Event Rates and Risk Factors for Recurrent Cardiovascular Events and Mortality in a Contemporary Post Acute Coronary Syndrome Population Representing 239 234 Patients During 2005 to 2018 in the United States

BACKGROUND: Patients with acute coronary syndrome (ACS) are recognized by guidelines as remaining at high risk for adverse outcomes. Evidence from contemporary, representative ACS populations in a clinical practice setting is necessary to identify subgroups and strategies for improving patient outcomes. We aimed to describe event rates and risk factors in an ACS population over prolonged follow‐up for cardiovascular end points. METHODS AND RESULTS: We identified 239 234 patients in the Optum Research Database (57.2% men; mean [standard deviation] age, 69.2 [12.2] years) with evidence of an ACS hospitalization (index ACS) during January 1, 2005 through December 30, 2018. Subgroups were based on index ACS event (myocardial infarction/unstable angina and revascularization status) and the Thrombolysis In Myocardial Infarction Risk Score for Secondary Prevention. The 5‐year event rate for the primary end point representing nonfatal myocardial infarction, nonfatal ischemic stroke, and cardiovascular death was 33.4% (95% CI, 33.1%–33.7%; P<0.001). The risk of experiencing the primary end point was ≈6‐fold higher immediately after discharge (≈40.9% annualized risk) as compared with the period 1+ years after hospitalization (≈6.4% annualized risk). Among subgroups, the 5‐year primary end point event rate was highest for myocardial infarction without revascularization and a Thrombolysis In Myocardial Infarction Risk Score for Secondary Prevention ≥4, at 47.9% (95% CI, 47.3%–48.4%; P<0.001) and 56.7% (95% CI, 55.9%–57.4%; P<0.001), respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Patients with ACS remain at very high risk of experiencing recurrent cardiovascular events, particularly early after discharge, with identifiable subgroups at multifold higher risk of specific clinical end points.