ObjectiveTo examine the real-world patterns of oral anticoagulant (OAC) therapy in patients with acute coronary syndrome (ACS) and atrial fibrillation (AF) in Southern China undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) and determine the clinical characteristics associated with OAC prescription.DesignA retrospective cohort study.SettingThis study was conducted in the Shunde Hospital, Southern Medical University and the second hospital of Zhaoqing, China, from January 2013 to 31 December 2018.ParticipantsPatients were aged ≥18 years, hospitalised for ACS and received PCI treatment.Outcome measuresAF was diagnosed based on an ECG recording or a Holter monitor. Prescription of OACs and antiplatelets were determined from the discharge medication list.ResultsA total of 3612 patients with ACS were included: 286 (7.9%) were diagnosed with AF, including 45 (1.2%) with paroxysmal AF, 227 (6.3%) with persistent/permanent AF and 14 (0.4%) with unclassified AF. Although 95.5% of patients with AF were at high risk (CHA2DS2-VASc score ≥2) of stroke, only 21.7% of them were discharged on OACs (10.5% received warfarin and 11.2% received non-vitamin K antagonist OACs). Patients with pre-admission use of OAC, a HAS-BLED score <3, with persistent/permanent AF were more likely to receive OAC treatment at discharge.ConclusionWe found that approximately 8% of patients who underwent PCI during ACS hospitalisation also demonstrated AF. Anticoagulant therapy was greatly underused. Patients with paroxysmal AF and an increased risk of bleeding were less likely to receive anticoagulant treatment. Further efforts should be made to increase the adherence to guideline recommendations for OACs.
ObjectiveLong-chain (LC) omega-3 PUFAs, including eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), may play an anti-inflammatory effect and decrease the risk of coronary artery disease (CAD). In contrast, omega-6 PUFA, mainly arachidonic acid (AA), has pro-inflammatory and pro-aggregatory effects, which may increase the risk of CAD. This study evaluated the associations between EPA, DHA, AA, and their ratios (EPA/AA and DHA/AA) with the risk of CAD in young Chinese patients.MethodsA total of 182 young patients with CAD and 143 age-matched controls were included. Traditional cardiovascular risk factors were recorded. Serum EPA, DHA and AA were measured by ultra-performance liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry.ResultsThe level of AA was significantly higher, while the level of EPA was lower in the CAD group than that in the control group. There was no significant difference in DHA level in the two groups. Both the ratios of EPA/AA and DHA/AA were lower in the CAD group than that in the control. Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that higher serum AA level was associated with the increased risk of CAD, while EPA was a protective factor for CAD. There was no significant association between DHA level and the risk of CAD. Although both higher ratios of EPA/AA [per tertile increment, adjusted odds ratios (ORs) (OR) 0.356, 95% confidence intervals (CI) 0.247–0.513] and DHA/AA (adjusted OR = 0.465, 95%CI = 0.332–0.653) were associated with a lower risk of CAD in young patients. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis showed that compared with AA, the diagnostic value was increased in EPA/AA, but not in DHA/AA.ConclusionEPA, but not DHA may play a protective role in CAD, while AA may be associated with the increased risk of CAD in young Chinese patients. The ratio of EPA/AA can increase the predictive value for diagnosing CAD than EPA or AA alone.
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