PT  - JOURNAL ARTICLE
AU  - Zubaid, Mohammad
AU  - Rashed, Wafa A.
AU  - Al-Khaja, Najib
AU  - Almahmeed, Wael
AU  - Al-Lawati, Jawad
AU  - Sulaiman, Kadhim
AU  - Al-Motarreb, Ahmed
AU  - Amin, Haitham
AU  - Al-Suwaidi, Jassim
AU  - Al-Habib, Khalid
TI  - Clinical presentation and outcomes of acute coronary syndromes in the Gulf Registry of Acute Coronary Events (Gulf RACE)
DP  - 2008 Feb 01
TA  - Saudi Medical Journal
PG  - 251--255
VI  - 29
IP  - 2
4099  - http://smj.org.sa/content/29/2/251.short
4100  - http://smj.org.sa/content/29/2/251.full
SO  - Saudi Med J2008 Feb 01; 29
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To identify the characteristics, treatments and hospital outcomes for patients diagnosed with acute coronary syndromes (ACS) in the Gulf area.METHODS: Prospective, multinational, multicentre, observational survey of consecutive ACS patients who were admitted to 65 hospitals during May 2006.RESULTS: A total of 1484 ACS patients were recruited. The mean age was 55 years, and 76% were men. The final discharge diagnosis was ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) in 37%, non-ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (NSTEMI) in 32%, left bundle branch block myocardial infarction (LBBB MI) in 2%, and unstable angina in 29%. Among patients with STEMI and LBBB MI, the reperfusion rate was 65%, with use of primary percutaneous coronary intervention in 7% and thrombolytic therapy in 93%. When thrombolytic therapy was used, the median door to needle time was 45 minutes, with 37% receiving it within 30 minutes of hospital presentation. During the first day of hospitalization, aspirin was administered to 94%, clopidogrel to 51%, and beta blockers to 65%. Angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors/Angiotensin receptor blockers and statins were used in 62% and 82%, respectively. Coronary angiography during hospitalization was performed in 21%. In-hospital mortality was 3%.CONCLUSION: We were able to determine the characteristics, treatments and in-hospital outcomes of patients hospitalized with ACS in our region. There is room for improvement in using medications, reducing needle to door time and utilizing more cardiac catheterization services.