TCF21 variant is a risk factor for coronary artery disease and will it be a prognostic marker?

Background

TCF21 gene, encodes a basic-helix- loop- helix transcription factor, playing a critical action in the development of epicardial progenitor cells that give rise to coronary artery smooth muscle cells (SMC) and cardiac fibroblasts. Recent data suggest that TCF21 may play a role in the state of differentiation of SMC precursor cells that migrate to vascular lesions and contribute to fibrous cap.

Purpose

Investigate the association of TCF21 rs12190287G>C variant with coronary artery disease (CAD) in a Portuguese population and its role on the prognosis.

Methods

Case-control study with 3120 participants, 1687 coronary patients with at least 75% obstruction of a major coronary artery and 1433 controls. Genotyping used the TaqMan technique (Applied Biosystems) and then a univariate and multivariate logistic regression analysis were performed. After a mean follow-up of 5.01±4.2 years (interquartile range 1.96–7.57), the occurrence of the combined Major Adverse Cardiovascular Events (MACE) (Cardiovascular Mortality, non-fatal Myocardial Infarction, new Revascularization, Cerebrovascular Disease and Peripheric Vascular Disease) were registered and analysed by Cox regression. Finally, Kaplan-Meier survival estimate was performed.

Results

In the total population, GC+CC genotype was found to be associated with CAD with an OR of 1.285; CI: 1.022–1.614; p=0.031. After multivariate logistic regression, adjusted to traditional risk factors, the association with CAD remained significant for this genotype (OR=1.340; CI: 1.042–1.723; p=0.022).After Cox regression adjusted for confounding variables (age and sex, hypertension, diabetes, smoking, dyslipidemia, eGFR, Ejection fraction <55) the mutated genotype remained a significant predictor of MACE (HR=1.420; CI: 1.032–1.953; p=0.031). The individuals carrying the mutated allele (GC+CC) at the mean follow-up showed an event probability of 36.1%, whereas the wild population (GG) presented only 23.4%. The Log-Rank test showed significant differences between the two curves (p=0.019).

Conclusion

The mutated TCF21 variant can provide a new marker to identify patients at high cardiovascular risk and may representa potential target for gene therapy in future.

Figure 1

Funding Acknowledgement

Type of funding source: None

Shaping the future of metabolic syndrome: genetics, prognosis and individual tailoring

Background

Metabolic syndrome (MetS), characterized by a cluster of cardiovascular risk factors, is considered to be the major health hazard of modern world and a 21st century epidemic. Recent GWAS have identified several susceptibility regions involved in lipid metabolism and oxidation, also associated with MetS. Genetic risk score (GRS) is an emerging method that attempts to establish correlation between SNPs and clinical phenotypes.

Aim

Evaluate the value of a GRS encompassing SNPs involved in lipidic metabolism and oxidation pathways, in predicting CAD outcome (MACEs and long-term cardiovascular Mortality) in a coronary population with MetS.

Methods

1101 coronary patients and MetS, were selected from the GENEMACOR study. Genotyping was performed by TaqMan allelic discrimination assay. A Multiplicative score (mGRS) was constructed according to the multiplicative model with variants belonging to the lipid and oxidative axes (PSRC1, PCSK9, KIF6, ZNF259, LPA, APO E, PON192, PON108, PON55, MTHFR677, MTHFR1298, MTHFD1L). This GRS was categorized using the mean (higher vs lower than mean). Cumulate Mortality Hazards Model (Cox regression) adjusted for age, gender, smoking, hypertension, dyslipidaemia, diabetes, hsCRP, eGFR, Ejection fraction (EF), and multivessel disease) was used to find independent predictors of cardiovascular outcome. We performed Kaplan-Meier Survival curves for both groups (higher vs lower than mean GRS) and log-rank test to compare survival distributions in both groups.

Results

The following variables have emerged independently associated with time to MACE occurrence: mGRS (HR=1.31 95% CI (1.07; 1.59); p=0.008), male gender, EF and multivessel disease. Concerning cardiovascular mortality, mGRS also remained an independent predictor (HR=1.44 (1.04–1.99); p=0.028) alongside age, smoking, diabetes and EF. The Log-Rank test showed significant differences between the two curves related to MACE occurrence and cardiovascular mortality (p=0.001 and 0.002, respectively). The Kaplan-Meier survival showed that as mGRS increases, patient survival decreases.

Conclusion

In patients with MetS, a GRS comprising variants in lipidic and oxidative pathways, proved to be a useful stratification tool, identifying patients likely to have a worst prognosis over time. Our data further underlines the additive potential and clinical utility of genetic information in shaping secondary prevention.

Figure 1

Funding Acknowledgement

Type of funding source: None

Epicardial adipose tissue: the genetics behind an emerging cardiovascular marker

Background

Increasing evidence points epicardial adipose tissue (EAT) as an emerging cardiovascular risk marker. Whether genetic polymorphisms are associated with a higher EAT burden is still unknow. Genetic risk score (GRS) is an emerging method that attempts to establish correlation between single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) and clinical phenotypes.

Aim

Evaluate the role of genetic burden and its association to EAT.

Methods

996 patients (mean age 59±8, 78% male) were prospectively enrolled in a single center. EAT was measured on cardiac CT using a modified simplified method. Patients were divided into 2 groups (above vs. below the median EAT volume).

We studied different polymorphisms across the following gene-regulated pathways: oxidation, renin-angiotensin system, cellular, diabetes/obesity and dyslipidemia pathways. Genotyping was performed by TaqMan allelic discrimination assay. A multiplicative genetic risk score (mGRS) was constructed and represents the genetic burden of the different polymorphisms studied. To evaluate the relation between genetics and EAT volume, we compared both groups by: global mGRS, gene cluster/axis mGRS and individual SNPs.

Results

Patients with above-median EAT volume were older, had higher body mass index (BMI) and higher prevalence of hypertension, diabetes and dyslipidemia (p<0.05). Patients with higher EAT volumes presented a higher global mean GRS (p<0.001), with the latter remaining an independent predictor for higher EAT volumes (OR 1.3, 95% CI 1.2–1.5), alongside age and BMI.

In the analysis by gene clusters, patients with more epicardial fat consistently presented a higher polymorphism burden (translated by a higher mGRS level) across numerous pathways: oxidation, renin-angiotensin system, cellular, diabetes/obesity and dyslipidemia. After adjusting for confounders and other univariate predictors of higher fat volume, the following have emerged as independently related to higher EAT volumes: mGRS comprising the genes of different clusters, age and BMI.

Amongst the 33 genes analyzed, only MTHFR677 polymorphisms (a gene with a critical role in regulating plasma homocysteine levels) emerged as significantly related to higher EAT volumes in our population (OR 1.4, 95% CI: 1.100–1.684, p=0.005).

Conclusion

Patients with a higher polymorphism burden in genes involved in the oxidation, renin-angiotensin, cellular, diabetes/obesity and dyslipidemia pathways present higher levels of epicardial fat. This potential association seems to be independent from the expected association between epicardial fat and cardiovascular risk factors. To our knowledge, this is the first time such genetic profiling has been done, casting further insight into this complex matter.

Funding Acknowledgement

Type of funding source: None

Has the time come to integrate genetic risk scores into clinical practice?

Background

The risk for Coronary Artery Disease (CAD) is determined by both genetic and environmental factors, as well as by the interaction between them. It is estimated that genetic factors could account for 40% to 55% of the existing variability among the population (inheritability). Therefore, some authors have advised that it is time we integrated genetic risk scores into clinical practice.

Aim

The aim of this study was to evaluate the magnitude of the association between an additive genetic risk score (aGRS) and CAD based on the cumulative number of risk alleles in these variants, and to estimate whether their use is valuable in clinical practice.

Methods

A case-control study was performed in a Portuguese population. We enrolled 3120 participants, of whom 1687 were CAD patients and 1433 were normal controls. Controls were paired to cases with respect to gender and age. 33 genetic variants known to be associated with CAD were selected, and an aGRS was calculated for each individual. The aGRS was further subdivided into deciles groups, in order to estimate the CAD risk in each decile, defined by the number of risk alleles. The magnitude of the risk (odds ratio) was calculated for each group by multiple logistic regression using the 5th decile as the reference group (median). In order to evaluate the ability of the aGRS to discriminate susceptibility to CAD, two genetic models were performed, the first with traditional risk factors (TRF) and second with TRF plus aGRS. The AUC of the two ROC curves was calculated.

Results

A higher prevalence of cases over controls became apparent from the 6th decile of the aGRS, reflecting the higher number of risk alleles present (see figure). The difference in CAD risk was only significant from the 6th decile, increasing gradually until the 10th decile. The odds ratio (OR) for the last decile related to 5th decile (median) was 1.87 (95% CI:1.36–2.56; p<0.0001). The first model yielded an AUC=0.738 (95% CI:0.720–0.755) and the second model was slightly more discriminative for CAD risk (AUC=0.748; 95% CI:0.730–0.765). The DeLong test was significant (p=0.0002).

Conclusion

Adding an aGRS to the non-genetic risk factors resulted in a modest improvement in the ability to discriminate the risk of CAD. Such improvement, even if statistically significant, does not appear to be of real value in clinical practice yet. We anticipate that with the development of further knowledge about different SNPs and their complex interactions, and with the inclusion of rare genetic variants, genetic risk scores will be better suited for use in a clinical setting.

Funding Acknowledgement

Type of funding source: None

Thermodilution vs indirect fick cardiac output measurement in clinical practice: insights from a tertiary centre

Introduction

Thermodilution (TD) and indirect Fick (IF) methods are widely used to measure cardiac output (CO). They are often used interchangeably to make critical clinical decisions, yet few studies have compared these approaches concerning agreement and comparative prognostic value as applied in medical practice.

Purpose

To assess agreement between TD and IF methods and to compare how well these methods predict mortality.

Methods

Retrospective cohort study including all consecutive right heart catheterizations performed in a referral pulmonary hypertension (PH) centre from 2010 to 2018. Cardiac index (CI) was calculated by indexed CO to body surface area. PH was classified according to the new definition of the 6st World Symposium on Pulmonary Hypertension 2018 [mean pulmonary arterial pressure (mPAP) >20 mmHg]. Patients with cardiac or extra-cardiac shunts or significant (moderate to severe or severe) tricuspid regurgitation were excluded. All-cause mortality over 1 year after right heart catheterization was recorded. Logistic regression was used to identify predictors of the adverse event.

Results

From a total of 569 procedures, 424 fulfilled the inclusion criteria: mean age 56.7±15.4 years, 67.3% female. Haemodynamic parameters were diagnosed of PH in 86.2% of cases: mPAP 35.3±15.3 mmHg, 83.6% pre-capillary subtype, 42.9% belonging to group 4 (chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension) and 26.6% to group 1 (pulmonary arterial hypertension). Mean values of CO and CI were, respectively, 4.5±2.8 L/min and 2.5±0.8 L/min/m2 measured by TD and 4.6±2.4 L/min and 2.6±1.3 L/min/m2 measured by IF method. There was a median difference (IF minus TD) of - 0.03 / min to CO and - 0.05 L/min/m2 to CI but both meausres correlated only modestly (r=0.6 to TD and r=0.5 to IF). One-year all-cause mortality rate was 5.4% (median time to death was 50.5 days). Lower values of CO and CI assessed by TD were significantly associated with all-cause mortality occurrence (CO TD: 4.5±1.3 L/min versus 3.6±1.0 L/min, p<0.01; CI TD: 2.6±0.7 L/min/m2 versus 2.1±0.4 L/min/m2, p<0.01). No association was observed between CO (p=0.31) and CI (p=0.42) measured by IF method and the adverse event. Logistic regression identified 2 independent predictors of all-cause mortality: TD CO (OR 0.55, 95% CI 0.38–0.79, p<0.01) and TD CI (OR 0.34, 95% CI 0.17–0.67, p<0.01). Similar results were obtained when patients diagnosed with PH were independently analyzed.

Conclusions

There is only modest agreement between TD and IF CO and CI estimates. Despite being more time-consuming, TD measurements were predictors of all-cause mortality and present a highest prognostic value. These findings favored their used over IF in clinical practice.

Funding Acknowledgement

Type of funding source: None

KAsH score beyond myocardial infarction: a new risk stratification tool for myocardial injury?

Introduction

Our group has recently validated and published a new score - KAsH score. KAsH consists of a continuous, multiplicative score based on 4 simple clinical variables available at first medical contact, proven to be a robust predictor of in-hospital mortality and all-cause mortality at 1 year follow-up in patients with myocardial infarction, putting it next to other well established risk scores. However, the role of KAsH in patients with myocardial injury (Mi), a largely uncharacterized group in the literature, remains unknown.

Purpose

We aim to assess the predictive power of KAsH in patients with myocardial injury (Mi), regarding in-hospital mortality and at 1 year follow-up.

Methods

Prospective registry of 250 patients admitted consecutively through the emergency department from January 2018 onward, with higher than P99th high-sensitive troponin assay. The kit used was Roche's Elecsys hsSTAT, and the P99th appointed by the manufacturer was 14 ng/L. All patients with chronic kidney disease ClCr<15ml/min and myocardial infarction, were excluded from the analysis. We were left with 236 patients diagnosed with Mi.

KAsH = (Killip Kimbal × Age × Heart Rate) / Systolic BP

We used a simplified Killip classification: without heart failure (1 point), with heart failure (2 points) and in shock (3 points). We assessed the score's association to mortality and its predictive value through ROC curves and their respective area under the curve (AUC).

Results

Both Killip and KAsH had a significant and positive association with in-hospital mortality (KK: p=0.02; KAsH: p<0.001) and cumulative mortality (KK: p=0.002; KAsH: p=0.008). In multivariate analysis, KAsH score as a continuous variable proved to be an independent predictor of in-hospital mortality (p=0.004) but not KK classification (p=0.96). We then categorized KAsH in its 4 different strata (1–4). Multivariate analysis indentified categorized KAsH as the only significant predictor of in-hospital mortality (OR 4.1, CI 2.1–8.1, p<0.001), with the predictive power of KAsH being even mildly superior (AUCs: KAsHcont 0.767, KAsHcat 0.743, KK 0.685). However, the same trend was not observed during follow-up, as none of them were significant predictors of mortality (all p>0.1).

Conclusions

KAsH seems to maintain its in-hospital predictive value even in patients with Mi. To our knowledge, this is the first study that tries to apply risk scores and stratification tools to such a heterogeneous group of patients. By comprising hemodynamic variables, KAsH may actually be a better risk stratification tool than just the severity of heart failure on admission. However, unlike previously proven in myocardial infarction (MI), KAsH score and its hemodynamic variables do not seem to justify the high mortality on the long run behind these patients. More studies will be needed to address the complex causes behind long-term mortality of Mi patients.

KASH table graph

Funding Acknowledgement

Type of funding source: None

Financial impact of including dentists in UCIs for reducing cases of Nosocomial Pneumonia

It is a study of Financial Impact Analysis, where the financial consequences arising from the possibility of inclusion of the dentist in the Intensive Care Units (ICU), within the reality of the Unified Health System (SUS), were evaluated in Brazil. It was based on a quick review of the literature and economic evaluation with reference to the year 2018. Information on costs and hospitalizations were collected from the official databases of the Ministry of Health, the Federal Council of Medicine and the Union of Dentists of the State of São Paulo. Only the direct medical costs related to the hospitalizations were calculated. Scenarios were simulated for a time horizon of 1 year (2018) and a sensitivity analysis was made for a more optimistic scenario (values 20% lower) and another less optimistic (values 20% higher). On average, the presence of a dentist in the ICU reduces the development of pneumonia cases by 56% and 8.18 days, which represents a savings of 34.92% in hospitalization costs in the evaluated scenario. In Brazil, when hiring dentists in all ICUs, each avoided case would contribute to savings of R$ 7,949.45 (1US$ = R$ 4,02 in 30/10/2019), ranging from R$ 6,359.56 to R$ 9,539.35 in the optimistic and pessimistic scenarios, respectively, where each case avoided is higher than the dentist's monthly salary. It would be necessary to spend R$ 142,060,140.00 on hiring the dentist to cover the ICUs, making the final savings more than 865 million reais. It is concluded that the inclusion of the Dental Surgeon (DS) in ICU teams would have a positive economic impact, with savings in hospitalization costs from the perspective of SUS. The COVID-19 pandemic in Brazil, depending on the State's action in containment strategies, could require 2.17 times more in the bests of scenarios where the action of total suppression would be used. Such a situation requires emergency measures, and the role of the dentist is a strategy that can support the health system.

Primary care organizational model mix and avoidable hospitalization: an ecological study in Portugal

Background

In Portugal, there are different organizational models in primary health care (PHC), mainly regarding the payment scheme. USF-B is the only type with financial incentives to the professional (pay-for-performance). Our goal was to assess the relationship between groups of primary healthcare centres (ACES) with higher proportion of patients within USF-B model and the rate of avoidable hospitalizations, as proxy of primary care quality.

Methods

We conducted a cross-sectional study considering the 55 ACES from mainland Portugal, in 2017. We used data from public hospitalizations to calculate the prevention quality indicator (avoidable hospitalizations) adjusted for age and sex, using direct standardization. The main independent variable was the proportion of patients in one ACES registered in the USF-B model. Unemployment rate, proportion of patients with family doctor and presence of Local Health Unit (different organization model) within ACES were also considered. The association was assessed by means of a linear regression model.

Results

Age-sex adjusted PQI value varied between 490 and 1715 hospitalizations per 100,000 inhabitants across ACES. We observed a significant effect of the proportion of patients within USF-B in the crude PQI rate (p = 0.001). However, using the age-sex adjusted PQI, there was not a statistical significant association (p = 0.504). This last model was also adjusted for confounding variables and the association remains non-significant (p = 0.865).

Conclusions

Our findings suggest that, when adjusting for age and sex, there is no evidence that ACES with more patients enrolled in a pay-for-performance model is associated with higher quality of PHC (using avoidable hospitalizations as proxy). Further studies addressing individual data should be performed.

This work was financed by FEDER funds through the COMPETE 2020 - POCI, and by Portuguese funds through FCT in the framework of the project POCI-01-0145-FEDER-030766 “1st.IndiQare”.

Key messages

Adjusting PQI to sex and age seems to influence its value more than the type of organizational model of primary health care. Groups of primary healthcare centres with more units under the pay-for-performance scheme was not associated with different rate of avoidable hospitalizations.

Efficiency of groups of primary healthcare centres: a frontier analysis of primary care in Portugal

Background

Primary health care (PHC) is the cornerstone of several health systems. The Portuguese PHC is organized in five mainland regions (ARS), that oversee 55 local groups of primary healthcare centres (ACES). We assessed the efficiency of all 55 ACES in mainland Portugal, as well as organizational and socioeconomic determinants of the efficiency.

Methods

A cross-sectional non-parametric frontier analysis was performed for 2017. The first model included two inputs (i.e. number of physicians and number of nurses) and a single output (i.e. number of PHC visits), while the second model included an additional output, i.e. Prevention Quality Indicator (PQI) overall composite (avoidable hospitalizations) adjusted for age and sex - as undesirable output. In a second stage, a (multivariate) Tobit regression was used to assess organizational and socioeconomic determinants of efficiency.

Results

In the first model, only 8 ACES (14.5%) were on the efficiency frontier, while 25 ACES should readjust their human resource balance. In the second model, 9 ACES (16.4%) were considered efficient. When considering quality, one ACES previously considered inefficient moved to the frontier and two ACES lost their benchmark position. The second-stage analysis indicates that groups with a higher proportion of PHC units with pay-for-performance incentives were associated with higher efficiency.

Conclusions

Most ACES have the potential to improve their production levels., A better management of human resources can contribute to improve overall efficiency. ACES with a higher proportion of units with pay-for-performance schemes seem to be more efficient. These findings contribute to the evaluation of policies to integrate and scale up PHC services locally, such as the recent primary care networks in the NHS UK.

This work was financed by FEDER funds through the COMPETE 2020 - POCI, and by Portuguese funds through FCT in the framework of the project POCI-01-0145-FEDER-030766 “1st.IndiQare”.

Key messages

Most Portuguese ACES have the potential to improve their outputs given their current level of human resources. Local groups that aggregate more PHC units with pay-for-performance schemes are associated with high efficiency.

Use of alcohol associated with mental disorders in adult men

Background

This study aimed to identify the use of alcohol in adult men and to verify the association with socioeconomic, demographic and mental disorders.

Methods

A cross-sectional analytical study was carried out on adults aged 20 to 59 years old in the city of Piracicaba registered in the Family Health Units (FHU) in 2018. The pattern of alcohol use was investigated in the population through the application of the AUDIT (The Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test) instrument. Through the modified socioeconomic questionnaire by Meneghim et al, socioeconomic and demographic factors were investigated. The brief investigation of the main mental disorders: major depressive episode and generalized anxiety disorder, was carried out with the Mini International Neuropsychiatric Interview (MINI). The sample was selected “post-hoc” considering the sample, with a significance level of 5% and test power above 80% (β = 0.20) (effect size = 0, 33). After contacting the FHU and selecting participants, the interviews were conducted over the phone in one step. The eligible sample had 227 participants. After descriptive analyzes, variables with p-value <0.20 in simple analyzes were studied in multiple negative binomial regression models (95% confidence intervals).

Results

There was a high prevalence of alcohol consumption, 26.9%. The AUDIT score increased with age (RM: 1.02; 95% CI: 0.99-1.03). Protestants and evangelicals had an average AUDIT score lower than other religions (RM: 1.78; 95% CI: 1.14-2.79). People with mental disorders have an average AUDIT score higher than those without disorders (RM: 2.30; 95% CI: 1.28-4.11).

Conclusions

It is concluded that alcohol in the adult male population was prevalent, increases with age, and religion has a protective effect. We highlight the importance of the USF in the development of strategies that investigate the conditions of its population, as well as the discussion and approach of interventions

Key messages

The adult male population is more vulnerable to alcohol use and its consequences. Thus, early detection and the search for associated factors is necessary to avoid possible damage to men's health. The application of the Mini International Neuropsychiatric Interview instrument, can act preventively and with early interventions in mental disorders and in association with alcohol use.

AB0877 CLINICAL EFFICACY AND SAFETY PROFILE OF TOPICAL ETOFENAMATE IN THE TREATMENT OF PATIENTS WITH MUSCULOSKELETAL DISORDERS: RESULTS OF A SYSTEMATIC REVIEW

Background:

Musculoskeletal disorders affect millions of people of all ages around the world [1]. Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are, in general, the cornerstone of musculoskeletal pain management; however, systemic adverse events with oral formulations of NSAIDs are common. To address this, topical formulations of some NSAIDs have been developed. [2] Although there are many nonsteroidal anti-inflammatories, only a few are used as local therapeutics. This is because the physicochemical properties of these substances, which were originally developed for oral administration, frequently do not guarantee a satisfactory pharmaceutical formulation with satisfactory topical absorption. [3]

Objectives:

The aim of this systematic review was to assess the available evidence on the efficacy and safety of the topical formulations of the NSAID etofenamate in patients with musculoskeletal disorders.

Methods:

A systematic search of PubMed and Web of Science was conducted, using the key words (topical etofenamate efficacy) OR (topical etofenamate safety) OR (topical etofenamate effectiveness) to identify studies of etofenamate published from inception to November 2018. Some published manuscripts of interest known by the authors but not identified in the PubMed search were also added to ensure the review article was as comprehensive as possible.

Results:

Overall, 12 studies were identified. [3-14] These studies demonstrated the ability of topical etofenamate (administered either in gel [5% or 10%], cream [10%] or lotion [10%] formulations]) to improve pain and reduce inflammation in patients with musculoskeletal disorders, including blunt injuries and rheumatic diseases. Etofenamate was shown to have an overall efficacy that was superior to other topical NSAIDs, such as 1% indomethacin and 1% diclofenac, and to be as effective as topical formulations of 2.5% ketoprofen gel and 2% ketorolac gel (although ketorolac suggested a better elimination of pain at some time points). Overall, when compared to placebo, etofenamate gel 5% demonstrated significant better results in the reduction of pain symptoms (with or without combination with ultraphonophoresis). Furthermore, clinical evidence indicates that etofenamate is generally well tolerated in these indications.

Conclusion:

The available clinical evidence suggests that etofenamate could be an effective therapeutic option for the management of musculoskeletal disorders, such as blunt traumas, lumbago or osteoarthritis. However, larger and well-controlled clinical trials comparing the efficacy and safety of etofenamate with other newer topical NSAIDs are warranted.

References:

[1]Atchison JW, et al. J Manag Care Pharm. 2013; 19: S3-19.

[2]Haroutiunian S, et al. Pain Med. 2010; 11: 535-49.

[3]Pelster B, et al. ZFA. 1992; 68: 364-7.

[4]Schneider H. Therapiewoche. 1983;33:5809-18.

[5]Miehlke RK, et al. Med Welt. 1985;36:103-6.

[6]Rechziegler H, et al. Therapiewoche. 1986;36:5347-51.

[7]Hallmeier B. Rheuma. 1988;8:183-6.

[8]Rechziegler H. Therapiewoche. 1983;33:703-7.

[9]Matsuno S, et al. J Med Pharm Sci. 1983;9:349-67.

[10]Nagaya I, et al. Med Pharmacy. 1982;8:1549-82.

[11]Ascher R, et al. Fortschr Med. 1982;37:1729-34.

[12]Billigmann P, et al. Praktische Traumatologie Sportmedizin. 1992;2:72-7.

[13]Diebschlag W, et al. J Clin Pharmacol. 1990;30:82-9.

[14]Matucci-Cerinic M, et al. Int J Clin Pharmacol Res. 1988;8:157-60

Disclosure of Interests:

Anabela Pereira Consultant of: Recently, I was a paid consultant of Bial., Speakers bureau: I have been a paid speaker for Bial., Daniela Marinho Employee of: I’m currently an employee of BIAL pharmaceutical company. I belong to the medical affairs department of Bial.

Left ventricular false tendons and early repolarization: Preliminary study

Introduction The early repolarization (ER) is an electrocardiographic (ECG) pattern that includes J wave slurring or notching, ST segment elevation and symmetrical high-voltage T waves in more than one lead. Frequently it appears in the left lateral leads and less commonly in inferior leads. It was first described as benign and it affects 10% of the global population. False tendons (FT) are fibromuscular structures variable in length, thickness and insertion. Normally, they have conductive tissue as a His bundle extension. It’s more frequent in males and young athletes, and some diseases have been associated to them like ventricular arrhythmias and repolarization changes. Generally, there are two groups, longitudinal and transverse. The ECG in the first one shows more frequently ER with notching in the inferior leads and in the second one, slurring in infero-lateral leads.

Objectives This study aims to investigate the association between the type of FT and ER.

Methodology A total of 24 patients with FT and with no significant cardiac disease were included in an observational and descriptive cross-sectional study. All participants performed an ECG and cardiac ultrasonography in a single centre. Patients with abnormal ECGs were excluded

Results Mean participant’s age was 55 years old (range: 18-73), and 67% were males. ER was identified in 53%, and 56% of the participants with transverse tendons presented slurring in the inferior (33%) and in the lateral leads (33%). Longitudinal tendons were associated with ECG notching in 25% or slurring in 26.5%, mainly in the inferior leads (33%).

Conclusion In this study, ER pattern in the inferior leads was a common finding in participants with longitudinal FT. No association between ER and type of FT was observed. An association between the transverse FT and the type of wall and slurring was observed.

P767 Imagiologic features and Prevalence of Cardiac Lesions detected in Transesophageal Echocardiography

INTRODUCTION

Echocardiography plays a central role in the detection of intracardiac lesions, with transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) acquiring an outstanding role due to its increased sensitivity, improving diagnosis and evaluation of complications.

PURPOSE

To characterize clinically and echocardiographically the type of intracardiac masses mostly identified on TEE, in order to reflect about its prevalence, exam indication and echocardiographic criteria for correct diagnosis.

METHODS

Unicentric, retrospective observational analysis of TEE examinations performed between 01/2014 and 05/2019. Data collected from TEE registers and patient process assessment. Cardiac findings were classified according to its echocardiographic features as vegetations, thrombi or suspected tumoral masses.

RESULTS

144 TEE examinations revealed the presence of intracavitary lesions, with 62% of them (89 exams) having imagiologic features suggestive of vegetations, with polypoid highly mobile lesions attached to valve leaflets, often leading to valvular insufficiency. More than one valve was affected in 21% and about 30% were prosthetic valves. Potential serious complications such as perforation and abscess formation were present in 13% and 7%, respectively.

35 examinations disclosed the presence of thrombi, 66% located on the left atrial appendage and 17% on the left atrium (LA). In 4 cases they were attached to prosthetic valves and 10 of the patients had not been anticoagulated previously. Some doubtful diagnosis were lately confirmed after disappearance of the lesion with anticoagulation therapy.

Diagnosis of tumoral masses was made in 11%, some of them waiting for histologic confirmation. 50% had features resembling pappilary fibroelastomas (PF) (38% of the aortic valve, 25% of the mitral valve, 1 of the pulmonary valve and 1 the left ventricle pathologically confirmed), such as a filiform highly mobile pedunculated structure attached to a valve leaflet. Heterogeneous masses suggestive of myxomas were identified in 35%, 80% located on the LA.

The most frequent reason for performing a TEE examination was a previous embolic event, a doubtful image on transthoracic echocardiogram or before electrical cardioversion.

Except for PF which were increasingly detected by echocardiography, the prevalence of thrombi or vegetations remained similar across the years.

Most presumptive diagnosis made by TEE were confirmed based on clinical evolution or histology.

CONCLUSIONS

In this cohort, most TEE examinations revealed the presence of vegetations, a major criterion for establishing the diagnosis of infective endocarditis.

TEE enables more accurate evaluation of the lesions and although histologic confirmation is frequently necessary, some imagiologic features allow for a presumptive diagnosis which is often correct.

This analysis also reflects the prevalence of cardiac lesions and the increased awareness of some conditions, such as PF.

P1728 Pulmonary hypertension in a pregnant Women - a rare anatomical aetiology

A 32 year old female patient, with a medical history of an ill-characterized Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension associated with congenital heart disease, lost in the follow up with no medical therapy, attended an emergency department for a gynecological hemorrhage at 16 weeks of pregnancy. Due to high maternity mortality risk, informed consent was obtained, and termination of pregnancy was performed. She was then referred to our pulmonary hypertension center.

At our center she had complains of fatigue with moderate intensity exertion, classified in a class II of the World Health Organization (WHO) classification, but was otherwise asymptomatic, with no history of dyspnea, angina or syncope. There was allusion to a self-limited episode of hemoptysis in the past. On physical examination she had an increased pulmonary component of the second heart sound, continuous heart murmur in left sternal border and no cyanosis (O2 peripheral saturation in the upper and lower limbs of 99% at room air).

The performed echocardiograms (both transthoracic and transesophageal) showed an estimated systolic pulmonary artery pressure of 120 mmHg with severe right ventricular hypertrophy and systolic dysfunction. There was dilatation of the trunk and right pulmonary artery. The left pulmonary artery was not seen.

Biochemical evaluation and viral serologies were unremarkable. The pulmonary function tests and the arterial blood gases were normal.

Cardiac MRI demonstrated the presence of a right aortic arch and a right patent arterial duct. An anomalous origin of the left pulmonary artery from the ascending thoracic aorta could be noted. Associated congenital cardiac defects were excluded.

A right heart catheterization confirmed the presence of severe pulmonary hypertension with mean pulmonary artery pressure of 86 mmHg and Pulmonary vascular resistance of 11 Wood Units. A large persistent arterial duct to the right pulmonary artery was confirmed with persistent left to right shunt. The left pulmonary artery was visualized when injection was performed in the aortic root. Coronary arteries were normally implanted.

The patient was started on Sildenafil and Bosentan (later replaced by Macitentan due to hepatic toxicity). After 3 years of follow up, there was an improvement in symptoms and in the 6 minutes walking test, remaining in a low risk category and on a WHO class I.

This case reports a very rare congenital abnormality identified in an adult patient. Despite the complex anatomy and severe pulmonary hypertension, the patient is reasonably well under medical therapy and close follow up.

Abstract P1728 Figure. Cardiac MRI Cine Sequences

Health literacy and ehealth tools to improve quality of life

Introdution

The use of smartphones and apps to achieve numerous goals, has reached a vast number of citizens today in the world. Health related apps (HAPPS) (estimated to be 318.500 in 2017) have become popular, but little is known about their real impact in public health. The goal of this research is to understand what are the most common used HAPPS, how health literacy (HL) mediates their use and to what extent do they contribute to quality of life.

Metods

The study is observational, cross-sectional and includes both quantitative and qualitative data from an adult population working in the financial corporation. By the means of a survey (CAWI) data was collected about HL (using the European Health Literacy Survey validated to Portugal ((HLS-EU-PT), the use of apps and their influence on quality of life. The sample (n = 748) includes participants from the different offices of the company in Portugal main land and its autonomous territories.

Results

In this study (58.7% males) 40% of the individuals have between 36 and 45 years old, and 9.2% refer the use of health promotion apps. Of the participants, 7.1% have inadequate, 39.0% problematic, 36.6% sufficient and 17.3% excellent HL (HLS-EU-PT). Content analysis showed the categories most common in this sample were apps for running 44.9% (58.1% males) and health monitoring 26.1% (with 55.6% males). Those who use apps have a slightly higher value of HL than those who don’t use, but this difference is not statistically significant.

Conclusions

In this sample not more than 10% of individuals are using apps to promote their wellbeing. Implementing research focusing HL, quality of life and the use of mhealth tools is a new field in public health and allow researchers to identify trends that may trigger strategies to implement health promoting strategies in the work setting. More research is needed to understand how mhealth shape the everyday lives of prosumers in their quest for wellbeing.

P4397Health related quality of life is not reduced in elder familial hypercholesterolemia patients

Background

Familial hypercholesterolemia (FH) is a genetic disorder associated with high risk of early major cardiovascular events (MACE) that can impact on elderly's self-appraisal of health-related quality of life (HRQoL), however, this association is unclear.

Purpose

This study evaluated HRQoL of elder individuals (from 60 to 88 years old), index cases (IC) and first-degree relatives (FDR) at high risk of FH.

Methods

From 1030 participants of FH genetic cascade screening, 250 were ≥60 and 205 were eligible for this study. Data collection was performed before awareness of molecular diagnosis results. Individuals were divided into 4 groups according to molecular diagnosis: IC with (IC+) and without (IC-) identified mutations (n=38 and n=54, respectively), and their affected (FDR+, n=74) and non-affected (FDR-, n=39) FDR. HRQoL measurements, mental (MCS) and physical component (PCS) scores, were carried out with the SF-12 questionnaire. Associations were tested by multivariate models.

Results

The mean age was 68±7 years, 32.2% were men, MACE had occurred in 47.8%. HRQoL dimensions measure (variance of physical, mental and health quality component scores) did not differ between FH and non-FH individuals. Lower PCS were associated with female sex (p=0.043), lower education (p=0.047), previous MACE occurrence (p<0.001), arterial hypertension (p=0.005), depression (p=0.004) and Alzheimer's disease (p=0.016). Lower MCS were associated with the previous diagnosis of depression (p<0.001) and Alzheimer's disease (p=0.011). Lower HQS were associated with lower education level (p=0.001), previous MACE (p<0.001), arterial hypertension (p<0.001), depression and Alzheimer (p=0.004 and p=0.006). MACE and hypertension were predictive of lower PCS (p=0.003 and p=0.035). Depression was predictive of lower MCS (p<0.001). Education, MACE and depression were predictive of health quality self-appraisal. No association was found with either molecular defect or lipid-lowering therapy.

Conclusion

HRQol in elder suspected FH individuals relates more to a consequence of elevated cholesterol levels i.e. MACE and co-morbidities rather than molecular defects or pharmacological treatment.

P3399Influence of TCF21 rs12190287 in the coronary artery disease risk prediction. An association study in a Portuguese population

Aim

Investigate the impact of TCF21 rs12190287 in the prediction and discrimination of CAD risk, individually or into a genetic risk score (GRS) formed by a set of 13 genetic variants.

Methods

We performed a case-control study with 3050 subjects (1619 coronary patients with 53.3±8 years; 78.9% male and 1431 controls with 52.8±8 years; 76.6% male) from GENEMACOR study. We investigated all traditional risk factors (TRF), as well as 13 genetic variants from GWAS with unknown pathophysiological pathway so far, including TCF21 (rs12190287), ZC3HC1 (rs11556924), PSRC1/SORTI (rs599839), PHACTR1 (rs1332844), MIA3 (rs17465637), SMAD3 (rs17228212), ZNF259 (rs964184), ADAMTS7 (rs3825807), CDKN2B (rs4977574), 9p21.3 (rs1333049), KIF6 (rs20455), PCSK9 (rs2114580) and GJA4 (rs618675). A multiplicative genetic risk score with these 13 genetic variants (m13GRS), was calculated. Subsequently, two logistic regressions were performed; primarily with all the TRF and all the genes individually and the second with TRF and m13GRS.

Results

The first multivariate analysis shows that, besides the strong association of the TRF with CAD risk (with smoking status on the top of the list, with an OR of 3.2; p<0.0001), TCF21 rs12190287 was the most significant variant from all the studied genetic set with a CAD risk of 1.5 (95% CI: 1.1–1.9; p=0.004), followed by the well-known genetic determinant CDKN2B rs4977574 (OR=1.4; 95% CI: 1.1–1.7; p<0.002) and ZC3HC1 rs11556924 (OR=1.3; 95% CI: 1.0–1.7; p=0.034). When GRS is included to the model, all the TRF remain in the equation by the same order, and the m13GRS persisted as an independent predictor for CAD risk (OR=1.7; 95% CI: 1.4–2.0; p<0.0001).

Conclusion

TCF21 rs12190287 is a risk factor for CAD in the Portuguese population, either individually or incorporated in a m13GRS. TCF21 risk is independent from TRF. In the future, TCF21 can provide a new clues to identify patients at high cardiovascular risk and become a potential target for gene therapy.

P6200Effect of LPA gene on CAD risk among diabetic patients

Introduction

Previous research reported that LPA gene is a strong and independent predictor of CAD in non-diabetic patients but not in patients with type 2 diabetes. These results suggest that LPA gene might contribute less to CAD risk in patients with T2DM than in general population.

Objective

Investigate, in our population, the association between LPA gene CT variant and CAD risk among diabetic patients.

Methods

3050 individuals (1619 coronary patients and 1431 controls) were genotyped for LPA rs3798220 TT/CT. Pearson's chi-squared test was applied to evaluate the association between LPA variants and CAD, firstly, in the general population and, secondly, in the group of patients with T2DM (n=735). Multivariate logistic regression was performed with LPA CT variant and 6 traditional risk factors (TRF) (smoking, dyslipidemia, diabetes, hypertension, family history of CAD and physical inactivity) in both general and diabetic population.

Results

In total population, LPA CT variant was found to be strongly and significantly associated with CAD with an OR of 2.32 (95% CI: 1.56–3.45; p<0.0001). However, this association was less pronounced in the diabetic population with a CAD risk of 1.38 (95% CI: 0.56–3.43) without statistical significance (p=0.485). In the presence of 6 major TRF, multivariate analysis showed that LPA CT remained a strong and independent predictor of CAD risk (OR= 2.34; 95% CI: 1.52–3.62; p<0.0001). In diabetic population, LPA was no longer an independent predictor for CAD by multivariate analysis.

Conclusions

Our results show that the effect of LPA gene on CAD risk among diabetic patients might be different from that in the general population. Diabetes status is such a strong risk factor that may attenuate the genetic effects of LPA on CAD risk. This may indicate a complex role of Lp (a) and diabetes interaction in cardiometabolic diseases.

P6196Lipoprotein (a) and cardiovascular risk: are women at increased risk?

Introduction

Coronary artery disease (CAD) is the leading cause of death worldwide, placing a major economic and resource burden on health and public health systems, so efforts are being made to accurately predict risk for major adverse cardiac events (MACE). The field of risk prediction and CAD prevention continues to evolve with the identification of novel risk factors and biomarkers, such as lipoprotein a [Lp)a]. Almost 20% of the population has elevated circulating levels of Lp(a), which is recognized as an independent risk factor for CAD, stroke, peripheral arterial disease, and aortic stenosis. Importantly, studies showed that this was particularly true for women.

Objective

To evaluate if the elevation of Lp(a) is associated with MACE in female, male or both.

Materials and methods

Case control study of 3050 subjects from the GENEMACOR study population. In female population (n=676): cases were 341 patients with at least one >75% coronary stenosis (median age 55.7±7.2) and 335 normal controls (median age 55.8±6) adjusted by age with cases. In male population (n=2374): 1278 patients with at least one >75% coronary stenosis (median age 52.7±8) and 1096 controls (median age 51.9±8) also adjusted by age. χ2 and T student tests were used to analyze the demographic, laboratorial, angiographic and anthropometric characteristics of the population. Lipoprotein (a) was determined by immunoturbidimetry. High Lp(a) level was considered if superior to 30 mg/dl. Logistic regression was used to evaluate Lp(a) as a risk factor for CAD in total, female and male populations.

Results

In female population 44.0% patients vs 21.2% controls (p<0.000) had Lp(a)>30mg/dl. In male population 39.4% patients vs 23.8% controls (p<0.000) had Lp(a)>30mg/dl. In total population Lp(a)>30mg/dl was a predictor for CAD (OR 2.24, 95% CI: 1.91–2.62, p<0.0001). Analyzing by gender, Lp(a)>30mg/dl was also a predictor for CAD either in male (OR 2.08, 95% CI: 1.74–2.5, p<0.0001) or female population (OR 2.92, 95% CI: 2.08–4.09, p<0.0001).

Conclusions

As opposed to other studies, in our population elevated Lp(a) levels (>30mg/dl) were associated with elevated CAD risk, in both men and women. We conclude that Lp(a) can be considered an independent risk factor for CAD disease in our population, and further strategies for Lp(a) reduction may indeed translate in improved outcomes in CAD disease.

P2486The association between genetic variant ZNF259 and decreased kidney function in the diabetic patients

Aim

Investigate whether the reduction of GFR is a direct consequence of T2D or there are other genetic mechanisms involved in the pathophysiology of the evolution to chronic kidney disease.

Methods

Cross-sectional study with a total of 2579 individuals was performed, of which 735 patients had T2D. Subjects were classified as `'diabetic” if they were taking oral anti-diabetic medication or insulin or if their fasting plasma glucose was higher than 7.0 mmol/l or 126 mg/dl. Within the diabetic group, we considered those with (n=63) and without (n=627) decreased GFR. GFR was calculated through the Cockcroft and Gault formula and decreased GFR was defined as GFR<60 ml/min/1.73m2. Twenty-four genetic variants associated with T2D, metabolic syndrome, dyslipidemia and hypertension were investigated for its impact on GFR, namely: MTHFR 677 and 1298; MTHFD1L; PON 55, 192 and 108; ATIR A/C; AGT M235T; ACE I/D; TCF7L2; SLC30A8; MC4R; ADIPOQ; FTO; TAS2R50; HNF4A; IGF2BP2; PPARG; PCSK9; KIF6; ZNF259; LPA; APOE; PSRS1. Risk factors for decreased GFR were also evaluated (essential hypertension, glycaemia >120 mg/ml, dyslipidemia, alcohol consumption, CAD diagnosis). A logistic regression was performed firstly with the risk factors solely; and secondly adding the genetic variants in order to evaluate the independent predictors of progression to renal failure in T2D.

Results

After the first multivariate logistic regression with all the risk factors for decreased GFR, only CAD remained in the equation, showing to be an independent risk factor for progression to renal failure, in T2D (OR=4.17; 95% CI: 1.64–10.59; p=0.003). In the second logistic regression, including risk factors and the genetic variants, only ZNF259 rs964184 showed an independent and significant association with the risk of decreased GFR (OR=3.03; 95% CI: 1.06–8.70; p=0.039).

Conclusion

This study shows that the variant ZNF259 rs964184 is associated with decreased kidney function, independently of other risk factors. This finding needs further investigation to clarify the genetic mechanism behind the association of rs964184 with decreased GFR, in Type 2 diabetes.

P3423The contribution of genetics to premature CAD through different degrees of lifestyle factors: a matter of relative significance?

Introduction

Coronary artery disease (CAD) is a multifactorial process with substantial genetic contribution. However, genetic predisposition among patients with a different number of lifestyle factors and premature CAD, remains a complex and thoroughly unexplored topic.

Objective

To evaluate, in a young population, the importance of conventional risk factors as well as of a genetic risk score in the appearance of CAD.

Methods

A case-control study was conducted with 1075 patients from the GENEMACOR study population, under 50 years-old (555 cases, 86.8% male, mean age 44.1±4.9 years and 520 controls, 86.2% male, mean age 44.3±4.8 years). Univariate analysis addressed the association of different modifiable risk factors with premature CAD. Genetic risk score (GRS) was computed comprising 33 genetic risk variants in a multiplicative method. GRS was evaluated according to the number of traditional risk factors and risk for premature CAD was estimated and its independent predictive value estimated by logistic regression.

Results

72.6% of patients had ≥3 risk factors vs 31.2% of controls (p<0.0001). In comparison with having no risk factors (rf), patients with 1 rf had an OR of 2.79 (1.19–6.53; p=0.015), patients with 2 risk factors had a OR of 6.87 (3.03–15–57, p<0.0001) and patients with 3 modifiable risk factors had a OR of 24.17 (10.87–53.73, p<0.0001) – graph 1. In this young population, mean GRS level was consistently higher among patients with coronary artery disease comparing with a healthy population (0.6±0.6 vs 0.4±0.4, p<0.0001, respectively) – graph 2. GRS in multivariate analysis, proved to be an independent predictor for premature CAD (OR 1.71, CI95% 1.25–2.34, p=0.001).

Conclusion

In our population, GRS was an independent predictor for premature CAD. In young patients with ≥3 risk factors, genetics play a less decisive role in the development of CAD. Even in young patients, modifiable risk factors should be addressed aggressively as they may represent a higher burden than genetic predisposition itself.