ARgentinean Risk Assessment Registry in Acute Coronary Syndrome; the ARRA-RACS Study.

BACKGROUND Cardiac troponins are sensitive markers for myocardial injury in ACS and even a minor elevation of cardiac troponins is associated with an increased risk for future adverse coronary events. However, a detectable troponin release occurs only in a part of patients admitted with ACS. The clinical outcomes and further prognosis of patients with ACS with absent TnT release vary widely, and the identification of potential high-risk patients with troponin negative ACS still remains a major problem in clinical routine. Therefore, the aim of this study is focused on identifying new biomarkers for risk stratification.

Omega- 3 Index: The value of the Omega-3 Index as a prognostic marker in the acute coronary syndromes is still under investigation.

Vitamin D deficiency is positively correlated with cardiovascular risk and N-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA's) may reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease. Vitamin D can either be ingested, or created in the skin on exposure to sun, whereas PUFA's are largely incorporated through the diet. Vitamin D deficiency in humans is increasing and its levels are influenced by the color of the skin, geographical location, latitude, altitude, season and daytime.

In addition to Vitamin D, several studies have shown that, N-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA's), also have a positive impact on the cardiovascular system. PUFA's are not sufficiently synthesized in the body and are incorporated through the diet. These essential fatty acids are found almost exclusively in oily fish, and have been shown to have a positive impact on several cardiovascular risk factors.

Fish, a source of both Vitamin D and omega-3, is frequently consumed by the costal population of Norway, and is less preferred by the inland beef-consuming population in Northern Argentina. The subtropical location and altitude of Salta, Argentina, is associated with a higher exposure to sun in comparison to the temperate location of Norway. The uptake of Vitamin D in the costal population of Norway may essentially be through the diet, whereas sun exposure may be the essential source of Vitamin D in the Northern Argentinean population.