Aims The purpose of this study was to describe the clinical characteristics, management, and outcomes of acute heart failure (HF) patients from the Gulf acute heart failure registry (Gulf CARE). Methods and results Data from 5005 HF patients admitted to 47 hospitals in seven Gulf countries during February to November 2012 were analysed. Fifty‐five per cent of patients presented with acute decompensated chronic HF, while 45% had new‐onset HF. Mean age was 59 ± 15 years, 63% were males, and 83% were Gulf citizens. Co‐morbid conditions were hypertension (61%), diabetes mellitus (50%), CAD (47%), and atrial fibrillation or flutter (14%). The median LVEF was 35% (25–45%) with 69% presenting as HF with reduced EF (HFrEF). CAD was the most prevalent aetiology (53%) followed by idiopathic cardiomyopathy (18%), hypertensive heart disease (16%), and valvular heart disease (9%). At discharge, 71% and 78% of patients received beta‐blockers and ACE inhibitors/ARBs, respectively. Use of coronary intervention and device therapy was <10%. In‐hospital mortality was 6.3%. Re‐hospitalization and cumulative mortality at 3 and 12 months were 18%/13% and 40%/20%, respectively. Conclusions Gulf CARE results show that patients from this region are a decade younger than their Western counterparts, with a high prevalence of diabetes and HFrEF, and a lower prevalence of AF. Use of coronary intervention and device therapy was low, with high re‐hospitalization rates. Short‐ and long‐term mortality rates were similar to those of Western registries, but should be interpreted in the light of the younger age of Gulf CARE patients.

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.

Background:There is paucity of data on heart failure (HF) in the Gulf Middle East. The present paper describes the rationale, design, methodology and hospital characteristics of the first Gulf acute heart failure registry (Gulf CARE).Materials and Methods:Gulf CARE is a prospective, multicenter, multinational registry of patients >18 year of age admitted with diagnosis of acute HF (AHF). The data collected included demographics, clinical characteristics, etiology, precipitating factors, management and outcomes of patients admitted with AHF. In addition, data about hospital readmission rates, procedures and mortality at 3 months and 1-year follow-up were recorded. Hospital characteristics and care provider details were collected. Data were entered in a dedicated website using an electronic case record form.Results:A total of 5005 consecutive patients were enrolled from February 14, 2012 to November 13, 2012. Forty-seven hospitals in 7 Gulf States (Oman, Saudi Arabia, Yemen, Kuwait, United Gulf Emirates, Qatar and Bahrain) participated in the project. The majority of hospitals were community hospitals (46%; 22/47) followed by non-University teaching (32%; 15/47 and University hospitals (17%). Most of the hospitals had intensive or coronary care unit facilities (93%; 44/47) with 59% (28/47) having catheterization laboratory facilities. However, only 29% (14/47) had a dedicated HF clinic facility. Most patients (71%) were cared for by a cardiologist.Conclusions:Gulf CARE is the first prospective registry of AHF in the Middle East, intending to provide a unique insight into the demographics, etiology, management and outcomes of AHF in the Middle East. HF management in the Middle East is predominantly provided by cardiologists. The data obtained from this registry will help the local clinicians to identify the deficiencies in HF management as well as provide a platform to implement evidence based preventive and treatment strategies to reduce the burden of HF in this region.

Background and Methods Red cell distribution width (RDW) has emerged as a prognostic marker in patients with cardiovascular diseases. We investigated mortality in patients with diabetes included in the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, in relation to baseline RDW. RDW was divided into 4 quartiles (Q1: ≤12.4%, Q2: 12.5%–12.9%, Q3: 13.0%–13.7%, and Q4: >13.7%). Results A total of 3,061 patients were included: mean age 61 ± 14 years, 50% male, 39% White. Mean RDW was 13.2% ± 1.4%. Compared with first quartile (Q1) of RDW, patients in Q4 were more likely to be older, female, and African-American, have had history of stroke, myocardial infarction, and heart failure, and have chronic kidney disease. After a median follow-up of 6 years, 628 patient died (29% of cardiovascular disease). Compared with Q1, patients in Q4 were at increased risk for all-cause mortality (HR 3.44 [2.74–4.32], P < .001) and cardiovascular mortality (HR 3.34 [2.16–5.17], P < .001). After adjusting for 17 covariates, RDW in Q4 remained significantly associated with all-cause mortality (HR 2.39 [1.30–4.38], P = 0.005) and cardiovascular mortality (HR 1.99 [1.17–3.37], P = 0.011). Conclusion RDW is a powerful and an independent marker for prediction of all-cause mortality and cardiovascular mortality in patients with diabetes.