Temporal Trends and Outcomes Associated with Major Bleeding in Acute Coronary Syndromes: A Decade-Long Perspective from the Acute Coronary Syndrome Israeli Surveys 2000-2010

Abstract

Objectives: The implementation of an early invasive approach and the increased use of potent anti-thrombotic drugs have resulted in higher rates of major bleeding events (MBE) in patients with acute coronary syndrome (ACS). There are limited data on the temporal trends for the rates of MBE over the last decade and associated outcomes. Methods: Rates, characteristics, risk factors and clinical outcomes associated with MBE were assessed among 11,538 patients enrolled in the biennial Acute Coronary Syndrome Israeli Surveys (ACSIS) 2000-2010. Results: A total of 143 patients (1.2%) experienced MBE during the index hospitalization for ACS. There was a significant increase in the risk of MBE in the late (2006-2010) versus the early (2000-2004) surveys (0.9 and 1.6% respectively, adjusted OR 1.86, p < 0.001). In the multivariate analysis, factors independently associated with a significant increase in the risk of MBE included undergoing primary percutaneous coronary intervention (OR 2.21, p < 0.005), experiencing renal failure (OR 4.19, p < 0.001) and systolic blood pressure level at admission (OR 1.12, per 10- mm Hg decrement, p = 0.011). Patients who experienced MBE had a >3.5-fold increased risk for 1-year mortality (adjusted HR = 3.52, p < 0.001). Interestingly, the mortality risk associated with MBE was evident only among those who experienced non-access-site bleeding (HR = 1.9; p = 0.001). Conclusions: In the past decade, there has been a significant increase in the rate of MBE. However, we found that only major bleeding that was not related to the vascular access site affected subsequent mortality.