Risk Of Fatal Myocardial Infarction Research Articles

Influence of psychosocial risk factors on the course and prognosis of cardiovascular diseases

It has now been established that psychosocial risk factors significantly worsen the course of cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) and reduce patients’ adherence to treatment. Patients with CVDs are characterized by a high prevalence of anxiety comorbidities, which can reach 50-60%. The presence of concomitant anxiety disorders seriously worsens the prognosis of CVDs. The results of studies showed that anxiety increases the risk of fatal myocardial infarction and sudden death by 1,9 times and 4,5 times, respectively. Therefore, the correction of psychosocial factors, in particular anxiety symptoms, should be an important component of the treatment of patients with CVDs. The conducted studies show that the use of fabomotizole in patients with CVD and concomitant anxiety disorders reduces the anxiety manifestations. In addition, a pronounced improvement of somatic status is recorded, which is important for improving the course and prognosis of CVDs. The accumulated experience of fabomotizole use makes it possible to recommend it for the treatment of patients with anxiety and CVDs.

Practical Assessment of the Tradeoff between Fatal Bleeding and Coronary Thrombotic Risks using the Academic Research Consortium for High Bleeding Risk Criteria.

Aims: We aimed to establish a practical method for the assessment of tradeoff between thrombotic and bleeding risks. Methods: We aimed to investigate the balance between bleeding risk and coronary thrombotic risk according to the number of the Academic Research Consortium for high bleeding risk (ARC-HBR) criteria in the multicenter prospective ST/non-ST elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI/NSTEMI) registry (N=12,093). Patients were divided as follows by the number of ARC-HBR criteria fulfilled: group 0, 0 major with ≤ 1 minor (N=6,792); group 1, 1 major with 0 minor (N=1,705); group 2, 0 major with ≥ 2 minors (N=790); group 3, 1 major with ≥ 1 minor (N=1,709); group 4, 2 majors with ≥ 0 minors (N=861); and group 5, ≥ 3 majors with ≥ 0 minor (N=236). We assessed the acute-phase absolute risk differences between bleeding and coronary thrombotic events in each group. Results: At 7-day follow-up, all patients (groups 0–5) had a higher risk of major bleeding than that of any myocardial infarction (MI). Patients at ARC-HBR (groups 1–5) had a balanced risk between fatal MI and fatal bleeding, whereas patients at non-ARC-HBR (group 0) had a higher risk of fatal MI than that of fatal bleeding. Conclusions: All STEMI/NSTEMI patients have a relatively high risk of major bleeding as compared with the risk of any MI in the acute phase. The ARC-HBR criteria would be a practical tool for assessing the tradeoff between fatal bleeding and fatal MI risks. This practical assessment would be helpful for the optimal decision-making of appropriate treatment strategy considering the balance between bleeding and coronary thrombotic risks.

Physical activity and risk of instant and 28-day case-fatality in myocardial infarction

BackgroundWhile physical activity reduces risk of developing myocardial infarction (MI), it is unknown whether a history of physical activity is also protective of fatal arrhythmia and case-fatality in patients who have suffered an acute MI.Methods104,801 individuals included in 2003–2014 in the Copenhagen General Population Study (CGPS), a prospective population-based study with self-reported leisure time physical activity (LTPA) in three categories measured at baseline, were followed until 2014 through national registries. The 1,517 individuals who suffered a first time MI during follow-up constituted the study population. Outcomes were fatal MI, defined as date of death same as date of MI (including out-of-hospital deaths) and 28-day fatality. Through multivariable analyses the association between baseline LTPA and outcomes were assessed adjusted for CVD risk factors.ResultsOf 1,517 MI events, 117 (7.7%) were fatal and another 79 (5.6%) lead to death within 28 days. Median time from baseline to MI was 3.6 years (IQR 1.7–5.8). LTPA was associated with lower risk of fatal MI with odds ratios of 0.40 (95% CI: 0.22–0.73) for light and 0.41 (0.22–0.76) for moderate/high LTPA after multivariable adjustment with sedentary LTPA as reference. Age, alcohol-intake, education and smoking were identified as other predictors for fatal MI. We found no association between LTPA and 28-day case fatality.ConclusionsAmong individuals with MI, those that have engaged in any light or moderate physical activity were more likely to survive their MI. Results are consistent with effect of exercise preconditioning on risk of fatal arrhythmia.

Pan-European Economic Analysis to Identify Cost Savings for the Health Care Systems as a Result of Integrating Glucose Monitoring Based Telemedical Approaches Into Diabetes Management.

Self-monitoring of blood glucose supported by the diabetes-app OneTouch Reveal® has demonstrated to improve HbA1c. We aimed at analyzing costs savings related the integration of telemedical features into diabetes management. Data from a randomized controlled trial were used to assess the 10-year risk of patients for fatal myocardial infarction (MI). On the basis of this risk assessments-also related to a 5% or 10% reduction of hypoglycemic episodes-cost savings for the health care systems of five European countries-France, Germany, Italy, Spain, and the United Kingdom-were modeled. HbA1c reduction of 0.92% in insulin-treated type 2 diabetes patients (T2DM) was associated with a 2.3% decreased 10-year risk for fatal MI. In combination with a 10% reduction of hypoglycemic events this risk reduction led to cost savings of €16.1 million (France), €57.8 million (Germany), €30.9 million (Italy), €23.8 million (Spain), and €5.8 million (UK), considering all insulin-treated T2DM patients in the respective countries. Improving metabolic control and thus risk for comorbidities like MI by combining the glucose meter with CRI with telemedical features has the potential to reduce costs for European health care systems.

One quarter of total myocardial infarctions are silent manifestation in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus

BackgroundSilent events with newly developed Q waves in electrocardiogram (ECG) [silent myocardial infarction (MI)] in diabetic patients is reported to be independently associated with an increased risk of fatal MI. However, the incidence rate of silent MI in diabetic patients has yet to be clarified. We sought to determine the incidence rate of first symptomatic MI and silent MI in diabetic patients. MethodsWe conducted a prospective cohort study on patients enrolled in the Japanese primary prevention of atherosclerosis with aspirin for diabetes (JPAD) trial which was started in 2002. It is a randomized controlled trial to examine the efficacy of low-dose aspirin therapy for the primary prevention of atherosclerotic events in type 2 diabetic patients. No patients had Q waves in their ECG before entry to the JPAD trial. We followed-up 1825 patients until July 2015 after completion of the JPAD trial in 2008. The median follow-up period was 10.3 years. We collected 1648 patients’ ECGs to identify patients with silent MI. ResultsSymptomatic MI occurred in 65 patients and silent MI occurred in 22 patients. The incidence rate of symptomatic MI was 4.26 per 1000 patient-years and 1.44 for silent MI in diabetic patients. Thus, 25% of total MIs were silent. Cause-specific Cox proportional hazard model indicated that age (hazard ratio 1.06, 95% confidence interval; 1.03–1.10, p=0.0004) and long history of diabetes (1.00, 1.01–1.07, p=0.01) were independently associated with symptomatic MI, but these were not associated with silent MI. ConclusionsWe demonstrated that incidence rate of first silent MI and that proportion of silent MI to all MIs was 25% in diabetic patients without a history of atherosclerotic events. Diabetic patients frequently need ECG screening for detection of silent MI.

A systematic review on association between smokeless tobacco & cardiovascular diseases.

Background & objectives:The association of smokeless tobacco (SLT) with cardiovascular diseases has remained controversial due to conflicting reports from various countries. Earlier meta-analyses have shown significantly higher risk of fatal myocardial infarction and stroke in SLT users. However, the risk of hypertension (HTN) with SLT products has not been reviewed earlier. This systematic review was undertaken to summarize the evidence available from global literature on the association of SLT with cardiovascular outcomes – heart disease, stroke and HTN.Methods:A systematic literature search was performed in PubMed and Google Scholar since their inception till October 2017 using pre-decided search terms and inclusion/exclusion criteria. Data were extracted from studies included independently by two authors and reviewed.Results:The review included 50 studies - 23 on heart disease, 14 on stroke and 14 on HTN. Majority of the studies evaluating heart disease or stroke were conducted in the European Region and most of these did not find a significant association between SLT use and either of these outcomes. On the other hand, 70 per cent of the studies on HTN were reported from South-East Asian Region and about half of the studies found a higher risk of HTN in SLT users.Interpretation & conclusions:Current available evidence is insufficient to conclusively support the association of cardiovascular diseases with SLT use due to variability in results and methodological constraints in most of the studies. Region and product-specific well-designed studies are required to provide this evidence to the policymakers. However, advice on cessation of SLT products should be offered to patients presenting with cardiovascular diseases.

Prognostic impact of physical activity prior to myocardial infarction: Case fatality and subsequent risk of heart failure and death.

Background Animal studies indicate that exercise reduces myocardial damage during myocardial infarction by ischaemic preconditioning. Aim To determine from a prospective cohort study whether the level of leisure time physical activity (LTPA) in humans prior to myocardial infarction could modify the course of myocardial infarction by reducing case fatality and the subsequent risk of heart failure and mortality. Methods A total of 14,223 participants in the Copenhagen City Heart Study were assessed at baseline in 1976-1978; 1,664 later developed myocardial infarction (mean age at myocardial infarction 70.9 years) and were followed through registries until 2013. We explored the association of LTPA assessed before myocardial infarction with the risk of fatal myocardial infarction, heart failure and all-cause mortality after myocardial infarction. Odds ratios (ORs) and hazard ratios (HRs) were estimated by logistic and Cox proportional hazards regression models, adjusted for age at myocardial infarction and other potential confounders. Results A total of 425 (25.5%) myocardial infarctions were fatal. Higher levels of LTPA prior to myocardial infarction were associated with lower case fatality: adjusted ORs (95% confidence interval), with reference to sedentary LTPA were 0.68 (0.51-0.89) for light LTPA and 0.53 (0.38-0.74) for moderate/high LTPA. A total of 360 (29.1%) of the 1,239 myocardial infarction survivors developed heart failure and 1,033 (83.4%) died during follow-up. There was no association between LTPA levels prior to myocardial infarction and the risk of heart failure or all-cause mortality after non-fatal myocardial infarction: adjusted HRs for moderate/high versus sedentary LTPA were 1.06 (0.78-1.45) and 0.90 (0.74-1.08), respectively. Conclusion Individuals who were physically active had lower case fatality of myocardial infarction, but survivors were not protected against subsequent heart failure or mortality.

P-136: Do sudden death & fatal myocardial infarction have the same risk factors in primary prevention?

Objectifs Sudden death, defined as a death which happens within 1 hour from the first symptom, is classified commonly as a coronary accident. Myocardial infarction is proposed as principal cause of sudden death. The frequency of sudden death is higher than that of fatal myocardial infarction. A recent overview showed that blood pressure lowering drugs did not decrease sudden death risk, whereas they decrease the risk of fatal myocardial infarction. We analyzed here the risk factors of sudden death and fatal myocardial infarction to provide more insight of the relation between these two accidents. Methodes We used Cox model to build the risk scores for two studied accidents on R (version 3.2.2), based on 15279 individual data in placebo group from seven randomized controlled trials (six of INDANA database in hypertension & one in type 2 diabetes Diahhycab). Resultats Sudden death and fatal myocardial infarction had the same five significant risk factors: age, sex (male), smoking, systolic blood pressure and type 2 diabetes history. Cholesterolemia was a significant predictor for fatal myocardial infarction but not for sudden death. Male sex and smoking displayed stronger associations with fatal myocardial infarction than sudden death, whereas type 2 diabetes history demonstrated the opposite tendency (Table 1). Table 1 . Comparison of risk factors of sudden death and of fatal myocardial infarction, using Cox model (maximum duration of follow up was 12 years) Sudden death Fatal myocardial infarction Hazard ratio p-value Hazard ratio p-value Age (5 years) 1.16 (1.11 – 1.22) 1.63e-10*** 1.18 (1.13 – 1.23) 1.97e-14*** Sex (male) 1.73 (1.18 – 2.54) 2.12 (1.52 – 2.97) 1.05-05*** Smoking 1.76 (1.26 – 2.45) 2.20 (1.66 – 2.93) 5.93e-08*** Systolic blood pressure (cm Hg) 1.05 (1.01 – 1.09) 0.026* 1.06 (1.02 – 1.10) History of type 2 diabetes 2.01 (1.23 – 3.26) 1.79 (1.17 – 2.75) Cholesterolemia (mmol/l) 1.10 (0.96 – 1.26) 0.166 1.20 (1.08 – 1.33) Conclusion In our trial database, sudden death and fatal myocardial infarction were associated with the same common cardiovascular risk factors.

LOW PLATELET COUNT AND FATAL MYOCARDIAL INFARCTION: A POPULATION BASED ANALYSIS

High platelet count has been causally linked to increased risk of fatal myocardial infarction (MI). However, the data on the possible association of low platelet count with fatal MI are limited. This cohort study used data from the Third National Health and Nutrition Examination survey, 1988-94 (

Discontinuation of smokeless tobacco and mortality risk after myocardial infarction.

Given the indications of increased risk for fatal myocardial infarction (MI) in people who use snus, a moist smokeless tobacco product, we hypothesized that discontinuation of snus use after an MI would reduce mortality risk. All patients who were admitted to coronary care units for an MI in Sweden between 2005 and 2009 and were <75 years of age underwent a structured examination 2 months after discharge (the baseline of the present study). We investigated the risk of mortality in post-MI snus quitters (n=675) relative to post-MI continuing snus users (n=1799) using Cox proportional hazards analyses. During follow-up (mean 2.1 years), 83 participants died. The mortality rate was 9.7 (95% confidence interval, 5.7-16.3) per 1000 person-years at risk in post-MI snus quitters and 18.7 (14.8-23.6) per 1000 person-years at risk in post-MI continuing snus users. After adjustment for age and sex, post-MI snus quitters had half the mortality risk of post-MI continuing snus users (hazard ratio, 0.51; 95% confidence interval, 0.29-0.91). In a multivariable-adjusted model, the hazard ratio was 0.57 (95% confidence interval, 0.32-1.02). The corresponding estimate for people who quit smoking after MI versus post-MI continuing smokers was 0.54 (95% confidence interval, 0.42-0.69). In this study, discontinuation of snus use after an MI was associated with a nearly halved mortality risk, similar to the benefit associated with smoking cessation. These observations suggest that the use of snus after MI should be discouraged.

Prognostic Significance of Silent Myocardial Infarction in Newly Diagnosed Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus

Background— We aimed to determine the prevalence of silent myocardial infarction (SMI) in people with newly diagnosed type 2 diabetes mellitus and its relationships to future myocardial infarction (MI) and all-cause mortality. Methods and Results— We examined data from the 5102 patients in the 30-year UK Prospective Diabetes Study (UKPDS) and used Cox proportional hazards regression to examine outcomes by SMI status. Of 1967 patients with complete baseline data, 326 (16.6%) had ECG evidence of SMI (Minnesota codes 1.1 or 1.2) at enrollment. Those with SMI were more likely to be older, female, sedentary, and nonsmokers compared with those without SMI. Their mean blood pressure was greater despite more intensive antihypertensive treatment; they were more likely to be taking aspirin and lipid-lowering therapy; and they had a greater prevalence of microangiopathy. Fully adjusted hazard ratios for those with versus those without SMI in multivariate models that included UKPDS Risk Engine variables were 1.58 (95% confidence interval, 1.22–2.05) for fatal MI and 1.31 (95% confidence interval, 1.10–1.56) for all-cause mortality. Hazard ratios for first fatal or nonfatal MI and for first nonfatal MI were nonsignificant. The net reclassification index showed no improvement when SMI was added to these models, and the integrated discrimination index showed that SMI marginally improved the prediction of fatal MI and all-cause mortality. Conclusions— About 1 in 6 UKPDS patients with newly diagnosed type 2 diabetes mellitus had evidence of SMI, which was independently associated with an increased risk of fatal MI and all-cause mortality. However, identification of SMI does not add substantively to current UKPDS Risk Engine predictive variables. Clinical Trial Registration— URL: http://www.controlled-trials.com . Identifier: ISRCTN number 75451837.

Age-dependent interaction of apolipoprotein E gene with eastern birthplace in Finland affects severity of coronary atherosclerosis and risk of fatal myocardial infarction—Helsinki Sudden Death Study

Background. Mortality from coronary heart disease (CHD) has been constantly higher in eastern late settlement regions compared to western early settlements in Finland, unrelated to classical risk factors. In line with this, eastern birthplace was an age-dependent predictor of severe coronary atherosclerosis and pre-hospital sudden coronary death among male residents of Helsinki. We investigated a possible interaction of apolipoprotein E (APOE) gene with birthplace on the risk of myocardial infarction (MI) and coronary atherosclerosis.Method. APOE genotypes were analyzed in the Helsinki Sudden Death Study series comprising out-of-hospital deaths among males aged 33–70 years (n = 577), who were born in high (east, n = 273) or low (west, n = 304) CHD mortality area.Results. Eastern-born men ≤ 55 years carried 30% more often (P = 0.017) and older men 40% less often (P = 0.022) the APOE ϵ4 allele compared to western-born men (P = 0.003 for birthplace-by-age interaction). In multivariate analysis, the ϵ4 allele associated with the risk of out-of-hospital MI (odds ratio 2.58; 95% CI 1.20–5.55; P = 0.016) only in eastern-born men and with advanced atherosclerosis in both regions of origin, respectively.Conclusions. Birthplace-bound risk of CHD was age-dependently modified by APOE ϵ4 allele, suggesting genetic differences in CHD susceptibility between early and late settlement regions in Finland and providing one explanation for the eastern high mortality.

Daily n-3 fatty acid supplements did not reduce CV events in high-risk patients with dysglycemia

ACP Journal Club18 September 2012Daily n-3 fatty acid supplements did not reduce CV events in high-risk patients with dysglycemiaEllis Lader, MDEllis Lader, MDMid Valley Cardiology, New York University School of Medicine, Kingston, New York, USA (E.L.)Search for more papers by this authorAuthor, Article, and Disclosure Informationhttps://doi.org/10.7326/0003-4819-157-6-201209180-02011 SectionsAboutFull TextPDF ToolsAdd to favoritesDownload CitationsTrack CitationsPermissions ShareFacebookTwitterLinkedInRedditEmail Source CitationORIGIN Trial Investigators, Bosch J, Gerstein HC, et al. n-3 fatty acids and cardiovascular outcomes in patients with dysglycemia. N Engl J Med. 2012;367:309-18. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/22686415Clinical Impact RatingsGIM/FP/GP: Cardiology: Endocrinology: References1 Diabetes Control and Complications Trial Research Group. The effect of intensive treatment of diabetes on the development and progression of long-term complications in insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus. N Engl J Med. 1993;329:977-86. [PMID: 8366922] Google Scholar2 Action to Control Cardiovascular Risk in Diabetes Study Group, Gerstein HC, Miller ME, et al. Effects of intensive glucose lowering in type 2 diabetes. N Engl J Med. 2008;358:2545-59. [PMID: 18539917] Google Scholar3 ADVANCE Collaborative Group, Patel A, MacMahon S, et al. Intensive blood glucose control and vascular outcomes in patients with type 2 diabetes. N Engl J Med. 2008;358:2560-72. [PMID: 18539916] Google Scholar4 Duckworth W, Abraira C, Moritz T, et al; VADT Investigators. Glucose control and vascular complications in veterans with type 2 diabetes. N Engl J Med. 2009;360:129-39. [PMID: 19092145] Google Scholar5 Sobel BE, Hardison RM, Genuth S, et al; BARI 2D Investigators. Profibrinolytic, antithrombotic, and antiinflammatory effects of an insulin-sensitizing strategy in patients in the Bypass Angioplasty Revascularization Investigation 2 Diabetes (BARI 2D) trial. Circulation. 2011;124:695-703. [PMID: 21768545] Google Scholar6 Knowler WC, Barrett-Connor E, Fowler SE, et al; Diabetes Prevention Program Research Group. Reduction in the incidence of type 2 diabetes with lifestyle intervention or metformin. N Engl J Med. 2002;346:393-403. [PMID: 11832527] Google Scholar7 Daviglus ML, Stamler J, Orencia AJ, et al. Fish consumption and the 30-year risk of fatal myocardial infarction. N Engl J Med. 1997;336:1046-53. [PMID: 9091800] Google Scholar Author, Article, and Disclosure InformationAffiliations: Mid Valley Cardiology, New York University School of Medicine, Kingston, New York, USA (E.L.)This article was published at Annals.org on 4 September 2012. PreviousarticleNextarticle Advertisement FiguresReferencesRelatedDetailsSee AlsoGlargine did not reduce CV events more than standard care in patients with dysglycemia Ellis Lader Metrics 18 September 2012Volume 157, Issue 6Page: JC3-11KeywordsArrhythmiaFatty acidsGlucoseHbA1cHypoglycemiaInsulinMyocardial infarctionOilsType 2 diabetes ePublished: 18 September 2012 Issue Published: 18 September 2012 Copyright & PermissionsCopyright © 2012 by American College of Physicians. All Rights Reserved.PDF downloadLoading ...

Increased pulse wave velocity in patients with panic disorder: Independent vascular influence of panic disorder on arterial stiffness

ObjectiveAcute and chronic mental stress and many psychiatric disorders have been accepted as a cause of cardiovascular disease. Panic disorder, a subtype of anxiety disorder, has been associated with increased risk of fatal myocardial infarction and sudden cardiac death in epidemiological studies. Carotid–femoral pulse wave velocity (CF-PWV) is currently the gold standard measurement of arterial stiffness. CF-PWV is a well-recognized predictor of an adverse cardiovascular outcome with higher predictive value than classical cardiovascular risk factors. The aim of our study is to measure PWV as the surrogate of arterial stiffness and vascular involvement in patients with panic disorder. MethodsForty-two patients with PD, and 30 control participants were included in the study. Patients with hypertension, diabetes mellitus, or the history of any cardiovascular disease were excluded from study. ResultsBaseline characteristics were not significantly different between the two groups, except carotid–femoral pulse wave velocity (PD vs. control; 7.51±2.02 vs. 6.24±1.09m/s, p=0.001), heart rate, and smoking status. Additionally, CF-PWV positively correlated with age (r=0.250, p=0.034), heart rate (r=0.284, p=0.017), systolic and diastolic blood pressure (r=0.393, p=0.001 and r=0.286, p=0.015, respectively) significantly. However, only the presence of panic disorder was independently related to PWV (βeta: 0.317, p=0.011) in the multivariate analysis including age, heart rate, smoking status and blood pressure measurements. ConclusionIncreased pulse wave velocity in patients with panic disorder may justify the associated risk as documented in previous studies, and may be useful in identifying the patients with higher risk of future cardiovascular complications.

Begehrt das Herz Bergluft? Einfluss der Meereshöhe auf das Herz-Kreislauf-Risiko

According to most studies, persons living or being born at higher altitude have a lower risk of fatal myocardial infarction or stroke than lowlanders. The altitude effect is more pronounced for myocardial infarction than for stroke and generally stronger in men than in women. Possibly, exposure to a certain altitude impacts on cardiovascular risk for the entire life span. It is unlikely that classical cardiovascular risk factors substantially influence the altitude effect. In contrast, environmental conditions that depend on altitude could play a role.

Le snus

The use of snus (smokeless tobacco) can be detrimental to health. Containing carcinogenic nitrosamines (Swedish snus do not contain nitrosamine). Snus delivers rapidly high doses of nicotine which can lead to dependence. It do not induce bronchial carcinoma differently smoked tobacco. Lesions usually develop in the area of the mouth where the snus is placed. Non-malignant oral lesions include leukoedema, hyperkeratotic lesions of the oral mucosa and localised periodontal disease. The most frequently occurring premalignant lesion is leukoplakia. Studies reveal conflicting evidence about the risk of oral and gastroesophageal cancer with regard to snus users. However, the use of snus has proved to be a risk factor in developing pancreatic cancer and increases the risk of fatal myocardial infarction and ischemic stroke. During pregnancy, snus is associated with an increased risk of pre-eclampsia and premature delivery. Nicotine substitution therapy and bupropion and varenicline reduce withdrawal symptoms and tobacco craving during snus cessation. However, they have not been shown to assist in long-term abstinence. Information concerning potential hazards of using snus products must be incorporated into health educational programmes in order to discourage its use. Snus is not a recommended product to help in stopping to smoke.

Uso del índice tobillo-brazo en la reclasificación del riesgo vascular en pacientes con infección VIH

Vascular risk is an important cause of morbidity and mortality in HIV infected patients.To study the value of the ankle-brachial index (ABI) in vascular risk stratification in a cohort of people with HIV infection.Vascular risk was calculated in all the patients that agreed to participate in the study and clinical reports were reviewed retrospectively. Ten year risk of fatal myocardial infarction was calculated according to Framingham equation, National Cholesterol Education Program (NCEP) III and Systematic Coronary Risk Evaluation (SCORE) project score. ABI was calculated measuring resting systolic blood pressure at the ankle, that was compared with the systolic brachial pressure. The ratio of the two pressures defined ABI, that was considered abnormal if it was ≤ 0.9 or ≥ 1.3.A total of 231 HIV infected patients aged 23 to 82 years (80% males) were enrolled. Ten years risk according to Framingham equation was 8.4%, 95% confidence intervals (CI): 7.54-9.15 and according to SCORE scale was 0.8%, 95% CI: 0.62-1.01. According to NCEP III 9% of patients had a high or very high cardiovascular risk. Median ABI was 1.17 (95% CI intervals: 1.16-1.19) and 58 patients (25%) had an abnormal value. Using ABI results, approximately 20% of patients were re-classified as having a high vascular risk.ABI identified approximately 20% of this cohort of HIV infected subjects as having high vascular risk.

Common variation in the ADAM8 gene affects serum sADAM8 concentrations and the risk of myocardial infarction in two independent cohorts

ObjectiveThe single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) rs2995300 in the metalloproteinase-disintegrin gene ADAM8 has been shown to affect the areas of complicated coronary plaques and the risk of fatal myocardial infarction (MI) in men. This study was set up to further investigate the role of ADAM8 in MI. AimTo investigate the possible association of the ADAM8 SNPs rs2995300 and rs2275725 with ADAM8 mRNA levels, serum soluble ADAM8 (sADAM8) concentrations, and MI risk. MethodsSamples from the Finnish cardiovascular study (FINCAVAS, N=2156) and the angiography and genes study (ANGES, N=1000) were genotyped. Serum sADAM8 concentrations were determined with ELISA (N=443). ADAM8 mRNA levels in atherosclerotic plaques were analysed from the tampere vascular study (TVS, N=53) samples. ResultsA significantly increased MI risk for carriers of the rs2995300C allele and the rs2275725 A allele was revealed in the meta-analysis of the ANGES and FINCAVAS patient data (OR=1.42, P<0.001 and OR=1.43, P<0.001). The risk increase was comparable to that caused by smoking in these cohorts. The risk allele carriers also had higher sADAM8 serum concentrations. ConclusionsThe risk alleles of the investigated ADAM8 SNPs were associated with elevated sADAM8 serum levels and MI risk. The present results implicate ADAM8 in the development of CVDs and suggest its prognostic and therapeutic potential.

NSAID Use Selectively Increases the Risk of Non-Fatal Myocardial Infarction: A Systematic Review of Randomised Trials and Observational Studies

BackgroundRecent clinical trials and observational studies have reported increased coronary events associated with non steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). There appeared to be a disproportionate increase in non-fatal versus fatal events, however, numbers of fatal events in individual studies were too small, and event rates too low, to be meaningful.ObjectivesWe undertook a pooled analysis to investigate the effect of NSAIDs on myocardial infarction (MI) risk with the specific aim to differentiate non-fatal from fatal events.MethodsWe searched Pubmed (January, 1990 to March, 2010) for observational studies and randomised controlled trials that assessed the effect of NSAIDs (traditional or selective COX-2 inhibitors [coxibs]) on MI incidence separately for fatal and non-fatal events. Summary estimates of relative risk (RR) for non-fatal and fatal MIs were calculated with a random effects model.ResultsNSAID therapy carried a RR of 1.30 (95% CI, 1.20–1.41) for non-fatal MI with no effect on fatal MI (RR 1.02, 95% CI, 0.89–1.17) in six observational studies. Overall, the risk increase for non-fatal MI was 25% higher (95% CI, 11%–42%) than for fatal MI. The two studies that included only individuals with prior cardiovascular disease presented risk estimates for non-fatal MI on average 58% greater (95% CI, 26%–98%) than those for fatal MI. In nine randomised controlled trials, all investigating coxibs, the pooled RR estimate for non-fatal MI was 1.61 (95% CI, 1.04–2.50) and 0.86 (95% CI 0.51–1.47) for fatal MIs.ConclusionsNSAID use increases the risk of non-fatal MI with no substantial effect on fatal events. Such differential effects, with potentially distinct underlying pathology may provide insights into NSAID-induced coronary pathology. We studied the association between the use of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) and the risk of myocardial infarction (MI), separating non-fatal from fatal events, summarizing the evidence from both observational studies and randomised controlled trials. An increased risk of non-fatal MI was clearly found in both types of studies while use of NSAID did not confer an increased risk of fatal MI. Our findings provide support for the concept that thrombi generated under NSAID treatment could be different from spontaneous thrombi.

Impact of Smokeless Tobacco Products on Cardiovascular Disease: Implications for Policy, Prevention, and Treatment

Various forms of smokeless tobacco (ST) products (snuff, chewing tobacco) are used by individuals of all ages. Over the past several years, US tobacco companies have expanded marketing and promotion of ST products. A major aim of this statement is to review and summarize the scientific evidence regarding ST product use and the potential cardiovascular risks associated with ST product use that can be used to inform policy related to tobacco control and strategies related to tobacco harm reduction. A specific policy question is whether ST products should be recommended to smokers instead of cigarettes to reduce the morbidity and mortality associated with smoking and/or as an approach to enhance smoking cessation. Although evidence is consistent with the suggestion that the cardiovascular risks are lower with ST products compared with cigarette smoking, ST products are not without harm. As reviewed in this statement, there is evidence that long-term ST product use may be associated with a modest risk of fatal myocardial infarction (MI) and fatal stroke, suggesting that ST product use may complicate or reduce the chance for survival after a MI or stroke. In addition, there is inadequate evidence to support the use of ST products as a smoking cessation strategy. Based on the findings reviewed in this statement, clinicians should continue to discourage use of all tobacco products and emphasize prevention of smoking initiation and smoking cessation as primary goals for tobacco control. In the United States, various forms of ST products (snuff, chewing tobacco) are used by individuals of all ages, including adolescents and young adults.1 Over the past several years, US cigarette companies have been purchasing companies that only previously sold ST products.2 Consequently, there has been a proliferation of ST products such as moist snuff and snus that are sold under cigarette brand …