Adjustment For Clinical Risk Factors Research Articles

Refined characterization of the association between kidney function and mortality in patients undergoing cardiac catheterization

Chronic kidney disease is associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. The level of kidney function at which this risk increases remains to be determined. We sought to characterize the relationship between kidney function and survival among patients with cardiovascular disease (CVD) undergoing cardiac catheterization using estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) and graded refinements in the classification of kidney function. We included 8521 of 11 778 (72.3%) consecutive patients undergoing cardiac catheterization between 1 January 1999 and 31 December 2001 from the Alberta Provincial Project for Outcome Assessment in Coronary Heart Disease database. eGFR as a categorical and continuous variable was used to define kidney function. The outcome was all-cause mortality. During a median (interquartile range) follow-up of 2.2 (1.5-3.1) years, and after adjustment for clinical risk factors and severity of coronary disease, there was a steady incremental decrease in survival post-catheterization corresponding to a decline in eGFR categories of 10 mL/min/1.73 m(2). When eGFR was modelled as a continuous variable, there was an increased risk of death noted at an eGFR below 79 mL/min/1.73 m(2). Below an eGFR of 70 mL/min/1.73 m,(2), there was an approximate 17.2% relative increase in risk for every 10 unit decrease in eGFR (95% CI 8.4-26.6%). The risk of death post-cardiac catheterization is elevated when eGFR is < or =79 mL/min/1.73 m(2). These findings provide considerable refinement in our understanding of eGFR as a powerful prognostic marker in patients with CVD undergoing cardiac catheterization.

Cardioprotective Medication Is Associated With Improved Survival in Patients With Peripheral Arterial Disease

We sought to investigate the effect of cardiac medication on long-term mortality in patients with peripheral arterial disease (PAD). Peripheral arterial disease is associated with increased cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. Treatment guidelines recommend aggressive management of risk factors and lifestyle modifications. However, the potential benefit of cardiac medication in patients with PAD remains ill defined. In this prospective observational cohort study, 2,420 consecutive patients (age, 64 +/- 11 years, 72% men) with PAD (ankle-brachial index < or =0.90) were screened for clinical risk factors and cardiac medication. Follow-up end point was death from any cause. Propensity scores for statins, beta-blockers, aspirin, angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors, calcium channel blockers, diuretics, nitrates, coumarins, and digoxin were calculated. Cox regression models were used to analyze the relation between cardiac medication and long-term mortality. Medical history included diabetes mellitus in 436 patients (18%), hypercholesterolemia in 581 (24%), smoking in 837 (35%), hypertension in 1,162 (48%), coronary artery disease in 1,065 (44%), and a history of heart failure in 214 (9%). Mean ankle-brachial index was 0.58 (+/-0.18). During a median follow-up of eight years, 1,067 patients (44%) died. After adjustment for risk factors and propensity scores, statins (hazard ratio [HR] 0.46, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.36 to 0.58), beta-blockers (HR 0.68, 95% CI 0.58 to 0.80), aspirins (HR 0.72, 95% CI 0.61 to 0.84), and ACE inhibitors (HR 0.80, 95% CI 0.69 to 0.94) were significantly associated with a reduced risk of long-term mortality. On the basis of this observational longitudinal study, statins, beta-blockers, aspirins, and ACE inhibitors are associated with a reduction in long-term mortality in patients with PAD.

Association of Educational Level with Inflammatory Markers in the Framingham Offspring Study

Socioeconomic position consistently predicts coronary heart disease; however, the biologic mechanisms that may mediate this association are not well understood. The objective of this study was to determine whether socioeconomic position (measured as educational level) is associated with inflammatory risk factors for coronary heart disease, including C-reactive protein, interleukin-6, soluble intercellular adhesion molecule-1, monocyte chemoattractant protein-1, and P-selectin. The study sample included 2,729 participants (53.4% women; mean age, 62 +/- 10 years) from the US Framingham Offspring Study cohort who attended examination cycles 3 (1984-1987) and 7 (1998-2001) and provided educational attainment data. Inflammatory markers were measured in fasting serum samples. Multivariable linear regression analyses were performed, adjusting for potential confounders including age, sex, and clinical risk factors. In age- and sex-adjusted analyses, educational attainment was significantly inversely associated with C-reactive protein (p < 0.0001), interleukin-6 (p < 0.0001), soluble intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (p < 0.0001), and monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (p = 0.0004). After further adjustment for clinical risk factors, educational level remained significantly associated with C-reactive protein (p = 0.0002), soluble intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (p = 0.01), and monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (p = 0.01). In conclusion, educational attainment is associated with inflammatory risk factors for coronary heart disease. The association provides evidence suggestive of a biologic pathway by which socioeconomic position may predispose to coronary heart disease.

Perioperative and Long-Term Cardiovascular Outcomes in Patients Undergoing Endovascular Treatment Compared With Open Vascular Surgery for Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm or Iliaco-Femoro-Popliteal Bypass

The aim of the present study was to determine the perioperative and long-term cardiac outcomes of patients who underwent elective open or endovascular major vascular surgery corrected for cardiac risk factors and dobutamine stress echocardiography. Consecutive patients who underwent either endovascular (n = 123) or open (n = 560) vascular surgery from 1996 to 2004 at Erasmus Medical Center were enrolled. Patients were screened for cardiac risk factors (advanced age, gender, angina pectoris, myocardial infarction, heart failure, diabetes, stroke, renal failure), cardioprotective medication, and the presence of stress-induced ischemia by dobutamine stress echocardiography. Postoperative data on troponin release and electrocardiography were routinely collected on days 1, 3, and 7 and before discharge. After discharge, patients were regularly screened at the outpatient clinic. The main outcome measures were perioperative and long-term cardiac death and myocardial infarction. The incidence of perioperative cardiac events was significantly less in endovascular-treated patients compared with conventionally treated patients, also after adjustment for clinical risk factors, dobutamine stress echocardiography, and medication (hazard ratio [HR] 0.19, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.07 to 0.53). In contrast, during long-term follow-up (median 3.8 years, range 0 to 8.4), the incidence of long-term cardiac mortality and myocardial infarction were similar in the 2 groups (HR 0.89, 95% CI 0.52 to 1.52). In conclusion, endovascular stent grafting is associated with a reduced incidence of perioperative complications compared with open vascular surgery. Despite the initial perioperative survival benefit, patients who undergo endovascular surgery remain at high risk for late cardiac events.

Estimated intake of milk fat is negatively associated with cardiovascular risk factors and does not increase the risk of a first acute myocardial infarction. A prospective case-control study.

Milk fat is high in saturated fatty acids (SFA) and high intakes of SFA are associated with cardiovascular diseases. The aim of the present study was to prospectively evaluate the potential risk of a first-ever acute myocardial infarction (AMI) in relation to the estimated milk-fat intake, reflected as the proportions of pentadecanoic acid (15 : 0) and heptadecanoic acid (17 : 0) in serum lipid esters. This was evaluated in a study population selected within the Västerbotten Intervention Program and the northern Sweden 'Monitoring of Trends and Determinants in Cardiovascular disease' survey populations. A prospective case-control design was used. The proportions of the biomarkers were lower in the cases (n 78) than in the controls (n 156), who were matched for age, sex, sampling time and geographical region. The standardised odds ratios of becoming an AMI case were between 0.7 and 0.8 for the biomarkers. The proportions of 15 : 0 and 17 : 0 in serum phospholipids were significantly and negatively correlated to serum concentrations of plasminogen activator inhibitor-1, tissue-type plasminogen activator, triacylglycerols, insulin, specific insulin, pro-insulin and leptin (all P<0.0001), suggesting a negative relationship to the insulin-resistance syndrome and the risk of CHD. Adjustment for BMI did not materially change the relationships. Although there seems to be a negative association between milk-fat intake as mirrored by the proportions of 15 : 0 and 17 : 0 in serum lipid esters and a first-ever AMI, adjustment for clinical risk factors removed this relationship.

Relationship of depression to increased risk of mortality and rehospitalization in patients with congestive heart failure.

Patients with congestive heart failure (CHF) may have a high prevalence of depression, which may increase the risk of adverse outcomes. To determine the prevalence and relationship of depression to outcomes of patients hospitalized with CHF. We screened patients aged 18 years or older having New York Heart Association class II or greater CHF, an ejection fraction of 35% or less, or both, admitted between March 1, 1997, and June 30, 1998, to the cardiology service of one hospital. Patients with a Beck Depression Inventory score of 10 or higher underwent a modified National Institute of Mental Health Diagnostic Interview Schedule to identify major depressive disorder. Primary care providers coordinated standard treatment for CHF and other medical and psychiatric disorders. We assessed all-cause mortality and readmission (rehospitalization) rates 3 months and 1 year after depression assessment. Logistic regression analyses were used to evaluate the independent prognostic value of depression after adjustment for clinical risk factors. Of 374 patients screened, 35.3% had a Beck Depression Inventory score of 10 or higher and 13.9% had major depressive disorder. Overall mortality was 7.9% at 3 months and 16.2% at 1 year. Major depression was associated with increased mortality at 3 months (odds ratio, 2.5 vs no depression; P =.08) and at 1 year (odds ratio, 2.23; P =.04) and readmission at 3 months (odds ratio, 1.90; P =.04) and at 1 year (odds ratio, 3.07; P =.005). These increased risks were independent of age, New York Heart Association class, baseline ejection fraction, and ischemic etiology of CHF. Major depression is common in patients hospitalized with CHF and is independently associated with a poor prognosis.

Prognostic significance of precordial ST segment depression during inferior myocardial infarction in the thrombolytic era: Results in 16,521 patients

We examined the prognostic significance of precordial ST segment depression among patients with an acute inferior myocardial infarction. Although precordial ST segment depression has been associated with a poor prognosis, this correlation has not been adequately quantified, partly because of small sample sizes and methodologic limitations in previous studies. We examined the clinical and angiographic outcomes of 16,521 patients with an acute inferior myocardial infarction who underwent thrombolysis in the Global Utilization of Streptokinase and t-PA for Occluded Coronary Arteries (GUSTO-I) study. Patients were classified into those without precordial ST segment depression (n = 6,422 [38.9%]), those with ST segment depression in leads V1 to V3 only (n = 5,850 [35.4%]), those with ST segment depression in leads V4 to V6 only (n = 876 [5.3%]) and those with ST segment depression in both leads V1 to V3 and leads V4 to V6 (n = 3,373 [20.4%]) on initial electrocardiography. Outcome measures included postinfarction complications (second- or third-degree heart block, congestive heart failure or shock) and 30-day and 1-year mortality. Patients with precordial ST segment depression had larger infarctions, more postinfarction complications and a higher mortality rate than those without precordial ST segment depression (4.7% vs. 3.2% at 30 days; 5.0% vs. 3.4% at 1 year; both p < 0.001), regardless of whether ST segment depression was noted in leads V1 to V6 or in leads V4 to V6. The magnitude of precordial ST segment depression (sum of leads V1 to V6) added significant independent prognostic information after adjustment for clinical risk factors; the risk of 30-day mortality increased by 36% for every 0.5 mV of precordial ST segment depression. Assessment of the magnitude of precordial ST segment depression is useful for acute risk stratification in patients with an inferior myocardial infarction.

Venous ulcer healing: effect of socioeconomic factors in London.

To determine which social and clinical factors are associated with healing in patients with venous ulceration. Patients were questioned about social factors at their first visit to a community ulcer clinic. They were treated by high compression bandage system and were interviewed again after 12 weeks. Community leg ulcer clinics held in health centres throughout Riverside Health Authority in London. All patients referred to five community leg ulcer clinics with venous ulceration over a six month period. These were factors significantly associated with healing within 12 weeks of beginning treatment, measured by odds ratio (OR) given by logistic regression analysis. Of 168 patients with venous ulceration, 87 (52%) healed after 12 weeks of treatment. Univariate analysis showed that low social class (OR = 3.44, 95% CI 1.17, 10.14), lack of central heating (OR = 2.22, 95% CI 1.18, 4.18), and being single (OR = 2.77, 95% CI 1.15, 6.69) were all significantly associated with delayed healing. After adjustment for the known risk factors of ulcer size, ulcer duration, and general mobility only lack of central heating was still significant (OR = 2.27, 95% CI 1.11, 4.55). The remaining factors failing to achieve statistical significance because of their inter-relationship with the known risk factors. Clinical features of the ulcer seem to determine the progress of healing in patients with leg ulceration. Although there were associations between socio-economic factors and poor healing, adjustment for clinical risk factors generally led to lower non-significant associations. Only lack of central heating retained its association and may play a part in prolonging healing of venous ulceration.