Rationale and design of the GRACE (Global Registry of Acute Coronary Events) Project: A multinational registry of patients hospitalized with acute coronary syndromes

Background Acute coronary syndromes (ACS), including the spectrum of condit ions from unstable angina to ST segment elevation myocardial infarction, re present a major cause of morbidity and mortality throughout the world. GRAC E (the Global Registry of Acute Coronary Events) is a large, prospective, m ultinational observational study of patients hospitalized with ACS. The aim of GRACE is to improve the quality of care for patients with ACS by descri bing differences in, and relationships between, patient characteristics, tr eatment practices, and in-hospital and postdischarge outcomes at hospitals around the world. A goal of this study is to study approximately 10,000 pat ients with ACS on on annual basis. Methods A total of 18 cluster sites in 14 countries in North America, South America, Europe, Australia, and New Zealand are currently collaborating in GRACE. Clusters were chosen on the basis of local demographic characterist ics and hospital facilities to ensure a representative sample of patients w ith ACS from each country. Patients are identified by use of either active or passive surveillance approaches. A standardized core case report form is completed for all patients. information on patient demographics, medical h istory, acute symptoms, clinical characteristics, electrocardiographic find ings, treatment approaches, and in-hospital outcomes is collected. Patients are followed up at 6 months after hospital discharge to identify recurrent coronary events, use of various medications, and mortality. Conclusions The information collected from the GRACE project will provide i mportant and extensive insights into patient demographic and clinical chara cteristics, current practice patterns, and outcomes for patients with ACS f rom a number of countries throughout the world. Given the pressures of prac ticing evidence-based medicine, the results of GRACE should provide a multi national perspective into these important outcomes and identify practice va riations that will allow new opportunities to improve patient care.