Incidence Of Adverse Cardiovascular Events Research Articles

Estimate and prognosis of patients who are candidates for treatment with eicosapentaenoic acid after an acute coronary syndrome

Abstract Background Treatment with eicosapentaenoic acid (EA) has been shown to reduce the incidence of cardiovascular adverse events (MACE) in patients at high cardiovascular risk with mildly to moderately elevated triglyceride values (>135 mg/dl) and non-elevated (<100 mg/dl) low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDLc). Methods We performed a multicenter and retrospective study using the ongoing registries of acute coronary syndrome (ACS) patients of 7 hospitals from Spain. Patients with LDLc <100 mg/dl and triglycerides >135 mg/dl were analyzed as candidates to EA. 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. Mean LDLc was 99.8 (38.5) mg/dl and median triglycerides 120.5 (interquartile range 90-197) mg/dl. A total of 3,028 (20.9%) were classified as candidates for EA, and they had the same mean age (p=0.87) but significantly higher prevalence of diabetes (35.1% vs. 21.9%), dyslipidemia (63.5% vs. 50.1%), previous coronary heart disease (CHD) (25.9% vs. 13.9%), or heart failure (HF) (3.6% vs. 2.5%). Candidates less frequently had an ST-elevation ACS (26.6% vs. 34.1%; p=0.02) and the incidence of Killip >1 was equivalent in candidates vs. non-candidates (16.6% vs. 17.7%; p=0.15). 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. Candidates for EA had higher mortality (18.4% vs. 14.0%; HR: 1.22 95% CI 1.11-1.35) and MACE (39.0% vs. 33.6%; HR 1.14 95% CI 1.06-1.21) rates. Multivariate analysis (figure), adjusted for age, sex, diabetes (DM), previous coronary heart disease (CHD) or heart failure (HF), and medical treatments at discharge, identified an independently higher risk for all-cause mortality among candidates for EA (HR: 1.15 95% CI 1.04-1.26) [Figure 1] and for MACE (HR: 1.14 95% CI 1.05-1.20). The risk was consistent in all subgroups except for the case of mortality, but not for MACE, and previous ACS (figure 2) were a significant interaction (p=0.01) was observed Conclusions Approximately 20% of patients discharged after an ACS could be candidates for EA, and this subset of patients are at higher risk of death or a first MACE.

Time-series clustering of raw recordings of 24-hour ambulatory blood presssure for risk stratification in general population

Abstract Objective 24-hour ambulatory blood pressure measurements (ABPM) is the best out-of-office BP measurement used to refine cardiovascular (CV) risk stratification. Currently, only summary ABPM indexes are used in the clinical practice while the temporal characteristics of the raw BP recordings have not been explored. Therefore, in this study we employed an unsupervised machine learning (ML) algorithm suitable for multivariate time-series analysis to identify distinct BP and heart rate (HR) profiles associated with the incidence of adverse CV events. Design and Method In 1391 community-dwelling individuals (mean age, 46.9 years; 50.97% women), we acquired 24-hour ABPM and clinical data and collected CV events (n=399) on average 22 years later. We employed multivariate dynamic time warping and k-medoids algorithm on the raw recordings of systolic and diastolic BP and HR. To assess the clinical significance of the derived clusters, we compared the clinical characteristics and the incidence of adverse events. We validated the trained model using 24-hour ABPM obtained from external population cohort (n=1137). Results The silhouette score and Dunn index showed that the optimal number of clusters was 4. Across all clusters we observed significant difference in age and sex distribution. Cluster 4 had the worst CV risk factors profiling, with higher office BP and anti-hypertensive medication intake compared to the other clusters. We observed differences in the incidence of adverse events between clusters (Figure), with cluster 1 representing the lowest risk group and cluster 4 the highest. After adjusting for traditional CV risk factors, including office systolic BP, cluster 1 had the lowest risk (HR:0.92; 95%CI:0.84-0.99; P=0.036) and cluster 4 the highest (HR:1.13; 95%CI:1.03-1.24; P=0.006) as compared to the average population risk. The analysis of the external validation cohort revealed similar ABPM patterns and clinical characteristics. Conclusion Employing an unsupervised ML model on the raw ABPM recordings we identified clinically meaningful clusters associated with an increasing cumulative incidence of CV events. This ML analysis paves the way towards utilization of temporal BP and HR information and subsequently optimization of CV risk stratification.

Predictive value of myocardial contrast echocardiography in evaluating myocardial perfusion and prognosis after percutaneous coronary intervention in patients with acute myocardial infarction

Objective: To evaluate myocardial microcirculation perfusion with myocardial contrast echocardiography (MCE) in patients with acute myocardial infarction after percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI), and to explore the prognostic value of different types of myocardial microcirculation perfusion. Methods: This is a prospective cohort study. Patients with acute myocardial infarction who underwent successful PCI in Nanfang Hospital of Southern Medical University and Kanghua Hospital of Dongguan City from October 2019 to June 2021 were selected. All the enrolled patients completed MCE examination within 72 hours after PCI. According to the examination results, the patients were divided into normal microcirculation perfusion group, delayed microcirculation perfusion group, and blocked microcirculation perfusion group. Adverse cardiovascular events including all-cause death, cardiovascular death, and angina re-hospitalization were followed up, and left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) review results were collected at six months to one year after surgery. Kaplan-Meier survival curve was used to investigate the difference in the incidence of adverse cardiovascular events in different myocardial perfusion groups, and Cox regression analysis was used to evaluate the effect of myocardial perfusion on adverse cardiovascular events. Results: A total of 113 patients with acute myocardial infarction were included, aged (56.3±11.5) years, with 88(78%) males. There were 31 cases in the normal microcirculation perfusion group, 43 cases in the delayed microcirculation perfusion group and 39 cases in the blocked microcirculation perfusion group. LVEF was reviewed in 49 patients, and LVEF in the delayed microcirculation perfusion group was significantly improved compared with baseline at follow-up ((63.3±1.2) % vs. (58.6±1.8) %, P=0.043), and there was no statistically significant difference between the other two groups (all P>0.05). The median follow-up time was 473 days, during follow-up period 30 adverse cardiovascular events occurred. Kaplan-Meier survival curve analysis showed that there was a statistically significant difference in the incidence of adverse cardiovascular events among the three groups (Plog-rank=0.029). Cox regression analysis showed that abnormal microcirculation perfusion (defined as delayed and blocked microcirculation perfusion) was an independent predictor of adverse cardiovascular events in patients with acute myocardial infarction after PCI (HR=1.90, 95%CI1.16-3.12, P=0.011). Conclusions: Microcirculatory perfusion decrease or lost is common in patients with acute myocardial infarction after PCI. Timely restoration of blood flow reconstruction can save heart function when microcirculatory perfusion decreases. Microcirculatory perfusion is a predictor of adverse cardiovascular events in patients with acute myocardial infarction, and patients with poor myocardial perfusion are more likely to experience adverse cardiovascular events.

Use of Olives-derived Phytochemicals for Prevention and Treatment of Atherosclerosis: An Update.

Mediterranean diet is frequently associated with longevity and a lower incidence of adverse cardiovascular events because of the biological activities and health effects of olives - its key component. Olive oil, olive leaf extract, fruits and different by-products contain many bioactive components that exert anti-oxidant, anti-inflammatory and anti-apoptotic activities. In this review, we focus on the recent studies exploring molecular mechanisms underlying the cardioprotective properties of different olive oils, olive leave extracts, and specific micro-constituents (such as oleuropein, tyrosol, hydroxytyrosol and others) in vitro on rodent models and in clinical trials on human subjects. Particularly, hydroxytyrosol and oleuropein were identified as the major bioactive compounds responsible for the antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, anti-platelet aggregation and anti-atherogenic activities of olive oil. In total, the discussed results demonstrated a positive association between the consumption of olive oil and improvement in outcomes in atherosclerosis, diabetes, myocardial infarction, heart failure, hypertension and obesity.

Single-inhaler triple versus LABA-ICS therapy for COPD: Comparative safety in real-world clinical practice

Recent treatment guidelines for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) have replaced the long-acting beta2-agonist and inhaled corticosteroid (LABA-ICS) combination with single-inhaler triple therapy that adds a long-acting muscarinic antagonist (LAMA-LABA-ICS). Yet, the corresponding trials reported numerically higher incidences of cardiovascular adverse events with triple therapy compared with LABA-ICS. Does single-inhaler triple therapy increase the incidence of major adverse cardiovascular events, compared with LABA-ICS, in a real-world clinical practice setting? We identified a cohort of COPD patients, 40 years or older, treated during 2017-2021, from the United Kingdom's Clinical Practice Research Datalink. Among LAMA-naïve patients, initiators of single-inhaler triple therapy were matched 1:1 to LABA-ICS users on time-conditional propensity scores. They were compared on the incidence of major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE), defined as hospitalization for myocardial infarction or stroke, or all-cause-mortality, over one year. The cohort included 10,255 initiators of triple therapy and 10,255 matched users of LABA-ICS. The incidence rate of MACE was 11.3 per 100 per year with triple therapy compared with 8.7 per 100 per year for LABA-ICS. The corresponding adjusted hazard ratio (HR) of MACE with triple therapy was 1.28 (95% CI: 1.05-1.55), relative to LABA-ICS, though the increase was mainly in the first four months (HR 1.41; 95%CI: 1.14-1.74). The HR of all-cause death was 1.31 (95% CI: 1.06-1.62), while for acute myocardial infarction and stroke hospitalization it was 1.00 (95% CI: 0.56-1.79) and 1.06 (95% CI: 0.48-2.36), respectively, with triple therapy, relative to LABA-ICS. In a real-world setting of COPD treatment, patients who initiated single-inhaler triple therapy had an increased incidence of MACE compared with similar patients treated with a LABA-ICS inhaler. This small increase was due to the all-cause mortality component, occurring mainly in the first four months after treatment initiation.

Long-Term Risk of Cardiovascular Death in Patients With Mildly Reduced Ejection Fraction After Acute Myocardial Infarction: A Multicenter, Prospective Registry Study.

The prognostic implication of mildly reduced ejection fraction (mrEF) after acute myocardial infarction has not been clearly demonstrated. We investigated the long-term risk of cardiovascular death and its predictors in patients with mrEF following acute myocardial infarction. A total of 18 668 patients who presented with acute myocardial infarction were included in 2 prospective, multicenter registries. The incidence of adverse cardiovascular events according to the left ventricular ejection fraction (EF) strata at index admission were evaluated. A score system consisting of clinical variables were developed to predict long-term cardiovascular death in the mrEF group. There were 2548 patients with reduced EF (EF ≤40%), 4266 patients with mrEF (EF 41%-49%), and 11 854 patients with preserved EF (EF ≥50%). During a median follow-up period of 37.9 months, the cardiovascular death rate was 22.3% in the reduced EF group, 10.3% in the mrEF group, and 7.3% in the preserved EF group (P<0.001). In the mrEF group, age>65 years, hypertension, stroke, severe renal insufficiency, and Killip class ≥3 were independent predictors for cardiovascular death. Presence of >2 predictors best discriminated the high-risk patients for cardiovascular death with an area under the curve of 0.746. Incidence of cardiovascular death in the high-risk mrEF group was comparable with the rEF group, while it was lower in the low-risk mrEF group than in the pEF group. Patients with mrEF after acute myocardial infarction had a modest risk of cardiovascular death. Clinical predictors could help discriminate a high-risk subpopulation with cardiovascular death risks comparable with those in the reduced EF group.

Impact of VO 2peak on the Clinical Outcomes of Older Patients With Coronary Heart Disease in China.

The aim of this study was to explore the role of cardiopulmonary exercise test parameters, especially peak oxygen uptake (VO 2peak ), in predicting the incidence of adverse cardiovascular events in older Chinese patients with coronary heart disease (CHD). Older patients with CHD who underwent cycle ergometer cardiopulmonary exercise test at the Cardiac Rehabilitation Clinic of Chinese PLA General Hospital from July 1, 2015 to January 31, 2020 were enrolled. The follow-up intervals were 6mo. Cox regression was used to analyze the relationship between VO 2peak and adverse cardiovascular events. Restricted cubic splines and subgroup analyses were used to observe the relationship between VO 2peak and the hazard ratio (HR) of the primary end point event (PEE), which included a composite of all-cause death, nonfatal recurrent myocardial infarction, unscheduled revascularization, and stroke. The composite end point event was the PEE combined with cardiac rehospitalization. A total of 1223 participants (mean age 68±5yr) were included. Median follow-up was 68mo. Mean VO 2peak was 16.5±4.0 mL/kg/min, and VO 2peak was an independent predictor of the PEE (HR=0.929; 95% CI, 0.891-0.970; P =.001). This association was further validated by restricted cubic spline and subgroup analyses. Peak oxygen uptake was also an independent risk factor for the composite end point event (HR=0.968; 95% CI, 0.941-0.996; P =.025). In conclusion, VO 2peak is an independent risk factor for adverse cardiovascular events in older Chinese patients with CHD, and more optimal therapy should be recommended to patients with lower VO 2peak .

Analysis of the Necessity of Stellate Ganglion Block after Anesthesia to Reduce the Risk of Cardiovascular Accidents in Coronary Heart Disease

Objective: To adjust the sympathetic nervous system through preoperative ultrasound-guided stellate ganglion block and to explore and analyze the situation and necessity of postanesthesia stellate ganglion block to reduce the risk of cardiovascular accidents in coronary heart disease. Methods: 80 patients with cardiovascular risk factors in Songshan Hospital of Chifeng were selected, and the time span would cover from October 2022 to June 2024, with 80 cases of elective surgery and combined coronary heart disease. They will be randomly divided into blocked groups and conventional groups, 40 cases each. Conventional block was performed after anesthesia in patients in the conventional group, and planetary ganglion block was performed after anesthesia in patients in the blocked group. The cardiovascular responses of patients in the two groups were observed, and the number of intraoperative cardiovascular active drugs and the occurrence of cardiovascular adverse events were recorded in patients in the two groups. Results: Analysis of the mean arterial pressure (MAP) and heart rate (HR) values of the two groups of patients at the time points before anesthesia (T0), the moment of tracheal intubation (T1), the moment of surgical skin cutting (T2), the end of the operation (T3), and the 6h postoperative period (T4) showed that the MAP and HR of the blocked group were lower than those of the conventional group at the time points of T1 to T4, and the differences in MAP and HR values of the two groups in different time points compared with the T0 time point were statistically significant (P &lt; 0.05) and the differences in cardiovascular response (P &lt; 0.05) were statistically significant (P &lt; 0.05). significance (P &lt; 0.05). The number of intraoperative cardiovascular active drugs used in the blocked group was shorter than that in the conventional group, and the incidence of cardiovascular adverse events was lower than that in the conventional group, with a statistically significant difference (P &lt; 0.05). Conclusion: By implementing preoperative ultrasound-guided stellate ganglion block in patients with cardiovascular risk factors, the frequency and degree of coronary heart disease symptoms will be reduced, thus reducing the risk of patients, which is worth promoting.

Elderly patients with very high plasma lipoprotein(a) concentrations and few cardiovascular consequences: a case series.

Lipoprotein(a) (Lp(a)) is an atherogenic low-density lipoprotein (LDL)-like particle that is currently regarded as a non-modifiable risk factor for atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease. The number of patients detected with elevated Lp(a) concentrations has been increasing in recent years, although the implication of this finding is unclear for patients and physicians. We screened our lipid clinic database for patients aged >65 years with very high Lp(a) concentrations, which were defined as >230 nmol/L, and cardiovascular outcomes were assessed. The patients' (n = 16) mean (±standard deviation) age was 72.2 ± 7.1 years and the mean Lp(a) concentration was 313 ± 68 nmol/L. After a cumulative 129.0 patient-year follow-up (mean: 8.1 ± 4.2 years), the mean age was 80.3 ± 7.0 years. We observed a low baseline prevalence of cardiovascular events, with only two patients having a history of cardiovascular events. Furthermore, zero incident adverse cardiovascular events were recorded over the follow-up. Therefore, very high Lp(a) concentrations and disease-free old age are not mutually exclusive. Our aggregated clinical experience is that there is only a modest association between elevated Lp(a) concentrations and adverse outcomes. Nonetheless, we still advise treating modifiable risk factors in these patients.

Increased Risk of Acute Aortic Events following COVID-19 and Influenza Respiratory Viral Infections

Acute respiratory viral infections have been associated with an increased incidence of adverse cardiovascular events. However, it is unclear whether severe respiratory viral infections are associated with an increased risk of acute aortic syndromes (AAS). This study was designed to assess whether Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) and Influenza illnesses are associated with an increased incidence of subsequent AAS in the US population. We used the MarketScan database (2011-2021) to identify patients 18-99years of age without prior diagnosis of aortic pathology who were diagnosed with COVID-19 or Influenza. Identified patients were matched 1:1 by age and sex to control patients without COVID-19 or Influenza. The primary outcome was incidence of AAS (dissection, intramural hematoma, penetrating aortic ulcer, or aneurysm rupture) within 180-days of a viral infection. The association between infection and risk of developing an AAS was analyzed using multivariate Cox proportional hazards models. We identified 1,775,698 patients, including 779,229 (44%) with mild COVID-19, 42,141 (2%) with severe COVID-19, and 66,479 (4%) with Influenza that were matched to 887,849 (50%) control patients without COVID-19 or Influenza illnesses. A total of 164 patients experienced AAS within 6-months after diagnosis, which was highest among those after severe COVID-19. The predicted incidence of AAS was significantly higher among patients after severe COVID-19 (14.1 events/100,000 person-years), mild COVID-19 (13.3 events/100,000), and influenza (13.3 events/100,000) when compared to control patients (2.6 events/100,000). In risk-adjusted Cox regression models, severe COVID-19 (HR:5.4, 95% CI:2.8-10.4; P<0.01), mild COVID-19 (HR:5.1, 95% CI:3.3-7.7; P<0.01) and influenza (HR:5.1, 95% CI:2.6-9.7; P<0.01) diagnoses were associated with a significantly increased risk of AAS within 180-days when compared to matched controls. There is an increased risk of developing acute aortic event in the months following illness with Influenza or COVID-19. These data highlight the need to closely monitor at-risk patients following a viral respiratory infection.

Effects of combined morbid insomnia and sleep apnea on long-term cardiovascular risk and all-cause mortality in elderly patients: a prospective cohort study

PurposeIt is reported that insomnia and obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) increase the incidence of adverse cardiovascular events. The aim of this study was to analyze the risk of cardiovascular disease and mortality in elderly patients with comorbid insomnia and obstructive sleep apnea (COMISA).MethodsWe included 868 elderly patients with OSA who underwent sleep monitoring at a multicenter sleep room from January 2015 to October 2017. We collected demographic data, clinical features, medical history, sleep parameters, and laboratory findings. Cox proportional hazards analysis was used to identify the relationship between COMISA and adverse cardiovascular events and all-cause mortality.ResultsThere were 181 elderly patients with COMISA. The median follow-up was 43 months, during which we observed major adverse cardiac events (MACE) in 90 patients. The Kaplan-Meier survival curve indicated a significant relationship between COMISA and MACE (Plog Rank < 0.001). Multivariate Cox regression analysis showed that COMISA increased the incidence of MACE (HR = 2.328, 95% CI: 1.349–4.018, P = 0.002), hospitalization for unstable angina (HR = 2.915, 95% CI: 1.397–6.081, P = 0.004), and the combination of all events (HR = 2.301, 95% CI: 1.393–3.803, P = 0.001). However, there were no significant differences in cardiovascular death, all-cause mortality, myocardial infarction, or hospitalized heart failure in patients with COMISA (P > 0.05). Subgroup analyses showed that among COMISA patients, male sex (HR = 2.800, 95% CI: 1.458-5.377, P = 0.002), age < 70 years (HR = 4.050, 95% CI: 2.022–8.115, P < 0.001), and overweight and obesity (HR = 2.482, 95% CI: 1.383-4.453, P = 0.002) were associated with a higher risk of MACE.ConclusionsOur results showed that COMISA increased the risk of MACE, unstable angina, and the compound occurrence of all events. Male, overweight or obese COMISA patients under 70 years of age have an increased risk of MACE.

Effects of systematic cardiac rehabilitation training in elderly patients with unstable angina following cardiac stent implantation.

Coronary stent implantation is usually used to treat unstable angina to alleviate stenosis or occlusion, promoting blood flow restoration and alleviating symptoms such as myocardial ischemia. And postoperative cardiac rehabilitation is essential for enhancing recovery and prognosis. Nevertheless, conventional rehabilitation lacks specificity, particularly for elderly patients with multiple comorbidities and poor compliance, rendering it less effective. To investigate the effects of systematic cardiac rehabilitation training in elderly patients with unstable angina following coronary stenting intervention. A retrospective enrollment was conducted comprising fifty-four elderly patients with unstable angina pectoris who underwent systematic cardiac rehabilitation training after receiving coronary intervention as the rehabilitation group, while fifty-three elderly patients who received basic nursing and rehabilitation guidance measures after coronary intervention were assigned to the control group. Differences in Seattle Angina Questionnaire scores, survival quality (SF-36) scores, cardiopulmonary exercise function assessment index, echocardiographic cardiac function index, and adverse cardiovascular events were compared between the two groups. After intervention, the rehabilitation group observed greater VO2 Max, maximum metabolic equivalent, eft ventricular ejection fraction, left ventricular end-diastolic diameter and smaller left ventricular end-systolic diameter. And the rehabilitation group observed greater scores of physical activity limitation, stable angina pectoris, treatment satisfaction, and SF-36 score. The incidence of adverse cardiovascular events in the two groups, showed no significant difference. Systematic cardiac rehabilitation following coronary stenting in elderly patients with unstable angina pectoris can enhance cardiac function recovery, consequently enhancing both quality of life and cardiopulmonary exercise tolerance.

The Effectiveness and Safety of Romosozumab and Teriparatide in Postmenopausal Women with Osteoporosis.

The purpose of this observational study was to investigate the effectiveness and safety of romosozumab (ROMO) and teriparatide (TPTD) in a clinical setting. 315 postmenopausal women were included based on the reimbursement criteria for ROMO and TPTD at the Department of Endocrinology at Aarhus University Hospital. ROMO: Bone Mineral Density (BMD) T-score <-2.5 (femoral neck (FN), total hip (TH), or lumbar spine (LS)) + a fragility fracture (hip, spine, pelvis, distal forearm, or proximal humerus) within 3 years. TPTD: Within 3 years ≥2 vertebral fractures or 1 vertebral fracture + BMD T-score (FN, TH, or LS) <-3. Data was collected from medical records. The primary end point was percentage change from baseline in BMD (FN, TH, and LS) at month 12. BMD was measured by DXA. At month 12 ROMO led to significantly (p<0.001) larger increases than TPTD in BMD (FN: 4.8% vs. 0.2%, TH: 5.7% vs. 0.3%, and LS: 13.7% vs. 9.3%). Discontinuation rate was lower with ROMO than with TPTD. Lower incidence of cardiovascular adverse events was observed with ROMO compared to TPTD. Treatment-naïve patients had non-significantly higher BMD increases compared to previously treated patients with both ROMO and TPTD. Treatment with romosozumab yields larger increases in bone mineral density than teriparatide after 12 months and a higher rate of completion.

Association of Regression from Sustained to Paroxysmal Atrial Fibrillation with Clinical Outcomes: The Fushimi AF Registry

BackgroundSome patients with atrial fibrillation (AF), albeit less frequently, may regress from sustained to paroxysmal type. ObjectivesWe sought to investigate how the regression of AF is associated with outcomes. MethodsAmong the AF patients enrolled in the Fushimi AF Registry who were identified as having sustained AF at baseline, conversion of sustained to paroxysmal AF during follow-up was defined as AF regression. Major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE) were defined as a composite of cardiac death, myocardial infarction, ischemic stroke, systemic embolism, or hospitalization due to heart failure. ResultsAmong 2,261 patients with sustained AF at baseline, AF regression was observed in 214 (9.5%) patients over a median follow-up period of 5.8 years (1.78% per patient-year). The annual incidence of MACE in patients with AF regression was significantly lower than those without (3.47% vs. 6.59% per patient-year, P < 0.001; adjusted hazard ratio [HR], 0.53, 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.38-0.72). Furthermore, AF regression was significantly associated with reduced risk of MACE during and after the regression period from sustained to paroxysmal forms (during regression period: adjusted HR, 0.45; 95% CI, 0.22-0.90; after regression period: adjusted HR, 0.43; 95% CI, 0.26-0.67). The incidence of MACE was comparable between spontaneous regression (35/178: 19.7%) and therapy-associated regression (either receiving catheter ablation or antiarrhythmic drugs before the regression) (7/36: 19.4%) (P=0.98). ConclusionRegression of AF was associated with a lower incidence of adverse cardiovascular events. The risk of adverse events decreased significantly during the regression period and its reduction level persisted after regression.Clinical Trial Registration: URL: http://www.umin.ac.jp/ctr/index.htm Unique identifier: UMIN000005834.

A Retrospective Study of Whether Sacubitril–Valsartan Improves Cardiac Function in Patients with Acute Coronary Syndrome and Hypertension after Percutaneous Coronary Intervention

Objectives: This study aimed to explore the effect of sacubitril–valsartan on cardiac function in patients with acute coronary syndrome (ACS) and hypertension after percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). Methods: The study was conducted on 166 patients with ACS and hypertension who underwent PCI at our hospital from July 2022 to June 2023. The patients were divided into two groups: an observation group and a control group, with 83 cases in each group. The observation group was given sacubitril–valsartan, and the control group was given enalapril. The treatment period was 3 months. The cardiac function indexes, biochemical indexes, adverse reactions, and the occurrence of new cardiovascular and cerebrovascular events were compared between the two groups before and after medication. Results: We found no statistically dramatic differences between the two groups in gender, age, body mass index, diabetes, hyperlipidemia, family history of ACS, family history of hypertension, smoking history, drinking history, regular exercise history, low-salt and low-fat diet, New York Heart Association cardiac function classification, number of vessels involved in coronary artery disease, stent length, stent inner diameter, number of stent implants, duration of hypertension, medication time, use of antihypertensive drugs, systolic blood pressure (SBP), and diastolic blood pressure (DBP). The observation group had lower left ventricular end-diastolic internal diameter (LVEDD) levels, higher left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) levels, and lower left ventricular end-systolic internal diameter (LVESD) levels compared with the control group. The levels of N-terminal pro-brain B-type natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP), cardiac troponin I (cTnI), and creatine kinase isoenzyme MB (CK-MB) in the observation group decreased compared with those in the control group. Compared with the pre-medication period, LVEDD levels decreased, LVEF levels increased, and LVESD levels decreased in the observation and control groups, whereas NT-proBNP, cTnI, and CK-MB levels decreased in the observation and control groups. The total incidence rates of adverse reactions and new cardiovascular and cerebrovascular events in the observation group were found to be lower than those in the control group. Conclusion: The application of sacubitril–valsartan in patients with ACS complicated with hypertension after PCI can effectively improve patients' cardiac function, reduce biochemical indexes related to myocardial injury, and lower the incidence of adverse cardiovascular events. It features good safety, providing a new treatment strategy and method for patients with ACS complicated with hypertension.

Cardiotoxicity of HER2-Targeted Drugs When Combined with Other Drugs: A Systematic and Meta-analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials.

The development and use of HER2-targeted drugs has improved the prognosis of HER2-positive cancer patients. However, in addition to improved survival rates, treatment-induced adverse events and nontumor-related deaths have increased. We sought to assess the incidence of cardiovascular adverse events when HER2-targeted drugs are combined with other drugs. We systematically searched the literature on the cardiotoxicity of anti-HER2 drugs in electronic databases, including PubMed, Web of Science, Cochrane Library, OVID and CNKI, from their inception to April 2022. The Cochrane Collaboration's tool for assessing risk of bias and the Jadad scale were used to evaluate the risk of bias and quality of the studies, respectively. For each included trial, we calculated the incidence of cardiovascular adverse effects (CAEs) and 95% confidence intervals (95% CIs) and performed a meta-analysis using a random effects model (REM). The meta-analysis was performed using R 4.2.1. We included 41 randomized clinical trials (RCTs) in the meta-analysis, consisting of 56 groups and 31,934 patients. The meta-analysis revealed the following: (1) The incidence of cardiotoxicity in groups given monoclonal antibody treatment was 14% for single therapy (95% CI: 2-34%) and 10%, 11%, and 12% for adjuvant therapy combined with combined therapy (95% CI: 6-13%), chemotherapy (95% CI: 8-13%) and endocrine therapy (95% CI: 7-18%), respectively. However, in the groups treated with the antibody‒drug conjugates (ADCs), the percentage of patients treated with the combination therapy was 1% (95% CI: 0-2%) and 5% (95% CI: 4-7%), respectively, with a significant difference (P < 0.01). The heterogeneity among the included studies was significant (I2 = 94%, p < 0.01). (2) When monoclonal antibodies were combined with chemotherapy, the incidence of cardiotoxicity under anthracycline-containing therapy (10.3%) was significantly greater than that under nonanthracycline-containing therapy (8.8%). (3) Significant differences were found between subgroups, except for the endocrine group versus some others, although this difference might result from the different inclusion criteria of the original trials. (1) When anti-HER2 drugs are administered in combination with anthracycline-containing chemotherapy, the incidence of cardiotoxicity is greater than with other drugs. (2) Safety benefits can be achieved by replacing traditional monoclonal antibodies with ADCs. The comprehensive use of these drugs necessitates collaboration between oncologists and cardiologists.

Climate Change and Cardiovascular Health

Climate change may increase the risk of adverse cardiovascular outcomes by causing direct physiologic changes, psychological distress, and disruption of health-related infrastructure. Yet, the association between numerous climate change-related environmental stressors and the incidence of adverse cardiovascular events has not been systematically reviewed. To review the current evidence on the association between climate change-related environmental stressors and adverse cardiovascular outcomes. PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, and Cochrane Library were searched to identify peer-reviewed publications from January 1, 1970, through November 15, 2023, that evaluated associations between environmental exposures and cardiovascular mortality, acute cardiovascular events, and related health care utilization. Studies that examined only nonwildfire-sourced particulate air pollution were excluded. Two investigators independently screened 20 798 articles and selected 2564 for full-text review. Study quality was assessed using the Navigation Guide framework. Findings were qualitatively synthesized as substantial differences in study design precluded quantitative meta-analysis. Of 492 observational studies that met inclusion criteria, 182 examined extreme temperature, 210 ground-level ozone, 45 wildfire smoke, and 63 extreme weather events, such as hurricanes, dust storms, and droughts. These studies presented findings from 30 high-income countries, 17 middle-income countries, and 1 low-income country. The strength of evidence was rated as sufficient for extreme temperature; ground-level ozone; tropical storms, hurricanes, and cyclones; and dust storms. Evidence was limited for wildfire smoke and inadequate for drought and mudslides. Exposure to extreme temperature was associated with increased cardiovascular mortality and morbidity, but the magnitude varied with temperature and duration of exposure. Ground-level ozone amplified the risk associated with higher temperatures and vice versa. Extreme weather events, such as hurricanes, were associated with increased cardiovascular risk that persisted for many months after the initial event. Some studies noted a small increase in cardiovascular mortality, out-of-hospital cardiac arrests, and hospitalizations for ischemic heart disease after exposure to wildfire smoke, while others found no association. Older adults, racial and ethnic minoritized populations, and lower-wealth communities were disproportionately affected. Several environmental stressors that are predicted to increase in frequency and intensity with climate change are associated with increased cardiovascular risk, but data on outcomes in low-income countries are lacking. Urgent action is needed to mitigate climate change-associated cardiovascular risk, particularly in vulnerable populations.

Skeletonized Versus Pedicled Harvesting of the Internal Thoracic Artery and Long-Term Clinical Outcomes in Coronary Artery Bypass Surgery.

The internal thoracic artery (ITA) is the most important conduit for coronary artery bypass grafting. Recent evidence suggests that skeletonized ITA harvesting yields long-term outcomes inferior to those of pedicled harvesting. The aim was to investigate the impact of the ITA harvesting method on 10-year mortality and major adverse cardiovascular events. In this observational cohort study, we identified all patients from the SWEDEHEART (Swedish Web-System for Enhancement and Development of Evidence-Based Care in Heart Disease Evaluated According to Recommended Therapies) register who underwent isolated coronary artery bypass grafting using at least 1 ITA at Karolinska University Hospital from 2012 to 2021. The main outcome was all-cause mortality, and the secondary outcomes were a combination of myocardial infarction, repeat revascularization, heart failure, and stroke. Outcomes were ascertained using national health data registers and compared between the skeletonized and pedicled groups using weighted flexible parametric survival models. Among 3267 patients, 1657 (51%) underwent pedicled ITA harvesting and 1610 (49%) underwent skeletonized ITA harvesting. The patients' mean age was 66 years, and 15% were women. The weighted all-cause mortality incidence rate in the pedicled versus skeletonized ITA group was 2.6% (95CI, 2.2%-3.0%) versus 2.6% (95% CI, 2.2%-3.1%), respectively (hazard ratio (HR), 1.01 [95% CI, 0.81-1.27]). The weighted major adverse cardiovascular events incidence rate was 7.8% (95% CI, 7.1%-8.6%) versus 7.5% (95% CI, 6.7%-8.4%), respectively (HR, 0.94 [95% CI, 0.82-1.08]). We found no significant differences in all-cause mortality or major adverse cardiovascular events rates between the 2 ITA harvesting methods.

Whole-blood transcriptome unveils altered immune response in acute myocardial infarction patients with aortic valve sclerosis

Abstract Funding Acknowledgements Type of funding sources: Foundation. Main funding source(s): Fondazione Umberto Veronesi (Research Grant 2011-12 to GIC) Fondazione Gigi e Pupa Ferrari ONLUS (FPF-14 to PP) Background Aortic valve sclerosis (AVSc) presents similar pathogenetic mechanisms to coronary artery disease (CAD) and is associated with short- and long-term mortality in CAD patients. Evidence of AVSc-specific pathophysiological traits in acute myocardial infarction (AMI) is currently lacking. Purpose We aimed to identify a blood-based transcriptional signature that could differentiate AVSc from non-AVSc patients during AMI. Methods Whole-blood transcriptome of AVSc (n = 44) and no-AVSc (n = 66) patients with AMI was assessed by RNA-sequencing on hospital admission. Feature selection, differential expression, and enrichment analyses were performed to identify gene expression patterns discriminating AVSc from no-AVSc and infer functional associations. Multivariable Cox regression analysis was used to estimate the hazard ratios of cardiovascular events in AVSc versus no-AVSc patients. Results This cross-sectional study identified a panel of 100 informative genes capable of distinguishing AVSc from no-AVSc patients with 94% accuracy. Further analysis revealed significant mean differences in 143 genes, of which 30 genes withstood correction for age and previous AMI or coronary interventions. Functional inference unveiled a significant association between AVSc and key biological processes, including acute inflammatory responses, type I interferons (IFN) response, platelet activation, and hemostasis. Notably, AMI patients with AVSc exhibited a significantly higher incidence of adverse cardiovascular events during a 10-year follow-up period, with a full adjusted hazard ratio of 2.4 (95% CI: 1.3–4.5). Conclusions Our findings shed light on the molecular mechanisms underlying AVSc and provide potential prognostic insights for AMI patients with AVSc. During AMI, AVSc patients showed increased type I IFN response and earlier adverse cardiovascular outcomes. Novel pharmacological therapies aiming at limiting type I IFN response during or immediately after AMI might improve poor cardiovascular outcomes of AMI patients with AVSc.

#1578 Left ventricular ejection fraction: association with risk of mortality and the incidence of AVF dysfunction

Abstract Background and Aims Ejection fraction (EF) and chronic heart failure (HF) are often considered as criteria for the possibility of arteriovenous fistula (AVF) creation in relation to an increased risk of death, without sufficient evidence for this. There is, however, rare but compelling evidence that low EF increases the risk of AVF dysfunction. Aims: to evaluate the association between EF at the time of AVF creation and the incidence of adverse cardiovascular events, all-cause mortality, as well as AVF dysfunction Method This retrospective cohort study included 962 adult patients who had a first-time created functioning AVF. Only patients with a more than three months period after AVF creation and within a five-year period were included. The mean follow-up period was 34 ± 13 months. Four groups were identified based on EF and the presence of HF at the time of AVF creation (transthoracic echocardiogram): HF with reduced EF (rEF) &amp;lt;40%, with mid-range (mrEF) of 40-49%, or with preserved EF (pEF) ≥50% + HF, and a “no HF” group with EF ≥50% and no HF. Results In the univariate analysis, a reduced EF was associated with an increased risk of mortality, with the hazard ratios (HRs) of 2.706 [95% CI 1.330; 5.507], p = 0.006 for mrEF and 8.250 [95% CI 2.621; 25.97], p &amp;lt; 0.001 for rEF, compared to the “no HF” group (here and thereafter)—Fig. 1. However, after adjusting for age, sex, and Charlson Comorbidity Index (CCI), the EF was not significantly associated with the risk of death. Only the CCI score remained a significant factor (HR = 1.748 [95% CI 1.482; 2.063], p &amp;lt; 0.001). A decreased EF was associated with the incidence of AVF dysfunction both in the univariate analysis and after adjustments. In the univariate analysis, the incidence rate ratios (IRRs) of 6.88 [95% CI 3.88; 12.1], p &amp;lt; 0.001 for mrEF, and 19.9 [95% CI 8. 64; 41.6], p &amp;lt; 0.001 for rEF, were shown. After adjusting for age, sex, and CCI, the IRR for mrEF was 8.96 [95% CI 5.81; 13.7], p &amp;lt; 0.001, and for rEF it was 23.4 [95% CI 13.8; 38.6], p &amp;lt; 0.001. Even in the presence of polycystic kidney disease and diabetes mellitus in the fully adjusted model, the association between EF and the incidence of AVF dysfunction remained statistically significant: the IRR was 8.61 [95% CI 5.61; 13.1], p &amp;lt; 0.001 for mrEF, and 33.4 [95% CI 19.5; 56.2], p &amp;lt; 0.001 for rEF. The findings were confirmed in a sensitivity analysis that included adjustments for unplanned onset of dialysis and competing risks survival analysis (death—outcome of interest, conversion of HD to PD or kidney transplantation and conversion of AVF to CVC—competing events). According to our results patients with EF&amp;lt;40% will inevitably lose AVF function for various reasons within 3.5 years—Fig. 2. Meanwhile, this approach will give the patient additional time of HD via AVF, but not CVC, without increasing the risk of death, subject to Qa monitoring. Conclusion In patients with CKD 5 who are initiating treatment with maintenance hemodialysis, a decreased EF is associated to a greater extent with a higher risk of AVF dysfunction than with an increased risk of mortality. The burden of comorbidities, rather than a standalone assessment of EF, is one of the major risk factors determining patient survival.