Cardiovascular Disease In Population Research Articles

Cardiovascular Health in Anxiety or Mood Problems Study (CHAMPS): study protocol for a randomized controlled trial.

BackgroundPrevious psychological and pharmacological interventions have primarily focused on depression disorders in populations with cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) and the efficacy of anxiety disorder interventions is only more recently being explored. Transdiagnostic interventions address common emotional processes and the full range of anxiety and depression disorders often observed in populations with CVDs. The aim of CHAMPS is to evaluate the feasibility of a unified protocol (UP) for the transdiagnostic treatment of emotional disorders intervention in patients recently hospitalized for CVDs. The current study reports the protocol of a feasibility randomized controlled trial to inform a future trial.Methods/DesignThis is a feasibility randomized, controlled trial with a single-center design. A total of 50 participants will be block-randomized to either a UP intervention or enhanced usual care. Both groups will receive standard CVD care. The UP intervention consists of 1) enhancing motivation, readiness for change, and treatment engagement; (2) psychoeducation about emotions; (3) increasing present focused emotion awareness; (4) increasing cognitive flexibility; (5) identifying and preventing patterns of emotion avoidance and maladaptive emotion-driven behaviors (EDBs, including tobacco smoking, and alcohol use); (6) increasing tolerance of emotion-related physical sensations; (7) interoceptive and situation-based emotion-focused exposure; and (8) relapse prevention strategies. Treatment duration is 12 to 18 weeks. Relevant outcomes include the standard deviation of self-rated anxiety, depression and quality of life symptoms. Other outcomes include intervention acceptability, satisfaction with care, rates of EDBs, patient adherence, physical activity, cardiac and psychiatric readmissions. Parallel to the main trial, a nonrandomized comparator cohort will be recruited comprising 150 persons scoring below the predetermined depression and anxiety severity thresholds.DiscussionCHAMPS is designed to evaluate the UP for the transdiagnostic treatment of emotional disorders targeting emotional disorder processes in a CVD population. The design will provide preliminary evidence of feasibility, attrition, and satisfaction with treatment to design a definitive trial. If the trial is feasible, it opens up the possibility for interventions to target broader emotional processes in the precarious population with CVD and emotional distress.Trial registrationACTRN12615000555550, registered on 29/05/2015

High-density lipoprotein subclass measurements improve mortality risk prediction, discrimination and reclassification in a cardiac catheterization cohort

Background and AimsRecent failures of HDL cholesterol (HDL-C)-raising therapies to prevent cardiovascular disease (CVD) events have tempered the interest in the role of HDL-C in clinical risk assessment. Emerging data suggest that the atheroprotective properties of HDL depend on specific HDL particle characteristics not reflected by HDL-C. The purpose of this study was to determine the association of HDL particle concentration (HDL-P) and HDL subclasses with mortality in a high-risk cardiovascular population and to examine the clinical utility of these parameters in mortality risk discrimination and reclassification models. MethodsUsing nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy, we measured HDL-P and HDL subclasses in 3972 individuals enrolled in the CATHGEN coronary catheterization biorepository; tested for association with all-cause mortality in robust clinical models; and examined the utility of HDL subclasses in incremental mortality risk discrimination and reclassification. ResultsOver an average follow-up of eight years, 29.6% of the individuals died. In a multivariable model adjusted for ten CVD risk factors, HDL-P [HR, 0.71 (0.67–0.76), p = 1.3e-24] had a stronger inverse association with mortality than did HDL-C [HR 0.93 (0.87–0.99), p = 0.02]. Larger HDL size conferred greater risk and the sum of medium- and small-size HDL particles (MS-HDL-P) conferred less risk. Furthermore, the strong inverse relation of HDL-P levels with mortality was accounted for entirely by MS-HDL-P; HDL-C was not associated with mortality after adjustment for MS-HDL-P. Addition of MS-HDL-P to the GRACE Risk Score significantly improved risk discrimination and risk reclassification. ConclusionHDL-P and smaller HDL subclasses were independent markers of residual mortality risk and incremental to HDL-C in a high-risk CVD population. These measures should be considered in risk stratification and future development of HDL-targeted therapies in high-risk populations.

Impact of Switching From High-Efficacy Lipid-Lowering Therapies to Generic Simvastatin on LDL-C Levels and LDL-C Goal Attainment Among High-Risk Primary and Secondary Prevention Populations in the United Kingdom

PurposeHigh cholesterol, especially high low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), is an important risk factor for cardiovascular disease (CVD) morbidity/mortality. Switching from high-efficacy lipid-lowering therapies (HETs) to simvastatin might lead to sub-optimal control of LDL-C. Our objective was to evaluate the impact of switching from HETs to generic simvastatin on LDL-C levels and LDL-C goal attainment among the high-risk primary and secondary prevention populations in the United Kingdom. MethodsThis retrospective cohort study was conducted using Clinical Practice Research Datalink database. Included were individuals with more than 2 months of prescriptions of the following HETs between August 1, 2004 and December 31, 2008: simvastatin/ezetimibe fixed dose (S/E), simvastatin and ezetimibe co-administration (S+E), atorvastatin and ezetimibe co-administration (A+E), rosuvastatin and ezetimibe co-administration (R+E), rosuvastatin monotherapy, and atorvastatin monotherapy. For each baseline HET, we used analysis of covariance (ANCOVA) to estimate the least squares mean (LSM) difference in the percentage change from baseline in LDL-C between switchers and non-switchers, and logistic regression to estimate the odds ratio of attaining the LDL-C goal (<3 mmol/L for primary prevention and <2 mmol/L for secondary prevention, by JBS2) at follow-up. Propensity score adjusted analyses were conducted to reduce selection bias. Findings30,148 patients met the eligibility criteria with 83.8% received atorvastatin, 9.5% rosuvastatin and 2.6% S/E and S+E combined. 89.1% of patients switching from atorvastatin switched to an equivalent or higher dose of simvastatin (dose equivalency was determined by relative efficacy of one statin to other statins), while 100% of those switching from simvastatin/ezetimibe and 96.8% of those switching from rosuvastatin switched to lower than equivalent dose of simvastatin. Compared to non-switchers, the adjusted least squares mean differences in the percentage change in LDL-C levels from baseline were 18.74% (p = 0.0003), 16.73% (p < 0.0001), and −0.11% (p = 0.9044) when switching from simvastatin/ezetimibe, rosuvastatin, and atorvastatin, respectively. The odds of LDL-C goal attainment at follow-up among switchers from simvastatin/ezetimibe, rosuvastatin, and atorvastatin were 0.40 (95% CI: 0.23–0.70), 0.36 (95% CI: 0.26–0.51) and 1.03 (95% CI: 0.92–1.15) relative to non-switchers respectively. ImplicationsAmong the high risk CVD population in UK, switching to simvastatin from HET, especially rosuvastatin and simvastatin/ezetimibe, resulted in an increase in LDL-C levels and lower goal attainment. These historical data reinforce the appropriateness of the changes in the new Joint British Guideline (JBS3) which no longer recommends starting simvastatin 40 mg.

Lipid metabolism and cardiovascular diseases in population of St Petersburg citizens with type 2 diabetes mellitus and different polymorphisms of taqib gene encoding transporter of cholesterol esters

Особенности липидного обмена и сердечно-сосудистые заболевания у больных сахарным диабетом 2 типа, проживающих в Санкт-Петербурге, — носителей различных генотипов taqib полиморфизма гена белка, переносящего эфиры холестерина

The influence of a triclosan toothpaste on adverse events in patients with cardiovascular disease over 5-years

Adverse effects of long-term usage of triclosan-containing toothpaste in humans are currently unknown. We assessed the effect of long-term use of 0.3% triclosan-toothpaste on serious adverse events (SAEs) in patients with cardiovascular disease (CVD). 438 patients with a history of stable CVD were entered into the 5-year longitudinal Cardiovascular and Periodontal Study at Prince Charles Hospital, Brisbane, Australia and randomised into test (triclosan) or placebo groups. There were no significant differences in demographics or clinical features between the groups. Patients were examined at baseline, and annually for 5-years. SAEs were classified according to the System Organ Classes defined by MedDRA (Medical Dictionary for Regulatory Activities). Results were analysed using chi square and Kaplan Meier analysis. Overall, 232 patients (123 in the triclosan group; 109 in the placebo group) experienced 569 SAEs (288 in the triclosan group and 281 in the placebo group). There was no significant difference between the groups in numbers of patients experiencing SAEs (p=0.35) or specific cardiovascular SAEs (p=0.82), nor in time to the first SAE or first cardiovascular SAE, irrespective of gender, age or BMI after adjusting for multiple comparisons (p>0.05). The adjusted odds of experiencing an SAE were estimated to increase by 2.7% for each year of age (p=0.02) and the adjusted odds of experiencing a cardiovascular SAE were estimated to increase by 5.1% for each unit increase in BMI (p=0.02). Most cardiovascular events were related to unstable angina or myocardial infarcts, 21 were associated with arrhythmia and 41 were vascular events such as aortic aneurysm and cerebrovascular accident. Within the limitations of the present study the data suggest that the use of triclosan-toothpaste may not be associated with any increase in SAEs in this CVD population. The long-term impact of triclosan on hormone-related disease, such as cancer, in humans remains to be determined.

Out-of-office blood pressure improves risk stratification in normotension and prehypertension people.

This review addresses to what extent out-of-office blood pressure, the ambulatory blood pressure monitoring and the self-measured home blood pressure, refines conventional blood pressure-based risk stratification across increasing blood pressure categories, in particular individuals assumed to be associated with no or only mildly increased risk. Compared with sustained normotension, individuals with prehypertension as well as masked hypertension tend to be developed to true hypertension. Ambulatory blood pressure measurement refines risk stratification among prehypertensive people. Home blood pressure is more useful for the prediction of cerebrovascular diseases than conventional blood pressure, by replacing information from conventional to home blood pressure in risk stratification system. Furthermore, the two participant-level meta-analyses demonstrated that the out-of-office blood pressure substantially refines risk stratification in normotension and prehypertension, particularly among participants with masked hypertension. Properly organized randomized clinical trials are required to demonstrate that identification and treatment of masked hypertension, compared with the current standard care based on conventional pressure, lead to the reduction of cardiovascular diseases in population and are cost-effective.

Health-related quality of life is poor but does not vary with cardiovascular disease burden among patients operated for severe atherosclerotic disease

BackgroundPatients with cardiovascular disease (CVD) are reported to have a poorer health-related quality of life (HRQoL) compared to healthy age- and gender-matched individuals. Moreover, HRQoL seems to predict survival in CVD populations. We studied HRQoL and the association with outcome during follow-up in a population undergoing surgery for peripheral artery disease or cerebrovascular large artery disease. MethodsIn the Athero-Express biobank cohort study patients filled in a questionnaire containing RAND-36. We stratified the cohort to compare HRQoL scores (range 0–100, higher scores representing better HRQoL) and assessed three-year event-free survival for composite cardiovascular endpoints of patients with good (above median) versus poor (equal to and below median) HRQoL at baseline. Additionally we compared the cohort to a healthy age-matched population. Results2012 and 865 patients undergoing carotid endarterectomy (CEA) or endarterectomy of femoral/iliac arteries (FEA) were included respectively. The median HRQoL was 75 (IQR 0–100 (both patient groups)) for physical role limitations versus 0 (IQR 0–100 (CEA) and 0–66.7 (FEA)) for emotional role limitations. No differences in HRQoL subscores were found, CVD burden did not associate with HRQoL and three-year composite event rates did not associate with the reported HRQoL in both CEA and FEA. Both groups had poor HRQoL scores compared to an age-matched general population, especially regarding emotional role limitations and social functioning. ConclusionsHRQoL is poor and does not associate with CVD burden within patients suffering from severe atherosclerotic disease. Reported HRQoL was not associated with incident cardiovascular events during follow-up.

The synergistic effects of anxiety and cerebral hypoperfusion on cognitive dysfunction in older adults with cardiovascular disease.

Anxiety is a risk factor for cardiovascular disease (CVD) and is associated with neurocognitive outcomes. The effect of anxiety on brain perfusion in a CVD population has yet to be examined, and no study has investigated the interactive effects of anxiety and cerebral perfusion on cognition. A total of 55 older adults with CVD completed the Beck Anxiety Inventory (BAI) and underwent arterial spin labeling to quantify cortical perfusion and thickness. Participants were administered the Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) and the Repeatable Battery for the Assessment of Neuropsychological Status. Reduced perfusion predicted poorer cognition and decreased cortical thickness. Higher anxiety score predicted worse memory performance and decreased frontal perfusion. Frontal lobe hypoperfusion combined with increased BAI scores exacerbated poorer MMSE performance. Higher anxiety may exacerbate the effects of cerebral hypoperfusion on cognitive impairment. Longitudinal studies are needed to confirm our findings and determine whether anxiety treatment improves neurocognitive outcomes in CVD.

Benefits of Aldosterone Receptor Antagonism in Chronic Kidney Disease (BARACK D) trial-a multi-centre, prospective, randomised, open, blinded end-point, 36-month study of 2,616 patients within primary care with stage 3b chronic kidney disease to compare the efficacy of spironolactone 25mg once daily in addition to routine care on mortality and cardiovascular outcomes versus routine care alone: study protocol for a randomized

BackgroundChronic kidney disease (CKD) is common and increasing in prevalence. Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is a major cause of morbidity and death in CKD, though of a different phenotype to the general CVD population. Few therapies have proved effective in modifying the increased CVD risk or rate of renal decline in CKD. There are accumulating data that aldosterone receptor antagonists (ARA) may offer cardio-protection and delay renal impairment in patients with the CV phenotype in CKD. The use of ARA in CKD has therefore been increasingly advocated. However, no large study of ARA with renal or CVD outcomes is underway.MethodsThe study is a prospective randomised open blinded endpoint (PROBE) trial set in primary care where patients will mainly be identified by their GPs or from existing CKD lists. They will be invited if they have been formally diagnosed with CKD stage 3b or there is evidence of stage 3b CKD from blood results (eGFR 30–44 mL/min/1.73 m2) and fulfil the other inclusion/exclusion criteria. Patients will be randomised to either spironolactone 25 mg once daily in addition to routine care or routine care alone and followed-up for 36 months.DiscussionBARACK D is a PROBE trial to determine the effect of ARA on mortality and cardiovascular outcomes (onset or progression of CVD) in patients with stage 3b CKD.Trial registrationEudraCT: 2012-002672-13ISRTN: ISRCTN44522369

Diseases of the circulatory system: health status and perspectives for changes

During last 20 years rates of incidence and prevalence of diseases of the circulatory system in Ukraine have been growing from year to year and became problems of current interest. According to the program of WHO, realization of diseases prevention is provided by using of scientific justification and monitoring of health indexes, including diseases of the circulatory system. Goal of our research was to analyze health status of population of Zaporozhye region concerning cardiovascular diseases. Data since 1995 to 2012 y. were taken in the Center of medical statistics of Zaporozhye region. Comparative analysis of obtained data was conducted in dynamics and with definition of specific weight of able to work population in structure of indexes and gender differences. In article we showed, that on the background of depopulation of Ukraine during last 20 years, prevalence of diseases of the circulatory system increased by 2 times, and level of mortality from them increased for 45%. Specific weight of mortality from diseases of the circulatory system among adult population (state for 01.2013 y.) in Ukraine was 65,7%, in Zaporozhye region – 63,6%, among able to work population – 30,5%, in Zaporozhye region – 33,4%, but mortality among able to work men in Zaporozhye region was in 5,5 times higher than in women. Specific weight of the diseases of the circulatory system in structure of general morbidity in total population in Ukraine was 31,5%, among able to work population – 24,1%; among total population of Zaporozhye region – 36,6% (in town – 35,0%; in country region – 39,8%), among able to work population of Zaporozhye region – 24,6% (in town – 22,8%; in country region – 27,6%). Structure of general morbidity of the cardiovascular diseases during last 10 years in Ukraine and in Zaporozhye region is stable. Leading place belongs to arterial hypertension: 56,1%- in Ukraine, 57,7 % - in Zaporozhye region. Comparing to Ukraine, before 2005 y. in Zaporozhye region, was observed high rise of prevalence of the cardiovascular diseases in total population. Since 2005 y. incidence rate of the cardiovascular diseases in total population became rather stable and even during 2005-2012 y. decreased on 1,1 %, and in Zaporozhye region had further growth up to 15,2 %. Epidemiological situation, that was in Ukraine, especially in Zaporozhye region, is associated with growth of incidence and prevalence rates of the cardiovascular diseases in population, especially in able to work people. This creates direct threat to the health of population of the country and leads to significant economic loss. With this aim MHP of Ukraine together with all listed institutions and public organizations ought to fulfill mutual activity to create constantly functioning informative-educative provision, directed to forming health way of living, prevention of DCS and decreasing of risk factors of their development. In case of absence of constantly functioning informative-educative system of prevention of DCS and concentrating of attention only on detection of patients with arterial hypertension rates of prevalence, disability and mortality from DCS will grow. Perspectives of further researches are in development of model of informative-educative provision of cardiovascular diseases prevention with accounting of leading medico-social factors that lead to beginning and complicate the process.

A GCH1 haplotype confers sex-specific susceptibility to pain crises and altered endothelial function in adults with sickle cell anemia.

GTP cyclohydrolase (GCH1) is rate limiting for tetrahydrobiopterin (BH4) synthesis, where BH4 is a cofactor for nitric oxide (NO) synthases and aromatic hydroxylases. GCH1 polymorphisms are implicated in the pathophysiology of pain, but have not been investigated in African populations. We examined GCH1 and pain in sickle cell anemia where GCH1 rs8007267 was a risk factor for pain crises in discovery (n = 228; odds ratio [OR] 2.26; P = 0.009) and replication (n = 513; OR 2.23; P = 0.004) cohorts. In vitro, cells from sickle cell anemia subjects homozygous for the risk allele produced higher BH4. In vivo physiological studies of traits likely to be modulated by GCH1 showed rs8007267 is associated with altered endothelial dependent blood flow in females with SCA (8.42% of variation; P = 0.002). The GCH1 pain association is attributable to an African haplotype with where its sickle cell anemia pain association is limited to females (OR 2.69; 95% CI 1.21-5.94; P = 0.01) and has the opposite directional association described in Europeans independent of global admixture. The presence of a GCH1 haplotype with high BH4 in populations of African ancestry could explain the association of rs8007267 with sickle cell anemia pain crises. The vascular effects of GCH1 and BH4 may also have broader implications for cardiovascular disease in populations of African ancestry.

Cardiac Rehabilitation in India

Cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) are the leading cause of death and disability in India. Moreover, mortality following an acute myocardial infarction is high, which may be due to gaps in secondary prevention in general and a lack of cardiac rehabilitation (CR) services in particular. This review discusses the availability of CR in India, its putative role in reducing adverse outcomes over the long-term and suggests a road map for future research to enhance CR in this country. Currently, there is limited evidence, conducted in India, demonstrating CR efficacy. Moreover, there is currently limited availability of outpatient CR programs in India. Even so, there is consensus that CR is effective and essential in the CVD population. Therefore, efforts are needed to continue CR research in India and facilitate clinical implementation.

Current Trends in Reducing Cardiovascular Disease Risk Factors From Around the World: Focus on Cardiac Rehabilitation in Brazil

Cardiovascular diseases (CVD) are among the leading causes of morbidity and mortality in Brazil. Cardiac rehabilitation (CR) is a program composed of structured exercise training, comprehensive education and counseling to positively impact functional, psychological, social, and quality of life aspects in these patients. However, the delivery of formal CR programs is limited to major metropolitan centers in Brazil and does not exist in much of the national territory, specifically in the North and Northeast regions. Barriers to the inclusion of qualified patients are lack of referral by the health professionals, as well as transportation difficulties, low income, lack of insurance coverage, and low educational level. Government efforts to implement CR programs on a broader scale, to reach a larger portion of the CVD population, are imperative. Additional research must be focused on the assessment of CR referral and adherence patterns as well as the effectiveness of different CR delivery models.

Genetic risk assessment for cardiovascular disease in Azoreans (Portugal): A general population-based study

The identification of clinically validated genetic variants contributing to complex disorders raise the possibility to investigate individuals' risk. In this line of research, the present work aimed to assess the genetic risk for cardiovascular disease (CVD) in Azoreans. Genotyping of 19 SNPs – 9 on 9p21, 5 on LDLR and 5 on USF1 – was performed by TaqMan assays on 170 healthy Azorean individuals. Results demonstrate that the most frequent haplotype in 9p21, with a frequency of 41.4%, is TGGGCGCGC, which harbors all risk alleles. Considering haplotype homozygosity data show that females present higher value of homozygosity for both LDLR (13.5%) and USF1 (15.3%), whereas males present higher value for the 9p21 region (8.2%). Interestingly, genetic profile analysis revealed differences in terms of geographic and gender distribution. The Azorean Central group presented a higher risk for atherosclerosis, 2.7 times higher when compared to the Eastern group, while the Eastern group shows 1.5 times higher risk for dyslipidemias. Moreover, Azorean females demonstrated a 4 times higher risk for dyslipidemias when compared to males, whereas males have an increased risk for atherosclerosis. Although allele frequencies in Azoreans were similar to those reported for the HapMap CEU population, the differences in terms of haplotype and genetic profile distribution must be taken in consideration when assessing genetic risk. Taken together, the data here presented evidence for the need to perform biomedical research and epidemiologic analysis in Azoreans with the aim of developing strategies to CVD prevention, health promotion and population education.

TREATMENT OF DEPRESSION IN CARDIOVASCULAR DISEASE

Depression in patients with Cardiovascular Disease (CVD) is extremely common, with a prevalence of 17-47%, and is associated with increased risk of morbidity and mortality. Treatment of depression has been hypothesized to reduce cardiac mortality. Pharmacologic and psychotherapeutic interventions have been studied and appear to be safe and in some studies effective in reducing depressive symptoms in patients with cardiac disease. The impact on cardiac outcomes remains unclear. This review briefly focuses on the prevalence of depression in patients with CVD, the physiological links between depression and CVD, and largely is concerned with the clinical trials that seek to demonstrate efficacy and safety of antidepressant medications and psychotherapy in this patient population. PubMed and PsycINFO databases were searched through July 2012. Publications were included if they were in English, a review article, or a clinical trial in the CVD population with comorbid depression. The search was completed with key words of antidepressants, CVD, coronary artery syndrome, SSRIs, depression, treatment of depression, post-MI (where MI is myocardial infarction), major depression, and cardiac disease. Trials were included if the patients were above the age of 18, both male and female genders, and had cardiac comorbidity. No trials were excluded. A total of 61 articles and/or book chapters were included. The majority were from North America and Europe. There were 7 clinical trials of tricyclic antidepressants (TCAs), one of TCAs and bupropion, and 10 trials of selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs). We also evaluated five trials involving psychotherapeutic techniques and/or collaborative care. There is considerable evidence from randomized controlled clinical trials that antidepressants, especially SSRIs, are safe in the treatment of major depression in patients with CVD. Although efficacy has been demonstrated in some, but not all, trials for both antidepressants and certain psychotherapies, large, well-powered trials are urgently needed. There are virtually no data available on predictors of antidepressant response in depressed patients with CVD. Whether successful treatment of depression is associated with a reduction in cardiac morbidity and mortality remains unknown.

Prospective investigation of major dietary patterns and risk of cardiovascular mortality in Bangladesh

BackgroundDietary pattern analysis is emerging as a practical, effective tool for relating comprehensive dietary intake to risk of cardiovascular disease mortality. However, no studies have applied this technique to a population outside of the developed world. MethodsWe conducted prospective cohort analyses in 11,116 participants enrolled in the Health Effects of Arsenic Study in Araihazar, Bangladesh, measuring deaths attributable to disease of circulatory system, heart disease, and cerebrovascular disease. Participants were enrolled in 2000 and followed up for an average of 6.6years. Dietary information was obtained through a previously validated food-frequency questionnaire at baseline. ResultsPrincipal component analysis based on our comprehensive, 39 item FFQ yielded 3 dietary patterns: (i) a “balanced” pattern, comprised of steamed rice, red meat, fish, fruit and vegetables; (ii) an “animal protein” diet, which was more heavily weighted towards eggs, milk, red meat, poultry, bread, and vegetables; and (iii) a “gourd and root vegetable” diet that heavily relied on a variety of gourds, radishes, pumpkin, sweet potato, and spinach. We observed a positive association between increasing adherence to the animal protein diet and risk of death from both disease of the circulatory system and heart disease; the hazard ratios were 1.13 (95% CI, 1.00–1.28, p=0.05) and 1.17 (95% CI, 0.99–1.38, p=0.07), respectively, in relation to one standard deviation increase in the factor scores for the animal protein diet pattern, after controlling for age, sex, body mass index, smoking status, and energy intake. The positive association was more significant among ever smokers; the hazard ratios (95% CI) for deaths from disease of the circulatory system and heart disease were 1.17 (1.02–1.34) and 1.20 (1.00–1.45), respectively, in relation to one standard deviation increase in the factor scores for the animal protein diet pattern. ConclusionsAn animal protein-rich diet in rural Bangladesh may increase risk of heart disease mortality, especially among smokers. This emphasizes the need to further explore and address the impact of dietary patterns on cardiovascular disease in populations undergoing epidemiologic transition.

Beat-to-beat systolic time-interval measurement from heart sounds and ECG

Systolic time intervals are highly correlated to fundamental cardiac functions. Several studies have shown that these measurements have significant diagnostic and prognostic value in heart failure condition and are adequate for long-term patient follow-up and disease management. In this paper, we investigate the feasibility of using heart sound (HS) to accurately measure the opening and closing moments of the aortic heart valve. These moments are crucial to define the main systolic timings of the heart cycle, i.e. pre-ejection period (PEP) and left ventricular ejection time (LVET). We introduce an algorithm for automatic extraction of PEP and LVET using HS and electrocardiogram. PEP is estimated with a Bayesian approach using the signal's instantaneous amplitude and patient-specific time intervals between atrio-ventricular valve closure and aortic valve opening. As for LVET, since the aortic valve closure corresponds to the start of the S2 HS component, we base LVET estimation on the detection of the S2 onset. A comparative assessment of the main systolic time intervals is performed using synchronous signal acquisitions of the current gold standard in cardiac time-interval measurement, i.e. echocardiography, and HS. The algorithms were evaluated on a healthy population, as well as on a group of subjects with different cardiovascular diseases (CVD). In the healthy group, from a set of 942 heartbeats, the proposed algorithm achieved 7.66 ± 5.92 ms absolute PEP estimation error. For LVET, the absolute estimation error was 11.39 ± 8.98 ms. For the CVD population, 404 beats were used, leading to 11.86 ± 8.30 and 17.51 ± 17.21 ms absolute PEP and LVET errors, respectively. The results achieved in this study suggest that HS can be used to accurately estimate LVET and PEP.

Impact of gender on the cardiac autonomic response to angiotensin II in healthy humans

Premenopausal women have a lower risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD) compared with men of a similar age. Furthermore, the regulation of factors that influence CVD appears to differ between the sexes, including control of the autonomic nervous system (ANS) and the renin-angiotensin system. We examined the cardiac ANS response to angiotensin II (Ang II) challenge in healthy subjects to determine whether differences in women and men exist. Thirty-six healthy subjects (21 women, 15 men, age 38 ± 2 years) were studied in a high-salt balance. Heart-rate variability (HRV) was calculated by spectral power analysis [low-frequency (LF) sympathetic modulation, high-frequency (HF) parasympathetic/vagal modulation, and LF:HF as a measure of overall ANS balance]. HRV was assessed at baseline and in response to graded Ang II infusions (3 ng·kg(-1)·min(-1) × 30 min; 6 ng·kg(-1)·min(-1) × 30 min). Cardiac ANS tone did not change significantly in women after each Ang II dose [3 ng·kg(-1)·min(-1) mean change (Δ)LF:HF (mean ± SE) 0.5 ± 0.3, P = 0.8, vs. baseline; 6 ng·kg(-1)·min(-1) ΔLF:HF (mean ± SE) 0.5 ± 0.4, P = 0.4, vs. baseline], whereas men exhibited an unfavorable shift in overall cardiac ANS activity in response to Ang II (ΔLF:HF 2.6 ± 0.2, P = 0.01, vs. baseline; P = 0.02 vs. female response). This imbalance in sympathovagal tone appeared to be largely driven by a withdrawal in cardioprotective vagal activity in response to Ang II challenge [ΔHF normalized units (nu), -5.8 ± 2.9, P = 0.01, vs. baseline; P = 0.006 vs. women] rather than an increase in sympathetic activity (ΔLF nu, -4.5 ± 5.7, P = 0.3, vs. baseline; P = 0.5 vs. women). Premenopausal women maintain cardiac ANS tone in response to Ang II challenge, whereas similarly aged men exhibit an unfavorable shift in cardiovagal activity. Understanding the role of gender in ANS modulation may help guide risk-reduction strategies in high-risk CVD populations.

Thrombosis and risk factors: A comment

We read with great interest the recent publication by Akar related to thrombosis and risk factors, in which he reached in conclusion that in case of need only homocysteine (Hcy) levels should be routinely analyzed and not the 5, 10-methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (mTHFr) 677 T polymorphism [1]. The methylation of Hcy to methionine is catalyzed by the mTHFr enzyme. As far as is known, genetic deficiency of mTHFr is one cause leading to increased plasma Hcy levels [2]. But, it should not be forgotten that Hcy rises in many acquired and genetic conditions (Table) [3]. There are three main indications for determining plasma total Hcy: (a) to diagnose homocystinuria; (b) to identify individuals with or at risk of developing cobalamin or folate deficiency; (c) to assess total Hcy as a risk factor for cardiovascular and other disorders [4]. There is an involved question in this point: Is increased plasma total Hcy level related to both venous and arterial occlusive disease? And, if is it true, are polymorphism and mutation of mTHFr directly playing a role to augment the level of Hcy for cardiovascular disease (CvD)? As reviewed elsewhere, moderately increased plasma Hcy is associated with venous and arterial occlusion [5]. moreover, as it is known, the presence of mTHFr 677C→T polymorphism is a strong risk factor for increased plasma Hcy level but not for CvD [4]. In a metaanalysis including 11.162 CvD cases and 12.758 controls, with high Hcy levels in a state of low folate levels, the TT genotype was associated with a 16% increase in coronary heart disease risk [6]. Concordantly, previous studies had shown that the mTHFr 677C→T polymorphism is only associated with high Hcy levels or increased CvD risk in a setting of low folate status [6]. Hence, at higher dietary intakes of folate, the effect of the mTHFr 677C→T genotype has no adverse effect on plasma Hcy levels or on subsequent risk of CvD. The results support the hypothesis that impaired folate metabolism, resulting in high Hcy concentrations, plays a causal role in the occurrence of CvD. In view of cost effectiveness, do not investigate routinely mTHFr 677C→T polymorphism in the general or CvD population seems to be reasonable, but the other mutations of mTHFr could be still influential for high plasma Hcy levels.

Abstract P204: Reasons for Unauthorized Discharges Among Patients With Cardiovascular Disease: A Qualitative Study

Background: Approximately one percent of inpatient discharges are against medical advice (AMA) and national data show that diseases of the circulatory system rank third in terms of discharges AMA. Cardiovascular disease (CVD) patients are at risk of the consequences of discharges AMA (e.g. hospital readmission) however the reasons for discharges AMA in a CVD population are not known. This qualitative study aimed to identify reasons for discharges AMA among patients with a CVD admission, and from patient and provider perspectives. Methods: Healthcare providers (nurses, social workers, and physicians) and CVD patients were recruited to participate in focus groups interviews (FGIs) to discuss why CVD patients admitted at three urban hospitals discharge AMA. All FGIs took place between April 2009 and July 2009 in Maryland. Patient and provider groups were held separately in order to minimize incentives to withhold information about the reasons for discharges AMA. Thematic analysis identified themes separately for the patient groups, the physician groups, and the combined nurses and social workers group, for a total of 3 groups. Results: Nine (78% male; 67% African American; mean age=56 yrs) patients, 10 physicians (80% male) and 23 nurses/social workers (9% male) were placed in scheduled FGIs. Seven FGIs were held: 2 patient-only groups, 2 physician-only groups, and 3 nurse/social worker groups. A theme identified across all 3 groups included the patients' desire to leave AMA to see their own physician/cardiologist. Another theme, identified only from the patient groups, related to patients' knowledge of their (improved) condition and a resulting confidence in their decision to leave AMA. Patients had formed expectations regarding their level of involvement in their management plan and expressed frustration when these expectations were not met. Other themes (i.e. poor communication between/among providers and patients, obligations outside the hospital, long wait time) reported across the 3 groups have been noted in previous studies and are not new. Conclusion: We find new reasons for discharges AMA among CVD patients as well as sources of potential patient disengagement from the treatment plan, not all of which were recognized by providers.