Usefulness of Calcium Scoring as a Screening Examination in Patients With a History of Kawasaki Disease

Subsets of patients with a remote history of Kawasaki disease (KD) have coronary artery aneurysms with associated risks of late morbidity. In a pilot study, we previously showed that computed tomography (CT) coronary artery calcium (CAC) scoring detects late CAC in patients with aneurysms and a remote history of KD. We performed CT calcium volume scoring in 166 subjects (median age 19.5 years) with a remote history of KD (median interval from KD to CT 15.1 years). Coronary arteries were classified as normal (n = 100), transiently dilated (n = 23), persistently dilated (n = 10), remodeled aneurysm (n = 9), or aneurysm (n = 24) based on echocardiography. All subjects with coronary arteries classified as normal, persistently dilated, or remodeled aneurysm had zero CAC. Of the 24 subjects with coronary aneurysms, all but 5 had CAC (median volume 542 mm³; range 17 to 8,218 mm³). For subjects imaged ≥9 years after their acute KD (n = 144), the presence of CAC had a sensitivity of 95% and a specificity of 100% for detecting coronary artery abnormalities (defined as coronary artery aneurysm and/or stenosis). In conclusion, coronary calcification was not observed in subjects with a history of KD who had normal coronary arteries by echocardiography during the acute phase. Coronary calcification, which may be severe, occurs late in patients with coronary aneurysms. Therefore, CAC scanning may be a useful tool to screen patients with a remote history of KD or suspected KD and unknown coronary artery status.

The relationship between cardio-ankle vascular index and subclinical atherosclerosis evaluated by cardiac computed tomographic angiography

BACKGROUND

The cardio-ankle vascular index (CAVI) is a new noninvasive index to evaluate arterial stiffness. We investigated whether CAVI can predict severity, extent, and burden of coronary artery disease by comparing results with cardiac computed tomographic angiography (CCTA).

HYPOTHESIS

CAVI may predict the presence of subclinical atherosclerosis.

METHODS

We prospectively enrolled 95 patients (66% male; mean age, 50 ± 16 years) who underwent both CCTA and CAVI consecutively. We evaluated if CAVI correlated with (1) severe stenosis (≥50%); (2) plaque extent, determined by a segment-involvement score (SIS), defined by the total number of coronary artery segments containing any plaque; and (3) plaque burden, determined by a segment-stenosis score (SSS), defined by the extent of obstruction of coronary luminal diameter in individual coronary artery segments.

RESULTS

Bivariate analysis showed a statistically significant relationship not only between CAVI and SIS, but also between CAVI and SSS (r² = 0.4, P < 0.0001 for SIS; r² = 0.36, P < 0.0001 for SSS). Multivariable logistic analysis demonstrated that CAVI is significantly associated with SSS >5 (odds ratio [OR]: 2.3, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.1-7.8, P = 0.03) and SIS >5 (OR: 2.3, 95% CI: 1.1-5.8, P = 0.02), but not severe stenosis (OR: 1.7, 95% CI: 0.9-4.3, P = 0.13), after adjusting for age, sex, chest pain, hypertension, dyslipidemia, family history, diabetes, and current smoking.

CONCLUSIONS

We demonstrated that CAVI had a significant relationship with subclinical coronary atherosclerosis evaluated by CCTA, especially in relation to plaque burden and plaque extent, but not severe stenosis. Thus, CAVI may reflect coronary atherosclerosis burden more than severity.

Types of Myocardial Infarction Among Human Immunodeficiency Virus-Infected Individuals in the United States

Importance

The Second Universal Definition of Myocardial Infarction (MI) divides MIs into different types. Type 1 MIs result spontaneously from instability of atherosclerotic plaque, whereas type 2 MIs occur in the setting of a mismatch between oxygen demand and supply, as with severe hypotension. Type 2 MIs are uncommon in the general population, but their frequency in human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-infected individuals is unknown.

Objectives

To characterize MIs, including type; identify causes of type 2 MIs; and compare demographic and clinical characteristics among HIV-infected individuals with type 1 vs type 2 MIs.

Design, Setting, and Participants

This longitudinal study identified potential MIs among patients with HIV receiving clinical care at 6 US sites from January 1, 1996, to March 1, 2014, using diagnoses and cardiac biomarkers recorded in the centralized data repository. Sites assembled deidentified packets, including physician notes and electrocardiograms, procedures, and clinical laboratory tests. Two physician experts adjudicated each event, categorizing each definite or probable MI as type 1 or type 2 and identifying the causes of type 2 MI.

Main Outcomes and Measures

The number and proportion of type 1 vs type 2 MIs, demographic and clinical characteristics among those with type 1 vs type 2 MIs, and the causes of type 2 MIs.

Results

Among 571 patients (median age, 49 years [interquartile range, 43-55 years]; 430 men and 141 women) with definite or probable MIs, 288 MIs (50.4%) were type 2 and 283 (49.6%) were type 1. In analyses of type 1 MIs, 79 patients who underwent cardiac interventions, such as coronary artery bypass graft surgery, were also included, totaling 362 patients. Sepsis or bacteremia (100 [34.7%]) and recent use of cocaine or other illicit drugs (39 [13.5%]) were the most common causes of type 2 MIs. A higher proportion of patients with type 2 MIs were younger than 40 years (47 of 288 [16.3%] vs 32 of 362 [8.8%]) and had lower current CD4 cell counts (median, 230 vs 383 cells/µL), lipid levels (mean [SD] total cholesterol level, 167 [63] vs 190 [54] mg/dL, and mean (SD) Framingham risk scores (8% [7%] vs 10% [8%]) than those with type 1 MIs or who underwent cardiac interventions.

Conclusions and Relevance

Approximately half of all MIs among HIV-infected individuals were type 2 MIs caused by heterogeneous clinical conditions, including sepsis or bacteremia and recent use of cocaine or other illicit drugs. Demographic characteristics and cardiovascular risk factors among those with type 1 and type 2 MIs differed, suggesting the need to specifically consider type among HIV-infected individuals to further understand MI outcomes and to guide prevention and treatment.

Abstract 043: Health Insurance and the Risk of Incident Cardiovascular Disease in the Multi-Ethnic Study of Atherosclerosis

Background: Health insurance plays an important role in access to medical care and is the focus of extensive policy efforts. We examined the association of health insurance with cardiovascular disease (CVD) incidence.

Methods and Results: The Multi-Ethnic Study of Atherosclerosis, sponsored by the National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute of the NIH, followed a US cohort, aged 45-84 without clinical CVD at baseline, for a median of 12.2 years; 788 events occurred among 6,674 individuals. Data were stratified by baseline health insurance status. Kaplan-Meier survival and Cox regression analyses were used to assess the association between health insurance and incident CVD (myocardial infarction, resuscitated cardiac arrest, stroke, CVD death, and angina), adjusting for biomedical CVD risk (traditional risk factors, including age and race/ethnicity, and markers of subclinical atherosclerosis) and socioeconomic status (SES). The majority of individuals had private insurance (51%). Uninsured individuals (9%) were more likely to have untreated hypertension and diabetes, less likely to be on lipid-lowering therapy, and more likely to receive care in an Emergency Department (p < 0.0001). Income, 10-year CVD risk, and 10-year event-free survival varied across insurance groups ( Table ). After adjustment for biomedical CVD risk, individuals with health insurance had a lower risk of incident CVD compared to the uninsured (HR 0.72, p=0.03). However, with additional adjustment for SES (income, education, and employment), insurance was no longer associated with incident CVD (HR 0.78, p=0.12). Among the insurance groups, those with private insurance had a lower risk of incident CVD after adjustment for both biomedical CVD risk and SES (HR 0.70, p=0.03). Medicare and Medicaid coverage were not associated with incident CVD. The military/VA group had a lower risk of incident CVD with adjustment for biomedical CVD risk (HR 0.57, p=0.02) that was no longer significant after adjustment for SES (HR 0.66, p=0.09).

Conclusions: The association of health insurance with CVD incidence varied by insurance group, and private insurance was associated with a lower risk of incident CVD. Further exploration of the features of health insurance coverage that impact CVD incidence may facilitate improvements in the primary prevention of CVD.

Improved 5-year prediction of all-cause mortality by coronary CT angiography applying the CONFIRM score

AIMS

To investigate the long-term performance of the CONFIRM score for prediction of all-cause mortality in a large patient cohort undergoing coronary computed tomography angiography (CCTA).

METHODS AND RESULTS

Patients with a 5-year follow-up from the international multicentre CONFIRM registry were included. The primary endpoint was all-cause mortality. The predictive value of the CONFIRM score over clinical risk scores (Morise, Framingham, and NCEP ATP III score) was studied in the entire patient population as well as in subgroups. Improvement in risk prediction and patient reclassification were assessed using categorical net reclassification index (NRI) and integrated discrimination improvement (IDI). During a median follow-up period of 5.3 years, 982 (6.5%) of 15 219 patients died. The CONFIRM score outperformed the prognostic value of the studied three clinical risk scores (c-indices: CONFIRM score 0.696, NCEP ATP III score 0.675, Framingham score 0.610, Morise score 0.606; c-index for improvement CONFIRM score vs. NCEP ATP III score 0.650, P < 0.0001). Application of the CONFIRM score allowed reclassification of 34% of patients when compared with the NCEP ATP III score, which was the best clinical risk score. Reclassification was significant as revealed by categorical NRI (0.06 with 95% CI 0.02 and 0.10, P = 0.005) and IDI (0.013 with 95% CI 0.01 and 0.015, P < 0.001). Subgroup analysis revealed a comparable performance in a variety of patient subgroups.

CONCLUSIONS

The CONFIRM score permits a significantly improved prediction of mortality over clinical risk scores for >5 years after CCTA. These findings are consistent in a large variety of patient subgroups.

GDF-15 plasma levels in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease are associated with subclinical coronary artery disease

BACKGROUND

Growth differentiation factor-15 (GDF-15), a cytokine associated with cardiovascular mortality, increases during chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) exacerbations, but any role in stable COPD is unknown. We tested associations between GDF-15 and subclinical coronary atherosclerosis, assessed by coronary artery calcium (CAC) score, in COPD subjects free of clinical cardiovascular disease (CVD).

METHODS

Cross-sectional analysis of COPD participants (GOLD stages 2-4) in the COPDGene cohort without CVD at enrollment, using baseline CAC (from non-EKG-gated chest computed tomography) and plasma GDF-15 (by custom ELISA). We used multinomial logistic modeling of GDF-15 associations with CAC, adjusting for demographics, baseline risk (calculated using the HEART: Personal Heart Early Assessment Risk Tool (Budoff et al. 114:1761-1791, 2006) score), smoking history, measures of airflow obstruction, emphysema and airway disease severity.

RESULTS

Among 694 participants with COPD (47% women, mean age 63.6 years) mean GDF-15 was 1,304 pg/mL, and mean CAC score was 198. Relative to the lower GDF-15 tertile, higher tertiles showed bivariate association with increasing CAC score (mid tertile odds ratio [OR] 1.80, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.29, 2.51; higher tertile OR 2.86, CI 2.04, 4.02). This association was maintained after additionally adjusting for baseline CVD risk, for co-morbidities and descriptors of COPD severity and impact, markers of cardiac stress (N-terminal pro-B-type natriuretic peptide, troponin T) and of inflammation (Interleukin-6), and in subgroup analysis excluding men, diabetics, current smokers or those with limited ambulation.

CONCLUSIONS

In ever-smokers with COPD free of clinical CVD, GDF-15 contributes independently to subclinical coronary atherosclerosis.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT00608764 . Registered 28 January 2008.

Testosterone Treatment and Coronary Artery Plaque Volume in Older Men With Low Testosterone

IMPORTANCE

Recent studies have yielded conflicting results as to whether testosterone treatment increases cardiovascular risk.

OBJECTIVE

To test the hypothesis that testosterone treatment of older men with low testosterone slows progression of noncalcified coronary artery plaque volume.

DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS

Double-blinded, placebo-controlled trial at 9 academic medical centers in the United States. The participants were 170 of 788 men aged 65 years or older with an average of 2 serum testosterone levels lower than 275 ng/dL (82 men assigned to placebo, 88 to testosterone) and symptoms suggestive of hypogonadism who were enrolled in the Testosterone Trials between June 24, 2010, and June 9, 2014.

INTERVENTION

Testosterone gel, with the dose adjusted to maintain the testosterone level in the normal range for young men, or placebo gel for 12 months.

MAIN OUTCOMES AND MEASURES

The primary outcome was noncalcified coronary artery plaque volume, as determined by coronary computed tomographic angiography. Secondary outcomes included total coronary artery plaque volume and coronary artery calcium score (range of 0 to >400 Agatston units, with higher values indicating more severe atherosclerosis).

RESULTS

Of 170 men who were enrolled, 138 (73 receiving testosterone treatment and 65 receiving placebo) completed the study and were available for the primary analysis. Among the 138 men, the mean (SD) age was 71.2 (5.7) years, and 81% were white. At baseline, 70 men (50.7%) had a coronary artery calcification score higher than 300 Agatston units, reflecting severe atherosclerosis. For the primary outcome, testosterone treatment compared with placebo was associated with a significantly greater increase in noncalcified plaque volume from baseline to 12 months (from median values of 204 mm3 to 232 mm3 vs 317 mm3 to 325 mm3, respectively; estimated difference, 41 mm3; 95% CI, 14 to 67 mm3; P = .003). For the secondary outcomes, the median total plaque volume increased from baseline to 12 months from 272 mm3 to 318 mm3 in the testosterone group vs from 499 mm3 to 541 mm3 in the placebo group (estimated difference, 47 mm3; 95% CI, 13 to 80 mm3; P = .006), and the median coronary artery calcification score changed from 255 to 244 Agatston units in the testosterone group vs 494 to 503 Agatston units in the placebo group (estimated difference, -27 Agatston units; 95% CI, -80 to 26 Agatston units). No major adverse cardiovascular events occurred in either group.

CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE

Among older men with symptomatic hypogonadism, treatment with testosterone gel for 1 year compared with placebo was associated with a significantly greater increase in coronary artery noncalcified plaque volume, as measured by coronary computed tomographic angiography. Larger studies are needed to understand the clinical implications of this finding.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

clinicaltrials.gov Identifier: NCT00799617.

Comparison of Carotid Plaque Score and Coronary Artery Calcium Score for Predicting Cardiovascular Disease Events: The Multi-Ethnic Study of Atherosclerosis

BACKGROUND

Coronary artery calcium (CAC) predicts coronary heart disease (CHD) events better than carotid wall plaque presence; however, differences in the utility of CAC burden and carotid plaque burden across the spectrum of cardiovascular disease (CVD) events is unknown.

METHODS AND RESULTS

CVD, CHD and stroke/transient ischemic attack (TIA) events were evaluated prospectively in a multiethnic cohort without CVD at baseline. Carotid plaque score was determined by the number of ultrasound-detected plaques in the common, bifurcation, and internal carotid artery segments. CAC was detected by computed tomography. Predictive values were compared using Cox proportional hazards models, C-statistics, and net reclassification, adjusting for traditional CVD risk factors. At baseline, the 4955 participants were mean (SD) 61.6 (10.1) years old and 52.8% female; 48.9% had CAC >0 and 50.8% had at least 1 carotid plaque. After 11.3 (3.0) years of follow-up, 709 CVD, 498 CHD, and 262 stroke/TIA events occurred. CAC score compared to carotid plaque score was a stronger predictor of CVD (hazard ratio [HR], 1.78; 95% CI, 1.16-1.98; P<0.001 vs HR, 1.27; 95% CI, 1.16-1.40; P<0.001) and CHD events (HR, 2.09; 95% CI, 1.84-2.38; P<0.001 vs HR, 1.35; 95% CI, 1.21-1.51; P<0.001). CAC score and carotid plaque score were weak predictors of stroke/TIA. CAC score had better reclassification statistics than carotid plaque score, except for stroke/TIA, which had similar predictive values.

CONCLUSIONS

CAC score improved prediction, discrimination, and reclassification of CVD and CHD better than carotid ultrasound measures, although prediction and discrimination were similar for stroke/TIA.

Thoracic aortic calcium, cardiovascular disease events, and all-cause mortality in asymptomatic individuals with zero coronary calcium: The Multi-Ethnic Study of Atherosclerosis (MESA)

BACKGROUND AND AIMS

TAC is associated with incident CVD and all-cause mortality. Nevertheless, the independent 10-year prognostic value of TAC in individuals with CAC = 0 beyond traditional risk factors is not well established.

METHODS

3415 MESA participants with baseline CAC = 0 were followed for CHD, CVD events and all-cause mortality. TAC was measured in the ascending and descending aorta in all participants and quantified using Agatston's score. Multivariable Cox proportional hazards regression models were used to study the associations between TAC and incident CHD, CVD events and all-cause mortality. Likelihood ratio tests were used to compare prediction models including traditional risk factors plus TAC versus risk factors alone.

RESULTS

406 participants (11.9%) had TAC>0 at baseline. Over a median follow-up of 11.3 years, unadjusted event rates per 1000 person-years were higher in TAC>0 than in TAC = 0 participants: CHD 2.18 vs. 2.03; CVD 6.85 vs. 3.42; all-cause mortality 12.84 vs. 4.96. However, in multivariable Cox regression analyses adjusting for CVD risk factors, neither TAC>0, TAC>100 nor log(TAC+1) were independently associated with any of the study outcomes, nor improved their prediction compared to traditional risk factors alone (p value of likelihood ratio tests >0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

In a multi-ethnic, modern US population of asymptomatic individuals with CAC = 0 at baseline, the prevalence of TAC>0 was low, and TAC did not improve 10-year estimation of prognosis beyond traditional risk factors. In the presence of CAC = 0, measurement of TAC is unlikely to provide sufficient additional prognostic information to further improve risk assessment.

Abstract WP219: The Relationship of Low-Density Lipoprotein (LDL) Particle Number (LDL-P) and LDL Particle Size and Incident Stroke Events: The Multi-Ethnic Study of Atherosclerosis

Background & Objectives: The role of lipid and lipoprotein biomarkers in risk prediction of ischemic heart disease is well established, but their value as independent predictors for ischemic stroke is less certain. Certain LDL subclasses based on particle sizes are associated with atherosclerotic risk. However, there is little information available on the relation of LDL particle number (LDL-P, nmol/L), LDL particle size (nm) with stroke. We evaluated associations between LDL-P and LDL particle size with the risk of ischemic stroke (IS) and transient ischemic attack (TIA).

Methods: We studied US adults aged of 45-84 years not on lipid-lowering medications enrolled in the Multi-Ethnic Study of Atherosclerosis between 2000 and 2002 with follow-up through December 2011. We evaluated associations of LDL-P (total LDL-P, large LDL-P and small LDL-P) and LDL particle size measured by NMR with, (1) composite of incident IS and TIA, and (2) IS alone. Standardized hazard ratios (HRs) were adjusted for age, sex, race (model 1), plus diabetes, hypertension medication, systolic and diastolic blood pressure, family history, smoking, HDL (model 2), and plus LDL concentration (model 3).

Results: We identified 129 subjects with incident IS, 61 with TIA and 5,328 without any type of stroke during follow-up; mean ages were 67.4, 66.7 and 61.2 years, respectively (p<0.0001). White ethnicity was 37.2%, 42.6% and 37.6%), respectively. For the composite outcome of IS and TIA, while small LDL-P (HR 1.20, 95%CI 1.04 to 1.39) was predictive in model 1, this was attenuated after additional adjustment in models 2 and 3. For the outcome of IS alone, total LDL-P (HR 1.25, 95% CI 1.06 to 1.48) and small LDL-P (HR 1.34, 95% CI 1.13 to 1.60) were associated with incident IS in model 1, but there was no significant association of large LDL-P or LDL size with IS. Only small LDL-P remained predictive of IS in model 2 (HR 1.32, 95% CI 1.05 to 1.65) and in model 3 (HR 1.31, 95% CI 1.03 to 1.67).

Conclusions: Increased small LDL-P, not particle size, is most closely associated with incident IS and could be useful in risk stratification beyond standard risk factors and lipid measures.

Postmenopausal Women With Greater Paracardial Fat Have More Coronary Artery Calcification Than Premenopausal Women: The Study of Women's Health Across the Nation (SWAN) Cardiovascular Fat Ancillary Study

Background

Volumes of paracardial adipose tissue (PAT) and epicardial adipose tissue (EAT) are greater after menopause. Interestingly, PAT but not EAT is associated with estradiol decline, suggesting a potential role of menopause in PAT accumulation. We assessed whether volumes of heart fat depot (EAT and PAT) were associated with coronary artery calcification (CAC) in women at midlife and whether these associations were modified by menopausal status and estradiol levels.

Methods and Results

EAT and PAT volumes and CAC were measured using electron beam computed tomography scans. CAC was evaluated as (1) the presence of CAC (CAC Agatston score ≥10) and (2) the extent of any CAC (log CAC Agatston score >0). The study included 478 women aged 50.9 years (58% pre‐ or early perimenopausal, 10% late perimenopausal, and 32% postmenopausal). EAT was significantly associated with CAC measures, and these associations were not modified by menopausal status or estradiol. In contrast, associations between PAT and CAC measures were modified by menopausal status (interaction‐P≤0.01). Independent of study covariates including other adiposity measures, each 1‐SD unit increase in log PAT was associated with 102% higher risk of CAC presence (P=0.04) and an 80% increase in CAC extent (P=0.008) in postmenopausal women compared with pre‐ or early perimenopausal women. Additional adjustment for estradiol and hormone therapy attenuated these differences. Moreover, the association between PAT and CAC extent was stronger in women with lower estradiol levels (interaction P=0.004).

Conclusions

The findings suggest that PAT is a potential menopause‐specific coronary artery disease risk marker, supporting the need to monitor and target this fat depot for intervention in women at midlife.

Coronary Artery Calcium to Guide a Personalized Risk-Based Approach to Initiation and Intensification of Antihypertensive Therapy

BACKGROUND

The use of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD) risk to personalize systolic blood pressure (SBP) treatment goals is a topic of increasing interest. Therefore, we studied whether coronary artery calcium (CAC) can further guide the allocation of anti-hypertensive treatment intensity.

METHODS

We included 3733 participants from the Multi-Ethnic Study of Atherosclerosis (MESA) with SBP between 120 and 179 mm Hg. Within subgroups categorized by both SBP (120-139 mm Hg, 140-159 mm Hg, and 160-179 mm Hg) and estimated 10-year ASCVD risk (using the American College of Cardiology/American Heart Assocation pooled-cohort equations), we compared multivariable-adjusted hazard ratios for the composite outcome of incident ASCVD or heart failure after further stratifying by CAC (0, 1-100, or >100). We estimated 10-year number-needed-to-treat for an intensive SBP goal of 120 mm Hg by applying the treatment benefit recorded in meta-analyses to event rates within CAC strata.

RESULTS

The mean age was 65 years, and 642 composite events took place over a median of 10.2 years. In persons with SBP <160 mm Hg, CAC stratified risk for events. For example, among those with an ASCVD risk of <15% and who had an SBP of either 120 to 139 mm Hg or 140 to 159 mm Hg, respectively, we found increasing hazard ratios for events with CAC 1 to 100 (1.7 [95% confidence interval, 1.0-2.6] or 2.0 [1.1-3.8]) and CAC >100 (3.0 [1.8-5.0] or 5.7 [2.9-11.0]), all relative to CAC=0. There appeared to be no statistical association between CAC and events when SBP was 160 to 179 mm Hg, irrespective of ASCVD risk level. Estimated 10-year number-needed-to-treat for a SBP goal of 120mmHg varied substantially according to CAC levels when predicted ASCVD risk <15% and SBP <160mmHg (eg, 10-year number-needed-to-treat of 99 for CAC=0 and 24 for CAC>100, when SBP 120-139mm Hg). However, few participants with ASCVD risk <5% had elevated CAC. Furthermore, 10-year number-needed-to-treat estimates were consistently low and varied less among CAC strata when SBP was 160 to 179 mm Hg or when ASCVD risk was ≥15% at any SBP level.

CONCLUSIONS

Combined CAC imaging and assessment of global ASCVD risk has the potential to guide personalized SBP goals (eg, choosing a traditional goal of 140 or a more intensive goal of 120 mm Hg), particularly among adults with an estimated ASCVD risk of 5% to 15% and prehypertension or mild hypertension.

Glomerular filtration rate and proteinuria associations with coronary artery calcium among HIV-infected and HIV-uninfected men in the Multicenter AIDS Cohort Study

BACKGROUND

Decreased kidney function and greater albuminuria are associated with increased incidence and extent of coronary artery calcium (CAC). We investigated whether the associations between kidney function and urine protein-to-creatinine ratio (UPCR) with CAC differ by HIV serostatus.

METHODS

Using data from the Multicenter AIDS Cohort Study, a prospective multicenter US study of men who have sex with men, we carried out a cross-sectional study comprised of 592 HIV-infected (HIV+) and 378 uninfected (HIV-) men who underwent noncontrast computed tomography to measure CAC. Logistic and linear regression models were used to determine whether HIV infection modified associations of estimated glomerular filtration rate and UPCR with the presence and extent of CAC, adjusting for age, race, and cardiovascular risk factors.

RESULTS

Every 10 U decrease in estimated glomerular filtration rate below 90 ml/min/1.73 m was significantly associated with 1.3-fold [95% confidence interval (CI): 1.06-1.51] higher odds of CAC presence and was similar by HIV serostatus (Pinteraction=0.37). Greater UPCR was associated with more extensive CAC, with a change in log CAC score of 0.32 (95% CI: 0.10-0.55) per 1% increase in UPCR. There was a strong trend for effect modification by HIV serostatus for this association [HIV-: 0.75 (95% CI: 0.26-1.25); HIV+: 0.22 (95% CI: -0.03 to 0.47), Pinteraction=0.06].

CONCLUSION

Greater CAC burden is apparent among individuals with early kidney disease, irrespective of HIV serostatus. Increased UPCR is associated with a greater extent of CAC with a trend for differences by HIV serostatus; a clearer proteinuria/CAC extent relationship was apparent among HIV- patients.

Diagnostic Accuracy of Noninvasive 64-row Computed Tomographic Coronary Angiography (CCTA) Compared with Myocardial Perfusion Imaging (MPI): The PICTURE Study, A Prospective Multicenter Trial

RATIONALE AND OBJECTIVES

Although multiple studies have shown excellent accuracy statistics for noninvasive angiography by coronary computed tomographic angiography (CCTA), most studies comparing nuclear imaging to CCTA were performed on patients already referred for cardiac catheterization, introducing referral and selection bias. This prospective trial evaluated the diagnostic accuracy of 64-row CCTA to detect obstructive coronary stenosis compared to myocardial perfusion imaging (MPI), using quantitative coronary angiography (QCA) as a reference standard.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Twelve sites prospectively enrolled 230 patients (49% male, 57.8 years) with chest pain. All patients underwent MPI and CCTA (Lightspeed VCT/Visipaque 320, GE Healthcare, Milwaukee, WI, USA) prior to invasive coronary angiography (ICA). All patients were evaluated, and those found to have either an abnormal MPI or CCTA were clinically referred for ICA. CCTAs were graded on a 15-segment American Heart Association model by three blinded readers for presence of obstructive stenosis (>50% or >70%); MPI was graded by two blinded readers using a 17-segment model for estimation of the % myocardium ischemic or with stress defects. ICAs were independently graded for % stenosis by QCA. The efficacies of MPI and CCTA were assessed including all vessel segments for per-patient and per-vessel analyses.

RESULTS

The prevalence of stenosis ≥50% by ICA was 52.1% (25 of 48). The sensitivity of CCTA was significantly higher than nuclear imaging (92.0% vs 54.5%, P < 0.001), with similar specificity (87.0% vs 78.3%) when obstructive disease was defined as ≥50%. CCTA provided superior sensitivity (92.6% vs 59.3%, P < 0.001) and similar specificity (88.9% vs 81.5%) using QCA stenosis ≥70%. For ≥50% stenosis, the computed tomographic angiography odds ratio for ICA disease was 51.75 (95% CI = 8.50-314.94, P < 0.001). For summed stress score ≥5%, the odds ratio for ICA CAD was 12.73 (95% CI = 2.43-66.55, P < 0.001). Using receiver operating characteristic curve analysis, CCTA was better at classifying obstructive coronary artery disease when compared to MPI (area = 0.85 vs 0.71, P < 0.0001).

CONCLUSIONS

This study represents one of the first prospective multicenter, controlled clinical trials comparing 64-row CCTA to MPI in the same patients, demonstrating superior diagnostic accuracy of CCTA over myocardial perfusion single photon emission computed tomography (MPS) to reliably detect >50% and >70% stenosis in stable chest pain patients.

Fetuin-A and Risk of Diabetes Independent of Liver Fat Content: The Multi-Ethnic Study of Atherosclerosis

Fetuin-A is a hepatic secretory protein and a novel risk factor for diabetes. However, it remains unclear whether the association between high levels of fetuin-A and diabetes can be attributed to nonalcoholic fatty liver disease. We conducted a case-cohort study among 1,957 subcohort members and 455 incident diabetes cases in the Multi-Ethnic Study of Atherosclerosis, a multicenter US study of Caucasian, African-American, Hispanic, and Chinese-American adults aged 45-84 years. Serum fetuin-A and computed tomography-determined liver fat content were measured from samples collected at baseline (2000-2002). In multivariable Cox proportional hazards models with follow-up through 2012, a higher fetuin-A level was associated with a higher risk of diabetes, with a stronger association among women (for top quartile vs. bottom, hazard ratio (HR) = 3.36, 95% confidence interval (CI): 2.08, 5.44) than among men (HR = 1.47, 95% CI: 0.93, 2.35) (P-heterogeneity = 0.001). Adjustment for liver fat content attenuated these associations slightly (women: HR = 2.61, 95% CI: 1.59, 4.26; men: HR = 1.32, 95% CI: 0.84, 2.08). In this study, we observed a particularly strong association of fetuin-A with diabetes risk in women that could not be explained by liver fat.

Lung function, percent emphysema, and QT duration: The Multi-Ethnic Study of Atherosclerosis (MESA) lung study

BACKGROUND

The QT interval on electrocardiogram (ECG) reflects ventricular repolarization; a prolonged QT interval is associated with increased mortality risk. Prior studies suggest an association between chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and prolonged QT interval. However, these studies were small and often enrolled hospital-based samples. We tested the hypotheses that lower lung function and increased percent emphysema on computed tomography (CT) are associated with a prolonged QT interval in a general population sample and additionally in those with COPD.

METHODS

As part of the Multi-Ethnic Study of Atherosclerosis (MESA) Lung Study, we assessed spirometry, full-lung CT scans, and ECGs in participants aged 45-84 years. The QT on ECGs was corrected for heart rate (QTc) using the Framingham formula. QTc values = 460 msec in women and ≥450 msec in men were considered abnormal (prolonged QT_C). Multivariate regression models were used to examine the cross-sectional association between pulmonary measures and QT_C. RESULTS: The mean age of the sample of 2585 participants was 69 years, and 47% were men. There was an inverse association between FEV₁%, FVC%, FEV₁/FVC%, emphysema, QTc duration and prolonged QTc. Gender was a significant interaction term, even among never smokers. Having severe COPD was also associated with QTc prolongation.

CONCLUSIONS

Our analysis revealed a significant association between lower lung function and longer QTc in men but not in women in a population-based sample. Our findings suggest the possibility of gender differences in the risk of QTc-associated arrhythmias in a population-based sample.

Prognostic implications of coronary artery calcium in the absence of coronary artery luminal narrowing

BACKGROUND AND AIMS

Coronary artery calcium (CAC) scoring is a predictor of future adverse clinical events, and a surrogate measure of overall coronary artery plaque burden. Coronary computed tomographic angiography (CCTA) is a contrast-enhanced method that allows for visualization of plaque as well as whether that plaque causes luminal narrowing. To date, the prognosis of individuals with CAC but without stenosis has not been reported. We explored the prevalence of CAC>0 and its prognostic utility for future mortality for patients without luminal narrowing by CCTA.

METHODS

From 17 sites in 9 countries, we identified patients without known coronary artery disease, who underwent CAC scoring and CCTA, and were followed for >3 years. CCTA was graded for % stenosis according to a modified American Heart Association 16-segment model. We calculated hazard ratios (HR) with 95% confidence intervals (95% CI) for incident mortality and compared risk of death for patients as a function of presence or absence of CAC and presence or absence of luminal narrowing by CCTA.

RESULTS

Among 6656 patients who underwent CCTA and CAC scoring, 399 patients (6.0%) had no coronary luminal narrowing but CAC>0. During a median follow-up of 5.1 years (IQR: 3.9-5.9 years), 456 deaths occurred. Compared to individuals without luminal narrowing or CAC, individuals without luminal narrowing but CAC>0 were older, more likely to be male and had higher rates of diabetes, hypertension, and dyslipidemia. Individuals without luminal narrowing but CAC experienced a 2-fold increased risk of mortality, with increasing risk of mortality with higher CAC score. Following adjustment, incident death persisted (HR, 1.8; 95% CI, 1.1-2.9, p = 0.02) among patients without luminal narrowing but with CAC>0 compared with patients whose CACS = 0. Individuals without luminal narrowing but CAC ≥100 had mortality risks similar to individuals with non-obstructive CAD (0 < stenosis<50%) by CCTA [HR 2.5 (95% CI 1.3-4.9) and 2.2 (95% CI 1.6-3.0), respectively].

CONCLUSIONS

Patients without luminal narrowing but with CAC experience greater risk of 5-year mortality. Patients with CAC score ≥100 and no coronary luminal narrowing experience death rates similar to those with non-obstructive CAD.

Rationale and design of the Progression of AtheRosclerotic PlAque DetermIned by Computed TomoGraphic Angiography IMaging (PARADIGM) registry: A comprehensive exploration of plaque progression and its impact on clinical outcomes from a multicenter serial coronary computed tomographic angiography study

BACKGROUND

The natural history of coronary artery disease (CAD) in patients with low-to-intermediate risk is not well characterized. Although earlier invasive serial studies have documented the progression of atherosclerotic burden, most were focused on high-risk patients only. The PARADIGM registry is a large, prospective, multinational dynamic observational registry of patients undergoing serial coronary computed tomographic angiography (CCTA). The primary aim of PARADIGM is to characterize the natural history of CAD in relation to clinical and laboratory data.

DESIGN

The PARADIGM registry (ClinicalTrials.govNCT02803411) comprises ≥2,000 consecutive patients across 9 cluster sites in 7 countries. PARADIGM sites were chosen on the basis of adequate CCTA volume, site CCTA proficiency, local demographic characteristics, and medical facilities to ensure a broad-based sample of patients. Patients referred for clinically indicated CCTA will be followed up and enrolled if they had a second CCTA scan. Patients will also be followed up beyond serial CCTA performance to identify adverse CAD events that include cardiac and noncardiac death, myocardial infarction, unstable angina, target vessel revascularization, and CAD-related hospitalization.

SUMMARY

The results derived from the PARADIGM registry are anticipated to add incremental insight into the changes in CCTA findings in accordance with the progression or regression of CAD that confer prognostic value beyond demographic and clinical characteristics.

Effect of treatment with 5-lipoxygenase inhibitor VIA-2291 (atreleuton) on coronary plaque progression: a serial CT angiography study

BACKGROUND

Inflammation has a key role in the process of atherosclerosis. Production of leukotrienes by 5-lipoxygenase has been linked to atherosclerotic plaques and cardiovascular events.

HYPOTHESIS

In this study, a selective 5-LO inhibitor will slow plaque progression using serial cardiac computed tomographic angiography (CCTA).

METHODS

Patients with recent acute coronary syndrome (ACS) were prospectively assigned to one of 3 VIA-2291 doses (25 mg, 50 mg, 100 mg) or placebo by oral administration. All groups underwent CCTA at baseline and at 6 months' follow-up. Plaque types such as low-attenuation plaque (LAP), fibro-fatty tissue (FF), fibro-calcified plaque (FC), and dense calcium plaque (DC) were measured based upon predefined density threshold, and changes from baseline CCTA were analyzed.

RESULTS

The final analysis included 54 patients (age, 56 ± 9 years; 85.1% male) with CCTA at baseline and 24 weeks. Evaluating on treatment VIA-2291 (all 3 doses, n = 37) demonstrated significant reductions in plaque progression compared with placebo (n = 17). VIA-2291 significantly reduced LAP (5.9 ± 20.7 mm³ vs -9.7 ± 33.3 mm³ ), FF (11.1 mm³  ± 13.3 mm³ vs -0.9 ± 2.7 mm³ ), and FC (-0.1 ± 6.22 mm³ vs -14.3 ± 6.2 mm³ ; all P < 0.05) and retarded the progression of DC (3.9 ± 3.2 mm³ vs 0.2 ± 0.4 mm³ ) compared with placebo.

CONCLUSIONS

VIA-2291 resulted in slowed plaque progression compared with placebo across different plaque subtypes in patients with recent ACS (http://ClinicalTrials.gov NCT00358826).

Prevalence and Prognostic Implications of Coronary Artery Calcification in Low-Risk Women: A Meta-analysis

IMPORTANCE

The role of coronary artery calcium (CAC) testing for guiding preventive strategies among women at low cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk based on the American College of Cardiology and American Heart Association CVD prevention guidelines is unclear.

OBJECTIVE

To assess the potential utility of CAC testing for CVD risk estimation and stratification among low-risk women.

DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS

Women with 10-year atherosclerotic CVD (ASCVD) risk lower than 7.5% from 5 large population-based cohorts: the Dallas Heart Study (United States), the Framingham Heart Study (United States), the Heinz Nixdorf Recall study (Germany), the Multi-Ethnic Study of Atherosclerosis (United States), and the Rotterdam Study (the Netherlands). The 5 cohorts were selected based on the availability of CAC data in a sizable group of low-risk women from the general population together with the long detailed follow-up data. Across the cohorts, events were assessed from the date of CAC scan (performed from 1998 through 2006) until January 1, 2012; January 1, 2014; or March 6, 2015. Fixed-effects meta-analysis was conducted to combine the results of the 5 studies.

EXPOSURES

CAC score by computed tomography.

MAIN OUTCOMES AND MEASURES

Main outcome was incident ASCVD, including nonfatal myocardial infarction, coronary heart disease (CHD) death, and stroke. Association of CAC with ASCVD was examined using Cox proportional hazards models. To assess whether CAC was associated with improved ASCVD risk predictions beyond the traditional risk factors, the C statistic and the continuous net reclassification improvement (cNRI) index were calculated.

RESULTS

Among 6739 women with low ASCVD risk from the 5 studies, mean age ranged from 44 to 63 years and CAC was present in 36.1%. Across the cohorts, median follow-up ranged from 7.0 to 11.6 years. A total of 165 ASCVD events occurred (64 nonfatal myocardial infarctions, 29 CHD deaths, and 72 strokes), with the ASCVD incidence rates ranging from 1.5 to 6.0 per 1000 person-years. Compared with the absence of CAC (CAC = 0), presence of CAC (CAC >0) was associated with an increased risk of ASCVD (incidence rates per 1000 person-years, 1.41 for CAC absence vs 4.33 for CAC presence; difference, 2.92 [95% CI, 2.02-3.83]; multivariable-adjusted hazard ratio, 2.04 [95% CI, 1.44-2.90]). The addition of CAC to traditional risk factors improved the C statistic from 0.73 (95% CI, 0.69-0.77) to 0.77 (95% CI, 0.74-0.81) and provided a cNRI of 0.20 (95% CI, 0.09-0.31) for ASCVD prediction.

CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE

Among women at low ASCVD risk, CAC was present in approximately one-third and was associated with an increased risk of ASCVD and modest improvement in prognostic accuracy compared with traditional risk factors. Further research is needed to assess the clinical utility and cost-effectiveness of this additional accuracy.

Rationale and design of the coronary artery calcium consortium: A multicenter cohort study

BACKGROUND

Although coronary artery calcium (CAC) has been investigated for over two decades, there is very limited data on the association of CAC with cause of death. The CAC Consortium is a large ongoing multi-center observational cohort of individuals who underwent non-contrast cardiac-gated CAC testing and systematic, prospective, long-term follow-up for mortality with ascertainment of cause of death.

METHODS

Four participating institutions from three states within the US (California, Minnesota, and Ohio) have contributed individual-level patient data to the CAC Consortium (spanning years 1991-2010). All CAC scans were clinically indicated and physician-referred in patients without a known history of coronary heart disease. Using strict inclusion and exclusion criteria to minimize missing data and to eliminate non-dedicated CAC scans (i.e. concomitant CT angiography), a sharply defined and well-characterized cohort of 66,636 patients was assembled. Mortality status was ascertained using the Social Security Administration Death Master File and a validated algorithm. In addition, death certificates were obtained from the National Death Index and categorized using ICD (International Classification of Diseases) codes into common causes of death.

RESULTS

Mean patient age was 54 ± 11 years and the majority were male (67%). Prevalence of CVD risk factors was similar across sites and 55% had a <5% estimated 10-year atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD) risk. Approximately 45% had a Calcium score of 0 and 11% had an Agatston Score ≥400. Over a mean follow-up of 12 ± 4 years, there were 3158 deaths (4.15 per 1000 person-years). The majority of deaths were due to cancer (37%) and CVD (32%). Most CVD deaths were due to CHD (54%) followed by stroke (17%). In general, CAC score distributions were similar across sites, and there were similar cause of death patterns.

CONCLUSIONS

The CAC Consortium is large and highly generalizable data set that is uniquely positioned to expand the understanding of CAC as a predictor of mortality risk across the spectrum of disease states, allowing innovative modeling of the competing risks of cardiovascular and non-cardiovascular death.

2016 SCCT/STR guidelines for coronary artery calcium scoring of noncontrast noncardiac chest CT scans: A report of the Society of Cardiovascular Computed Tomography and Society of Thoracic Radiology

The Society of Cardiovascular Computed Tomography (SCCT) and the Society of Thoracic Radiology (STR) have jointly produced this document. Experts in this subject have been selected from both organizations to examine subject-specific data and write this guideline in partnership. A formal literature review, weighing the strength of evidence has been performed. When available, information from studies on cost was considered. Computed tomography (CT) acquisition, CAC scoring methodologies and clinical outcomes are the primary basis for the recommendations in this guideline. This guideline is intended to assist healthcare providers in clinical decision making. The recommendations reflect a consensus after a thorough review of the best available current scientific evidence and practice patterns of experts in the field and are intended to improve patient care while acknowledging that situations arise where additional information may be needed to better inform patient care.

Noninvasive Cardiovascular Risk Assessment of the Asymptomatic Diabetic Patient: The Imaging Council of the American College of Cardiology

Increased cardiovascular morbidity and mortality in patients with type 2 diabetes is well established; diabetes is associated with at least a 2-fold increased risk of coronary heart disease. Approximately two-thirds of deaths among persons with diabetes are related to cardiovascular disease. Previously, diabetes was regarded as a "coronary risk equivalent," implying a high 10-year cardiovascular risk for every diabetes patient. Following the original study by Haffner et al., multiple studies from different cohorts provided varying conclusions on the validity of the concept of coronary risk equivalency in patients with diabetes. New guidelines have started to acknowledge the heterogeneity in risk and include different treatment recommendations for diabetic patients without other risk factors who are considered to be at lower risk. Furthermore, guidelines have suggested that further risk stratification in patients with diabetes is warranted before universal treatment. The Imaging Council of the American College of Cardiology systematically reviewed all modalities commonly used for risk stratification in persons with diabetes mellitus and summarized the data and recommendations. This document reviews the evidence regarding the use of noninvasive testing to stratify asymptomatic patients with diabetes with regard to coronary heart disease risk and develops an algorithm for screening based on available data.

Plaque progression assessed by a novel semi-automated quantitative plaque software on coronary computed tomography angiography between diabetes and non-diabetes patients: A propensity-score matching study

BACKGROUND AND AIMS

We aimed at investigating whether diabetes is associated with progression in coronary plaque components.

METHODS

We identified 142 study subjects undergoing serial coronary computed tomography angiography. The resulting propensity score was applied 1:1 to match diabetic patients to non-diabetic patients for clinical risk factors, prior coronary stenting, coronary artery calcium (CAC) score and the serial scan interval, resulting in the 71 diabetes and 71 non-diabetes patients. Coronary plaque (total, calcified, non-calcified including fibrous, fibrous-fatty and low attenuation plaque [LAP]) volume normalized by total coronary artery length was measured using semi-automated plaque software and its change overtime between diabetic and non-diabetic patients was evaluated.

RESULTS

The matching was successful without significant differences between the two groups in all matched variables. The baseline volumes in each plaque also did not differ. During a mean scan interval of 3.4 ± 1.8 years, diabetic patients showed a 2-fold greater progression in normalized total plaque volume (TPV) than non-diabetes patients (52.8 mm³vs. 118.3 mm³, p = 0.005). Multivariable linear regression model revealed that diabetes was associated with normalized TPV progression (β 72.3, 95%CI 24.3-120.3). A similar trend was observed for the non-calcified components, but not calcified plaque (β 3.8, 95%CI -27.0-34.7). Higher baseline CAC score was found to be associated with total, non-calcified and calcified plaque progression. However, baseline non-calcified volume but not CAC score was associated with LAP progression.

CONCLUSIONS

The current study among matched patients indicates diabetes is associated with a greater plaque progression. Our results show the need for strict adherence of diabetic patients to the current preventive guidelines.