Immediate versus staged revascularisation of non-culprit arteries in patients with acute coronary syndrome: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Netherlands Heart Journal - Although there is robust evidence that revascularisation of non-culprit vessels should be pursued in patients presenting with an acute coronary syndrome (ACS) and...     

Long-term follow-up after bypass surgery or coronary stenting in elderly with multivessel disease

Background

We sought to compare long-term follow-up of coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) with percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) in elderly patients with left main or multivessel disease, hypothesising that completeness of revascularisation and severity of coronary artery disease are predictors of adverse outcomes.

Methods

Patients aged ≥75 years with multivessel disease or left main disease who underwent PCI or CABG between 2012–2016 were included in this retrospective cohort study. Baseline characteristics from the index procedure were collected. Severity of coronary artery disease and completeness of revascularisation were assessed. Primary outcome was all-cause mortality, in addition we captured major adverse cardiac and cerebral events, bleedings, recurrent angina and new onset atrial fibrillation.

Results

A total of 597 patients were included. Median follow-up was 4 years (interquartile range 2.8–5.3 years). At baseline, patients in the PCI group more often had a previous medical history of CABG and more frequently underwent an urgent procedure compared with patients in the CABG group. Mortality at 5‑year follow-up was significantly higher in patients who underwent PCI compared with CABG (39.9% vs 25.4%, p < 0.001). Furthermore, acute coronary syndrome (ACS), repeat revascularisation and recurrent angina occurred more frequently after PCI, while occurrence of bleedings and new onset atrial fibrillation were more frequent after CABG. Neither completeness of revascularisation nor severity of coronary artery disease was a predictor for any of the outcomes.

Conclusion

Long-term mortality was higher in elderly patients with multivessel disease undergoing PCI compared with CABG. In addition, patients undergoing PCI had a higher risk of ACS, repeat revascularisation and recurrent angina.

     

血清γ-谷氨酰转肽酶水平与老年2型糖尿病患者并发急性冠脉综合征的相关性分析

目的:探讨血清γ-谷氨酰转肽酶(GGT)水平与老年2型糖尿病患者并发急性冠脉综合征的相关性。方法:选取2015年10月至2016年10月哈尔滨市第一医院收治的老年患者238例,根据病情分为单纯2型糖尿病组81例(DM组),单纯急性冠脉综合征组78例(ACS组),2型糖尿病患者合并急性冠脉综合征79例(DA组);选取同期来我院体检健康者83例作为对照组(NC组)。比较各组一般情况和血清学指标。结果:(1)DA组BMI大于NC组、DM组和ACS组,血清GGT、糖化血红蛋白(HbA1C)、低密度脂蛋白胆固醇(LDL-C)水平显著高于NC组、DM组和ACS组,血清总胆固醇(TC)、甘油三酯(TG)水平均高于NC组,高密度脂蛋白胆固醇(HDL-C)水平低于NC组(P0.05)。(2)血清GGT水平与TG、LDC-C水平呈正相关(p0.05)。结论:血清GGT水平升高是老年2型糖尿病患者并发急性冠脉综合征的独立危险因素,及时监测老年2型糖尿病患者GGT水平对预测急性冠脉综合征的发生具有重要意义。     

冠脉PCI治疗后血浆脂蛋白相关磷脂酶A2与基质金属蛋白酶-9水平的变化及临床意义

目的:探讨冠脉经皮冠状动脉介入(PCI)治疗后血浆脂蛋白相关磷脂酶A2(LP-PLA2)与基质金属蛋白酶-9(MMP-9)水平的变化及其临床意义。方法:选择150例急性冠脉综合征(ACS)患者、128例稳定型心绞痛(SAP)患者及100例健康者分为作为ACS组、SAP组及对照组。比较三组入院时血浆MMP-9、LP-PLA2水平及ACS组经PCI治疗前后血浆MMP-9、LP-PLA2水平的变化。结果:与对照组比较,SAP组与ACS组的血浆MMP-9、LP-PLA2水平均明显增高(P0.05);与SAP组比较,ACS组明显增高(P0.05)。与术前比较,ACS组术后血浆MMP-9、LP-PLA2水平明显降低(P0.05)。MMP-9与LP-PLA2在ACS组血浆中呈显著正相关(r=0.617,P0.05),在SAP组与对照组中无相关性(P0.05)。结论:冠脉病变程度越严重,血浆MMP-9和LP-PLA2水平更高;PCI治疗后冠脉斑块趋于稳定,血浆MMP-9和LP-PLA2水平降低,且二者有相关性,提示MMP-9和LP-PLA2参与冠状动脉粥样硬化的发病与发展,且对预测ACS高危人群及评价疗效有一定的临床价值。     

急性冠脉综合征患者GRACE评分与心功能及冠脉病变的关系研究

目的:探讨全球急性冠状动脉疾病登记(GRACE)风险评分与急性冠脉综合征(ACS)患者心功能及冠脉病变的关系。方法:回顾性分析2015年4月至2017年6月我院收治的276例ACS患者的临床资料,根据GRACE评分结果进行分组,GRACE评分140分者作为高危组(93例),GRACE评分109~140分者作为中危组(96例),GRACE评分109分者作为低危组(87例),比较三组的一般资料、生化指标、心功能指标、冠脉病变严重程度,采用Spearman相关系数分析GRACE评分与心功能指标和冠脉病变严重程度的相关性。结果:高危组和中危组男性所占比例、年龄、高血压比例、载脂蛋白-B(Apo-B)、空腹血糖(FBG)、纤维蛋白原(FIB)、胱抑素-C(Cys-C)、同型半胱胺酸(Hcy)、左心房前后径(LAAP)、左心室收缩末期内径(LVESD)、左心室舒张末期内径(LVEDD)、多支血管病变所占比例以及重度狭窄和完全闭塞所占比例高于低危组,且高危组高于中危组,差异均有统计学意义(P0.05);高危组和中危组三酰甘油(TG)、载脂蛋白-A(Apo-A)、左心室射血分数(LVEF)低于低危组,且高危组低于中危组,差异均有统计学意义(P0.05)。Spearman相关系数分析显示,GRACE评分与LAAP、LVESD、LVEDD、冠脉病变血管支数、狭窄程度呈正相关关系(P0.05),GRACE评分与LVEF水平呈负相关关系(P0.05)。结论:GRACE评分越高,ACS患者的心功能越差,冠脉病变越严重,GRACE评分可以反映ACS患者的心功能水平和冠脉病变的严重程度。     

术前血清Lp-PLA2、sST2水平与急性冠状动脉综合征患者PCI术后冠状动脉慢血流/无复流的关系研究

摘要 目的：探讨急性冠状动脉综合征（ACS）患者术前血清脂蛋白相关磷脂酶A2（Lp-PLA2）、可溶性生长刺激表达基因2蛋白（sST2）表达情况,分析术前血清Lp-PLA2、sST2与经皮冠脉介入术（PCI）术后冠状动脉慢血流/无复流（CSF/CNF）的关系。方法：选择2019年9月至2022年9月在徐州医科大学附属连云港医院心内科进行PCI治疗的ACS患者386例为ACS组,根据术后心肌梗死溶栓实验（TIMI）血流分级分为CSF/CNF组（138例）和正常血流组（248例）;另选择同期在本院体检的健康对象174例为健康对照组。采用酶联免疫吸附法（ELISA）检测ACS患者术前及健康志愿者体检时血清Lp-PLA2、sST2水平,比较ACS组与健康对照组血清Lp-PLA2、sST2水平。采用单因素及多因素logistic回归模型分析CSF/CNF的影响因素,采用受试者工作特征（ROC）曲线分析术前血清Lp-PLA2、sST2对ACS患者PCI术后CSF/CNF的预测价值。结果：术前血清Lp-PLA2、sST2水平ACS组高于健康对照组（P＜0.05）;单因素分析结果显示,CSF/CNF组术前血肌酐（Scr）、超敏C反应蛋白（hs-CRP）、D-二聚体（D-D）、Lp-PLA2、sST2水平均高于正常血流组（P＜0.05）;多因素logistic回归模型分析结果显示,术前血清Lp-PLA2、sST2水平升高是ACS患者PCI术后发生CSF/CNF的独立危险因素（P＜0.05）。ROC曲线分析结果显示,两指标联合预测ACS患者PCI术后CSF/CNF的曲线下面积（AUC）显著高于术前血清Lp-PLA2、sST2单独检测。结论：PCI术后发生CSF/CNF的ACS患者术前血清Lp-PLA2、sST2水平异常升高,术前检测血清Lp-PLA2、sST2能较准确预测CSF/CNF,两者联合检测的预测效能更高。     

Six-month clinical outcomes of the Tryton Side Branch Stent for the treatment of bifurcation lesions

Aims

Percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) of a bifurcation lesion (BL) is still associated with poorer clinical outcomes when compared with PCI of a non-BL. Therefore, several dedicated coronary bifurcation stents, such as the Tryton Side Branch Stent™ (Tryton Medical, Durham, NC, USA), were developed to improve clinical outcomes. We investigated 6-month clinical outcomes after placement of a Tryton stent in 91 patients treated for 93 BLs in our centre.

Methods and results

All consecutive patients who have undergone PCI of a BL treated with the Tryton stent in our centre were included. Outcomes were defined as any death, cardiac death, myocardial infarction (MI), any revascularisation, ischaemia-driven target vessel revascularisation (TVR), ischaemia-driven target lesion revascularisation (TLR), stent thrombosis, and target vessel failure (TVF; composite of cardiac death, MI, and ischaemia-driven TVR). Event rates were estimated using the Kaplan-Meier method. Thirty-eight (42 %) patients with acute coronary syndrome (ACS) were included (16 % ST-segment elevation MI (STEMI)). The 6-month event rates were 5.4 % (death), 4.3 % (cardiac death), 2.2 % (MI), 4.5 % (any revascularisation), 4.5 % (TVR), 4.5 % (TLR) and 9.7 % (TVF).

Conclusion

In a real-world all-comers single-centre registry, the use of the Tryton Side Branch Stent was associated with acceptable procedural and promising clinical outcomes at 6 months, including ACS and STEMI patients.     

Current discharge management of acute coronary syndromes: data from the Rijnmond Collective Cardiology Research (CCR) study

Background

Medical discharge management of acute coronary syndromes (ACS) remains suboptimal outside randomised trials and constitutes an essential quality benchmark for ACS. We sought to evaluate the rates of key guideline-recommended pharmacological agents after ACS and characteristics associated with optimal treatment at discharge.

Methods

The Rijnmond Collective Cardiology Research (CCR) registry is an ongoing prospective, observational study in the Netherlands that aims to enrol 4000 patients with ACS. We examined discharge and 1-month follow-up medication use among the first 1000 patients enrolled in the CCR registry. Logistic regression was performed to identify patient and hospital characteristics associated with collective guideline-recommended pharmacotherapy at hospital discharge.

Results

At discharge, 94 % of patients received aspirin, 100 % thienopyridines, 80 % angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors/angiotensin-II receptor blockers, 87 % β-blockers, 96 % statins, and 65 % the combination of all 5 agents. ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction, hypertension, hypercholesterolaemia, and enrolment in an interventional centre were positive independent predictors of 5-drug combination therapy at discharge. Negative independent predictors were unstable angina and advanced age.

Conclusion

Current data from the CCR registry reflect a high quality of care for ACS discharge management in the Rotterdam-Rijnmond region. However, potential still remains for further optimisation.     

Retinol binding protein 4 levels relate to the presence and severity of coronary artery disease

BackgroundThe previous studies have showed that serum retinol binding protein 4 (RBP4) levels increase in metabolic disorders which are closely associated with cardiovascular diseases (CVD). However, the human studies investigating the role of RBP4 in CVD are conflicted. Therefore, we aimed to evaluate the relationship between RBP4 with the presence and severity of coronary artery disease (CAD) in this study.Methods55 patients with presenting acute coronary syndrome (ACS) and 43 control subjects who had various cardiovascular risk factors with normal coronary artery on coronary angiography were included in this study. The serum RBP4 concentrations were measured using ELISA method, clinically and anatomically score models were used to assess the severity of coronary lesion.ResultsSerum RBP4 levels were significantly higher in patients with ACS compared to the without ACS (68.40 ± 47.94 mg/L vs. 49.46 ± 13.64 mg/L; p = 0.014). RBP4 was correlated with GENSINI and SYNTAX I score (r = 0.286 p = 0.034; r = 0.403 p = 0.002 respectively). However, there was no relationship between RBP4 and GRACE score.ConclusionsThe serum RBP4 levels increase in patients with CAD and its increased levels may be correlated with CAD severity.     

Coronary CT angiography for suspected acute coronary syndrome: sex-associated differences

AimThe optimal diagnostic test in the work-up of suspected acute coronary syndrome (ACS) may differ between men and women. The aim of this study was to compare sex-associated differences between using a diagnostic strategy including early coronary computed tomography angiography (CCTA) and standard of care (SOC).MethodsIn total, 500 patients who presented with symptoms suggestive of ACS at the emergency department were randomised between a diagnostic strategy supplemented with early CCTA and SOC.ResultsWomen were generally older than men (mean ± standard deviation 56 ± 10 vs 53 ± 10 years, p < 0.01) and were less often admitted to hospital (33% vs 44%, p = 0.02). Obstructive coronary artery disease on CCTA (> 50% luminal narrowing) was less frequently seen in women (14% vs 26%, p = 0.02), and ACS was diagnosed less often in women (5% vs 10%, p = 0.03). Women underwent less outpatient testing when early CCTA was used in the emergency department evaluation of suspected ACS (p = 0.008).ConclusionWomen had a lower incidence of obstructive CAD on CCTA and were less often admitted to hospital than men. They were subjected to less outpatient testing when early CCTA was used in the emergency department evaluation of suspected ACS.Supplementary InformationThe online version of this article (10.1007/s12471-021-01607-1) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.     

STEMI or non-STEMI: that is the question

Acute coronary syndromes are usually classified on the basis of the presence or absence of ST elevation on the ECG: ST-elevation myocardial infarction or non-ST-elevation myocardial infarction (NSTEMI)patients with acute myocardial infarction (AMI) need immediate therapy, without unnecessary delay and primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PPCI) should preferably be performed within 90 min after first medical contact. However, in AMI patients without ST-segment elevation (pre) hospital triage for immediate transfer to the catheterisation laboratory may be difficult. Moreover, initial diagnosis and risk stratification take place at busy emergency departments and chest pain units with additional risk of ‘PPCI delay’. Optimal timing of angiography and revascularisation remains a challenge. We describe a patient with NSTEMI who was scheduled for early coronary angiography within 24 h but retrospectively should have been sent to the cath lab immediately because he had a significant amount of myocardium at risk, undetected by non-invasive parameters.     

Troponin elevation in patients with various tachycardias and normal epicardial coronaries

Troponin elevation is usually synonymous with acute coronary syndrome (ACS). Although sensitive for ACS, the elevation of serum troponin, in the absence of clinical evidence of ischemia, should prompt a search for other etiologies of myocardial necrosis. In fact, elevated values of troponin are correlated with myocardial necrosis even though it does not discriminate the mechanism involved. We report a series of seven patients (age range 18-67 years), who presented with complaints of chest discomfort and were found to have regular supraventricular tachycardia (5 patients) and one patient each with atrial fibrillation and ventricular tachycardia. All these patients had elevated troponin I and underwent coronary angiography that revealed normal epicardial coronary arteries. This is first case series in which all patients underwent coronary angiography and none of the patients was hemodynamically unstable at the time of presentation. Patients with elevated troponin due to conditions other than ACS can receive inappropriate and delayed definitive diagnosis and treatment.     

The Role of Platelet Serotonin and Depression in the Acute Coronary Syndrome Population

Platelet serotonin has been associated with depression and coronary artery disease. Understanding the association between platelet serotonin and depressive symptoms during acute coronary syndrome (ACS) may explain some of the ACS events seen in depressed individuals. The objectives were to evaluate whether levels of platelet serotonin during an ACS event differ between individuals who screen positive or negative for depressive symptoms and to determine if a linear relationship exists. In this cross-sectional study, data were collected on 51 patients with ACS. Multiple linear regression models were examined. Platelet serotonin levels were not significantly different between the depressed and non-depressed groups (β = -4.093 and p = .293); a linear relationship was not found (β = -.254 and p = .250). In conclusion, a relationship between platelet serotonin and depressive symptoms was not found. It remains unclear if an association exists between platelet serotonin levels and depressive symptoms during hospitalization for ACS.     

Assessment of serum tenascin-C and growth differentiation factor-15 among type 2 diabetes mellitus patients with and without acute coronary syndrome

BackgroundHigh prevalence of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is associated with a higher prevalence of acute coronary syndrome (ACS). Inflammation is one of the important contributors to the pathogenesis and complications of coronary atherosclerotic plaque. Growth Differentiation Factor-15 (GDF-15) and Tenascin-C (TNC) play an important role in the initiation of atherosclerotic plaque as well as its rupture. The aim of the study was to evaluate the association between serum GDF-15, TNC, and the risk of ACS among T2DM patients.MethodsAnthropometric parameters, routine biochemical investigations like liver and renal function tests, lipid profile, and Creatine Kinase-Total (CK-T), Creatine Kinase-MB (CK-MB) were measured in 42 T2DM patients with ACS and 42 T2DM patients. Serum GDF-15 and TNC were measured by Human Sandwich-ELISA kits.ResultsSerum GDF-15 and TNC levels were significantly higher in T2DM patients with ACS as compared to T2DM patients. Serum GDF-15 was significantly correlated with waist circumference, diastolic blood pressure, pulse, serum CK-T, and CK-MB. Serum TNC was significantly correlated with the pulse, serum CK-T, CK-MB, high-density lipoprotein-cholesterol, and blood urea nitro GEN. Multivariate linear regression analysis showed that waist circumference was independently positively associated with serum GDF-15.ConclusionsT2DM patients with higher serum GDF-15 and TNC levels were at higher risk of acute coronary syndrome independent of other cardiovascular risk factors.     

低风险胸痛急性冠状动脉综合征患者心电图特征及其对诊断的价值研究

摘要 目的：分析低风险胸痛急性冠状动脉综合征(acute coronary syndrome,ACS)患者心电图特征及其对诊断的价值。方法：选择我院自2017年1月至2019年8月接诊的194例疑似低风险胸痛ACS患者,均采取心电图检查和冠状动脉造影检查;分析低风险胸痛ACS患者的心电图特征,观察心电图结果与冠状动脉病变支数、狭窄程度的关系,计算心电图诊断低风险胸痛ACS的特异性、敏感性等效能指标,使用受试者工作特征(receiver operating characteristic,ROC)曲线下面积(curve,AUC)定量分析ST段偏移值预测主要不良心血管事件的效能。结果：在194例疑似低风险胸痛ACS患者中,低风险胸痛ACS患者134例,低风险不稳定型心绞痛(UA)患者心电图表现以ST-T缺血性改变为主,发作时改变明显或呈现伪性改善;低风险非ST段抬高的心肌梗死(non-ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction,NSTEMI)患者心电图表现为肢体和胸导联ST段压低,T波低平、倒置,ST-T改变持续存在和呈动态衍变;低风险胸痛ACS患者心电图结果与冠状动脉病变支数无关(P＞0.05),与狭窄程度有关(P＜0.05);心电图诊断低风险胸痛ACS的特异性为71.67 %,敏感性为69.40 %,阳性预测值为84.55 %,阴性预测值为51.19 %,符合率为70.62 %;所有患者均获得随访,经ROC曲线分析,ST段偏移值预测低风险胸痛ACS患者发生主要不良心血管事件的最佳截值为1.85 mm,AUC为0.695,对比全球急性冠状动脉事件注册(GRACE)风险评分的0.675,差异无统计学意义(P＞0.05)。结论：低风险胸痛ACS患者心电图具有多样化,与冠状动脉狭窄程度有关,有助于初步诊断和风险评估,且ST段偏移值预测主要不良心血管事件的效能较好,值得进一步研究应用。     

Serum biomarker discovery related to pathogenesis in acute coronary syndrome by proteomic approach

Acute coronary syndrome (ACS) results from inadequate supply of blood flow from the coronary arteries to the heart or ischemia. ACS has an extremely high morbidity and mortality. The levels of biomarkers currently used for detection of ACS also increase in response to myocardial necrosis and other diseases and are not elevated immediately after symptoms appear, thus limiting their diagnostic capacity. Therefore, we aimed to discover new ACS diagnostic biomarkers with high sensitivity and specificity that are specifically related to ACS pathogenesis. Sera from 50 patients with ACS and healthy controls (discovery cohort) each were analyzed using mass spectrometry (MS) to identify differentially expressed proteins, and protein candidates were evaluated as ACS biomarkers in 120 people in each group (validation cohort). α-1-acid glycoprotein 1 (AGP1), complement C5 (C5), leucine-rich α-2-glycoprotein (LRG), and vitronectin (VN) were identified as biomarkers whose levels increase and gelsolin (GSN) as a biomarker whose levels decrease in patients with ACS. We concluded that these biomarkers are associated with the pathogenesis of ACS and can predict the onset of ACS prior to the appearance of necrotic biomarkers.     

Association between public media and trends in new acute coronary syndrome presentations during the first COVID‑19 wave in the Netherlands

BackgroundWe aimed to evaluate the association between public media and trends in new presentations of acute coronary syndrome (ACS) during the first wave of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID‑19) in the Netherlands.MethodsNew ACS presentations per week in 73 hospitals during the first half of 2019 and 2020 were retrieved from the national organisation Dutch Hospital Data and incidence rates were calculated. Stratified analyses were performed by region, type of ACS and patient characteristics.ResultsAfter the first confirmed COVID‑19 case and during lockdown, numbers declined by up to 41% (95% confidence interval (CI): 36–47%) compared to 2019. This reduction was more pronounced for non-ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (NSTEMI) (48%; 95% CI: 39–55%) and unstable angina (UA; 50%; 95% CI: 40–59%) than for STEMI (34%; 95% CI: 23–43%). There was no association between ACS and COVID‑19 incidence rate per region. After the steep decline, a public campaign encouraged patients not to postpone hospital visits. Numbers then increased, without a rebound effect. Trends were similar irrespective of sex, age or socio-economic status. During the outbreak, compared to coronary artery bypass graft procedures, relatively more (acute) percutaneous coronary interventions for NSTEMI and UA were performed.ConclusionNew ACS presentations decreased by up to 41%. Lockdown measures and public campaigns, rather than COVID‑19 incidence, were associated with significant changes in new ACS presentations. Even though causality cannot be established, this emphasises the role of the public media and healthcare organisations in informing patients to prevent underdiagnoses of ACS and associated health damage.Supplementary InformationThe online version of this article (10.1007/s12471-021-01603-5) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.     

HEART与GRACE危险评分对急性冠脉综合征患者危险分层的对比研究

目的:探讨HEART与GRACE危险评分对急性冠脉综合症(ACS)患者主要心血管不良事件(MACE)发生的预测应用价值。方法:回顾性分析自2015年6月至2018年6月就诊于我院急诊入院的ACS患者591例,分别使用HEART与GRACE危险评分对研究对象进行危险分层(低危组,中危组,高危组),随访患者发病后90天MACE发生情况,分析不同危险分层ACS患者发病后90天MACE发生情况与评分之间的关系,并比较两种评分对ACS患者90天发生MACE事件的预测能力。结果:本研究纳入371例患者,其中男性324例(87.3%),女性47例(12.7%),年龄(58±11.70)岁;167患者(45.1%)在3个月内发生MACE。随着HEART和GRACE危险评分越高,发病90天发生MACE事件的发生率显著增加(P<0.05),HEART评分中高危组预测MACE准确性较GRACE评分高,GRACE评分低危险组预测MACE准确性较HEART评分高。HEART和GRACE评分对ACS患者预测MACE敏感性分别为76.51%,64.73%,特异性分别为96.71%,96.25%。HEART评分具有良好的预测价值,其ROC曲线下面积为0.908(95%CI 0.846~0.974),与GRACE评分ROC曲线下面积的0.801相比,差异有统计学意义(P<0.05)。结论:HEART和GRACE评分都可以应用于ACS患者的危险分层,预后评估和预测MACE发生,但HEART危险评分更可靠。     

Gender-specific differences in biomarkers responses to acute coronary syndromes and revascularization procedures

A growing body of gender-related research in coronary artery disease is beginning to gradually elucidate differences between women and men. In patients presenting with acute coronary syndromes (ACS), these sex differences include varying risk factor profiles, accuracy of diagnostic testing, clinical presentations, treatment practices and outcomes. There is also a differential expression of cardiac biomarkers by sex, which remains unexplained. This paper reviews all the available information on the effect of gender on cardiac biomarkers by search of MEDLINE using the terms gender differences, biomarkers, ACS and revascularization procedures. A better understanding of the sex disparities in biomarkers along with all other clinical information is essential to optimal management and patient care in the future.     

Clinical characteristics, cardiac events and coronary angiographic findings in the prospective PREVEND cohort: an observational study

Background: The use of invasive procedures has mostly been studied in retrospective (multi)- national registries. Limited evidence exists on the association between microalbuminuria and coronary artery disease (CAD). Methods: The incidence of major adverse cardiac events (MACE) and invasive cardiac procedures was registered between 1997 and 2003 in 8139 subjects, without prior documented CAD, in the PREVEND cohort study (the Netherlands), in which the focus is on microalbuminuria and cardiovascular risk. Qualitative coronary angiographic analysis was performed. Results: During 5.5 years of follow-up, a first MACE occurred in 271 (3.3%) and a first coronary angiography (CAG) was performed in 264 (3.2%) subjects. Of these, 216 CAGs were available for qualitative angiographic analysis. Indications for CAG were stable angina in 129, acute coronary syndrome (ACS) in 55 and ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) in 32 subjects. Obstructive coronary artery disease was present in 61, 53 and 30 subjects, respectively. A revascularisation was performed in 50 (39%), 50 (91%) and 25 (78%) subjects, respectively. Microalbuminuria was associated with a first MACE, after adjustment for established risk factors. Microalbuminuria was present at baseline in 9% of subjects with normal coronary arteries, in 21% of subjects with one- and two-vessel CAD and in 39% of subjects with threevessel or left main CAD at CAG during follow-up (Ptrend=0.005). Conclusion: This large cohort study shows that two-thirds of diagnostic CAGs for stable angina were not followed by a revascularisation, in contrast to CAGs for STEMI or ACS. Furthermore, this study shows that microalbuminuria is associated with CAD. (Neth Heart J 2007;15:133-41.)