Conventional Risk Factors For Atherosclerosis Research Articles

Cardiovascular Complications in Pheochromocytoma and Paraganglioma: Does Phenotype Matter?

Adrenaline-producing tumors are mostly characterized by a sudden release of catecholamines with episodic symptoms. Noradrenergic ones are usually less symptomatic and characterized by a continuous overproduction of catecholamines that are released into the bloodstream. Their effects on the cardiovascular system can thus be different. The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of cardiovascular complications by catecholamine phenotype. We retrospectively analyzed data on the prevalence of cardiovascular events in 341 consecutive patients with pheochromocytoma and paraganglioma treated from 1995 to 2023. Biochemical catecholamine phenotype was determined based on plasma or urinary catecholamines and metanephrines. According to the phenotype, 153 patients had noradrenergic pheochromocytoma and paraganglioma and 188 had adrenergic pheochromocytoma and paraganglioma. In the whole sample, the incidence of serious cardiovascular complications was 28% (95 patients), with no difference between the phenotypes or sexes. The noradrenergic phenotype had significantly more atherosclerotic complications (composite end point of type 1 myocardial infarction and symptomatic peripheral artery disease; odds ratio, 3.58 [95% CI, 1.59-8.83]; P=0.003), while the adrenergic phenotype more often had type 2 myocardial infarction and takotsubo-like cardiomyopathy (OR, 0.24 [95% CI, 0.09-0.57]; P=0.002). These changes remained even after adjustment for conventional risk factors of atherosclerosis. We found a 28% incidence of cardiovascular complications in a consecutive group of patients with pheochromocytoma and paraganglioma. Patients presenting with a noradrenergic phenotype have a higher incidence of atherosclerotic complications, while the adrenergic phenotype is associated with a higher incidence of acute myocardial damage due to takotsubo-like cardiomyopathy.

Impaired Cardiovagal Activity as a Link Between Hyperglycemia and Arterial Stiffness in Adults With Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus Among an Eastern Indian Population: A Cross-sectional Study

ObjectivesCardiac autonomic neuropathy (CAN) is one of the most common yet overlooked complications of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). Individuals with T2DM with CAN have a 5-fold higher rate of cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. The presence of CAN in T2DM could potentially lead to arterial stiffness. However, only sparse data are available suggesting any association between autonomic dysfunction and arterial stiffness in T2DM. MethodsWe recruited 80 people with T2DM and 74 healthy controls for our study. Heart rate variability (HRV) testing was performed to assess autonomic function. Assessment of arterial stiffness was done by measuring the brachial pulse wave velocity (baPWV) and augmentation index (AI). ResultsThe time-domain parameters were significantly decreased (p<0.001) and frequency-domain parameters, such as total power and high-frequency band expressed as a normalized unit, were found to be significantly reduced in people with T2DM (p<0.001). Both baPWV and AI were significantly higher in people with T2DM compared with healthy controls (p<0.001). We observed a moderate correlation between standard deviation of normal to normal interval (SDNN) and baPWV (r=−0.437, p=0.002) and AI (r=−0.403, p=0.002). A multiple linear regression model showed an association between SDNN and arterial stiffness parameters, such as baPWV and AI, which were statistically significant (p<0.05) in a fully adjusted model that included the conventional risk factors for atherosclerosis. ConclusionsImpaired cardiovagal activity is an independent risk factor for the development of arterial stiffness. Incorporation of HRV testing into the diabetes management protocol would have potential benefits for identifying individuals at high risk of developing cardiovascular events. Hence, preventive measures can be taken as early as possible to improve patient outcomes.

Case Report: Concomitant spontaneous dissection of the coronary artery and internal carotid artery in a young man

Introduction Spontaneous coronary artery dissection (SCAD) is a relatively rare cause of acute coronary syndrome (ACS), generally affecting young or middle-aged women and people with few conventional atherosclerosis risk factors. Its association with dissection of the internal carotid artery is exceptional. Through our observation of a concomitant spontaneous coronary and carotid dissection, we discuss its clinical presentation, therapeutic management, pathogenesis and factors favouring its occurrence. Case We report the case of a 34-year-old man admitted to emergency with a segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI). The patient developed right hemiplegia and aphasia. Cerebral CT revealed a left ischaemic stroke in the anterior junctional territory, and CT angiography of the supra-aortic arteries revealed a dissection of the left internal carotid artery. However, CT angiography of the aorta revealed no abnormalities. Coronary angiography performed after 48 hours showed a dissection of the anterior inter-ventricular artery. Conclusions Concurrent dissection of the coronary and internal carotid arteries with an uninjured aorta is a rare entity. This association suggests a congenital pathology of the vessels such as Marfan’s disease or Ehlers-Danlos syndrome.

Case Report: Concomitant spontaneous dissection of the coronary artery and internal carotid artery in a young man

Introduction: Spontaneous coronary artery dissection (SCAD) is a relatively rare cause of acute coronary syndrome (ACS), generally affecting young or middle-aged women and people with few conventional atherosclerosis risk factors. Its association with dissection of the internal carotid artery is exceptional. Through our observation of a concomitant spontaneous coronary and carotid dissection, we discuss its clinical presentation, therapeutic management, pathogenesis and factors favouring its occurrence. Case: We report the case of a 34-year-old man admitted to emergency with a segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI). The patient developed right hemiplegia and aphasia. Cerebral CT revealed a left ischaemic stroke in the anterior junctional territory, and CT angiography of the supra-aortic arteries revealed a dissection of the left internal carotid artery. However, CT angiography of the aorta revealed no abnormalities. Coronary angiography performed after 48 hours showed a dissection of the anterior inter-ventricular artery. Conclusions: Concurrent dissection of the coronary and internal carotid arteries with an uninjured aorta is a rare entity. This association suggests a congenital pathology of the vessels such as Marfan's disease or Ehlers-Danlos syndrome.

Genetics and Ischemic Heart Disease: Should We Opt for Genetic Testing for Primary Prevention?

Cardiovascular diseases (CVD) are a prevalent health concern within the general population of Pakistan, where the average lifespan is notably lower than the global average, with men typically living to 67 years and women to 69 years. According to the 2019 Global Burden of Disease study, Pakistan had an estimated age-standardized incidence rate of CVD at 918.18 per 100,000 (compared to the global rate of 684.33 per 100,000), along with an age-standardized death rate of 357.88 per 100,000 (globally, this rate is 239.85 per 100,000).1 Coronary heart disease (CHD), as revealed by the Framingham Heart Study focusing on individuals aged 40 to 94 without prior heart disease, displayed a lifetime risk of 49% for men and 32% for women when reaching the age of 40.2 There has been a declining trend in death rates in the United States attributed to CVD, CHD, and stroke since 1975. Data from 2000 to 2008 also indicate a decline in CHD mortality.3 Worryingly, the World Health Organization (WHO) reports a concerning rise in CHD-related fatalities in Pakistan. In 2020, 240,720 individuals died due to CHD, accounting for 16.49% of all deaths. This highlights an escalating trend of CHD-related mortality in Pakistan. It's important to note that most individuals presenting with cardiac events have one or more established or borderline risk factors aside from age and gender.4-6 While some essential risk factors are discernible, others may remain elusive. The screening of these risk factors and the evidence for targeted therapeutic interventions are still emerging and require further exploration.7 The starting point for assessing CVD risk factors is variables used to predict major cardiovascular events. These include age, sex, blood pressure, cholesterol levels, diabetes mellitus, and smoking status. Although risk assessment tools like the Pooled Cohort Equation in 2014 and Astro-CHARM have been developed, they have yet to provide satisfactory assessments for potential new CVD risk factors.8 CHD is recognized as a multifactorial disorder resulting from genetic and environmental factors interplay. Environmental risk factors have been identified in approximately 80% of CHD cases.9 Several risk scores, such as the Framingham Risk Score, PROCAM, Reynolds Risk Score, and QRISK 2, have been proposed to guide the use of statins in high-risk groups.10-14 Yet, these risk scores often lack precision and may either overestimate or underestimate future CHD events.15,16 The variation in disease susceptibility among individuals with similar environmental factors and conventional coronary artery disease risk factors (CRFs) may be attributed to genetic variations.17 Genetic analysis can potentially enhance risk discrimination beyond the consideration of CRFs alone. Family history of heart disease, accounting for more than 40% of risk estimation, has long been considered a part of CRFs.18 Candidate gene studies have been conducted to identify common variants in genes associated with disease pathways.19 Single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) have been employed as markers of genetic diversity. Among these SNPs, those located on the 9p21 locus have shown the strongest association with CHD risk to date.20,21 However, despite the clear link between these variants and incident CHD, 9p21 locus SNPs have not definitively improved the prediction or classification of CHD risk compared to traditional risk factors.22-24 It is important to note that most genetic studies on CHD have predominantly focused on European/Caucasian populations, and their applicability to the South Asian population, including Pakistan, requires further investigation.25,26 In this context, the Pakistani population, much like other Asian countries, is underrepresented in genetic research on CHD. Shahid SU et al. did some work in this respect,27 showing 21 SNPs risk score for genetic risk analysis in the Pakistani population. In conclusion, while different risk assessment tools have been developed for the Pakistani population aged 40 years and above, there is an urgent need to expand cardiac risk evaluation by identifying genetic markers related to CHD, particularly in the younger population. This will be crucial for advancing our understanding of CHD risk factors and developing more effective prevention and intervention strategies.

Are measurements of non-cholesterol sterols in plasma useful in identifying susceptibility to atherosclerosis?

This review discusses the validity of plasma non-cholesterol sterols precursors of cholesterol synthesis and phytosterols in the identification of human atherosclerosis. There is an insufficient demonstration that these sterols are valid methods of measurement of cholesterol metabolism. All markers, including cholestanol, that derive from cholesterol synthesis may only reflect body retention of sterols and not necessarily increased intestinal absorption. Also, in most studies, conventional risk factors of atherosclerosis, such as obesity, diabetes mellitus, gender, and age were not taken into account.

PS-C04-5: ASSOCIATIONS BETWEEN INTERARM SYSTOLIC BLOOD PRESSURE DIFFERENCE AND HYPERTENSIVE ORGAN DAMAGES IN PATIENTS WITH ESSENTIAL HYPERTENSION

Objective: Several studies and meta-analyses have reported that interarm systolic blood pressure difference (IAD) in the upper limbs is associated with risks such as all-cause mortality and cardiovascular diseases. However, few results have examined the usefulness of IAD as an index of arteriosclerosis in patients with essential hypertension (EHT). We investigated the relationship between IAD and vascular structures and evaluated the usefulness of IAD as an index of hypertensive organ damages in EHT patients. Design and method: In 71 untreated EHT patients (48 males, average age 56 ± 13 years) without chronic kidney disease (urinary albumin excretion less than 300 mg / g of creatinine and estimated glomerular filtration rate 60 mL / min / 1.73m2 or more), blood sampling, 24-hour urine collection, and 24-hour blood pressure monitoring were performed. Next, as cardiovascular structural indices, Next, as indicators of vascular structure, the intima media thickness of carotid artery (IMT) was measured by ultrasonography, and the cardio ankle vascular index (CAVI) and ankle brachial index (ABI) were measured by using the Vascular Screening System VaSera VS-1000 (Fukuda Denshi, Tokyo, Japan) device. The absolute value of the difference between the left and right blood pressure measured at the same time was defined as IAD. Results: IAD was not associated with age, BMI, or systolic and diastolic blood pressure in 24-hour blood pressure monitoring. IAD increased accompanying with a decrease in creatinine clearance (r = -0.25, p &lt; 0.05). IAD correlated positively with IMT (r = 0.24, p &lt; 0.05) and negatively with ABI (r = -0.45, p &lt; 0.01), whereas it did not associate with CAVI. Furthermore, in multiple regression analysis using any of IMT, ABI and creatinine clearance as objective variables, and conventional risk factors for atherosclerosis and IAD as explanatory variables, IAD became an independent determinant factor for IMT, ABI and creatinine clearance. Conclusions: In EHT patients, IAD was associated with decreased renal function and vascular abnormalities. IAD was considered to be a useful index as an initial screening for latent hypertensive organ damages in EHT patients.

Discovering the Relationship between Anxiety or Depression and Risk Factors of Coronary Artery Disease

BACKGROUND: Psychosocial problems, including anxiety or depression, potentially activate several mechanisms that affect coronary artery disease (CAD) cardiovascular risk factors. Their clinical association, however, remains undiscovered. AIM: The objective of this study was to discover the association between the prevalence of anxiety or depression and risk factors of CAD. METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted from July to October 2019. Subject population was CAD patients hospitalized in the Cardiac Care Unit at Hasan Sadikin General Hospital Bandung. We included patients with a history of CAD who underwent revascularization and filled the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) questionnaire before discharge. Patients were classified according to normal (HADS score of 0–7) or abnormal levels of anxiety or depression (HADS score of 8–21). From each patient, we obtained information on risk factors of CAD, including smoking, physical inactivity, dyslipidemia, hypertension, diabetes mellitus (DM), and family history of CAD. RESULTS: Ninety-nine CAD patients (79% male, mean age: 59 ± 10.5 years) were included in the study; 40% were smokers, 60% had physical inactivity, 11% had dyslipidemia, 57% had hypertension, 13% had DM, 7% had a family history of CAD, and 23% subjects had abnormal levels of anxiety or depression. The relationship between anxiety or depression in CAD patients and smoking behavior (p = 0.802), family history of CAD (p = 0.563), dyslipidemia (p = 0.738), hypertension (p = 0.283), and DM (p = 0.403) was not statistically significant. CONCLUSIONS: The present study showed that the prevalence of anxiety or depression in CAD patients was relatively moderate. We revealed that psychosocial factors are not associated with risk factors of CAD, stressing that psychosocial factors are independent of conventional CAD risk factors in CAD and merit attention for individual management.

Lupus Anticoagulant and Anticardiolipin Antibody IgG are Associated with Increased Atherosclerosis at the Suprainguinal Elastic and Infrainguinal Muscular Arteries in the Abdomen and Lower Extremities

PurposeWhether antiphospholipid antibodies (aPLs) cause atherosclerosis in certain arteries with specific compositions and locations remains unknown. We investigated the relationship between aPLs and their association with locations of atherosclerosis in the arteries of the abdomen and lower extremities.MethodsOf 2273 patients, 697 who underwent computed tomography angiography of the abdomen and lower extremities and aPL evaluation were included. Atherosclerosis distribution score (ADS) was employed to quantify atherosclerosis severity. Multiple linear regression analysis was performed using the ADS of the suprainguinal elastic and infrainguinal muscular arteries as dependent variables and all aPLs, conventional risk factors of atherosclerosis, and coagulation-related factors as independent variables.ResultsIn the suprainguinal elastic and infrainguinal muscular arteries, common risk factors for higher ADS were age, smoking, hypertension, higher glycated hemoglobin, male sex, decreased protein S, and increased homocysteine. Lupus anticoagulant (LA) and increased triglyceride level in the suprainguinal elastic arteries and anticardiolipin antibody (aCL) immunoglobulin (Ig)G, longer alcohol consumption duration, and increased fibrinogen level in the infrainguinal muscular arteries were also risk factors for higher ADS.ConclusionLA and aCL IgG were associated with atherosclerosis in the suprainguinal elastic and infrainguinal muscular arteries, respectively. aPLs could predict the location of atherosclerosis.

Atherogenic index of plasma is an independent predictor of mitral annular calcification

BackgroundIn the latest reports, atherogenic indices have been related to acute coronary syndromes, stable coronary artery disease, heart failure and future cardiac events. Conventional atherosclerosis risk factors have been associated with mitral annular calcification (MAC), but data on the relationship between atherogenic indices and MAC are lacking. We aimed to investigate a possible relationship between MAC and atherogenic indices.MethodsIn total 741 patients (n = 427 with MAC and n = 314 without MAC) who were examined in our cardiology clinic from February 2016 to October 2021 were recruited in the study. Mitral annular calcification was diagnosed by transthoracic 2-dimensional echocardiography. The atherogenic coefficient (AC), Castelli risk index 1 (CRI-1), Castelli risk index 2 (CRI-2) and atherogenic index of plasma (AIP) were calculated by utilizing standard lipid test values.ResultsThere was no statistically significant difference in sex, age, diabetes and hypertension status between the patient and the control groups. Serum triglyceride level, AIP, Hs-CRP, smoking and BMI were independently significantly associated with MAC in multiple regression analysis (p < 0.001).ConclusionHigher AIP was related to the existence of MAC and also predict the presence of MAC independently. Studies evaluating the modification of these indices are needed.

Vascular Aging and Arterial Stiffness.

ResumoO envelhecimento biológico é reflexo da interação entre genética, idade cronológica e fatores externos; é a base para novos conceitos em envelhecimento vascular, cuja progressão é determinada pela diferença entre idade biológica e cronológica. Do ponto de vista estrutural, os efeitos do envelhecimento vascular são mais evidentes na camada média das grandes artérias elásticas e resultam em aumento da rigidez arterial, da dilatação do lúmen e da espessura da parede. Esses efeitos são descritos no continuum de envelhecimento cardiovascular (proposto por Dzau em 2010) em que as etapas progressivas de lesões da microvasculatura de coração, rins e cérebro, têm início a partir do processo de envelhecimento. O aumento da rigidez arterial pode ser verificado de forma não invasiva por vários métodos. Os eventos cardiovasculares têm sido tradicionalmente previstos utilizando escores que combinam fatores de risco convencionais para aterosclerose. No continuum cardiovascular clássico (Dzau, 2006), é desafiador avaliar o peso exato da contribuição de cada fator de risco; entretanto, por refletir o dano precoce e cumulativo desses fatores de riscos cardiovascular, a rigidez arterial reflete o verdadeiro dano à parede arterial. Este artigo fornece uma visão geral dos mecanismos da fisiopatogenia, alterações estruturais das artérias e consequências hemodinâmicas do envelhecimento arterial; métodos não invasivos para a avaliação da rigidez arterial e da medida central da pressão arterial; o continuum de envelhecimento cardiovascular, e aplicação do conceito de rigidez arterial na estratificação de risco cardiovascular.

Evaluating the use of coronary artery calcium scoring as a tool for coronary artery disease (CAD) risk stratification and its association with coronary stenosis and CAD risk factors: a single-centre, retrospective, cross-sectional study at a tertiary centre in Pakistan

ObjectiveCoronary artery disease (CAD) risk stratification plays a fundamental role in the early detection and optimal management of CAD. The aim of our study is to investigate the use of...

Association of LpPLA2 with coronary artery disease a hospital-based case control study

Coronary artery disease (CAD) in Asian-Indians is characterised by an earlier onset and more severe disease when compared to Western populations. It is estimated that about 20% of patients presenting with an acute coronary syndrome do not have any of the conventional risk factors for CAD. To assess the risk posed by each of the newer risk factors; alongside conventional risk factors namely diabetes, hypertension, dyslipidaemia for coronary artery disease and to compare the relative risk in a case-control design. Department of Cardiology, XXX Institute of Medical sciences (XXX). Case control study design. Cases are as any individual with coronary artery disease and controls included patients with non-coronary conditions. Dependant variable: coronary artery disease (CAD); Independent variables: Lp PLA2, Lp(a), Apo(a), Apo(b), Ratio (Apo B/Apo A); Other predictors- diabetes mellitus, hypertension, dyslipidaemia, tobacco use Categorical variables were presented as frequencies and percentages. Chi-square test and binary logistic regression analysis was used to study the comparison and association of the categorical risk factors with the disease status, respectively. Software used was SPSS version 20.0. A total of 253 participants aged between 19 and 90 years; 140 cases and 113 controls were enrolled in this study. Except for the hs-CRP level, alcohol consumption and LDL, all the other risk factors were seen significantly associated with the coronary artery disease; dyslipidaemia (10.8, 95% CI 3.29-35.37), gender- male (4.68, 95% CI 2.12-10.30), diabetes mellitus (3.3, 95% CI 1.6 -6.77), lipoprotein(a) more than 30mg% (2.34, 95% CI 1.06-5.15) and hypertension (2.48, 95% CI 1.14-5.39). Conventional risk factors namely diabetes, hypertension and dyslipdaemia showed a statistically significant association with CAD while from among the biochemical markers the association was statistically significant only for Lp(a) when compared both between cases and controls and also in cases &amp;#60; age 50 years. The other biochemical risk factors namely Lp-PLA2, Apo(A1) and Apo(b) showed a weak degree of association with CAD. In the present study we analyse the role of inflammatory mediators of CAD (hs-CRP, Lp-PLA2), pro-thrombotic markers [Lp(a)] alongside the lipid fractions apoB, apo A and their ratio to assess which of these biochemical markers predisposed one to CAD through assessment of the relative risk.

Abstract 11492: Relationship Between Coronary Artery Calcium and Thoracic Spine Bone Mineral Density: The Multi-Ethnic Study of Atherosclerosis

Background: Traditionally, osteoporosis and coronary artery disease were considered unrelated. Beyond age, these two conditions appear to share common etiologies that are not yet fully understood. Objective: We sought to evaluate the relationship between thoracic spine bone mineral density (BMD) and severity of coronary artery calcium (CAC) score. Methods: MESA is a cohort study of 6,814 men and women from six U.S. cities between the ages of 45 and 84 years, who were free of clinical CVD. Included participants had thoracic spine BMD and CAC that was assessed by non-contrast chest CT, using methods previously described by Budoff et al 2010. Multivariate regression analysis was performed to examine the association of thoracic spine BMD and CAC score after adjusting for conventional risk factors of atherosclerosis including age, gender, BMI, race/ethnicity, diabetes, hypertension medications, lipid lowering medications, smoking history and family history of CAD. Results: Correlation coefficient, r, was -0.29 (p&lt;0.0001), indicating inverse relationship between CAC and BMD. BMD was categorized as normal (T-score&gt;-1), osteopenia (-2.5&lt;T-score=&lt;-1) or osteoporosis (T-score&lt;=-2.5). Prevalence of CAC &gt;0 was 36% in normal group, 49% in the osteopenia group and 68% in the osteoporosis group. In adjusted regression models, the odds of CAC were significantly higher in those with osteoporosis (OR: 1.57 95% CI: 1.31,1.88) p&lt;0.0001 and trending higher in those with osteopenia (OR: 1.15; 95% CI:1.00,1.32) p=0.049. Analysis stratified based on gender, the odds of CAC in men with osteoporosis is higher (OR: 1.61; 95% CI: 1.24,2.09) p=0.0004 compared to women with osteoporosis (OR: 1.48; 95% CI: 1.15,1.90) p=0.002. Conclusion: The prevalence of CAC was significantly higher in osteoporosis group compared to normal BMD. There is an inverse relationship between BMD and CAC independent of cardiovascular risk factors.

Prevalence and Extent of Subclinical Atherosclerosis and Associated Cardiovascular Risk Factors in Adult Patients With Psoriatic Arthritis: A Systematic Review.

Psoriatic arthritis (PsA) is a chronic T cell-mediated inflammatory condition affecting a considerable proportion of psoriasis (PSO) patients and a small segment of the general population. Recent studies have shown that patients with PsA are prone to premature atherosclerosis and are at an increased risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD) events, but the extent and prevalence of this are unknown. Our objective was to evaluate the prevalence and extent of subclinical atherosclerosis by measuring the intima-media thickness (IMT) of arteries in adult patients with PsA, as well as identify cardiovascular (CV) risk factors associated with PsA. An extensive literature search was conducted using PubMed as our main database. The articles exploring the association between PsA and subclinical atherosclerosis were included. We also searched other databases like MEDLINE and PubMed Central (PMC). A total of 2,561 studies published between 2005-2021 were obtained by searching the databases, and after the screening process, a total of nine studies were included for review and an additional 22 studies for comparison and backup evidence. As for results, our review included a total of 542 patients with PsA from nine different studies. All the reviewed studies showed a significant association between subclinical atherosclerosis and PsA, as endothelial functions were found to be impaired in PsA patients as deduced by measuring the carotid intima-media thickness (CIMT). PsA patients exhibited greater IMT than healthy controls. Increased IMT independently correlated with parameters of disease activity and conventional risk factors of atherosclerosis. An increased prevalence of CV risk factors such as hypertension, diabetes, obesity, and metabolic syndrome was also found in PsA patients.

Family history of premature coronary artery disease is not associated with coronary artery calcification

Abstract Funding Acknowledgements Type of funding sources: None. Background Controversy exists regarding the association of family history(FH) of premature coronary artery disease (CAD) with coronary artery calcification (CAC). The purpose of this study was to assess the potential association between family history of premature CAD (&amp;lt;55 years in first-degree male relatives and &amp;lt;65 years in first-degree female relatives) and CAC. Methods A retrospective study of 3613 asymptomatic individuals who underwent assessment of CAC score (CACs) according with the Agatston method. Individuals were selected based on the presence or absence of FH of premature CAD. Individuals with history of hypercholesterolaemia, hypertension, diabetes mellitus or obesity (BMI&amp;gt; 30), smokers (current or previous) were excluded. Furthermore, we excluded subjects with late-onset family history of CAD (&amp;gt;55 years in first-degree male relatives and &amp;gt;65 years in first-degree female relatives). Results Mean age of the cohort was 50.4 ± 9.5 year (74.6% males) and 15.6% reported FH in a parent, sibling or both (prevalence was 12.8% in parents only, 1.9% in siblings only and 0.9% in both parents and siblings). The prevalence of CAC was similar in individuals with FH (35%) and those without (36%), p = 0.2; with no difference in the mean CACs between the two groups, p = 0.4 (Table 1). Individuals with FH in parents only or siblings only had a similar incidence of CAC compared to those without FH (p = 0.9 and 0.7, respectively), with no difference in the mean CACs, p= 0.9 in both. Additionally, the incidence of CAC was not different in individuals with FH in both parents and siblings compared to those without FH (p= 0.1) and again there was no difference in the mean CACs (p = 0.6). Conclusion In asymptomatic individuals with none of the conventional risk factors for atherosclerosis, there was no relationship between the incidence and extent of CAC and the presence of FH of premature CAD. CAC distribution based on FH of CAD No FH Yes FH FH in parents only FH in siblings FH in both Number 3047 566 464 68 34 Males 74.8% 73.3% 74.3% 69.1% 67.7% Age (mean ± SD) 52 ± 9.6 46.9 ± 8.2 46.6 ± 8.1 49.5 ± 8.4 47.3 ± 8.2 Prevalence of CAC 35% 36% 35.2% 36.7% 41% Log-transformed CACs (± SD) 0.5 ± 0.8 0.5 ± 0.8 0.5 ± 0.8 0.5 ± 0.8 0.7 ± 0.9

The Impact of War-Related Stress on Coronary Artery Disease Severity in War Survivors: A SYNTAX Study.

Background: Due to the strong relationship between stress and heart disease, particularly acute myocardial infarction (MI), this study investigated the complexity of coronary artery disease (CAD) among Syrian refugee patients referred to Jordan University Hospital and its relation to war-related stressors. Methods: This is a retrospective study that utilized the SYNTAX I score in order to evaluate all Syrian refugees that underwent coronary artery catheterization at Jordan University Hospital during the period between May of 2014 and December of 2017. Results: There was a significant association between war-related stressors and high SYNTAX score (SX score), thus indicating a higher complexity of CAD in Syrian war survivors with higher stress scores. The strongest war-related correlation was observed with crossing green-lines, in which Syrian refugee patients who had crossed such lines had significantly higher SYNTAX scores. Regression analysis demonstrated that war stressors were positive predictors of increased SYNTAX scores even when adjusted for conventional CAD risk factors. Surprisingly, none of the CAD risk factors were significantly associated with SYNTAX score. Conclusion: Our findings suggest that exposure to multiple war-related stressors may increase the complexity and severity of CAD in Syrian war survivors. Thus, special attention, efforts, and resources should be allocated to screen for such vulnerable patients in order to provide them with the appropriate healthcare.

Circulating PCSK9 levels and conventional risk factors in CAD

Coronary artery disease (CAD) is the chief cause of mortality and morbidity worldwide. The aim of this study was to compare the levels PCSK9 and conventional risk factors of CAD in CAD patients and age and sex-matched controls and also to evaluate the relationship of circulating PCSK9 levels with other conventional risk factors of coronary artery patients. Sixty two clinically proved CAD patients and sixty-two healthy; age and sex-matched subjects without CAD were selected for the study. Detailed clinical and other relevant data were recorded using proforma. Five ml of fasting venous blood was collected from all the subjects and used for the investigations of fasting plasma glucose (FPG), HBA1C, total cholesterol (TC), triglycerides (TG), high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol (Direct), Apo B and PCSK9. The outcomes of this study showed that levels of FPG, HbA1c, lipid parameters-total cholesterol, triglycerides, LDL-c, Apo B were significantly higher whereas HDL-c were significantly low in CAD patients compared to normal controls. Circulating PCSK9 level was significantly elevated, and its level was correlated with other risk parameters. This study found that circulating PCSK9 level was significantly high, and its level was correlated with other risk parameters.

Relationship between serum cystatin-c and coronary lesion severity in coronary artery disease patients with a normal glomerular filtration rate.

ObjectiveCardiovascular disease is a major cause of death. This study evaluated the relationship between serum cystatin-c and coronary lesion severity in coronary artery disease (CAD) patients with a normal glomerular filtration rate.MethodsNine hundred and fifty-nine patients were retrospectively included and divided into non-CAD and CAD groups according to coronary angiography results. CAD patients were classified into three groups by Gensini score tertiles. Multivariable logistic regression was used to study the relationship between serum cystatin-c and coronary lesion severity.ResultsSerum cystatin-c levels were significantly higher in CAD patients than in non-CAD patients. Correlation analysis revealed significant correlations between serum cystatin-c levels with the Gensini score and the number of diseased vessels. The area under the receiver operating characteristic curve of serum cystatin-c was 0.544 and 0.555 for predicting a high Gensini score and three-vessel disease, respectively. Multivariate stepwise regression analysis demonstrated that the serum cystatin-c level was an independent predictor of a high Gensini score [odds ratio (OR) = 2.177, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.140–3.930] and three-vessel disease (OR = 1.845, 95% CI 0.994–3.424) after adjusting for the conventional CAD risk factors.ConclusionsSerum cystatin-c was elevated in CAD patients and may be an independent predictor of CAD severity.

Silent Myocardial Ischemia in Type 2 Diabetic Patients Asymptomatic For Coronary Artery Disease: A Cross- Sectional Study

Background Coronary Artery Disease (CAD) is a common cause of premature morbidity and mortality in diabetics and is often asymptomatic because of silent myocardial ischemia (SMI). Early detection of SMI may prevent catastrophic cardiac events. Objective To study the prevalence of SMI in patients of type 2 diabetes mellitus (Type 2 DM), asymptomatic for CAD and to assess the role of conventional CAD risk factors in diabetic patients asymptomatic for CAD in the development of SMI. Methodology 102 cases of Type 2 DM without any clinical and electrocardiographic evidence of CAD, who attended a tertiary care hospital in North Delhi, over a period of one year, were studied for the present cross-sectional study. Detailed history, general physical examination, BMI, systemic examination and investigations like glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c), lipid profile, resting 12-leads electrocardiography (ECG) and treadmill test (TMT) were carried out. Results Out of 102 patients, TMT was found positive in 23 patients. It was positive in 12% among diabetic patients with duration of diabetes ≤5 years, 14.8% in patients with duration 6-10 years, 37.5% in patients with duration 10-15 years and 77.7% in patients with duration 16-20 years, respectively with p&lt;0.001. Conclusion The prevalence of SMI in asymptomatic Type 2 DM without history of CAD is 22.54%. Duration of diabetes, presence of autonomic neuropathy (AN), dyslipidemia and HbA1c level are strong clinical predictors of SMI in asymptomatic Type 2 DM. Keywords: Silent myocardial ischemia; Type 2 Diabetes mellitus; Coronary artery Disease; Treadmill test Asymptomatic; Autonomic Neuropathy.