Primary Prevention Of Coronary Heart Disease Research Articles

The association of lipoprotein(a) and coronary artery calcium in asymptomatic patients: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Lipoprotein(a) [Lp(a)] is an atherogenic lipid particle associated with increased risk for coronary heart disease (CHD) events. Coronary artery calcium (CAC) score is a tool to diagnose subclinical atherosclerosis and guide clinical decision-making for primary prevention of CHD. Studies show conflicting results concerning the relationship between Lp(a) and CAC in asymptomatic populations. We conducted a meta-analysis to evaluate the association of Lp(a) and CAC in asymptomatic patients. We systematically searched PubMed, Embase, and Cochrane until April 2023 for studies evaluating the association between Lp(a) and CAC in asymptomatic patients. We evaluated CAC > 0 Agatston units, and CAC ≥ 100. Lp(a) was analysed as a continuous or dichotomous variable. We assessed the association between Lp(a) and CAC with pooled odds ratios (OR) adopting a random-effects model. A total of 23 105 patients from 18 studies were included in the meta-analysis with a mean age of 55.9 years, 46.4% female. Elevated Lp(a) increased the odds of CAC > 0 [OR 1.31; 95% confidence intervals (CI) 1.05-1.64; P = 0.02], CAC ≥100 (OR 1.29; 95% CI 1.01-1.65; P = 0.04; ), and CAC progression (OR 1.43; 95% CI 1.20-1.70; P < 0.01; ). For each increment of 1 mg/dL in Lp(a) there was a 1% in the odds of CAC > 0 (OR 1.01; 95% CI 1.01-1.01; P < 0.01). Our findings of this meta-analysis suggest that Lp(a) is positively associated with a higher likelihood of CAC. Higher Lp(a) levels increased the odds of CAC >0. These data support the concept that Lp(a) is atherogenic, although with high heterogeneity and a low level of certainty. CRD42023422034. Asymptomatic patients with elevated Lp(a) had 31% higher chances of having any coronary calcification (CAC > 0) and 29% higher chances of having more advanced calcification (CAC > 100). It increased the chances of having progression of coronary calcification over time by 43%. For each 1 mg/dL of Lp(a) there was an increment of 1% chance of having coronary calcification.

Early lowering of LDL-C is a more cost-effective strategy than lowering LDL-C later in life: a cost-effectiveness analysis using Mendelian Randomisation

Abstract Background Early control of low-density lipoprotein-cholesterol (LDL-C) is an effective way to reduce the risk of coronary heart disease (CHD). However, a comprehensive assessment of cost-effectiveness of different lipid-lowering strategies (LLS) for primary prevention of CHD across different ages is lacking. Objective To assess the cost-effectiveness of four different LLS initiated at ages 30, 40, 50, and 60 years on the primary prevention of CHD from the UK National Health Service perspective. Design, setting and participants: We developed a microsimulation model, based on the causal effect of LDL-C on myocardial infarction (MI) or coronary death derived from Mendelian randomisation, comparing initiation of an LLS to current standard of care (control). Data were primarily drawn from 458,727 participants of the UK Biobank study with available data on date of birth, LDL-C, and who were free of MI at first assessment (between 2006 and 2010), with follow-up until 2021. Interventions: The four LLS were: 1) low/moderate intensity statins; 2) high intensity statins; 3) low/moderate intensity statins and ezetimibe; and 4) inclisiran. Main outcomes measures: The incremental cost-effectiveness ratio (ICER), defined as the incremental healthcare costs divided by the incremental quality-adjusted life years (QALYs) for each LLS compared to control, with 3.5% annual discounting. Results The most effective intervention, low/moderate intensity statins and ezetimibe, was projected to lead to a gain in QALYs of 0.068 per person at age 30 and 0.026 at age 60 compared to control (Figure). The age of intervention with the lowest ICER was age 40, with ICERs of £2,524 (95% uncertainty interval: 1,383, 3,796), £4,466 (3,163, 6,134) £11,118 (8,632, 14,177), and £1,405,123 (1,117,1113, 1,789,012) per QALY gained for strategies 1-4 from age 40 years, respectively (Table). Conclusions LDL-C lowering from early ages is a more cost-effective strategy than late intervention. The approach to primary prevention of CHD may improve with a shift to early and sustained lowering of LDL-C. Figure – Results of 1,000 probabilistic sensitivity analyses presented in a common cost-effectiveness plane, by age of intervention. Inclisiran excluded due to very high costs. Solid line: £20,000 per quality-adjusted life year (QALY) willingness-to-pay threshold; dashed line: £30,000 per QALY willingness-to-pay threshold. Any dot to the right of these lines is considered cost-effective. Table – Summary of LLS interventions by age of intervention. Abbreviations: MI – Myocardial infarction; YLL – Years of life lived; QALYs – Quality-adjusted life-years; ICER – Incremental cost-effectiveness ratio.FigureTable

Association of blood pressure trajectories with coronary heart disease among the disabled population in Shanghai, China: a cohort study of 7 years following up

BackgroundMuch less is known about the importance of blood pressure (BP) trajectories concerning the incidence of coronary heart disease (CHD) in people with disabilities. Our aim was to evaluate this association.MethodsThis cohort study surveyed 5711 adults from the Shanghai Disability Health Survey from June 2012 to June 2019. The latent class growth mixture model was used to examine distinct BP trajectories. We evaluated the association of BP trajectories with the risk of CHD by Cox proportional hazard models. The model for CHD risk fitted to BP trajectories was compared with models fitted to other BP-related indicators by goodness-of-fit, discrimination, and calibration.ResultsDuring a median follow-up of 71.74 months, 686 cases (median age was 49.03 (54.49, 58.55) years, 51.90% female) with CHD were identified, with a cumulative incidence of 12.01%. Systolic BP (SBP) and diastolic BP (DBP) were categorized into three classes, respectively. A statistically significant association was only observed between SBP trajectories and CHD. Compared with the normotensive stable SBP group (n = 1956), the prehypertension-stable group (n = 3268) had a higher risk (adjust hazards ratio (aHR) = 1.266, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.014–1.581), and the stage 1 hypertension-decreasing group (n = 487) had the highest risk (aHR = 1.609, 95%CI 1.157–2.238). Among the BP-related indicators, the SBP trajectory was the strongest predictor of new-onset CHD. Findings were similar when sensitivity analyses were conducted.ConclusionsSBP trajectory was a more important risk factor for CHD than other BP-related indicators and stringent BP control strategies may be effective for primary CHD prevention in the disabled population.

Less risk factor at AMI onset, higher risk in prognosis---the paradoxical phenomenon from MIMIC-III database

Abstract Funding Acknowledgements Type of funding sources: Public grant(s) – National budget only. Main funding source(s): National Natural Science Foundation of China (NSFC). Introduction Numerous epidemiologic studies have confirmed that Standard Modifiable Cardiovascular Risk Factors (SMuRFs) are independent risk factors for coronary heart disease (CHD) and are recommended by guidelines for the primary and secondary prevention of CHD. However, it is interesting to find that the increasing proportion of individuals without SMuRFs in CHD and acute myocardial infarction (AMI). Moreover, accumulating clinical trials have reported the inverse association between the number of risk factors and crude mortality in AMI. It is unknown whether this paradoxical phenomenon can be seen in critical ill patients. Purpose To analyze and validate whether the number of risk factors contradicts the mortality outcome in patients with AMI in the MIMIC-III (Medical Information Mart for Intensive Care III) database. Methods A total of 2484 AMI patients (62.8% male, mean age 71.2 [59.3;80.8] years) admitting to cardiac care unit for the first time from the MIMIC-III database were enrolled. Risk factors were defined as hypertension, diabetes,dyslipidemia, and smoking history. They were grouped according to the number of risk factors. Main outcome was mortality at 2-year following hospitalization. Kaplan-Meier curve and Cox proportional hazards models adjusting for baseline clinical characteristics and in-hospital treatment were constructed to evaluate the impact of numbers of risk factors on mortality in critical AMI patients. Results At 2-year follow-up, death was observed in 714 patients (28.7%). A total of 474(19.1%),1541(62%),469(18.9%) patients had 0,1-2,3-4 SMuRFs respectively. No risk group has a significantly higher 2-year mortality (Picture 1). Compared with no risk group, patients with 1-2 and 3-4 SMuRFs were correlated to an HR of 0.72(95%CI, 0.61-0.86) and 0.66(95%CI, 0.52-0.83) for all-cause mortality in the unadjusted model. Interestingly, after multivariate adjustment, less risk factor at AMI onset was still associated with poor prognosis. Conclusions Taking into confounders, critical AMI patients with less risk factors have higher risk in poor prognosis. Further studies on this paradoxical phenomenon are needed.

EMOTIONAL DISTRESS AS A RISK FA CTOR FOR CORONARY HEART DISEASE IN CLINICALLY HEALTHY MEN WITH ALEXITHYMIA

Objective: To identify emotional distress as a risk factor for development of coronary heart disease (CHD) in clinically healthy males with alexithymia. Materials and methods: We examined 89 clinically healthy males (mean age — 43.7 [39.0; 43.5] years) using Ch. Spielberger–Yu.Khanina tests, S. Subbotin and the Toronto Alexithymic Scale (TAS). Results: It was found that more than half of the respondents can be associated with alexithymia or they had its obvious clinical manifestations. As the severity of alexithymia increased, there was an increase in the levels of personal anxiety and a decrease in stress resistance that may increase the risk of developing coronary heart disease. Conclusion. Therefore, clinically healthy males with alexithymia of varying severity need psychological support to increase the effectiveness of primary prevention of CHD.

Association Between Cumulative Low-Density Lipoprotein Cholesterol Exposure During Young Adulthood and Middle Age and Risk of Cardiovascular Events

Low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) is a major risk factor for cardiovascular disease (CVD). Most observational studies on the association between LDL-C and CVD have focused on LDL-C level at a single time point (usually in middle or older age), and few studies have characterized long-term exposures to LDL-C and their role in CVD risk. To evaluate the associations of cumulative exposure to LDL-C, time-weighted average (TWA) LDL-C, and the LDL-C slope change during young adulthood and middle age with incident CVD later in life. This cohort study analyzed pooled data from 4 prospective cohort studies in the US (Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities Study, Coronary Artery Risk Development in Young Adults Study, Framingham Heart Study Offspring Cohort, and Multi-Ethnic Study of Atherosclerosis). Participants were included if they had 2 or more LDL-C measures that were at least 2 years apart between ages 18 and 60 years, with at least 1 of the LDL-C measures occurring during middle age at 40 to 60 years. Data from 1971 to 2017 were collected and analyzed from September 25, 2020, to January 10, 2021. Cumulative exposure to LDL-C, TWA LDL-C, and LDL-C slope from age 18 to 60 years. Incident coronary heart disease (CHD), ischemic stroke, and heart failure (HF). A total of 18 288 participants were included in this study. These participants had a mean (SD) age of 56.4 (3.7) years and consisted of 10 309 women (56.4%). During a median follow-up of 16 years, 1165 CHD, 599 ischemic stroke, and 1145 HF events occurred. In multivariable Cox proportional hazards regression models that adjusted for the most recent LDL-C level measured during middle age and for other CVD risk factors, the hazard ratios for CHD were as follows: 1.57 (95% CI, 1.10-2.23; P for trend = .01) for cumulative LDL-C level, 1.69 (95% CI, 1.23-2.31; P for trend <.001) for TWA LDL-C level, and 0.88 (95% CI, 0.69-1.12; P for trend = .28) for LDL-C slope. No association was found between any of the LDL-C variables and ischemic stroke or HF. This cohort study showed that cumulative LDL-C and TWA LDL-C during young adulthood and middle age were associated with the risk of incident CHD, independent of midlife LDL-C level. These findings suggest that past levels of LDL-C may inform strategies for primary prevention of CHD and that maintaining optimal LDL-C levels at an earlier age may reduce the lifetime risk of developing atherosclerotic CVD.

Trends in in-hospital and out-of-hospital coronary heart disease mortality rates in French registers during the period 2000 to 2016

To estimate the trends in- and out-hospital coronary heart disease (CHD) mortality rates from 2000 to 2016 and their respective proportions in total mortality using data of the three French CHD registries (Strasbourg, Toulouse, Lille). All fatal myocardial infarction (MI), coronary deaths (CD) and sudden deaths occurring between January 1st, 2000 and December 31st of 2016, were recorded for patients aged 35 to 74 years. A total of 20,818 events were recorded in the three registers, of which 69.4% were out-of-hospital. Age- and region-adjusted CHD mortality rate decreased with an annual percentage change (APC) of -3.6% in men and -3.9% in women. This significant decrease was approximately twice as high for in-hospital deaths compared to out-of-hospital deaths ( P < 10 −5 for both). While the out-of-hospital death rate represented 63.6% of the standardized total CHD mortality rate in 2000 for men, it was 70.1% in 2016. For women, these parts were respectively 63.9% and 70.5%. In men aged 35 to 54, the APC was twice higher for out-of-hospital deaths (-3.0%, P < 10 −3 ) than for in-hospital deaths (-1.5%, P = 0.01) whereas the opposite was observed in men aged 55 to 74 (-1.4% P = 0.01 vs -5.2% P < 10 −5 , respectively) ( Table 1 ). More than two-thirds of the deaths from CHD occurred outside the hospital. The CHD mortality rates significantly decreased during the 2000-2016 period, for both genders. However, this decline was slighter for out-of-hospital deaths than for in-hospital deaths, pointing out the need to strengthen primary and secondary prevention of CHD.

Removal Statement

ABSTRACT Background The production of carbon black (CB) has been considered as one of the top 50 industrial chemicals manufactured worldwide. Working in CB manufacturing process might pose a cardiovascular risk. This study was conducted to estimate 10-year coronary heart disease (CHD) risks among workers in CB manufacturing process. Methods A cross-sectional comparative approach was adopted. Workers at a CB factory in Alexandria were included (n = 271). Participants were distributed into two groups: exposed (n = 154) and unexposed (n = 117). All participants were subjected to an interview questionnaire and blood pressure, anthropometric, and lipid profile measurements. The Framingham risk score (FRS) was calculated for every participant to assess 10-year CHD . Descriptive and analytic statistics were done. Results The mean diastolic blood pressure and mean body mass index were significantly higher among exposed workers (81.49 ± 9.75 mmHg and 32.07 ± 5.81 kg/m2, respectively) than those among unexposed workers (77.86 ± 9.45 mmHg and 29.68 ± 4.94 kg/m2, respectively) (p < 0.01). The mean total cholesterol, triglyceride, and LDL levels were significantly higher among exposed workers (212.44 ± 40.48 mg/dl, 144.25 ± 74.66 mg/dl, and 146.12 ± 34.9 mg/dl, respectively) than those among unexposed workers (199.94 ± 47.33 mg/dl, 114.02 ± 62.94 mg/dl, and 134.12 ± 30.4 mg/dl, respectively) (p < 0.01); while the protective HDL level was significantly lower among exposed workers (41.39 ± 8.76 mg/dl) compared with unexposed workers (43.6 ± 9.08 mg/dl) (p = 0.04). Ten-year CHD risk percentage was significantly higher among exposed workers (8.62 ± 7.79) compared with unexposed workers (5.34 ± 6.66) (p < 0.001). The percentage of workers who had intermediate-to-high 10-year CHD risk was significantly higher among exposed workers. Conclusions Working at CB manufacturing process could carry an increased 10-year CHD risk. The study recommends that strategies for reduction of CHD risk focus on active screening of workers by utilizing a simple tool (FRS) to monitor risk over time, motivate the workers toward healthy behaviors, and treat hypertension and dyslipidemia, for primary prevention of CHD.

Estimation of 10-Year Risk of Death from Coronary Heart Disease, Stroke, and Cardiovascular Disease in a Pooled Analysis of Japanese Cohorts: EPOCH-JAPAN.

Aims: We aimed to develop and validate risk prediction models to estimate the absolute 10-year risk of death from coronary heart disease (CHD), stroke, and cardiovascular disease (CVD). Methods: We evaluated a total of 44,869 individuals aged 40–79 years from eight Japanese prospective cohorts to derive coefficients of risk equations using cohort-stratified Cox proportional hazard regression models. Discrimination (C-index) of the equation was examined in each cohort and summarised using random-effect meta-analyses. Calibration of the equation was assessed using Hosmer-Lemeshow chi-squared statistic. Results: Within a median follow-up of 12.7 years, we observed 765 deaths due to CVD (276 CHDs and 489 strokes). After backward selection, age, sex, current smoking, systolic blood pressure (SBP), proteinuria, prevalent diabetes mellitus, the ratio of total cholesterol to high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (TC/HDLC), interaction terms of age by SBP, and age by current smoking were retained as predictors for CHD. Sex was excluded in the stroke equation. We did not consider TC/HDLC as a risk factor for the stroke and CVD equations. The pooled C-indices for CHD, stroke, and CVD were 0.83, 0.80, and 0.81, respectively, and the corresponding p -values of the Hosmer-Lemeshow tests were 0.18, 0.003, and 0.25, respectively. Conclusions: Risk equations in the present study can adequately estimate the absolute 10-year risk of death from CHD, stroke, and CVD. Future work will evaluate the system as an education and risk communication tool for primary prevention of CHD and stroke.

The Role Of hs-CRP In Predicting The Likelihood Of Coronary Heart Disease

Coronary Heart Disease (CHD) is a disorder of the cardiovascular system, characterized by atherosclerotic lesions. Inflammation is a strong predictor for coronary heart disease. High sensitivity C-Reactive Protein (hs-CRP) is an important biomarker, synthesized in the liver, can predict the severity of CHD. If the hs-CRP level is found to be low 3 mg / L, a person has the potential for severe vascular risk. Therefore, hs-CRP can be used as a predictor of primary CHD prevention, especially if the hs-CRP level is still low.

Abstract P416: An Externally Validated and Highly Sensitive Artificial Intelligence-driven Integrated Genetic-epigenetic DNA Test for Incident Coronary Heart Disease Prediction

Despite being largely preventable, every year, coronary heart disease (CHD) affects millions of Americans. Currently, primary prevention of CHD starts with an understanding of several risk factors (e.g. age, gender, diabetes) that are aggregated to derive an incident CHD risk score using risk calculators such as the Framingham Risk Score (FRS) and ASCVD Pooled Cohort Equation (PCE). Unfortunately, this approach involves multiple tests and its lack in sensitivity could result in ineffective treatment recommendations to patients for the prevention of CHD. As an alternative, we have developed and independently validated a single, simpler, AI-driven, digital PCR (dPCR)-based integrated genetic-epigenetic DNA test that can more sensitively estimate the 3-year incident CHD risk for both men and women. Our technology accounts for the inherited and acquired (lifestyle/environment) risks for CHD through three genetic (SNP) and three epigenetic (DNA methylation) biomarkers, respectively, and can be performed on DNA from blood or saliva. The incident CHD risk prediction model was developed using genome-wide DNA methylation and genotype data from the Framingham Heart Study (FHS) Offspring cohort (n=1172 in training set, n=512 in test set) and was validated in an Intermountain Healthcare (IM) cohort (n=80 in validation set, n=79 in test set). The final prediction model is an ensemble of SVM, Random Forest and Logistic Regression models, and its performance in the FHS and IM test sets is summarized in Table 1. The FRS and PCE risk calculators were implemented on all FHS and IM cohort data. A clinically implementable version of this tool as part of its translation into a Laboratory Developed Test incorporates standard Taqman assays for genotyping and custom dPCR assays for DNA methylation quantification. The strong correlation between our dPCR assay values and the Illumina array values are shown in Figure 1, indicating successful dPCR assay translation. We are also extending this tool to include more ethnically diverse cohorts.

Randomized controlled trials investigating the relationship between dietary pattern and high-sensitivity C-reactive protein: a systematic review.

Elevated serum concentration of high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hsCRP), a biomarker of systemic inflammation, is associated with increased risk for coronary heart disease (CHD) and cardiovascular events (CVEs). Because elevations in hsCRP often occur in parallel with elevations in low-density lipoproteins (LDLs) and both biomarkers are reduced by hydroxymethylglutaryl-CoA reductase inhibitors (ie, statin drugs), efforts to determine nonpharmacological treatments to lower hsCRP remain limited. Dietary modifications in particular are rarely discussed as viable clinical interventions yet merit investigation. This systematic review was performed to assess the relationship between dietary patterns and hsCRP among individuals enrolled in randomized controlled trials. National Library of Medicine (ie, MEDLINE) and Google Scholar searches were performed using the search terms "C-reactive protein," "CRP," "dietary pattern," and/or "diet" to identify articles published between January 2000 and October 2017. Data were extracted and analyzed according to PRISMA guidelines. Identified abstracts were reviewed and cross-referenced for relevance to dietary pattern. Full-text manuscripts were then abstracted for their principal findings. Fifty-six manuscripts met inclusion criteria for detailed review. Clinical trials of dietary interventions to reduce hsCRP are mixed in quality and findings. Several specific dietary patterns may reduce hsCRP, including low-fat, low-carbohydrate, Mediterranean, Portfolio, Paleolithic, and the Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension (DASH) diets. However, results were mixed for the majority of dietary patterns (eg, low-glycemic load diets). Information available to date suggests that a wide variety of dietary patterns may impact serum hsCRP, although studies are mixed in quality. The efficacy of dietary patterns for the treatment of elevated hsCRP as a strategy for primary prevention of CHD may be best elucidated in randomized clinical trials in healthy participants with elevated hsCRP but low or normal traditional risk factors, or by using more aggressive dietary modifications in high-risk patients. Given current incidence and prevalence of CHD risk factors, additional randomized controlled trials of this type are justified and needed.

Statins for the Primary Prevention of Coronary Heart Disease.

Object The purpose of this study was to fully assess the role of statins in the primary prevention of coronary heart disease (CHD). Methods We searched six databases (PubMed, the Cochrane Library, Web of Science, China National Knowledge Infrastructure, Wanfang Database, and Chinese Scientific Journal Database) to identify relevant randomized controlled trials (RCTs) from inception to 31 October 2017. Two review authors independently assessed the methodological quality and analysed the data using Rev Man 5.3 software. Risk ratios and 95% confidence intervals (95% CI) were pooled using fixed/random-effects models. Funnel plots and Begg's test were conducted to assess publication bias. The quality of the evidence was evaluated using the Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development and Evaluation (GRADE) approach. Results Sixteen RCTs with 69159 participants were included in this review. Statins can effectively decrease the occurrence of angina (RR=0.70, 95% CI: 0.58~0.85, I2 =0%), nonfatal myocardial infarction (MI) (RR=0.60, 95% CI: 0.51~0.69, I2 =14%), fatal MI (RR=0.49, 95% CI: 0.24~0.98, I2 =0%), any MI (RR=0.53, 95% CI: 0.42~0.67, I2 =0%), any coronary heart events (RR=0.73, 95% CI: 0.68~0.78, I2=0%), coronary revascularization (RR=0.66, 95% CI: 0.55~0.78, I2 = 0%), and any cardiovascular events (RR=0.77, 95% CI: 0.72~82, I2 = 0%). However, based on the current evidence, there were no significant differences in CHD deaths (RR=0.82, 95% CI: 0.66~1.02, I2=0%) and all-cause mortality (RR=0.88, 95% CI: 0.76 ~1.01, I2 =58%) between the two groups. Additionally, statins were more likely to result in diabetes (RR=1.21, 95% CI: 1.05~1.39, I2 =0%). There was no evidence of publication biases, and the quality of the evidence was considered moderate. Conclusion Statins seemed to be beneficial for the primary prevention of CHDs but have no effect on CHD death and all-cause mortality.

Emerging Research on the Implications of Hormone Replacement Therapy on Coronary Heart Disease.

Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is known to be an increasing cause of mortality among women, particularly postmenopausal women. Hormone replacement therapy (HRT) is a topic that has been investigated over the past decade for its known impact on the cardiovascular system. This review summarizes the evidence and current opinion on the associations between HRT and CVD, evidence both supporting and against HRT use as a prevention to the development of coronary heart disease (CHD). The majority of the new data available suggests the use of HRT has the potential to be more beneficial in the prevention of CVD if started in women at younger ages. Current studies also suggest that while starting HRT in older postmenopausal women may be associated with an initial slight increase in CVD, the overall lifetime occurrence rate is not increased. Several studies have also started to use the "timing hypothesis" to suggest that HRT initiated soon after menopause has the potential of being the greatest cardiovascular benefit to the patient. Overall, the data support the finding that HRT should be used only for symptomatic treatment, not in an attempt to slow progression of CVD. Current evidence does not support the use of HRT for either primary or secondary prevention of CHD. HRT has different implications based on the temporal relationship in which it is initiated in relation to the onset of menopause. Overall, the use of HRT should be an individualized decision with each patient on the basis of the individual's symptoms and overall risk profile.

Socioeconomic inequality in medication persistence in primary and secondary prevention of coronary heart disease - A population-wide electronic cohort study.

BackgroundCoronary heart disease (CHD) mortality in England fell by 36% between 2000 and 2007 and it is estimated that approximately 50% of the fall was due to improved treatment uptake. Marked socio-economic inequalities in CHD mortality in the United Kingdom (UK) remain, with higher age-adjusted rates in more deprived groups. Inequalities in the persistence of medication for primary and secondary prevention of CHD may contribute to the observed social gradient and we investigated this possibility in the population of Wales (UK).Methods and findingsAn electronic cohort of individuals aged over 20 (n = 1,199,342) in Wales (UK) was formed using linked data from primary and secondary care and followed for six years (2004–2010). We identified indications for medication (statins, aspirin, ACE inhibitors, clopidogrel) recommended in UK National Institute for Clinical Excellence (NICE) guidance for CHD (high risk, stable angina, stable angina plus diabetes, unstable angina, and myocardial infarction) and measured the persistence of indicated medication (time from initiation to discontinuation) across quintiles of the Welsh Index of Multiple Deprivation, an area-based measure of socio-economic inequality, using Cox regression frailty models. In models adjusted for demographic factors, CHD risk and comorbidities across 15 comparisons for persistence of the medications, none favoured the least deprived quintile, two favoured the most deprived quintile and 13 showed no significant differences.ConclusionsDuring our study period (2004–2010) we found no significant evidence of socio-economic inequality in the persistence of recommended medication for primary and secondary prevention of CHD.

Cost-effectiveness of Maintaining Daily Intake of Oat β-Glucan for Coronary Heart Disease Primary Prevention

PurposeOat β-glucan reduces cholesterol levels and thus reduces the risk for coronary heart disease (CHD). However, its economic impact has not been well studied. We examined the economic impact of daily intake of ≥3 g of oat β-glucan in primary prevention of CHD in patients receiving statins or no pharmacologic treatment. MethodsA decision model was developed to compare costs and outcomes associated with lowering cholesterol levels with no pharmacologic treatment and normal diet, no pharmacologic treatment plus ≥3 g/d of oat β-glucan, and statin therapy plus ≥3 g/d of oat β-glucan. The population comprised men 45, 55, or 65 years of age with no history of cardiovascular disease and a 10-year risk for CHD of 5%, 7.5%, or 10%. Clinical efficacy data were gathered from meta-analyses; safety data, costs, and utilities were gathered from published literature. Cost per quality-adjusted life years and number of first events were reported. FindingsMaintaining ≥3 g/d of β-glucan may be cost-effective in men aged 45, 55, and 65 years with 10-year CHD risks of 5.0%, 7.5%, and 10.0% taking no pharmacologic treatment or on statins. It may also reduce first events of myocardial infarction and CHD death. Results are sensitive to oat β-glucan cost but insensitive to changes in other parameters. Maintaining ≥3 g of oat β-glucan daily remains cost-effective within plausible range of values. Implicationsβ-glucan may be cost-effective for preventing CHD events in middle-aged men with no history of cardiovascular events whose 10-year CHD risk is ≥5%. Maintaining daily β-glucan intake may have considerable impact on first events.

260 - Trends of in-hospital and out-of-hospital coronary heart disease mortality rates in French registers in the period 2000-2013

Purpose To estimate the trends in- and out-hospital coronary heart disease (CHD) mortality rates from 2000 to 2016 and their respective proportions in total mortality using data of the three French CHD registries (Strasbourg, Toulouse, Lille). Methods All fatal myocardial infarction (MI), coronary deaths (CD) and sudden deaths occurring between January 1st, 2000 and December 31st of 2016, were recorded for patients aged 35 to 74 years. Results A total of 20,818 events were recorded in the three registers, of which 69.4% were out-of-hospital. Age- and region-adjusted CHD mortality rate decreased with an annual percentage change (APC) of -3.6% in men and -3.9% in women. This significant decrease was approximately twice as high for in-hospital deaths compared to out-of-hospital deaths (P Table 1 ). Conclusion More than two-thirds of the deaths from CHD occurred outside the hospital. The CHD mortality rates significantly decreased during the 2000-2016 period, for both genders. However, this decline was slighter for out-of-hospital deaths than for in-hospital deaths, pointing out the need to strengthen primary and secondary prevention of CHD.

No evidence to support high-intensity statin in Chinese patients with coronary heart disease

No evidence to support high-intensity statin in Chinese patients with coronary heart disease

The excess health care costs of KardioPro, an integrated care program for coronary heart disease prevention

Coronary heart disease (CHD) is a major cause of death and important driver of health care costs. Recent German health care reforms have promoted integrated care contracts allowing statutory health insurance providers more room to organize health care provision. One provider offers KardioPro, an integrated primary care-based CHD prevention program. As insurance providers should be aware of the financial consequences when developing optional programs, this study aims to analyze the costs associated with KardioPro participation. 13,264 KardioPro participants were compared with a propensity score-matched control group. Post-enrollment health care costs were calculated based on routine data over a follow-up period of up to 4 years. For those people who incurred costs, KardioPro participation was significantly associated with increased physician costs (by 33%), reduced hospital costs (by 19%), and reduced pharmaceutical costs (by 16%). Overall costs were increased by 4%, but this was not significant. Total excess costs per observation year were €131 per person (95% confidence interval: [€−36.5; €296]). Overall, KardioPro likely affected treatment as the program increased costs of physician services and reduced costs of hospital services. Further effects of substituting potential inpatient care with increased outpatient care might become fully apparent only over a longer time horizon.

Targeted study to evaluate the cardiovascular risk factor status among patients and efficacy of statins in attaining goal lipid levels in a regional hospital in Sultanate of Oman

Background and objective: Elevated LDL (Low Density Lipoprotein) cholesterol is a major cause of Coronary Heart Disease (CHD) and LDL lowering therapy reduces the risk for CHD. The study was conducted with the aim of assessing the prescribing pattern of statins based on cardiovascular risk factor category, pattern of lipid monitoring followed among the patients and extent of attainment of goal Low Density Lipoprotein (LDL-C) observed among the patients. Methods: A group of patient files (among those on statin agent during the year 2011) from the Department of Medicine in Nizwa Hospital were selected for targeted evaluation on the risk factor status of patients and efficacy of statins in attaining goal lipid levels. Goal LDL-C levels were estimated for each patient depending on their risk factor status. Subsequent follow ups of the patients were reviewed from the patient files and accordingly the attainment and maintenance of goal-LDL-C in the patients were evaluated. Results: A total of 183 patients were identified. Mean age of the evaluated patients was 63.6±11.58years. Evaluating the status of patients on the presence of risk factors, majority (63.9%) of them had presence of CHD. Simvastatin was the most commonly used agent and titration of dose was done in only 3.3% of patients. Mean LDL-C level of the patient before initiation of treatment was 3.74±1.9mmol/L. Only in 59 (32.2 %) of the total evaluated 183 patients, there was evidence of attaining goal-LDL-C levels. Among them, there was evidence of maintenance of goal LDL-C in 16 (27.1%) of the patients. Conclusion: Statins were used less frequently for primary prevention of CHD. Absence of lipid monitoring; base line and follow up in a good number of patients as well as lack of dose titration among the patients were observed. Importance of adequate lipid monitoring and follow up to ensure attainment of goal LDL-C needs to be stressed to serve the objective of use of statins; primary and secondary prevention of CHD.