[Prognosis of diabetic patients with ischemic cardiopathy]

Major Adverse Cardiovascular Events in Coronary Type 2 Diabetic Patients: Identification of Associated Factors Using Electronic Health Records and Natural Language Processing

Patients with Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and coronary artery disease (CAD) are at high risk of developing major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE). This is a multicenter, retrospective, and observational study performed in Spain aimed to characterize these patients in a real-world setting. Unstructured data from the Electronic Health Records were extracted by EHRead^®, a technology based on Natural Language Processing and machine learning. The association between new MACE and the variables of interest were investigated by univariable and multivariable analyses. From a source population of 2,184,662 patients, we identified 4072 adults diagnosed with T2DM and CAD (62.2% male, mean age 70 ± 11). The main comorbidities observed included arterial hypertension, hyperlipidemia, and obesity, with metformin and statins being the treatments most frequently prescribed. MACE development was associated with multivessel (Hazard Ratio (HR) = 2.49) and single coronary vessel disease (HR = 1.71), transient ischemic attack (HR = 2.01), heart failure (HR = 1.32), insulin treatment (HR = 1.40), and percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) (HR = 2.27), whilst statins (HR = 0.73) were associated with a lower risk of MACE occurrence. In conclusion, we found six risk factors associated with the development of MACE which were related with cardiovascular diseases and T2DM severity, and treatment with statins was identified as a protective factor for new MACE in this study.

Cardiovascular Risk Prediction, Glycemic Control, and Determinants in Diabetic and Hypertensive Patients in Massawa Hospital, Eritrea: Cross-Sectional Study on 600 Subjects

BACKGROUND

Hypertension and diabetes are key determinants of cardiovascular risks. The objective of this study was to calculate 10-year incidence of cardiovascular risk, determine cardiovascular risk factors, and evaluate how diabetes and hypertension are controlled in patients in Massawa Hospital, Eritrea.

METHODS

This was a hospital-based cross-sectional study using census sampling. A checklist and interview were used as data-collection tool from October 10 to November 20, 2020. Written consent was obtained from each study participant before starting the study. Descriptive statistics were wasused, and results are presented in percentages in tables, p<0.05 was considered significant.

RESULTS

A total of 600 patients were enrolled in the study, dominated by the Tigrigna (58.7%) and Tigre (26.7%) ethnic groups. About half the patients (58.8%) had a body-mass index of 18-25 kg/m², with abdominal circumference of <95 cm (74%). Most (93.5%) patients had <10% risk of cardiovascular complications in the coming 10 years. Age showed significant association with hypertension, diabetes mellitus, cardiovascular risk, and poor glycemic and blood-pressure control (p<0.001). Body-mass index, abdominal obesity, and history of stroke were associated with hypertension and diabetes mellitus (p<0.001). Moreover, smoking, hypertension, and monthly income were associated with higher cardiovascular risk (p<0.001). In addition, hypertension and abdominal obesity were associated with glycemic control (p<0.001), and blood-pressure control was significantly associated with diabetes and hypertension (p<0.001).

CONCLUSION

Age and hypertension were associated with diabetes, cardiovascular risk and poor glycemic control, and smoking, abdominal obesity, and monthly income also significant associations with higher cardiovascular risk and glycemic control. Cessation and adjustment of modifiable factors, such as smoking, hypertension, and regular exercise are highly recommended.

Galectin-3 Is Associated with Cardiovascular Events in Post-Acute Coronary Syndrome Patients with Type-2 Diabetes

Introduction: Type-2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is associated with early and severe atherosclerosis. However, few biomarkers can predict cardiovascular events in this population. Methods: We followed 964 patients with coronary artery disease (CAD), assessing plasma levels of galectin-3, monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1), and N-terminal fragment of brain natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) at baseline. The secondary outcomes were acute ischemia and heart failure or death. The primary outcome was the combination of the secondary outcomes. Results. Two hundred thirty-two patients had T2DM. Patients with T2DM showed higher MCP-1 (144 (113–195) vs. 133 (105–173) pg/mL, p = 0.006) and galectin-3 (8.3 (6.5–10.5) vs. 7.8 (5.9–9.8) ng/mL, p = 0.049) levels as compared to patients without diabetes. Median follow-up was 5.39 years (2.81–6.92). Galectin-3 levels were associated with increased risk of the primary outcome in T2DM patients (Hazard ratio (HR) 1.57 (1.07–2.30); p = 0.022), along with a history of cerebrovascular events. Treatment with clopidogrel was associated with lower risk. In contrast, NT-proBNP and MCP-1, but not galectin-3, were related to increased risk of the event in nondiabetic patients (HR 1.21 (1.04–1.42); p = 0.017 and HR 1.23 (1.05–1.44); p = 0.012, respectively), along with male sex and age. Galectin-3 was also the only biomarker associated with the development of acute ischemic events and heart failure or death in T2DM patients, while, in nondiabetics, MCP-1 and NT-proBNP, respectively, were related to these events. Conclusion: In CAD patients, galectin-3 plasma levels are associated with cardiovascular events in patients with T2DM, and MCP-1 and NT-proBNP in those without T2DM.

[Leuko-glycemic index as an in-hospital prognostic marker in patients with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction]

INTRODUCTION

Blood glucose and white blood cell count on admission have demonstrated prognostic significance in patients with myocardial infarction; leuko-glycemic index, a recently proposed marker, still lacks enough knowledge about its value.

OBJECTIVES

To evaluate the leuko-glycemic index as a prognostic marker in patients with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction.

METHODS

A retrospective study was carried out in 128 patients with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction, who were admitted between January 2009 and October 2010 in the Intensive Care Unit of the Hospital Dr. Celestino Hernández Robau. Clinical and laboratory data were collected, including glucose and white blood cell count on admission, from which we calculated the leuko-glycemic index and we evaluated its prognostic value.

RESULTS

Patients who had a poor outcome such as death, major cardiac complications and failed-thrombolysis, showed higher values of leuko-glycemic index (P<.01), which was correlated with several variables such as Killip class, and heart rate on admission (P=.000). We obtained a cutoff point of 1.158, patients with higher values had 3 times higher probability of death and complications (odds ratio=3,0; IC 95%: 1,2-7,3; P=.005); so leuko-glycemic index was an independent predictor after multivariate analysis.

CONCLUSIONS

The leuko-glycemic index was associated with an increased occurrence of hospital complications, death and failed-thrombolysis; its pathological value was an independent predictor of in-hospital death and complications in the studied sample.

[Profile of the patient with inadequate follow-up and control of cardiovascular risk factors after suffering an acute myocardial infarction]

OBJECTIVE

To draw up a profile of patients with inadequate follow-up and control of cardiovascular risk factors (CVRF) after acute myocardial infarction (AMI).

DESIGN

Cohort study.

SETTING

Primary care in Albacete, province of Castilla-La Mancha, Spain.

PARTICIPANTS

AMI cases who survived at 28 days and recorded in the IBERICAAlbacete register.

MAIN MEASUREMENTS

A structured survey of patients, families or family doctors to find out about the follow-up and control of CVRFs (arterial hypertension [AHT], hypercholesterolaemia, diabetes, smoking habits, and obesity), as well as education level, work situation and return to work. Inadequate follow-up is defined as when the recommended visits are not made, and inadequate control, when adequate levels are no obtained or they smoked. A descriptive, bivariate, and multivariate comparative analysis was performed. The association was measured using relative risk (RR), and the population estimation with the 95% confidence intervals (95% CI).

RESULTS

The sample included 21% females, 46% hypertensives, 35% with hypercholesterolaemia, 32% diabetics, 36% obeses, and 39% active smokers, with a mean age of 61 years. There was a 9% loss in follow-up, and 576 patients had a CVRF: 31% with inadequate follow-up (95% CI, 28-36) and 46% with inadequate control (95% CI, 41-51). The profile of a patient with inadequate follow-up was young, unemployed, with university education, smoker, obese and without AHT; that of an inadequately controlled patient was, a smoker, diabetic and unemployed.

CONCLUSIONS

There was inadequate follow-up of long term CVRFs in 31% of AMI patients, and 46% with inadequate control, there being characteristics in AMI that identify them.

[Microalbuminuria-related cardiovascular risk in diabetic patients and hypertensive (non diabetic) population]

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE

The MICREX Study has shown an high prevalence of microalbuminuria in Extremadura among diabetic patients and hypertensive population. It has been retrospectively evaluated the cardiovascular risk associated to microalbuminuria and/or diabetes mellitus.

PATIENTS AND METHOD

A total of 902 patients older than 18 years were studied (mean age, 68.7 [11.0] years; 370 men and 532 women; 469 were diabetics and 433 non diabetic hypertensives). Microalbuminuria was measured in every patient using albumin/creatinin reactive stick in fasting first morning urine. Anthropometric measures and previous cardiovascular diseases were recorded.

RESULTS

Odds ratio of cardiovascular disease for all patients with microalbuminuria was 1.91 (confidence interval [CI] 95%, 1.31-2.78; p = 0.001), for diabetic group it was 1.87 (CI 95%, 1.15-3.04; p = 0.01) and for non diabetic hypertensives 1.78 (CI 95%, 0.98-3.30; p = 0.06). The risk associated to all patients with diabetes mellitus (versus non diabetic hypertensives) showed an odds ratio = 1.59 (CI 95%, 1.19-2.14; p = 0.02). Hypertension in diabetic subjects rises odds ratio up to 2.13 (CI 95%, 1.30-3.48; p = 0.002). When hypertensives diabetics were compared to non diabetic hypertensives odds ratio was 1.88 (CI 95%, 1.37-2.57; p < 0.0001).

CONCLUSIONS

In a retrospective view microalbuminuria and diabetes mellitus were positively related to a higher risk of cardiovascular disease. Microalbuminuria and/or hypertension in diabetic patients were also associated to higher cardiovascular risk.

[Economic impact of the taxus coronary stent: implications for the Spanish healthcare system]

INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVES

This article examines the cost impact associated with the utilization of the Taxus drug eluting stent versus a conventional bare-metal stent for percutaneous coronary interventions in a Spanish hospital setting.

METHODS

A decision analysis model has been developed to compare the intervention and re-hospitalization costs at 12 and 24 months post-intervention. The analysis considers the general patient population and a high-risk subpopulation (diabetes, small vessel, long lesion). The analysis simulates the results of the TAXUS-IV clinical trial, in a population with similar risks, with appropriate costs, and including budget impact analyses with alternative utilization scenarios.

RESULTS

The expected average per patient hospital cost at 12 months was 6934 euros with Taxus and 6756 euros with bare-metal stent (and increase of 2.6%). At 24 months, per patient hospital cost was 6,991 euros for Taxus and 6887 euros for bare-metal stent (an increase of 1.5%). In the high-risk subpopulation, Taxus was overall cost saving as compared to bare-metal stent both at 12 months (decrease of 3.0%) and 24 months (decrease of 4.7%).

CONCLUSIONS

Use of Taxus in the overall population slightly raises treatment costs, while in patients with greater risk of restenosis the treatment cost is reduced. Given the decrease in the number of repeat revascularizations with this stent, the cost-effectiveness relationship could be acceptable in the general patient population and is dominant in the high-risk subpopulation.

[Prognostic role of systemic hypertension and diabetes mellitus in patients with unstable angina undergoing coronary stenting]

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES

The adverse effects of systemic hypertension and diabetes mellitus in coronary patients are well known, although their long-term prognostic influence on patients with unstable angina (UA) undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) with coronary stenting is uncertain. The aim of this study was to determine the influence of these pathologies in this population at 3-year follow-up.

PATIENTS AND METHOD

We studied 279 consecutive patients with UA who underwent coronary stenting. 129 (46.2%) of them had hypertension and 60 (24.7%) had diabetes. Clinical follow-up was obtained in 92.14% after 3 years.

RESULTS

Although the need for new PCI at the target lesion was higher for patients with hypertension and diabetes (12.1 vs 8.4%; p=0.31, and 14.5 vs 8.6%; p=0.16, respectively), the differences were not significant with respect to the control groups. Multivariate analysis showed hypertension (OR=4.71; CI 95%, 1.01-42.2; p=0.04) and ejection fraction (OR=0.95; CI 95%, 0.91-0.99; p=0.03) to be predictors of mortality, and diabetes to be a predictor of myocardial infarction and infarction resulting in death (OR=3.01; CI 95%, 1.13-8.02; p=0.02, and OR=2.68; CI 95%, 1.03-6.95; p=0.04, respectively).

CONCLUSIONS

Hypertension was the only independent long-term predictor of mortality in our series of patients with UA who underwent coronary stenting. Diabetes was the only predictor of myocardial infarction or for the combined event of infarction and death. Risk of myocardial infarction was threefold as high in this diabetic patient population, and was the main cause of mortality.

[Emergency room risk stratification of patients with chest pain without ST segment elevation]

OBJECTIVES

To investigate the prognostic factors in patients who come to the emergency room with chest pain but without ST segment elevation.

PATIENTS AND METHOD

743 consecutive patients were evaluated by recording clinical history, electrocardiogram and troponin I determination, and early (<24 h) exercise testing was done for the low-risk subgroup of patients (n=203). All patients were followed during 3 months for major events (acute myocardial infarction or death).

RESULTS

Major events occurred in 71 patients (9.6%). Multivariate analysis (C statistic=0.79; 95% CI 0.73-0.84; p=0.0001) identified the following predictors: age > or =72 years (OR=1.7; 95% CI, 1.0-2.9; p=0.05), insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (OR=2.9; 95% CI, 1.5-5.4; p=0.001), previous ischemic heart disease (OR=1.9; 95% CI, 1.1-3.2; p=0.02), ST depression (OR=2.1; 95% CI, 1.2-3.8; p=0.01) and troponin I elevation (OR=2.9; 95% CI, 1.5-5.3; p=0.001). These five predictors were used to construct a risk score based on their odds ratios, which allowed event rate stratification by quartiles of the score: 0-2 points (1.6% events), 3-4 points (8.1% events), 5-7 points (11.9% events) and > or =8 points (26.2% events); p=0.0001. No patient with negative findings in the early exercise testing had major events.

CONCLUSIONS

In patients with chest pain, the combination of clinical, electrocardiographic and biochemical data available on admission to the emergency service allows rapid prognostic stratification. Early exercise testing is advisable for the final stratification of low risk patients.

[Coronary ectasia: prevalence, and clinical and angiographic characteristics]

INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVES

Coronary ectasia is characterized by the presence of diffuse dilation of the coronary vessels and is detected in 0.3-5.3% of angiographic studies. Our objective was to evaluate the prevalence of this condition, to analyze its clinical and angiographic characteristics, and to compare patients with ectasia and patients without it.

PATIENTS AND METHOD

Coronary angiography was performed in 4.332 patients from October 1998 to June 2001. This population was divided in two groups, patients with and patients without ectasia and patients without ectasia. Angiographic and clinical variables were compared in these groups.

RESULTS

The prevalence of ectasia was 3.39%. Most patients with ectasia (77.6%) had coronary stenosis. Ectasia affected a single vessel in 49.7%, most frequently the right coronary artery (132 patients), which also showed the greatest dilation. Most patients with ectasia were men (91.2%), smokers (56.5%), and younger than patients without ectasia (60.8 11.7 vs. 63.3 10.7 years; p = 0.01). They also had a lower prevalence of diabetes (22.4%) and previous revascularization procedures (8.2% angioplasty and 1.4% surgical revascularization).Logistical regression analysis showed that only male sex was associated to the presence of ectasia (OR = 3.33; 95% CI, 1.81-6.13) and that only diabetes was independently associated with absence of ectasia (OR = 0.65; 95% CI, 0.43-0.98).

CONCLUSIONS

The prevalence of coronary ectasia in patients who underwent angiography was 3.4%. Coronary ectasia was prevalent in males and associated to the classic cardiovascular risk factors, except diabetes, a pathology that was less frequent than usual.