Intensive statin therapy in acute coronary syndromes and stable coronary heart disease: a comparative meta-analysis of randomised controlled trials

Knowledge of Illness Trajectory and Symptoms of Heart Failure in Patients with Acute Coronary Syndrome

BACKGROUND

Preventive management of heart failure (HF) should involve strategies to increase awareness of HF in patients with pre-HF and those at risk of HF. However, the perception of HF in patients with acute coronary syndrome (ACS) remains unclear. This study aimed to assess patient understanding of the definition of HF for the public-that is, its illness trajectory (intermittent decline), impact on life expectancy (HF would limit life expectancy), and symptoms (shortness of breath, swelling)-that was introduced by the Japanese Circulation Society.

METHODS

This cross-sectional, questionnaire-based study enrolled 209 emergently admitted patients with ACS who underwent a cardiac rehabilitation program at a single university-based hospital. We identified the clinical characteristics of patients who understood HF definition.

RESULTS

Among the enrolled patients (median age, 69 years; males, 81.3%; 59.8% with ST-elevation myocardial infarction), 64.0% and 53.1% chose the correct answers regarding HF illness trajectory and impact on life expectancy, respectively. While 92.3% of the patients correctly chose shortness of breath as an HF symptom, 56.7% correctly chose swelling. Patient understanding of the definition of HF was associated with younger age, but not with HF risk (i.e., hypertension, diabetes, higher natriuretic peptide levels, lower left ventricular ejection fraction) and history of symptomatic HF.

CONCLUSIONS

Among patients with ACS who participated in the cardiac rehabilitation program in this cohort, patient understanding of HF definition was suboptimal. Effective measures to improve their understanding should be considered to enhance the prevention of HF.

The Effect of Different Statin-Based Lipid-Lowering Strategies on C-Reactive Protein Levels in Patients With Stable Coronary Artery Disease

BACKGROUND

Statins are lipid-lowering drugs with favorable anti-inflammatory effects. This study aimed to explore different statin-based lipid-lowering strategies to reduce high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP).

HYPOTHESIS

The hypothesis is that different statin-based lipid-lowering strategies might reduce hs-CRP.

METHODS

This retrospective study included 3653 patients who underwent percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). Three statin-based lipid-lowering strategies were investigated, including different types of statins (atorvastatin vs. rosuvastatin), statin combined with ezetimibe therapy (vs. without), and intensive statin therapy (vs. regular). The hs-CRP levels and blood lipid indicators were measured at baseline and after 1-month lipid-lowering therapy. Multivariable linear regression analysis and structural equation mode analysis were conducted to verify the association between different lipid-lowering strategies, Δhs-CRP (%) and ΔLDL-C (%).

RESULTS

Totally, 3653 patients were enrolled with an average age of 63.81 years. Multivariable linear regression demonstrated that statin combined with ezetimibe therapy was significantly associated with decreased Δhs-CRP (%) (β = -0.253, 95% CI: [-0.501 to -0.005], p = 0.045). The increased ΔLDL-C (%) was an independent predictor of elevated levels of Δhs-CRP (%) (β = 0.487, 95% CI: [0.15-0.824], p = 0.005). Furthermore, structural equation model analysis proved that statin combined with ezetimibe therapy (β = -0.300, p < 0.001) and intensive statin therapy (β = -0.032, p = 0.043) had an indirect negative effect on Δhs-CRP via ΔLDL-C.

CONCLUSIONS

Compared with routine statin use, statin combined with ezetimibe therapy and intensive statin therapy could further reduce hs-CRP levels.

Comparative Muscle Tolerability of Different Types and Intensities of Statins: A Network Meta-Analysis of Double-Blind Randomized Controlled Trials

PURPOSE

The benefits of statins for ischemic cardio-cerebrovascular diseases are well known. However, concerns around muscle adverse events still exist. We therefore aimed to compare the muscle safety of individual statins in adults.

METHODS

PubMed, Embase, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials and Web of Science were searched to include double-blind randomized controlled trials (RCTs) comparing one statin with another or with control treatment. Pairwise meta-analyses and network meta-analyses were undertaken with Stata 14.0 software. Relative risk (RR) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) was adopted for each outcome.

RESULTS

A total of 83 RCTs were included. In the pairwise meta-analysis, statins were significantly associated with only a slight increase in muscle symptoms compared with control (RR=1.05; 95% CI=1.01-1.09). In the drug-level network meta-analyses, no statistically significant difference was found between individual statins in the incidence of muscle symptoms, myalgia, myopathy, rhabdomyolysis, creatine kinase (CK) >10 times the upper limit of normal (ULN) or discontinuation due to muscle adverse events. In the dose-level network meta-analyses, there were no statistically significant dose-dependent effects on any outcomes except that moderate-intensity statins had a higher incidence of muscle symptoms than control (RR=1.13; 95% CI=1.01-1.27). Moderate simvastatin (RR=6.57; 95% CI=1.26-34.41) and moderate pravastatin (RR=5.96; 95% CI=1.00-35.44) had a statistically significantly higher incidence of CK >10×ULN compared with moderate atorvastatin. Lipophilic statins and statins metabolized by liver cytochrome P450 3A4 were not associated with an increased risk of muscle adverse events.

CONCLUSION

Statins may be generally safe on muscle. Moderate atorvastatin may be superior to equivalent simvastatin and pravastatin in muscle tolerability.

Landscape of Statin as a Cornerstone in Atherosclerotic Cardiovascular Disease

Atherosclerosis, the key pathogenesis of cardiovascular disease, is a leading cause of death and disability worldwide. Statins are first-line lipid-lowering drugs, which have been demonstrated to be powerful agents for anti-atherosclerosis. Numerous studies have confirmed the cardiovascular benefits and long-term safety of statins in a wide range of patients. Statins play an indispensable and irreplaceable part in the prevention and treatment of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD). In this article, we summarize the evolution of statins and their role in the treatment of cholesterol. The anti-atherosclerotic mechanism of statins, its efficacy, safety and clinical outcomes in secondary and primary prevention of ACSVD in different patient populations, the combination treatment effects, and guideline recommendations are also detailed. This paper highlights the profound significance of statins as the most successful anti-atherogenic drug in the cardiovascular field.

The AHA/ACC/HFSA 2022 Heart Failure Guidelines: Changing the Focus to Heart Failure Prevention

The prevalence of heart failure (HF) in the United States (U.S.) is estimated at over 6 million adults, with the incidence continuing to increase. A large proportion of the U.S. population is also at risk of HF due to the high prevalence of established HF risk factors, such as hypertension, diabetes, and obesity. Many individuals have multiple risk factors, placing them at even higher risk. In addition, these risk factors disproportionately impact various racial and ethnic groups. Recognizing the rising health and economic burden of HF in the U.S., the 2022 American Heart Association / American College of Cardiology / Heart Failure Society of America (AHA/ACC/HFSA) Heart Failure Guideline placed a strong emphasis on prevention of HF. The purpose of this review is to highlight the role of both primary and secondary prevention in HF, as outlined by the recent guideline, and address the role of the preventive cardiology community in reducing the prevalence of HF in at-risk individuals.

Association between the use of statins and risk of interstitial lung disease/idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis: time-dependent analysis of population-based nationwide data

BACKGROUND

We aimed to study whether statin use is associated with lowering the development of interstitial lung disease (ILD) and idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF).

METHODS

The study population was the Korean National Health Insurance Service-Health Screening Cohort. ILD and IPF cases were identified using diagnosis codes (J84.1 for ILD and J84.1A as a special code for IPF) based on the International Classification of Diseases, 10th Revision. The study participants were followed up from 1 January 2004 to 31 December 2015. Statin use was defined by the cumulative defined daily dose (cDDD) per 2-year interval and participants were categorised into never-users, <182.5, 182.5-365.0, 365.0-547.5 and ≥547.5 by cDDD. A Cox regression was used to fit models with time-dependent variables of statin use.

RESULTS

Incidence rates for ILD with and without statin use were 20.0 and 44.8 per 100 000 person-years, respectively, and those for IPF were 15.6 and 19.3 per 100 000 person-years, respectively. The use of statins was independently associated with a lower incidence of ILD and IPF in a dose-response manner (p-values for trend <0.001). ILD showed respective adjusted hazard ratios (aHRs) of 1.02 (95% CI 0.87-1.20), 0.60 (95% CI 0.47-0.77), 0.27 (95% CI 0.16-0.45) and 0.24 (95% CI 0.13-0.42) according to the increasing category of statin use compared with never-users. IPF showed respective aHRs of 1.29 (95% CI 1.07-1.57), 0.74 (95% CI 0.57-0.96), 0.40 (95% CI 0.25-0.64) and 0.21 (95% CI 0.11-0.41).

CONCLUSION

A population-based cohort analysis found that statin use is independently associated with a decreased risk of ILD and IPF in a dose-response manner.

Impact of Statin Therapy in Heart Failure Patients: Results of a Large Real-World Experience

Background

The use of statins in patients with heart failure (HF) is controversial. In patients without HF, statins reduce atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD) risk, including HF-related events. However, in some large studies, no benefit was seen in statin-treated HF patients.

Objectives

The purpose of this study was to determine the impact of statin therapy in HF with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF).

Methods

Intermountain Healthcare medical records identified patients with a HF diagnosis and an ejection fraction of ≤40%. Patients prescribed and not prescribed a statin were compared for major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE) (death, myocardial infarction, stroke) (median of 4.5 years follow-up). Statin use was defined as use at or after a HF diagnosis but at least 60 days before MACE or end of follow-up. Cox proportional hazards regression was used to determine the relationship between statin use and outcomes.

Results

A total of 15,010 patients (n = 9,641 [64%] on statins) were studied. Statin use was associated with more frequent ASCVD risk factors yet a lower risk of MACE risk (adjusted HR: 0.53; 95% CI: 0.51-0.56; P < 0.0001). Benefit was similar for primary and secondary prevention patients and for prior and new statin prescriptions. Using time-varying hazard ratio analysis, the longer the patient was on a statin, the greater the reduction in risk of MACE (P < 0.0001).

Conclusions

These results suggest a potential benefit of selective statin use in the real-world management of HFrEF patients with ASCVD or at high ASCVD risk.

Emerging Therapy for Diabetic Cardiomyopathy: From Molecular Mechanism to Clinical Practice

Diabetic cardiomyopathy is characterized by abnormal myocardial structure or performance in the absence of coronary artery disease or significant valvular heart disease in patients with diabetes mellitus. The spectrum of diabetic cardiomyopathy ranges from subtle myocardial changes to myocardial fibrosis and diastolic function and finally to symptomatic heart failure. Except for sodium–glucose transport protein 2 inhibitors and possibly bariatric and metabolic surgery, there is currently no specific treatment for this distinct disease entity in patients with diabetes. The molecular mechanism of diabetic cardiomyopathy includes impaired nutrient-sensing signaling, dysregulated autophagy, impaired mitochondrial energetics, altered fuel utilization, oxidative stress and lipid peroxidation, advanced glycation end-products, inflammation, impaired calcium homeostasis, abnormal endothelial function and nitric oxide production, aberrant epidermal growth factor receptor signaling, the activation of the renin–angiotensin–aldosterone system and sympathetic hyperactivity, and extracellular matrix accumulation and fibrosis. Here, we summarize several important emerging treatments for diabetic cardiomyopathy targeting specific molecular mechanisms, with evidence from preclinical studies and clinical trials.

2022 AHA/ACC/HFSA Guideline for the Management of Heart Failure: A Report of the American College of Cardiology/American Heart Association Joint Committee on Clinical Practice Guidelines

AIM

The "2022 AHA/ACC/HFSA Guideline for the Management of Heart Failure" replaces the "2013 ACCF/AHA Guideline for the Management of Heart Failure" and the "2017 ACC/AHA/HFSA Focused Update of the 2013 ACCF/AHA Guideline for the Management of Heart Failure." The 2022 guideline is intended to provide patient-centric recommendations for clinicians to prevent, diagnose, and manage patients with heart failure.

METHODS

A comprehensive literature search was conducted from May 2020 to December 2020, encompassing studies, reviews, and other evidence conducted on human subjects that were published in English from MEDLINE (PubMed), EMBASE, the Cochrane Collaboration, the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality, and other relevant databases. Additional relevant clinical trials and research studies, published through September 2021, were also considered. This guideline was harmonized with other American Heart Association/American College of Cardiology guidelines published through December 2021. Structure: Heart failure remains a leading cause of morbidity and mortality globally. The 2022 heart failure guideline provides recommendations based on contemporary evidence for the treatment of these patients. The recommendations present an evidence-based approach to managing patients with heart failure, with the intent to improve quality of care and align with patients' interests. Many recommendations from the earlier heart failure guidelines have been updated with new evidence, and new recommendations have been created when supported by published data. Value statements are provided for certain treatments with high-quality published economic analyses.

The prognosis and therapeutic management of patients hospitalized for heart failure in 2010-2020

AIMS

We analyzed the mortality risk and its predictors in patients hospitalized for heart failure (HF).

METHODS

Patients discharged from hospitalization for acute decompensation of HF in 2010- 2020 and younger than 86 years were followed (n=4097). We assessed the incidence and trends of all-cause death, its main predictors, and the pharmacotherapy recommended at discharge from the hospital.

RESULTS

The 30 days all-cause mortality was in discharged patients 3.2%, while 1-year 20.4% and 5-years 55.4%. We observed a modest trend to decreased 1-year mortality risk over time. Any increase of year of hospitalization by one was associated with about 5% lower risk in the fully adjusted model. Regarding predictors of 1-year mortality risk, a positive association was found for age over 65, history of malignancy, and peak brain natriuretic peptide during hospitalization ≥10times higher than normal concentration. In contrast, as protective factors, we identified LDL ≥1.8 mmol/L, treatment with beta-blockers, renin-angiotensin axis blockers, statins, and implanted cardioverter in the same regression model. The ejection fraction category and primary etiology of HF (coronary artery disease vs. others) did not significantly affect the mortality risk in a fully adjusted model.

CONCLUSIONS

Despite advances in cardiovascular disease management over the last two decades, the prognosis of patients hospitalized for heart failure remained highly unfavorable.

2022 AHA/ACC/HFSA Guideline for the Management of Heart Failure: Executive Summary: A Report of the American College of Cardiology/American Heart Association Joint Committee on Clinical Practice Guidelines

AIM

The "2022 AHA/ACC/HFSA Guideline for the Management of Heart Failure" replaces the "2013 ACCF/AHA Guideline for the Management of Heart Failure" and the "2017 ACC/AHA/HFSA Focused Update of the 2013 ACCF/AHA Guideline for the Management of Heart Failure." The 2022 guideline is intended to provide patient-centric recommendations for clinicians to prevent, diagnose, and manage patients with heart failure.

METHODS

A comprehensive literature search was conducted from May 2020 to December 2020, encompassing studies, reviews, and other evidence conducted on human subjects that were published in English from MEDLINE (PubMed), EMBASE, the Cochrane Collaboration, the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality, and other relevant databases. Additional relevant clinical trials and research studies, published through September 2021, were also considered. This guideline was harmonized with other American Heart Association/American College of Cardiology guidelines published through December 2021. Structure: Heart failure remains a leading cause of morbidity and mortality globally. The 2022 heart failure guideline provides recommendations based on contemporary evidence for the treatment of these patients. The recommendations present an evidence-based approach to managing patients with heart failure, with the intent to improve quality of care and align with patients' interests. Many recommendations from the earlier heart failure guidelines have been updated with new evidence, and new recommendations have been created when supported by published data. Value statements are provided for certain treatments with high-quality published economic analyses.

2022 AHA/ACC/HFSA Guideline for the Management of Heart Failure

AIM

The "2022 AHA/ACC/HFSA Guideline for the Management of Heart Failure" replaces the "2013 ACCF/AHA Guideline for the Management of Heart Failure" and the "2017 ACC/AHA/HFSA Focused Update of the 2013 ACCF/AHA Guideline for the Management of Heart Failure." The 2022 guideline is intended to provide patient-centric recommendations for clinicians to prevent, diagnose, and manage patients with heart failure.

METHODS

A comprehensive literature search was conducted from May 2020 to December 2020, encompassing studies, reviews, and other evidence conducted on human subjects that were published in English from MEDLINE (PubMed), EMBASE, the Cochrane Collaboration, the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality, and other relevant databases. Additional relevant clinical trials and research studies, published through September 2021, were also considered. This guideline was harmonized with other American Heart Association/American College of Cardiology guidelines published through December 2021.

STRUCTURE

Heart failure remains a leading cause of morbidity and mortality globally. The 2022 heart failure guideline provides recommendations based on contemporary evidence for the treatment of these patients. The recommendations present an evidence-based approach to managing patients with heart failure, with the intent to improve quality of care and align with patients' interests. Many recommendations from the earlier heart failure guidelines have been updated with new evidence, and new recommendations have been created when supported by published data. Value statements are provided for certain treatments with high-quality published economic analyses.

Lipid profile and prognosis in patients with coronary heart disease: a meta-analysis of prospective cohort studies

Background

This meta-analysis based on prospective cohort studies aimed to evaluate the associations of lipid profiles with the risk of major adverse cardiovascular outcomes in patients with coronary heart disease (CHD).

Methods

The PubMed, Embase, and Cochrane Library electronic databases were systematically searched for prospective cohort study published through December 2019, and the pooled results were calculated using the random-effects model.

Results

Twenty-one studies with a total of 76,221 patients with CHD met the inclusion criteria. The per standard deviation (SD) increase in triglyceride was associated with a reduced risk of major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE). Furthermore, the per SD increase in high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) was associated with a reduced risk of cardiac death, whereas patients with lower HDL-C were associated with an increased risk of MACE, all-cause mortality, and cardiac death. Finally, the risk of MACE was significantly increased in patients with CHD with high lipoprotein(a) levels.

Conclusions

The results of this study suggested that lipid profile variables could predict major cardiovascular outcomes and all-cause mortality in patients with CHD.

Correlation between small and dense low-density lipoprotein cholesterol and cardiovascular events in Beijing community population

The relationship between small dense low‐density lipoprotein cholesterol (sdLDL‐C) and different cardiovascular events has been observed in several large community studies, and the results have been controversial. However, there is currently no cross‐sectional or longitudinal follow‐up study on sdLDL‐C in the Chinese hypertension population. We analyzed the association of plasma sdLDL‐C levels with major adverse cardiovascular events in 1325 subjects from a longitudinal follow‐up community‐based population in Beijing, China. During the follow‐up period, a total of 191 subjects had MACEs. Cox regression analysis showed that sdLDL‐C is a major risk factor for MACEs independent of sex, age, BMI, hypertension, diabetes, smoking, SBP, DBP, FBG, eGFR in the general community population (1.013 (1.001 −1.025, P < .05)), but the correlation disappeared after adjusting for TC and HDL‐C in Model 3. Cox analysis showed that hypertension combined with high level of sdLDL‐C was still the risk factor for MACEs ((2.079 (1.039‐4.148)). Our findings in the Chinese cohort support that sdLDL‐C is a risk factor for major adverse cardiovascular events in hypertension subjects.

Effect of Danhong Injection () on Improving Coronary Microcirculation Injury after Percutaneous Coronary Intervention

OBJECTIVE

To explore the effectiveness of Danhong Injection () on improving microcirculatory injury after percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) in patients with coronary heart disease (CHD).

METHODS

A randomized controlled trial was conducted and 90 patients were enrolled. A random sequence was generated using statistical analysis software. Patients with microcirculatory injuries after PCI were randomly divided into 3 groups for treatment (30 subjects in each group): Danhong Injection group: after PCI, Danghong Injections were given with intravenous administration with 40 mL twice a day for a week; statins intensive group: after PCI, atorvastatin calcium tablets were given oral medication with 80 mg once, and then atorvastatin 40 mg daily for 1 week; the control group: after PCI, atorvastatin calcium tablets were given oral medication with 10-20 mg daily for 1 week. The index of microcirculation resistance (IMR) was used to assess microcirculatory injury during PCI. The IMR of the target vessel was reexamined after 1 week of drug treatment.

RESULTS

After one week's drug treatment, IMR was significantly decreased in both statins intensive group and Danhong Injection group compared with the control group (P<0.01), but no difference was found between statins intensive group and Danhong injection group (14.03 ± 2.54 vs. 16.03 ± 5.72 U, P=0.080).

CONCLUSIONS

The efficacy of Danhong Injection is non-inferior to statin. Early use of Danhong Injection after PCI can effectively improve coronary microcirculation injury after PCI.

Association of in-hospital intensive statins dosage and death in arteriosclerotic cardiovascular disease with percutaneous coronary intervention: insights of multicentre cohort from China

PURPOSE

In-hospital statin dosage-related effect remains unknown for patients with arteriosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD). This study aimed to determine the associations of different in-hospital intensive statins dosages with the prognosis for patients in the era of percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI).

METHODS

From January 2010 to December 2014, consecutive ASCVD patients receiving PCI were enrolled from five centres in China. All the enrolled patients were classified into high-dose (40 mg atorvastatin or 20 mg rosuvastatin) or low-dose (20 mg atorvastatin or 10 mg rosuvastatin) intensive statin group. In-hospital all-cause death was the primary outcome.

RESULTS

Of the 7008 patients included in this study, 5248 received low-dose intensive statins (mean age, 64.28 ± 10.39; female, 25.2%), whereas 1760 received high-dose intensive statins (mean age, 63.68 ± 10.59; female, 23.1%). There was no significant difference in the in-hospital all-cause death between the two groups (adjusted OR, 1.27; 95% CI, 0.43-3.72; P = 0.665). All-cause death was similar between the two groups during the 30-day follow-up period (adjusted HR, 1.28; 95% CI, 0.55-2.97; P = 0.571). However, the high-dose intensive statins were tightly associated with the reduction in in-hospital dialysis (adjusted OR, 0.11; 95% CI, 0.01-0.81; P = 0.030). Besides, primary analyses were confirmed by subgroup analyses.

CONCLUSIONS

The in-hospital high-dose intensive statins are not associated with the lower risk of in-hospital or 30-day all-cause death among ASCVD patients undergoing PCI. Given the robust beneficial effect of high-dose intensive statins with in-hospital dialysis, an individualized high-dose intensive statin therapy can be rational in specified populations.

The Benefits and Risks of Statin Therapy in Ischemic Stroke: A Review of the Literature

Statins are effective cholesterol-lowering drugs for reducing the risks of mortality and morbidity of cardiovascular diseases. Increasing evidence has shown that statin use is associated with a significant beneficial effect in patients with ischemic stroke. Both pre-stroke and post-stroke statin use has been found to be beneficial in ischemic stroke. Furthermore, good adherence is associated with a better clinical outcome, and statin withdrawal is associated with a poor functional outcome in patients with ischemic stroke. High-intensity statin therapy is advocated for the treatment of ischemic stroke. However, there are concerns regarding the adverse effects associated with statin use in ischemic stroke such as intracranial hemorrhage. In this review, we summarize the beneficial effect of statin use in ischemic stroke and discuss the potential risks associated with statin therapy.

The effects of low-carbohydrate diets on cardiovascular risk factors: A meta-analysis

Background

Low-carbohydrate diets are associated with cardiovascular risk factors; however, the results of different studies are inconsistent.

Purpose

The aim of this meta-analysis was to assess the relationship between low-carbohydrate diets and cardiovascular risk factors.

Method

Four electronic databases (PubMed, Embase, Medline, and the Cochrane Library) were searched from their inception to November 2018. We collected data from 12 randomized trials on low-carbohydrate diets including total cholesterol, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), triglycerides, and blood pressure levels, as well as weight as the endpoints. The average difference (MD) was used as the index to measure the effect of a low-carbohydrate diet on cardiovascular risk factors with a fixed-effects model or random-effects model. The analysis was further stratified by factors that might affect the results of the intervention.

Results

From 1292 studies identified in the initial search results, 12 randomized studies were included in the final analysis, which showed that a low-carbohydrate diet was associated with a decrease in triglyceride levels of -0.15mmol/l (95% confidence interval -0.23 to -0.07). Low-carbohydrate diet interventions lasting less than 6 months were associated with a decrease of -0.23mmol/l (95% confidence interval -0.32 to -0.15), while those lasting 12–23 months were associated with a decrease of -0.17mmol/l (95% confidence interval -0.32 to -0.01). The change in the body weight in the observation groups was -1.58kg (95% confidence interval -1.58 to -0.75); with for less than 6 months of intervention,this change was -1.14 kg (95% confidence interval -1.65 to -0.63),and with for 6–11 months of intervention, this change was -1.73kg (95% confidence interval -2.7 to -0.76). The change in the systolic blood pressure of the observation group was -1.41mmHg (95% confidence interval—2.26 to -0.56); the change in diastolic blood pressure was -1.71mmHg (95% confidence interval—2.36 to -1.06); the change in plasma HDL-C levels was 0.1mmHg (95% confidence interval 0.08 to 0.12); and the change in serum total cholesterol was 0.13mmol/l (95% confidence interval 0.08 to 0.19). The plasma LDL-C level increased by 0.11mmol/l (95% confidence interval 0.02 to 0.19), and the fasting blood glucose level changed 0.03mmol/l (95% confidence interval -0.05 to 0.12),which was not significant.

Conclusions

This meta-analysis confirms that low-carbohydrate diets have a beneficial effect on cardiovascular risk factors but that the long-term effects on cardiovascular risk factors require further research.

Effects of Simvastatin on the Metabolism of Fatty Acids in Combined Secondary Prevention of Coronary Heart Disease: Dosage and Gender Differences between the Effects

BACKGROUND

Statins are currently used for secondary prevention of Coronary Heart Disease (CHD), as the lipid-lowering therapy with them is proven safe and effective.

OBJECTIVE

The purpose of this research is to investigate the dose-dependent effect of statins used for secondary prevention of coronary heart disease, as well as mechanisms of quantitative and qualitative changes in lipoproteins, fatty acids and cholesterol in the blood and tissues of people of both sexes.

METHODS

In a clinical trial (n=125, of which 89 patients belong to group 1 and 36 to group 2) and an experiment on laboratory animals (n = 100), simvastatin reduced the total level of fatty acids in blood plasma, when given in the amount that was within the therapeutic dose range.

RESULTS

This effect was achieved through a drug-induced improvement in the capacity of hepatic cells to absorb Low-density (LDL) and Very-low-density (VLDL) lipoproteins.

CONCLUSION

Considering the formation of saturated fatty acids, statin performed better in males. With Omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids involved, changes in lipoproteins, cholesterol and fatty acids (liver and myocardium) were similar to those caused by small doses of a statin drug. Effects of the combination of bisoprolol and acetylsalicylic acid were completely different from those caused by the use of statin.

Statin Use and Risks of Influenza-Related Outcomes Among Older Adults Receiving Standard-Dose or High-Dose Influenza Vaccines Through Medicare During 2010-2015

Background

Statins are used to reduce cardiovascular disease risk. Recent studies suggest that statin use may be associated with an increased influenza risk among influenza vaccinees. We used Medicare data to evaluate associations between statins and risks of influenza-related encounters among vaccinees.

Methods

In this retrospective cohort study, we identified Medicare beneficiaries aged > 65 years who received high-dose (HD) or standard-dose (SD) influenza vaccines at pharmacies from 2010-2011 through 2014-2015. Statin users were matched to nonusers by vaccine type, demographics, prior medical encounters, and comorbidities. We used multivariable Poisson models to estimate associations between statin use around the time of vaccination and risk of influenza-related encounters. Study outcomes included influenza-related office visits with a rapid test followed by dispensing of oseltamivir and influenza-related hospitalizations (including emergency room visits) during high influenza circulation periods.

Results

The study included 1403651 statin users matched to nonusers. Cohorts were well balanced, with standardized mean differences ≤0.03 for all measured covariates. For statin users compared to nonusers, the adjusted relative risk was 1.086 (95% confidence interval [CI], 1.025-1.150) for influenza-related visits and 1.096 (95% CI, 1.013-1.185) for influenza-related hospitalizations. The risk difference ranged from ‒0.02 to 0.23 for influenza-related visits and from ‒0.04 to 0.13 for hospitalizations, depending on season severity. Results were similar for HD and SD vaccinees and for nonsynthetic and synthetic statin users.

Conclusions

Among 2.8 million Medicare beneficiaries, these results suggest that statin use around the time of vaccination does not substantially affect the risk of influenza-related medical encounters among older adults.

Statin use and Vital Organ Failure in Patients With Asthma-Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease Overlap: A Time-Dependent Population-Based Study

Objective: The effects of statins on the risk of hepatic, renal, respiratory, and heart failure among patients with asthma–chronic obstructive pulmonary disease overlap (ACO) have not been reported.

Design: Time-dependent population-based study.

Setting: Patient data from 2000 to 2010 were retrieved from the Taiwan National Health Insurance Research Database.

Patients: We divided patients with ACO into cohorts of statin use (N = 1,211) and nonuse (N = 7,443).

Measurements and Main Results: The cumulative incidence rates of hepatic, renal, respiratory, and heart failure were analyzed through Cox proportional regression analysis with time-dependent variables. After adjustment for multiple confounding factors, including age, sex, comorbidities, and medications [statins, inhaled corticosteroid (ICS), or oral steroid (OS)], the adjusted hazard ratios (aHRs) [95% confidence intervals (CIs)] for hepatic, renal, respiratory, and heart failure were 0.50 (0.40–0.64), 0.49 (0.38–0.64), 0.61 (0.27–2.21), and 0.47 (0.37–0.60), respectively. The aHRs (95% CIs) for statin use with [ICS, OS] for hepatic, renal, and heart failure were [0.36 (0.20–0.66), 0.52 (0.39–0.70)]; [0.82 (0.51–1.34), 0.46 (0.33–0.63)]; and [0.66 (0.40–1.07), 0.48 (0.37–0.64)], respectively.

Conclusions: The ACO cohort with statin use exhibited lower risk of hepatic, renal, and heart failure than any other cohort, regardless of age, sex, comorbidities, or ICS or OS use. Regarding the combined use of statins and ICS, the risks of hepatic failure were lower. For the combined use of statins and OS, hepatic, renal, and heart failure were less frequent.

Statins in the Prevention and Treatment of Heart Failure: a Review of the Evidence

Purpose of Review

We summarize the best evidence for statins in the prevention and treatment of heart failure.

Recent Findings

In patients with cardiovascular risk factors or established atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (but without heart failure), statins reduce the risk of incident heart failure—mainly by preventing myocardial infarction although an additional benefit from reducing myocardial ischemia cannot be excluded. However, in patients with established heart failure, statins do not reduce the risk of cardiovascular death, which is mainly caused by pump failure and ventricular arrhythmias. Retrospective analyses, however, suggest that statins may reduce the rate of heart failure hospitalization and atherosclerotic events (which are proportionately much less common in these patients than heart failure hospitalization or death).

Summary

Statin therapy should probably be continued in patients with coronary artery disease developing heart failure, although the weak evidence and small benefit may not justify the use of this treatment in very elderly patients with a short life expectancy and in which polypharmacy is a problem.

Effect and safety of combination lipid-lowering therapies based on statin treatment versus statin monotherapies on patients with high risk of cardiovascular events

This study aimed to compare the effect and safety of statin monotherapies and combination therapies on lipid-lowing therapies. We searched for published randomized controlled trial (RCT) reports of statin monotherapies and combination therapies in patients with high risk of cardiovascular events, and extracted lipid levels to perform meta-analysis. A total of 12 RCT reports were included in this study. According to the new guidelines (low-density lipoprotein cholesterol [LDL-C] < 100 mg/dL, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol [HDL-C] > 130 mg/dL), the percent of LDL-C attaining goals in combination therapy is more than that of monotherapy (risk ratio [RR] = 1.43, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.13 to 1.82, P = 0.003), and the percent of LDL-C and HDL-C attaining goals in combination therapy is greater than that of monotherapy (RR = 1.43, 95% CI: 1.24 to 1.65, P = 0.000). The changing level of blood lipid had significant statistical difference between the two groups. The degree of blood lipid lowered by combination therapy was larger than in monotherapy (standard mean difference [SMD] = -0.45, 95% CI: -0.75 to -0.14, P = 0.004; SMD = -0.72, 95% CI: 0.04 to 1.39, P = 0.039; and SMD = -0.71, 95% CI: -1.12 to -0.3, P = 0.001 in LDL-C, HDL-C, and triglyceride, respectively). The incidence of adverse events was not significantly different between the two groups (RR = 1.15, 95% CI: 0.91 to 1.37, P = 0.096; RR = 1.5, 95% CI: 0.55 to 4.1, P = 0.427; RR = 0.63, 95% CI: 0.33 to 1.24, P = 0.181 in incidence of total adverse events, drug-related treatment, and myalgia, respectively). Combination therapy can bring better effect in reducing lipid. It does not increase the incidence of adverse events, so it can be used widely and safely.

Prescription of statins at discharge and 1-year risk of major clinical outcomes among acute coronary syndromes patients with extremely low LDL-cholesterol in clinical pathways for acute coronary syndromes studies

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this study was to investigate statin description on discharge and the benefit on the long-term outcomes in acute coronary syndromes (ACS) patients with very low baseline LDL-cholesterol (LDL-c).

METHODS

This is a post-hoc analysis of 3374 ACS patients who were discharged alive and had baseline LDL-c levels below 70 mg/dL (1.8 mmol/L). The propensity score of using statin was estimated with a multivariable Logistic model including patient's demography, social economic status, cardiovascular risk factors, subtype of the diagnosis, and treatments received during hospitalization and current LDL-c level. The risk of major adverse cardiovascular events (MACEs) was compared between patients received and not-received statin with Cox-regression models adjusting for the propensity score plus other factors. A sensitivity analysis was done in propensity score matched patients.

RESULTS

Compared with nonstatin group, the incidence of MACE at 12 months after discharge was lower in the statin group (11.1% vs 5.8%; P < 0.001). The propensity score plus other factors-adjusted hazard ratios for MACEs was significant (0.58; 95% CI: 0.39, 0.87). The effect showed a significant dose-response relationship (P for trend = 0.02). The results in analyses with propensity-score matched participants were in consistent with above findings. Analyses on total mortality in 12 months showed similar results.

CONCLUSIONS

Among ACS survivors with a very low baseline LDL-c, low to moderate intensity statin therapy was associated significantly with lower risk of MACEs and total mortality at 12 months. The results suggested that ACS survivors should take statin regardless of the baseline of LDL-c.

The pharmacodynamic and clinical trial evidence for statin dose

Statin doses around estimated effective dose 50 (ED50) can reduce myocardial infarction by over 25% and mortality by around 10%. Being a competitive enzyme inhibitor, statin efficacy plateaus at doses that are multiples above the ED50, whilst on- and off-target adverse events increase in number and severity with increasing dose. For example, myopathy has been shown to increase by up to 29-fold and liver dysfunction by up to nine-fold as statin dose is increased. Doses of up to 40-fold ED50 have been promoted, but above five-fold ED50, for example 10 mg of atorvastatin, there is no randomized controlled clinical trial evidence that coronary mortality is lowered, or that survival is increased.

Small Dense Low-Density Lipoprotein as Biomarker for Atherosclerotic Diseases

Low-density lipoprotein (LDL) plays a key role in the development and progression of atherosclerosis and cardiovascular disease. LDL consists of several subclasses of particles with different sizes and densities, including large buoyant (lb) and intermediate and small dense (sd) LDLs. It has been well documented that sdLDL has a greater atherogenic potential than that of other LDL subfractions and that sdLDL cholesterol (sdLDL-C) proportion is a better marker for prediction of cardiovascular disease than that of total LDL-C. Circulating sdLDL readily undergoes multiple atherogenic modifications in blood plasma, such as desialylation, glycation, and oxidation, that further increase its atherogenicity. Modified sdLDL is a potent inductor of inflammatory processes associated with cardiovascular disease. Several laboratory methods have been developed for separation of LDL subclasses, and the results obtained by different methods can not be directly compared in most cases. Recently, the development of homogeneous assays facilitated the LDL subfraction analysis making possible large clinical studies evaluating the significance of sdLDL in the development of cardiovascular disease. Further studies are needed to establish guidelines for sdLDL evaluation and correction in clinical practice.

Serum levels of mitochondrial inhibitory factor 1 are independently associated with long-term prognosis in coronary artery disease: the GENES Study

BACKGROUND

Epidemiological and observational studies have established that high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) is an independent negative cardiovascular risk factor. However, simple measurement of HDL-C levels is no longer sufficient for cardiovascular risk assessment. Therefore, there is a critical need for novel non-invasive biomarkers that would display prognostic superiority over HDL-C. Cell surface ecto-F1-ATPase contributes to several athero-protective properties of HDL, including reverse cholesterol transport and vascular endothelial protection. Serum inhibitory factor 1 (IF1), an endogenous inhibitor of ecto-F1-ATPase, is an independent determinant of HDL-C associated with low risk of coronary artery disease (CAD). This work aimed to examine the predictive value of serum IF1 for long-term mortality in CAD patients. Its informative value was compared to that of HDL-C.

METHOD

Serum IF1 levels were measured in 577 male participants with stable CAD (age 45-74 years) from the GENES (Genetique et ENvironnement en Europe du Sud) study. Vital status was yearly assessed, with a median follow-up of 11 years and a 29.5 % mortality rate. Cardiovascular mortality accounted for the majority (62.4 %) of deaths.

RESULTS

IF1 levels were positively correlated with HDL-C (r s = 0.40; P < 0.001) and negatively with triglycerides (r s = -0.21, P < 0.001) and CAD severity documented by the Gensini score (r s = -0.13; P < 0.01). Total and cardiovascular mortality were lower at the highest quartiles of IF1 (HR = 0.55; 95 % CI, 0.38-0.89 and 0.50 (0.28-0.89), respectively) but not according to HDL-C. Inverse associations of IF1 with mortality remained significant, after multivariate adjustments for classical cardiovascular risk factors (age, smoking, physical activity, waist circumference, HDL-C, dyslipidemia, hypertension, and diabetes) and for powerful biological and clinical variables of prognosis, including heart rate, ankle-brachial index and biomarkers of cardiac diseases. The 10-year mortality was 28.5 % in patients with low IF1 (<0.42 mg/L) and 21.4 % in those with high IF1 (≥0.42 mg/L, P < 0.02).

CONCLUSIONS

We investigated for the first time the relation between IF1 levels and long-term prognosis in CAD patients, and found an independent negative association. IF1 measurement might be used as a novel HDL-related biomarker to better stratify risk in populations at high risk or in the setting of pharmacotherapy.

Combined administration of mesenchymal stem cells overexpressing IGF-1 and HGF enhances neovascularization but moderately improves cardiac regeneration in a porcine model

Background

Insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1) and hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) are among the most promising growth factors for promoting cardiorepair. Here, we evaluated the combination of cell- and gene-based therapy using mesenchymal stem cells (MSC) genetically modified to overexpress IGF-1 or HGF to treat acute myocardial infarction (AMI) in a porcine model.

Methods

Pig MSC from adipose tissue (paMSC) were genetically modified for evaluation of different therapeutic strategies to improve AMI treatment. Three groups of infarcted Large White pigs were compared (I, control, non-transplanted; II, transplanted with paMSC-GFP (green fluorescent protein); III, transplanted with paMSC-IGF-1/HGF). Cardiac function was evaluated non-invasively using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) for 1 month. After euthanasia and sampling of the animal, infarcted areas were studied by histology and immunohistochemistry.

Results

Intramyocardial transplant in a porcine infarct model demonstrated the safety of paMSC in short-term treatments. Treatment with paMSC-IGF-1/HGF (1:1) compared with the other groups showed a clear reduction in inflammation in some sections analyzed and promoted angiogenic processes in ischemic tissue. Although cardiac function parameters were not significantly improved, cell retention and IGF-1 overexpression was confirmed within the myocardium.

Conclusions

The simultaneous administration of IGF-1- and HGF-overexpressing paMSC appears not to promote a synergistic effect or effective repair. The combined enhancement of neovascularization and fibrosis in paMSC-IGF-1/HGF-treated animals nonetheless suggests that sustained exposure to high IGF-1 + HGF levels promotes beneficial as well as deleterious effects that do not improve overall cardiac regeneration.

Electronic supplementary material

The online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s13287-016-0350-z) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

Cholesterol trials and mortality

An overview of clinical trials can reveal a class effect on mortality that is not apparent from individual trials. Most large trials of lipid pharmacotherapy are not powered to detect differences in mortality and instead assess efficacy with composite cardiovascular endpoints. We illustrate the importance of all-cause mortality data by comparing survival in three different sets of the larger controlled lipid trials that underpin meta-analyses. These trials are for fibrates and statins. Fibrate treatment in five of the six main trials was associated with a decrease in survival, one fibrate trial showed a non-significant reduction in mortality that can be explained by a different target population. In secondary prevention, statin treatment increased survival in all five of the main trials, absolute mean increase ranged from 0.43% to 3.33%, the median change was 1.75%, which occurred in the largest trial. In primary prevention, statin treatment increased survival in six of the seven main trials, absolute mean change in survival ranged from -0.09% to 0.89%, median 0.49%. Composite safety endpoints are rare in these trials. The failure to address composite safety endpoints in most lipid trials precludes a balanced summary of risk-benefit when a composite has been used for efficacy. Class effects on survival provide informative summaries of the risk-benefit of lipid pharmacotherapy. We consider that the presentation of key mortality/survival data adds to existing meta-analyses to aid personal treatment decisions.