Effect of Dynamic Potassium Change on In-Hospital Mortality, Ventricular Arrhythmias, and Long-Term Mortality in STEMI

We evaluated the effect of serum potassium (K) deviation on in-hospital and long-term clinical outcomes in patients with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction who were normokalemic at admission. A total of 2773 patients with an admission serum K level of 3.5 to 4.5 mEq/L were retrospectively analyzed. The patients were categorized into 3 groups according to their K deviation: normokalemia-to-hypokalemia, normokalemia-to-normokalemia, and normokalemia-to-hyperkalemia. In-hospital mortality, long-term mortality, and ventricular arrhythmias rates were compared among the groups. In a hierarchical multivariable regression analysis, the in-hospital mortality risk was higher in normokalemia-to-hypokalemia (odds ratio [OR] 3.03; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.72-6.82) and normokalemia-to-hyperkalemia groups (OR 2.81; 95% CI, 1.93-4.48) compared with the normokalemia-to-normokalemia group. In a Cox regression analysis, long-term mortality risk was also higher in normokalemia-to-hypokalemia (hazard ratio [HR] 3.78; 95% CI, 2.07-7.17) and normokalemia-to-hyperkalemia groups (HR, 2.97; 95% CI, 2.10-4.19) compared with the normokalemia-to-normokalemia group. Ventricular arrhythmia risk was also higher in normokalemia-to-hypokalemia group (OR 2.98; 95% CI, 1.41-5.75) compared with normokalemia-to-normokalemia group. The current study showed an increased in-hospital ventricular arrhythmia and mortality and long-term mortality rates with the deviation of serum K levels from normal ranges.

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Association between red blood cell distribution width and long-term mortality in acute respiratory failure patients

Scientific Reports ◽

10.1038/s41598-020-78321-2 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 10 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Wei Zhang ◽

Yadan Wang ◽

Jun Wang ◽

Shaochun Wang

Keyword(s):

Regression Analysis ◽

Respiratory Failure ◽

Acute Respiratory Failure ◽

Cox Regression ◽

Cell Distribution ◽

Distribution Width ◽

Cox Regression Analysis ◽

Increased Risk ◽

Long Term Mortality

AbstractThe red cell distribution width (RDW) has been reported to be positively correlated with short-term mortality of pulmonary disease in adults. However, it is not clear whether RDW was associated with the long-term prognosis for acute respiratory failure (ARF). Thus, an analysis was conducted to evaluate the association between RDW and 3-year mortality of patients by the Cox regression analysis, generalized additives models, subgroup analysis and Kaplan–Meier analysis. A total of 2999 patients who were first admitted to hospital with ARF were extracted from the Medical Information Mart for Intensive Care III database (MIMIC-III). The Cox regression analysis showed that the high RDW was associated with 3-year mortality (HR 1.10, 95% CI 1.07, 1.12, P < 0.0001) after adjusting for age, gender, ethnicity and even co-morbid conditions. The ROC curve illustrated the AUC of RDW was 0.651 (95% CI 0.631, 0.670) for prediction of 3-year mortality. Therefore, there is an association between the RDW and survival time of 3 years follow-up, particularly a high RDW on admission was associated with an increased risk of long-term mortality in patients with ARF. RDW may provide an alternative indicator to predict the prognosis and disease progression and more it is easy to get.

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STEMI around-the-clock: how off-hours admissions impact door-to-balloon time and the long-term prognosis of ST-segment Elevation Myocardial Infarction

European Heart Journal ◽

10.1093/eurheartj/ehab724.1441 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 42 (Supplement_1) ◽

Author(s):

M Martinho ◽

A Briosa ◽

R Cale ◽

E Pereira ◽

A R Pereira ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Regression Analysis ◽

Cox Regression ◽

Clinical Severity ◽

Cox Regression Analysis ◽

St Segment Elevation ◽

Segment Elevation Myocardial Infarction ◽

St Segment ◽

Door To Balloon ◽

Long Term Mortality

Abstract Introduction The outcomes of reperfusion in ST-segment Elevation Myocardial Infarction (STEMI) are time-dependent, and percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) should be performed within 60 minutes from hospital admission in PCI centers – door-to-balloon time (D2B). The association between Off-Hours Admission (OHA) and long-term outcomes is controversial when considering contemporary organized STEMI networks. Purpose This study aims to analyze how OHA influences D2B and long-term mortality. Methods Retrospective study of consecutive STEMI patients (pts), admitted in a PCI-centre with a local Emergency Department, between 2010 and 2015. Pts submitted to rescue-PCI were excluded. OHA was defined as admission at night (8p.m. to 8a.m), weekends and nonworking holidays. Predictors of OHA and D2B were studied by logistic regression analysis. Demographic, clinical, angiographic and procedural variables were evaluated using stepwise Cox regression analysis to determine independent predictors of 5-year all-cause mortality (5yM). The cumulative incidence of 5yM stratified by hours of admission was calculated according to the Kaplan-Meier method. Results Of 901 pts, 472pts (52.4%) were admitted during off-hours. These pts were younger (61±13 vs 64±12, p=0.002) and had a lower median patient-delay time (128min vs 157min, p=0.014). Clinical severity at presentation, defined by systolic arterial pressure and Killip-Kimball (KK) class, did not differ between groups. OHA did not impact D2B (89 min vs 88 min, p=0.550), which was in turn influenced by age ≥75y (OR 1.85, 95% CI 1.31–2.61, p<0.001). Mean clinical follow-up (FUP) was 68±37 months, with 75.1% of pts achieving a FUP >5 years. 5yM rate was 9.7%. After multivariate cox regression analysis, independent determinants of long-term mortality were age (HR 1.05, 95% CI 1.02–1.08, p<0.001), previous history of heart failure (HR 6.76, 95% CI 1.32–34.72, p=0.022) and pulmonary disease (HR 3.79, 95% CI 1.16–12.33, p=0.027), presentation with KK ≥2 (HR 2.82, 95% CI 1.32–6.01, p=0.007) and radial artery access in catheterization (HR 0.39, 95% CI 0.18–0.83, p=0.014) – figure 1. Although there was an association between a higher D2B time and 5yM (87min vs 101min, p=0.024), neither OHA nor D2B were independent predictors of long-term mortality – figure 2. Conclusion OHA did not seem to influence D2B and long-term STEMI outcomes in our PCI-centre. 5yM was mostly influenced by patient characteristics and clinical severity at presentation. FUNDunding Acknowledgement Type of funding sources: None. Figure 1. Predictors of long-term mortality Figure 2. 5-year survival stratified by OHA

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Mortality after use of paclitaxel-based devices in peripheral arteries: a real-world safety analysis

European Heart Journal ◽

10.1093/eurheartj/ehz698 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 41 (38) ◽

pp. 3732-3739 ◽

Cited By ~ 36

Author(s):

Eva Freisinger ◽

Jeanette Koeppe ◽

Joachim Gerss ◽

Dennis Goerlich ◽

Nasser M Malyar ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Regression Analysis ◽

Real World ◽

Cox Regression ◽

Linear Time ◽

Bare Metal Stent ◽

Health Insurance Data ◽

Cox Regression Analysis ◽

Drug Eluting ◽

Long Term Mortality

Abstract Aims Drug-eluting devices (DED) represent a well-established therapy being widely used for endovascular revascularization (EVR) of peripheral vessels. Recent data indicate a two-fold increased long-term mortality in patients treated with paclitaxel-based DED. The subsequent safety concerns affected international regulatory authorities to enunciate several alerts for further application of DED. Methods and results In 9.2 million insurants of the German BARMER Health Insurance, data on the application of paclitaxel-based drug-eluting stents (DES) and drug-coated balloons (DCB) were retrieved from their introduction on the market in 2007 until present. All patients with first EVR between 2007 and 2015 were indexed and followed until 31 December 2017. Each subsequently applied DES, DCB, bare-metal stent, and uncoated balloon was included in further analyses. Multivariable Cox regression analysis considered potential non-linear time-dependent hazard ratios (HRs) of DES and DCB over 11 years. We identified 64 771 patients who underwent 107 112 EVR procedures using 23 137 DED. Multivariable Cox regression analysis showed paclitaxel-based DES not to be associated with increased long-term mortality for over 11 years past application (all P > 0.057). DCB was associated with decreased long-term mortality for the first year past application (HR 0.92; P < 0.001), and indifferent correlation in the years thereafter (all P > 0.202). Conclusion Our real-world analysis showed no evidence for increased mortality associated with paclitaxel-based DED for over 11 years.

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Admission White Blood Cell Count Predicts Short- and Long-Term Mortality in Patients With Acute Aortic Dissection: Data From the MIMIC-III Database

10.21203/rs.3.rs-213794/v1 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Chiyuan Zhang ◽

Zuli Fu ◽

Xuliang Chen ◽

Hui Bai ◽

Guoqiang Ling ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Regression Analysis ◽

Aortic Dissection ◽

Acute Aortic Dissection ◽

Cox Regression ◽

Blood Cell Count ◽

Cox Regression Analysis ◽

Short And Long Term ◽

Mimic Iii ◽

Long Term Mortality

Abstract BackgroundInflammation underlies both the pathogenesis and prognosis in patients with acute aortic dissection (AAD). This study aimed to assess the association of ICU admission of white blood cell count (WBCc) with short- and long-term mortality in these patients.MethodsClinical data were extracted from the MIMIC-III V1.4 database. After adjusted to covariables, Cox regression analysis and Kapan-Meier curve were performed to determine the relationship between WBCc on admission and short- and long-term mortality in AAD patients. Subgroup analysis and receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis were conducted to evaluate the performance of admission WBCc in predicting short- and long-term mortality in patients with AAD.ResultsA total of 325 eligible patients were divided into 2 groups: normal-WBCc group(≤ 11 k/uL) and high-WBCc group(>11 K/uL). In univariate Cox regression analysis, high WBCc was significant risk predictor of 30-days, 90-days, 1-year and 5-years mortality [hazard ratio(HR), 95%CI, P: 2.58 1.36–4.91 0.004; 3.16 1.76–5.70 0.000; 2.74 1.57–4.79 0.000; 2.10 1.23–3.54 0.006]. After adjusting for age and other risks, high WBCc remained a significant predictor of 30-days, 90-days and 1-year mortality in AAD patients (HR, 95% CI, P: 2.55 1.23–5.27 0.012; 2.88 1.44–5.76 0.003; 2.33 1.21–4.47 0.011). The area under ROC curve of WBCc for predicting 30-days, 90-days, 1-year and 5-year mortality were 0.69, 0.70, 0.66 and 0.61, respectively. The results from subgroups analysis showed that there was no interaction in most strata and patients who were younger than 69 years of age or had history of respiratory disease with an elevated WBCc had an excess risk of 30-days mortality (HR, 95% CI:, P: 3.18 1.41–7.14 0.005; 3.84 1.05–14.13 0.043).ConclusionA marked elevated WBCc on admission can predict short- and long-term mortality in patients with AAD.

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Cystatin C predicts long term mortality better than creatinine in a nationwide study of intensive care patients

Scientific Reports ◽

10.1038/s41598-021-85370-8 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 11 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Johanna Helmersson-Karlqvist ◽

Miklos Lipcsey ◽

Johan Ärnlöv ◽

Max Bell ◽

Bo Ravn ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Intensive Care ◽

Critically Ill ◽

Risk Prediction ◽

Cystatin C ◽

Mortality Risk ◽

Critically Ill Patients ◽

Cox Regression ◽

Sample Tube ◽

Long Term Mortality

AbstractDecreased glomerular filtration rate (GFR) is linked to poor survival. The predictive value of creatinine estimated GFR (eGFR) and cystatin C eGFR in critically ill patients may differ substantially, but has been less studied. This study compares long-term mortality risk prediction by eGFR using a creatinine equation (CKD-EPI), a cystatin C equation (CAPA) and a combined creatinine/cystatin C equation (CKD-EPI), in 22,488 patients treated in intensive care at three University Hospitals in Sweden, between 2004 and 2015. Patients were analysed for both creatinine and cystatin C on the same blood sample tube at admission, using accredited laboratory methods. During follow-up (median 5.1 years) 8401 (37%) patients died. Reduced eGFR was significantly associated with death by all eGFR-equations in Cox regression models. However, patients reclassified to a lower GFR-category by using the cystatin C-based equation, as compared to the creatinine-based equation, had significantly higher mortality risk compared to the referent patients not reclassified. The cystatin C equation increased C-statistics for death prediction (p < 0.001 vs. creatinine, p = 0.013 vs. combined equation). In conclusion, this data favours the sole cystatin C equation rather than the creatinine or combined equations when estimating GFR for risk prediction purposes in critically ill patients.

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The Role of Hydraulic Silicate Cements on Long-Term Properties and Biocompatibility of Partial Pulpotomy in Permanent Teeth

Materials ◽

10.3390/ma14020305 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 14 (2) ◽

pp. 305

Author(s):

Chung-Min Kang ◽

Saemi Seong ◽

Je Seon Song ◽

Yooseok Shin

Keyword(s):

Regression Analysis ◽

Cox Regression ◽

Antimicrobial Properties ◽

Permanent Teeth ◽

Success Rates ◽

Pulp Tissue ◽

Cox Regression Analysis ◽

Clinical Variables

The use of hydraulic silicate cements (HSCs) for vital pulp therapy has been found to release calcium and hydroxyl ions promoting pulp tissue healing and mineralized tissue formation. The present study investigated whether HSCs such as mineral trioxide aggregate (MTA) affect their biological and antimicrobial properties when used as long-term pulp protection materials. The effect of variables on treatment outcomes of three HSCs (ProRoot MTA, OrthoMTA, and RetroMTA) was evaluated clinically and radiographically over a 48–78 month follow-up period. Survival analysis was performed using Kaplan–Meier survival curves. Fisher’s exact test and Cox regression analysis were used to determine hazard ratios of clinical variables. The overall success rate of MTA partial pulpotomy was 89.3%; Cumulative success rates of the three HSCs were not statistically different when analyzed by Cox proportional hazard regression analysis. None of the investigated clinical variables affected success rates significantly. These HSCs showed favorable biocompatibility and antimicrobial properties in partial pulpotomy of permanent teeth in long-term follow-up, with no statistical differences between clinical factors.

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Long-term mortality in young patients with spontaneous intracerebral haemorrhage: Predictors and causes of death

European Stroke Journal ◽

10.1177/23969873211017723 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 6 (2) ◽

pp. 185-193

Author(s):

Jamie I Verhoeven ◽

Marco Pasi ◽

Barbara Casolla ◽

Hilde Hénon ◽

Frank-Erik de Leeuw ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Mortality Risk ◽

Intracerebral Haemorrhage ◽

Causes Of Death ◽

Cox Regression ◽

Young Patients ◽

University Hospital ◽

Standardized Mortality Ratio ◽

Excessive Alcohol Consumption ◽

Long Term Mortality

Introduction Intracerebral haemorrhage (ICH) in young adults is rare but has devastating consequences. We investigated long-term mortality rates, causes of death and predictors of long-term mortality in young spontaneous ICH survivors. Patients and methods We included consecutive patients aged 18–55 years from the Prognosis of Intracerebral Haemorrhage cohort (PITCH), a prospective observational cohort of patients admitted to Lille University Hospital (2004–2009), who survived at least 30 days after spontaneous ICH. We studied long-term mortality with Kaplan-Meier analyses, collected causes of death, performed uni-/multivariable Cox-regression analyses for the association of baseline characteristics with long-term mortality. Results Of 560 patients enrolled in the PITCH, 75 patients (75% men) met our inclusion criteria (median age 50 years, interquartile range [IQR] 44–53 years). During a median follow-up of 8.2 years (IQR 5.0–10.1), 26 patients died (35%), with a standardized mortality ratio of 13.0 (95% confidence interval [95% CI] 8.5–18.0) compared to peers from the general population. Causes of death were vascular in 7 (27%) patients, non-vascular in 13 (50%) and unknown in 6 (23%). Global cerebral atrophy (hazard ratio [HR] 3.0, 95% CI 1.1–8.6), modified Rankin Score >2 before ICH (HR 3.4, 95% CI 1.0–11.0), and excessive alcohol consumption (HR 3.3, 95% CI 1.1–10.2) were independently associated with long-term mortality. Discussion We found a 13-fold higher mortality risk for young ICH survivors compared to the general French population. Predictors of long-term mortality were pre-existing conditions, not ICH-characteristics. Conclusion Young ICH survivors remain at increased mortality risk of vascular and non-vascular death for years after ICH.

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684 Cardiac troponins and adverse outcomes in European patients with atrial fibrillation: a report from the ESC-EHRA EORP atrial fibrillation general long-term registry

European Heart Journal Supplements ◽

10.1093/eurheartj/suab127.052 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 23 (Supplement_G) ◽

Author(s):

Marrco Vitolo ◽

Vincenzo Livio Malavasi ◽

Marco Proietti ◽

Igor Diemberger ◽

Laurent Fauchier ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Atrial Fibrillation ◽

Regression Analysis ◽

Cox Regression ◽

Adverse Outcomes ◽

Cox Regression Analysis ◽

Coronary Syndrome ◽

Increased Risk ◽

History Of ◽

Cardiac Troponins

Abstract Aims Cardiac troponins (cTn) have been reported to be predictors for adverse outcomes in atrial fibrillation (AF), patients, but their actual use is still unclear. To assess the factors associated with cTn testing in routine clinical practice and to evaluate the association of elevated levels of cTn with adverse outcomes in a large contemporary cohort of European AF patients. Methods and results Patients enrolled in the ESC-EHRA EORP-AF General Long-Term Registry were stratified into three groups according to cTn levels as (i) cTn not tested, (ii) cTn in range (≤99th percentile), and (iii) cTn elevated (>99th percentile). The composite outcome of any thromboembolism/any acute coronary syndrome (ACS)/cardiovascular (CV) death, defined as major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE) and all-cause death were the main endpoints. 10 445 (94.1%) AF patients were included in this analysis [median age 71 years, interquartile range (IQR): 63–77; males 59.7%]. cTn were tested in 2834 (27.1%). Overall, cTn was elevated in 904 (8.7%) and in-range in 1930 (18.5%) patients. Patients in whom cTn was tested tended to be younger (P < 0.001) and more frequently presenting with first detected AF and atypical AF-related symptoms (i.e. chest pain, dyspnoea, or syncope) (P < 0.001). On multivariable logistic regression analysis, female sex, in-hospital enrollment, first-detected AF, CV risk factors, history of coronary artery disease (CAD), and atypical AF symptoms were independently associated with cTn testing. After a median follow-up of 730 days (IQR: 692–749), 957 (9.7%) composite endpoints occurred while all-cause death was 9.5%. Kaplan–Meier analysis showed a higher cumulative risk for both outcomes in patients with elevated cTn levels (Figure) (Log Rank tests, P < 0.001). On adjusted Cox regression analysis, elevated levels of cTn were independently associated with a higher risk for MACE [hazard ratio (HR): 1.74, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.40–2.16] and all-cause death (HR 1.45, 95% CI: 1.21–1.74). Elevated levels of cTn were independently associated with a higher occurrence of MACE, all-cause death, any ACS, CV death and hospital readmission even after the exclusion of patients with history of CAD, diagnosis of ACS at discharge, those who underwent coronary revascularization during the admission and/or who were treated with oral anticoagulants plus antiplatelet therapy. Conclusions Elevated cTn levels were independently associated with an increased risk of all-cause mortality and adverse CV events, even after exclusion of CAD patients. Clinical factors that might enhance the need to rule out CAD were associated with cTn testing.

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Evaluation of different late left ventricular remodeling definitions for predicting long-term outcomes in acute myocardial infarction patients undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention

European Heart Journal ◽

10.1093/eurheartj/ehab724.1486 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 42 (Supplement_1) ◽

Author(s):

S Zhang ◽

X Xie ◽

C He ◽

X Lin ◽

M Luo ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Heart Failure ◽

Ventricular Remodeling ◽

Cox Regression ◽

Left Ventricular Remodeling ◽

Left Ventricular ◽

Long Term Outcomes ◽

Cox Regression Analysis ◽

Long Term Mortality

Abstract Background Late left ventricular remodeling (LLVR) after the index acute myocardial infarction (AMI) is a common complication, and is associated with poor outcome. However, the optimal definition of LLVR has been debated because of its different incidence and influence on prognosis. At present, there are limited data regarding the influence of different LLVR definitions on long-term outcomes in AMI patients undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). Purpose To explore the impact of different definitions of LLVR on long-term mortality, re-hospitalization or an urgent visit for heart failure, and identify which definition was more suitable for predicting long-term outcomes in AMI patients undergoing PCI. Methods We prospectively observed 460 consenting first-time AMI patients undergoing PCI from January 2012 to December 2018. LLVR was defined as a ≥20% increase in left ventricular end-diastolic volume (LVEDV), or a >15% increase in left ventricular end-systolic volume (LVESV) from the initial presentation to the 3–12 months follow-up, or left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) <50% at follow up. These parameters of the cardiac structure and function were measuring through the thoracic echocardiography. The association of LLVR with long-term prognosis was investigated by Cox regression analysis. Results The incidence rate of LLVR was 38.1% (n=171). The occurrence of LLVR according to LVESV, LVEDV and LVEF definition were 26.6% (n=117), 31.9% (n=142) and 11.5% (n=51), respectively. During a median follow-up of 2 years, after adjusting other potential risk factors, multivariable Cox regression analysis revealed LLVR of LVESV definition [hazard ratio (HR): 2.50, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.19–5.22, P=0.015], LLVR of LVEF definition (HR: 16.46, 95% CI: 6.96–38.92, P<0.001) and LLVR of Mix definition (HR: 5.86, 95% CI: 2.45–14.04, P<0.001) were risk factors for long-term mortality, re-hospitalization or an urgent visit for heart failure. But only LLVR of LVEF definition was a risk predictor for long-term mortality (HR: 6.84, 95% CI: 1.98–23.65, P=0.002). Conclusions LLVR defined by LVESV or LVEF may be more suitable for predicting long-term mortality, re-hospitalization or an urgent visit for heart failure in AMI patients undergoing PCI. However, only LLVR defined by LVEF could be used for predicting long-term mortality. FUNDunding Acknowledgement Type of funding sources: None. Association Between LLVR and outcomes Kaplan-Meier Estimates of the Mortality

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P1885Cha2ds-2vasc score lacks of ability to predict mortality in patients attending the emergency department with atrial fibrillation in the presence of troponin i

European Heart Journal ◽

10.1093/eurheartj/ehz748.0633 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 40 (Supplement_1) ◽

Author(s):

M I Gonzalez Del Hoyo ◽

G Cediel ◽

A Carrasquer ◽

G Bonet ◽

K Vasquez-Nunez ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Heart Failure ◽

Atrial Fibrillation ◽

Emergency Department ◽

Regression Analysis ◽

Troponin I ◽

Cox Regression ◽

Cox Regression Analysis ◽

All Cause Mortality

Abstract Background CHA2DS2-VASc score has been used as a surrogate marker for predicting outcomes beyond thromboembolic risk in patients with atrial fibrillation (AF). Likewise, cardiac troponin I (cTnI) is a predictor of mortality in AF. Purpose This study aimed to investigate the association of cTnI and CHA2DS2-VASc score with long-term prognosis in patients admitted to the emergency department with AF. Methods A retrospective cohort study conducted between January 2012 and December 2013, enrolling patients admitted to the emergency department with AF and having documented cTnI measurements. CHA2DS2-VASc score was estimated. Primary endpoint was 5-year all-cause mortality, readmission for heart failure (HF), readmission for myocardial infarction (MI) and the composite end point of major adverse cardiac events defined as death, readmission for HF or readmission for MI (MACE). Results A total of 578 patients with AF were studied, of whom 252 patients had elevated levels of cTnI (43.6%) and 334 patients had CHA2DS2-VASc score >3 (57.8%). Patients with elevated cTnI tended to be oldercompared with those who did not have cTnI elevation and were more frequently comorbid and of higher ischemic risk, including hypertension, prior MI, prior HF, chronic renal failure and peripheral artery disease. The overall median CHA2DS2-VASc score was higher in those with cTnI elevation compared to those patients elevated cTnI levels (4.2 vs 3.3 points, p<0.001). Main diagnoses at hospital discharge were tachyarrhythmia 30.3%, followed by heart failure 17.7%, respiratory infections 9.5% and acute coronary syndrome 7.3%. At 5-year follow-up, all-cause death was significantly higher for patients with cTnI elevation compared with those who did not have cTnI elevation (56.4% vs. 27%; logrank test p<0.001). Specifically, for readmissions for HF and readmissions for MI there were no differences in between patients with or without cTnI elevation. In addition, MACE was reached in 165 patients (65.5%) with cTnI elevation, compare to 126 patients (38.7%) without cTnI elevation (p<0.001). On multivariable Cox regression analysis, cTnI elevation was an independent predictor of all-cause death (hazard ratio, 1.67, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.24–2.26, p=0.001) and of MACE (hazard ratio 1.47, 95% confidence interval 1.15–1.88; P=0.002), but it did not reach statistical significance for readmissions for MI and readmissions for HF. CHA2DS2-VASc score was a predictor on univariate Cox regression analysis for each endpoint, but it did not reach significance on multivariable Cox regression analysis for any endpoint. Conclusions cTnI is independently associated with long-term all-cause mortality in patients attending the emergency department with AF. cTnI compared to CHA2DS2-VASc score is thus a biomarker with predictive capacity for mortality in late follow-up, conferring utility in the risk stratification of patients with atrial fibrillation.

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