title: Risk stratification and timing of coronary angiography in acute coronary syndromes: are we targeting the right patients in a timely manner? (ANZACS-QI 1).
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The New Zealand non-ST elevation acute coronary syndrome (NSTEACS) guideline recommends that clinically appropriate patients with combined high risk features (positive troponin and ischaemic ECG and a GRACE score >140) have coronary angiography within the first hospital day. All other ACS patients referred for angiography should be studied within 72 hours. We evaluated the relationship between risk criteria, and both the incidence and timing of angiography in our practice.
  
  
  METHODS
  2868 consecutive patients (2007 to 2010) with NSTEACS admitted to Middlemore, Waikato and Taranaki Hospitals. Individual patient demographic, risk factor, diagnostic, investigation and in-hospital outcome data was collected prospectively using Acute PREDICT software.
  
  
  RESULTS
  391 (13.6%) patients met the combined high risk criteria. Compared with lower risk patients they were older and more likely to have known cardiac disease, diabetes, renal impairment, left ventricular failure, left ventricular systolic dysfunction and more likely to die in hospital. Patients with combined high risk were less likely than others to undergo coronary angiography (61.6% vs 75%, p<0.0001). Only a fifth of combined high risk patients referred had coronary angiography within 1 day. Only just over half of those referred for angiography were studied within 3 days.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The New Zealand guidelines high risk criteria identify one in seven patients with NSTEACS as potentially appropriate for angiography within the first day. For those referred this was infrequently achieved, and only half of all NSTEACS patients referred met the 3-day target. Implementation of a national ACS registry to support more appropriate and timely management is appropriate.
authors.affiliation: Department of Cardiology, Middlemore Hospital, Otahuhu, Auckland 93311, New Zealand. Andrew.Kerr@middlemore.co.nz.
authors.forename: Andrew J
authors.initials: AJ
authors.lastname: Kerr
authors.forename: Aaron
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Lin
authors.forename: Mildred
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.forename: Ian
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Ternouth
authors.forename: Bridget
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Killion
authors.forename: Gerry
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Devlin
mesh_terms: D054058:Acute Coronary Syndrome / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D015331:Cohort Studies; D017023:Coronary Angiography / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D004562:Electrocardiography; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D018579:Patient Selection; D018570:Risk Assessment; D012307:Risk Factors; D013997:Time Factors