Contact: Beth Casteel, bcasteel@acc.org, 202.375.6275

American College of Cardiology Launches PINNACLE-AF
Outpatient Registry to Focus on Atrial Fibrillation Treatment

Washington, DC – The American College of Cardiology (ACC) today announced it is expanding its outpatient registry, the PINNACLE Registry, with a new platform focusing on atrial fibrillation and including the next generation of anticoagulants.

The new platform, PINNACLE-AF, will operate within the existing PINNACLE Registry.  The PINNACLE Registry is the largest cardiovascular outpatient database in the US, and is part of the ACC’s National Cardiovascular Data Registry (NCDR). NCDR is the most comprehensive, outcomes-based cardiovascular patient data registry for quality improvement in the United States.

“The expansion of the PINNACLE Registry is coming at a time when new treatments for atrial fibrillation are coming online,” said Jack Lewin, MD, CEO of the American College of Cardiology. “In this context of innovation, PINNACLE can provide a means to monitor practice pattern changes over time while we rigorously assess current practice patterns and help providers evaluate and improve adherence to established guidelines and performance measures. The expansion will also provide a deeper data repository for future research and innovation.”

PINNACLE currently has 2.1 million patient records representing valid patient encounters from hundreds of outpatient practices nationwide. Of those patients, over 100,000 have atrial fibrillation. Participation in the Registry is free to all cardiology practices.

Atrial fibrillation is a cardiac rhythm disorder in which the upper chambers of the heart, the atria, beat irregularly and out of sync with the two lower chambers. Symptoms include an irregular or rapid heart rate, shortness of breath, and weakness.  While AF itself is not commonly fatal, it often is associated with increased risks of death and stroke. 

The ACC thanks Bristol-Myers Squibb and Pfizer Inc. for supporting this program and for their vision and commitment to research related to the ambulatory practice of cardiology.

For more information about the PINNACLE Registry and PINNACLE-AF, visit www.PINNACLEregistry.org.

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About the American College of Cardiology

The American College of Cardiology is transforming cardiovascular care and improving heart health through continuous quality improvement, patient-centered care, payment innovation and professionalism. The College is a 39,000-member nonprofit medical society comprised of physicians, surgeons, nurses, physician assistants, pharmacists and practice managers, and bestows credentials upon cardiovascular specialists who meet its stringent qualifications. The College is a leader in the formulation of health policy, standards and guidelines, and is a staunch supporter of cardiovascular research. The ACC provides professional education and operates national registries for the measurement and improvement of quality care. More information about the association is available online at www.cardiosource.org/ACC.

About the NCDR

The NCDR is the preeminent cardiovascular data repository in the United States today. Through the analysis and benchmarking of patient risk factors, procedures, devices and clinical outcomes, the NCDR’s growing suite of registries provides evidence-based quality improvement solutions for cardiologists and other medical professionals who are committed to measurement, improvement and excellence in cardiovascular care. More information about the NCDR is available online at www.ncdr.com.

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