Determination of Characteristics and Data Elements Requirements in National Acute Coronary Syndrome Registries for Postdischarge Follow-up

This study aimed to describe the current status and determine the postdischarge follow-up characteristics and data elements requirements in national acute coronary syndrome (ACS) registries. This descriptive comparative study was carried out in 2021 in 2 phases. First, postdischarge follow-up characteristics and data elements in national ACS registries were identified. The second phase was performed in 2 stages. First, an initial questionnaire was prepared in which the face and content validity were calculated. The final questionnaire included demographic and characteristics questions and 208 data elements using the Likert scale and an open-ended item in which the reliability was assessed through test-retest method. Second, the data elements were surveyed by 20 cardiologists using the Delphi technique. Postdischarge follow-up was done in 60% of national ACS registries. Follow-ups with intervals of 1-month and 12-month after discharge (average score of 3.87 and 4, respectively) through telephone interviews and face-to-face visits (average score of 4 and 3.81, respectively) obtained the highest average score. A total of 132 data elements were confirmed in the first and second rounds of the Delphi technique. Planning in order to perform postdischarge follow-up in registries without follow-up should be considered, which is recommended to be done by telephone interview at least in 1-month and 12-month postdischarge intervals. The data elements approved in this study will be helpful in registries with follow-up in order to develop the existing follow-up forms, and in registries without follow-up, from the beginning and design of the follow-up form.