Higher Risk Of Major Adverse Cardiovascular Events Research Articles

Percutaneous coronary intervention versus coronary artery bypass grafting in left main disease according to patients' sex: A meta-analysis.

The role of sex in choosing between coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) and percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) for unprotected left main coronary artery (ULMCA) disease has gained interest. Randomized controlled trials and adjusted observational studies comparing PCI versus CABG in ULMCA patients with outcomes by sex were included. The primary endpoint was major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE), with secondary endpoints being all-cause mortality and repeated revascularization. Ten studies (3 randomized, 7 observational) involving 22,141 ULMCA disease patients (13,411 PCI, 8730 CABG) with a median 5-year follow-up were included. Among males, PCI was associated with a higher risk of MACE (HR 1.18, 95% CI 1.01-1.38), while no significant difference was seen in females. However, moderator analysis showed no significant interaction between sex and revascularization strategy for MACE (p for interaction .422). No differences in all-cause mortality were observed between PCI and CABG for either sex. Repeated revascularization risk was significantly higher with PCI for both sexes (HR 3.51, 95% CI 2.21-5.59 in males and HR 4.20, 95% CI 2.57-6.87 in females). In males with ULMCA disease, CABG was associated with a lower risk of MACE compared to PCI, while no significant differences were seen in females. The lack of a significant interaction between sex and revascularization strategy suggests that these findings may not reflect true sex-based effect modification. PCI was linked to a higher risk of repeated revascularization in both sexes compared to CABG. The protocol was registered in the PROSPERO International Prospective Register of Systematic Reviews (ID: CRD42024537726).

Abstract 4135968: Radiomic features of skeletal muscle on prostate T1-Weighted MRI associated with MACE outcomes in prostate cancer patients undergoing hormonal therapy

Background: Patients with high-risk prostate cancer (PC) who undergo hormonal therapy(HT) frequently die of major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE). Skeletal muscle on abdominal T1-weighted MRI (T1W) has been shown to be associated with cardiovascular fitness. Aims: To quantify heterogeneity associated with skeletal muscle tissue composition on prostate MRI patients undergoing HT using computationally derived radiomic features and identify their association with MACE. Methods: Cohort of N=58 men diagnosed with PC who underwent a 3 Tesla pre-treatment multi-parametric MRI followed by HT and followed up for MACE events were identified. MACE is defined as a composite of cardiovascular death, atrial fibrillation, myocardial infarction, ischemic stroke, heart failure, coronary artery disease, and peripheral vascular disease. Regions of interest (ROI) of skeletal muscle, including the obturator externus, pectineus, and the adductor group of muscles, were delineated on axial T1W under the guidance of an experienced radiologist. A set of 120 radiomic features, including gray level statistics, co-occurrence, wavelet, and texture energy-based features, were extracted within the ROI which quantifies underlying subvisual texture-based heterogeneity. Radiomics associated with MACE events were identified using the Wilcoxon rank-sum test and univariate Cox-regression (p<0.05). Results: Of the N=58 patients included in this study, 18 experienced MACE. The most common MACE event was AF (8.6%). Median-time-to-MACE event was 7.3 years (6.2-8.2). 3 radiomic features (Table 1) quantifying the heterogeneity of skeletal muscle on prostate T1W were observed to be associated with MACE. Specifically, we observe that first order features have a lower response and wavelet features have a lower response in MACE patients which suggests a higher degree of local deformations and heterogeneity in skeletal tissue compared to non-MACE patients. Conclusions: Results from our study suggest that radiomics quantified texture characteristics of skeletal muscle tissue may indicate cardiovascular fitness, reflecting the likelihood of experiencing MACE following initiation of HT in PC men. Pre-treatment identification of PC patients at high risk of MACE may allow for alternative treatment options improving cardiovascular outcomes. Future studies will involve exploring larger, multi-site cohorts and machine learning modeling to determine cardiovascular risk.

Abstract 4121589: Sex differences in Social Determinants of Health and Adverse Outcomes in Atrial Fibrillation: A UK Biobank Study

Background: Beyond the risk of thromboembolic stroke, people with atrial fibrillation (AF) are substantially burdened with a higher incidence of cardiovascular mortality, even among patients treated with anticoagulants. The reasons behind these outcomes are only partially understood. Social determinants of health (SDOH), strong independent predictors of major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE) in several cardiac diseases, may play a role; however, their impact on AF prognosis and the differences in SDOH by sex have been insufficiently explored. Objective: We investigated the sex differences in the association between SDOH and MACE in patients with AF. Methods: Data from the UK Biobank included participants enrolled from 2006 to 2010. An incident AF patient cohort, free of stroke and MI was created. Seventeen SDOH derived from three domains:: socio-economic status, psychosocial factors, and neighborhood/living environment were identified Cox proportional hazards models were used to evaluate the associations of individual SDOH components with the risk of MACE stratified by sex. Covariates including all variables of the CHA 2 DS 2 -VASc Score (Congestive heart failure, Hypertension, Age, Diabetes, prior stroke or transient ischemic attack, Vascular disease and Sex), current use of antiplatelet therapy or anticoagulation, smoking and body mass index. The primary outcome was a composite of MACE (including stroke, transient ischemic attack and arterial thromboembolic event, MI and cardiovascular mortality) and all-cause mortality. Results: A total of 23,113 participants with AF (mean age, 62.44 ± 5.88 years; female sex 39.7%) were included. The composite outcome occurred in 5,151 (22%) of participants over 10-year follow up. In the multivariate adjusted model, several SDOH were independently associated with an increased risk of adverse outcomes. Males showed a broader range of SDOH that were significantly associated with outcomes, including unfavourable economic factors and low social support. Despite females had fewer significant SDOH, education-related factors and local crime rates were significant predictors of adverse outcomes (Figure 1). Conclusions: Adverse SDOHs are associated with a higher risk of MACE and all-cause mortality in AF, with sex-specific variations. These findings underscore the need of incorporating routinely SDOH assessment into clinical practice to more accurately stratify risk and tailor preventive strategies based on sex-specific data.

Risk of Major Adverse Cardiovascular Outcomes in Families With MASLD: A Population-Based Multigenerational Cohort Study.

Metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD) is a risk factor for cardiovascular disease. However, whether family members of individuals with MASLD also share an increased cardiovascular risk is unknown. We created a nationwide multigenerational cohort study identifying all family members of Swedish adults diagnosed with biopsy-proven MASLD (1969-2017) and of matched general population comparators (by age, sex, calendar year, and county of residence). We calculated incidence rates and used Cox models to calculate adjusted hazard ratios (aHRs) and 95% CIs for incident major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE), including acute myocardial infarction, stroke, hospitalization for heart failure, or cardiovascular death. Cox models were adjusted for education, country of birth, diabetes, hypertension, obesity, dyslipidemia, chronic kidney disease, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, and the Charlson comorbidity index. We identified 22 267 MASLD first-degree relatives (FDRs; parents, siblings, and offspring) and 5687 MASLD spouses, as well as 118 056 comparator FDRs and 29 389 comparator spouses without earlier cardiovascular disease. Overall, the mean age was 41.8 years (SD, 18.0), and 51.5% were females. Over a median of 24.6 years, the incidence rate for MACE was higher in MASLD FDRs than in comparator FDRs (65.0 versus 62.5/10 000 person-years; aHR, 1.06 [95% CI, 1.01-1.11]). MASLD FDRs had higher rates of acute myocardial infarction (23.0 versus 20.9/10 000 person-years; aHR, 1.09 [95% CI, 1.01-1.18]) and cardiovascular death (aHR, 1.09 [95% CI, 1.01-1.18]). Across generations of FDRs, the risk of MACE was uniformly increased with no differences by relationship (ie, parents, siblings, and offspring; Pinteraction>0.05). MASLD spouses were also at an increased risk of MACE (117.6 versus 103.5/10 000 person-years; aHR, 1.09 [95% CI, 1.01-1.18]). First-degree relatives of individuals with biopsy-proven MASLD are at slightly higher risk of incident MACE, but absolute risks do not support early screening for cardiovascular disease. Shared lifestyle factors may be the main contributors, as spouses of MASLD patients also had higher risks of MACE.

Effect of triglycerides on cardiovascular risk in patients with a first vs. recurrent acute coronary syndrome

Abstract Background Triglyceride (TG) levels have gained increasing interest in the prevention of cardiovascular disease although there is divergent evidence that might be explained by confounding factors. Methods We performed a multicenter and retrospective study using the ongoing registries of acute coronary syndrome (ACS) patients of 7 hospitals from Spain. TG were measured during the hospitalization, and mortality and major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE) were analyzed through follow-up. Results We included 14,483 patients discharged after an ACS, mean age 67.5 (13.3), 28.1% women, and 30.4% with an ST-elevation ACS; 2,378 (16.4%) patients had a previous ACS and were classified as recurrent ACS. Median triglyceride level was 120.5 (interquartile range [IQRS] 90-197) mg/dL and was slightly higher in patients with recurrent ACS (135 IQR 98-186 vs. 129 IQR 95-175; p<0.01). Patients with first vs. recurrent ACS received ticagrelor or prasugrel more frequently at discharge (14.8% vs. 7.4%; p<0.01), but no other differences in medical treatments were observed. Median follow-up was 1223 (interquartile range 570-2040) days. All-cause mortality was 15.0% (n= 2,166), and 34.71% (n=5,019) of the patients experienced a first MACE during follow-up. Patients with recurrent ACS had higher mortality (32.9% vs. 11.4%; p<0.01) and MACE (46.5% vs. 32.4%; p<0.01) rates. Multivariate analysis, adjusted for age, sex, diabetes, previous heart failure, and medical treatments at discharge showed that TG levels were not associated with higher risk of mortality (p=0.29) but with higher risk of MACE (p=0.04). A significant interaction (p=0.01) was observed for TG and previous ACS for both endpoints and, therefore, analyses were performed separately (Figure 1). As shown in Figure 2, TG were associated with higher risk of death in patients with first ACS (p=0.02) but not in patients with recurrent ACS (p=0.48); in contrast, TG were associated with higher risk of MACE (p=0.024) in patients with a recurrent ACS but not in patients with a first ACS (p=0.25). Conclusions Previous ACS modifies the risk of TG on mortality and MACE in patients discharged after an ACS. TG might be considered a target for treatment in patients after a first or recurrent ACS, although the exact impact on outcomes might be different.

Factors associated with major adverse cardiovascular events among Arabs and Jews in Israel: a population-based cohort study

Abstract Introduction Arabs in Israel are at higher risk of cardiovascular mortality; however, there are no data on factors associated with disparities in major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE) incidence among Arabs and Jews. Purpose To study factors associated with MACE incidence among Arabs and Jews in Israel. Materials and Methods This is a cohort study carried out in urban localities of Hadera District in Israel. The study sample included 1,100 participants, stratified in equal numbers by ethnicity (Arab and Jewish), sex, and five 10-year age group (mean age: 51 years, range: 26-77). Data collected via in-person interviews conducted between 2001-2006 included socio-demographic characteristics and health-related behaviors (smoking, physical activity, and diet). Data on baseline diabetes, hypertension, dyslipidemia, and cardiovascular disease were collected from interviews and participants' health records. Information on MACE occurring during follow-up was determined based on hospital discharge diagnoses, recorded in the Israel Ministry of Health hospital admission database. MACE was defined as an acute coronary, cerebrovascular or peripheral artery event, or invasive procedure for its treatment. Factors associated with the time to first MACE were tested in Cox proportional hazards models. Sensitivity analysis included death from any cause as a competing risk, using Fine and Gray’s model. Results During a median follow-up period of 20 years, there were 221 first MACE during follow-up; 91 among Jewish participants and 130 among Arab participants, hazard ratio (HR) Arab vs. Jewish: 1.59; 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.22, 2.09, adjusted for age and sex. Arab ethnicity was no longer significantly associated with MACE, following further adjustment for years of education; HR: 1.32; 95%CI 0.95, 1.84. The HR (95%CI) associated with ethnicity after additional adjustment for health-related behaviors, body weight and baseline chronic morbidity was 1.02 (95%CI: 0.73, 1.42). A subgroup analysis among 950 participants, who did not have a baseline diagnosis of cardiovascular disease, produced similar results. These participants experience 147 first MACE during follow-up. The age and sex-adjusted HR (95%CI) associated with Arab ethnicity was 1.72 (1.23, 2.40), compared to 1.08 (0.72, 1.64) in a fully adjusted model. Competing risk analysis did not materially change these results. Conclusions Arabs in Israel are at higher risk for MACE. Lower socioeconomic position and higher prevalence of unhealthy lifestyle and cardiovascular risk factors may explain the excess risk of MACE among Arabs. Improving cardiovascular health among Arabs should consider social determinants of health and cultural aspects.

Impact of neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio on clinical outcomes in patients with or without chronic kidney disease undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention

Abstract Background Neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) has recently emerged as inexpensive inflammatory biomarker associated with worse cardiovascular outcomes. However, little is known about its role in risk stratification of patients with both chronic kidney disease (CKD) and coronary artery disease (CAD) undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). Purpose We aimed to evaluate the clinical impact of baseline NLR in patients with and without CKD undergoing PCI. Methods We retrospectively evaluated all consecutive patients undergoing PCI between 2012-2022 in a large tertiary US center. We excluded patients without available NLR and those who were deemed to have active hematological or infective diseases, including patients with extremely low or high lymphocyte and neutrophil counts or with hs-CRP above 10 mg/L. Quartiles of NLR were derived in the overall population and patients were stratified according to presence of CKD (eGFR < 60 ml/min). Within each group, we estimated the risk of adverse events using the lowest NLR quartile as reference. The primary endpoint was 12-month incidence of major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE), defined as the composite of all-cause death, myocardial infarction, or stroke. Secondary endpoints included incidence of clinically relevant bleeding and contrast-associated acute kidney injury (CA-AKI), defined as ≥ 0.3 mg/dL or ≥ 50% serum creatinine increase from baseline. Results A total of 7,287 patients were included in the analysis; of these 2,008 (27.6%) had CKD and 5,279 (72.4%) did not. CKD patients (mean eGFR 40.8±16.1 ml/min) were older, had more comorbidities, and presented with higher hs-CRP levels and a greater estimated risk of CA-AKI. Overall, patients with elevated NLR had more severe CAD and underwent more complex PCI. In CKD patients, incidence of adverse events increased stepwise and those in the 4th NLR quartile had the highest adjusted risks of MACE (HRadj 1.86, 95% CI 1.12-3.08; P=0.012), all cause death (HRadj 2.44, 95% CI 1.18-5.05; P=0.003) and bleeding (HRadj 1.74, 95% CI 1.07-2.84; P=0.002) at 1 year, as compared to those in the lowest quartile (Table 1). In patients without CKD, MACE and all-cause death incidences were numerically higher in the 4th quartile but risk estimates were no longer statistically significant after adjustment. The overall incidence of CA-AKI was much greater in the CKD group. When compared to the lowest quartile, patients in the 4th NLR quartile showed a trend for higher risk of CA-AKI in CKD group, while they had a significant increased risk in non-CKD group (Figure 1). Conclusions Elevated NLR is strongly associated with higher risk of MACE and all-cause mortality in CKD patients. Conversely, the risk of bleeding and CA-AKI is increased with elevated NLR in both CKD and non-CKD patients. Thus, NLR may further inform risk stratification of CKD patients undergoing PCI.

Dynamic changes of excessive trabeculation in dilated cardiomyopathy: a longitudinal cardiovascular magnetic resonance study

Abstract Background A portion of dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) patients present with left ventricular (LV) excessive trabeculation at diagnosis. It remains unknown if the extent of trabeculation would be reduced after guideline-directed medical therapy (GDMT). Purpose To investigate the dynamic change of excessive trabeculation after GDMT in patients with DCM, and its relationship with that in LV structure and function. Methods A group of DCM patients with baseline and follow-up cardiovascular magnetic resonance (CMR) examination after 1-2 years of GDMT were enrolled. Trabeculation was assessed by Petersen method as measuring the thickness of the most prominent non-compacted (NC) layer and the corresponding compacted (C) segment at the apical long-axis view at end-diastole. Excessive trabeculation was defined as the NC/C ratio > 2.3, and a regression was reached if it decreased to ≤ 2.3. Major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE) consisted of cardiovascular death, heart transplantation, and heart failure readmission. Results Among 218 DCM patients (45 ± 14 years, 67.4% male), 58 (26.6%) met the excessive trabeculation criteria at baseline. Despite a similar LV ejection fraction (LVEF), patients with excessive trabeculation had a higher LV end-diastolic dimension (73.3 ± 9.0 vs. 70.5 ± 8.0mm) and native T1 (1325.3 ± 71.2 vs. 1305.5 ± 65.9mm) (both p<0.05) with a trend of more late gadolinium enhancement (51.7% vs. 39.4% of patients). After 15 months of GDMT, patients with excessive trabeculation (n=58) showed a decreased NC layer (12.7 ± 3.4 vs. 11.3 ± 3.0 mm) and NC/C ratio (3.1 ± 0.9 vs. 2.7 ± 0.9) (both p < 0.05), 25.9% of whom showed a regression of trabeculation. Patients with the regression had a lower NC/C ratio (1.8 ± 0.4 vs. 3.0 ± 0.8, p < 0.001) and LV end-diastolic volume index (LVEDVi) (121.5 ± 40.5 ml/m2 vs. 165.9 ± 67.8ml/m2, p=0.004) compared with those without. The change of (△) NC/C ratio was associated with that of LVEDVi (r = 0.323), and LVEF as well (r = -0.254) (both p < 0.001). Excessive trabeculation at baseline did not differentiate patients with a higher risk of MACE by Kaplan-Meier survival curve (p= 0.208), but its persistent presence at follow-up did (p= 0.004). However, when put △NC/C ratio, △LVEDVi, △LVEF and In NT-proBNP into multivariate cox regression model, only the △LVEDVi (HR, 0.963; 95% CI: 0.942, 0.985; P = 0.001) and In NT-proBNP (HR, 2.016; 95% CI: 1.288, 3.157; P = 0.002) were independent predictors of MACE. Conclusions Regression of excessive trabeculation occurred after GDMT in DCM patients that was related somewhat to LV reverse remodeling and not an independent predictor of MACE. It may also indicate the interconnection between LV remodeling and trabeculation.

Clinical characteristics and predictors of adverse cardiovascular events from the australia-new zealand spontaneous coronary artery dissection (ANZ-SCAD) registry

Abstract Background Spontaneous coronary artery dissection (SCAD) is an increasingly recognised cause of acute coronary syndrome (ACS), predominantly affecting women. Our understanding of SCAD remains incomplete with limited prospective data on determinants of major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE). Purpose We aimed to describe the clinical characteristics of patients with SCAD from a large, multicentre SCAD registry. We aimed to identify the predictors of MACE (defined as the composite of all-cause death, non-fatal myocardial infarction, stroke, heart failure, and revascularisation). Methods Observational, multi-centre prospective and retrospective cohort study recruiting patients with SCAD from 23 hospitals in Australia and New Zealand. Patients aged=>18 years with SCAD and an ACS were eligible for inclusion. Prospectively recruited patients gave their informed consent with a waiver of consent for retrospectively recruited patients. All invasive coronary angiography imaging was adjudicated by an independent core laboratory to confirm the diagnosis of SCAD. Cox proportional hazard analysis was used to evaluate the association between MACE and SCAD recurrence with predefined clinical variables. Results From a total 487 patients recruited, 423 (132 prospective and 291 retrospective) patients with SCAD confirmed on core laboratory review were included for analysis. Mean age was 52.4±10.7 years, 89.7% were female and 73.1% were Caucasian. Percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) was performed in 10.6% of patients. On discharge, 64% of conservatively managed patients were on dual antiplatelet therapy (DAPT). At 15 (interquartile range 5-36) months median follow-up, the accumulated MACE rate was 6.6%. On multivariate analysis, percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) was associated with a higher risk of MACE [hazard ratio (HR) 3.50, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.56-7.89, p=0.002], while discharge on at least one antiplatelet medication was associated with a lower risk of MACE (HR 0.13, 95% CI, 0.05-0.36, p<0.001). In patients managed conservatively (n=353), discharge on at least one antiplatelet medication (n=337) was associated with lower MACE (HR 0.27, 95% CI 0.1-0.73, p=0.01), with no difference between single and dual antiplatelet therapy (DAPT) (p=0.74). In patients managed conservatively and on DAPT (n=226), aspirin and clopidogrel was associated with a lower risk of MACE (HR 0.31, 95% CI 0.10-0.93, p=0.038) compared with DAPT consisting of aspirin and ticagrelor (HR 3.25, 95%CI 1.07-9.85 p=0.038) on multivariate analysis. Conclusion Patients with SCAD are at significant risk of MACE. In conservatively managed patients treated with DAPT, aspirin and clopidogrel was independently associated with a lower risk of MACE than aspirin and ticagrelor

AI-ECG sex-estimation discordances predict cardiovascular events

Abstract Background Cardiovascular disease remains the leading cause of death and burden globally, warranting the need to explore novel predictors of major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE) using new technologies. Artificial Intelligence (AI)-enhanced ECG (AI-ECG) algorithms can provide information on cardiovascular health of individuals, independent of conventional risk factors. Purpose The current study aimed to understand whether a previously described AI-ECG sex estimation algorithm could be applied for risk stratification of major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE), with a focus on a population without previous history of MACE. Methods Patients having 12-lead ECGs between 2018-2019 were included and followed up until August 2023. Exclusion criterion was a prior history of MACE. AI-ECG sex estimation was determined using a previously described algorithm predicting sex based on 12-lead ECGs. The algorithm generates outputs ranging from 0 to 1, representing the estimated probability of being male. Outputs above 0.5 were considered as AI-ECG-estimated male, and below as AI-ECG-estimated female. This was compared with biological sex to determine whether the two matched. Inconsistency between AI-ECG estimated sex and biological sex was defined as discordance. MACE was defined as myocardial infarction, coronary revascularization, non-fatal stroke, and all-cause death. Results Among 80,578 subjects (mean age 59.1 ± 16.1 years, 52.4% female), 9.7% exhibited sex discordance in AI-ECG estimation. Discordance was associated with a 56% higher risk of MACE (HR, 1.56, 95% CI 1.46-1.65, p <0.001), and remained significant in multivariable analysis with traditional risk factors (HR 1.35, 95% CI 1.27-1.43, p <0.001) (Figure 1). Sex-specific analysis showed increased MACE risk in both discordant males and females (Figure 2). Conclusion In patients with no history of MACE, discordance in AI-ECG sex estimation is associated with increased risk of MACE. These findings suggest the potential of AI-ECG sex estimation algorithm for risk assessment, especially in patients with no history of MACE.Figure 1.Cox proportional hazard modelFigure 2.Kaplan-Meier of MACE by sex

Measuring only sitting blood pressure without considering supine blood pressure underestimates cardiovascular risk in the elderly

Abstract Background and Objective Elderly individuals exhibit greater variability in blood pressure (BP) readings between sitting and supine positions. Nocturnal hypertension (supine position) is closely associated with cardiovascular diseases and mortality. However, the relationship between supine BP and cardiovascular risk remains unclear. This study aims to investigate the association between the occurrence of major adverse cardiovascular events (MACEs) with BP in sitting and supine positions. Methodologies A total of 3363 participants aged 65 years or older from the Northern Shanghai Study were included. Each participant is given 3 consecutive sitting SBP readings (SBP1, SBP2, SBP3) at 2-minute intervals, we then calculated the SBP1-2 (average of SBP1 and SBP2), SBP2-3 (average of SBP2 and SBP3), SBP1-2-3 (average of SBP1, SBP2 and SBP3). we also collected two supine BP readings (S-SBP1, S-SBP2). Kaplan-Meier and Cox proportional hazard regression were used to investigate the association of sitting and supine BP with MACEs (composite of nonfatal myocardial infarction, nonfatal stroke, or death). Results The mean age of participants was 71.5 years, and 1467(43.6%) were men. After a median of 6.4-year follow-up, a total of 362 events were recorded. Among 3 successive BP readings, SBP2-3 had strongest association with MACEs incidence (hazard ratio, 1.12 [1.00-1.26] per SD). Multiple cox proportional hazard regression showed supine BP had significant value in predicting MACEs, acute myocardial infarction (AMI) and mortality compared to sitting BP. Kaplan-Meier revealed significant differences in MACEs rates among participants without hypertension (HTN) in both sitting and supine positions, with HTN in both positions, or those with HTN in either position (Log rank P < 0.01). Compared to participants without HTN in both sitting and supine positions, those with HTN in both positions had a 1.4-fold (hazard ratio,1.40[1.08-1.82]) higher risk of MACEs and 2-fold (hazard ratio,2.01[1.24-3.26]) higher risk of stroke. Conclusion Supine BP measurements are more valuable than sitting BP in predicting MACEs in elderly individuals. Hypertension in both positions significantly increases the risk of MACEs. Taken together, supine BP may also need to be emphasized in the elderly.central illustration

Incidental detection and quantification of coronary artery calcification in ungated thoracic computed tomography for prognostic assessment. Preliminary results from the ICARUS registry

Abstract Background Coronary artery calcium (CAC) score improves cardiovascular risk stratification in asymptomatic individuals. However, whether CAC can be quantified in ungated thoracic computed tomography (uTCT) performed for other indications, and if this CAC score associates with cardiovascular outcomes, hasn’t been confirmed yet. Purpose We aim to analyse the extension of CAC and its prognostic value in terms of major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE) in patients who underwent uTCT for other indications. Methods We analysed a preliminary sample of 115 uTCT performed in 2015 in our hospital. We studied the presence and extension of CAC and quantified the global CAC score by Agatston method using validated software. Patients were categorized according to Coronary Artery Calcium Data and Reporting System (CAC-DRS) categories. Cardiovascular risk factors, lipidic control and pharmacological therapy of the cohort were registered. We analysed the time to first 3P-MACE, defined as cardiovascular death, non-fatal myocardial infarction and non-fatal stroke, whichever occurred first. A p-value <0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results Mean age of the cohort was 60.8±16.1 years (53% male, 53% smokers). Mean LDL-cholesterol was 121.67±34.91 mg/dL, and 35.1% received lipid-lowering therapy. In more than half (n=59, 51.3%) of the population CAC was detected. Mean CAC score was 312.99±774.48 Agatston units, and patients were categorized in CAC-DRS category 1 (n=19, 16.5%), category 2 (n=15, 13%) and category 3 (n=25, 21.7%). Patients with CAC were older (71±10.1 vs. 50.1±14.2 years, p<0.001), had higher burden of cardiovascular risk factors and prevalence of chronic kidney disease (CKD; n=8, 13.6% vs. n=1, 1.8%, p=0.03) and higher levels of triglycerides (143.2±80.5 vs. 106.8±36.2 mg/dL, p=0.004), but not LDL-cholesterol. Eleven (9.6%) patients presented 3P-MACE during a mean follow-up of 6.55±2.82 years. CAC score independently predicted 3P-MACE (HR 1.06 [1.01-1.11] per 100 Agatston units, p=0.02) along with CKD (HR 6.94 [1.58-30.46], p=0.01) and basal glucose levels (HR 1.03 [1.02-1.04] per mg/dL, p<0.001). Conclusions CAC can be incidentally detected in more than half of our unselected cohort of patients undergoing uTCT for other indications. CAC score quantification by Agatston method is feasible in uTCT and associates with a higher risk of MACE during follow-up.Incidental CAC detection in uTCT

Clinical impact of serum cholinesterase level on clinical outcomes in patients with lower extremity artery disease undergoing endovascular treatment

Abstract Background Cholinesterase (ChE) has been used to be an indicator of the protein synthesis ability in the liver and nutritional status. Recent findings have identified low ChE levels as a prognostic factor for heart failure. However, the relationship between serum ChE levels and clinical outcomes in patients with lower extremity artery disease (LEAD) undergoing endovascular treatment (EVT) remains unclear. Purpose This study aimed to investigate the association between pre-procedure serum ChE levels and clinical outcomes in LEAD patients undergoing EVT. Methods The subjects were 283 consecutive LEAD patients who underwent EVT at our University Hospital were included. The primary outcome measure was the cumulative incidence of major adverse cardiovascular events (MACEs) within two years, defined as the composite of all-cause death, non-fatal myocardial infarction, and non-fatal stroke. Results The mean age of the cohort was 72.6±10.6 years, with 67.5% being male. Within two years, 45 patients experienced MACE, and Kaplan-Meier curves demonstrated the cumulative incidence of MACE within two years was 19.3%. Receiver operating characteristic curve analysis showed that serum ChE was a univariable factor that predicted MACE within two years with moderate accuracy (area under the curve = 0.693, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.615–0.771), with an optimal serum ChE cutoff level of 284 units/L. According to the optimal cut-off value, patients were divided into low ChE (ChE ≤ 284 units/L, N=189) and high ChE ((ChE > 284 units/L, N=94) groups. In the baseline characteristics between the two groups, age was significantly higher in the low ChE groups than in the high ChE group. There were no significant differences in gender, the prevalence of diabetes mellitus, hypertension, and the proportions of previous stroke, and previous myocardial infarction between the two groups. In contrast, the proportions of hemodialysis (HD) and chronic limb-threatening ischemia (CLTI) were higher in the low ChE groups. Kaplan-Meier curves demonstrated a significantly higher cumulative incidence of MACE in the low ChE group compared to the high ChE group (log-rank p < 0.001). In multivariate analysis using Cox proportional hazards models adjusting for risk factors, including HD and CLTI, low ChE group was independently associated with MACE (low ChE group: hazard ratio (HR) 4.24, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.24-14.49, p=0.021). In addition, Cox proportional hazards models using serum ChE level and HD revealed that patients with both low-ChE and HD showed a greater risk of MACE (HR 15.19; 95% CI 3.60–64.02; P < 0.001) after EVT as compared to patients with neither low-CHE nor HD. Conclusions In LEAD patients undergoing EVT, lower ChE levels were independently associated with a higher risk of MACE, regardless of HD. Assessment of serum ChE level may provide insights into identifying high-risk LEAD patients who need careful attention after EVT.

Subclassification of obesity for precision prediction of cardiometabolic diseases.

Obesity and cardiometabolic disease often, but not always, coincide. Distinguishing subpopulations within which cardiometabolic risk diverges from the risk expected for a given body mass index (BMI) may facilitate precision prevention of cardiometabolic diseases. Accordingly, we performed unsupervised clustering in four European population-based cohorts (N ≈ 173,000). We detected five discordant profiles consisting of individuals with cardiometabolic biomarkers higher or lower than expected given their BMI, which generally increases disease risk, in total representing ~20% of the total population. Persons with discordant profiles differed from concordant individuals in prevalence and future risk of major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE) and type 2 diabetes. Subtle BMI-discordances in biomarkers affected disease risk. For instance, a 10% higher probability of having a discordant lipid profile was associated with a 5% higher risk of MACE (hazard ratio in women 1.05, 95% confidence interval 1.03, 1.06, P = 4.19 × 10-10; hazard ratio in men 1.05, 95% confidence interval 1.04, 1.06, P = 9.33 × 10-14). Multivariate prediction models for MACE and type 2 diabetes performed better when incorporating discordant profile information (likelihood ratio test P < 0.001). This enhancement represents an additional net benefit of 4-15 additional correct interventions and 37-135 additional unnecessary interventions correctly avoided for every 10,000 individuals tested.

Dual antiplatelet therapy duration and stent type in patients with high bleeding risk: A systematic review and network meta-analysis

BackgroundIt is uncertain whether the efficacy and safety of dual antiplatelet therapy (DAPT) in patients with high bleeding risk (HBR) vary according to DAPT duration and stent type (e.g., durable polymer drug-eluting stents (DP-DESs), biodegradable polymer DESs (BP-DESs), or polymer-free drug-coated stents (PF-DCSs)). We aimed to study the stent type and DAPT duration appropriate for patients with HBR. MethodsPubMed and EMBASE were searched until October 2023. Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) involving patients with HBR that compared standard DAPT (6-12 months) with DP- or BP-DES versus short DAPT (≤3 months) with DP- or BP-DES or PF-DCS or bare-metal stent (BMS) were identified. The primary efficacy outcome was major adverse cardiovascular events (MACEs), defined as cardiovascular death, myocardial infarction (MI), and stroke. The primary safety outcome was major bleeding. Secondary outcomes included MI and stent thrombosis (ST). We performed a network meta-analysis using a random effects model. ResultsThirteen RCTs with a total of 19,418 patients with HBR were included. Compared to standard DAPT with DP-DES, short DAPT with BMS was associated with a higher risk of MACE and MI. For major bleeding, short DAPT strategies were associated with a lower risk than standard DAPT strategies (e.g. short DAPT with DP-DES versus standard DAPT with DP-DES; HR[95% CI]: 0.48[0.28-0.82]). Interestingly, the use of BP-DES was associated with a higher risk of ST than DP-DES (e.g. standard DAPT with BP-DES versus short DAPT with DP-DES; HR[95% CI]: 2.65[1.03-6.79]). ConclusionsIn patients with HBR who underwent percutaneous coronary intervention, a short DAPT strategy with DP-DES should be used since it offers the best combination of efficacy and safety.

Long-Term Prognostic Value of Adipocytokines in Patients with Acute Coronary Syndrome: An 8-Year Clinical Prospective Cohort Study.

To elucidate the predictive values of adipocytokines in patients with acute coronary syndrome (ACS). Overall, 297 patients with ACS were consecutively enrolled in this prospective cohort study between June 2015 and July 2017 and completed follow-up with a median follow-up time of 6.5 years. For consistency, the last visit date was June 20, 2023. Serum levels of retinol-binding protein-4 (RBP4), interleukin-1β (IL-1β), monocyte chemoattractant protein 1(MCP-1), adrenomedullin (ADM), netrin 1 (NTN 1), and omentin were measured using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Follow-up data were collected during clinical visits or through telephone interviews at 1, 3, 6, 12 months, and annually. The primary endpoint was defined as major adverse cardiovascular events (MACEs), including all-cause mortality, rehospitalization for percutaneous coronary intervention, and severe angina requiring rehospitalization. All biomarkers displayed a good diagnostic ability of MACEs. The Kaplan-Meier curve showed that the cumulative survival rates of high level of RBP4, IL-1β, and MCP-1 and low level of the ADM, NTN1, and omentin had lower cumulative survival rates (Log rank tests: all p<0.05). After adjustment in the Cox hazard proportional model, the results were RBP4 ≥ 6.87 ng/mL, hazard ratio (HR)=2.512, p=0.003; IL-1β≥ 58.95 pg/mL, HR=3.809, p<0.001; MCP-1 ≥ 401.75 pg/mL, HR=4.047, p<0.001; ADM≤120.01 ng/mL, HR=3.930, p=0.008; NTN1 ≤63.7 pg/mL, HR=3.345, p=0.007; omentin ≤ 4.54 ng/mL, HR=2.830, p=0.004. P-values for interaction were > 0.05 in the sex, age, and dyslipidemia subgroups. Pro-inflammation adipocytokines RBP4, IL-1β, and MCP-1 increased and anti-inflammation biomarkers ADM, NTN1, and omentin decreased were independently associated with a higher risk of MACEs in patients with ACS.

Betablockers and clinical outcome after surgical aortic valve replacement: a report from the SWEDEHEART registry.

Previous reports suggest that betablockers appear non-beneficial after surgical aortic valve replacement (SAVR). This study aims to clarify the associations between betablockers and long-term outcome after SAVR. All patients with isolated SAVR due to aortic stenosis in Sweden between 2006 and 2020, alive at 6 months after surgery, were included. Patients were identified in the SWEDEHEART registry, and records were merged with data from 3 other mandatory national registries. Association between dispensed betablockers and major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE) (all-cause mortality, myocardial infarction and stroke) was analyzed using Cox proportional hazards models, with time-updated data on medication and adjusted for age, sex and comorbidities at baseline. In total, 11849 patients were included [median follow-up 5.4 years (range 0-13.5)]. Betablockers were prescribed to 79.7% of patients at baseline, decreasing to 62.2% after 5 years. Continuing treatment was associated with higher risk of MACE [adjusted hazard ratio 1.14 (95% confidence interval, CI 1.05-1.23)]. The association was consistent over subgroups based on age, sex and comorbidities except atrial fibrillation [hazard ratio (HR) 1.05 (95% CI 0.93-1.19)]. A sensitivity analysis including time-updated data on comorbidites attenuated the difference between the groups [HR 1.04 (95% CI 0.95-1.14, P = 0.33)]. Treatment with betablockers did not appear to be associated with inferior long-term outcome after SAVR, when adjusting for new concomitant diseases. Thus, it is likely that it is the underlying cardiac diseases that are associated with MACE rather than betablocker treatment.

Associations between glucocorticoid use and major adverse cardiovascular events in patients with prostate cancer receiving antiandrogen: a retrospective cohort study.

Prednisolone/prednisone coadministration with abiraterone may explain abiraterone-related increase in cardiovascular risk. We explored this postulation and glucocorticoid's association with cardiovascular risk. Patients with prostate cancer on androgen deprivation therapy and enzalutamide, or abiraterone with 5 mg (ABI + P5) or 10 mg (ABI + P10) daily total prednisolone/prednisone were followed up for major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE). We analyzed 933 patients. ABI + P10, but not enzalutamide, had higher risk of MACE than ABI + P5. Cumulative glucocorticoid dose before enzalutamide/abiraterone initiation was associated with MACE. Prednisolone/prednisone coadministration with abiraterone likely contributed to abiraterone-related increased cardiovascular risk. Prevalent cumulative glucocorticoid dose was associated with cardiovascular risk.

Biomarker-enhanced cardiovascular risk prediction in patients with cancer: a prospective cohort study.

Continuously improving cancer-specific survival puts a growing proportion of cancer patients at risk of major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE), but tailored tools for cardiovascular risk prediction remain unavailable. To assess a broad panel of cardiovascular biomarkers and risk factors for the prediction of MACE and cardiovascular death in cancer patients. In total, 2192 patients with newly diagnosed or recurrent cancer were followed prospectively for the occurrence of 2-year MACE and 5-year cardiovascular death. Univariable and multivariable risk models were fit to assess independent associations of cardiovascular risk factors and biomarkers with adverse outcomes, and a risk score was developed. Traditional cardiovascular risk factors and selected cancer types were linked to higher MACE risk. While levels of Lp(a), CRP, and GDF-15 did not associate with MACE, levels of ICAM-1, P-/E-/L-selectins, and NT-proBNP were independently linked to 2-year MACE risk. A clinical risk score was derived, assigning+1 point for male sex, smoking, and age of ≥60 years and+2 points for atherosclerotic disease, yielding a bootstrapped C-statistic of 0.76 (95% CI: 0.71-0.81) for the prediction of 2-year MACE. Implementation of biomarker data conferred improved performance (0.83, 95% CI: 0.78-0.88), with a simplified model showing similar performance (0.80, 95% CI: 0.74-0.86). The biomarker-enhanced and simplified prediction models achieved a C-statistic of 0.82 (95% CI: 0.71-0.93) and 0.74 (95% CI: 0.64-0.83) for the prediction of 5-year cardiovascular death. Biomarker-enhanced risk prediction strategies allow the identification of cancer patients at high risk of MACE and cardiovascular death. While external validation studies are ongoing, this first-of-its-kind risk score may provide the basis for personalized cardiovascular risk assessment across cancer entities.

Recurrent vascular events and mortality outcomes in patients with known atrial fibrillation, compared to atrial fibrillation detected early after stroke.

Atrial fibrillation (AF) detected after stroke (AFDAS) may represent a distinct clinical entity to that of known AF (KAF). However, there is limited long-term outcome data available for patients with AFDAS. More information regarding prognosis in AFDAS is required to inform future trial design in these patients. We used data (2015-2019) from a national prospective stroke registry of consecutive patients with acute ischaemic stroke and AF. AFDAS was defined as a new diagnosis of AF after stroke detected on electrocardiograph or cardiac monitoring. The co-primary endpoints were: (1) all-cause mortality; (2) recurrent major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE) at 3 years. Secondary endpoints were: (1) recurrent stroke; (2) functional outcome at discharge; (3) presence of co-existing stroke mechanisms. 583 patients were included. After a median follow-up of 2.65 years (cumulative 1064 person-years) 309 patients died and 23 had recurrent MACE. Compared with AFDAS, KAF was associated with a higher risk of all-cause mortality (adjusted Hazard Ratio (aHR) 1.56, 95% CI 1.12-2.18), a higher prevalence of co-existing stroke mechanisms (adjusted odds ratio (aOR) 2.28, 95% CI 1.14-4.59), but not poor functional outcome (aOR 1.61, 95% CI 0.98-2.64). A trend towards a higher risk of MACE was observed in patients with KAF, but this was limited by statistical power (aHR 2.90, 95% CI 0.67-12.51). All 14 recurrent strokes occurred in the KAF group (Log-rank p = 0.03). These data provide further evidence that AFDAS differs to KAF with respect to risk of recurrent stroke, MACE, and all-cause mortality.