Utility of Nontraditional Risk Markers in Individuals Ineligible for Statin Therapy According to the 2013 American College of Cardiology/American Heart Association Cholesterol Guidelines

Prognostic Value of Ankle-Brachial Index in Prediction of Cardiovascular Events in an Asian Population with Multiple Atherosclerotic Risk Factors

We aimed to evaluate the incremental prognostic value after incorporation of the ankle-brachial index (ABI) into the 10-year pool cohort equation (PCE) risk model in patients with multiple risk factors (MRFs). A total of 4332 MRFs patients were divided into 2 groups as ABI ≤.9 or >.9. The primary outcome was hard cardiovascular events (hCVE: including cardiovascular death, myocardial infarction, or ischemic stroke) over a median follow-up of 36 months. The Cox proportional hazards survival model, C-statistic, and net reclassification indices (NRI) were used. The occurrence of the primary outcome in the ABI ≤.9 group (3.7%) was significantly greater than in the ABI > .9 group (1.3%), P < .001. ABI is an independent predictor of hCVE in addition to the variables in the standard risk model (age, gender, and smoking status). ABI modestly improved the C-index when added to the PCE risk model (PCE .70 vs ABI+PCE .74). The addition of ABI to the PCE risk model did not significantly improve the classification of patients (NRI -.029; 95% CI: -.215 to .130). Despite ABI being one of the independent predictors of hCVE, integration of ABI into the PCE model did not improve the efficacy of risk reclassification in patients with MRFs.

Clinical relevance of coronary risk classification and reclassification with coronary artery calcium score in asymptomatic people living with diabetes. An observational study

AIMS

To explore (i) in what proportion and direction coronary artery calcium (CAC) score reclassifies coronary risk in asymptomatic diabetic patients at high a priori coronary risk, and (ii) whether screening for asymptomatic myocardial ischemia / coronary stenosis only in patients at very high coronary risk - whether a priori or combined with those reclassified at very high risk according to their CAC score - has good sensitivity to detect these conditions.

METHODS

We retrospectively selected 377 asymptomatic primary prevention diabetic patients at high or very high a priori coronary risk according to national guidelines. All had their CAC score measured and underwent stress myocardial scintigraphy to detect myocardial ischemia. Those identified with ischemia then had a coronary angiography to identify coronary stenoses.

RESULTS

Of the selected patients, 242 and 135 patients had a high and very high a priori coronary risk, respectively. After taking into account their CAC score, the former were reclassified into three risk categories: moderate (n = 159, 66%), high (n = 38) and very high (45 patients) risk. Myocardial ischemia was identified in 35 patients and coronary stenoses in 14 of the latter. Had a stress scintigraphy been performed only in the 135 patients at very high risk a priori, 18 patients would have been detected with ischemia (sensitivity 51%), and 9 with coronary stenoses (sensitivity 64%). Had a scintigraphy also been performed on the 45 patients at very high risk after CAC-reclassification, an additional 7 and 5 patients with ischemia and coronary stenoses, respectively, would have been identified.

CONCLUSION

Following national guidelines, 66% of our population of asymptomatic diabetic persons at high a priori coronary risk were reclassified into the moderate risk category, translating into less stringent goals for risk factor control. Eighteen percent were reclassified into the very high-risk category, leading to 100% detection sensitivity for patients with ischemia and coronary stenoses.

Association Between Breast Arterial Calcification on Mammography and Coronary Artery Disease: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Background: Breast arterial calcification (BAC), which may be detected during screening mammography, is hypothesized to be a noninvasive imaging marker that may enhance cardiovascular risk assessment. Materials and Methods: In this systematic review and meta-analysis, we sought to assess the association between BAC and coronary artery disease (CAD) by conducting a meta-analysis. We conducted a literature search of PubMed, Scopus, Cochrane library, ClinicalTrials.gov, and conference proceedings, from inception through December 24, 2019. The outcome of interest was the presence of CAD in patients with BAC. This was reported as crude and adjusted odds ratio (OR). Results: A total of 18 studies comprising 33,494 women (mean age of 60.8 ± 3.7 years, 25% with diabetes, 57% with hypertension, and 21% with history of tobacco smoking) were included in the current meta-analysis. The prevalence of BAC among study participants was 10%. There was a statistically significant association between BAC and CAD (unadjusted OR 2.14; 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.63-2.81, p < 0.001, I2 = 76.5%). Moreover, adjusted estimates were available from 10 studies and BAC was an independent predictor of CAD (OR 2.39; 95% CI 1.68-3.41, p < 0.001, I2 = 61.7%). In the meta-regression analysis, covariates included year of publication, age, hypertension, diabetes mellitus, and history of tobacco smoking. None of these study covariates explained the heterogeneity across studies. Conclusions: BAC detected as part of screening mammography is a promising noninvasive imaging marker that may enhance CAD risk prediction in women. The clinical value of BAC for cardiovascular risk stratification merits further evaluation in large prospective studies.

Assessment of Atherosclerotic Cardiovascular Disease Risk in Primary Prevention

PURPOSE

The objective of this report was to review the application of the pooled cohort equations in primary prevention and the assessment of cardiovascular health.

REVIEW METHODS

Literature review was conducted using the PubMed database. In addition, the 2018 Multi-Society Guidelines on Management of Blood Cholesterol and the 2019 American College of Cardiology/American Heart Association Guidelines on the Primary Prevention of Cardiovascular Disease were reviewed.

SUMMARY

Primary prevention refers to individuals with no history of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease, severe hypercholesterolemia, or diabetes. For these adults, aged 40-75 yr, who have a low-density lipoprotein-cholesterol of ≥70 mg/dL and <190 mg/dL, the pooled cohort equations should be used to provide a quantitative assessment of 10-yr atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease risk. From here, individuals are grouped as low risk (<5%), borderline risk (5 to <7.5%), intermediate risk (7.5 to <20%), or high risk (≥20%). Statin therapy should be strongly advised in those with an atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease risk of ≥20%, while statin therapy can be considered in those with a risk between 5% and <20%, especially if risk enhancing factors are present. If uncertainty still exists regarding treatment, a coronary artery calcium score can help further refine risk. All individuals, regardless of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease risk, should have a cardiovascular health assessment using Life's Essential 8, which includes diet, physical activity, nicotine exposure, body mass index, blood glucose, blood lipids, blood pressure, and sleep.

Association of polygenic risk scores with incident atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease events among individuals with coronary artery calcium score of zero: The multi-ethnic study of atherosclerosis

BACKGROUND

Polygenic risk scores (PRS) are associated with atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD) events. We studied incident ASCVD among individuals with absent coronary artery calcium (CAC = 0), to investigate the association of PRS with incident ASCVD among such individuals.

METHODS

Data was used from Multi-Ethnic Study of Atherosclerosis (MESA), a prospective cohort study of participants free of clinical CVD at baseline. PRS were developed based on a literature-derived list of single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) weighted by effect size. The coronary heart disease (CHD) PRS contained 180 SNPs, and the stroke PRS had 32 SNPs. These SNPs were combined to compute an ASCVD PRS. The PRS were calculated among 3132 participants with CAC = 0. Multivariable-adjusted Cox proportional hazards models evaluated the association between each PRS (top 20% vs bottom 50%) and ASCVD.

RESULTS

The study population included 3132 individuals with CAC = 0 [mean (SD) age 58 (9) years; 63% female, 33% White, 31% Black, 12% Chinese-American, 24% Hispanic]. Over a median follow-up of 16 years, there were 108 incident CHD events and 93 stroke events. ASCVD event rates were generally <7.5 per 1000-person years for all ASCVD events regardless of PRS risk stratum. The ASCVD PRS was significantly associated with incident ASCVD: (HR; 95% CI) (1.63; 1.11, 2.39). The CHD PRS was not associated with any ASCVD outcome, whereas the stroke PRS was significantly associated with ASCVD (1.84; 1.27, 2.68), CHD (1.79; 1.05, 3.06), and stroke (1.96; 1.19, 3.23). The stroke PRS results were significant among women and non-Whites.

CONCLUSIONS

Among individuals with CAC = 0, the ASCVD PRS was associated with incident ASCVD events. This appears to be driven by genetic variants related to stroke but not CHD, and particularly among women and non-Whites. ASCVD event rates remained below the threshold recommended for consideration for initiation of statin therapy even in the high PRS groups.

Coronary Risk Estimation Based on Clinical Data in Electronic Health Records

BACKGROUND

Clinical features from electronic health records (EHRs) can be used to build a complementary tool to predict coronary artery disease (CAD) susceptibility.

OBJECTIVES

The purpose of this study was to determine whether an EHR score can improve CAD prediction and reclassification 1 year before diagnosis, beyond conventional clinical guidelines as determined by the pooled cohort equations (PCE) and a polygenic risk score for CAD.

METHODS

We applied a machine learning framework using clinical features from the EHR in a multiethnic, clinical care cohort (BioMe) comprising 555 CAD cases and 6,349 control subjects and in a population-based cohort (UK Biobank) comprising 3,130 CAD cases and 378,344 control subjects for external validation.

RESULTS

Compared with the PCE, the EHR score improved CAD prediction by 12% in the BioMe Biobank and by 9% in the UK Biobank. The EHR score reclassified 25.8% and 15.2% individuals in each cohort respectively, compared with the PCE score. We observed larger improvements in the EHR score over the PCE in a subgroup of individuals with low CAD risk, with 20% increased discrimination and 34.4% increased reclassification. In all models, the polygenic risk score for CAD did not improve CAD prediction, compared with the PCE or EHR score.

CONCLUSIONS

The EHR score resulted in increased prediction and reclassification for CAD, demonstrating its potential use for population health monitoring of short-term CAD risk in large health systems.

Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) and U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) guidelines for management of dyslipidemia and cardiovascular disease risk reduction: Putting evidence in context

Atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD) remains the leading cause of morbidity and mortality in the United States (U.S.) and incurs significant cost to the healthcare system. Management of cholesterol remains central for ASCVD prevention and has been the focus of multiple national guidelines. In this review, we compare the American Heart Association (AHA)/American College of Cardiology (ACC) and the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) and U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) Cholesterol guidelines. We review the evidence base that was used to generate recommendations focusing on 4 distinct themes: 1) the threshold of absolute 10-year ASCVD risk to start a clinician-patient discussion for the initiation of statin therapy in primary prevention patients; 2) the utility of coronary artery calcium score to guide clinician-patient risk discussion pertaining to the initiation of statin therapy for primary ASCVD prevention; 3) the use of moderate versus high-intensity statin therapy in patients with established ASCVD; and 4) the utility of ordering lipid panels after initiation or intensification of lipid lowering therapy to document efficacy and monitor adherence to lipid lowering therapy. We discuss why the VA/DoD and AHA/ACC may have reached different conclusions on these key issues.

Assessment of Coronary Artery Calcium Scoring to Guide Statin Therapy Allocation According to Risk-Enhancing Factors: The Multi-Ethnic Study of Atherosclerosis

Importance

The 2018 American Heart Association/American College of Cardiology Guideline on the Management of Blood Cholesterol recommends the use of risk-enhancing factor assessment and the selective use of coronary artery calcium (CAC) scoring to guide the allocation of statin therapy among individuals with an intermediate risk of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD).

Objective

To examine the association between risk-enhancing factors and incident ASCVD by CAC burden among those at intermediate risk of ASCVD.

Design, Setting, and Participants

The Multi-Ethnic Study of Atherosclerosis is a multicenter population-based prospective cross-sectional study conducted in the US. Baseline data for the present study were collected between July 15, 2000, and July 14, 2002, and follow-up for incident ASCVD events was ascertained through August 20, 2015. Participants were aged 45 to 75 years with no clinical ASCVD or diabetes at baseline, were at intermediate risk of ASCVD (≥7.5% to <20.0%), and had a low-density lipoprotein cholesterol level of 70 to 189 mg/dL.

Exposures

Family history of premature ASCVD, premature menopause, metabolic syndrome, chronic kidney disease, lipid and inflammatory biomarkers, and low ankle-brachial index.

Main Outcomes and Measures

Incident ASCVD over a median follow-up of 12.0 years.

Results

A total of 1688 participants (mean [SD] age, 65 [6] years; 976 men [57.8%]). Of those, 648 individuals (38.4%) were White, 562 (33.3%) were Black, 305 (18.1%) were Hispanic, and 173 (10.2%) were Chinese American. A total of 722 participants (42.8%) had a CAC score of 0. Among those with 1 to 2 risk-enhancing factors vs those with 3 or more risk-enhancing factors, the prevalence of a CAC score of 0 was 45.7% vs 40.3%, respectively. Over a median follow-up of 12.0 years (interquartile range [IQR], 11.5-12.6 years), the unadjusted incidence rate of ASCVD among those with a CAC score of 0 was less than 7.5 events per 1000 person-years for all individual risk-enhancing factors (with the exception of ankle-brachial index, for which the incidence rate was 10.4 events per 1000 person-years [95% CI, 1.5-73.5]) and combinations of risk-enhancing factors, including participants with 3 or more risk-enhancing factors. Although the individual and composite addition of risk-enhancing factors to the traditional risk factors was associated with improvement in the area under the receiver operating curve, the use of CAC scoring was associated with the greatest improvement in the C statistic (0.633 vs 0.678) for ASCVD events. For incident ASCVD, the net reclassification improvement for CAC was 0.067.

Conclusions and Relevance

In this cross-sectional study, among participants with CAC scores of 0, the presence of risk-enhancing factors was generally not associated with an overall ASCVD risk that was higher than the recommended treatment threshold for the initiation of statin therapy. The use of CAC scoring was associated with significant improvements in the reclassification and discrimination of incident ASCVD. The results of this study support the utility of CAC scoring as an adjunct to risk-enhancing factor assessment to more accurately classify individuals with an intermediate risk of ASCVD who might benefit from statin therapy.

Multi-Ethnic Study of Atherosclerosis (MESA): JACC Focus Seminar 5/8

The MESA (Multi-Ethnic Study of Atherosclerosis) is a National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute-sponsored prospective study aimed at studying the prevalence, progression, determinants, and prognostic significance of subclinical cardiovascular disease in a sex-balanced, multiethnic, community-dwelling U.S. cohort. MESA helped usher in an era of noninvasive evaluation of subclinical atherosclerosis presence, burden, and progression for the evaluation of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease risk, beyond what could be predicted by traditional risk factors alone. Concepts developed in MESA have informed international patient care guidelines, providing new tools to effectively guide public health policy, population screening, and clinical decision-making. MESA is grounded in an open science model that continues to be a beacon for collaborative science. In this review, we detail the original goals of MESA, and describe how the scope of MESA has evolved over time. We highlight 10 significant MESA contributions to cardiovascular medicine, and chart the path forward for MESA in the year 2021 and beyond.

The Use of Subclinical Atherosclerosis Imaging to Guide Preventive Cardiology Management

PURPOSE OF THE REVIEW

Clinical atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD) requires years to manifest, providing a window of opportunity for preventive cardiovascular management. Subclinical atherosclerosis imaging leverages this long latency period to estimate and improve future ASCVD risk.

RECENT FINDINGS

Coronary artery calcium (CAC) scoring has the most robust data in the detection of subclinical atherosclerosis. CAC scan significantly enhances cardiovascular risk stratification in addition to traditional risk models. Coronary computed tomography angiography data show similar strengths in subclinical atherosclerosis detection in addition to plaque morphology characterization with inherent limitations. Carotid intima-media thickness and ankle-brachial index are other modalities whose predictive value becomes incremental when added to the aforementioned modalities. When added to traditional risk models, subclinical atherosclerosis imaging modalities personalize future ASCVD risk stratification and assist in the initiation and rate of intensification of preventive therapies. Emerging imaging techniques exist but further research is required for primetime clinical use.

The atherosclerosis burden score

Purpose: We carried out this study to evaluate the predictive value of atherosclerosis burden score (ABS) to predict coronary artery disease (CAD) among asymptomatic patients without known cardiovascular disease (CVD), as compared to other imaging or functional techniques, namely coronary artery calcium (CAC) score, carotid intima-media thickness (C-IMT), and ankle brachial index (ABI). Patients and methods: This prospective study included 198 asymptomatic consecutive patients referred for evaluation of their cardiovascular (CV) risk and for therapeutic advice. Traditional CV risk factors, ABS, CAC score, C-IMT, ABI and an ECG-synchronized coronary CT-angiography (CCTA) were performed for each patient. We compared the predictive values of these atherosclerosis markers to detect CAD defined as coronary stenosis ≥30% objectivated by CCTA. Results: Among the whole sample, the area under the receiver-operating characteristic curve (ROC-AUC) was significantly higher for CAC score (0.81, p=0.015) than for ABS, the reference (0.70) but these values were lower for C-IMT (0.60, p=0.16) and particularly for ABI (0.56, p=0.0015). However, among patients at intermediate risk of coronary heart disease (CHD), according to Framingham risk score (FRS), the differences between the ROC-AUC values for ABS (0.70) and CAC score (0.76, p=0.36) were less pronounced. Again, as compared to ABS, the ROC-AUC values were lower for C-IMT (0.60, p=0.21) and ABI (0.57, p=0.06). Conclusions: ABS, an ultrasonographic score based on the assessment of carotid and femoral plaque burden, predicts more accurately CAD than other non-radiation tools analyzed here, and has a similar performance to CAC in patients at intermediate CHD risk. Thus, ABS could be an appropriate non-invasive and safe method to improve the detection of high-risk patients who will benefit from a more intensive therapy for the primary prevention of CVD.

Primary Prevention Trial Designs Using Coronary Imaging: A National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute Workshop

Coronary artery calcium (CAC) is considered a useful test for enhancing risk assessment in the primary prevention setting. Clinical trials are under consideration. The National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute convened a multidisciplinary working group on August 26 to 27, 2019, in Bethesda, Maryland, to review available evidence and consider the appropriateness of conducting further research on coronary artery calcium (CAC) testing, or other coronary imaging studies, as a way of informing decisions for primary preventive treatments for cardiovascular disease. The working group concluded that additional evidence to support current guideline recommendations for use of CAC in middle-age adults is very likely to come from currently ongoing trials in that age group, and a new trial is not likely to be timely or cost effective. The current trials will not, however, address the role of CAC testing in younger adults or older adults, who are also not addressed in existing guidelines, nor will existing trials address the potential benefit of an opportunistic screening strategy made feasible by the application of artificial intelligence. Innovative trial designs for testing the value of CAC across the lifespan were strongly considered and represent important opportunities for additional research, particularly those that leverage existing trials or other real-world data streams including clinical computed tomography scans. Sex and racial/ethnic disparities in cardiovascular disease morbidity and mortality, and inclusion of diverse participants in future CAC trials, particularly those based in the United States, would enhance the potential impact of these studies.

Preventive Cardiology and Risk Assessment: Beyond LDL

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

Risk assessment is the foundational cornerstone for cardiovascular prevention. The goal of this review is to apprise the reader of the latest evidence and guideline-based stepwise method for clinical risk assessment for future atherosclerotic events. We also discuss caveats to the current approach and review future directions including the promise of precision medicine.

RECENT FINDINGS

The most recent cholesterol and prevention guidelines improve upon the widely used pooled cohort equations by incorporating risk-enhancing factors to further personalize risk assessment. For those in whom uncertainty remains, there is mounting evidence for using the coronary calcium score to uncover subclinical disease to either up- or down-classify risk. Although still in its infancy, progress in high-throughput molecular analysis is edging the field closer to more precise risk stratification. Atherosclerosis is the leading cause of global morbidity and mortality. Emphasis on cardiovascular prevention is essential to mitigate the burden of disease. Here, we introduce a "4 + 2" paradigm for approaching preventive cardiology based on recent guidelines. Risk stratification is performed in four steps: qualitative risk approximation to initiate counseling and education, quantitative risk estimation based on a validated model, personalization with risk-enhancing factors, and measurement of coronary artery calcium score in select patients. The two foundational principles of preventive management are to promote a healthy lifestyle in all and to escalate preventive pharmacotherapy based on increasing risk. Shared decision-making remains central throughout this process.

HOPE for Rational Statin Allocation for Primary Prevention: A Coronary Artery Calcium Picture Is Worth 1000 Words

Allocation of statin therapy for the primary prevention of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD) in borderline- and intermediate-risk patients has traditionally been based on population-based global risk assessment and other clinical and laboratory characteristics. Patient-specific treatment decisions are needed to provide maximal benefit and avoid unnecessary treatment. Guideline-based lipid management proposes that coronary artery calcium scoring is reasonable to implement in patients with a 10-year risk of 5.0% to 19.9% (borderline to intermediate risk) by using the pooled cohort equations when the decision about whether to initiate statin therapy is uncertain. We report data from both observational studies and a large primary prevention randomized controlled trial that support the position that this decision is, in fact, uncertain in about half of such patients because of risk misclassification. Such misclassification can be largely avoided by more widespread implementation of coronary calcium scoring, which helps to identify those with coronary artery calcium scores of 0, a finding associated with a less than 5.0% 10-year probability of an ASCVD event. Deferral of statin therapy in such patients, in the absence of smoking, diabetes, or a family history of premature ASCVD, provides more individualized and appropriate care and avoids the expense and potential adverse effects of statin therapy in those with low potential for absolute risk reduction. A rationale is also provided for the importance of coronary artery calcium scoring in women 50 years and older, possibly in place of 1 screening mammogram in women at least 55 years of age to avoid incremental radiation exposure, on the basis of the substantially higher lifetime risk of morbidity and mortality from ASCVD than from breast cancer. In patients with borderline or intermediate ASCVD risk, coronary artery calcium scoring should be used, whenever possible, as an aid to rational statin allocation for the primary prevention of ASCVD.

New Recommendations and Revised Concepts in Recent Guidelines on the Management of Dyslipidemias to Prevent Cardiovascular Disease: the 2018 ACC/AHA and 2019 ESC/EAS Guidelines

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

The purpose of this review is to discuss the updated guideline recommendations on management of dyslipidemia for prevention and treatment of cardiovascular disease.

RECENT FINDINGS

The American College of Cardiology/American Heart Association (ACC/AHA) and European Society of Cardiology/European Atherosclerosis Society (ESC/EAS) published revised cholesterol management guidelines in 2018 and 2019, respectively, to reflect new evidence in the field. Broadly speaking, both emphasize refining cardiovascular disease risk estimation and aggressively lowering low-density lipoprotein-cholesterol (LDL-C) with statin and non-statin agents to curb cardiovascular risk. While they share the same guiding principles, there are important differences in the recommendations from both societies including how they define risk categories and goals for LDL-C lowering. This review summarizes current methods of managing dyslipidemia with a focus on the common themes and notable differences between the 2018 ACC/AHA and 2019 ESC/EAS cholesterol management guidelines.

Effect of Elevated Calcium Score on Normal Myocardial Perfusion Study on Clinician Management of Coronary Artery Disease Risk Factors

Elevated coronary artery calcification (CAC) scores are associated with higher cardiovascular (CV) risk even with normal stress myocardial perfusion imaging (MPI). Whether referring providers appropriately manage subclinical CV disease is unclear. We hypothesized that ordering clinicians would intensify medical therapy for CV disease in response to normal MPI and CAC ≥ 300. We conducted a cohort study on patients without known CV disease who underwent MPI and CAC scoring. Medical management of CV disease and clinical outcomes were assessed. Of 299 patients who underwent stress MPI, 62 patients had normal MPI and CAC ≥ 300. Documentation of elevated CAC score was noted in the final interpretation for 52% (n = 32) of MPI reports. During follow-up, treatment change in aspirin, cholesterol medications, and/or antihypertensive medication was made in 40% of these patients. Aspirin use increased from 71% to 82% (P < 0.001); statin use increased from 68% to 76% (P < 0.001). Several patients remained on suboptimal lipid or antiplatelet regimens without documented contraindication. Among patients with normal MPI, many have CAC ≥ 300. Not all MPI reports adequately call attention to this finding associated with elevated CV risk. Despite the elevated CAC score, some patients were not optimized medically.

Role of Coronary Calcium Score to Identify Candidates for ASCVD Prevention

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

In this review, we describe the mechanism behind coronary artery calcification formation and detection, as well as its implication in cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk stratification, intervention, and prognosis in asymptomatic individuals.

RECENT FINDINGS

Multiple cohort and population studies have shown that coronary artery calcium scoring is effective and reproducible in predicting the risk for cardiovascular disease. The updated 2018 ACC/AHA guideline has incorporated consideration of coronary artery calcification testing into cardiovascular disease risk stratification and therapy guidance. Coronary artery calcification's evidence-based role in detection, risk stratification, and ultimately its unique influence on therapeutic intervention and prognosis of cardiovascular disease in asymptomatic population is increasingly being recognized..

Identifying Smoking-Related Disease on Lung Cancer Screening CT Scans: Increasing the Value

Background

Lung cancer screening (LCS) via chest computed tomography (CT) scans can save lives by identifying early-stage tumors. However, most smokers die of comorbid smoking-related diseases. LCS scans contain information about smoking-related conditions that is not currently systematically assessed. Identifying these common comorbid diseases on CT could increase the value of screening with minimal impact on LCS programs. We determined the prevalence of 3 comorbid diseases from LCS eligible scans and quantified related adverse outcomes.

Methods

We studied COPD Genetic Epidemiology study (COPDGene^®) participants (n=4078) who met criteria for LCS screening at enrollment (age > 55 years, and < 80 years, > 30 pack years smoking, current smoker or former smoker within 15 years of smoking cessation). CT scans were assessed for coronary artery calcification (CAC), emphysema, and vertebral bone density. We tracked the following clinically significant events: myocardial infarctions (MIs), strokes, pneumonia, respiratory exacerbations, and hip and vertebral fractures.

Results

Overall, 77% of eligible CT scans had one or more of these diagnoses identified. CAC (> 100 mg) was identified in 51% of scans, emphysema in 44%, and osteoporosis in 54%. Adverse events related to the underlying smoking-related diseases were common, with 50% of participants reporting at least one. New diagnoses of cardiovascular disease, emphysema and osteoporosis were made in 25%, 7% and 46%, of participants respectively. New diagnosis of disease was associated with significantly more adverse events than in participants who did not have CT diagnoses for both osteoporosis and cardiovascular risk.

Conclusions

Expanded analysis of LCS CT scans identified individuals with evidence of previously undiagnosed cardiovascular disease, emphysema or osteoporosis that corresponded with adverse events. LCS CT scans can potentially facilitate diagnoses of these smoking-related diseases and provide an opportunity for treatment or prevention.

Use of Risk Assessment Tools to Guide Decision-Making in the Primary Prevention of Atherosclerotic Cardiovascular Disease: A Special Report From the American Heart Association and American College of Cardiology

Risk assessment is a critical step in the current approach to primary prevention of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease. Knowledge of the 10-year risk for atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease identifies patients in higher-risk groups who are likely to have greater net benefit and lower number needed to treat for both statins and antihypertensive therapy. Current US prevention guidelines for blood pressure and cholesterol management recommend use of the pooled cohort equations to start a process of shared decision-making between clinicians and patients in primary prevention. The pooled cohort equations have been widely validated and are broadly useful for the general US clinical population. But, they may systematically underestimate risk in patients from certain racial/ethnic groups, those with lower socioeconomic status or with chronic inflammatory diseases, and overestimate risk in patients with higher socioeconomic status or who have been closely engaged with preventive healthcare services. If uncertainty remains for patients at borderline or intermediate risk, or if the patient is undecided after a patient-clinician discussion with consideration of risk enhancing factors (eg, family history), additional testing with measurement of coronary artery calcium can be useful to reclassify risk estimates and improve selection of patients for use or avoidance of statin therapy. This special report summarizes the rationale and evidence base for quantitative risk assessment, reviews strengths and limitations of existing risk scores, discusses approaches for refining individual risk estimates for patients, and provides practical advice regarding implementation of risk assessment and decision-making strategies in clinical practice.

ApoB in clinical care: Pro and Con

Whether apoB adds significantly to the assessment of the risk and therapy of the atherogenic dyslipoproteinemias has been vigorously contested over many years. That trapping of apoB lipoprotein particles within the arterial wall is fundamental to the initiation and maturation of atherosclerotic lesions within the arterial wall is now widely accepted. At the same time, the concept that primary prevention should be based on the risk of a cardiovascular event, a measure that integrates the effects of age, sex, blood pressure, lipids and other factors, has also become widely accepted. Within the risk framework, the issue becomes whether apoB adds significantly to the assessment of risk. On the other hand, it can be argued that the risk model undervalues how important a role that LDL and blood pressure play as causes of atherosclerosis and that when considered as causes, the importance of apoB emerges. These are the two sides of the debate that will be presented in the article that follows: one will highlight the pros of measuring apoB, the second the cons. The reader can make up his or her mind which side of the issue they favour.

Use of Risk Assessment Tools to Guide Decision-Making in the Primary Prevention of Atherosclerotic Cardiovascular Disease: A Special Report From the American Heart Association and American College of Cardiology

Risk assessment is a critical step in the current approach to primary prevention of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease. Knowledge of the 10-year risk for atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease identifies patients in higher-risk groups who are likely to have greater net benefit and lower number needed to treat for both statins and antihypertensive therapy. Current U.S. prevention guidelines for blood pressure and cholesterol management recommend use of the pooled cohort equations to start a process of shared decision-making between clinicians and patients in primary prevention. The pooled cohort equations have been widely validated and are broadly useful for the general U.S. clinical population. But, they may systematically underestimate risk in patients from certain racial/ethnic groups, those with lower socioeconomic status or with chronic inflammatory diseases, and overestimate risk in patients with higher socioeconomic status or who have been closely engaged with preventive healthcare services. If uncertainty remains for patients at borderline or intermediate risk, or if the patient is undecided after a patient-clinician discussion with consideration of risk enhancing factors (e.g., family history), additional testing with measurement of coronary artery calcium can be useful to reclassify risk estimates and improve selection of patients for use or avoidance of statin therapy. This special report summarizes the rationale and evidence base for quantitative risk assessment, reviews strengths and limitations of existing risk scores, discusses approaches for refining individual risk estimates for patients, and provides practical advice regarding implementation of risk assessment and decision-making strategies in clinical practice.

Breast Arterial Calcification: A Potential Surrogate Marker for Cardiovascular Disease

Breast arterial calcifications (BAC), frequently observed on screening mammography, have been considered as an incidental finding without increased risk for breast cancer. They are medial calcifications and therefore, are indicative of arteriosclerosis. Previous studies indicated that the risk factors of BAC partly overlap with those of cardiovascular disease (CVD), and the presence of BAC is associated with prevalent and incident CVD. This suggests that medial arterial calcification might contribute to CVD through a pathway distinct from the intimal atherosclerotic process. A recent study showed that the presence and severity of BAC are associated with the presence of coronary artery calcification or plaques on coronary computed tomography angiography in asymptomatic women aged more than 40 years. In addition, BAC provided an independent and incremental predictive value over conventional risk factors. Given that population-based mammography screening is currently recommended in asymptomatic women, the evaluation of BAC may be helpful in identifying high-risk women without additional cost or radiation exposure.

Treatment in a preventive cardiology clinic utilizing advanced practice providers effectively closes atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease risk-management gaps among a primary-prevention population compared with a propensity-matched primary-care cohort: A team-based care model and its impact on lipid and blood pressure management

Background

Advanced practice providers (APPs) can fill care gaps created by physician shortages and improve adherence/compliance with preventive ASCVD interventions.

Hypothesis

APPs utilizing guideline‐based algorithms will more frequently escalate ASCVD risk factor therapies.

Methods

We retrospectively reviewed data on 595 patients enrolled in a preventive cardiology clinic (PCC) utilizing APPs compared with a propensity‐matched cohort (PMC) of 595 patients enrolled in primary‐care clinics alone. PCC patients were risk‐stratified using Framingham Risk Score (FRS) and coronary artery calcium scoring (CACS).

Results

Baseline demographics were balanced between the groups. CACS was more commonly obtained in PCC patients (P < 0.001), resulting in reclassification of 30.6% patients to a higher risk category, including statin therapy in 26.6% of low‐FRS PCC patients with CACS ≥75th MESA percentile. Aspirin initiation was higher for high and intermediate FRS patients in the PCC (P < 0.001). Post‐intervention mean LDL‐C, non–HDL‐C, and triglycerides (all P < 0.05) were lower in the PCC group. Compliance with appropriate lipid treatment was higher in intermediate to high FRS patients (P = 0.004) in the PCC group. Aggressive LDL‐C and non–HDL‐C treatment goals (<70 mg/dL, P = 0.005 and < 130 mg/dL, P < 0.001, respectively), were more commonly achieved in high‐FRS PCC patients. Median post‐intervention SBP was lower among intermediate and low FRS patients (P = 0.001 and P < 0.001, respectively). Cumulatively, this resulted in a reduction in median post‐intervention PCC FRS across all initial FRS risk categories (P < 0.001 for all).

Conclusions

APPs within a PCC effectively risk‐stratify and aggressively manage ASCVD risk factors, resulting in a reduction in post‐intervention FRS.

Coronary Artery Calcium Volume and Density: Potential Interactions and Overall Predictive Value: The Multi-Ethnic Study of Atherosclerosis

OBJECTIVES

This study sought to determine the possibility of interactions between coronary artery calcium (CAC) volume or CAC density with each other, and with age, sex, ethnicity, the new atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD) risk score, diabetes status, and renal function by estimated glomerular filtration rate, and, using differing CAC scores, to determine the improvement over the ASCVD risk score in risk prediction and reclassification.

BACKGROUND

In MESA (Multi-Ethnic Study of Atherosclerosis), CAC volume was positively and CAC density inversely associated with cardiovascular disease (CVD) events.

METHODS

A total of 3,398 MESA participants free of clinical CVD but with prevalent CAC at baseline were followed for incident CVD events.

RESULTS

During a median 11.0 years of follow-up, there were 390 CVD events, 264 of which were coronary heart disease (CHD). With each SD increase of ln CAC volume (1.62), risk of CHD increased 73% (p < 0.001) and risk of CVD increased 61% (p < 0.001). Conversely, each SD increase of CAC density (0.69) was associated with 28% lower risk of CHD (p < 0.001) and 25% lower risk of CVD (p < 0.001). CAC density was inversely associated with risk at all levels of CAC volume (i.e., no interaction was present). In multivariable Cox models, significant interactions were present for CAC volume with age and ASCVD risk score for both CHD and CVD, and CAC density with ASCVD risk score for CVD. Hazard ratios were generally stronger in the lower risk groups. Receiver-operating characteristic area under the curve and Net Reclassification Index analyses showed better prediction by CAC volume than by Agatston, and the addition of CAC density to CAC volume further significantly improved prediction.

CONCLUSIONS

The inverse association between CAC density and incident CHD and CVD events is robust across strata of other CVD risk factors. Added to the ASCVD risk score, CAC volume and density provided the strongest prediction for CHD and CVD events, and the highest correct reclassification.

External validity of a cardiovascular screening including a coronary artery calcium examination in middle-aged individuals from the general population

Background

Coronary artery calcium is important in cardiovascular risk stratification, but this knowledge is based on studies with a significant selection bias. This study aims to evaluate the external validity of a screening programme including coronary artery calcium examination, and the association between coronary artery calcium and cardiovascular events.

Design

Multi-centre population based study.

Methods

Randomly selected middle-aged men and women ( N = 1751) free of cardiovascular disease were invited to the examination during 2009–2010. Participation rate in the examination was 70%. Participants ( n = 1227) and non-participants ( n = 524) were compared regarding: cardiovascular medical treatment, Charlson comorbidity index and socioeconomic status (evaluated by cohabitation, gross income and education). Study endpoints were cardiovascular events and mortality.

Results

Non-participants had a significant higher comorbidity ( p = 0.003) and a lower socioeconomic status ( p < 0.0001), while cardiovascular medical treatment was alike. Over a median follow-up time of 6.5 years the cardiovascular event and mortality rates were equal (6.7% vs. 6.4%, p = 0.80 and 0.4% vs. 0.5%, p = 0.76, respectively). Adjusted hazard ratio was 0.90 (95% confidence interval (CI) 0.63–1.37). Among participants, the extent of coronary artery calcium was significantly associated with increased risk of cardiovascular events (hazard ratio 1.92, 95% CI 1.03–3.54, hazard ratio 3.66, 95% CI 1.82–7.32, hazard ratio 6.51, 95% CI 3.17–13.36 for coronary artery calcium scores 1–99, 100–399, ≥400 AU, respectively).

Conclusions

Non-participants had a higher comorbidity index and a lower socioeconomic status, but the cardiovascular event and mortality rates were equal to those of participants. Thus, a screening programme including a coronary artery calcium examination had a high external validity regarding cardiovascular risk, but also a significant social imbalance.

CAC-DRS: Coronary Artery Calcium Data and Reporting System. An expert consensus document of the Society of Cardiovascular Computed Tomography (SCCT)

The goal of CAC-DRS: Coronary Artery Calcium Data and Reporting System is to create a standardized method to communicate findings of CAC scanning on all noncontrast CT scans, irrespective of the indication, in order to facilitate clinical decision-making, with recommendations for subsequent patient management. The CAC-DRS classification is applied on a per-patient basis and represents the total calcium score and the number of involved arteries. General recommendations are provided for further management of patients with different degrees of calcified plaque burden based on CAC-DRS classification. In addition, CAC-DRS will provide a framework of standardization that may benefit quality assurance and tracking patient outcomes with the potential to ultimately result in improved quality of care.

Contribution of the ankle-brachial index to improve the prediction of coronary risk: The ARTPER cohort

BACKGROUND

The different cardiovascular risk prediction scales currently available are not sufficiently sensitive.

AIM

The aim of the present study was to analyze the contribution of the ankle-brachial index (ABI) added to the Framingham and REGICOR risk scales for the reclassification of cardiovascular risk after a 9-year follow up of a Mediterranean population with low cardiovascular risk.

DESIGN AND SETTING

A population-based prospective cohort study was performed in the province of Barcelona, Spain.

METHOD

A total of 3,786 subjects >49 years were recruited from 2006-2008. Baseline ABI was performed and cardiovascular risk was calculated with the Framingham and REGICOR scales. The participants were followed until November 2016 by telephone and review of the clinical history every 6 months to confirm the possible appearance of cardiovascular events.

RESULTS

2,716 individuals participated in the study. There were 126 incidental cases of first coronary events (5%) during follow up. The incidence of coronary events in patients with ABI <0.9 was 4-fold greater than that of subjects with a normal ABI (17.2/1,000 persons-year versus 4.8/1,000 persons-year). Improvement in the predictive capacity of REGICOR scale was observed on including ABI in the model, obtaining a net reclassification improvement of 7% (95% confidence interval 0%-13%) for REGICOR+ ABI. Framingham + ABI obtained a NRI of 4% (-2%-11%).

CONCLUSION

The results of the present study support the addition of the ABI as a tool to help in the reclassification of cardiovascular risk and to confirm the greater incidence of coronary events in patients with ABI < 0.9.

Coronary Artery Calcification

Coronary artery calcification (CAC) is an established marker of subclinical atherosclerosis and an independent predictor of future coronary heart disease in the asymptomatic primary prevention population, particularly in the intermediate risk cohort. CAC also helps in reclassifying those patients and their risk of cardiovascular events into higher or lower risk categories. MESA (Multi-Ethnic Study of Atherosclerosis) is a National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute-sponsored population-based medical research study involving 6,814 men and women from 6 U.S. communities without a medical history of clinical cardiovascular disease. The evidence from this population cohort revealed that CAC scoring was independently predictive and highly effective at risk stratification of major adverse cardiac events. This review provides available data based on MESA. We focus on the utility of CAC for cardiovascular disease risk stratification of individuals, and we describe its diagnostic value in identifying patients at risk.

Providing Evidence for Subclinical CVD in Risk Assessment

When the MESA (Multi-Ethnic Study of Atherosclerosis) began, the Framingham risk score was the preferred tool for 10-year global coronary heart disease risk assessment; however, the Framingham risk score had limitations including derivation in a homogenous population lacking racial and ethnic diversity and exclusive reliance on traditional risk factors without consideration of most subclinical disease measures. MESA was designed to study the prognostic value of subclinical atherosclerosis and other risk markers in a multiethnic population. In a series of landmark publications, MESA demonstrated that measures of subclinical cardiovascular disease add significant prognostic value to the traditional Framingham risk variables. In head-to-head studies comparing these markers, MESA established that the coronary artery calcium score may be the single best predictor of coronary heart disease risk. Results from MESA have directly influenced recent prevention guidelines including the recommendations on risk assessment and cholesterol-lowering therapy. The MESA study has published its own risk score, which allows for the calculation of 10-year risk of coronary heart disease before and after knowledge of a coronary artery calcium score.

Biomarkers of Key Biological Pathways in CVD

This review provides background on the laboratory design for MESA (Multi-Ethnic Study of Atherosclerosis) as well as the approach used in MESA to select biomarkers for measurement. The research related to the multitude of circulating and urinary biomarkers of inflammation and other novel and emerging biological pathways in MESA is summarized by domain, or pathway, represented by the biomarker. The contributions of MESA biomarkers to our knowledge of these key pathways in the development and progression of atherosclerosis, cardiovascular disease, diabetes, kidney disease, and pulmonary disease are highlighted, as are the contributions of MESA to recommendations for clinical use of several of these biomarkers. In addition, contributions of MESA to multicohort genomics consortia and current collaborations in transomics and metabolomics are noted.

Correlation between Cholesterol, Triglycerides, Calculated, and Measured Lipoproteins: Whether Calculated Small Density Lipoprotein Fraction Predicts Cardiovascular Risks

Background

Recent literature in lipidology has identified LDL-fractions to be more atherogenic. In this regard, small density LDL-cholesterol (sdLDLc) has been considered to possess more atherogenicity than other LDL-fractions like large buoyant LDL-cholesterol (lbLDLc). Recently, Srisawasdi et al. have developed a method for calculating sdLDLc and lbLDLc based upon a regression equation. Using that in developing world may provide us with a valuable tool for ASCVD risk prediction.

Objective

(1) To correlate directly measured and calculated lipid indices with insulin resistance, UACR, glycated hemoglobin, anthropometric indices, and blood pressure. (2) To evaluate these lipid parameters in subjects with or without metabolic syndrome, nephropathy, and hypertension and among various groups based upon glycated hemoglobin results.

Design

Cross-sectional study. Place and Duration of Study. From Jan 2016 to 15 April 2017.

Subjects and Methods

Finally enrolled subjects (male: 110, female: 122) were evaluated for differences in various lipid parameters, including measured LDL-cholesterol (mLDLc), HDLc and calculated LDL-cholesterol (cLDLc), non-HDLc, sdLDLC, lbLDLC, and their ratio among subjects with or without metabolic syndrome, nephropathy, glycation index, anthropometric indices, and hypertension.

Results

Significant but weak correlation was mainly observed between anthropometric indices, insulin resistance, blood pressure, and nephropathy for non-HDLc, sdLDLc, and sdLDLc/lbLDLc. Generally lipid indices were higher among subjects with metabolic syndrome [{sdLDLc: 0.92 + 0.33 versus 0.70 + 0.29 (p < 0.001)}, {sdLDLc/lbLDLc: 0.55 + 0.51 versus 0.40 + 0.38 (p = 0.010)}, {non-HDLc: 3,63 + 0.60 versus 3.36 + 0.65 (p = 0.002)}]. The fact that the sdLDLc levels provided were insignificant in Kruskall Wallis Test indicated a sharp increase in subjects with HbA1c > 7.0%. Subjects having nephropathy (UACR > 2.4 mg/g) had higher concentration of non-HDLc levels in comparison to sdLDLc [{non-HDLc: 3.68 + 0.59 versus 3.36 + 0.43} (p = 0.007), {sdLDLc: 0.83 + 0.27 versus 0.75 + 0.35 (p = NS)}].

Conclusion

Lipid markers including cLDLc and mLDLc are less associated with traditional ASCVD markers than non-HDLc, sdLDLc, and sdLDLc/lbLDLc in predicting metabolic syndrome, nephropathy, glycation status, and hypertension.

Biochemical risk markers and 10-year incidence of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease: independent predictors, improvement in pooled cohort equation, and risk reclassification

BACKGROUND

The recommendation for statins in primary atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD) prevention begins with risk estimation using the pooled cohort equation (PCE). However, treatment decisions may still remain uncertain after PCE-based assessment. We therefore developed a simple biomarker score that could supplement decision making.

METHODS

Using the prospectively collected database of the Multi-Ethnic Study of Atherosclerosis, we identified biochemical risk markers that independently predicted 10-year risk of ASCVD and developed an aggregate biomarker score based on them. Thereafter, we assessed for incremental benefit of these markers over the PCE using C-statistic, net reclassification index (NRI), and integrated discrimination index (IDI).

RESULTS

A total of 5,303 adults free of ASCVD at baseline were included in this study. Five biochemical risk markers-high-sensitivity C-reactive protein, homocysteine, albuminuria, N-terminal prohormone of brain natriuretic peptide, and troponin T-that predicted 10-year risk of ASCVD were combined into an aggregate biomarker score (CHAN₂T₃), which demonstrated a graded increase in the rate of incident ASCVD from 2.1% among participants with score of 0 to 25% among participants with score of 5. In addition, a biomarker score of ≥2 was associated with improvement in the C-statistic of the PCE (0.748 vs 0.734, P=.02), integrated discrimination index (P<.001), category-free NRI of 45% (95% CI, 31%-57%), and net categorical NRI of 5.4% in the full cohort. Lastly, a biomarker score of ≥4 resulted in 6% net reclassification across ASCVD risk cut point of 7.5% among nondiabetic individuals with LDL-C<190mg/dL.

CONCLUSIONS

A novel CHAN₂T₃ biomarker score could supplement risk-based discussion for ASCVD prevention, especially when treatment decision is uncertain. Further validation in other cohorts is however warranted.

A Simple Disease-Guided Approach to Personalize ACC/AHA-Recommended Statin Allocation in Elderly People: The BioImage Study

BACKGROUND

The 2013 American College of Cardiology (ACC)/American Heart Association (AHA) guidelines recommend primary prevention with statins for individuals with ≥7.5% 10-year risk for atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD). Everyone living long enough will become eligible for risk-based statin therapy due to age alone.

OBJECTIVES

This study sought to personalize ACC/AHA risk-based statin eligibility using noninvasive assessment of subclinical atherosclerosis.

METHODS

In 5,805 BioImage participants without known ASCVD at baseline, those with ≥7.5% 10-year ASCVD risk were down-classified from statin eligible to ineligible if imaging revealed no coronary artery calcium (CAC) or carotid plaque burden (cPB). Intermediate-risk individuals were up-classified from optional to clear statin eligibility if CAC was ≥100 (or equivalent cPB).

RESULTS

At a median follow-up of 2.7 years, 91 patients had coronary heart disease and 138 had experienced a cardiovascular disease event. Mean age of the participants was 69 years, and 86% qualified for ACC/AHA risk-based statin therapy, with high sensitivity (96%) but low specificity (15%). CAC or cPB scores of 0 were common (32% and 23%, respectively) and were associated with low event rates. With CAC-guided reclassification, specificity for coronary heart disease events improved 22% (p < 0.0001) without any significant loss in sensitivity, yielding a binary net reclassification index (NRI) of 0.20 (p < 0.0001). With cPB-guided reclassification, specificity improved 16% (p < 0.0001) with a minor loss in sensitivity (7%), yielding an NRI of 0.09 (p = 0.001). For cardiovascular disease events, the NRI was 0.14 (CAC-guided) and 0.06 (cPB-guided). The positive NRIs were driven primarily by down-classifying the large subpopulation with CAC = 0 or cPB = 0.

CONCLUSIONS

Withholding statins in individuals without CAC or carotid plaque could spare a significant proportion of elderly people from taking a pill that would benefit only a few. This individualized disease-guided approach is simple and easy to implement in routine clinical practice.

Plasma 7-ketocholesterol levels and the risk of incident cardiovascular events

OBJECTIVE

7-Ketocholesterol (7-KC), a major oxidation product of cholesterol, is found in human atherosclerotic plaque and more atherogenic than cholesterol in animal models. This study was designed to investigate the association of plasma 7-KC level with the incident cardiovascular disease (CVD) events in general population.

METHODS

We measured plasma 7-KC concentrations at baseline in 1944 participants free from CVD in a community-based cohort study. The primary endpoint was incident of a major adverse cardiovascular event. A Cox proportional hazards model was used to calculate the HRs with 95% CI.

RESULTS

A total of 101 incident CVD events were recorded during the 5.2 year median follow-up. The baseline plasma 7-KC levels were associated with a higher risk of incident CVD events; compared with quartile 1, participants in quartile 4 had an unadjusted HR of 2.38 (2.03-2.85, p<0.001) and an adjusted HR of 1.70 (1.45-1.91, p=0.004) after adjusting for traditional risk factors. Plasma 7-KC levels improved all of the metrics of discrimination and reclassification when added to the intima-media thickness (C-statistic: p=0.002; net reclassification improvement (NRI): p<0.001; integrated discrimination improvement (IDI): p<0.001), family history of myocardial infarction (C-statistic: p=0.011; NRI: p=0.004; IDI: p=0.003) and elevated high-sensitivity C reactive protein (C-statistic: p=0.008; NRI: p=0.015; IDI: p=0.009).

CONCLUSIONS

Elevated plasma 7-KC levels are associated with the incident CVD events in a population-based cohort. Further studies are needed to confirm this observation.

Clinical indications for coronary artery calcium scoring in asymptomatic patients: Expert consensus statement from the Society of Cardiovascular Computed Tomography

This expert consensus statement summarizes the available data regarding the prognostic value of CAC in the asymptomatic population and its ability to refine individual risk prediction, addresses the limitations identified in the current traditional risk factor-based treatment strategies recommended by the 2013 ACC/AHA Prevention guidelines including use of the Pooled Cohort Equations (PCE), and the US Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) Recommendation Statement for Statin Use for the Primary Prevention of Cardiovascular Disease in Adults. It provides CAC based treatment recommendations both within the context of the shared decision making model espoused by the 2013 ACC/AHA Prevention guidelines and independent of these guidelines.