The largest international record of stable coronary artery disease shows that there is a lot of patients who maintain too high resting heart rate reference values

Paris, August 29, 2011/PRNewswire / – CLARIFY results, the largest international record never done before in outpatients with stable coronary artery disease (CAD)shows that despite the extensive use of beta blockers, one-third of the patients with CAD had a heart rate at rest (FCR) of 70 lpm.[1] This value of heart rate, previously has been linked with a higher prevalence and greater severity of angina and myocardial infarction.[2] Results of CLARIFY, representing more than 30,000 patients in 45 countries around the world, presented today at the Congress of the society European’s cardiology.

The CAD continues to be the leading cause of death worldwide.[3] A better understanding of the treatment and cardiovascular outcomes for these patients is key to reducing the burden of the disease.

The registry must (ProspeCtive observational LongitudinAl RegIstry oF patients with stable coronary arterY disease) was designed to increase our knowledge and understanding of the CAD, even with an assessment of the role of the heart rate (FC) in the prognosis of patients with CAD. It aims to improve the treatment of disease by identifying the gaps between the existing evidence and actual practice.

CLARIFY included 33.649 patients around the world between November 2009 and July 2010. The average age of patients was 64±11 years, 77.5% of whom were men. FC average pulse was 68, 3±10, 6 lpm, while the FC for ECG was 67, 2±11, 5 lpm. 44% Of patients had a FC at rest > = 70 lpm. In addition, in analyses adjusted, the FC > 70 lpm was independently associated with a higher prevalence and severity of angina, and more frequent episodes of ischemia. “

“”For some years we know that heart rate (FC) is a risk factor potentially important in the DAC, but so far we had relatively little information on heart rate among patients with CAD outside the hospital,” says the President must, Professor Gabriel Steg to the Hopital Bichat ParisFrance. “For the first time, we can see that many patients with CAD have elevated resting heart rate, and a combination of evidence showing now must, as anecdotal evidence from previous sources indicate that it is associated with symptoms and worse outcomes.” “These results suggest that a tighter control over the reference value of heart rate with drugs to lower the heart rate can benefit patients with CAD to improve control of symptoms and their prognosis”.

More than 90% of patients registered in CLARIFY were treated with aspirin and Statins, and 75% with beta-blockers, indicating a large intake of evidence-based medicine for secondary prevention. “It is encouraging to see that the majority of patients with CAD receive treatments in line with guidelines,” says Professor Steg. “The results presented today are just the beginning.” “It must have a potential five-year follow-up, and each year will provide relevant information.”

The register must is funded by an educational grant from Servier laboratories. Data are collected and analyzed in the Robertson Centre for Biostatistics in Glasgow, United Kingdom, under the direction of Professor Ian Ford, and the study is led by an academic Executive Committee chaired by Professor p. g. Steg.