Trial DesignThe China Acute Myocardial Infarction (CAMI) Registry: A national long-term registry-research-education integrated platform for exploring acute myocardial infarction in China

BackgroundAcute myocardial infarction (AMI) has become a major cause of hospitalization and mortality in China. There has been limited data to date available to characterize AMI presentation, contemporary patterns of medical care, and outcomes in China.AimsThe CAMI Registry is a national project with the objectives to timely obtain real-world knowledge about AMI patients and to provide the platform for clinical research, guide preventive measures and care quality improvement efforts in China.Methods and ProgressThe CAMI registry is a prospective, nationwide, multicenter observational study for AMI patients. The registry includes three levels of hospitals (representing typical Chinese governmental and administrative models) from all provinces and municipalities throughout Mainland China except Hong Kong and Macau. Sites were instructed to enroll consecutive patients with a primary diagnosis of AMI. Clinical data, treatments, outcomes and cost are collected by local investigators and captured electronically, with a standardized set of variables and standard definitions, and rigorous data quality control. Post-discharge patient follow-up to 2 years is planned. The CAMI Registry was launched in January 2013. A total of 108 hospitals have participated in the registry so far. As of September 2014, 26,103 patients with AMI were registered.ConclusionsThe CAMI registry represents a well-supported and the largest national long-term registry-research-education platform for surveillance, research, prevention and care improvement for AMI in China, the world's most populous nation. The broad representation of all provinces and different-level hospitals will allow for the exploration of AMI across diverse geographic regions and economic circumstances.