Design and rationale for the ASSOS study: Appropriateness of aspirin use in medical outpatients a multicenter and observational study

Objective: The aim of this study was to describe the current status of aspirin use and the demographic characteristics of patients on aspirin for primary and secondary prevention of cardiovascular diseases. Methods: The Appropriateness of Aspirin Use in Medical Outpatients: A Multicenter, Observational Study (ASSOS) trial was a multicenter, cross-sectional, and observational study conducted in Turkey. The study was planned to include 5000 patients from 14 cities in Turkey. The data were collected at one visit, and the current clinical practice regarding aspirin use was evaluated (ClinicalTrials.gov number NCT03387384). Results: The study enrolled all consecutive patients who were admitted to the outpatient cardiology clinics from March 2018 until June 2018. Patients should be at least 18 years old, have signed written informed consent, and on aspirin (80-325 mg) therapy within the last 30 days. Cardiologists from the hospital participates in the study. Patients were divided into 2 categories according to presence or absence of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease, namely secondary prevention group and primary prevention group, respectively. The appropriate use of aspirin in the primary and secondary prevention groups was assessed according to the European Society of Cardiology guidelines and US Preventive Services Task Force. The patients' gastrointestinal bleeding risk factors and colorectal cancer risk were evaluated. Conclusion: The ASSOS registry will be the most comprehensive and largest study in Turkey evaluating the appropriateness of aspirin use. The results of this study help understand the potential misuse of aspirin in a real-world setting

Clinical features of heart failure with mid-range and preserved ejection fraction in octogenarians: Results of a multicentre, observational study

Mert, Kadir Ugur/0000-0002-1331-5365; OZLEK, BULENT/0000-0001-5429-1323WOS: 000472227200010PubMed: 30865367Objectives: To compare real-world characteristics and management of individuals aged 80 and older with heart failure (HF) and mid-range ejection fraction (HFmrEF) and heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF) derived from a large cohort of survey and to compare them with those younger than 80 from the same survey. Methods: This is an observational, multicentre and cross-sectional study conducted in Turkey (NCT03026114). Consecutive 1065 (mean age of 67.1 +/- 10.6 years) patients admitted to the cardiology outpatient units with HFmrEF and HFpEF were included. Results: Participants aged 80 and older (n = 123, 11.5%) were more likely to be female (66.7% vs 52.5%, P = 0.003), had a higher prevalence of atrial fibrillation (49.6% vs 34%, P = 0.001), and anaemia (46.3% vs 33.4%, P = 0.005) than those who were younger than 80. N-terminal pro B-type natriuretic peptide levels were higher in those aged 80 and older than in those younger than 80 (1037 vs 550 pg/ml, P 0.05) in both groups. Octogenarians did not significantly differ from younger patients in the prevalence of HFmrEF (24.4% vs 22.9%) and HFpEF (75.6% vs 77.1%). Coronary artery disease was associated with HFmrEF (P < 0.05), whereas atrial fibrillation was associated with HFpEF (P < 0.05) in octogenarians. Conclusions: This study revealed that nearly 12% of the individuals with HFmrEF and HFpEF in this real-world sample were aged 80 and older. Participants aged 80 and older are more likely to be female and have more comorbidities than those who were younger than 80. However, HF medication profiles were similar in both groups. This study also showed that associated factors with HFmrEF and HFpEF were differ in octogenarians

Patients with HFpEF and HFmrEF have different clinical characteristics in Turkey: A multicenter observational study

Mert, Kadir Ugur/0000-0002-1331-5365WOS: 000459940500024PubMed: 30446354Background: To determine and compare the demographic characteristics, clinical profile and management of patients with heart failure with mid-range ejection fraction (HFmrEF) and heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF) in a Turkish cohort. Methods: The APOLLON trial (A comPrehensive, ObservationaL registry of heart faiLure with mid-range and preserved ejection fractiON) is an observational and multicenter study conducted in Turkey. Consecutive patients admitted to the cardiology clinics who were at least 18 years of age and had HFmrEF or HFpEF were included (NCT326114). Results: The study population included 1065 (mean age of 67.1 +/- 10.6 years, 54% women) patients from 12 sites in Turkey. Among participants, 246 (23.1%) had HFmrEF and 819 (76.9%) had HFpEF. Compared to patients with HFpEF, those with HFmrEF were more likely to be male (57.7 vs 42.2%; p < 0.001), had higher N-terminal pro-B-type natriuretic peptide levels (853 vs 528 pg/ml, p < 0.001), were more likely to have ECG abnormalities (72.4 vs 53.5%, p < 0.001) and hospitalization history for heart failure (28 vs 18.6%; p = 0.002). HFmrEF patients were more likely to use beta-blockers (69.9 vs 55.2%, p < 0.001), aldosterone receptor antagonists (24 vs 14.7%, p = 0.001), statins (37 vs 23%, p < .001), and loop diuretics (39.8 vs 30.5%, p = 0.006) compared to patients with HFpEF. Conclusions: The results of APOLLON study support that the basic characteristics and etiology of HFmrEF are significantly different from HFpEF. This registry also showed that the patients with HFmrEF and HFpEF were younger but undertreated in Turkey compared to patients in western countries

Gender disparities in heart failure with mid-range and preserved ejection fraction: Results from APOLLON study

Mert, Kadir Ugur/0000-0002-1331-5365WOS: 000468584800003PubMed: 31062760Objective: This study aimed to examine gender-based differences in epidemiology, clinical characteristics, and management of consecutive patients with heart failure with mid-range ejection fraction (HFmrEF) and heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF). Methods: The APOLLON trial (A comPrehensive, ObservationaL registry of heart faiLure with mid-range and preserved ejection fractiON) is a multicenter, cross-sectional, and observational study. Consecutive patients with HFmrEF or HFpEF who were admitted to the cardiology clinics were included (NCT03026114). Herein, we performed a post-hoc analysis of data from the APOLLON trial. Results: The study population included 1065 (mean age of 67.1 +/- 10.6 years, 54% women) patients from 11 sites in Turkey. Compared with men, women were older (68 years vs. 67 years, p<0.001), had higher body mass index (29 kg/m(2) vs. 27 kg/m(2), p<0.001), and had higher heart rate (80 bpm vs. 77.5 bpm, p<0.001). Women were more likely to have HFpEF (82% vs. 70.9%, p<0.001), and they differ from men having a higher prevalence of hypertension (78.7% vs. 73.2%, p=0.035) and atrial fibrillation (40.7% vs. 29.9%, p<0.001) but lower prevalence of coronary artery disease (29.5% vs. 54.9%, p<0.001). Women had higher N-terminal pro-B-type natriuretic peptide (691 pg/mL vs. 541 pg/mL, p=0.004), lower hemoglobin (12.7 g/dL vs. 13.8 g/dL, p<0.001), and serum ferritin (51 ng/mL vs. 64 ng/mL, p=0.001) levels, and they had worse diastolic function (E/e'=10 vs. 9, p<0.001). The main cause of heart failure (HF) in women was atrial fibrillation, while it was ischemic heart disease in men. Conclusion: Clinical characteristics, laboratory findings, and etiological factors are significantly different in female and male patients with HFmrEF and HFpEF. This study offers a broad perspective for increased awareness about this patient profile in Turkey

Rationale, Design, and Methodology of the APOLLON trial: A comPrehensive, ObservationaL registry of heart faiLure with mid-range and preserved ejectiON fraction

Mert, Kadir Ugur/0000-0002-1331-5365; BASARAN, OZCAN/0000-0002-6384-6455WOS: 000435197000006PubMed: 29724973Objective: Although almost half of chronic heart failure (HF) patients have mid-range (HFmrEF) and preserved left-ventricular ejection fraction (HFpEF), no studies have been carried out with these patients in our country. This study aims to determine the demographic characteristics and current status of the clinical background of HFmrEF and HFpEF patients in a multicenter trial. Methods: A comPrehensive, ObservationaL registry of heart faiLure with mid-range and preserved ejectiON fraction (APOLLON) trial will be an observational, multicenter, and noninterventional study conducted in Turkey. The study population will include 1065 patients from 12 sites in Turkey. All data will be collected at one point in time and the current clinical practice will be evaluated (ClinicalTrials.gov number NCT03026114). Results: We will enroll all consecutive patients admitted to the cardiology clinics who were at least 18 years of age and had New York Heart Association class II, III, or IV HF, elevated brain natriuretic peptide levels within the last 30 days, and an left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) of at least 40%. Patients fulfilling the exclusion criteria will not be included in the study. Patients will be stratified into two categories according to LVEF: mid-range EF (HFmrEF, LVEF 40%-49%) and preserved EF (HFpEF, LVEF >= 50%). Regional quota sampling will be performed to ensure that the sample was representative of the Turkish population. Demographic, lifestyle, medical, and therapeutic data will be collected by this specific survey. Conclusion: The APOLLON trial will be the largest and most comprehensive study in Turkey evaluating HF patients with a LVEF >= 40% and will also be the first study to specifically analyze the recently designated HFmrEF category

Rationale, design, and methodology of the EPIC (Epidemiology of Polypharmacy and Potential Drug-Drug Interactions in Elderly Cardiac Outpatients) study

Tasar, Onur/0000-0003-2030-3810;WOS: 000475438700008PubMed: 31311898Objective: The aim of this study is to assess the prevalence of polypharmacy, inappropriate drug use, and drug-drug interactions (DDIs) in elderly patients presenting at outpatient cardiology clinics in Turkey. Methods: The EPIC (Epidemiology of Polypharmacy and Potential Drug-Drug Interactions in Elderly Cardiac Outpatients) study will be an observational, real-world, multicenter study conducted to evaluate DDIs and polypharmacy in elderly cardiac outpatients. All consecutive patients (aged >= 65 years) admitted to outpatient cardiology clinics between July 30, 2018 and July 30, 2019 who provide written, informed consent will be enrolled. A total of approximately 5000 patients are to be enrolled in this non-interventional study. All of the data will be collected at one point in time and current clinical practice will be evaluated (ClinicalTrials.gov NCT03370523). Result: Patient demographics, comorbid disease characteristics, laboratory test results, and details of medication use will be collected using self-reports and medical records. The severity of comorbid disease will be recorded and scored according to Charlson Comorbidity Index (CCI) and patients will be divided into 3 groups: mild, those with a CCI score of 1-2; moderate, those with a CCI score of 3-4; and severe, those with a CCI score of >= 5. Polypharmacy will be defined as the use of 5 or more medications at one time. DDIs will be determined using the Lexicomp Online drug interaction screening tool and potentially inappropriate medications will be defined based on the 2015 update of the Beers Criteria for Potentially Inappropriate Medication Use in Older Adults. Severe drug interactions will be defined as those in category D or X. Conclusion: EPIC will be the first large-scale study in Turkey to evaluate polypharmacy, potentially inappropriate medications, and DDIs in elderly cardiac outpatients in a real-world clinical setting

Comparison of clinical characteristics of patients with heart failure and preserved ejection fraction with atrial fibrillation versus sinus rhythm: Insights from the APOLLON registry

WOS: 000526091700003PubMed: 32281959Objective: The aim of this study was to assess the clinical characteristics of patients with heart failure and preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF) and atrial fibrillation (AF) and compare them with those of HFpEF patients without AF. Methods: This study was a sub-group analysis of a multicenter, observational, and cross-sectional registry conducted in Turkey (ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT03026114). Patients with HFpEF were divided into 2 groups: HFpEF with AF and HFpEF with sinus rhythm (SR), and the clinical characteristics of the groups were compared. Results: In a total of 819 HFpEF patients (median age: 67 years; 58% women), 313 (38.2%) had AF. Compared to the patients with SR, those with AF were older (70 years vs 66 years; p<0.001) and more symptomatic, with a higher rate of classification as New York Heart Association functional class III IV, paroxysmal nocturnal dyspnea, orthopnea, palpitations, fatigue, pulmonary crepitations, and peripheral edema. The hospitalization rate for heart failure was higher (28.4% vs 12.6%; p<0.001) in patients with AF, and participants with AF had higher level of N-terminal pro-B-type natriuretic peptide (887 pg/mL vs 394.8 pg/mL; p<0.001) and higher left atrial volume index level. Patients without AF had a higher burden of diabetes mellitus, obstructive sleep apnea, and coronary artery disease. The prescription rate of nondihydropyridine calcium blockers, digoxin, loop diuretics, and anticoagulant drugs was higher in the AF group. Conclusion: The results of this study revealed that in a large Turkish cohort with HFpEF, significant clinical differences were present between those with and without AF and. Further prospective studies are needed to clarify the prognostic implications of AF in this growing heart failure population in our country

Perioperative outcomes following a hip fracture surgery in elderly patients with heart failure with preserved ejection fraction and heart failure with a mid-range ejection fraction

BACKGROUND: To examine the influence of heart failure (HF) with preserved ejection fraction (HFPEF) and HF with mid-range ejection fraction (HFmrEF) on perioperative cardiac and noncardiac outcomes following hip fracture surgery

Preoperative Mild Pericardial Effusion Is Associated With Perioperative Complications In Elderly Patients Following Hip Fracture Surgery

Background: The prevalence and prognostic value of mild pericardial effusion (MPE) has not been examined in patients undergoing non-cardiac surgery. Our study aimed to assess the frequency and prognostic value of MPE in elderly patients undergoing surgery for hip fracture. Methods: This is a single center, and retrospective study including elderly patients who underwent hip fracture surgery. The medical records of all patients, aged >= 65 years with femoral neck, intertrochanteric or subtrochanteric hip fracture undergoing surgery (intramedullary hip screw, sliding compression hip screw, hemiarthroplasty, or total hip arthroplasty) from June 2014 to June 2019 were analyzed. Patients with of multiple trauma and accidents were excluded. The MPE was defined as the presence of Results: A total of 462 patients (mean age 75.2 +/- 11.7 years, and 53.5% female) were enrolled. MPE was detected in 72 patients (15.6%), and 62 patients (13.4%) experienced perioperative adverse medical events. Patients with MPE were older, had higher prevalence of diabetes, coronary artery disease, and heart failure, and had longer length of stay compared to patients without MPE. Univariate analysis showed a significant association between age, diabetes, coronary artery disease, American Society of Anesthesiologists status, MPE, and perioperative adverse events. After adjustment for age, demographics, and medical history, the presence of MPE remained as significant variable associated with perioperative complications (OR: 2.543, 95% CI: 1.173-3.469, p = 0.003). Conclusion: Our study is the first to demonstrate that the presence of MPE is associated with perioperative adverse events in elderly patients undergoing hip fracture surgery