Coronary Risk Factors Research Articles

A case of successful surgical treatment of left ventricular thrombus associated with acute myocardial infarction by Impella combined with extracorporeal membrane oxygenation approach.

The mortality rate in patients with heart failure complicated by cardiogenic shock following acute myocardial infarction (AMI) remains high, prompting research on mechanical circulatory support. Improved mortality rates have been reported with the early introduction of EcMELLA (Impella combined with extracorporeal membrane oxygenation, ECMO). However, clear indications for this treatment have not been established, given the associated risks and limitations related to access routes. Left ventricular thrombosis is traditionally considered a contraindication for Impella use. A 74-year-old man without specific medical history or coronary risk factors was diagnosed with Forrester IV heart failure due to cardiogenic shock complicated by AMI and left ventricular thrombosis. The patient underwent emergency coronary artery bypass surgery, intracardiac thrombus removal, and Dor surgery. Following cardiopulmonary bypass, ongoing heart failure was observed, necessitating the implementation of EcMELLA for circulatory support. Preoperative computed tomography showed that the bilateral subclavian arteries were too narrow (< 7mm) and anatomically unsuitable for traditional access methods. Thus, we introduced a single-access EcMELLA 5.5, through which the Impella was introduced and veno-arterial-ECMO blood was delivered from a single artificial vessel anastomosed to the brachiocephalic artery. The patient was weaned off veno-arterial-ECMO and extubated on postoperative day 3. By postoperative day 14, improved cardiac function allowed for Impella removal. The patient was discharged on postoperative day 31 with improved ambulation; thereafter, the patient returned to work. Thus, the single-access EcMELLA5.5 treatment strategy combined with Dor procedure was effective in left ventricular thrombosis in patients with heart failure with cardiogenic shock complicated by AMI.

Paracentral Acute Middle Maculopathy and Risk of Cardiovascular Disease, Stroke, and Death: A Longitudinal Study

To evaluate the risk of acute cardiovascular events (CVE), including cardiovascular diseases, cerebrovascular diseases, and all-cause mortality in patients with paracentral acute middle maculopathy (PAMM). Retrospective cohort study METHODS: We studied 43 individuals with optical coherence tomography -documented PAMM attending Moorfields Eye Hospital between January 2014 and June 2021. We excluded patients with preceding (< 2 years) major adverse cardiac events. We stratified patients by age (<50 years & ≥50 years) and whether associated with retinal vascular diseases (RVD) or isolated (iPAMM). We assessed risk factors, clinical characteristics, and visual prognosis of the patients. CVE risk was estimated using Kaplan-Meier curves, the log-rank test, and Cox proportional hazards regression. In young patients with iPAMM patients (n=12), underlying predisposing factors included six (50%) sickle cell disease and five (41.6%) others, including breakthrough bleeding in pregnancy, migraine, genetic cardiomyopathy, amphetamine use; among those with PAMM+RVD (n=12) one (9%) had a vascular disorder, and four (44.4%) oral contraceptive use. In the older group of 20 patients, 15 (75%) had at least one coronary risk factor. During a median follow-up of 14 months (range 12-54), older subjects with iPAMM had a higher risk of developing CVE than those with PAMM+RVD (p<0.001). Notably, iPAMM displayed a significantly earlier peak in peri-PAMM CVE risk compared to PAMM+RVD (median: 1 month, range 1-40 months vs. 36 months, range 12-54 months). Relative to those with PAMM+RVD, risk of CVE was significantly higher in patients with iPAMM, adjusted for age and sex (hazard ratio: 6.37, 95% Confidence Interval 1.68-24.14, p=0.017). No young patients experienced adverse CVE. At baseline, older iPAMM patients mean best corrected visual acuity of 0.7 (0-1.8) LogMAR, which improved significantly to 0.2 (0-1.30) LogMAR at the latest visit (p=0.033). Young individuals with iPAMM have a higher prevalence of predisposing factors compared to those presenting with combined PAMM+RVD. Older patients with iPAMM had a higher risk of CVE than those with PAMM+RVD, especially in the peri-onset timeframe. This suggests the need for a prompt cardiovascular assessment to rule out systemic etiologies and optimize cardiovascular risk factors, in addition to ongoing ophthalmology input.

The Correlation of Reverse Redistribution Pattern with Coronary Angiography: A Conundrum Revisited

Abstract Objective The reverse redistribution (RR) pattern is a phenomenon whose etiology, pathophysiology, and clinical implications are not well understood. The studies examining this pattern date back to days when timely coronary interventions and anti-ischemic therapies were not widely used, so we aimed to reinvestigate any relationship between RR and coronary angiography (CA) findings in today's contemporary clinical settings. Methods All patients with an RR pattern on the Tc99m-MIBI (technetium-99m sestamibi) scan between 2021 and 2023 were screened. Information on demographics, history of acute coronary syndrome, revascularization, comorbidities, and risk factors was collected. The CA findings were compared to RR regions. The physician's decision in the case of the RR pattern was grouped. Results In a total of 67 patients (men 83%, aged 63.6 ± 10.5), the RR pattern was most commonly seen in the inferior-posterior wall (n = 41, 31.3%), followed by the apex (n = 19, 14.5%) and anterior (n = 12, 9.2%). Most patients with RR pattern had normal/nonobstructive coronary angiograms (61.1%, n = 22); significant stenoses in 1, 2, and 3 vessels were present in 19.4% (n = 7), 13.8% (n = 5), and 5.5% (n = 2) of patients, respectively. There was no correlation between the regions of the RR pattern and significant stenosis detected on CA (p = 0.6, p = 0.5, p = 0.6, respectively, for left anterior descending artery, circumflex artery, and right coronary artery). Conclusion In this study, no evidence of a relationship between RR patterns and CA findings was found. The 60% of the patients with RR pattern had normal/nonobstructive coronaries, so the decision to proceed with CA should not be made based solely on this finding.

Long-Term Nitrogen Dioxide Exposure as a Possible 5-Year Mortality Risk Factor in Diabetic Patients Treated Using Off-Pump Surgical Revascularization-A Retrospective Analysis.

Background: There is mounting evidence that diabetic-related cardiac metabolism abnormalities with oxidative stress and inflammatory mechanism activation align with the functional impairments that result in atherosclerotic lesion formation. Among the possible non-traditional coronary lesion risk factors, environmental exposure may be significant, especially in diabetic patients. Methods: A total of 140 diabetic patients (115 (82%) males and 25 (18%) females) with a mean age of 65 (60-71) underwent surgical revascularization due to multivessel coronary disease. The possible all-cause mortality risk factors, including demographical and clinical factors followed by chronic air pollution exposure, were identified. Results: All patients were operated on using the off-pump technique and followed for 5.6 (5-6.1) years. The multivariable model for 5-year mortality prediction presented the nitrogen dioxide chronic exposure (HR: 3.99, 95% CI: 1.16-13.71, p = 0.028) and completeness of revascularization (HR: 0.19, 95% CI: 0.04-0.86, p = 0.031) as significant all-cause mortality risk factors. Conclusions: Ambient air pollutants such as an excessive chronic nitrogen dioxide concentration (>15 µg/m3) may increase 5-year all-cause mortality in diabetic patients following surgical revascularization.

A Case Report of a 44-Year-Old Middle-Aged Woman with Acute Chest Pain

&lt;p&gt;胸痛是臨床常見的主訴，鑑別診斷必須配合心電圖，並優先考量會猝死的心血管疾病。本篇個案是一位44歲的中年女性，因急性胸痛至急診就醫，經連續追蹤心電圖與抽血檢驗，診斷為非ST節段上升之急性冠心症(non ST-elevation acute coronary syndrome, NSTE-ACS)，心導管冠狀動脈攝影檢查結果合乎自發性冠狀動脈剝離(spontaneous coronary artery dissection, SCAD)的變化。本文之目的在強調無冠狀動脈疾病危險因子的中年女性發生急性冠心症，須考慮SCAD的可能性。SCAD的病因為冠狀動脈內膜撕裂，血流進入血管內壁產生血腫，當假腔壓迫冠狀動脈血流會使心肌缺血而導致胸痛的症狀，與冠狀動脈阻塞型心肌梗塞成因不同，故治療與處理的方式有不同之處，必須視臨床病人情況做謹慎的評估，以降低侵入性治療的風險。照顧個案期間藉由最少的侵入性檢查給予正確診斷，並配合適當的藥物治療，達成緩解病人症狀、預防合併症與復發的治療目的。藉由這篇病例報告，希望醫護人員對照顧自發性冠狀動脈剝離的病人有更多的認知。&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Chest pain is a common clinical complaint. Electrocardiograms must be included in diagnosis, and the priority should be given to cardiovascular diseases that may lead to sudden death. The case described here is a 44-year-old middle-aged woman who presented to the emergency room with unendurable chest pain. After continuous follow-up ECG and blood tests, she was diagnosed with non-ST-elevation acute coronary syndrome (NSTE-ACS). The result of coronary angiography correspond to sponta-neous coronary artery dissection (SCAD). The purpose of this article is to emphasize the possibility of SCAD in acute coronary syndrome in middle-aged women without coronary artery disease risk fac-tors. SCAD is characterized by intimal tear, intramural hematoma, and false lumen formation, which can obstruct coronary blood flow and cause myocardial ischemia with chest pain. Since the etiology of SCAD is different from obstructive coronary artery myocardial infarction, their medical treatments must be carefully evaluated through clinical patient conditions to reduce the risks of invasive proce-dure. In this case, early and correct diagnosis was made to reduce invasive procedure, and appropriate medication therapy were applyed to achieve the purpose of relieving the patient&amp;rsquo;s symptoms, prevent-ing complications and recurrence. Through this case report, it is hoped that healthcare professionals will improve awareness of caring for patients with spontaneous coronary artery dissection.&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt;

Cut-off values of coronary risk factors in women with hypothyroidism.

Women with hypothyroidism are at higher risk of cardiovascular diseases and the consequent mortality. It is not known whether cut-off values of coronary risk factors in women with hypothyroidism are the same as healthy women. This may help to initiate interventions as early to prevent cardiovascular mortality. Therefore, this study was conducted to determine the cut-off values of coronary risk factors in women with hypothyroidism. One hundred women patients with hypothyroidism were compared with 100 healthy controls. Significantly higher mean body mass index (BMI), waist circumference (WC), triglycerides and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) were observed in women with hypothyroidism than without it. All variables showed an area under curve (AUC) value of >0.6 in receiver operator characteristic curve (ROC) analysis, and similar to healthy women.

The influence of module-based coronary heart disease risk factor education on the level of patient knowledge at Hospital of PKU Muhammadiyah Yogyakarta

Background: Coronary heart disease (CHD) is a leading cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide. Effective patient education regarding CHD and its risk factors is essential for prevention and management. Purpose: This study aims to evaluate the effectiveness of a module-based educational intervention on improving patient knowledge of CHD risk factors. Methods: This quasi-experimental study employed a pre-test and post-test control group design. A total of 34 participants were selected via quota sampling, with 17 assigned to the intervention group and 17 to the control group. Participants' knowledge levels were measured using the Heart Disease Facts Questionnaire (HDFQ) before and after receiving education on CHD risk factors through a structured booklet and Counselling Events Units (SAP). Results: Statistical analysis using the Mann-Whitney test revealed a significant increase in the knowledge levels of the intervention group compared to the control group (p = 0.001), indicating the effectiveness of the module-based education. Conclusion: Module-based education on CHD risk factors significantly improves patient knowledge. This approach can be an effective educational tool in clinical settings for enhancing patient understanding and reducing CHD risk.

Family History of Premature Coronary Heart Disease and Risk Factor Control in Patients With a Recent Acute Coronary Syndrome

Family History of Premature Coronary Heart Disease and Risk Factor Control in Patients With a Recent Acute Coronary Syndrome

Relative increase in production ratio of small dense low-density lipoprotein in acute coronary syndrome with high coronary plaque burden: an ex-vivo analysis.

The absolute value of small dense low-density lipoprotein (sd-LDL) including small LDL (s-LDL) and very small LDL (vs-LDL) has been shown to be associated with increased incidence of atherosclerosis. However, the impact of short-timeframe increases in sd-LDL on arteriosclerosis has not yet been elucidated. Therefore, we investigated the clinical roles of ex-vivo induced sd-LDL in acute coronary syndrome (ACS) using a novel method. This is a prospective, single-blind, and observational study that screened patients who underwent coronary angiography (CAG) for the treatment of ACS or investigation of heart-failure etiology between June 2020 and April 2022 (n = 247). After excluding patients with known diabetes mellitus and advanced renal disease, the patients were further divided into the ACS (n = 34) and control (non-obstructive coronary artery, n = 34) groups. The proportion of sd-LDL (s-LDL + vs-LDL) in total lipoproteins was observed before and after 2-h incubation at 37 ℃ (to approximate physiologic conditions) using 3% polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. The coronary plaque burden was quantified upon CAG in the ACS group. There were no significant differences between the ACS and control groups in terms of clinical coronary risk factors. The baseline of large, medium, small, and very small LDL were comparable between the two groups. Following a 2-h incubation period, significant increases were observed in the ratios of s-LDL and vs-LDL in both the ACS and control groups (ACS, p = 0.01*; control, p = 0.01*). Notably, the magnitude of increase in sd-LDL was more pronounced in the ACS group compared to the control group, with s-LDL showing a significant difference (p = 0.03*) and vs-LDL showing a tread toward significance (p = 0.08). In addition, in both groups, there was a decrease in IDL and L-LDL, while M-LDL remained unchanged. The plaque burden index and rate of short-timeframe changes in both s-LDL (p = 0.01*) and vs-LDL (p = 0.04*) before and after incubation were significantly correlated in the ACS group. The enhanced production rate of sd-LDL induced under short-term physiologic culture in an ex-vivo model was greater in patients with ACS than in the control group. The increase in sd-LDL is positively correlated with coronary plaque burden. Short-timeframe changes in sd-LDL may serve as markers for the severity of coronary artery disease.

Randomized 20-year infancy-onset dietary intervention, life-long cardiovascular risk factors and retinal microvasculature.

Retinal microvasculature characteristics predict cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. This study investigated associations of lifelong cardiovascular risk factors and effects of dietary intervention on retinal microvasculature in young adulthood. The cohort is derived from the longitudinal Special Turku Coronary Risk Factor Intervention Project study. The Special Turku Coronary Risk Factor Intervention Project is a 20-year infancy-onset randomized controlled dietary intervention study with frequent study visits and follow-up extending to age 26 years. The dietary intervention aimed at a heart-healthy diet. Fundus photographs were taken at the 26-year follow-up, and microvascular measures [arteriolar and venular diameters, tortuosity (simple and curvature) and fractal dimensions] were derived (n = 486). Cumulative exposure as the area under the curve for cardiovascular risk factors and dietary components was determined for the longest available time period (e.g. from age 7 months to 26 years). The dietary intervention had a favourable effect on retinal microvasculature resulting in less tortuous arterioles and venules and increased arteriolar fractal dimension in the intervention group when compared with the control group. The intervention effects were found even when controlled for the cumulative cardiovascular risk factors. Reduced lifelong cumulative intake of saturated fats, main target of the intervention, was also associated with less tortuous venules. Several lifelong cumulative risk factors were independently associated with the retinal microvascular measures, e.g. cumulative systolic blood pressure with narrower arterioles. Infancy-onset 20-year dietary intervention had favourable effects on the retinal microvasculature in young adulthood. Several lifelong cumulative cardiovascular risk factors were independently associated with retinal microvascular structure.

Low HDL-C/ApoA-I index is associated with cardiometabolic risk factors and coronary artery calcium: a sub-analysis of the genetics of atherosclerotic disease (GEA) study

BackgroundThe high-density lipoprotein cholesterol to apolipoprotein A-I index (HDL-C/ApoA-I) may be practical and useful in clinical practice as a marker of atherosclerosis. This study aimed to investigate the association between the HDL-C/ApoA-I index with cardiometabolic risk factors and subclinical atherosclerosis.MethodsIn this cross-sectional sub-analysis of the GEA study, 1,363 individuals, women (51.3%) and men (48.7%) between 20 and 75 years old, without coronary heart disease or diabetes mellitus were included. We defined an adverse cardiometabolic profile as excess adipose tissue metrics, non-alcoholic liver fat measured by non-contrasted tomography, metabolic syndrome, dyslipidemias, and insulin resistance. The population was stratified by quartiles of the HDL-C/Apo-AI index, and its dose-relationship associations were analysed using Tobit regression, binomial, and multinomial logistic regression analysis.ResultsBody mass index, visceral and pericardial fat, metabolic syndrome, fatty liver, high blood pressure, and CAC were inversely associated with the HDL-C/ApoA-I index. The CAC > 0 prevalence was higher in quartile 1 (29.2%) than in the last quartile (22%) of HDL-C/ApoA-I index (p = 0.035). The probability of having CAC > 0 was higher when the HDL-C/ApoA-I index was less than 0.28 (p < 0.001). This association was independent of classical coronary risk factors, visceral and pericardial fat measurements.ConclusionThe HDL-C/ApoA-I index is inversely associated with an adverse cardiometabolic profile and CAC score, making it a potentially useful and practical biomarker of coronary atherosclerosis. Overall, these findings suggest that the HDL-C/ApoA-I index could be useful for evaluating the probability of having higher cardiometabolic risk factors and subclinical atherosclerosis in adults without CAD.

Long-term mortality after isolated coronary artery bypass grafting and risk factors for mortality

BackgroundPatients requiring coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) have multiple co-morbidities which need to be considered in totality when determining surgical risks. The objective of this study is to evaluate short-term and long-term mortality rates of CABG surgery, as well as to identify the most significant risk factors for mortality after isolated CABG.MethodsAll patients with complete dataset who underwent isolated CABG between January 2008 and December 2017 were included. Univariate and multivariate Cox regression was performed to determine the risk factors for all-cause mortality. Classification and regression tree analysis was performed to identify the relative importance of these risk factors.Results3,573 patients were included in the study. Overall mortality rate was 25.7%. In-hospital mortality rate was 1.62% overall. 30-day, 1-year, 5-year, 10-year and 14.5-year mortality rates were 1.46%, 2.94%, 9.89%, 22.79% and 36.30% respectively. Factors associated with death after adjustment for other risk factors were older age, lower body mass index (BMI), hypertension, diabetes mellitus, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, pre-operative renal failure on dialysis, higher last pre-operative creatinine level, lower estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR), heart failure, lower left ventricular ejection fraction and New York Heart Association class II, III and IV. Additionally, female gender and logistic EuroSCORE were associated with death on univariate Cox analysis, but not associated with death after adjustment with multivariate Cox analysis. Using CART analysis, the strongest predictor of mortality was pre-operative eGFR < 46.9, followed by logistic EuroSCORE ≥ 2.4.ConclusionPoorer renal function, quantified by a lower eGFR, is the best predictor of post-CABG mortality. Amongst other risk factors, logistic EuroSCORE, age, diabetes and BMI had a relatively greater impact on mortality. Patients with chronic kidney disease stage 3B and above are at highest risk for mortality. We hope these findings heighten awareness to optimise current medical therapy in preserving renal function upon diagnosis of any atherosclerotic disease and risk factors contributing to coronary artery disease.

Uncovering a hidden danger: a case report of diffuse coronary spasm concealing spontaneous coronary artery dissection

BackgroundOver recent years, spontaneous coronary artery dissection (SCAD) has emerged as a no longer rare cause of acute coronary syndrome (ACS). On the other hand, coronary artery spasm (CAS) is the main cause of ischemic heart disease with non-obstructive coronary lesions. Clinical manifestations of both vary from stable angina to ACS or, rarely, sudden cardiac death. These entities may be underdiagnosed on a coronary angiography.Case presentationWe report the case of a young woman presenting with acute chest pain and no coronary risk factors. Angiography revealed a focal subcritical stenosis of the right coronary artery. Coronary wiring resulted in diffuse and critical spasm. However, optical coherence tomography (OCT) and intravascular ultrasound (IVUS) showed extensive SCAD. She was therefore treated conservatively. On the fourth day, cardiac computed tomography angiography (CCTA) excluded disease progression, and then she was discharged on medical therapy.ConclusionsCombined IVI plays a vital role in providing accurate and detailed visualization of the coronary anatomy and thus allowing for more precise diagnosis, risk stratification, and treatment planning. CCTA can be considered a valuable tool in the noninvasive follow-up of SCAD.

Coronary risk factor profiles according to different age categories in premature coronary artery disease patients who have undergone percutaneous coronary intervention

Many studies have investigated the coronary risk factors (CRFs) among premature coronary artery disease (PCAD) patients. However, reports on the proportion and CRFs of PCAD according to different age cut-offs for PCAD is globally under-reported. This study aimed to determine the proportion of PCAD patients and analyse the significant CRFs according to different age cut-offs among percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI)-treated patients. Patients who underwent PCI between 2007 and 2018 in two cardiology centres were included (n = 29,241) and were grouped into four age cut-off groups that defines PCAD: (A) Males/females: < 45, (B) Males: < 50; Females: < 55, (C) Males: < 55; Females: < 60 and (D) Males: < 55; Females: < 65 years old. The average proportion of PCAD was 28%; 9.2% for group (A), 21.5% for group (B), 38.6% and 41.9% for group (C) and (D), respectively. The top three CRFs of PCAD were LDL-c level, TC level and hypertension (HTN). Malay ethnicity, smoking, obesity, family history of PCAD, TC level and history of MI were the independent predictors of PCAD across all age groups. The proportion of PCAD in Malaysia is higher compared to other studies. The most significant risk factors of PCAD are LDL-c, TC levels and HTN. Early prevention, detection and management of the modifiable risk factors are highly warranted to prevent PCAD.

Symptoms and coronary risk factors predictive of adverse cardiac events in chest pain patients in an Asian emergency department: the need for a local prediction score.

Clinical assessment is pivotal in diagnosing acute coronary syndrome. Our study aimed to identify clinical characteristics predictive of major adverse cardiac events (MACE) in an Asian population and to derive a risk score for MACE. Patients presenting to the emergency department (ED) with chest pain and non-diagnostic 12-lead electrocardiograms were recruited. Clinical history was recorded in a predesigned template. Random glucose and direct low-density lipoprotein measurements were taken, in addition to serial troponin. We derived the age, coronary risk factors (CRF), sex and symptoms (ACSS) risk score based on multivariate analysis results, considering age, CRF, sex and symptoms and classifying patients into very low, low, moderate and high risk for MACE. Comparison was made with the ED Assessment of Chest Pain Score (EDACS) and the history, electrocardiogram, age, risk factors, troponin (HEART) score. We also modified the HEART score with the CRF that we had identified. The outcomes were 30-day and 1-year MACE. There were a total of 1689 patients, with 172 (10.2%) and 200 (11.8%) having 30-day and 1-year MACE, respectively. Symptoms predictive of MACE included central chest pain, radiation to the jaw/neck, associated diaphoresis, and symptoms aggravated by exertion and relieved by glyceryl trinitrate. The ACSS score had an area under the curve of 0.769 (95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.735-0.803) and 0.760 (95% CI: 0.727-0.793) for 30-day and 1-year MACE, respectively, outperforming EDACS. Those in the very-low-risk and low-risk groups had <1% risk of 30-day MACE. The ACSS risk score shows potential for use in the local ED or primary care setting, potentially reducing unnecessary cardiac investigations and admission.

Linking Diabetic Retinopathy Severity to Coronary Artery Disease Risk Factors in Type 2 Diabetic Patients.

Diabetes mellitus (DM) is a common metabolic disorder characterized by hyperglycemia, leading to chronic complications, notably cardiovascular diseases such as coronary artery disease (CAD). Diabetic retinopathy (DR), a leading cause of blindness, may serve as a non-invasive marker for CAD. This study investigates the correlation between DR and CAD to explore its diagnostic potential in diabetic populations. A cross-sectional study was conducted over one year in a general hospital, involving 100 type 2 DM patients with retinopathy. DR was classified as mild non-proliferative diabetic retinopathy (NPDR), moderate NPDR, severe NPDR, or proliferative retinopathy, based on fundus examinations. Data on age, duration of diabetes, cholesterol levels, glycated hemoglobin (HbA1C), and ECG (electrocardiography) findings were collected. Statistical analysis included frequency analysis, chi-square tests for association between categorical variables, and significance testing with p-values. Data were analyzed using IBM SPSS Statistics for Windows, Version 20.0 (Released 2011; IBM Corp., Armonk, New York, United States). Descriptive statistics were characterized by categorical and continuous variables. The chi-square test determined associations between qualitative variables, with significance set at p<0.05. The mean age of patients was 57.13 ± 8.51 years. Age and duration of diabetes were significant predictors of retinopathy severity (p<0.001). Proliferative retinopathy was found exclusively in patients over 70 years. Lower cholesterol levels (<200 mg/dL) were significantly associated with less severe retinopathy (p=0.033), whereas higher cholesterol levels (>200 mg/dL) did not show a statistically significant association with retinopathy severity (p=0.772). Patients with HbA1C levels between 6.5% and 8.5% predominantly had milder forms of retinopathy, as indicated by the significant p-value (<0.001). In contrast, patients with HbA1C levels above 8.5% are more likely to have severe NPDR or proliferative diabetic retinopathy (PDR), but this association was not statistically significant (p=0.582). ECG abnormalities increased with retinopathy severity (p=0.002). Hypertension was significantly linked to cardiac changes in retinopathy patients (p<0.001), while smoking and family history of CAD were not significant factors.This study's cross-sectional design limits causality inference. The single-center sample of 100 patients may not be broadly generalizable. Reliance on self-reported data introduces potential recall bias, and confounding factors such as diet, physical activity, and additional comorbidities were not accounted for. The lack of a control group further limits comparative analysis. Future longitudinal studies with larger, diverse samples are needed. Retinopathy in DM patients is significantly associated with cardiac changes and other risk factors such as hypertension, dyslipidemia, and poor glycemic control. Aggressive management of these factors is essential. Retinopathy can serve as a predictor of CAD in diabetic patients.

Cardiac Rehabilitation in Geriatric Individuals

Background: The aim of the study is a current review in the field of cardiac rehabilitation in geriatric individuals. Methods: Literature searches were conducted using PubMed, Embase and Scopus. Additional articles were identifed by searching reference lists. Results: Aging is a physiological condition in the normal process of life and leads to changes in all organs and systems. The aging process significantly affects the cardiovascular, pulmonary, musculoskeletal, and metabolic systems. Cardiac rehabilitation provides numerous psychological and physiological benefits to older adults. All comorbidities, frailty status, and social and financial factors should be comprehensively evaluated while planning cardiac rehabilitation programs that consist of the main components of exercise training, risk factor management, and psychosocial counseling in older adults. Conclusions: Regular participation in cardiac rehabilitation programs can reduce morbidity and mortality rates and improve cardiorespiratory fitness and overall health outcomes by modifying coronary artery disease risk factors in older adults with chronic conditions, including cardiovascular disease, stroke, and respiratory disease

Association of Serum Trimethylamine-N-Oxide Concentration from Childhood to Early Adulthood with Age and Sex.

Primary prevention is the cornerstone of cardiometabolic health. In the randomized, controlled Special Turku Coronary Risk Factor Intervention Project (STRIP), dietary counseling intervention was given to children from infancy to 20 years of age and a follow-up was completed at age 26 years. We investigated the associations of age, sex, gut microbiome, and dietary intervention with the gut metabolite and the cardiac biomarker trimethylamine-N-oxide (TMAO). Overall, 592 healthy participants (females 46%) from STRIP were investigated. Compared to the control group, the intervention group had received dietary counseling between ages 7 months and 20 years focused on low intakes of saturated fat and cholesterol and the promotion of fruit, vegetable, and whole-grain consumption. TMAO serum concentrations were measured by a liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry method at ages 11, 13, 15, 17, 19, and 26 years. Microbiome composition was assessed using 16S rRNA gene sequencing at 26 years of age. TMAO concentrations increased from age 11 to 26 years in both sexes. At all measurement time points, males showed significantly higher serum TMAO concentrations compared to females, but concentrations were similar between the intervention and control groups. A direct association between TMAO concentrations and reported fiber intake was found in females. Gut microbiome analysis did not reveal associations with TMAO. TMAO concentration increased from childhood to early adulthood but was not affected by the given dietary intervention. In females, TMAO concentrations could be directly associated with higher fiber intake suggesting sex-specific differences in TMAO metabolism.

Sex differences in clinical characteristics and long-term clinical outcomes in Asian hospitalized heart failure patients.

Sex differences in long-term post-discharge clinical outcomes in Asian patients hospitalized for acute decompensated heart failure (HF) persist despite the world-wide implementation of guideline-directed medical therapy for decades. The present study aims to elucidate the puzzling dilemma and to depict the directions of solution. Between 2011 and 2020, a total of 12428 patients (6518 men and 5910 women, mean age 73.50±14.85) hospitalized for acute decompensated HF were retrospectively enrolled from a university HF cohort. Compared with men, women hospitalized for acute decompensated HF were older in age (76.40±13.43 vs. 71.20±15.67years old, P<0.0001) with more coexisting hypertension, diabetes, hyperlipidaemia and moderate to severe chronic kidney disease, but less with ischaemic heart disease, cerebrovascular disease and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (P<0.0001). In echocardiography measurement parameters, women had smaller left ventricular and left atrial dimensions, higher left ventricular mass index, higher left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) and more in HF with preserved ejection fraction (EF) category (LVEF>50%) than men (P<0.0001). In HF therapy, women compared with men received more guideline-directed medical HF therapies including angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors, angiotensin receptor blockers, angiotensin receptor-neprilysin inhibitors and sodium-glucose cotransporter-2 inhibitors, but similar beta-blockers and mineralocorticoid receptor antagonists (P<0.0001). Post-discharge long-term clinical outcomes after multivariate-adjusted analysis revealed that women compared with men had lower all-cause mortality [adjusted hazard ratio (aHR): 0.89, 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.84-0.93], lower cardiovascular mortality (aHR: 0.89, 95% CI: 0.80-0.99) and lower 1year mortality (aHR: 0.91, 95% CI: 0.84-0.99) but similar HF rehospitalization rate (aHR: 1.02, 95% CI: 0.95-1.09) over 8years of follow-up. The superiority of women over men in all-cause mortality was shown in HF with preserved EF (>50%) and HF with mildly reduced EF (40%-50%), but not in HF with reduced EF (<40%) category. Subgroup forest plot analysis showed body mass index, coexisting hypertension and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease as significant interacting factors. With more coronary risk factors and medical comorbidities, less cardiac remodelling and better adherence to guideline-directed HF therapy, women hospitalized for acute decompensated HF demonstrated superiority over men in long-term post-discharge clinical outcomes, including all-cause mortality, cardiovascular mortality and 1year mortality, and mainly in HF with preserved and mid-range EF categories, in the Asian HF cohort.

Determine The Risk Of Long-Term Complications In Patients With Acute Coronary Syndrome

The article is devoted to one of the current topics of modern healthcare - acute coronary syndrome (ACS). Most patients had associated and comorbid diseases, primarily such as stable angina, chronic heart failure, broncho-obstructive diseases and diabetes mellitus, which in some cases required treatment adjustments [1]. The article provides information on the etiology of acute coronary syndrome, clinical symptoms and risk factors that may develop in patients.