood of non-adherence were prolonged hospital length of stay and getting the medications with charge (aOR = 1.94, 95% CI 1.1-3.3; p-value = 0.017, aOR = 1.87, 95% CI 1.1-3.3; p-value = 0.029, respectively), while having a regular follow-up after discharge and attending the first clinic

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Background Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) is associated with significant morbidity and mortality. This study aimed to explore the early predictors of intensive care unit (ICU) admission and in-hospital mortality among patients diagnosed with COVID-19. Methods This was a case-control study of adult patients with confirmed COVID-19. Cases were defined as patients admitted to ICU during the period February 29 - May 29, 2020. For each case enrolled, one control was matched by age and gender. Results A total of 1560 patients with confirmed COVID-19 were included. Each group included 780 patients with a predominant male gender (89.7%) and a median age of 49 years (interquartile range = 18). Predictors independently associated with ICU admission were cardiovascular disease (CVD) (adjusted odds ratio (aOR)=1.64, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.16 - 2.32, p=0.005), diabetes (aOR=1.52, 95% CI: 1.08 - 2.13, p= 0.016), obesity (aOR=1.46, 95% CI: 1.03-2.08, p= 0.034), lymphopenia (aOR=2.69, 95% CI: 1.80-4.02, p< 0.001), high aspartate aminotransferase (AST) (aOR= 2.59, 95% CI: 1.53-4.36, p< 0.001), high ferritin (aOR=1.96, 95% CI: 1.40-2.74, p< 0.001), high C-reactive protein (CRP) (aOR=4.09, 95% CI: 2.81-5.96, p< 0.001), and dyspnea (aOR=2.50, 95% CI: 1.77-3.54, p< 0.001). Similarly, significant predictors of mortality included CVD (aOR=2.16, 95% CI: 1.32- 3.53, p=0.002), diabetes (aOR=1.77, 95% CI: 1.07-2.90, p=0.025), cancer (aOR=4.65, 95% CI: 1.50-14.42, p= 0.008), lymphopenia (aOR=2.34, 95% CI: 1.45-3.78, p= 0.001), and high AST (aOR= 1.89, 95% CI: 1.04-3.43, p=0.036). Risk Factors for ICU admission among patients with COVID-19 (N=1560) Conclusion Having CVD, diabetes, lymphopenia, and increased AST were independent predictors for both ICU admission and in-hospital mortality in patients with COVID-19. In addition, obesity, high ferritin, and CRP levels were associated with increased risk of ICU admission, while cancer was strongly associated with in-hospital mortality. Early identification and monitoring of patients at risk is essential in planning the level of care needed to prevent delay in medical intervention. Disclosures Adel Abou-Ali, PharmD, PhD, Astellas Pharma Global Development, Inc. (Employee)

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BackgroundSecondary prevention post myocardial infarction by optimizing secondary prevention cardiovascular medications is important; however, adherence to these medications is essential to achieve benefits. Nevertheless, the impact of education provided by clinical pharmacists to patients post primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) has not yet been evaluated in a real‐world context.MethodsThis retrospective observational cohort study aimed to assess the impact of education provided by clinical pharmacists compared with other health care providers on adherence to post‐PCI medications and clinical outcomes among patients with ST‐elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI). This study included all patients admitted with STEMI to Heart Hospital in Qatar between 1 January 2016 and 31 December 2018. Adherence was assessed by medication availability 80% of the time, which was monitored by the rate of prescription refill in the year after discharge.ResultsA total of 1334 patients were included. The majority of patients included were male (96%) and Asian (78%), with a mean age of 51 years. Only 26% of the study population were educated by clinical pharmacists, while the remaining were educated by other health care professionals upon discharge. Adherence to aspirin, P2Y12 inhibitors, statins, and beta‐blockers was significantly better among patients who were educated by clinical pharmacists (aspirin, 59% vs 47%; adjusted odds ratio [aOR], 1.5; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.1‐1.9; P = .002; P2Y12 inhibitor, 58% vs 47%; aOR, 1.5; 95% CI, 1.1‐1.9; P = .004; statin, 55% vs 46%; aOR, 1.3; 95% CI, 1.0‐1.7; P = .038; beta‐blocker, 46% vs 37%; aOR, 1.4; 95% CI, 1.1‐1.8; P = .018). However, there was no difference in re‐hospitalization for acute coronary syndrome or all‐cause mortality among patients who were educated by clinical pharmacists upon discharge compared with those who were educated by other health care providers.ConclusionMedication counseling provided by clinical pharmacists significantly improved adherence to post‐PCI medications among patients with STEMI.