The Prognostic Value of Bleeding Academic Research Consortium (BARC)-Defined Bleeding Complications in ST-Segment Elevation Myocardial Infarction

Objectives The aim of the present analysis was to compare 1-year mortality prediction of Bleeding Academic Research Consortium (BARC)-defined bleeding complications with existing bleeding definitions in patients with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) and to investigate the prognostic value of the individual data elements of the bleeding classifications for 1-year mortality. Background BARC recently proposed a novel standardized bleeding definition. Methods The in-hospital occurrence of bleeding defined according to the BARC, TIMI (Thrombolysis In Myocardial Infarction), GUSTO (Global Utilization of Streptokinase and Tissue Plasminogen Activator for Occluded Coronary Arteries), and ISTH (International Society on Thrombosis and Haemostasis) bleeding classifications was assessed in 2,002 STEMI patients undergoing primary percutaneous coronary intervention between January 1, 2003, and July 31, 2008. Results BARC types 2, 3, 4, and 5 bleeding occurred in 4.4%, 14.2%, 1.4%, and 0.3% of patients, respectively. By multivariable analysis, GUSTO- and ISTH-defined bleeding was not significantly associated with 1-year mortality, whereas TIMI major and BARC type 3b or 3c bleeding conferred a 2-fold higher risk of 1-year mortality (hazard ratios [HRs]: 2.00 [95% confidence interval (CI): 1.32 to 3.01] and 1.84 [95% CI: 1.23 to 2.77], respectively). Data elements most strongly associated with mortality were a hemoglobin decrease ≥5 g/dl (HR: 1.94 [95% CI: 1.26 to 2.98]), the use of vasoactive agents for bleeding (HR: 2.01 [95% CI: 0.91 to 4.44]), cardiac tamponade (HR: 2.38 [95% CI: 0.56 to 10.1]), and intracranial hemorrhage (HRs for 1-year mortality were not computable because there was only 1 patient with intracranial bleeding). Conclusions Both the BARC and TIMI bleeding classification identified STEMI patients at risk of 1-year mortality.