The design and rationale of SAVE BC: The Study to Avoid CardioVascular Events in British Columbia

Atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD) is highly heritable, particularly when it occurs at a young age. The screening of individuals with premature ASCVD, although often recommended, is not routinely performed. Strategies to address this gap in care are essential. We designed the Study to Avoid CardioVascular Events in British Columbia (SAVE BC) as a prospective, observational study of individuals with a new diagnosis of very premature ASCVD (defined as age ≤ 50 years in males and age ≤ 55 years in females) and their first-degree relatives (FDRs) and spouses. FDRs and spouses will undergo screening for cardiovascular (CV) risk factors and subclinical ASCVD using a structured screening algorithm. All subjects will be followed longitudinally for ≥10 years. The overall goal of SAVE BC is to evaluate the yield of a structured screening program for identifying individuals at risk of premature ASCVD. The primary objectives of SAVE BC are to identify and follow index cases with very premature ASCVD and their FDRs and to determine the diagnostic yield of a structured screening program for these individuals. We will collect data on CV risk factors, medication use, CV events, and healthcare costs in these individuals. SAVE BC will provide insight regarding approaches to identify individuals at risk for premature ASCVD with implications for prevention and treatment in this population.

Effect of Lowering Diastolic Pressure in Patients With and Without Cardiovascular Disease

Systolic and diastolic blood pressure thresholds, below which cardiovascular events increase, are widely debated. Using data from the SPRINT (Systolic Blood Pressure Intervention Trial), we evaluated the relation between systolic and diastolic pressure and cardiovascular events among 1519 participants with or 7574 without prior cardiovascular disease. Using Cox regression, we examined the composite risk of myocardial infarction, other acute coronary syndrome, stroke, heart failure, or cardiovascular death, and follow-up systolic and diastolic pressure were analyzed as time-dependent covariates for a median of 3.1 years. Models were adjusted for age, sex, baseline systolic pressure, body mass index, 10-year Framingham risk score, and estimated glomerular filtration rate. A J-shaped relationship with diastolic pressure was observed in both treatment arms in patients with or without cardiovascular disease ( P nonlinearity≤0.002). When diastolic pressure fell <55 mm Hg, the hazards were at least 25% higher relative to 70 mm Hg ( P =0.29). The hazard ratios (95% CI) of diastolic pressure <55 mm Hg versus 55 to 90 mm Hg were 1.68 (1.16–2.43), P value 0.006 and 1.52 (0.99–2.34), P value 0.06 in patients without and with prior cardiovascular disease, respectively. After adjusting for follow-up diastolic pressure, follow-up systolic pressure was not associated with the outcome in those without prior cardiovascular disease ( P =0.64). In those with cardiovascular disease, adjusting for diastolic pressure, follow-up systolic pressure was associated with the risk in the intensive arm (hazard ratio per 10 mm Hg decrease, 0.86; 95% CI, 0.75–0.99; P interaction=0.02). Although the observed J-shaped relationship may be because of reverse causality in the SPRINT population, we advise caution in aggressively lowering diastolic pressure.

Sex Differences in Diagnoses, Treatment, and Outcomes for Emergency Department Patients With Chest Pain and Elevated Cardiac Troponin

OBJECTIVE

While sex differences in the treatment and outcomes of subjects with acute coronary syndromes are well documented, little is known about the impact of cardiac troponin (cTn) levels obtained in the emergency department (ED) on the observed sex differences. We sought to determine whether cTn levels by chest pain features modify sex differences in diagnosis, treatment, and outcomes in patients presenting with chest pain suggestive of ischemia.

METHODS

All adults presenting to two hospitals in Vancouver, Canada, between May 2008 and March 2013 with ischemic chest pain and with cTn testing were included in the study. Outcomes were obtained through data linkage with population-based administrative data sets, including Vital Statistics (death), Discharge Abstract Database (hospitalizations), and PharmaNet (medications). Cumulative event rates for the composite major adverse cardiac event (MACE) endpoint (death, myocardial infarction [MI], incident admission for heart failure or for angina requiring diagnostic catheterization or revascularization) were estimated for each sex and cTn level using the Kaplan-Meier method; Cox models were used to estimate hazard ratios and 95% confidence interval (CIs) for 1-year MACE and 7-day catheterization. Logistic models were used to estimate odds ratios (ORs) and 95% CI for 90-day medication use.

RESULTS

Over the 5-year study period, 25,539 patients presented to the ED with chest pain of which 7,272 (2,933 females and 4,339 males) met the inclusion criteria. Among patients with chest pain with cardiac features/history and cTn > 99th percentile, females were less likely to be diagnosed with MI (46.4% vs. 57.5%). Females in the cTnI > 99th percentile group had the worst outcomes with a 1-year MACE rate of 22.7% (95% CI = 18.5-27.7) versus 18.8% (95% CI = 16.2-21.6), although this difference was attenuated and not statistically significant after adjustment for baseline differences. Overall, females underwent fewer diagnostic catheterizations than males within 7 days of admission to the ED. Even when cTn was above the 99th percentile and the chest pain was cardiac in nature, 48.4% of females underwent a diagnostic catheterization compared to 64.3% of males (p < 0.001). Within 90 days of discharge, females were less likely to use the evidence-based cardiac medications. The most striking sex differences were noted when cTnI levels were > 99th percentile and when the chest pain was cardiac in nature; males filled 25% more prescriptions for statins than their female counterparts. Adjustment for baseline differences did not attenuate this difference.

CONCLUSIONS

Sex differences in diagnosis and treatment after presentation to the ED with chest pain are not explained by differences in chest pain features or levels of cTn. Even when females have cardiac chest pain and cTn levels > 99th percentile, they are less likely to be diagnosed with MI, less likely to undergo diagnostic cardiac catheterization within 7 days, and less likely to use evidence-based cardiac medications, but they have the highest 1-year MACE rate. The higher MACE rate appears to be driven by the higher burden of comorbid conditions.

Trace minerals intake: Risks and benefits for cardiovascular health

Minerals play a major role in regulating cardiovascular function. Imbalances in electrolyte minerals are frequent and potentially hazardous occurrences that may lead to the development of cardiovascular diseases (CVDs). Transition metals, such as iron, zinc, copper and selenium, play a major role in cell metabolism. However, there is controversy over the effects of dietary and supplemental intake of these metals on cardiovascular risk factors and events. Since their pro-oxidant or antioxidant functions can have different effects on cardiovascular health. While deficiency of these trace elements can cause cardiovascular dysfunction, several studies have also shown a positive association between metal serum levels and cardiovascular risk factors and events. Thus, a J- or U-shaped relationship between the transition minerals and cardiovascular events has been proposed. Given the existing controversies, large, well-designed, long-term, randomized clinical trials are required to better examine the effects of trace mineral intake on cardiovascular events and all-cause mortality in the general population. In this review, we discuss the role of dietary and/or supplemental iron, copper, zinc, and selenium on cardiovascular health. We will also clarify their clinical applications, benefits, and harms in CVDs prevention.

Longitudinal changes in visceral and subcutaneous adipose tissue and metabolic syndrome: Results from the Multicultural Community Health Assessment Trial (M-CHAT)

AIM

Few studies have examined whether longitudinal changes in visceral adipose tissue (VAT) and subcutaneous adipose tissue (SAT), independent of each other, are associated with the risk of developing metabolic syndrome (MetS). The objective of this study was to examine the longitudinal effects of VAT and SAT on MetS and metabolic risk factors in a multi-ethnic sample of Canadians followed for 5-years.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

In total, 598 adults of the Multicultural Community Health Assessment Trial (M-CHAT) were included in this study. Assessments of body composition using computed tomography (CT) and metabolic risk factors were conducted at baseline, 3-, and 5-years. Mixed-effects logistic regression was used to model the longitudinal effects of VAT and SAT on MetS and metabolic risk factors.

RESULTS

There were significant between-person (cross-sectional) effects such that for every 10cm² higher VAT, the odds of MetS, high-risk fasting glucose levels and high-risk HDL-C levels significantly increased by 16% (95% CI: 9-24%), 11% (3-20%), and 7% (0-14%) respectively. Significant within-person (longitudinal) effects were also found such that for every 10cm² increase in VAT the odds of MetS and high-risk triglyceride levels significantly increased by 23% (9-39%) and 30% (14-48%), respectively. Cross-sectional or longitudinal changes in SAT were not associated with MetS or metabolic risk factors.

CONCLUSIONS

This study found a direct relationship between longitudinal change in VAT and MetS risk independent of changes in SAT. Clinical practice should focus on the reduction of VAT to improve cardiovascular health outcomes.

Contemporary Review on Spontaneous Coronary Artery Dissection

Spontaneous coronary artery dissection (SCAD) is gaining recognition as an important cause of myocardial infarction, especially in young women. There has been a surge in the diagnosis of SCAD in recent years, presumably due to an increased use of coronary angiography, and the clinical availability and application of high-resolution intracoronary imaging. The improved recognition and diagnosis, together with increased publications and attention through social media, have considerably raised awareness of this condition, which was once believed to be very rare. Recent publications of moderate to large contemporary case series have helped elucidate the early natural history, presenting characteristics (clinical and angiographic), underlying etiology, management, and cardiovascular outcomes with this condition, thus providing observations and important clinical insights of value to clinicians managing this challenging and perplexing patient cohort. The aim of our review is to provide a comprehensive contemporary update of SCAD to aid health care professionals in managing these patients in both the acute and chronic settings.

Outcomes following percutaneous coronary revascularization among South Asian and Chinese Canadians

Background

Previous data suggest significant ethnic differences in outcomes following percutaneous coronary revascularization (PCI), though previous studies have focused on subgroups of PCI patients or used administrative data only. We sought to compare outcomes in a population-based cohort of men and women of South Asian (SA), Chinese and “Other” ethnicity.

Methods

Using a population-based registry, we identified 41,792 patients who underwent first revascularization via PCI in British Columbia, Canada, between 2001 and 2010. We defined three ethnic groups (SA, 3904 [9.3%]; Chinese, 1345 [3.2%]; and all “Others” 36,543 [87.4%]). Differences in mortality, repeat revascularization (RRV) and target vessel revascularization (TVR), at 30 days and from 31 days to 2 years were examined.

Results

Adjusted mortality from 31 days to 2 years was lower in Chinese patients than in “Others” (hazard ratio [HR] 0.72; 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.53-0.97), but not different between SAs and “Others”. SA patients had higher RRV at 30 days (adjusted odds ratio [OR] 1.30; 95% CI: 1.12-1.51) and from 31 days to 2 years (adjusted hazard ratio [HR] 1.17; 95% CI: 1.06-1.30) compared to “Others”. In contrast, Chinese patients had a lower rate of RRV from 31 days to 2 years (adjusted HR 0.79; 95% CI: 0.64-0.96) versus “Others”. SA patients also had higher rates of TVR at 30 days (adjusted OR 1.35; 95% CI: 1.10-1.66) and from 31 days to 2 years (adjusted HR 1.19; 95% CI: 1.06-1.34) compared to “Others”. Chinese patients had a lower rate of TVR from 31 days to 2 years (adjusted HR 0.76; 95% CI: 0.60-0.96).

Conclusions

SA had higher RRV and TVR rates while Chinese Canadians had lower rates of long-term RRV, compared to those of “Other” ethnicity. Further research to elucidate the reasons for these differences could inform targeted strategies to improve outcomes.

The predictive relationship between baseline insulin and glucose with subclinical carotid atherosclerosis after 5 years in a multi-ethnic cohort

BACKGROUND AND AIMS

We aimed at exploring the relationship between baseline insulin and glucose and the progression of carotid atherosclerosis in a multi-ethnic cohort.

METHODS

Males and females (n = 797) of European, Chinese, South Asian and Aboriginal origin were assessed as part of the Multicultural Community Health Assessment Trial (MCHAT) study for socio-demographics, smoking status, fasting insulin and glucose at baseline. IMT, plaque area and total area were assessed after 5 years.

RESULTS

A total of 545 participants returned after 5 years for a follow-up assessment. Average age of the study participants was 47.5 (SD 8.9) years. At baseline, the median and interquartile range for insulin was 62.0 (49.5) pmol/L, and glucose was 5.2 (0.60) mmol/L. Baseline glucose and insulin predicted the 5-year progression of atherosclerosis in our models, after adjusting for covariates. We found significant insulin-ethnicity interactions in the IMT model (p = 0.044) with the slope of the relationship showing that for every percentage change in insulin the Europeans experienced 7.3% more increase in IMT at 5 years than the Aboriginals. In the plaque area and total area models, there were significant glucose-ethnicity interactions (p = 0.009 and p=0.016 respectively), with the slope showing a 101% and 121% increase for plaque area and total area, respectively, in Europeans, at 5 years per percent change in glucose at baseline. Logistic regression found a significant glucose-ethnicity interaction with the presence of plaques (OR = 0.31, p = 0.03) such that compared to the Europeans, the South Asians had a lower odds of developing plaque presence. Similarly, we found glucose-ethnicity interactions in the logistic regression when comparing the Chinese to the Europeans (OR = 0.2, p=0.005), with the Chinese being less likely to develop plaque presence.

CONCLUSIONS

Ethnicity modifies the predictive relationship between insulin and glucose with sub-clinical indicators of carotid atherosclerosis but not consistently so.

A Plaque Disruption Index Identifies Patients with Non-STE-Type 1 Myocardial Infarction within 24 Hours of Troponin Positivity

Background

Markers of plaque destabilization and disruption may have a role in identifying non-STE- type 1 Myocardial Infarction in patients presenting with troponin elevation. We hypothesized that a plaque disruption index (PDI) derived from multiple biomarkers and measured within 24 hours from the first detectable troponin in patients with acute non-STE- type 1 MI (NSTEMI-A) will confirm the diagnosis and identify these patients with higher specificity when compared to individual markers and coronary angiography.

Methods

We examined 4 biomarkers of plaque destabilization and disruption: myeloperoxidase (MPO), high-sensitivity interleukin-6, myeloid-related protein 8/14 (MRP8/14) and pregnancy-associated plasma protein-A (PAPP-A) in 83 consecutive patients in 4 groups: stable non-obstructive coronary artery disease (CAD), stable obstructive CAD, NSTEMI-A (enrolled within 24 hours of troponin positivity), and NSTEMI-L (Late presentation NSTEMI, enrolled beyond the 24 hour limit). The PDI was calculated and the patients’ coronary angiograms were reviewed for evidence of plaque disruption. The diagnostic performance of the PDI and angiography were compared.

Results

Compared to other biomarkers, MPO had the highest specificity (83%) for NSTEMI-A diagnosis (P<0.05). The PDI computed from PAPP-A, MRP8/14 and MPO was higher in NSTEMI-A patients compared to the other three groups (p<0.001) and had the highest diagnostic specificity (87%) with 79% sensitivity and 86% accuracy, which were higher compared to those obtained with MPO, but did not reach statistical significance (P>0.05 for all comparisons). The PDI had higher specificity and accuracy for NSTEMI-A diagnosis compared to coronary angiography (P<0.05).

Conclusions

A PDI measured within 24 hour of troponin positivity has potential to identify subjects with acute Non-ST-elevation type 1 MI. Additional evidence using other marker combinations and investigation in a sufficiently large non-selected cohort is warranted to establish the diagnostic accuracy of the PDI and its potential role in differentiating type 1 and type 2 MI in patients presenting with troponin elevation of uncertain etiology.

Sex Versus Gender-Related Characteristics: Which Predicts Outcome After Acute Coronary Syndrome in the Young?

BACKGROUND

"Gender" reflects social norms for women and men, whereas "sex" defines biological characteristics. Gender-related characteristics explain some differences in access to care for premature acute coronary syndrome (ACS); whether they are associated with cardiovascular outcomes is unknown.

OBJECTIVES

This study estimated associations between gender and sex with recurrent ACS and major adverse cardiac events (MACE) (e.g., ACS, cardiac mortality, revascularization) over 12 months in patients with ACS.

METHODS

We studied 273 women and 636 men age 18 to 55 years from GENESIS-PRAXY (GENdEr and Sex determInantS of cardiovascular disease: from bench to beyond-Premature Acute Coronary SYndrome), a prospective observational cohort study, who were hospitalized for ACS between January 2009 and April 2013. Gender-related characteristics (e.g., social roles) were assessed using a self-administered questionnaire, and a composite measure of gender was derived. Outcomes included recurrent ACS and MACE over 12 months.

RESULTS

Feminine roles and personality traits were associated with higher rates of recurrent ACS and MACE compared with masculine characteristics. This difference persisted for recurrent ACS, after multivariable adjustment (hazard ratio from score 0 to 100: 4.50; 95% confidence interval: 1.05 to 19.27), and was a nonstatistically significant trend for MACE (hazard ratio: 1.54; 95% confidence interval: 0.90 to 2.66). A possible explanation is increased anxiety, the only condition that was more prevalent in patients with feminine characteristics and that rendered the association between gender and recurrent ACS nonstatistically significant (hazard ratio: 3.56; 95% confidence interval: 0.81 to 15.61). Female sex was not associated with outcomes post-ACS.

CONCLUSIONS

Younger adults with ACS with feminine gender are at an increased risk of recurrent ACS over 12 months, independent of female sex.

A meta-analysis of sex-related differences in outcomes after primary percutaneous intervention for ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction

INTRODUCTION

The increasing use of primary percutaneous coronary intervention (pPCI) has improved clinical outcome in ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) patients, but the impact of sex on early and mid-term outcomes remains to be defined.

METHODS

Medline, Cochrane Library, Biomed Central, and Google Scholar were searched for articles describing differences in baseline, periprocedural, and midterm outcomes after pPCI, by sex. The primary end point was all-cause mortality at early and mid-term follow-up. Secondary endpoints included in-hospital bleeding and stroke.

RESULTS

Sixteen studies were included. Women were older, had more frequent hypertension, diabetes mellitus, and hypercholesterolemia, as well as longer ischemia time and more shock at presentation. Men were more likely to have had a previous myocardial infarction. Female sex emerged as independently associated to early mortality (OR 1.1; 95%CI, 1.02-1.18) but not to mid-term mortality (OR, 1.01; 95%CI, 0.99-1.03). The pooled analysis showed a significantly higher risk of in hospital stroke (OR, 1.69; 95%CI, 1.11-2.56) and major bleeding (OR, 2.04; 95%CI, 1.51-2.77) in women.

CONCLUSIONS

As compared to men, women undergoing pPCI have more bleedings and strokes, and a worse early, but not mid-term mortality. These findings may allow a better risk stratification of pPCI patients.

Sex-Specific Differences at Presentation and Outcomes Among Patients Undergoing Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement: A Cohort Study

BACKGROUND

Female sex is associated with poorer outcomes after surgical aortic valve replacement (SAVR). Data on sex-specific differences after transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) are conflicting.

OBJECTIVE

To examine sex-specific differences in patients undergoing TAVR in the PARTNER (Placement of Aortic Transcatheter Valves) trial.

DESIGN

Secondary analysis of the randomized and nonrandomized portions of the PARTNER trial. (ClinicalTrials.gov: NCT00530894).

SETTING

25 hospitals in the United States, Canada, and Germany.

PATIENTS

High-risk and inoperable patients (1220 women and 1339 men).

INTERVENTION

TAVR.

MEASUREMENTS

Demographic characteristics, cardiac and noncardiac comorbidities, mortality, stroke, rehospitalization, vascular complications, bleeding complications, and echocardiographic valve parameters.

RESULTS

At baseline, women had lower rates of hyperlipidemia, diabetes, smoking, and renal disease but higher Society of Thoracic Surgeons Predicted Risk of Mortality scores (11.9% vs. 11.1%; P < 0.001). After TAVR, women had more vascular complications (17.3% vs. 10.0%; difference, 7.29 percentage points [95% CI, 4.63 to 9.95 percentage points]; P < 0.001) and major bleeding (10.5% vs. 7.7%; difference, 2.8 percentage points [CI, 0.57 to 5.04 percentage points]; P = 0.012) but less frequent moderate and severe paravalvular regurgitation (6.0% vs. 14.3%; difference, -8.3 percentage points [CI, -11.7 to -5.0 percentage points]; P < 0.001). At 30 days, the unadjusted all-cause mortality rate (6.5% vs. 5.9%; difference, 0.6 percentage point [CI, -1.29 to 2.45 percentage points]; P = 0.52) and stroke incidence (3.8% vs. 3.0%; difference, 0.8 percentage point [CI, -0.62 to 2.19 percentage points]; P = 0.28) were similar. At 1 year, all-cause mortality was significantly lower in women than in men (19.0% vs. 25.9%; hazard ratio, 0.72 [CI, 0.61 to 0.85]; P < 0.001).

LIMITATION

Secondary analysis that included nonrandomized trial data.

CONCLUSION

Despite a higher incidence of vascular and bleeding complications, women having TAVR had lower mortality than men at 1 year. Thus, sex-specific risk in TAVR is the opposite of that in SAVR, for which female sex has been shown to be independently associated with an adverse prognosis.

PRIMARY FUNDING SOURCE

Edwards Lifesciences.