title: Comparison of interventional cardiology in two European countries: a nationwide Internet based registry study.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The practice of interventional cardiology differs between countries and regions. In this study we report the results of the first nation-wide long-term comparison of interventional cardiology in two countries using a common web-based registry.
  
  
  METHODS
  The Swedish Coronary Angiography and Angioplasty Registry (SCAAR) was used to prospectively and continuously collect background-, quality-, and outcome parameters for all coronary angiographies (CA) and percutaneous coronary interventions (PCI) performed in Iceland and Sweden during one year.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The rate of CA per million inhabitants was higher in Iceland than in Sweden. A higher proportion of patients had CA for stable angina in Iceland than in Sweden, while the opposite was true for ST elevation myocardial infarction. Left main stem stenosis was more commonly found in Iceland than in Sweden. The PCI rate was similar in the two countries as was the general success rate of PCI, achievement of complete revascularisation and the overall stent use. Drug eluting stents were more commonly used in Iceland (23% vs. 19%). The use of fractional flow reserve (0.2% vs. 10%) and the radial approach (0.6% vs. 33%) was more frequent in Sweden than in Iceland. Serious complications and death were very rare in both countries.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  By prospectively comparing interventional cardiology in two countries, using a common web based registry online, we have discovered important differences in technique and indications. A discovery such as this can lead to a change in clinical practice and inspire prospective multinational randomised registry trials in unselected, real world populations.
authors.affiliation: Department of Cardiology, Landspitali University Hospital of Iceland, Reykjavik, Iceland; Cardiovascular Research Institute of Landspitali and the University of Iceland, Iceland; University of Iceland, Reykjavik, Iceland. Electronic address: thorgudn@landspitali.is.
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Gudnason
authors.forename: G S
authors.initials: GS
authors.lastname: Gudnadottir
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Lagerqvist
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Eyjolfsson
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Nilsson
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Thorgeirsson
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Thorgeirsson
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Andersen
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: James
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D002309:Cardiology / Q000379:methods* / Q000592:standards; D017023:Coronary Angiography / Q000379:methods* / Q000592:standards; D005060:Europe / Q000453:epidemiology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007055:Iceland / Q000453:epidemiology; D020407:Internet / Q000592:standards; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D062645:Percutaneous Coronary Intervention / Q000379:methods* / Q000592:standards; D011446:Prospective Studies; D015641:Radiography, Interventional / Q000379:methods / Q000592:standards; D012042:Registries; D013548:Sweden / Q000453:epidemiology; D016896:Treatment Outcome