Impact of combined lipid lowering and blood pressure control on coronary plaque: myocardial ischemia treated by percutaneous coronary intervention and plaque regression by lipid lowering and blood pressure controlling assessed by intravascular ultrasonography (MILLION) study

Rate pressure product as a novel predictor of long-term adverse outcomes in patients after percutaneous coronary intervention: a retrospective cohort study

OBJECTIVES

Previous studies have suggested that heart rate and blood pressure play important roles in the development of adverse outcomes in patients with coronary artery disease (CAD) who underwent percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). However, the relationship between the rate pressure product (RPP) and long-term outcomes has rarely been investigated. This study investigated the effects of RPP on the clinical outcomes of patients with CAD who underwent PCI.

DESIGN

In this study, a total of 6015 patients with CAD were enrolled. All patients were from the CORFCHD-PCI (Clinical Outcomes and Risk Factors of Patients with Coronary Heart Disease after PCI) Study. They were divided into two groups according to RPP (RPP <10 269, n=4018 and RPP ≥10 269, n=1997). In addition, the median follow-up time was 32 months.

PARTICIPANTS

Data was obtained from 6050 patients with CAD who underwent PCI at the First Affiliated Hospital of Xinjiang Medical University from January 2008 to December 2016.

PRIMARY AND SECONDARY OUTCOME MEASURES

The primary endpoint was long-term mortality, including all-cause mortality (ACM) and cardiac mortality (CM). The secondary endpoints were major adverse cardiovascular events (MACEs) and major adverse cardiovascular and cerebrovascular events (MACCEs).

RESULTS

We found that there were significant differences between the two groups in the incidence of ACM, CM, MACCEs and MACEs (all p<0.05). Among the patients with CAD having ACM, CM, MACCEs and MACEs, the mean survival time of the low-value group was significantly higher than that of the high-value group. Multivariate Cox regression analyses showed that RPP was an independent predictor for ACM (HR=1.605, 95% CI: 1.215-2.120, p=0.001), CM (HR=1.733, 95% CI: 1.267-2.369, p=0.001), MACCEs (HR=1.271, 95% CI: 1.063-1.518, p=0.008) and MACEs (HR=1.315, 95% CI: 1.092-1.584, p=0.004) in patients with stable CAD. On the other hand, there was no significant correlation between the RPP and the adverse outcomes in patients with acute coronary syndrome.

CONCLUSION

In summary, RPP is an independent predictor of long-term prognosis in patients with CAD who underwent PCI. A higher baseline RPP before PCI increased the risk of adverse outcomes. Compared with heart rate and blood pressure alone, RPP has a higher predictive value for adverse clinical outcomes.

Development and External Validation of Nomogram to Identify Risk Factors for CHD in T2DM in the Population of Northwestern China

Purpose

Cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of mortality in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). This study aimed to develop and validate a nomogram for predicting the risk factors for coronary heart disease (CHD) in T2DM in the population of northwestern China.

Patients and Methods

The records of 2357 T2DM patients who were treated in the First Affiliated Hospital of Xinjiang Medical University from July 2021 to July 2022 were reviewed. After some data (n =239) were excluded, 2118 participants were included in the study and randomly divided into a training set (n =1483) and a validation set (n = 635) at a ratio of 3:1. Univariate and stepwise regression analysis was performed to screen risk factors and develop predictive models. The results of logistic regression are presented through a nomogram. The C-index, receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve, calibration plot, and decision curve analysis (DCA) were employed to verify the distinction, calibration, and clinical practicality of the model.

Results

The stepwise logistic regression analysis suggested that independent factors in patients with T2DM combined with CHD were age, gender, hypertension (HTN), glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c), high density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), low density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), and Uygur, which were associated with the occurrence of CHD. The nomogram demonstrated good discrimination with a C-index of 0.771 (95% CI, 0.741, 0.800) in the training set and 0.785 (95% CI, 0.743, 0.828) in the validation set. The area under curve (AUC) of the ROC curves were 0.771 (95% CI, 0.741, 0.800) and 0.785 (95% CI, 0.743, 0.828) in the training and validation sets, respectively. The nomogram was well-calibrated. The DCA revealed that the nomogram was clinically valuable.

Conclusion

A nomogram based on 7 clinical characteristics was developed to predict CHD in patients with T2DM.

Low Baseline High-Sensitive C-Reactive Protein is Associated with Coronary Atherosclerosis Regression: Insights from the MILLION Study

Aim: The prospective, randomized, multicenter Myocardial Ischemia Treated with Percutaneous Coronary Intervention and Plaque Regression by Lipid Lowering & Blood Pressure Controlling assessed by Intravascular Ultrasonography (MILLION) study demonstrated that combined treatment with atorvastatin and amlodipine enhanced coronary artery plaque regression. Although the baseline high-sensitive C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) reportedly plays an important role in atherogenesis, few data exist regarding the relationship between hs-CRP and plaque regression in patients receiving a combined atorvastatin and amlodipine therapy.

Methods: A total of 68 patients (male, 55; mean age, 64.2 years) with baseline and follow-up 3-dimensional intravascular ultrasound examinations in the MILLION study were stratified by baseline hs-CRP level quartiles. The serial measurements of lipid, blood pressure, and percentage changes in the plaque volume were compared between the groups, and the factors associated with the percentage change in the plaque volume were assessed.

Results: There were no significant between-group differences in the extent of change in low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) or systolic and diastolic blood pressure after 18–24 months of treatment. The percentage change in the plaque volume showed a linear association with the baseline hs-CRP (p for trend < 0.05); however, there was no correlation with changes in LDL-C or systolic and diastolic blood pressure. In the multiple regression analysis, the baseline hs-CRP level was independently associated with the percentage change in the plaque volume (β = 0.29, p = 0.022).

Conclusions: Coronary plaque regression was associated with the baseline hs-CRP level in patients treated with a combined lipid- and blood pressure-lowering therapy.

Overview of the 81st Annual Scientific Meeting of the Japanese Circulation Society - Cardiovascular Medicine for the Next Generation

The 81^stAnnual Scientific Meeting of the Japanese Circulation Society was held in Kanazawa, Japan, on March 17-19, 2017 under a miraculously clear sky. The frontlines of healthcare and medicine are dramatically changing. Thus, "Cardiovascular Medicine for Next Generation" was chosen as the main theme of this meeting. The program was constructed around major identified issues, including renewal of our understanding of basic cardiovascular medicine, translational research, and preventive molecular medicine, all of which are anticipated to transcend the medical field over the next generation. Despite the provincial location, 15,672 participants, including more than 400 from overseas countries, attended the 3-day meeting, and there were in-depth discussions in the various sessions. In particular, to our great pleasure, Her Imperial Highness Princess Takamado kindly attended the opening ceremony and extended congratulations to us. The meeting successfully completed and we sincerely appreciate the great cooperation and support from all affiliates.