Perspectives on the success of plasma lipidomics in cardiovascular drug discovery and future challenges

INTRODUCTION

Plasma lipidomics has emerged as a powerful tool in cardiovascular drug discovery by providing insights into disease mechanisms, identifying potential biomarkers for diagnosis and prognosis, and discovering novel targets for drug development. Widespread application of plasma lipidomics is hampered by technological limitations and standardization and requires a collaborative approach to maximize its use in cardiovascular drug discovery.

AREAS COVERED

This review provides an overview of the utility of plasma lipidomics in cardiovascular drug discovery and discusses the challenges and future perspectives of this rapidly evolving field. The authors discuss the role of lipidomics in understanding the molecular mechanisms of CVD, identifying novel biomarkers for diagnosis and prognosis, and discovering new therapeutic targets for drug development. Furthermore, they highlight the challenges faced in data analysis, standardization, and integration with other omics approaches and propose future directions for the field.

EXPERT OPINION

Plasma lipidomics holds great promise for improving the diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of CVD. While challenges remain in standardization and technology, ongoing research and collaboration among scientists and clinicians will undoubtedly help overcome these obstacles. As lipidomics evolves, its impact on cardiovascular drug discovery and clinical practice is expected to grow, ultimately benefiting patients and healthcare systems worldwide.

Prevention of Natural Disaster-Induced Cardiovascular Diseases

Natural disasters, such as floods and landslides caused by heavy rainfall, earthquakes, and tsunamis, can induce stress, which may contribute to the onset and aggravation of various cardiovascular diseases. The circulatory system is most susceptible to the effects of stress, and stress-related cardiovascular diseases, such as Takotsubo cardiomyopathy, pulmonary thromboembolism, hypertension, stroke triggered by increased blood pressure, and acute myocardial infarction, can occur during natural disasters. The risk of developing angina pectoris, arrhythmia, sudden cardiac death, and heart failure increases rapidly and can persist for several months. Moreover, treating cardiovascular diseases is essential during the acute phase, and continuous disease management is necessary during the chronic phase. However, disaster medical care for the victims must be given priority during natural disasters, which may cause a delay in diagnosis or access to necessary treatment for pre-existing medical conditions that could worsen or may cause death in patients with cardiovascular diseases. In this review, we summarize the predisposing factors for cardiovascular diseases that have been obtained through disasters such as major earthquakes and provide potential insights to help medical staff prevent the onset and aggravation of cardiovascular diseases during disasters.

Specialty preference for cardiovascular prevention practice in the Southeast US and role of a preventive cardiologist

INTRODUCTION

Cardiovascular disease (CVD) prevention is practiced concurrently by providers from several specialties. Our goal was to understand providers' preference of specialties in CVD prevention practice and the role of preventive cardiologists.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Between 11 October 2021 and 1 March 2022, we surveyed providers from internal medicine, family medicine, endocrinology, and cardiology specialties to examine their preference of specialties in managing various domains of CVD prevention. We examined categorical variables using Chi square test and continuous variables using t or analysis of variance test.

RESULTS

Of 956 invitees, 263 from 21 health systems and 9 states responded. Majority of respondents were women (54.5%), practicing physicians (72.5%), specializing in cardiology (43.6%), and working at academic centers (51.3%). Respondents favored all specialties to prescribe statins (43.2%), ezetimibe (37.8%), sodium-glucose cotransporter-2 (SGLT2) inhibitors (30.5%), and aspirin in primary prevention (36.3%). Only 7.9% and 9.5% selected cardiologists and preventive cardiologists, respectively, to prescribe SGLT2 inhibitors. Most preferred specialists (i.e. cardiology and endocrinology) to manage advanced lipid disorders, refractory hypertension, and premature coronary heart disease. The most common conditions selected for preventive cardiologists to manage were genetic lipid disorders (17%), cardiovascular risk assessment (15%), dyslipidemia (13%), and refractory/resistant hypertension (12%).

CONCLUSIONS

For CVD prevention practice, providers favored all specialties to manage common conditions, specialists to manage complex conditions, and preventive cardiologists to manage advanced lipid disorders. Cardiologists were least preferred to prescribe SGLT2 inhibitor. Future research should explore reasons for selected CVD prevention practice preferences to optimize care coordination and for effective use of limited expertise.

Association of Body Mass Index and Its Change With Incident Diabetes Mellitus

CONTEXT

There have been insufficient data on the threshold of body mass index (BMI) for developing diabetes mellitus (DM) and the relationship between change in BMI and the subsequent risk of DM.

OBJECTIVE

We sought to clarify the association of BMI and its change with incident DM.

METHODS

We conducted a retrospective observational cohort study using the JMDC Claims Database between 2005 and 2021. We included 3 400 303 individuals without a prior history of DM or usage of glucose-lowering medications. The median age was 44 years, and 57.5% were men. We categorized the study participants into 4 groups: underweight (BMI < 18.5 kg/m2), normal weight (BMI 18.5-24.9 kg/m2), overweight (BMI 25.0-29.9 kg/m2), and obese (BMI ≥ 30 kg/m2). According to the change in BMI from the initial health check-up to the health check-up 1 year after that, we divided the study participants into 3 groups: ≤-5.0%, -5.0% to +5.0%, and ≥+5.0%.

RESULTS

The risk of developing DM increased steeply after BMI exceeded approximately 20 to 21 kg/m2. Compared with participants with stable BMI (-5.0% to +5.0%), the relative risk for DM among those whose BMI had increased by 5.0% or more was 1.33 (95% CI 1.31-1.36). In contrast, the relative risk for DM among those whose BMI decreased by 5.0% or more was 0.82 (95% CI 0.80-0.84). Moreover, people classified as normal weight, overweight, and obese reduced the risk of developing DM when they reduced their BMI, whereas the risk of developing DM for people classified as underweight increased when they reduced their BMI.

CONCLUSION

Our findings offer novel insights into improving an optimal bodyweight management strategy to prevent the development of DM.

The State of Cardiac Rehabilitation in Saudi Arabia: Barriers, Facilitators, and Policy Implications

Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is a critical public health issue in Saudi Arabia, where it is the leading cause of death. The economic burden of CVD in the country is expected to triple by 2035, reaching $9.8 billion. This paper provides an overview of CVD in Saudi Arabia and its risk factors, impact on healthcare, and effects on patients' quality of life. The review emphasizes the potential of cardiac rehabilitation (CR) programs in addressing the CVD epidemic. CR programs have been shown to reduce morbidity, mortality, and hospital readmissions while improving patients' cardiovascular health and overall well-being. However, these programs are underutilized and inaccessible in Saudi Arabia. The paper highlights the urgent need for CR programs in the country and suggests key strategies for implementation. These include increasing patient referrals, tailoring programs to individual needs, enhancing patient education, and making CR accessible through home-based options. Fostering multidisciplinary collaboration and developing tailored guidelines for Arab countries can further enhance the impact of CR programs. In conclusion, this review underscores the vital importance of comprehensive CR programs in Saudi Arabia to combat the rising CVD burden, improve patient quality of life, and align with the goals of the Saudi 2030 Vision for a healthier society.

Performance of the ACC/AHA Pooled Cohort Cardiovascular Risk Equations in Clinical Practice

BACKGROUND

The performance of the American College of Cardiology/American Heart Association pooled cohort equation (PCE) for atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD) in real-world clinical practice has not been evaluated extensively.

OBJECTIVES

The goal of this study was to test the performance of PCE to predict ASCVD risk in the community, and determine if including individuals with values outside the PCE range (ie, age, blood pressure, cholesterol) or statin therapy initiation over follow-up would significantly affect PCE predictive capabilities.

METHODS

The PCE was validated in a community-based cohort of consecutive patients who sought primary care in Olmsted County, Minnesota, between 1997 and 2000, followed-up through 2016. Inclusion criteria were similar to those of PCE derivation. Patient information was ascertained by using the record linkage system of the Rochester Epidemiology Project. ASCVD events (nonfatal and fatal myocardial infarction and ischemic stroke) were validated in duplicate. Calculated and observed ASCVD risk and c-statistics were compared across predefined groups.

RESULTS

This study included 30,042 adults, with a mean age of 48.5 ± 12.2 years; 46% were male. Median follow-up was 16.5 years, truncated at 10 years for this analysis. Mean ASCVD risk was 5.6% ± 8.73%. There were 1,555 ASCVD events (5.2%). The PCE revealed good performance overall (c-statistic 0.78) and in sex and race subgroups; it was highest among non-White female subjects (c-statistic 0.81) and lowest in White male subjects (c-statistic 0.77). Out-of-range values and initiation of statin medication did not affect model performance.

CONCLUSIONS

The PCE performed well in a community cohort representing real-world clinical practice. Values outside PCE ranges and initiation of statin medication did not affect performance. These results have implications for the applicability of current strategies for the prevention of ASCVD.

Implementation of Prevention Science to Eliminate Health Care Inequities in Achieving Cardiovascular Health: A Scientific Statement From the American Heart Association

Prevention of cardiovascular and related diseases is foundational to attaining ideal cardiovascular health to improve the overall health and well-being of individuals and communities. Social determinants of health and health care inequities adversely affect ideal cardiovascular health and prevention of disease. Achieving optimal cardiovascular health in an effective and equitable manner requires a coordinated multidisciplinary and multilayered approach. In this scientific statement, we examine barriers to ideal cardiovascular health and its related conditions in the context of leveraging existing resources to reduce health care inequities and to optimize the delivery of preventive cardiovascular care. We systematically discuss (1) interventions across health care environments involving direct patient care, (2) leveraging health care technology, (3) optimizing multispecialty/multiprofession collaborations and interventions, (4) engaging local communities, and (5) improving the community environment through health-related government policies, all with a focus on making ideal cardiovascular health equitable for all individuals.

CYP2C19 Genotype Prevalence and Association With Recurrent Myocardial Infarction in British-South Asians Treated With Clopidogrel

Background

Cytochrome P450 family 2 subfamily C member 19 (CYP2C19) is a hepatic enzyme involved in the metabolism of clopidogrel from a prodrug to its active metabolite. Prior studies of genetic polymorphisms in CYP2C19 and their relationship with clinical efficacy have not included South Asian populations.

Objectives

The objective of this study was to assess prevalence of common CYP2C19 genotype polymorphisms in a British-South Asian population and correlate these with recurrent myocardial infarction risk in participants prescribed clopidogrel.

Methods

The Genes & Health cohort of British Bangladeshi and Pakistani ancestry participants were studied. CYP2C19 diplotypes were assessed using array data. Multivariable logistic regression was used to test for association between genetically inferred CYP2C19 metabolizer status and recurrent myocardial infarction, controlling for known cardiovascular disease risk factors, percutaneous coronary intervention, age, sex, and population stratification.

Results

Genes & Health cohort participants (N = 44,396) have a high prevalence (57%) of intermediate or poor CYP2C19 metabolizers, with at least 1 loss-of-function CYP2C19 allele. The prevalence of poor metabolizers carrying 2 CYP2C19 loss-of-function alleles is 13%, which is higher than that in previously studied European (2.4%) and Central/South Asian populations (8.2%). Sixty-nine percent of the cohort who were diagnosed with an acute myocardial infarction were prescribed clopidogrel. Poor metabolizers were significantly more likely to have a recurrent myocardial infarction (OR: 3.1; P = 0.019).

Conclusions

A pharmacogenomic-driven approach to clopidogrel prescribing has the potential to impact significantly on clinical management and outcomes in individuals of Bangladeshi and Pakistani ancestry.

Does arterial stiffness mediate or suppress the associations of blood pressure with cardiac structure and function in adolescents?

There is limited understanding of the role of arterial stiffness in cardiovascular disease risk in the pediatric population, lagging behind strong evidence in the adult population. Arterial stiffness progression among adolescents with hypertension has been considered hypertension-mediated vascular damage. However, emerging pediatric reports suggest that arterial stiffness may precede increased blood pressure and hypertension, whereas increased blood pressure from childhood has been associated with signs of cardiac damage in mid-adulthood. Thus, this study used a third variable analytical approach to examine whether arterial stiffness mediates or suppresses the effects of increasing blood pressure on cardiac structure and function in the Avon Longitudinal Study of Parents and Children (ALSPAC) cohort of 1,778 adolescents. After an adjustment for cardiometabolic and lifestyle factors, arterial stiffness measured as carotid-femoral pulse wave velocity partly suppressed the association of higher systolic blood pressure with higher left ventricular mass (standardized regression coefficient, β = -0.012; P = 0.017; suppression effect = 4%), partly mediated the associations of higher systolic and diastolic blood pressure with higher relative ventricular wall thickness, and partly suppressed the association of higher diastolic blood pressure with lower left ventricular diastolic function (β = -0.021; P = 0.003; suppression effect = 14.5%). In conclusion, increasing arterial stiffness could attenuate some of the adverse effects of increased blood pressure on cardiac structure and function in adolescents possibly by modifying the Windkessel effects.NEW & NOTEWORTHY The present study demonstrates that the associations of blood pressure with cardiac function and structure in adolescents may be mediated or suppressed by arterial stiffness depending on the blood pressure phenotype: systolic or diastolic. Arterial stiffness may be considered as an intermediate pathway to attenuate the effect of increased blood pressure on altered cardiac structure and function in youth.

Association of Incident Cardiovascular Disease With Time Course and Cumulative Exposure to Multiple Risk Factors

BACKGROUND

The quantitative relationship of incident cardiovascular disease (CVD) to lifetime cumulative risk factor exposure is not well understood.

OBJECTIVES

Using CARDIA (Coronary Artery Risk Development in Young Adults) study data, we examined the quantitative associations of cumulative exposure over time to multiple, simultaneously operating risk factors with CVD incidence and the incidence of its components.

METHODS

Regression models were developed quantifying the influence of the time course and severity of multiple CVD risk factors, operating simultaneously, on risk of incident CVD. The outcomes were incident CVD and the incidence of its components: coronary heart disease, stroke, and congestive heart failure.

RESULTS

Our study included 4,958 asymptomatic adults enrolled in CARDIA from 1985 to 1986 (ages 18 to 30 years) who were followed for 30 years. Risk of incident CVD depends on the time course and severity of a series of independent risk factors, the impact of which is mediated by their effects on individual CVD components after age 40 years. Cumulative exposure (AUC vs time) to low-density lipoprotein cholesterol and triglycerides was independently associated with risk of incident CVD. Of the blood pressure variables, areas under the mean arterial pressure vs time curve and the pulse pressure vs time curve were strongly and independently associated with incident CVD risk.

CONCLUSIONS

The quantitative description of the link between risk factors and CVD informs the construction of individualized CVD mitigation strategies, design of primary prevention trials, and assessment of public health impact of risk factor-based interventions.

Plant Based Diet and Its Effect on Cardiovascular Disease

Cardiovascular disease remains the leading cause of death globally and here in the United States. Diet has a major impact on the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis and subsequent cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. An unhealthy diet is the most significant potential behavioral and modifiable risk factor for ischemic heart disease. Despite these established facts, dietary interventions are far less frequent than pharmaceutical and procedural interventions in the management of cardiovascular disease. The beneficial effects of a plant-based diet on cardiovascular morbidity and mortality have been demonstrated in a number of recent clinical studies. The significant findings of each study are discussed in this review article, highlighting the role of a healthy plant-based diet in improving cardiovascular outcomes. From a clinician's standpoint, the knowledge and understanding of the facts and data points from these recent clinical studies would ensure more effective patient counseling on the substantial benefits of dietary interventions.

US Trends in Cholesterol Screening, Lipid Levels, and Lipid-Lowering Medication Use in US Adults, 1999 to 2018

Background Understanding current trends in cholesterol screening, lipid levels, and lipid management therapies may inform health policy and practice. Methods and Results In 50 928 US adult National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) participants, trends were assessed in cholesterol screening, mean levels of total cholesterol, triglycerides, low-density-lipoprotein cholesterol, and lipid-lowering medication use from 1999 through 2018. Point estimates were also calculated using the 2017 to March 2020 prepandemic data set. The age- and sex-adjusted proportion of having cholesterol screened within 5 years increased from 63.2% (95% CI, 60.0-66.3) in 1999 to 2000 to 72.5% (95% CI, 69.5-75.3) in 2017 to 2018 (P<0.001 for linear trend). Mean total cholesterol decreased from 203.3 mg/dL (95% CI, 201.0-205.7) in 1999 to 2000 to 188.4 mg/dL in 2017 to 2018 (95% CI, 185.4-191.5) (P<0.001 for nonlinear trend). The mean triglyceride level decreased from 121.3 mg/dL (95% CI, 116.4-126.4) in 1999 to 2000 to 91.4 mg/dL (95% CI, 88.4-94.6) in 2017 to 2018 (P<0.001 for nonlinear trend). Low-density lipoprotein cholesterol decreased from 127.9 mg/dL (95% CI, 125.3-130.5) in 1999 to 2000 to 111.7 mg/dL (95% CI, 109.0-114.4) in 2017 to 2018 (P<0.001 for nonlinear trend). Among statin-eligible US adults, the proportion of statin use increased from 14.9% (95% CI, 12.2-17.9) in 1999 to 2000 to 27.8% (95% CI, 23.0-33.2) in 2017 to 2018 (P<0.001 for nonlinear trend). Statin use increased in adults with diabetes aged 40 to 75 years from 21.4% in 1999 to 2000 to 51.9% in 2017 to 2018 (P<0.001 for overall linear trend). Statin use plateaued in all other groups. The proportions of using ezetimibe and proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9 inhibitors were 3.7% (95% CI, 1.3-9.8) and 0.03% (95% CI, 0.01-0.15) in 2017 to March 2020, respectively. Conclusions From 1999 through 2018, cholesterol screening increased while mean total cholesterol, triglycerides, and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels decreased, with a modest increase in statin use and low uptake of nonstatin therapy in the US population.

The influence of somatic maturity on the relationship between the triglyceride/high-density lipoprotein ratio and vascular health in children and adolescents with dyslipidemia

INTRODUCTION

Both the triglyceride to HDL cholesterol (TG/HDL) ratio and timing of pubertal maturation have been identified as independent contributors to the development of atherosclerosis.

OBJECTIVE

The purpose of our study was to determine the relationship between the TG/HDL ratio and measures of vascular health in children and adolescents with dyslipidemia stratified by somatic maturity. We hypothesized that somatic maturity would have a significant interaction with TG/HDL ratio and vascular health.

METHODS

This was a longitudinal analysis of 120 children and adolescents (age 8-14 years) with dyslipidemia recruited from a pediatric preventive cardiology clinic. At baseline and each follow-up visit, a non-fasting serum lipid panel was collected and vascular health (carotid artery intima--media thickness, pulse wave velocity, augmentation index) was assessed. Peak height velocity (PHV) was calculated at each visit, and participants were stratified into groups by maturity offset (pre-PHV, mid-PHV, post-PHV). A mixed model design permitted baseline and follow-up visits to be classified as discrete data points.

RESULTS

Of the n = 235 data points (pre-PHV = 23%, mid-PHV = 19%, and post-PHV = 58%), we identified no significant interaction between TG/HDL ratio, maturity offset, and measures of vascular structure or function. There was also no significant relationship found between TG/HDL and maturity group. Within the mid-pubertal group, there was weak relationship found between TG/HDL and augmentation index.

CONCLUSION

Despite the well-described relationship between early pubertal maturation and development of cardiovascular risk factors in adulthood, we found that vascular damage resulting from an elevated TG/HDL ratio is not independently associated with somatic maturity.

Validation of a Brief Dietary Questionnaire for Use in Clinical Practice: Mini-EAT (Eating Assessment Tool)

Background There is a scarcity of validated rapid dietary screening tools for patient use in the clinical setting to improve health and reduce cardiovascular risk. The Healthy Eating Index (HEI) 2015 measures compliance with the 2015 to 2020 Dietary Guidelines for Americans but requires completion of an extensive diet assessment to compute, which is time consuming and impractical. The authors hypothesize that a 19-item dietary survey assessing consumption of common food groups known to affect health will be correlated with the HEI-2015 assessed by a validated food frequency questionnaire and can be further reduced without affecting validity. Methods and Results A 19-item Eating Assessment Tool (EAT) of common food groups was created through literature review and expert consensus. A cross-sectional survey was then conducted in adult participants from a preventive cardiology clinic or cardiac rehabilitation and in healthy volunteers (n=661, mean age, 36 years; 76% women). Participants completed an online 156-item food frequency questionnaire, which was used to calculate the HEI score using standard methods. The association between each EAT question and HEI group was analyzed by Kruskal-Wallis test. Linear regression models were subsequently used to identify univariable and multivariable predictors for HEI score for further reduction in the number of items. The final 9-item model of Mini-EAT was validated by 5-fold cross validation. The 19-item EAT had a strong correlation with the HEI score (r=0.73) and was subsequently reduced to the 9 items independently predictive of the HEI score: fruits, vegetables, whole grains, refined grains, fish or seafood, legumes/nuts/seeds, low-fat dairy, high-fat dairy, and sweets consumption, without affecting the predictive ability of the tool (r=0.71). Conclusions Mini-EAT is a 9-item validated brief dietary screener that correlates well with a comprehensive food frequency questionnaire. Future studies to test the Mini-EAT's validity in diverse populations and for development of clinical decision support systems to capture changes over time are needed.

Prior Cancer Is Associated with Lower Atherosclerotic Cardiovascular Disease Risk at First Acute Myocardial Infarction

Background: Patients with cancer are at increased risk of acute myocardial infarction (AMI). It is unclear if the Atherosclerotic Cardiovascular Disease (ASCVD) risk score at incident AMI is reflective of this higher risk in patients with prior cancer than those without. Methods: We linked nationwide AMI and cancer registries from 2008 to 2019. A total of 18,200 eligible patients with ASCVD risk score calculated at incident AMI were identified (1086 prior cancer; 17,114 no cancer). Results: At incident AMI, age-standardized mean ASCVD risk was lower in the prior cancer group (18.6%) than no cancer group (20.9%) (p < 0.001). Prior to incident AMI, smoking, hypertension, hyperlipidemia and diabetes mellitus were better controlled in the prior cancer group. However post-AMI, prior cancer was associated with lower guideline-directed medical therapy usage and higher all-cause mortality (adjusted hazard ratio 1.85, 95% confidence interval 1.66−2.07). Conclusions: AMI occurred despite better control of cardiovascular risk factors and lower age-standardized estimated mean 10-year ASCVD risk among patients with prior cancer than no cancer. Prior cancer was associated with lower guideline-directed medical therapy post-AMI and higher mortality.

Association of Cardiovascular Health Metrics With Risk of Transition to Hypertension in Non-Hypertensive Young Adults

BACKGROUND

The risk of developing hypertension in young adults and its relationship to modifiable lifestyle factors are unclear. We aimed to examine the association of cardiovascular health (CVH) metrics with the risk of hypertension.

METHODS

We analyzed 66,876 participants aged 20-39 years, with available blood pressure (BP) data for 5 consecutive years, who had normal or elevated BP at the initial health check-up, enrolled in the JMDC Claims Database. Ideal CVH metrics included nonsmoking, body mass index <25 kg/m2, physical activity at goal, optimal dietary habits, untreated fasting glucose <100 mg/dL, and untreated total cholesterol <200 mg/dL. The primary endpoint was defined as stage 1 or stage 2 hypertension. We defined normal BP, elevated BP, stage 1 hypertension, and stage 2 hypertension according to the 2017 American College of Cardiology/American Heart Association (ACC/AHA) BP guideline.

RESULTS

The median age was 35 years, and 62% were men. Number of non-ideal CVH metrics was associated with an increasing risk for the development of stage 1 and stage 2 hypertension. Non-ideal body mass index was most strongly associated with a risk for hypertension. This association was more pronounced in women. An annual increase in the number of non-ideal CVH metrics was associated with an elevated risk for the hypertension development.

CONCLUSIONS

CVH metrics can stratify the risk for hypertension in non-hypertensive adults aged 20-39 years. These findings have important public health implications for the screening and prevention of hypertension. Improving CVH metrics may prevent the risk of developing hypertension in young adults.

Association between visit-to-visit lipid variability and incident cancer: a population-based cohort study

Dyslipidaemia is associated with increased cancer risk. However, the prognostic value of visit-to-visit lipid variability (VVLV) is unexplored in this regard. To investigate the associations between VVLV and the risk of incident cancer, we conducted a retrospective cohort study on adult patients attending a family medicine clinic in Hong Kong during 2000-2003, excluding those with <3 tests for low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), triglycerides, and total cholesterol (TC) each, those with prior cancer diagnosis, and those with <1 year of follow-up. Visit-to-visit LDL-C, HDL-C, TC, and triglycerides variabilities were measured by the coefficient of variation (CV). Patients were followed up until 31^st December 2019 for the primary outcome of incident cancer. Altogether, 69,186 patients were included (26,679 males (38.6%); mean age 60±13 years; mean follow-up 16±3 years); 7958 patients (11.5%) had incident cancer. Higher variability of LDL-C, HDL-C, TC, and TG was associated with higher risk of incident cancer. Patients in the third tercile of the CV of LDL-C (adjusted hazard ratio (aHR) against first tercile 1.06 [1.00, 1.12], p=0.049), HDL-C (aHR 1.37 [1.29, 1.44], p<0.001), TC (aHR 1.10 [1.04, 1.17], p=0.001), and TG (aHR 1.11 [1.06, 1.18], p<0.001) had the highest risks of incident cancer. Among these, only HDL-C variability remained associated with the risk of incident cancer in users of statins/fibrates. To conclude, higher VVLV was associated with significantly higher long-term risks of incident cancer. VVLV may be a clinically useful tool for cancer risk stratification.

Polypill for atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease prevention in Haiti: Eligibility estimates in a low-income country

Background

Multidrug therapy is a World Health Organization "best buy" for the prevention and control of noncommunicable diseases. CVD polypills, including ≥2 blood pressure medications, and a statin with or without aspirin, are an effective, scalable strategy to close the treatment gap that exists in many low- and middle-income countries, including Haiti. We estimated the number of Haitian adults eligible for an atherosclerotic CVD (ASCVD) polypill, and the number of potentially preventable CVD events if polypills were implemented nationally.

Methods

We used cross-sectional data from the Haiti CVD Cohort, a population-based cohort of 3,005 adults ≥18 years in Port-au-Prince, to compare two polypill implementation strategies: high-risk primary prevention and secondary prevention. High-risk primary prevention included three scenarios: (a) age ≥40 years, (b) hypertension, or (c) predicted 10-year ASCVD risk ≥7.5%. Secondary prevention eligibility included history of stroke or myocardial infarction. We then used the 2019 Global Burden of Disease database and published polypill trials to estimate preventable CVD events, defined as nonfatal MI, nonfatal stroke, and cardiovascular death over a 5-year timeline.

Results

Among 2,880 participants, the proportion of eligible adults for primary prevention were: 51.6% for age, 32.5% for hypertension, 19.3% for high ASCVD risk, and 5.8% for secondary prevention. Based on current trends, an estimated 462,509 CVD events (95% CI: 369,089-578,475) would occur among adults ≥40 years in Haiti from 2019-2024. Compared with no polypill therapy, we found 32% or 148,003 CVD events (95% CI: 70,126-248,744) could be prevented by a combined primary and secondary prevention approach in Haiti if polypills were fully implemented over 5 years.

Conclusion

These modeling estimates underscore the potential magnitude of preventable CVD events in low-income settings like Haiti. Model calibration using observed CVD events, costs, and implementation assumptions are future directions.

Clinical trial registration

clinicaltrials.gov, identifier: NCT03892265.

Effects of blood pressure percentile, body mass index, and race on left ventricular mass in children

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the association of systolic blood pressure percentile, race, and body mass index with left ventricular hypertrophy on electrocardiogram and echocardiogram to define populations at risk.

STUDY DESIGN

This is a retrospective cross-sectional study design utilising a data analytics tool (Tableau) combining electrocardiogram and echocardiogram databases from 2003 to 2020. Customized queries identified patients aged 2-18 years who had an outpatient electrocardiogram and echocardiogram on the same date with available systolic blood pressure and body measurements. Cases with CHD, cardiomyopathy, or arrhythmia diagnoses were excluded. Echocardiograms with left ventricle mass (indexed to height^2.7) were included. The main outcome was left ventricular hypertrophy on echocardiogram defined as Left ventricle mass index greater than the 95th percentile for age.

RESULTS

In a cohort of 13,539 patients, 6.7% of studies had left ventricular hypertrophy on echocardiogram. Systolic blood pressure percentile >90% has a sensitivity of 35% and specificity of 82% for left ventricular hypertrophy on echocardiogram. Left ventricular hypertrophy on electrocardiogram was a poor predictor of left ventricular hypertrophy on echocardiogram (9% sensitivity and 92% specificity). African American race (OR 1.31, 95% CI = 1.10, 1.56, p = 0.002), systolic blood pressure percentile >95% (OR = 1.60, 95% CI = 1.34, 1.93, p < 0.001), and higher body mass index (OR = 7.22, 95% CI = 6.23, 8.36, p < 0.001) were independently associated with left ventricular hypertrophy on echocardiogram.

CONCLUSIONS

African American race, obesity, and hypertension on outpatient blood pressure measurements are independent risk factors for left ventricular hypertrophy in children. Electrocardiogram has little utility in the screening for left ventricular hypertrophy.

Atrial Fibrillation in Patients With Cardiomyopathy: Prevalence and Clinical Outcomes From Real-World Data

Background

Cardiomyopathy is a common cause of atrial fibrillation (AF) and may also present as a complication of AF. However, there is a scarcity of evidence of clinical outcomes for people with cardiomyopathy and concomittant AF. The aim of the present study was therefore to characterize the prevalence of AF in major subtypes of cardiomyopathy and investigate the impact on important clinical outcomes.

Methods and Results

A retrospective cohort study was conducted using electronic medical records from a global federated health research network, with data primarily from the United States. The TriNetX network was searched on January 17, 2021, including records from 2002 to 2020, which included at least 1 year of follow‐up data. Patients were included based on a diagnosis of hypertrophic, dilated, or restrictive cardiomyopathy and concomitant AF. Patients with cardiomyopathy and AF were propensity‐score matched for age, sex, race, and comorbidities with patients who had a cardiomyopathy only. The outcomes were 1‐year mortality, hospitalization, incident heart failure, and incident stroke. Of 634 885 patients with cardiomyopathy, there were 14 675 (2.3%) patients with hypertrophic, 90 117 (7.0%) with restrictive, and 37 685 (5.9%) with dilated cardiomyopathy with concomitant AF. AF was associated with significantly higher odds of all‐cause mortality (odds ratio [95% CI]) for patients with hypertrophic (1.26 [1.13–1.40]) and dilated (1.36 [1.27–1.46]), but not restrictive (0.98 [0.94–1.02]), cardiomyopathy. Odds of hospitalization, incident heart failure, and incident stroke were significantly higher in all cardiomyopathy subtypes with concomitant AF. Among patients with AF, catheter ablation was associated with significantly lower odds of all‐cause mortality at 12 months across all cardiomyopathy subtypes.

Conclusions

Findings of the present study suggest AF may be highly prevalent in patients with cardiomyopathy and associated with worsened prognosis. Subsequent research is needed to determine the usefulness of screening and multisdisciplinary treatment of AF in this population.

Aspirin in the Modern Era of Cardiovascular Disease Prevention

Aspirin’s antithrombotic effects have a long-established place in the prevention of cardiovascular disease (CVD), and its traditional use as a core therapy for secondary prevention of CVD is well recognized. However, with the advent of newer antiplatelet agents and an increasing understanding of aspirin’s bleeding risks, its role across the full spectrum of modern CVD prevention has become less certain. As a consequence, recent trials have begun investigating aspirin-free strategies in secondary prevention. For example, a contemporary metanalysis of trials that assessed P2Y₁₂ inhibitor monotherapy versus prolonged (≥ 12 months) dual antiplatelet therapy (which includes aspirin) after percutaneous coronary intervention reported a lower risk of major bleeding and no increase in stent thrombosis, all-cause mortality, myocardial infarction (MI), or stroke in the P2Y₁₂ monotherapy group.

In contrast to secondary prevention, aspirin’s role in primary prevention has always been more controversial. While historical trials reported a reduction in MI and stroke, more contemporary trials have suggested diminishing benefit for aspirin in this setting, with no reduction in hard outcomes, and some primary prevention trials have even indicated a potential for harm. In this review, we discuss how changing population demographics, enhanced control of lipids and blood pressure, changes in the definition of outcomes like MI, evolution of aspirin formulations, and updated clinical practice guidelines have all impacted the use of aspirin for primary and secondary CVD prevention.

The Questions on Everyone's Mind: What is and Why Do We Need Preventive Cardiology?

Despite being largely preventable, atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD) continues to be the leading source of morbidity and mortality worldwide. While the past few decades have seen a substantial reduction in ASCVD mortality, much of this is due to significant improvements in treatment of already manifest disease, with its attendant morbidity and impact on quality of life. Moreover, evidence now suggests that ASCVD mortality in the United States has hit a nadir and is likely to start increasing again. It is now time to shift our attention from intervention to prevention. In this review, we explore the tremendous opportunity to define and implement the discipline of preventive cardiology.

Mobile health in preventive cardiology: current status and future perspective

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

Despite cutting edge acute interventions and growing preventive strategies supported by robust clinical trials, cardiovascular disease (CVD) has stubbornly persisted as a leading cause of death in the United States and globally. The American Heart Association recognizes mobile health technologies (mHealth) as an emerging strategy in the mitigation of CVD risk factors, with significant potential for improving population health. The purpose of this review is to highlight and summarize the latest available literature on mHealth applications and provide perspective on future directions and barriers to implementation.

RECENT FINDINGS

While available randomized controlled trials and systematic reviews tend to support efficacy of mHealth, published literature includes heterogenous approaches to similar problems with inconsistent results. Some of the strongest recent evidence has been focused on the use of wearables in arrhythmia detection. Systematic reviews of mHealth approaches demonstrate benefit when applied to risk factor modification in diabetes, cigarette smoking cessation, and physical activity/weight loss, while also showing promise in multi risk factor modification via cardiac rehabilitation.

SUMMARY

Evidence supports efficacy of mHealth in a variety of applications for CVD prevention and management, but continued work is needed for further validation and scaling. Future directions will focus on platform optimization, data and sensor consolidation, and clinical workflow integration. Barriers include application heterogeneity, lack of reimbursement structures, and inequitable access to technology. Policies to promote access to technology will be critical to evidence-based mHealth technologies reaching diverse populations and advancing health equity.

Relative contribution of vitamin D deficiency to subclinical atherosclerosis in Indian context: Preliminary findings

Asian Indians have a genetic predisposition to atherothrombotic risk. common carotid intima-media thickness (CCIMT) measured by ultrasound is a quantitative marker for atherosclerotic burden and a derived variable, that is, "CCIMT statistical Z-score (Z-score)" is useful for better quantification. The association between vitamin D deficiency and atherosclerosis is inconclusive. Since, vitamin D deficiency is highly prevalent in India, there is a need to study its relative contribution to subclinical atherosclerotic burden.This prospective cross-sectional study (n = 117) in apparently healthy individuals aged 20 to 60 years sought to identify the determinants of CCIMT Z score with CCIMT measured by "echo-tracking" method. A multivariable linear regression analysis was done with CCIMT Z score as dependent variable and the following as independent variables: age, body mass index, waist-to-height ratio, total cholesterol to HDL ratio (TC-HDL ratio), serum vitamin D3 levels (ng/mL), sex, diabetes mellitus, current cigarette smoking status. A diagnostic prediction model was also developed with a threshold value of 1.96 for CCIMT Z score.The mean (SD) for calendar age (y) was 40 (8). There were 26 (22.22%) individuals in sample with CCIMT Z score ≥1.96 (advanced stage) of whom 14 (23.33%) were <40 y (n = 60). The mean score was 1.28 (90th percentile) in the entire sample. Vitamin D3 deficiency with a mean (SD) blood level (ng/mL) of 14.3 (6.4) was noted and prevalence of deficiency was 81%. The final model wasCCIMT Z-score = 0.80 +  (0.841 × current smoking = 1) + (0.156 × TC-HDL ratio) - (0.0263 × vitamin D3 blood level in ng/mL).The decreasing order of association is smoking, TC-HDL ratio, and vitamin D3. With the model, likelihood ratio (95% CIs) was better for positive test 3.5 (1.23-9.94) than that for a negative test 0.83 (0.66-1.02).Internal validation with Bootstrap resampling revealed stability of baseline diagnostic variables.There is substantial subclinical atherosclerotic burden in Indian setting with independent contribution by vitamin D deficiency. The model is valuable in "ruling-in" of the underlying advanced atherosclerosis. The study is limited by convenient sampling and lack of external validation of the model.

Clinical risk factors and atherosclerotic plaque extent to define risk for major events in patients without obstructive coronary artery disease: the long-term coronary computed tomography angiography CONFIRM registry

AIMS

In patients without obstructive coronary artery disease (CAD), we examined the prognostic value of risk factors and atherosclerotic extent.

METHODS AND RESULTS

Patients from the long-term CONFIRM registry without prior CAD and without obstructive (≥50%) stenosis were included. Within the groups of normal coronary computed tomography angiography (CCTA) (N = 1849) and non-obstructive CAD (N = 1698), the prognostic value of traditional clinical risk factors and atherosclerotic extent (segment involvement score, SIS) was assessed with Cox models. Major adverse cardiac events (MACE) were defined as all-cause mortality, non-fatal myocardial infarction, or late revascularization. In total, 3547 patients were included (age 57.9 ± 12.1 years, 57.8% male), experiencing 460 MACE during 5.4 years of follow-up. Age, body mass index, hypertension, and diabetes were the clinical variables associated with increased MACE risk, but the magnitude of risk was higher for CCTA defined atherosclerotic extent; adjusted hazard ratio (HR) for SIS >5 was 3.4 (95% confidence interval [CI] 2.3-4.9) while HR for diabetes and hypertension were 1.7 (95% CI 1.3-2.2) and 1.4 (95% CI 1.1-1.7), respectively. Exclusion of revascularization as endpoint did not modify the results. In normal CCTA, presence of ≥1 traditional risk factors did not worsen prognosis (log-rank P = 0.248), while it did in non-obstructive CAD (log-rank P = 0.025). Adjusted for SIS, hypertension and diabetes predicted MACE risk in non-obstructive CAD, while diabetes did not increase risk in absence of CAD (P-interaction = 0.004).

CONCLUSION

Among patients without obstructive CAD, the extent of CAD provides more prognostic information for MACE than traditional cardiovascular risk factors. An interaction was observed between risk factors and CAD burden, suggesting synergistic effects of both.

Exercise-Based Cardiac Rehabilitation and All-Cause Mortality Among Patients With Atrial Fibrillation

Background

There is limited evidence of long‐term impact of exercise‐based cardiac rehabilitation (CR) on clinical end points for patients with atrial fibrillation (AF). We therefore compared 18‐month all‐cause mortality, hospitalization, stroke, and heart failure in patients with AF and an electronic medical record of exercise‐based CR to matched controls.

Methods and Results

This retrospective cohort study included patient data obtained on February 3, 2021 from a global federated health research network. Patients with AF undergoing exercise‐based CR were propensity‐score matched to patients with AF without exercise‐based CR by age, sex, race, comorbidities, cardiovascular procedures, and cardiovascular medication. We ascertained 18‐month incidence of all‐cause mortality, hospitalization, stroke, and heart failure. Of 1 366 422 patients with AF, 11 947 patients had an electronic medical record of exercise‐based CR within 6‐months of incident AF who were propensity‐score matched with 11 947 patients with AF without CR. Exercise‐based CR was associated with 68% lower odds of all‐cause mortality (odds ratio, 0.32; 95% CI, 0.29–0.35), 44% lower odds of rehospitalization (0.56; 95% CI, 0.53–0.59), and 16% lower odds of incident stroke (0.84; 95% CI, 0.72–0.99) compared with propensity‐score matched controls. No significant associations were shown for incident heart failure (0.93; 95% CI, 0.84–1.04). The beneficial association of exercise‐based CR on all‐cause mortality was independent of sex, older age, comorbidities, and AF subtype.

Conclusions

Exercise‐based CR among patients with incident AF was associated with lower odds of all‐cause mortality, rehospitalization, and incident stroke at 18‐month follow‐up, supporting the provision of exercise‐based CR for patients with AF.

Cardiac Rehabilitation Is Essential in the COVID-19 Era: DELIVERING UNINTERRUPTED HEART CARE BASED ON THE CLEVELAND CLINIC EXPERIENCE

The unprecedented nature of the COVID-19 pandemic has challenged how and whether patients with heart disease are able to safely access center-based exercise training and cardiac rehabilitation (CR). This commentary provides an experience-based overview of how one health system quickly developed and applied inclusive policies to allow patients to have safe and effective access to exercise-based CR.

Time Course of LDL Cholesterol Exposure and Cardiovascular Disease Event Risk

BACKGROUND

Incident cardiovascular disease (CVD) increases with increasing low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) concentration and exposure duration. Area under the LDL-C versus age curve is a possible risk parameter. Data-based demonstration of this metric is unavailable and whether the time course of area accumulation modulates risk is unknown.

OBJECTIVES

Using CARDIA (Coronary Artery Risk Development in Young Adults) study data, we assessed the relationship of area under LDL-C versus age curve to incident CVD event risk and modulation of risk by time course of area accumulation-whether risk increase for the same area increment is different at different ages.

METHODS

This prospective study included 4,958 asymptomatic adults age 18 to 30 years enrolled from 1985 to 1986. The outcome was a composite of nonfatal coronary heart disease, stroke, transient ischemic attack, heart failure hospitalization, cardiac revascularization, peripheral arterial disease intervention, or cardiovascular death.

RESULTS

During a median 16-year follow-up after age 40 years, 275 participants had an incident CVD event. After adjustment for sex, race, and traditional risk factors, both area under LDL-C versus age curve and time course of area accumulation (slope of LDL-C curve) were significantly associated with CVD event risk (hazard ratio: 1.053; p < 0.0001 per 100 mg/dl × years; hazard ratio: 0.797 per mg/dl/year; p = 0.045, respectively).

CONCLUSIONS

Incident CVD event risk depends on cumulative prior exposure to LDL-C and, independently, time course of area accumulation. The same area accumulated at a younger age, compared with older age, resulted in a greater risk increase, emphasizing the importance of optimal LDL-C control starting early in life.

Birthweight predicts adult cardiovascular disorders: Population based cross sectional survey

BACKGROUND

Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is the primary cause of death in the developed-countries and mostly in the poorer areas of the country, and in lower income-groups.

HYPOTHESIS

Birthweight predicts adult development of angina, coronary heart disease, stroke, and combination of all CVD.

METHODS

The AusDiab is a cross-sectional study of Australians aged 25 years or over. Data on age, sex, previous-CVD, smoking-status, alcohol-intake, time-spent on watching television and physical-activity, total house-income, dwelling-type and education-level were collected by interviewer- administered-questionnaires.

RESULTS

Four thousand five hundred and two had birthweights (mean (SD) of 3.4(0.7) kg). Females in the lowest birthweight-quintile were at least 1.23, 1.48, 1.65, and 1.23 times more likely to have angina, CAD, stroke, and CVS compared to the referent group ≥3.72 kg with P = .123, .09, .099, and 0.176, respectively. Similarly, males in the lowest-birthweight-quintile were 1.23, 1.30, 1.39, and 1.26 times more likely to have angina, CAD, stroke, and CVS compared to the referent-group ≥4.05 kg with P = .231, .087, .102, and .123, respectively. Females with low birth weight (LBW) were at least 1.39, 1.40, 2.30, and 1.47 times more likely to have angina, CAD, stroke and CVS compared to those ≥2.5 kg with P = .06, .19, .03, and .13, respectively. Similarly, males with LBW were 1.76, 1.48, 3.34, and 1.70 times more likely to have angina, CAD, stroke, and CVS compared to those ≥2.5 kg with P = .14, .13, .03, and .08, respectively.

CONCLUSION

there was a negative relationship between birth weight and angina, CAD, stroke, and the overall CVS. It would be prudent, to adopt policies of intensified whole of life surveillance of lower-birthweight people, anticipating this risk.

Lipid-Lowering Therapy and Low-Density Lipoprotein Cholesterol (LDL-C) Goal Achievement in High-Cardiovascular-Risk Patients in Fuzhou, China

PURPOSE

This study aims to analyze the treatment patterns and goal attainment of low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) among patients with atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD) and diabetes mellitus (DM) in the real-world setting in Fuzhou, China.

METHODS

Patients aged ≥20 years with a valid LDL-C measurement (index date) in 2016 were selected from National Healthcare Big Data in Fuzhou, China. Patients were stratified into mutually exclusive cardiovascular risk categories: ASCVD (including recent acute coronary syndrome [ACS], chronic coronary heart disease [CHD], stroke, and peripheral arterial disease [PAD]), and DM alone (without ASCVD). Lipid-modifying medication and LDL-C attainment at the index date were assessed.

RESULTS

A total of 21 989 patients met the inclusion criteria, including 17 320 (78.8%) with ASCVD and 4669 (21.2%) with DM alone; 47.7% of patients received current statin therapy in the overall cohort (53.5% in ASCVD, 26.5% for DM); 20.5% ASCVD population achieved LDL-C target with the highest in patients with recent ACS (33.8%), followed by chronic CHD (21.2%), PAD (20.9%), and ischemic stroke (17.3%); 49.0% of patients with DM achieved LDL-C target. Higher LDL-C attainment was observed in high-intensity statin and a combination of statin and nonstatin groups. Atorvastatin was the most commonly used statin with the highest LDL-C attainment, followed by rosuvastatin.

CONCLUSION

Compared with previous studies in China, our study found a relatively low statin use and LDL-C target attainment, but higher than similar studies in Europe. Guidelines should be well complied and more prescription of high-intensity statin or statin and nonstatin combination should be advocated.

Descriptive bibliometric analysis of global publications in lifestyle-based preventive cardiology

BACKGROUND

Lifestyle-based preventive cardiology aims to combat the global burden of cardiovascular disease. There have been rapid advances in lifestyle and behavioural interventions aimed at preventing cardiovascular disease in individuals at high risk and in the general population. This study is the first bibliometric analysis of publications in the field of lifestyle-based preventive cardiology.

METHODS

Journal articles relating to lifestyle-based preventive cardiology published from 1996 to 2017 were retrieved from the Scopus database. The publications were limited to those in the English language. The data were indexed using bibliometric methodology and exported to Microsoft Excel for analysis. VOS viewer software was used to conduct co-occurrence and collaboration analysis between authors, institutions and countries.

RESULTS

A total of 3300 publications were identified. The annual growth rate of publications increased globally during the study period. The USA made the highest contribution to global publications (1402) and total citation counts (68,540). Harvard Medical School was the most prolific institution and David Wood was the most prolific author in the field. The European Journal of Preventive Cardiology published the largest number of articles in this field. Obesity was the most common theme.

CONCLUSIONS

The current growth trends predict a large increase in the number of global publications on lifestyle-based preventive cardiology. Further research could focus on smoking cessation, which at present is under-represented in lifestyle-based preventive cardiology output.

Obesity trends in children, adolescents, and young adults with congenital heart disease

OBJECTIVES

To determine the prevalence, age of onset, and risk factors for overweight and obesity in children with congenital heart disease (CHD).

STUDY DESIGN

Children with CHD who were seen at our institution from 1996 to 2017 were studied. Patients were full-time residents of the United States and were receiving all cardiac care at our institution. Patients were categorized by age and CHD diagnosis. The date of last normal weight for age and the date of first recorded weight in the range of overweight and obese were documented.

RESULTS

Nine hundred sixty-eight patients with CHD were included. The prevalence of overweight and obesity was 31.5% and 16.4%, respectively. For patients who became overweight or obese, the last recorded normal weight was between 6 and 10 years of age. Electrophysiologic disease and older age were risk factors for obesity.

CONCLUSIONS

Children with CHD have an increasing risk of becoming overweight and obese in early childhood. This study provides important information and identifies critical period to implement preventative measures and counsel families about the risk of obesity in CHD.

Novel Lipid Thresholds for Screening Predict the Need for Pharmacotherapy

OBJECTIVE

To identify non-high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) and HDL-C thresholds for pediatric nonfasting lipid screens that are more predictive of the need for lipid-lowering pharmacotherapy and estimate numbers of potentially avoidable fasting lipid panels.

STUDY DESIGN

In this retrospective review of children and youths aged 8-21 years presenting for preventive cardiology care, initial lipid results, recommendations for pharmacotherapy, and presence of additional cardiovascular risk factors were noted. Receiver operating characteristic curve analysis calculated threshold lipid values predicting the need for pharmacotherapy and were applied to 2 screening populations. Rates of potentially unnecessary fasting lipid panels were calculated.

RESULTS

A non-HDL-C value >156 mg/dL for children with ≥1 cardiovascular risk factors and >199 mg/dL for children without risk factors conferred 95% or greater sensitivity in predicting a recommendation for pharmacotherapy with higher specificity, positive predictive value, and negative predictive value compared with current guidelines. HDL-C was a poor predictor of pharmacotherapy. Application of the current thresholds to screening populations indicated that 38.5%-92.3% of follow-up fasting lipid panels would not result in pharmacotherapy.

CONCLUSION

Using higher non-HDL-C and lower HDL-C thresholds could prevent unnecessary follow-up lipid panels and reduce patient anxiety, cost, and time. This could improve compliance with universal pediatric lipid screening for both health care providers and families.

Consumption of a defined, plant-based diet reduces lipoprotein(a), inflammation, and other atherogenic lipoproteins and particles within 4 weeks

BACKGROUND

Lipoprotein(a) [Lp(a)] is a highly atherogenic lipoprotein and is minimally effected by lifestyle changes. While some drugs can reduce Lp(a), diet has not consistently shown definitive reduction of this biomarker. The effect of consuming a plant-based diet on serum Lp(a) concentrations have not been previously evaluated.

HYPOTHESIS

Consumption of a defined, plant-based for 4 weeks reduces Lp(a).

METHODS

Secondary analysis of a previous trial was conducted, in which overweight and obese individuals (n = 31) with low-density lipoprotein cholesterol concentrations >100 mg/dL consumed a defined, plant-based diet for 4 weeks. Baseline and 4-week labs were collected. Data were analyzed using a paired samples t-test.

RESULTS

Significant reductions were observed for serum Lp(a) (-32.0 ± 52.3 nmol/L, P = 0.003), apolipoprotein B (-13.2 ± 18.3 mg/dL, P < 0.0005), low-density lipoprotein (LDL) particles (-304.8 ± 363.0 nmol/L, P < 0.0005) and small-dense LDL cholesterol (-10.0 ± 9.2 mg/dL, P < 0.0005). Additionally, serum interleukin-6 (IL-6), total white blood cells, lipoprotein-associated phospholipase A2 (Lp-PLA2), high-sensitivity c-reactive protein (hs-CRP), and fibrinogen were significantly reduced (P ≤ 0.004).

CONCLUSIONS

A defined, plant-based diet has a favorable impact on Lp(a), inflammatory indicators, and other atherogenic lipoproteins and particles. Lp(a) concentration was previously thought to be only minimally altered by dietary interventions. In this protocol however, a defined plant-based diet was shown to substantially reduce this biomarker. Further investigation is required to elucidate the specific mechanisms that contribute to the reductions in Lp(a) concentrations, which may include alterations in gene expression.

The effects of lifestyle changes on serum lipid levels in children in a real life setting

OBJECTIVE

Studies have shown improvement in lipid levels after institution of lifestyle changes in children enrolled in closely monitored programs. There programs are difficult to mimic in real world clinics. We aim to determine if diet and exercise result in improvement in lipid levels in patients seen in a designated lipid clinic in a real life setting.

DESIGN

Retrospective review of patients followed for dyslipidemia at the Texas Children's Hospital Lipid Clinic from May 1, 2012 to May 1, 2015. Patients included were seen more than once, had repeat lipid testing, and abnormal baseline lipid levels. Multivariate analysis using mixed models were performed to compare outcomes in patients who did and did not participate in lifestyle change.

RESULTS

Of the 268 patients seen within the study period, 174 (56% male, 44% female) met inclusion criteria. Median age was 11 years. Compared to patients who did not make lifestyle changes: patients who made only diet changes demonstrated significant improvement in weight only (slope = -1.55, P-value = .014), and those who made only exercise changes demonstrated significant improvements in serum cholesterol (slope = -22.8, P-value = .017) and non-HDL cholesterol (slope = -28.7, P-value = < .01) levels. Patients who participated in both diet and exercise demonstrated significant improvement in weight (slope = -1.13, P-value = .011), diastolic blood pressure (slope = -1.82, P-value = < .01), and serum lipid levels: LDL (slope = -10.8, P-value = 0.017), HDL (slope = 1.52, P-value = .24), Triglycerides (slope = -0.11, P-value = .033) compared to those who did not make lifestyle changes.

CONCLUSIONS

Outpatient management of dyslipidemia is difficult. Only patients who participated in both diet and exercise showed significant improvement in outcomes when compared to those who did not make lifestyle changes.

Outcomes of a Clinic-Based Educational Intervention for Cardiovascular Disease Prevention by Race, Ethnicity, and Urban/Rural Status

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

Heart disease is the leading killer of women and remains poorly recognized in high-risk groups. We assessed baseline knowledge gaps and efficacy of a survey-based educational intervention.

METHODS

Four hundred seventy-two women in clinical settings completed pre-/post-surveys for knowledge of: heart disease as the leading killer, risk factors (general and personal levels), heart attack/stroke symptoms, and taking appropriate emergency action. They received a clinic-based educational intervention delivered by healthcare professionals in the course of their clinical care. Change score analyses tested pre-/post-differences in knowledge after the educational intervention, comparing proportions by race, ethnicity, and urban/nonurban status.

RESULTS

Knowledge and awareness was low in all groups, especially for American Indian women (p < 0.05). Awareness was overall highest for heart disease as the leading killer, but it was the lowest for taking appropriate action (13% of Hispanic, 13% of American Indian, 29% of African American, and 18% of nonurban women; p < 0.05). For all women, knowledge of the major risk factors was low (58%) as was knowledge of their personal levels for risk factors (73% awareness for hypertension, 54% for cholesterol, and 50% for diabetes). The intervention was effective (% knowledge gain) in all groups of women, particularly for raising awareness of: (1) heart disease as the leading killer in American Indian (25%), Hispanic (18%), and nonurban (15%) women; (2) taking appropriate action for American Indian (80%), African American (64%), non-Hispanic (55%), and urban (56%) women; (3) heart disease risk factors for Hispanic (56%) and American Indian (47%) women; and (4) heart disease and stroke symptoms in American Indian women (54% and 25%, respectively).

CONCLUSIONS

Significant knowledge gaps persist for heart disease in high-risk women, suggesting that these gaps and groups should be targeted by educational programs. We specify areas of need, and we demonstrate efficacy of a clinic-based educational intervention that can be of utility to busy healthcare professionals.

Headed in the right direction but at risk for miscalculation: a critical appraisal of the 2013 ACC/AHA risk assessment guidelines

The newly released 2013 ACC/AHA Guidelines for Assessing Cardiovascular Risk makes progress compared with previous cardiovascular risk assessment algorithms. For example, the new focus on total atherosclerotic cardiovascular diseases (ASCVD) is now inclusive of stroke in addition to hard coronary events, and there are now separate equations to facilitate estimation of risk in non-Hispanic white and black individuals and separate equations for women. Physicians may now estimate lifetime risk in addition to 10-year risk. Despite this progress, the new risk equations do not appear to lead to significantly better discrimination than older models. Because the exact same risk factors are incorporated, using the new risk estimators may lead to inaccurate assessment of atherosclerotic cardiovascular risk in special groups such as younger individuals with unique ASCVD risk factors. In general, there appears to be an overestimation of risk when applied to modern populations with greater use of preventive therapy, although the magnitude of overestimation remains unclear. Because absolute risk estimates are directly used for treatment decisions in the new cholesterol guidelines, these issues could result in overuse of pharmacologic management. The guidelines could provide clearer direction on which individuals would benefit from additional testing, such as coronary calcium scores, for more personalized preventive therapies. We applaud the advances of these new guidelines, and we aim to critically appraise the applicability of the risk assessment tools so that future iterations of the estimators can be improved to more accurately assess risk in individual patients.

Reliable individualized monitoring improves cholesterol control in kidney transplant recipients

OBJECTIVE

To develop and evaluate a system for reliable and efficient individualized risk-based monitoring of cholesterol and 11 other tests after kidney transplantation in children.

METHODS

We identified system components that drive reliable individualized monitoring and used quality improvement methods to develop and implement interventions, including (1) monitoring schedules individualized by dyslipidemia risk assigned to each patient, (2) automated previsit decision support from our electronic medical record, (3) standardized work flow and responsibility, and (4) automated forwarding of results to providers. We measured the proportion of patients due for cholesterol testing who had it performed within 1 week of their clinic visit and the proportion of patients in our population who achieved low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol control at baseline and for 2 years after improved monitoring.

RESULTS

The proportion of visits in which cholesterol monitoring was completed when indicated improved from 80% to 98% within 8 months and was sustained for more than 1 year. The number of patients with controlled LDL (<130 mg/dL, 3.3 mmol/L) improved from 44 (71%) of 62 at the start of our project to 58 (94%) of 62 (P = .002) at an average follow-up of 24 months.

CONCLUSIONS

Using quality improvement and health information technology, we achieved sustained, reliable and efficient personalized monitoring of cholesterol and 11 other tests. This approach enabled substantial improvement in LDL cholesterol control. Structured methods of system redesign that leverage information technology systems hold promise for rapidly achieving reliable individualized care in other settings.

Recent trends in the incidence, treatment, and outcomes of patients with STEMI and NSTEMI

BACKGROUND

despite the widespread use of electrocardiographic changes to characterize patients presenting with acute myocardial infarction, little is known about recent trends in the incidence rates, treatment, and outcomes of patients admitted for acute myocardial infarction further classified according to the presence of ST-segment elevation. The objectives of this population-based study were to examine recent trends in the incidence and death rates associated with the 2 major types of acute myocardial infarction in residents of a large central Massachusetts metropolitan area.

METHODS

We reviewed the medical records of 5383 residents of the Worcester (MA) metropolitan area hospitalized for either ST-segment elevation acute myocardial infarction (STEMI) or non-ST-segment acute myocardial infarction (NSTEMI) between 1997 and 2005 at 11 greater Worcester medical centers.

RESULTS

the incidence rates (per 100,000) of STEMI decreased appreciably (121 to 77), whereas the incidence rates of NSTEMI increased slightly (126 to 132) between 1997 and 2005. Although in-hospital and 30-day case-fatality rates remained stable in both groups, 1-year postdischarge death rates decreased between 1997 and 2005 for patients with STEMI and NSTEMI.

CONCLUSIONS

the results of this study demonstrate recent decreases in the magnitude of STEMI, slight increases in the incidence rates of NSTEMI, and decreases in long-term mortality in patients with STEMI and NSTEMI. Our findings suggest that acute myocardial infarction prevention and treatment efforts have resulted in favorable decreases in the frequency of STEMI and death rates from the major types of acute myocardial infarction.

Variation in internal medicine residency clinic practices: assessing practice environments and quality of care

BACKGROUND

Few studies have systematically and rigorously examined the quality of care provided in educational practice sites.

OBJECTIVE

The objectives of this study were to (1) describe the patient population cared for by trainees in internal medicine residency clinics; (2) assess the quality of preventive cardiology care provided to these patients; (3) characterize the practice-based systems that currently exist in internal medicine residency clinics; and (4) examine the relationships between quality, practice-based systems, and features of the program: size, type of program, and presence of an electronic medical record.

DESIGN

This is a cross-sectional observational study.

SETTING

This study was conducted in 15 Internal Medicine residency programs (23 sites) throughout the USA.

PARTICIPANTS

The participants included site champions at residency programs and 709 residents.

MEASUREMENTS

Abstracted charts provided data about patient demographics, coronary heart disease risk factors, processes of care, and clinical outcomes. Patients completed surveys regarding satisfaction. Site teams completed a practice systems survey.

RESULTS

Chart abstraction of 4,783 patients showed substantial variability across sites. On average, patients had between 3 and 4 of the 9 potential risk factors for coronary heart disease, and approximately 21% had at least 1 important barrier of care. Patients received an average of 57% (range, 30-77%) of the appropriate interventions. Reported satisfaction with care was high. Sites with an electronic medical record showed better overall information management (81% vs 27%) and better modes of communication (79% vs 43%).

CONCLUSIONS

This study has provided insight into the current state of practice in residency sites including aspects of the practice environment and quality of preventive cardiology care delivered. Substantial heterogeneity among the training sites exists. Continuous measurement of the quality of care provided and a better understanding of the training environment in which this care is delivered are important goals for delivering high quality patient care.