Prevalence of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease and subsequent major adverse cardiovascular events in Alberta, Canada: A real‐world evidence study

BACKGROUND: Atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD) is a leading cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide. Data from Canadian populations regarding the burden of ASCVD are limited. Therefore, we describe the 5‐year period prevalence of ASCVD and subsequent major adverse cardiovascular event (MACE) outcomes among patients with ASCVD in Alberta, Canada. METHODS: A retrospective, observational study was conducted by linking provincial health services data, vital statistics, and pharmaceutical dispenses data. Five‐year period prevalence of clinical ASCVD was captured between 2011 and 2016, and a cohort of adult patients with an initial clinical ASCVD event were identified between 2012 and 2016. One‐year incidence rates (IRs) of subsequent MACE outcomes were calculated as composite and individual measures. A subgroup of patients with acute myocardial infarction (AMI) as their index event was examined. RESULTS: There were 198 573 patients (mean [standard deviation] age: 63.9 [15.6] years; 56.6% males) identified with clinical ASCVD between 2012 and 2016. Overall, the 5‐year period prevalence of ASCVD in Alberta was 89.9 per 1000 persons and the 1‐year IR for a primary MACE outcome was 6.15 (95% confidence interval [CI]: 6.03–6.26) per 100 person‐years. Among the ASCVD cohort, 9465 had an AMI as their index event and the IR for a primary MACE outcome was 14.30 (95% CI: 13.45–15.20) per 100 person‐years. CONCLUSIONS: This study found that the prevalence of ASCVD and the rate of subsequent MACE outcomes 1 year following the initial ASCVD event are substantial, particularly among patients with an AMI. Secondary prevention strategies aimed at lowering this risk are needed for patients with ASCVD.