Comparison of two Registries of Acute Coronary Syndrome in Argentina: STRATEG-SIA and SCAR (1999 – 2011)

Background: The influence of clinical evidence on strategies implemented in the treatment of non-ST-segment elevation acute coronary syndromes (NSTEACS) is not known in our setting. Objectives: The aim of this study was to evaluate the differences in clinical characteristics, strategies adopted, therapeutic management and in-hospital events of NSTEACS in participating centers from two registries in Argentina. Methods: Patients included in participating centers of the STRATEG-SIA registry (1999) and SCAR registry (Síndromes Coronarios Agudos en Argentina - 2011) were compared. Results: We analyzed 238 patients of the STRATEG-SIA registry and 452 of the SCAR registry in 36 centers. Most patients were men and <65 years (SCAR 57%, STRATEG-SIA 54%; p=ns). The SCAR group presented higher prevalence of hypertension (75% vs. 60%; p=0.001), dyslipidemia (63% vs. 51%; p=0.003), chronic heart failure (10.5% vs. 4.6%; p=0.02) and history of myocardial revascularization (30% vs. 17%; p=0.001). In the SCAR registry, the proportion of moderate and high-risk patients (TIMI risk score 3-4: 48% vs. 37%; 5-7: 18% vs. 8%; p=0.0001) was higher and coronary angiography was more frequent (71% vs. 50%; p=0.0001), with a twofold increase in the proportion of percutaneous coronary interventions and 50% reduction in the number of myocardial revascularization surgeries. There were no significant differences in the rate of mortality and myocardial infarction during hospitalization (7.2% vs. 5.9%; p=ns). Conclusions: Patients of the SCAR (2011) registry represent a group at higher risk. The differences in the rates of in-hospital events were not statistically significant.