Silent Ischemic Heart Disease and Pericardial Fat Volume in HIV-Infected Patients: A Case-Control Myocardial Perfusion Scintigraphy Study

Objectives

to determine the prevalence of asymptomatic ischemic heart disease (IHD) in HIV patients by myocardial perfusion scintigraphy (MPS) and to determine the value of coronary artery calcium score (CACS), carotid intima-media thickness (cIMT) and pericardial fat volume as screening tools for detection of IHD in subjects with HIV.

Background

Patients with HIV seem prone to early development of IHD.

Methods

105 consecutive HIV patients (mean age 47.4 years; mean duration of HIV 12.3 years; mean CD4+ cell count 636×10⁶/L; all receiving antiretroviral therapy) and 105 controls matched for age, gender and smoking status, without history of IHD were recruited. MPS, CACS, cIMT, pericardial fat volume, and cardiovascular risk scores were measured.

Results

HIV patients demonstrated higher prevalence of perfusion defects than controls (18% vs. 0%; p<0.001) despite similar risk scores. Of HIV patients with perfusion defects, 42% had a CACS = 0. CACS and cIMT were similar in HIV patients and controls. HIV patients on average had 35% increased pericardial fat volume and increased concentration of biomarkers of atherosclerosis in the blood. HIV patients with myocardial perfusion defects had increased pericardial fat volume compared with HIV patients without perfusion defects (314±43 vs. 189±12 mL; p<0.001).

Conclusions

HIV patients had an increased prevalence of silent IHD compared to controls as demonstrated by MPS. The finding was strongly associated with pericardial fat volume, whereas cardiovascular risk scores, cIMT and CACS seem less useful as screening tools for detection of myocardial perfusion defects in HIV patients.     

Independent prognostic value of coronary artery calcium score and coronary computed tomography angiography in an outpatient cohort of low to intermediate risk chest pain patients

Background

Limited studies report on the additional prognostic value of coronary computed tomography angiography (CCTA) and the coronary artery calcium score (CACS).

Methods

For a median of 637 days, 1551 outpatients with chest pain, without known coronary artery disease (CAD) and low or intermediate pre-test probability of CAD, were followed for major adverse cardiac events (MACE), defined as death, myocardial infarction or late revascularisation. Cox proportional hazard regression was used to evaluate the independent prognostic value of CCTA and CACS.

Results

MACE occurred in 23 patients (1.5?%): death (3, 0.2?%), myocardial infarction (4, 0.3?%) and late revascularisation (16, 1.3?%). Multivariate analysis showed an independent prognostic value of CCTA (p?<?0.001), CACS of 100–400 (p?=?0.035) and CACS of >?400 (p?=?0.021). CCTA showed obstructive CAD in 3.1?% of patients with CACS?=?0. No events occurred in patients with CACS?=?0 without obstructive CAD at CCTA, whereas 2/23 patients (9?%) with CACS?=?0 with obstructive CAD had a MACE.

Conclusions

Our study shows that both CCTA and higher CACS categories have independent prognostic value in chest pain patients with low to intermediate pre-test probability of obstructive CAD, in which CCTA is appropriate. Furthermore a non-negligible amount of patients with CACS?=?0 have obstructive CAD at CCTA. CCTA can be used in these patients to identify those at risk for MACE.

     

血清尿酸、同型半胱氨酸、白细胞介素-6与冠心病患者肠道菌群和主要不良心血管事件的关系研究

摘要 目的：研究血清尿酸（UA）、同型半胱氨酸（Hcy）、白细胞介素-6（IL-6）与冠心病患者肠道菌群和主要不良心血管事件（MACE）的关系。方法：选取2018年5月~2020年12月期间在中国人民解放军联勤保障部队第九八九医院行经皮冠状动脉介入术（PCI）的冠心病患者120例作为冠心病组,选取同期来中国人民解放军联勤保障部队第九八九医院体检的健康志愿者80例作为对照组。对比对照组、冠心病组的血清IL-6、Hcy、UA水平和乳酸杆菌、双歧杆菌、大肠杆菌。Pearson相关性分析IL-6、Hcy、UA和乳酸杆菌、双歧杆菌、大肠杆菌的相关性。记录冠心病组PCI术后随访1年MACE的发生率,并采用多因素Logistic回归分析MACE发生的影响因素。结果：冠心病组的血清IL-6、Hcy、UA水平高于对照组（P<0.05）。冠心病组的乳酸杆菌、双歧杆菌、大肠杆菌数量少于对照组（P<0.05）。Pearson相关性分析结果显示,IL-6、Hcy、UA均与乳酸杆菌、双歧杆菌、大肠杆菌呈负相关（P<0.05）。所有患者均完成随访,无失访患者。随访过程中发现有32例患者发生MACE,发生率为26.67%。根据是否发生MACE分为MACE组（n=32）和无MACE组（n=88）。单因素分析结果显示,MACE的发生与病程、吸烟史、合并高血压、合并糖尿病、置入支架数目、IL-6、Hcy、UA、乳酸杆菌、双歧杆菌、大肠杆菌有关（P<0.05）。多因素Logistic回归分析结果显示：病程偏长、吸烟史、合并高血压、合并糖尿病、置入支架数目更多、IL-6偏高、Hcy偏高、UA偏高是冠心病患者MACE发生的危险因素（P<0.05）。结论：冠心病患者体内IL-6、Hcy、UA水平升高,肠道菌群紊乱,且肠道菌群紊乱与IL-6、Hcy、UA水平相关。此外,冠心病PCI术后MACE发生不可避免,且受到病程、吸烟史、合并高血压等多种因素的影响。     

Volumetric assessment of epicardial adipose tissue with cardiovascular magnetic resonance imaging

Objective: Previous studies determined the amount of epicardial fat by measuring the right ventricular epicardial fat thickness. However, it is not proven whether this one‐dimensional method correlates well with the absolute amount of epicardial fat. In this prospective study, a new cardiovascular magnetic resonance imaging (CMR) method using the three‐dimensional summation of slices method was introduced to assess the total amount of epicardial fat. Research Methods and Procedures: CMR was performed in 43 patients with congestive heart failure and in 28 healthy controls. The absolute amount of epicardial fat was assessed volumetrically in consecutive short‐axis views by means of the modified Simpson's rule. Additionally, the right ventricular epicardial fat thickness was measured in two different imaging planes: long‐axis view (EFT‐4CV) and consecutive short‐axis views (EFT‐SAX). Results: Using the volumetric approach, patients with congestive heart failure had less epicardial fat mass than controls (51 g vs. 65 g, p = 0.01). This finding was supported by EFT‐SAX (2.9 mm vs. 4.3 mm, p < 0.0001) but not by EFT‐4CV (3.5 mm vs. 3.8 mm, p = not significant). Epicardial fat mass correlated moderately with EFT‐SAX in both groups (r = 0.466, p = 0.012 in controls and r = 0.590, p < 0.0001 in patients) and with EFT‐4CV in controls (r = 0.387, p = 0.042). There were no significant differences between EFT‐4CV and EFT‐SAX in controls (4.3 mm vs. 3.8 mm, p = 0.240). However, in the heart failure group, EFT‐4CV was significantly higher compared with EFT‐SAX (3.5 mm vs. 2.9 mm, p = 0.003). Interobserver variability and reproducibility were superior for the volumetric approach compared with thickness measurements. Discussion: Quantitative assessment of epicardial fat mass using the CMR‐based volumetric approach is feasible and yields superior reproducibility compared with conventional methods.     

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。     

Type-2 diabetes-induced changes in vascular extracellular matrix gene expression: Relation to vessel size

Introduction

Inflammation contributes to cardiovascular disease and is exacerbated with increased adiposity, particularly omental adiposity; however, the role of epicardial fat is poorly understood.

Methods

For these studies the expression of inflammatory markers was assessed in epicardial fat biopsies from coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) patients using quantitative RT-PCR. Further, the effects of chronic medications, including statins, as well as peri-operative glucose, insulin and potassium infusion, on gene expression were also assessed. Circulating resistin, CRP, adiponectin and leptin levels were determined to assess inflammation.

Results

The expression of adiponectin, resistin and other adipocytokine mRNAs were comparable to that in omental fat. Epicardial CD45 expression was significantly higher than control depots (p < 0.01) indicating significant infiltration of macrophages. Statin treated patients showed significantly lower epicardial expression of IL-6 mRNA, in comparison with the control abdominal depots (p < 0.001). The serum profile of CABG patients showed significantly higher levels of both CRP (control: 1.28 ± 1.57 μg/mL vs CABG: 9.11 ± 15.7 μg/mL; p < 0.001) and resistin (control: 10.53 ± 0.81 ng/mL vs CABG: 16.8 ± 1.69 ng/mL; p < 0.01) and significantly lower levels of adiponectin (control: 29.1 ± 14.8 μg/mL vs CABG: 11.9 ± 6.0 μg/mL; p < 0.05) when compared to BMI matched controls.

Conclusion

Epicardial and omental fat exhibit a broadly comparable pathogenic mRNA profile, this may arise in part from macrophage infiltration into the epicardial fat. This study highlights that chronic inflammation occurs locally as well as systemically potentially contributing further to the pathogenesis of coronary artery disease.     

Statin Intensity and Clinical Outcome in Patients with Stable Coronary Artery Disease and Very Low LDL-Cholesterol

BackgroundAlthough intensive statin therapy is recommended for high risk patients, evidence of its benefit in patients with stable coronary artery disease (CAD) and very low low-density lipoprotein-cholesterol (LDL-C) has been very rare. In this study, we investigated whether higher statin intensity reduces cardiovascular risks in this population.MethodsIn this retrospective study, a total of 5234 patients with stable CAD were screened at three tertiary hospitals in Korea; 449 patients (mean age: 65 years, male: 69%) with LDL-C <80 mg/dL were finally analyzed. The statin intensities were classified according to the 2013 American College of Cardiology/American Heart Association guidelines. Patients who received statins equivalent to or weaker than atorvastatin 10 mg (group 1) were compared with those who took statins equivalent to or stronger than atorvastatin 20 mg (group 2). The impact of statin intensity on major adverse cardiac events (MACE) was evaluated during follow-up.ResultsGroup 1 and group 2 consisted of 181 patients (40.3%) and 268 patients (59.7%), respectively. The mean LDL-C level decreased to 52 and 57 mg/dL in group 1 and group 2, respectively, during follow-up. In a median follow-up of 4.5 years, patients of group 2 had a lower incidence of MACE (30 [16.6%] vs. 12 [4.5%], p <0.001), which were mostly related to a lower incidence of coronary revascularization. Cox proportional hazard analyses identified the statin intensity of group 2 (adjusted hazard ratio: 0.25, confidence interval: 0.11–0.55, p <0.001) and the baseline high-density lipoprotein-cholesterol level as independent determinants of MACE.ConclusionThis study provides evidence that higher intensity statins are beneficial for cardiovascular outcomes in patients with stable CAD and very low LDL-C. Statins equivalent to or stronger than atorvastatin 20 mg are more effective than lower intensity statins.     

Adiposity Is Associated with Gender-Specific Reductions in Left Ventricular Myocardial Perfusion during Dobutamine Stress

Background

Obesity and visceral adiposity are increasingly recognized risk factors for cardiovascular disease. Visceral fat may reduce myocardial perfusion by impairing vascular endothelial function. Women experience more anginal symptoms compared to men despite less severe coronary artery stenosis, as assessed by angiography. Women and men have different fat storage patterns which may account for the observed differences in cardiovascular disease. Therefore, our objective was to evaluate the relationship between visceral adipose tissue distributions and myocardial perfusion in men and women.

Methods

Visceral and subcutaneous fat distributions and myocardial perfusion were measured in 69 men and women without coronary artery disease using magnetic resonance imaging techniques. Myocardial perfusion index was quantified after first-pass perfusion with gadolinium contrast at peak dose dobutamine stress.

Results

We observed inverse relationships between female gender (r = -0.35, p = 0.003), pericardial fat (r = -0.36, p = 0.03), intraperitoneal fat (r = -0.37, p = 0.001), and retroperitoneal fat (r = -0.36, p = 0.002) and myocardial perfusion index. Visceral fat depots were not associated with reduced myocardial perfusion at peak dose dobutamine in men. However, in women, BMI (r = -0.33, p = 0.04), pericardial fat (r = -0.53, p = 0.02), subcutaneous fat (r = -0.39, p = 0.01) and intraperitoneal fat (r = -0.30, p = 0.05) were associated with reduced myocardial perfusion during dobutamine stress.

Conclusions

Higher visceral fat volumes are associated with reduced left ventricular myocardial perfusion at peak dose dobutamine stress in women but not in men. These findings suggest that visceral fat may contribute to abnormal microcirculatory coronary artery perfusion syndromes, explaining why some women exhibit more anginal symptoms despite typically lower grade epicardial coronary artery stenoses than men.     

超声三维斑点技术联合SYNTAX评分对冠心病病情的判断价值分析

摘要 目的：探讨与分析超声三维斑点技术联合SYNTAX评分对冠心病病情的判断价值。方法：2022年2月到2023年1月选择在医院诊治的冠心病患者350例作为研究对象,所有患者都给予超声三维斑点检查,同时所有患者都给予SYNTAX评分。随访记录患者的主要不良心血管事件（MACE）发生情况病进行相关性分析。结果：在350例患者中,随访到2023年2月1日,平均随访时间为9.14±1.13个月,发生MACE45例（MACE组）,占比12.9 %,其中心源性死亡6例、冠脉综合征14例、血运重建13例、恶性心律失常7例、心力衰竭5例。MACE组的年龄、体重指数、性别、总胆固醇（TG）、高密度脂蛋白（HDL-C）、低密度脂蛋白（LDL-C）、甘油三酯（TC）血糖与非MACE组对比无显著差异（P>0.05）。MACE组的超声三维斑点参数-右室收缩峰值应变率（SRs）高于非MACE组（P<0.05）,右室舒张晚期峰值应变率（SRa）、舒张早期峰值应变率（SRc）与非MACE组对比有显著降低（P<0.05）。MACE组的SYNTAX评分明显高于非MACE组(P<0.05),两组的SYNTAX评分分级人群占比也有显著差异（P<0.05）。在350例患者中,Spearsman分析显示SYNTAX评分、SRs、SRc、SRa都与MACE的发生呈现正相关性（P<0.05）。logistic回归分析法显示SYNTAX评分、SRs、SRc、SRa都为导致MACE发生的重要因素（P<0.05）。结论：冠心病患者治疗后MACE的发生率依然比较高,多伴随有SYNTAX评分增高,超声三维斑点技术检查也存在一定的差异性,超声三维斑点技术联合SYNTAX评分能有效反映冠心病患者的病情。     

Cardiovascular and musculskeletal co-morbidities in patients with alpha 1 antitrypsin deficiency

Background

Determining the presence and extent of co-morbidities is fundamental in assessing patients with chronic respiratory disease, where increased cardiovascular risk, presence of osteoporosis and low muscle mass have been recognised in several disease states. We hypothesised that the systemic consequences are evident in a further group of subjects with COPD due to Alpha-1 Antitrypsin Deficiency (A1ATD), yet are currently under-recognised.

Methods

We studied 19 patients with PiZZ A1ATD COPD and 20 age, sex and smoking matched controls, all subjects free from known cardiovascular disease. They underwent spirometry, haemodynamic measurements including aortic pulse wave velocity (aPWV), an independent predictor or cardiovascular risk, dual energy X-ray absorptiometry to determine body composition and bone mineral density.

Results

The aPWV was greater in patients: 9.9(2.1) m/s than controls: 8.5(1.6) m/s, p = 0.03, despite similar mean arterial pressure (MAP). The strongest predictors of aPWV were age, FEV₁% predicted and MAP (all p < 0.01). Osteoporosis was present in 8/19 patients (2/20 controls) and was previously unsuspected in 7 patients. The fat free mass and bone mineral density were lower in patients than controls (p < 0.001).

Conclusions

Patients with A1ATD related COPD have increased aortic stiffness suggesting increased risk of cardiovascular disease and evidence of occult musculoskeletal changes, all likely to contribute hugely to overall morbidity and mortality.     

Diagnostic and prognostic value of absence of coronary artery calcification in patients with stable chest symptoms

The aim of this study was to determine the prognostic value of a coronary artery calcium score (CACS) of 0 in patients with stable chest symptoms and to compare it as a first-line test with bicycle exercise testing (X-ECG). Altogether, 315 consecutive patients over 44 years of age, with stable chest symptoms and no previous diagnosis of coronary artery disease (CAD) visited the outpatient clinic of our community hospital and underwent both CACS and X-ECG. The mean age was 60.54 years (SD 9.7; range 45–88 years). Of these patients, 141 had no detectable coronary calcium (44.8%) We excluded patients who did not sign informed consent (n = 4). Three patients were lost to follow-up. The follow-up group therefore consisted of 134 patients. The mean follow-up period was 44.6 months (25th–75th percentile: 35.5–54.3 months), during which no major adverse cardiac events (MACE) occurred. The negative predictive value (NPV) was 100%. X-ECG was negative in only 89 patients, equivocal in 39 patients and false-positive in 6 patients requiring additional stress myocardial imaging in 45 patients. NPV as a first-line test was therefore 66.4%. In conclusion: patients over 44 years with stable chest symptoms and no detectable coronary calcium have an excellent prognosis. CACS performs better compared with X-ECG as an initial test in patients with stable chest symptoms.     

Elevated homocysteine level and prognosis in patients with acute coronary syndrome: a meta-analysis

Objective: Controversial results exist with respect to the association between elevated homocysteine level and adverse prognosis in acute coronary syndrome (ACS) patients. We performed a meta-analysis to evaluate the prognostic value of homocysteine level on ACS patients.

Materials and methods: A comprehensive literature search of PubMed and Embase databases was conducted prior to August 2018. Prospective observational studies reporting the association of baseline homocysteine level with major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE), cardiovascular or all-cause mortality in ACS patients were selected. Pooled risk ratio (RR) and corresponding 95% confidence intervals (CI) were calculated for the highest versus the lowest homocysteine level.

Results: Ten studies including 4120 ACS patients were identified. ACS patients with the highest homocysteine level had an increased risk of MACE (RR 2.01; 95% CI 1.53–2.64) and all-cause mortality (RR 2.05; 95% CI 1.50–2.79) after controlling confounding factors. However, the association between elevated homocysteine level and cardiovascular mortality (RR 1.08; 95% CI 0.83–1.39) was not statistically significant.

Conclusions: Elevated homocysteine level was associated with an increased risk of MACE and all-cause mortality among ACS patients. However, the association of elevated homocysteine level with cardiovascular mortality in ACS patients should be further confirmed in future studies.     

Enfermedad cardiovascular tras infección por SARS-CoV-2 en pacientes ancianos. Resultados del seguimiento anual de una cohorte de supervivientes

IntroductionAlthough the effects of SARS-CoV-2 infection on the cardiovascular system is well known in the acute phase, the cardiovascular impact of the elderly population surviving COVID-19 respiratory infection after 1 year of follow-up has not been sufficiently studied.MethodsObservational registry of 240 elderly patients (75 years or older), consecutively admitted for COVID-19 respiratory infection and survivors of the same, between March 1 and April 30, 2020, at the Hospital General Universitario de Ciudad Real. The incidence of major cardiovascular events [MACE] (cardiovascular death [CD], acute coronary syndrome [ACS], cerebrovascular disease [CVD], venous thromboembolic disease [VTE] and heart failure [HF]) was prospectively analysed.ResultsThe mean age was 83.75 ± 5.75 years. After a mean follow-up of 352.2 ± 70.4 days, 13.8% of patients died and 9.6% had MACE, the most frequent being heart failure, with no differences in severity or overall course of acute illness. In the multivariate Cox regression model, the risk of developing MACE was higher in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and (HR 4.29; 95%CI 1.62-11.39; P = .003) and loop diuretic (HR 2.99; 95%CI 1.27-7.07; P = .01).ConclusionsIn elderly COVID-19 survivors, the incidence of MACE after one year of follow-up is high, the main manifestation being heart failure.     

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.     

Lipoprotein(a) levels and long-term cardiovascular risk in the contemporary era of statin therapy

Lipoprotein(a) [Lp(a)] has enhanced atherothrombotic properties. The ability of Lp(a) levels to predict adverse cardiovascular outcomes in patients undergoing coronary angiography has not been examined. The relationship between serum Lp(a) levels and both the extent of angiographic disease and 3-year incidence of major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE: death, myocardial infarction, stroke, and coronary revascularization) was investigated in 2,769 patients who underwent coronary angiography [median Lp(a) 16.4 mg/dl, elevated levels (≥30 mg/dl) in 38%]. An elevated Lp(a) was associated with a 2.3-fold [95% confidence interval (CI), 1.7–3.2, P < 0.001] greater likelihood of having a significant angiographic stenosis and 1.5-fold (95 CI, 1.3–1.7, P < 0.001) greater chance of three-vessel disease. Lp(a)≥30 mg/dl was associated with a greater rate of MACE (41.8 vs. 35.8%, P = 0.005), primarily due to a greater need for coronary revascularization (30.9 vs. 26.0%, P = 0.02). A relationship between Lp(a) levels and cardiovascular outcome was observed in patients with an LDL cholesterol (LDL-C) ≥70-100 mg/dl (P = 0.049) and >100 mg/dl (P = 0.02), but not <70 mg/dl (P = 0.77). Polymorphisms of Lp(a) were also associated with both plasma Lp(a) levels and coronary stenosis, but not a greater rate of MACE. Lp(a) levels correlate with the extent of obstructive disease and predict the need for coronary revascularization in subjects with suboptimal LDL-C control. This supports the need to intensify lipid management in patients with elevated Lp(a) levels.     

Long-term comparison of balloon angioplasty with provisional stenting versus routine stenting in patients with non-ST-elevation acute coronary syndrome

Background. In patients with unstable angina or non-ST-elevation acute coronary syndrome (NSTE-ACS) who are eligible for PCI, routine stenting is the recommended treatment strategy, based on the opinion of experts. Provisional stenting may provide a viable alternative by retaining the early benefits of stenting without its potential late hazards. Method. Patients with NSTE-ACS were randomised to provisional or routine stenting after coronary angiography. Patients were followed for up to ten years. The occurrence of major adverse cardiac events (MACE) was recorded. Results. 237 consecutive patients with NSTE-ACS were randomly assigned to routine stenting (n=116) or provisional stenting (n=121). No difference in the incidence of MACE at 30 days was observed. At six months, angiographic restenosis was lower in the routine stenting group (41 vs. 20%, p=0.02), paralleled by more MACE in the provisional stenting group at one year (40.5 vs. 27.6%, p=0.036). At complete follow-up the difference in MACE was not significant (61.2 vs. 50%, p=0.084) because of relatively more target lesion revascularisations in the routine stent group. There was no difference in the incidence of very late stent thrombosis (1.7 vs. 3.4%, p=0.439). The only independent predictor of MACE was β-blocker use (RR 0.62 [0.431; 0.892] p=0.010). Conclusion. In selective patients with NSTE-ACS, routine stenting was more beneficial than provisional stenting for a period of up to five years, driven by a reduction in repeat revascularisation procedures. After this period, the benefit was no longer significant. Beta-blocker use was the only independent predictor of MACE throughout the complete follow-up period. (Neth Heart J 2010;18:307-313.)     

Patients who do not complete cardiac rehabilitation have an increased risk of cardiovascular events during long-term follow-up

Background

Cardiac rehabilitation (CR) has favourable effects on cardiovascular mortality and morbidity. Therefore, it might reasonable to expect that incomplete CR participation will result in suboptimal patient outcomes.

Methods

We studied the 914 post-acute coronary syndrome patients who participated in the OPTImal CArdiac REhabilitation (OPTICARE) trial. They all started a ‘standard’ CR programme, with physical exercises (group sessions) twice a week for 12 weeks. Incomplete CR was defined as participation in <75% of the scheduled exercise sessions. Patients were followed-up for 2.7 years, and the incidence of cardiac events was recorded. Major adverse cardiac events (MACE) included all-cause mortality, non-fatal myocardial infarction and coronary revascularisation.

Results

A total of 142 (16%) patients had incomplete CR. They had a higher incidence of MACE than their counterparts who completed CR (11.3% versus 3.8%, adjusted hazard ratio [aHR] 2.86 and 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.47–5.26). Furthermore, the incidence of any cardiac event, including MACE and coronary revascularisation, was higher (20.4% versus 11.0%, aHR 1.54; 95% CI 0.98–2.44). Patients with incomplete CR were more often persistent smokers than those who completed CR (31.7% versus 11.5%), but clinical characteristics were similar otherwise.

Conclusion

Post-ACS patients who did not complete a ‘standard’ 12-week CR programme had a higher incidence of adverse cardiac events during long-term follow-up than those who completed the programme. Since CR is proven beneficial, further research is needed to understand the reasons why patients terminate prematurely.

     

碳酸镧咀嚼片联合依降钙素对血液透析高磷血症患者冠状动脉钙化及血磷水平的影响

摘要 目的：观察碳酸镧咀嚼片联合依降钙素对血液透析高磷血症患者冠状动脉钙化及血磷水平的影响。方法：选取2019年8月~2021年3月我院接收的血液透析高磷血症患者120例,采用双色球法,将患者分为对照组（60例,依降钙素治疗）和观察组（60例,在对照组基础上结合碳酸镧咀嚼片治疗）,对比两组疗效、血磷、血钙、钙磷乘积、全段甲状旁腺激素（iPTH）、成纤维生长因子23（FGF-23）、冠状动脉钙化积分（CACS）,观察两组不良反应发生情况。结果：观察组临床总有效率（91.67%）优于对照组（70.00%）（P<0.05）。两组不良反应发生率组间对比无差异（P>0.05）。观察组治疗结束后血磷、iPTH、血钙、FGF-23、钙磷乘积、CACS低于对照组（P<0.05）。结论：血液透析高磷血症患者采用碳酸镧咀嚼片联合依降钙素治疗,可延缓冠状动脉钙化,有效降低血磷水平,安全有效。     

Circulating Omega-6, But Not Omega-3 Polyunsaturated Fatty Acids,Are Associated with Clinical Outcomes in Patients with Acute Decompensated Heart Failure

BackgroundCirculating polyunsaturated fatty acid (PUFA) levels are associated with clinical outcomes in cardiovascular diseases including coronary artery disease and chronic heart failure (HF). However, their clinical implications in acute decompensated HF (ADHF) remain unclear. The aim of this study was to investigate the clinical roles of circulating PUFAs in patients with ADHF.MethodsCirculating levels of PUFAs, eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA), docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), arachidonic acid (AA) and dihomo-gamma linoleic acid (DGLA), were measured on admission in 685 consecutive ADHF patients. Adverse events were defined as all-cause death and worsening HF.ResultsDuring a median follow-up period of 560 days, 262 (38.2%) patients had adverse events. Although patients with adverse events had lower n-6 PUFA (AA + DGLA) level than those without, n-3 PUFA (EPA + DHA) level was comparable between the groups. Kaplan-Meier analyses showed that lower n-6 PUFA level on admission was significantly associated with the composite of all-cause death and worsening HF, all-cause death, cardiovascular death and worsening HF (p < 0.001, p = 0.005, p = 0.021, p = 0.019, respectively). In a multivariate Cox model, lower n-6 PUFA level was independently associated with increased risk of adverse events (HR 0.996, 95% CI: 0.993–0.999, p = 0.027).ConclusionsLower n-6 but not n-3 PUFA level on admission was significantly related to worse clinical outcomes in ADHF patients. Measurement of circulating n-6 PUFA levels on admission might provide information for identifying high risk ADHF patients.