Long-Term Outcomes of Invasive vs Conservative Strategies for Older Patients With Non-ST-Segment Elevation Acute Coronary Syndromes

BACKGROUND

Non-ST-segment elevation acute coronary syndrome (NSTE-ACS) is a frequent cause of hospital admission in older people, but clinical trials targeting this population are scarce.

OBJECTIVES

The After Eighty Study assessed the effect of an invasive vs a conservative treatment strategy in a very old population with NSTE-ACS.

METHODS

Between 2010 and 2014, the investigators randomized 457 patients with NSTE-ACS aged ≥80 years (mean age 85 years) to an invasive strategy involving early coronary angiography with immediate evaluation for revascularization and optimal medical therapy or to a conservative strategy (ie, optimal medical therapy). The primary endpoint was a composite of myocardial infarction, need for urgent revascularization, stroke, and death. The long-term outcomes are presented.

RESULTS

After a median follow up of 5.3 years, the invasive strategy was superior to the conservative strategy in the reduction of the primary endpoint (incidence rate ratio: 0.76; 95% CI: 0.63-0.93; P = 0.0057). The invasive strategy demonstrated a significant gain in event-free survival of 276 days (95% CI: 151-400 days; P = 0.0001) at 5 years and 337 days (95% CI: 123-550 days; P = 0.0001) at 10 years. These results were consistent across subgroups of patients with respect to major cardiovascular prognostic factors.

CONCLUSIONS

In patients aged ≥80 years with NSTE-ACS, the invasive strategy was superior to the conservative strategy in the reduction of composite events and demonstrated a significant gain in event-free survival. (The After Eighty Study: a randomized controlled trial; NCT01255540).

Frailty, health literacy and self-care in patients admitted with acute heart failure

BACKGROUND

There is limited knowledge from Norway on clinical characteristics, self-care and health literacy in patients admitted to hospital with acute heart failure. Our aim was to identify these factors in this group.

MATERIAL AND METHOD

We included patients admitted with acute heart failure over a period of six months (2022/2023) at Drammen Hospital and Vestfold Hospital Trust. Cardiac nurses collected information from the patients, including self-assessed knowledge on an ordinal scale from 0 (little knowledge) to 10 (good knowledge). Clinical frailty scores were calculated and data from the hospital records were recorded.

RESULTS

Of 136 patients with acute heart failure, 81 were included. Median age was 79 (range 35-95) years, 35 (43 %) were women. A total of 35 (43 %) had been admitted with heart failure exacerbation in the past year. The patients had a median of 5 (1-10) diagnoses, and the median score on the clinical frailty scale was 4 (1-7), corresponding to 'vulnerable'. A total of 63 (78 %) had been diagnosed with heart failure before admission to hospital. Of these, 13 (21 %) were unaware of the diagnosis, and their self-assessed knowledge was median 3 (25th and 75th percentile, 0-5) for management of heart failure, 2 (25th and 75th percentile, 0-5) for lifestyle interventions and 0 (25th and 75th percentile, 0-2) for heart medications. Altogether 42 out of 63 (67 %) weighed themselves weekly, 13 (21 %) measured their blood pressure, while 3 (5 %) had a self-care plan. Of 50 patients with left ventricle ejection fraction ≤ 40 %, 32 (64 %) were discharged with betablockers and angiotensin II receptor blockers or a combination drug with a neprilysin inhibitor, whereas 11 (22 %) were also prescribed SGLT2 inhibitors and mineralocorticoid receptor antagonists.

INTERPRETATION

The included patients were multimorbid and had a low level of self-care and health literacy. There is potential to optimise well-documented medicinal treatment.

Plasma concentration of atorvastatin metabolites correlates with low-density lipoprotein cholesterol reduction in patients with coronary heart disease

In this exploratory study from a randomized double-blinded crossover trial including 70 patients with coronary heart disease and self-perceived muscular side effects of statins, we aimed to determine the relationship between low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) reduction and atorvastatin metabolite plasma concentrations. All patients underwent a 7 weeks treatment period with atorvastatin 40 mg/day and a 7 weeks placebo period in random order. Nonlinear regression with a three-parameter equation explored the relationship between percentage LDL-C reduction (statin vs. placebo) and the pharmacokinetic variables. Mean LDL-C reduction was 49% (range 12% to 71%). The sum of 4-OH-atorvastatin acid and lactone correlated moderately with the LDL-C response (Spearman ρ 0.27, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.03 to 0.48). Accordingly, nonlinear regression showed R² of 0.14 (95% CI: 0.03 to 0.37, R² adjusted equaled 0.11). Even a perfect underlying correlation of 1.0 showed R²  = 0.32 by simulation, using historical intra-individual LDL-C variation (8.5%). The 90% inhibitory concentration was 2.1 nmol/L, and the 4-OH-metabolite sum exceeded this threshold in 34% of the patients. In conclusion, trough plasma concentrations of 4-OH-atorvastatin metabolites correlated moderately to the LDL-C reduction. A plateau LDL-C response was observed above a pharmacokinetic threshold, below which the response was highly variable. The usefulness of monitoring concentrations of atorvastatin metabolites to optimize the individual dosage have limitations, but its supportive potential may be pursued in relevant patient subsets to achieve adequate efficacy at the lowest possible dose. The results add knowledge to the overall understanding of the variable LDL-C response mediated by atorvastatin.

Ventricular arrhythmias in arrhythmic mitral valve syndrome-a prospective continuous long-term cardiac monitoring study

AIMS

Arrhythmic mitral valve syndrome is linked to life-threatening ventricular arrhythmias. The incidence, morphology and methods for risk stratification are not well known. This prospective study aimed to describe the incidence and the morphology of ventricular arrhythmia and propose risk stratification in patients with arrhythmic mitral valve syndrome.

METHODS

Arrhythmic mitral valve syndrome patients were monitored for ventricular tachyarrhythmias by implantable loop recorders (ILR) and secondary preventive implantable cardioverter-defibrillators (ICD). Severe ventricular arrhythmias included ventricular fibrillation, appropriate or aborted ICD therapy, sustained ventricular tachycardia and non-sustained ventricular tachycardia with symptoms of hemodynamic instability.

RESULTS

During 3.1 years of follow-up, severe ventricular arrhythmia was recorded in seven (12%) of 60 patients implanted with ILR [first event incidence rate 4% per person-year, 95% confidence interval (CI) 2-9] and in four (20%) of 20 patients with ICD (re-event incidence rate 8% per person-year, 95% CI 3-21). In the ILR group, severe ventricular arrhythmia was associated with frequent premature ventricular complexes, more non-sustained ventricular tachycardias, greater left ventricular diameter and greater posterolateral mitral annular disjunction distance (all P < 0.02).

CONCLUSIONS

The yearly incidence of ventricular arrhythmia was high in arrhythmic mitral valve syndrome patients without previous severe arrhythmias using continuous heart rhythm monitoring. The incidence was even higher in patients with secondary preventive ICD. Frequent premature ventricular complexes, non-sustained ventricular tachycardias, greater left ventricular diameter and greater posterolateral mitral annular disjunction distance were predictors of first severe arrhythmic event.

Electrical markers and arrhythmic risk associated with myocardial fibrosis in mitral valve prolapse

Aims

We aimed to characterize the substrate of T-wave inversion (TWI) using cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) and the association between diffuse fibrosis and ventricular arrhythmias (VA) in patients with mitral valve prolapse (MVP).

Methods and results

TWI was defined as negative T-wave ≥0.1 mV in ≥2 adjacent ECG leads. Diffuse myocardial fibrosis was assessed by T1 relaxation time and extracellular volume (ECV) fraction by T1-mapping CMR. We included 162 patients with MVP (58% females, age 50 ± 16 years), of which 16 (10%) patients had severe VA (aborted cardiac arrest or sustained ventricular tachycardia). TWI was found in 34 (21%) patients. Risk of severe VA increased with increasing number of ECG leads displaying TWI [OR 1.91, 95% CI (1.04–3.52), P = 0.04]. The number of ECG leads displaying TWI increased with increasing lateral ECV (26 ± 3% for TWI 0-1leads, 28 ± 4% for TWI 2leads, 29 ± 5% for TWI ≥3leads, P = 0.04). Patients with VA (sustained and non-sustained ventricular tachycardia) had increased lateral T1 (P = 0.004), also in the absence of late gadolinium enhancement (LGE) (P = 0.008).

Conclusions

Greater number of ECG leads with TWI reflected a higher arrhythmic risk and higher degree of lateral diffuse fibrosis by CMR. Lateral diffuse fibrosis was associated with VA, also in the absence of LGE. These results suggest that TWI may reflect diffuse myocardial fibrosis associated with VA in patients with MVP. T1-mapping CMR may help risk stratification for VA.

Effect of atorvastatin on muscle symptoms in coronary heart disease patients with self-perceived statin muscle side effects: a randomized, double-blinded crossover trial

AIMS

To estimate the effect of atorvastatin on muscle symptom intensity in coronary heart disease (CHD) patients with self-perceived statin-associated muscle symptoms (SAMS) and to determine the relationship to blood levels of atorvastatin and/or metabolites.

METHODS AND RESULTS

A randomized multi-centre trial consecutively identified 982 patients with previous or ongoing atorvastatin treatment after a CHD event. Of these, 97 (9.9%) reported SAMS and 77 were randomized to 7-week double-blinded treatment with atorvastatin 40 mg/day and placebo in a crossover design. The primary outcome was the individual mean difference in muscle symptom intensity between the treatment periods, measured by visual-analogue scale (VAS) scores. Atorvastatin did not affect the intensity of muscle symptoms among 71 patients who completed the trial. Mean VAS difference (statin-placebo) was 0.31 (95% CI: -0.24 to 0.86). The proportion with more muscle symptoms during placebo than atorvastatin was 17% (n = 12), 55% (n = 39) had the same muscle symptom intensity during both treatment periods whereas 28% (n = 20) had more symptoms during atorvastatin than placebo (confirmed SAMS). There were no differences in clinical or pharmacogenetic characteristics between these groups. The levels of atorvastatin and/or metabolites did not correlate to muscle symptom intensity among patients with confirmed SAMS (Spearman's rho ≤0.40, for all variables).

CONCLUSION

Re-challenge with high-intensity atorvastatin did not affect the intensity of muscle symptoms in CHD patients with self-perceived SAMS during previous atorvastatin therapy. There was no relationship between muscle symptoms and the systemic exposure to atorvastatin and/or its metabolites. The findings encourage an informed discussion to elucidate other causes of muscle complaints and continued statin use.

Mitral and tricuspid annulus disjunction frequently coexist

Background

Mitral annulus disjunction (MAD) is an abnormal atrial displacement of the mitral annulus, frequently found in patients with high-risk arrhythmogenic mitral valve prolapse syndrome. It is unknown whether the annulus disjunction extends to the right side of the heart as tricuspid annulus disjunction (TAD), and whether it is associated with right ventricular electrical instability.

Purpose

We aimed to explore the presence of TAD, and if extended annulus disjunction was associated with ventricular arrhythmias.

Methods

We included patients with previously described MAD assessed by cardiac magnetic resonance imaging (CMR) in an ambispective cohort study. MAD and TAD was defined as ≥1 mm separation between the respective atrial wall-valve leaflet junction and the top of the ventricular myocardium. TAD was assessed in the lateral and inferior right ventricular free wall by means of the 4-chamber and right ventricular 2-chamber views, respectively. MAD circumference was assessed by a CMR study protocol with six left ventricular long axis views separated by 30 degrees. Mitral valve prolapse was defined as ≥2 mm superior displacement of any part of the mitral leaflets beyond the mitral annulus. Ventricular arrhythmias were defined as aborted cardiac arrest or non-sustained/sustained ventricular tachycardias recorded by electrocardiogram (ECG), stress ECG or Holter monitoring.

Results

We included 92 patients with MAD (62% female, age 47±16 years, 71% mitral valve prolapse). TAD was found in 48 (52%) patients, both in the lateral (n=40, 83%) and inferior (n=30, 63%) right ventricular free wall. Patients with TAD were older (age 51±16 years vs. 43±14 years, p=0.01), had greater MAD circumference (168±56° vs. 117±62°, p=0.001) and greater MAD distance (9.2±2.9 mm vs. 6.4±2.8 mm, p&lt;0.001). Additionally, patients with TAD had more frequently mitral valve prolapse (40 patients [85%] vs. 25 patients [57%], p=0.003), whereas similar frequency of bileaflet prolapse (17 patients [39%] vs. 10 patients [39%], p=0.99). Ventricular arrhythmias had occurred in 38 (41%) patients, who were younger (age 40±14 years vs. 52±15 years, p&lt;0.001) and had less frequently TAD (14 patients [37%] vs. 34 patients [63%], p=0.01; univariate odds ratio 0.34 [0.15–0.81], p=0.02). However, TAD was not associated with ventricular arrhythmias when adjusted for age (multivariate odds ratio 0.46 [0.18–1.15], p=0.10).

Conclusions

TAD by CMR was highly prevalent in patients with MAD and was a marker of severe annulus disjunction and mitral valve prolapse. TAD was not associated with more ventricular arrhythmias. This novel marker warrants further research to explore the clinical implications of right-sided annulus disjunction.

Funding Acknowledgement

Type of funding sources: Public grant(s) – National budget only. Main funding source(s): Norwegian Research Council

The relationship between directly measured statin adherence, self-reported adherence measures and cholesterol levels in patients with coronary heart disease

BACKGROUND AND AIMS

We aimed to determine the relationship between statin adherence measured directly, and by self-report measures and serum cholesterol levels.

METHODS

Patients prescribed atorvastatin (N = 373) participated in a cross-sectional study 2-36 months after a coronary event. Self-reported adherence included statin adherence the past week, the 8-item Morisky medication adherence scale (MMAS-8), and the Gehi et al. adherence question. Atorvastatin was measured directly in spot blood plasma by a novel liquid chromatography tandem mass-spectrometry method discriminating adherence (0-1 doses omitted) and reduced adherence (≥2 doses omitted). Participants were unaware of the atorvastatin analyses at study participation.

RESULTS

Mean age was 63 (SD 9) years and 8% had reduced atorvastatin adherence according to the direct method. In patients classified with reduced adherence by the direct method, 40% reported reduced statin adherence, 32% reported reduced adherence with the MMAS-8 and 22% with the Gehi question. In those adherent by the direct method, 96% also reported high statin adherence, 95% reported high adherence on the MMAS-8 whereas 94% reported high adherence on the Gehi question. Cohen's kappa agreement score with the direct method was 0.4 for self-reported statin adherence, 0.3 for the Gehi question and 0.2 for the MMAS-8. Adherence determined by the direct method, self-reported statin adherence last week, and the Gehi question was inversely related to LDL-cholesterol levels with a p-value of <0.001, 0.001 and 0.004, respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

Plasma-statin measurements reveal reduced adherence with higher sensitivity than self-report measures, relate to cholesterol levels, and may prove to be a useful tool to improve lipid management.

High but not low self-reported statin adherence was confirmed by a novel method based on plasma-statin measurements in coronary outpatients

Funding Acknowledgements

Type of funding sources: Public hospital(s). Main funding source(s): Helse Sør-Øst

Background

To what extent self-reported adherence measures correspond with directly measured statin adherence is unknown.

Purpose

 To determine the relationship between, self-reported adherence measures, low density lipoprotein-cholesterol (LDL-C) and directly measured statin adherence in coronary outpatients.

Methods

Patients on atorvastatin (N = 373) participated in a cross-sectional study median 16 months after a coronary event. Adherence to statins the past 7 days, general medication adherence assessed by the 8-item Morisky medication adherence scale (MMAS-8), and the Gehi adherence question was obtained by a self-report questionnaire. Atorvastatin was determined in spot blood plasma samples by a novel liquid-chromatography tandem mass-spectrometry method discriminating between adherence (0-1 doses omitted) and reduced (≥2 doses omitted) adherence. Participants were unaware of the atorvastatin analyses at study participation. 

Results

Mean age was 63 (SD 9) years and 19% were females. Mean atorvastatin dose was 64 (SD 21) mg. The number with reduced adherence by the different measurement methods, Cohens kappa agreement score between the self-reported and direct adherence measures, and LDL-C are shown in the Table. Statin adherence was confirmed by the direct method among 96% reporting high statin adherence the past 7 days, among 95% reporting high adherence on the MMAS-8 and among 94% reporting high adherence on the Gehi adherence question. In contrast, among patients classified with reduced statin adherence by the direct method, only 40% reported reduced statin adherence the past week, 32% reported reduced adherence with the MMAS-8 and 22% with the Gehi adherence question.

Conclusions

The direct method confirmed high, but not low, self-reported statin adherence in this selected sample of coronary outpatients. In patients with elevated LDL-cholesterol, plasma-statin measurements emerges as a potential improvement for clinical statin management.

Adherence measures and LDL cholesterol Directly measured atorvastatin adherence Self-reported statin adherence past 7 days Self-reported medication adherence past month (Gehi) 8-item Morisky medication adherence scale Number with reduced adherence, % 7.8 5.5 3.0 8.4 Cohen"s kappa (95% CI) Reference 0.4 (0.2 to 0.6) 0.3 (0.1 to 0.5) 0.2 (0.1 to 0.4) LDL-C, Adherent, mean (95% CI) 1.9 (1.8 to 1.9) 1.9 (1.8 to 2.0) 1.9 (1.8 to 2.0) 1.9 (1.8 to 1.9) LDL-C, Reduced adherence, mean (95% CI) 2.8 (2.4 to 3.2) 2.8 (2.3 to 3.2) 3.2 (2.5 to 3.8) 2.1 (1.9 to 2.4) LDL-C, Adherent versus reduced adherence P &lt;0.001 P = 0.001 P = 0.004 P = 0.07 Agreement between directly measured atorvastatin adherence, self-reported measures of adherence, and mean low density lipoprotein-cholesterol (LDL-C)

Preventable clinical and psychosocial factors predicted two out of three recurrent cardiovascular events in a coronary population

BACKGROUND

The relative importance of lifestyle, medical and psychosocial factors on the risk of recurrent major cardiovascular (CV) events (MACE) in coronary patients' needs to be identified. The main objective of this study is to estimate the association between potentially preventable factors on MACE in an outpatient coronary population from routine clinical practice.

METHODS

This prospective follow-up study of recurrent MACE, determine the predictive impact of risk factors and a wide range of relevant co-factors recorded at baseline. The baseline study included 1127 consecutive patients 2-36 months after myocardial infarction (MI) and/or revascularization procedure. The primary composite endpoint of recurrent MACE defined as CV death, hospitalization due to MI, revascularization, stroke/transitory ischemic attacks or heart failure was obtained from hospital records. Data were analysed using cox proportional hazard regression, stratified by prior coronary events before the index event.

RESULTS

During a mean follow-up of 4.2 years from study inclusion (mean time from index event to end of study 5.7 years), 364 MACE occurred in 240 patients (21, 95% confidence interval: 19 to 24%), of which 39 were CV deaths. In multi-adjusted analyses, the strongest predictor of MACE was not taking statins (Relative risk [RR] 2.13), succeeded by physical inactivity (RR 1.73), peripheral artery disease (RR 1.73), chronic kidney failure (RR 1.52), former smoking (RR 1.46) and higher Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale-Depression subscale score (RR 1.04 per unit increase). Preventable and potentially modifiable factors addressed accounted for 66% (95% confidence interval: 49 to 77%) of the risk for recurrent events. The major contributions were smoking, low physical activity, not taking statins, not participating in cardiac rehabilitation and diabetes.

CONCLUSIONS

Coronary patients were at high risk of recurrent MACE. Potentially preventable clinical and psychosocial factors predicted two out of three MACE, which is why these factors should be targeted in coronary populations.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

Registered at ClinicalTrials.gov: NCT02309255. Registered at December 5th, 2014, registered retrospectively.

P4398Potentially modifiable clinical and psychosocial factors associated with recurrent cardiovascular events in an outpatient coronary population

Background

Regular assessment and management of lifestyle, biological and psychosocial factors are recommended in coronary patients. The relative importance of these factors on risk of recurrent cardiovascular (CV) events in the outpatient coronary population is not well known.

Purpose

To estimate the relative effect of potentially modifiable risk factors on recurrent CV events in coronary patients from routine clinical practice.

Methods

A prospective cohort multicenter study from Norway included 1127 (21% women, 83% participation rate) consecutive patients aged 18–80 years 2–36 (mean 16) months after myocardial infarction and/or a coronary revascularization procedure. Thirty percent had at least one coronary event prior to the index event. The primary composite endpoint of recurrent major adverse CV events (MACE): myocardial infarction, revascularization, stroke, heart failure or cardiovascular death was obtained from the hospital records. Cox proportional hazard models stratified for 1 vs. 2+ previous coronary events were performed with model 1 adjusting for age and model 2 with add-on for coronary risk factors and CV comorbidity.

Results

At baseline 99% used platelet inhibition, 93% were taking antihypertensive agents and statins, and 45% had participated in cardiac rehabilitation (CR). During follow-up of mean 4.2 (SD 0.3) years, a total of 355 MACE occurred in 240 patients corresponding to a MACE risk of 31.5%. In model 1, smoking, insufficient physical activity, diabetes, not taking statin therapy, no participation in CR, peripheral artery disease (PAD), previous stroke, kidney failure and higher anxiety and depression scores were significantly associated with recurrent MACE (Table). In model 2, smoking, no physical activity, not taking statin, PAD, kidney failure, anxiety and depression remained significant.

Conclusions

Coronary patients in routine clinical practice were at significant risk of recurrent MACE, particularly in the presence of CV comorbidity. Not taking statin therapy, insufficient physical activity, smoking, anxiety and depression were the major potentially modifiable factors contributing to CV risk. Preventive efforts that target these factors are required to further reduce CV risk in the coronary population.

Acknowledgement/Funding

Grants from the Norwegian ExtraFoundation for Health and Rehabilitation and Vestre Viken Trust

The Mitral Annulus Disjunction Arrhythmic Syndrome

BACKGROUND

Mitral annulus disjunction (MAD) is an abnormal atrial displacement of the mitral valve leaflet hinge point. MAD has been associated with mitral valve prolapse (MVP) and sudden cardiac death.

OBJECTIVES

The purpose of this study was to describe the clinical presentation, MAD morphology, association with MVP, and ventricular arrhythmias in patients with MAD.

METHODS

The authors clinically examined patients with MAD. By echocardiography, the authors assessed the presence of MVP and measured MAD distance in parasternal long axis. Using cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR), the authors assessed circumferential MAD in the annular plane, longitudinal MAD distance, and myocardial fibrosis. Aborted cardiac arrest and sustained ventricular tachycardia were defined as severe arrhythmic events.

RESULTS

The authors included 116 patients with MAD (age 49 ± 15 years; 60% female). Palpitations were the most common symptom (71%). Severe arrhythmic events occurred in 14 (12%) patients. Longitudinal MAD distance measured by CMR was 3.0 mm (interquartile range [IQR]: 0 to 7.0 mm) and circumferential MAD was 150° (IQR: 90° to 210°). Patients with severe arrhythmic events were younger (age 37 ± 13 years vs. 51 ± 14 years; p = 0.001), had lower ejection fraction (51 ± 5% vs. 57 ± 7%; p = 0.002) and had more frequently papillary muscle fibrosis (4 [36%] vs. 6 [9%]; p = 0.03). MVP was evident in 90 (78%) patients and was not associated with ventricular arrhythmia.

CONCLUSIONS

Ventricular arrhythmias were frequent in patients with MAD. A total of 26 (22%) patients with MAD did not have MVP, and MVP was not associated with arrhythmic events, indicating MAD itself as an arrhythmogenic entity. MAD was detected around a large part of the mitral annulus circumference and was interspersed with normal tissue.

Managing patients with prediabetes and type 2 diabetes after coronary events: individual tailoring needed - a cross-sectional study

BACKGROUND

Understanding the determinants associated with prediabetes and type 2 diabetes in coronary patients may help to individualize treatment and modelling interventions. We sought to identify sociodemographic, medical and psychosocial factors associated with normal blood glucose (HbA1c < 5.7%), prediabetes (HbA1c 5.7-6.4%), and type 2 diabetes.

METHODS

A cross-sectional explorative study applied regression analyses to investigate the factors associated with glycaemic status and control (HbA_1c level) in 1083 patients with myocardial infarction and/or a coronary revascularization procedure. Data were collected from hospital records at the index event and from a self-report questionnaire and clinical examination with blood samples at 2-36 months follow-up.

RESULTS

In all, 23% had type 2 diabetes, 44% had prediabetes, and 33% had normal blood glucose at follow-up. In adjusted analyses, type 2 diabetes was associated with larger waist circumference (Odds Ratio 1.03 per 1.0 cm, p = 0.001), hypertension (Odds Ratio 2.7, p < 0.001), lower high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (Odds Ratio 0.3 per1.0 mmol/L, p = 0.002) and insomnia (Odds Ratio 2.0, p = 0.002). In adjusted analyses, prediabetes was associated with smoking (Odds Ratio 3.3, p = 0.001), hypertension (Odds Ratio 1.5, p = 0.03), and non-participation in cardiac rehabilitation (Odds Ratio 1.7, p = 0.003). In patients with type 2 diabetes, a higher HbA_1c level was associated with ethnic minority background (standardized beta [β] 0.19, p = 0.005) and low drug adherence (β 0.17, p = 0.01). In patients with prediabetes or normal blood glucose, a higher HbA_1c was associated with larger waist circumference (β 0.13, p < 0.001), smoking (β 0.18, p < 0.001), hypertension (β 0.08, p = 0.04), older age (β 0.16, p < 0.001), and non-participation in cardiac rehabilitation (β 0.11, p = 0.005).

CONCLUSIONS

Along with obesity and hypertension, insomnia and low drug adherence were the major modifiable factors associated with type 2 diabetes, whereas smoking and non-participation in cardiac rehabilitation were the factors associated with prediabetes. Further research on the effect of individual tailoring, addressing the reported significant predictors of failure, is needed to improve glycaemic control.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

Retrospectively registered at ClinicalTrials.gov: NCT02309255 , December 5th 2014.

The prevalence and predictors of elevated C-reactive protein after a coronary heart disease event

Objective

An interleukin-beta antagonist reduces the risk of subsequent cardiovascular events in coronary patients with high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) ≥2 mg/L. It remains to be defined how large the coronary population at inflammatory risk is, and what the predictors of elevated risk are.

Methods

A cross-sectional study investigated the proportion of patients with elevated hs-CRP (i.e. ≥2 mg/L) and the respective demographic and clinical predictors in 971 patients without concomitant inflammatory diseases who had been hospitalized with myocardial infarction (80%) and/or a revascularization procedure. Data were collected from hospital records, a self-report questionnaire and a clinical examination with blood samples.

Results

After 2–36 month follow-up, 39% ( n = 378) had hs-CRP ≥ 2 mg/L, among whom 64% ( n = 243) had low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) ≥1.8 mmol/L and 47% ( n = 176) used a low-intensity statin regime. Only 24% had both LDL and hs-CRP at target range, 27% had elevation of both, whereas 12% had hs-CRP ≥ 2 mg/L and LDL-C < 1.8 mmol/L. Somatic comorbidity (odds ratio (OR) 1.3/1.0 point on the Charlson score), ≥1 previous coronary event (OR 2.4), smoking (OR 2.2), higher body mass index (OR 1.2/1.0 kg/m2), high LDL-C (OR 1.4/1.0 mmol/L) and higher anxiety scores (OR 1.1/1.0 point increase on the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale-Anxiety subscale score) were significantly associated with hs-CRP ≥2 mg/L in adjusted analyses.

Conclusions

Elevated hs-CRP was frequently observed after a coronary event and associated with unfavourable LDL-C and unhealthy lifestyles and psychosocial distress. Intensified statin therapy and strategies to target these modifiable factors are the encouraged first steps to reduce inflammation and improve LDL-C in these patients.

Health-related quality of life in older patients with acute coronary syndrome randomised to an invasive or conservative strategy. The After Eighty randomised controlled trial

Objective

in the After Eighty study (ClinicalTrials.gov.number, NCT01255540), patients aged 80 years or more, with non-ST-elevation myocardial infarction (NSTEMI), and unstable angina pectoris (UAP), were randomised to either an invasive or conservative management approach. We sought to compare the effects of these management strategies on health related quality of life (HRQOL) after 1 year.

Methods

the After Eighty study was a prospective randomised controlled multicenter trial. In total, 457 patients aged 80 or over, with NSTEMI or UAP, were randomised to either an invasive strategy (n = 229, mean age: 84.7 years), involving early coronary angiography, with immediate evaluation for percutaneous coronary intervention, coronary artery bypass graft, optimal medical therapy, or to a conservative strategy (n = 228, mean age: 84.9 years). The Short Form 36 health survey (SF-36) was used to assess HRQOL at baseline, and at the 1-year follow-up.

Results

baseline SF-36 completion was achieved for 208 and 216 patients in the invasive and conservative groups, respectively. A total of 137 in the invasive group and 136 patients in the conservative group completed the SF-36 form at follow-up. When comparing the changes from follow-up to baseline (delta) no significant changes in quality-of-life scores were observed between the two strategies in any of the domains, expect for a small but statistically significant difference in bodily pain. This difference in only one of the SF-36 subscales may not necessarily be clinically significant.

Conclusion

from baseline to the 1 year follow-up, only minor differences in change of HRQOL as measured by SF-36 were seen by comparing an invasive and conservative strategy.

ClinicalTrials.gov identifier

NCT01255540.

Optimal blood pressure control after coronary events: the challenge remains

We identified sociodemographic, medical, and psychosocial factors associated with unfavorable blood pressure (BP) control in 1012 patients, hospitalized with myocardial infarction and/or a coronary revascularization procedure. This cross-sectional study collected data from hospital records, a comprehensive self-report questionnaire, clinical examination, and blood samples after 2-36 (mean 17) months follow-up. Forty-six percent had unfavorable BP control (≥140/90 [80 in diabetics] mm Hg) at follow-up. Low socioeconomic status and psychosocial factors did not predict unfavorable BP control. Patients with unfavorable BP used on average 1.9 (standard deviation 1.1) BP-lowering drugs at hospital discharge, and the proportion of patients treated with angiotensin inhibitors and beta-blockers decreased significantly (P < .001) from discharge to follow-up. Diabetes (odds ratio [OR] 2.4), higher body mass index (OR 1.05 per 1.0 kg/m²), and older age (OR 1.04 per year) were significantly associated with unfavorable BP control in adjusted analyses. Only age (standardized beta [β] 0.24) and body mass index (β 0.07) were associated with systolic BP in linear analyses. We conclude that BP control was insufficient after coronary events and associated with obesity and diabetes. Prescription of BP-lowering drugs in hypertensive patients seems suboptimal. Overweight and intensified drug treatment thus emerge as the major factors to target to improve BP control.

Medical and sociodemographic factors predict persistent smoking after coronary events

Background

Understanding the determinants of persistent smoking after a coronary event constitutes the basis of modelling interventions of smoking cessation in secondary prevention programs. We aim to identify the potentially modifiable medical, sociodemographic and psychosocial factors, comprising the study factors, associated with unfavourable risk factor control after CHD events.

Methods

A cross-sectional explorative study used logistic regression analysis to investigate the association between study factors and smoking status in 1083 patients hospitalized with myocardial infarction and/or coronary revascularization. Hospital record data, a self-report questionnaire, clinical examination and blood samples were applied.

Results

At the index hospitalization, 390 patients were smoking and at follow-up after 2–36 months 167 (43%) of these had quit, while 230 reported persistent smoking. In adjusted analyses, unemployed or disability benefits (Odds ratio (OR) 4.1), low education (OR 3.5), longer smoking duration (OR 2.3) and not having ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) as index event (OR 2.3) were significantly associated with persistent smoking. Psychosocial factors at follow-up were not associated with persistent smoking. Smokers reported high motivation for cessation, with 68% wanting help to quit. Only 42% had been offered nicotine replacement therapy or other cessation aids. Smokers rated use of tobacco as the most important cause of their coronary disease (6.8 on a 1–10 Likert scale).

Conclusions

Low socioeconomic status, prior duration of smoking, and not having STEMI as index event were associated with persisting smoking. Persistent smokers in this study seem to have an acceptable risk perception and were motivated to cease smoking, but needed assistance through cessation programs including prescription of pharmacological aids.

Trial registration

Registered at ClinicalTrials.gov: NCT02309255, registered retrospectively.

Medical and psychosocial factors and unfavourable low-density lipoprotein cholesterol control in coronary patients

Objective Understanding the determinants of low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) control constitutes the basis of modelling interventions for optimal lipid control and prognosis. We aim to identify medical and psychosocial (study) factors associated with unfavourable LDL-C control in coronary patients. Methods A cross-sectional explorative study used logistic and linear regression analysis to investigate the association between study factors and LDL-C in 1095 patients, hospitalized with myocardial infarction and/or a coronary revascularization procedure. Data were collected from hospital records, a comprehensive self-report questionnaire, clinical examination and blood samples after 2-36 months follow-up. Results Fifty-seven per cent did not reach the LDL-C target of 1.8 mmol/l at follow-up. Low socioeconomic status and psychosocial factors were not associated with failure to reach the LDL-C target. Statin specific side-effects (odds ratio 3.23), low statin adherence (odds ratio 3.07), coronary artery by-pass graft operation as index treatment (odds ratio 1.95), ≥ 1 coronary event prior to the index event (odds ratio 1.81), female gender (odds ratio 1.80), moderate- or low-intensity statin therapy (odds ratio 1.62) and eating fish < 3 times/week (odds ratio 1.56) were statistically significantly associated with failure to reach the LDL-C target, in adjusted analyses. Only side-effects (standardized β 0.180), low statin adherence ( β 0.209) and moderate- or low-intensity statin therapy ( β 0.228) were associated with LDL-C in continuous analyses. Conclusions Statin specific side-effects, low statin adherence and moderate- or low-intensity statin therapy were the major factors associated with unfavourable LDL-C control. Interventions to improve LDL-C should ensure adherence and prescription of sufficiently potent statins, and address side-effects appropriately.

Unfavourable risk factor control after coronary events in routine clinical practice

BACKGROUND

Risk factor control after a coronary event in a recent European multi-centre study was inadequate. Patient selection from academic centres and low participation rate, however, may underscore failing risk factor control in routine clinical practice. Improved understanding of the patient factors that influence risk factor control is needed to improve secondary preventive strategies. The objective of the present paper was to determine control of the major risk factors in a coronary population from routine clinical practice, and how risk factor control was influenced by the study factors age, gender, number of coronary events, and time since the index event.

METHODS

A cross-sectional study determined risk factor control and its association with study factors in 1127 patients (83% participated) aged 18-80 years with acute myocardial infarction and/or revascularization identified from medical records. Study data were collected from a self-report questionnaire, clinical examination, and blood samples after 2-36 months (median 16) follow-up.

RESULTS

Twenty-one percent were current smokers at follow-up. Of those smoking at the index event 56% continued smoking. Obesity was found in 34%, and 60% were physically inactive. Although 93% were taking blood-pressure lowering agents and statins, 46% were still hypertensive and 57% had LDL cholesterol >1.8 mmol/L at follow-up. Suboptimal control of diabetes was found in 59%. The patients failed on average to control three of the six major risk factors, and patients with >1 coronary events (p < 0.001) showed the poorest overall control. A linear increase in smoking (p < 0.01) and obesity (p < 0.05) with increasing time since the event was observed.

CONCLUSIONS

The majority of coronary patients in a representative Norwegian population did not achieve risk factor control, and the poorest overall control was found in patients with several coronary events. New strategies for secondary prevention are clearly needed to improve risk factor control. Even modest advances will provide major health benefits.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

Registered at ClinicalTrials.gov (ID NCT02309255 ).

Patient characteristics and risk factors of participants and non-participants in the NOR-COR study

OBJECTIVES

We aim to compare patient characteristics and coronary risk factors among participants and non-participants in a survey of CHD patients.

METHODS

A cross-sectional study explored characteristics and risk factors in patients hospitalized for acute myocardial infarction and/or revascularization. Study data collected from hospital medical records were compared between participants (n = 1127, 83%) and non-participants (n = 229, 16%), who did not consent to participation in the clinical study.

RESULTS

Non-participants showed statistically higher prevalence of women (28% versus 21%), ethnic minorities (6% versus 3%), patients living alone (26% versus 19%), depression (19% versus 6%), anxiety (9% versus 3%), hypertension (54% versus 43%) and diabetes (24% versus 17%). Significantly higher multi-adjusted odds ratios were found for Charlson comorbidity index 3.4 (95% confidence interval (CI), 2.8, 4.3) and depression 14.5 (4.4, 121.5) in non-participants.

CONCLUSIONS

Non-participants do have higher prevalence of important coronary risk factors compared to participants, and risk factor control may thus be overestimated in available prevention studies. Patients with somatic comorbidity and depression appear to be at particular risk of non-participation in the present study. New strategies accounting for the causes of nonadherence are important to improve secondary prevention in CHD.

Invasive versus conservative strategy in patients aged 80 years or older with non-ST-elevation myocardial infarction or unstable angina pectoris (After Eighty study): an open-label randomised controlled trial

BACKGROUND

Non-ST-elevation myocardial infarction (NSTEMI) and unstable angina pectoris are frequent causes of hospital admission in the elderly. However, clinical trials targeting this population are scarce, and these patients are less likely to receive treatment according to guidelines. We aimed to investigate whether this population would benefit from an early invasive strategy versus a conservative strategy.

METHODS

In this open-label randomised controlled multicentre trial, patients aged 80 years or older with NSTEMI or unstable angina admitted to 16 hospitals in the South-East Health Region of Norway were randomly assigned to an invasive strategy (including early coronary angiography with immediate assessment for percutaneous coronary intervention, coronary artery bypass graft, and optimum medical treatment) or to a conservative strategy (optimum medical treatment alone). A permuted block randomisation was generated by the Centre for Biostatistics and Epidemiology with stratification on the inclusion hospitals in opaque concealed envelopes, and sealed envelopes with consecutive inclusion numbers were made. The primary outcome was a composite of myocardial infarction, need for urgent revascularisation, stroke, and death and was assessed between Dec 10, 2010, and Nov 18, 2014. An intention-to-treat analysis was used. This study is registered with ClinicalTrials.gov, number NCT01255540.

FINDINGS

During a median follow-up of 1·53 years of participants recruited between Dec 10, 2010, and Feb 21, 2014, the primary outcome occurred in 93 (40·6%) of 229 patients assigned to the invasive group and 140 (61·4%) of 228 patients assigned to the conservative group (hazard ratio [HR] 0·53 [95% CI 0·41-0·69], p=0·0001). Five patients dropped out of the invasive group and one from the conservative group. HRs for the four components of the primary composite endpoint were 0·52 (0·35-0·76; p=0·0010) for myocardial infarction, 0·19 (0·07-0·52; p=0·0010) for the need for urgent revascularisation, 0·60 (0·25-1·46; p=0·2650) for stroke, and 0·89 (0·62-1·28; p=0·5340) for death from any cause. The invasive group had four (1·7%) major and 23 (10·0%) minor bleeding complications whereas the conservative group had four (1·8%) major and 16 (7·0%) minor bleeding complications.

INTERPRETATION

In patients aged 80 years or more with NSTEMI or unstable angina, an invasive strategy is superior to a conservative strategy in the reduction of composite events. Efficacy of the invasive strategy was diluted with increasing age (after adjustment for creatinine and effect modification). The two strategies did not differ in terms of bleeding complications.

FUNDING

Norwegian Health Association (ExtraStiftelsen) and Inger and John Fredriksen Heart Foundation.

The effect of rosuvastatin on inflammation, matrix turnover and left ventricular remodeling in dilated cardiomyopathy: a randomized, controlled trial

Background

Dilated cardiomyopathy is characterized by left ventricular dilatation and dysfunction. Inflammation and adverse remodeling of the extracellular matrix may be involved in the pathogenesis. Statins reduce levels of low density lipoprotein cholesterol, but may also attenuate inflammation and affect matrix remodeling. We hypothesized that treatment with rosuvastatin would reduce or even reverse left ventricular remodeling in dilated cardiomyopathy.

Materials and Methods

In this multicenter, randomized, double blind, placebo-controlled study, 71 patients were randomized to 10 mg of rosuvastatin or matching placebo. Physical examination, blood sampling, echocardiography and cardiac magnetic resonance imaging were performed at baseline and at six months’ follow-up. The pre-specified primary end point was the change in left ventricular ejection fraction from baseline to six months.

Results

Over all, left ventricular ejection fraction improved 5 percentage points over the duration of the study, but there was no difference in the change in left ventricular ejection fraction between patients allocated to rosuvastatin and those allocated to placebo. Whereas serum low density lipoprotein cholesterol concentration fell significantly in the treatment arm, rosuvastatin did not affect plasma or serum levels of a wide range of inflammatory variables, including C-reactive protein. The effect on markers of extracellular matrix remodeling was modest.

Conclusion

Treatment with rosuvastatin does not improve left ventricular ejection fraction in patients with dilated cardiomyopathy.

Trial Registration

ClinicalTrials.gov NCT00505154

Temporary cardiac pacemaker treatment in five Norwegian regional hospitals

OBJECTIVES

Over the last few decades the number of temporary pacemaker placements has declined, while the number of operators has increased. The present study was undertaken in order to assess the quality of present day temporary pacing in Norwegian general hospitals.

DESIGN

Prospective, multi-center study from five general hospitals in Norway with a catchment area of 998,000 inhabitants. All temporary pacing procedures performed at these hospitals during a 1-year period should be registered.

RESULTS

Fifty patients were treated with temporary pacing and six repeated procedures were performed due to pacing failure. The yearly procedure-rate was five per 100,000 inhabitants. Twenty-nine physicians were involved in these procedures, of whom five were experienced implanters, and 18 physicians participated in only one procedure each. Following temporary pacing a permanent pacemaker was implanted in 60% of patients. In-hospital mortality was 18%, and the incidence of bacteremia was 6%.

CONCLUSIONS

Temporary pacemaker treatment is currently performed with less than the required amount of skill, with a high number of complications. Cardiologists on call and the possibility of fast-track permanent implantation could improve the quality of care of patients with acute bradyarrhythmias.

Clopidogrel increases expression of chemokines in peripheral blood mononuclear cells in patients with coronary artery disease: results of a double-blind placebo-controlled study

BACKGROUND

Chemokines and platelet activation are both important in atherogenesis. Platelet inhibitors are widely used in coronary artery disease (CAD), and we hypothesized that the platelet inhibitor clopidogrel could modify chemokines in CAD patients.

OBJECTIVES

We sought to investigate the effect of clopidogrel on the expression of chemokines and chemokine receptors in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) in CAD patients.

PATIENTS/METHODS

Thirty-seven patients with stable angina were randomized to clopidogrel (n = 18) or placebo (n = 19). PBMC, blood platelets and plasma were collected at baseline and after 7-10 days in the patients, and in 10 healthy controls. mRNA levels of chemokines and chemokine receptors in PBMC were analyzed by ribonuclease protection assays and real-time reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction. Platelet activation was studied by flow cytometry.

RESULTS

(i) At baseline, the gene expression of the regulated on activation normally T-cell expressed and secreted (RANTES) chemokines and macrophage inflammatory peptide (MIP)-1beta in PBMC, the expression of CD62P and CD63 on platelets and the levels of platelet-derived microparticles (PMP) were elevated in angina patients comparing healthy controls; (ii) markers of platelet activation were either reduced (CD63) or unchanged (CD62P, PMP, beta-thromboglobulin) during clopidogrel therapy; (iii) in contrast, clopidogrel significantly up-regulated the gene expression of RANTES and MIP-1beta in PBMC, while no changes were found in the placebo group; (iv) a stable adenosine 5'-diphosphate metabolite attenuated the release of MIP-1beta, but not of RANTES, from activated PBMC in vitro.

CONCLUSIONS

Even if we do not argue against a beneficial role for clopidogrel in CAD, our findings may suggest potential inflammatory effects of clopidogrel in CAD.

[Postpartum dyspnea, edema and fever]

BACKGROUND

Cardiomyopathy is a condition with heart failure caused by a reduction in the contractility of the heart. Peripartum cardiomyopathy is a rare, but serious condition, characterised by development of heart failure during the last month of pregnancy or the first five months after delivery.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

We present a case in which a woman pregnant with twins developed heart failure a few days after giving birth. We give a short report of symptoms, clinical signs, diagnosis, treatment and prognosis for subsequent pregnancies.

RESULTS AND INTERPRETATION

The condition was initially diagnosed and treated as pneumonia, but despite treatment and improvement in her laboratory tests, her condition worsened. The symptoms were dyspnoea, peripheral oedemas and pulmonary oedema. Peripartum cardiomyopathy was diagnosed after echocardiography. Treatment of heart failure with diuretics, nitroglycerine, angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor and beta blocker was given with good results. This case is presented in order to draw attention to a rare, but serious condition in pregnancy or the postnatal period which easily can be misjudged or mistreated.