Sex-based association between high-density lipoprotein cholesterol and adverse outcomes after coronary artery bypass grafting

BACKGROUND

High-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) is shown to be an independent protective factor against coronary artery diseases (CAD). Yet there are limited studies focusing on the association between HDL-C and coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) surgery outcomes.

HYPOTHESIS

Low levels of HDL-C are associated with higher incidence of adverse outcomes in patients undergoing CABG.

METHODS

This registry-based study included 17,772 patients who underwent elective isolated CABG between 2007 and 2017. Patients were classified into low and desirable HDL-C groups based on their serum HDL-C levels at admission and were followed for one-year post-surgery. The study population included 13,321 patients with low HDL-C and 4,451 with desirable HDL-C. proportional hazard Cox models were performed to evaluate the association between HDL-C levels and incidence of mortality as well as major adverse cardiovascular and cerebrovascular events (MACCE), while adjusting for potential confounders. Moreover, participants were stratified based on sex and the association was also investigated in each subgroup separately.

RESULTS

No significant difference was found between the groups regarding incidence of both mortality and MACCE, after adjusting with Inverse Probability Weighting (IPW) [HR (95%CI): 0.84 (0.46-1.53), p-value:0.575 and HR (95% CI): 0.91 (0.56-1.50), p-value:0.733, respectively]. According to the sex-based subgroup analysis, no significant association was observed after adjustment with IPW analysis. However, as we examined the association between the interaction of HDL-C levels, sex and cardiovascular outcomes, we found a significant association (HR;1.19 (95%CI: 1.04-1.45); p = 0.030).

CONCLUSION

HDL-C level was not associated with either mortality or MACCE during one year after CABG procedure. Sex-based analysis showed that in males, HDL-C is significantly more protective against these outcomes, compared to females. Further studies are necessary to elucidate the exact mechanisms mediating such association.

Prediabetes and major adverse cardiac events after acute coronary syndrome: An overestimated concept

BACKGROUND

Unlike diabetes, the effect of prediabetes on outcomes in patients with acute coronary syndrome (ACS) who underwent percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) is not much investigated. We investigated the association between fasting glycemic status and major adverse cardiovascular and cerebrovascular events (MACCE) in patients with ACS undergoing PCI and had mid to long-term follow-up after coronary stenting.

METHODS

Registry-based retrospective cohort study included ACS patients who underwent PCI at the Tehran Heart Center from 2015 to 2021 with a median follow-up of 378 days. Patients were allocated into normoglycemic, prediabetic, and diabetic groups. The primary and secondary outcomes were MACCE and its components, respectively. Unadjusted and adjusted Cox models were used to evaluate the association between glycemic status and outcomes.

RESULTS

Among 13 682 patients, 3151 (23%) were prediabetic, and 5834 (42.6%) were diabetic. MACCE risk was significantly higher for diabetic versus normoglycemic (adjusted hazard ratio [aHR]: 1.22, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.06-1.41), but nonsignificantly higher for prediabetic versus normoglycemic (aHR: 0.95, 95% CI: 0.78-1.10). All-cause mortality risk was significantly higher in diabetic versus normoglycemic (aHR: 1.42, 95% CI: 1.08-1.86), but nonsignificantly higher for prediabetic versus normoglycemic (aHR: 1.15, 95% CI: 0.84-1.59). Among other components of MACCE, only coronary artery bypass grafting was significantly higher in diabetic patients, and not prediabetic, compared with normoglycemic.

CONCLUSIONS

Prediabetic ACS patients undergoing PCI, unlike diabetics, are not at increased risk of MACCE and all-cause mortality. While prediabetic patients could be regarded as having the same risk as nondiabetics, careful consideration to provide more intensive pre- and post-PCI care in diabetic patients is mandatory.

Predictive modeling for acute kidney injury after percutaneous coronary intervention in patients with acute coronary syndrome: a machine learning approach

BACKGROUND

Acute kidney injury (AKI) is one of the preventable complications of percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). This study aimed to develop machine learning (ML) models to predict AKI after PCI in patients with acute coronary syndrome (ACS).

METHODS

This study was conducted at Tehran Heart Center from 2015 to 2020. Several variables were used to design five ML models: Naïve Bayes (NB), Logistic Regression (LR), CatBoost (CB), Multi-layer Perception (MLP), and Random Forest (RF). Feature importance was evaluated with the RF model, CB model, and LR coefficients while SHAP beeswarm plots based on the CB model were also used for deriving the importance of variables in the population using pre-procedural variables and all variables. Sensitivity, specificity, and the area under the receiver operating characteristics curve (ROC-AUC) were used as the evaluation measures.

RESULTS

A total of 4592 patients were included, and 646 (14.1%) experienced AKI. The train data consisted of 3672 and the test data included 920 cases. The patient population had a mean age of 65.6 ± 11.2 years and 73.1% male predominance. Notably, left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) and fasting plasma glucose (FPG) had the highest feature importance when training the RF model on only pre-procedural features. SHAP plots for all features demonstrated LVEF and age as the top features. With pre-procedural variables only, CB had the highest AUC for the prediction of AKI (AUC 0.755, 95% CI 0.713 to 0.797), while RF had the highest sensitivity (75.9%) and MLP had the highest specificity (64.35%). However, when considering pre-procedural, procedural, and post-procedural features, RF outperformed other models (AUC: 0.775). In this analysis, CB achieved the highest sensitivity (82.95%) and NB had the highest specificity (82.93%).

CONCLUSION

Our analyses showed that ML models can predict AKI with acceptable performance. This has potential clinical utility for assessing the individualized risk of AKI in ACS patients undergoing PCI. Additionally, the identified features in the models may aid in mitigating these risk factors.

The association between metabolic syndrome and major adverse cardiac and cerebrovascular events in patients with acute coronary syndrome undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention

Metabolic syndrome (MetS) poses an additional risk for the development of coronary artery disease and major adverse cardiac and cerebrovascular events (MACCE). In this study, we investigated the association between MetS and its components and MACCE after percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) in patients with acute coronary syndrome (ACS). The presence of MetS was calculated at baseline using the NCEP-ATP III criteria. The primary outcome was MACCE and its components were secondary outcomes. Unadjusted and adjusted Cox Regression models were used to calculate hazard ratios (HRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) of the association between MetS or its components and MACCE and its components. A total of 13,459 ACS patients who underwent PCI (MetS: 7939 and non-MetS: 5520) with a mean age of 62.7 ± 11.0 years (male: 72.5%) were included and median follow-up time was 378 days. Patients with MetS had significantly higher MACCE risk (adjusted HR [aHR] 1.22, 95% CI 1.08-1.39). The only component of MACCE that exhibited a significantly higher incidence in MetS patients was myocardial infarction (aHR 1.43, 95% CI 1.15-1.76). MetS components that were significantly associated with a higher incidence of MACCE were hypertension and impaired fasting glucose. Having three MetS components did not increase MACCE (aHR 1.12, 95% CI 0.96-1.30) while having four (aHR 1.32, 95% CI 1.13-1.55) or five (aHR 1.42, 95% CI 1.15-1.75) MetS components was associated with a higher incidence of MACCE. MetS was associated with a higher risk of MACCE in ACS patients undergoing PCI. Among MACCE components, myocardial infarction was significantly higher in patients with MetS. Impaired fasting glucose and hypertension were associated with a higher risk of MACCE. Identifying these patterns can guide clinicians in choosing appropriate preventive measures.

Risk factor profile and outcomes of premature acute coronary syndrome after percutaneous coronary intervention: A 1-year prospective design

BACKGROUND

The prevalence of acute coronary syndrome (ACS) among young adults (premature ACS) has dramatically increased in recent years, especially in developing countries. Yet, the data on these patients' attributed risk factors and outcomes are inconsistent. In this study, we aimed to investigate these data in a cohort of premature ACS cases who underwent percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) compared to older patients.

HYPOTHESIS

We hypothesize that premature ACS patients undergoing PCI will exhibit different risk factor profiles and outcomes compared to non-premature patients. specifically, we anticipate that premature patients do not necessarily have better outcomes than non-premature.

METHODS

Overall, 3142 and 10 399 patients were included in premature and non-premature groups, respectively. Patients' pre-operative, post-operative, and follow-up data were retrieved retrospectively from the Tehran Heart Center PCI databank.

RESULTS

The mean age of premature and non-premature cohorts was 48.39 and 67 years, respectively. Patients were predominantly male in both groups. Family history of coronary artery disease (CAD), dyslipidemia, smoking, and opium addiction were more prevalent among the younger cohort. After adjustment, in-hospital mortality in younger patients was considerably higher, with all-cause mortality and major cardiovascular and cerebrovascular events (MACCE) exhibiting no noticeable difference among the two groups.

CONCLUSIONS

Risk factor profile is different in young patients, and traditional cardiovascular risk factors, such as hypertension and diabetes mellitus, are more prevalent among older adults. Younger age is not equivalent to a better prognosis; hence, similar or even more caution should be taken into consideration regarding secondary prevention for these patients.

Comparison of machine-learning models for the prediction of 1-year adverse outcomes of patients undergoing primary percutaneous coronary intervention for acute ST-elevation myocardial infarction

BACKGROUND

Acute ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) is a leading cause of mortality and morbidity worldwide, and primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) is the preferred treatment option.

HYPOTHESIS

Machine learning (ML) models have the potential to predict adverse clinical outcomes in STEMI patients treated with primary PCI. However, the comparative performance of different ML models for this purpose is unclear.

METHODS

This study used a retrospective registry-based design to recruit consecutive hospitalized patients diagnosed with acute STEMI and treated with primary PCI from 2011 to 2019, at Tehran Heart Center, Tehran, Iran. Four ML models, namely Gradient Boosting Machine (GBM), Distributed Random Forest (DRF), Logistic Regression (LR), and Deep Learning (DL), were used to predict major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE) during 1-year follow-up.

RESULTS

A total of 4514 patients (3498 men and 1016 women) were enrolled, with MACE occurring in 610 (13.5%) subjects during follow-up. The mean age of the population was 62.1 years, and the MACE group was significantly older than the non-MACE group (66.2 vs. 61.5 years, p < .001). The learning process utilized 70% (n = 3160) of the total population, and the remaining 30% (n = 1354) served as the testing data set. DRF and GBM models demonstrated the best performance in predicting MACE, with an area under the curve of 0.92 and 0.91, respectively.

CONCLUSION

ML-based models, such as DRF and GBM, can effectively identify high-risk STEMI patients for adverse events during follow-up. These models can be useful for personalized treatment strategies, ultimately improving clinical outcomes and reducing the burden of disease.

In-hospital and 1-year outcomes of patients without modifiable risk factors presenting with acute coronary syndrome undergoing PCI: a Sex-stratified analysis

Aim

A considerable proportion of patients admitted with acute coronary syndrome (ACS) have no standard modifiable cardiovascular risk factors (SMuRFs: hypertension, diabetes mellitus, dyslipidemia, and cigarette smoking). The outcomes of this population following percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) are debated. Further, sex differences within this population have yet to be established.

Methods

This retrospective cohort study included 7,847 patients with ACS who underwent PCI. The study outcomes were in-hospital mortality, all-cause mortality, and major adverse cardio-cerebrovascular events (MACCE). The association between the absence of SMuRFs (SMuRF-less status) and outcomes among all the patients and each sex was assessed using logistic and Cox proportional hazard regressions.

Results

Approximately 11% of the study population had none of the SMuRFs. During 12.13 [11.99-12.36] months of follow-up, in-hospital mortality (adjusted-odds ratio (OR):1.51, 95%confidence interval (CI): 0.91-2.65, P:0.108), all-cause mortality [adjusted-hazard ratio (HR): 1.01, 95%CI: 0.88-1.46, P: 0.731], and MACCE (adjusted-HR: 0.93, 95%CI:0.81-1.12, P: 0.412) did not differ between patients with and without SMuRFs. Sex-stratified analyses recapitulated similar outcomes between SMuRF+ and SMuRF-less men. In contrast, SMuRF-less women had significantly higher in-hospital (adjusted-OR: 3.28, 95%CI: 1.92-6.21, P < 0.001) and all-cause mortality (adjusted-HR:1.41, 95%CI: 1.02-3.21, P: 0.008) than SMuRF+ women.

Conclusions

Almost one in 10 patients with ACS who underwent PCI had no SMuRFs. The absence of SMuRFs did not confer any benefit in terms of in-hospital mortality, one-year mortality, and MACCE. Even worse, SMuRF-less women paradoxically had an excessive risk of in-hospital and one-year mortality.

Cost-Effectiveness of Sacubitril/Valsartan Compared with Enalapril in Patients with Heart Failure with Reduced Ejection Fraction: A Systematic Review

Background

To assess the cost-effectiveness of sacubitril/valsartan compared with enalapril in patients with heart failure with reduced ejection (HFrEF).

Methods

A systematic literature search was conducted searching in major electronic databases from inception to January 1, 2021. All relevant full economic evaluation studies of sacubitril/valsartan versus enalapril for the treatment of patients with HFrEF were identified using ad hoc search strategies. Mortality, hospital admissions, quality-adjusted life years (QALYs), life-years (LYQs), annual drug costs, total lifetime costs, and incremental cost-effectiveness ratio (ICER) were considered as the outcomes. The quality of the included studies was assessed using the CHEERS checklist. This study was conducted and reported in accordance with the "Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses" (PRISMA) guidelines.

Results

The initial search yielded a pool of 1026 articles, of which 703 unique articles were screened, 65 full-text articles were assessed for eligibility and 15 studies finally included in the qualitative synthesis. Studies show that sacubitril/valsartan reduces mortality and hospitalization rate. The mean of death risk ratio and hospitalization were computed at 0.843 and 0.844, respectively. Sacubitril/valsartan produced higher annual and total lifetime costs. The lowest and highest lifetime costs for sacubitril/valsartan were found in Thailand ($4,756) and Germany ($118,815), respectively. The lowest ICER was reported in Thailand ($4857/QALY) and the highest in the USA ($143,891/QALY).

Conclusion

Sacubitril/valsartan is associated with better outcomes and may be cost-effective compared to enalapril for the management of HFrEF. However, in developing countries such as Thailand, sacubitril-valsartan costs must be reduced to yield an ICER below the threshold.

Prognostic significance of positive family history in outcomes after coronary artery bypass grafting: Do we need to update our assumptions?

Background

Recent research suggests a protective role for positive family history of premature cardiovascular disease (FHpCVD) in patients undergoing coronary artery bypass grafting. We aimed to further investigate this unlikely association.

Methods

In this registry-based cohort study, patients who underwent first-time non-emergent coronary bypass surgery at Tehran Heart Center between 2007 and 2016 were included. Patients with and without FHpCVD were compared in terms of all-cause mortality and first non-fatal cardiovascular events (CVEs) comprising non-fatal acute coronary syndrome, non-fatal stroke or transient ischemic attack, and repeat coronary revascularization.

Results

A total of 13,156 patients were included (mean age 60.83 ± 9.57, 74.5% male), among which 2684 (20.4%) patients had FHpCVD. Median follow-up was 77.7 months. FHpCVD was weakly associated with reduced all-cause mortality using inverse probability weight (IPW) method (hazard ratio [HR] = 0.853; 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.730–0.997; P = 0.046), and not associated with non-fatal CVEs considering death as the competing event (sub-distribution HR [SHR] = 1.124; 95% CI 0.999–1.265; P = 0.053). Within a subgroup of patients without previous myocardial infarction or revascularization (7403 cases; 56.3%), FHpCVD was associated with lower mortality (HR = 0.700; 95% CI 0.548–0.894; P = 0.004) and higher non-fatal CVEs (SHR = 1.197; 95% CI 1.019–1.405; P = 0.028), whereas among patients with previous coronary events, there was no association between FHpCVD and outcomes.

Conclusions

FHpCVD was associated with lower all-cause mortality but higher non-fatal CVEs, especially in those without prior coronary events. Such discordance calls for caution in assuming a protective role for FHpCVD. The prognostic significance of FHpCVD needs further evaluation among surgical patients.

Prevalence and trends of coronary artery disease risk factors and their effect on age of diagnosis in patients with established coronary artery disease: Tehran Heart Center (2005-2015)

BACKGROUND

Coronary artery disease (CAD) is a universal public health challenge, more prominently so in the low- and middle-income countries. In this study, we aimed to determine prevalence and trends of CAD risk factors in patients with documented CAD and to determine their effects on the age of CAD diagnosis.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

We conducted a registry-based, serial cross-sectional study using the coronary angiography data bank of the Tehran Heart Center. Adult patients who had obstructive (> 50% stenosis) CAD were included in the study. The prevalence and 11-year trends of conventional CAD risk factors were analyzed by sex and age, and their adjusted effects on the age of CAD diagnosis were calculated.

RESULTS

From January 2005 to December 2015, data for 90,094 patients were included in this analysis. A total of 61,684 (68.5%) were men and 28,410 (31.5%) were women. Men were younger at diagnosis than women, with a mean age of 60.1 in men and 63.2 in women (p < 0.001), and had fewer risk factors at the time of diagnosis. Mean age at diagnosis had an overall increasing trend during the study period. Increasing trend was seen in body-mass index, hypertension prevalence, diabetes mellitus. All lipid profile components (total cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, triglycerides, and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol) decreased over time. Of particular interest, opium consumption was associated with 2.2 year earlier age of CAD diagnosis.

CONCLUSION

The major results of this study (lower age of CAD diagnosis in men, lower age of diagnosis associated with most risk factors, and lower prevalence of serum lipids over time) were expected. A prominent finding of this study is confirming opium use was associated with a much younger age of CAD onset, even after adjusting for all other risk factors. In addition to recommendations for control of the traditional risk factors, spreading information about the potential adverse effect of opium use, which has only recently been associated with higher risk of CAD, may be necessary.

Pulmonary Thromboembolism as a Potential Cause of Clinical Deterioration in COVID-19 Patients; a Commentary

Although the findings of some studies have been indicative of the direct relationship between the severity of clinical findings and imaging, reports have been published regarding inconsistency of clinical findings with imaging and laboratory evidence. Physicians treating these patients frequently report cases in which patients, sometimes in the recovery phase and despite improvements in imaging indices, suddenly deteriorate and in some instances suddenly expire. This letter aimed to draw attention to the role of pulmonary thromboembolism as a potential and possible cause of clinical deterioration in covid-19 patients.

Nanoscale Technologies for Prevention and Treatment of Heart Failure: Challenges and Opportunities

The adult myocardium has a limited regenerative capacity following heart injury, and the lost cells are primarily replaced by fibrotic scar tissue. Suboptimal efficiency of current clinical therapies to resurrect the infarcted heart results in injured heart enlargement and remodeling to maintain its physiological functions. These remodeling processes ultimately leads to ischemic cardiomyopathy and heart failure (HF). Recent therapeutic approaches (e.g., regenerative and nanomedicine) have shown promise to prevent HF postmyocardial infarction in animal models. However, these preclinical, clinical, and technological advancements have yet to yield substantial enhancements in the survival rate and quality of life of patients with severe ischemic injuries. This could be attributed largely to the considerable gap in knowledge between clinicians and nanobioengineers. Development of highly effective cardiac regenerative therapies requires connecting and coordinating multiple fields, including cardiology, cellular and molecular biology, biochemistry and chemistry, and mechanical and materials sciences, among others. This review is particularly intended to bridge the knowledge gap between cardiologists and regenerative nanomedicine experts. Establishing this multidisciplinary knowledge base may help pave the way for developing novel, safer, and more effective approaches that will enable the medical community to reduce morbidity and mortality in HF patients.

Coronary artery dissection in a 33-year-old man with fatigue and episodic retrosternal burning: a case report

Background

Non-atherosclerotic spontaneous coronary artery dissection (SCAD) is a rare disease that predominantly affects women. It presents with acute chest pain, ventricular arrhythmias, and even sudden cardiac death.

Case Summary

A 33-year-old man presented to emergency department with fatigue and cold sweat. He had no complaint of chest pain at the time of admission. He experienced a retrosternal chest pain 2 days ago after lifting a 30 pounds weight in the gym. Para-clinic results such as coronary computed tomography angiography and electrocardiogram were normal. However, coronary angiography showed multiple coronary dissections. We followed the patient for 4 months. He was asymptomatic except for one episode of chest pain during Tehran earthquake, while he was carrying his child to escape the room. Follow-up myocardial perfusion scan was negative for ischaemia.

Discussion

Stressors such as intense exercise, emotional stress, and Valsalva manoeuvre may cause SCAD in otherwise healthy patient. As in our case, lifting heavy weights was the most likely reason for SCAD. Stable patients without ongoing chest pain will be followed conservatively.

Focal Myopericarditis as a Rare but Important Differential Diagnosis of Myocardial Infarction; a Case Series

Distinguishing ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) differential diagnoses is more challenging. Myopericarditis is one of these differentials that results from viral involvement of myocardium and pericardium of the heart. Myopericarditis in focal form can mimic acute STEMI in its electrocardiogram (ECG) features and elevated cardiac enzymes. Myocarditis patients may face thrombolytic related complications such as intracranial bleeding, myocardial rupture, and hemorrhagic cardiac tamponade. Furthermore, re-administration of streptokinase (a common thrombolytic agent in our country) is banned for at least six months of previous administration; however, it can save patients' lives in emergency conditions such as massive pulmonary embolism. It seems that, when dealing with a young patient presenting to emergency department with acute chest pain and ST segment elevation on ECG, we should consider focal myocarditis as an important but rare differential diagnosis of STEMI. In this report, we describe three cases of focal myocarditis, primarily misdiagnosed as STEMI.

Antibiotics for treating human brucellosis

BACKGROUND

Brucellosis is the most common zoonotic infection in the world. Several antibiotics, separately or in combination, have been tried for treatment of human brucellosis. The inconsistencies between different treatment regimens warrants the need for a systematic review to inform clinical practice and future research.

OBJECTIVES

To evaluate the effects of various antibiotic regimens, monotherapy or in combination with other antibiotics, for treating human brucellosis.

SEARCH METHODS

We searched the Cochrane Infectious Diseases Group Specialized Register, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, MEDLINE, EMBASE, and LILACS until May 2012. We browsed the abstract books of several international infectious diseases conferences. We also checked the reference lists of all studies identified

SELECTION CRITERIA

We included the randomized controlled trials on the pharmaceutical interventions in treatment of acute, chronic, non-complicated, and complicated human brucellosis. The outcomes of interest were relapse, persistence of symptoms at the end of treatment, and adverse drug effects.

DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS

Two authors independently assessed the studies for inclusion, risk of bias, and extracted relevant data using pre-designed extraction forms. The findings of homogenous studies were pooled using fixed-effect meta-analysis.

MAIN RESULTS

In total we included 25 studies comparing various antibiotic regimens. Methods of allocation and concealment were inadequately described in half the studies, and only three were blinded. In comparisons of doxycycline plus rifampicin versus doxycycline plus streptomycin we found eight studies with 694 participants. For treatment failure, the doxycycline plus rifampicin regimen was less effective (risk ratio (RR) 1.91, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.07 to 3.42, seven studies, 567 participants), relapse (RR 2.39, 95% CI 1.17 to 4.86), and minor adverse drug reactions (RR 1.38, 95% CI 0.99 to 1.92). In comparisons of doxycycline plus rifampicin against quinolone (ciprofloxacin or ofloxacin) plus rifampicin we found five studies of 336 participants. The pooled analysis did not demonstrate any significant difference between two regimens in terms of relapse and symptom persistence, but showed a non-significant higher risk of minor adverse reactions in doxycycline plus rifampicin (RR 1.80, 95% CI 0.78 to 4.18). Other comparisons were reported in a few heterogenous studies, and the pooled analyses, where applied, did not show any significant difference.

AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS

Doxycycline (six weeks) plus streptomycin (two or three weeks) regimen is more effective regimen than doxycycline plus rifampicin (six weeks) regimen. Since it needs daily intramuscular (IM) injection, access to care and cost are important factors in deciding between two choices. Quinolone plus rifampicin (six weeks) regimen is slightly better tolerated than doxycycline plus rifampicin, and low quality evidence did not show any difference in overall effectiveness.