Expert consensus on operating procedures at chest pain centers in China during the coronavirus infectious disease-19 epidemic

Chest Pain Committee of the Chinese Medical Doctor Association, Chinese College of Cardiovascular Physicians, China, Chest Pain Centers Alliance, Executive Committee of China Chest Pain Centers, China Cardiovascular Health Alliance, Headquarter of Chest Pain Centers

Estimated Stroke-Free Survival of Folic Acid Therapy for Hypertensive Adults: Projection Based on the CSPPT

The CSPPT (China Stroke Primary Prevention Trial) demonstrated a significant risk reduction of first stroke in hypertensive patients treated with enalapril plus folic acid compared with those with enalapril alone, but the lifetime stroke-free survival associated with the treatment is unknown. By establishing adjusted models for competing risks and an age-based time scale using data from 19 053 participants of the CSPPT, we estimated lifetime incremental stroke-free survival for enalapril-folic acid versus enalapril alone. Compared with enalapril alone, the enalapril plus folic acid treatment projected a mean lifetime stroke-free survival gain of 1.75 months, with an interquartile range from 0.73 to 2.39 months and the maximum gain up to 12.95 months. Subgroup analyses showed greater gain in stroke-free survival in younger, male patients, those with lower baseline folate levels, higher baseline systolic blood pressure, higher baseline total cholesterol and blood glucose, and with MTHFR (methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase) C677T CT or TT genotype. Overall, besides significant benefit in certain subgroups, enalapril plus folic acid treatment for hypertensive patients is associated with a modest gain in lifetime stroke-free survival, compared with enalapril alone.

Plasma selenium levels and risk of new-onset diabetes in hypertensive adults

OBJECTIVE

The association between plasma selenium and new-onset diabetes in hypertensive adults is still unclear. We aimed to evaluate the relationship of baseline plasma selenium with new-onset diabetes and examine possible effect modifiers in a post-hoc analysis of the China Stroke Primary Prevention Trial (CSPPT).

METHODS

A total of 2367 hypertensive, non-diabetic patients with plasma selenium measurements at baseline were included. The primary outcome was new-onset diabetes, defined as physician-diagnosed diabetes or use of glucose-lowering drugs during the follow-up period, or fasting glucose (FG) ≥126.0 mg/dL at the exit visit.

RESULTS

At baseline, higher FG levels were found among participants with plasma selenium in quartile 4 (≥94.8 μg/L) (β, 1.64 mg/dL; 95%CI: 0.54, 2.73) compared to those in quartiles 1-3. During a median follow-up duration of 4.5 years, new-onset diabetes occurred in 270 (11.4%) participants. Graphic plot showed a positive association between baseline selenium levels and risk of new-onset diabetes. This was further confirmed by adjusted regression analyses; the odds ratios (OR) for new-onset diabetes comparing quartile 4 (≥94.8 μg/L) to quartiles 1-3 was 1.36 (95%CI: 1.01, 1.83). No clear trend was evident across quartiles 1-3.

CONCLUSIONS

Our data suggest that high plasma selenium (≥94.8 μg/L) was associated with increased risk of new-onset diabetes in hypertensive patients.

[Contemporary epidemiology and treatment of hospitalized heart failure patients in real clinical practice in China]

Objective: To observe the etiology, comorbidities, clinical features and treatment patterns of hospitalized patients with heart failure (HF) in China. Methods: Data were collected prospectively on hospitalized patients with HF who were enrolled in China Heart Failure Center Registry Study from 169 participating hospitals from January 2017 to August 2018. In this cross-sectional study, patients were stratified by left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) category: heart failure with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF, LVEF<40%); heart failure with mid-ranged ejection fraction (HFmrEF, 40%≤LVEF<50%) and heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF, LVEF≥50%). The clinical data were collected, including demographic information, diagnosis, signs, electrocardiogram, echocardiography, laboratory tests, and treatment. Results: A total of 31 356 hospitalized patients with HF were included, 19 072 (60.8%) were males and the average age was (67.9±13.6) years old. The common causes of HF were hypertension (57.2%), coronary heart disease (54.6%), dilated cardiomyopathy (14.7%), valvular heart disease (9.2%). The common complications were atrial fibrillation/atrial flutter (34.1%), diabetes (29.2%), and anemia (26.7%). 32.8% of patients had a history of hospitalization for HF within the previous 12 months. There were 11 034 (35.2%) patients with HFrEF, 6 825 (21.8%) patients with HFmrEF and 13 497 (43.0%) patients with HFpEF. Compared with patients with HFpEF, patients with HFrEF had a lower systolic blood pressure ((124.7±21.1)mmHg(1 mmHg=0.133 kPa) vs. (134.9±22.9)mmHg), faster heart rate ((85±19) beats/minutes vs. (81±19)beats/minutes), and higher percentage of New York Heart Association (NYHA) class Ⅳ, smoking, alcohol, left bundle branch block, and QRS time≥130 ms, and higher levels of blood uric acid, BNP, and NT-proBNP (all P<0.05). Compared with patients with HFmrEF and HFrEF, patients with HFpEF were older, more women, and higher comorbidity burden including hypertension, atrial fibrillation/atrial flutter, anemia and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (all P<0.05). HFmrEF took a mid-position between HFrEF and HFpEF in age, gender, heart rate, systolic blood pressure, hypertension, atrial fibrillation/atrial flutter, anemia, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (all P<0.05). Patients with HFmrEF had the highest proportion of coronary heart disease, myocardial infarction and percutaneous coronary intervention (all P<0.05). During hospitalization, loop diuretics were used in 90.2% of patients, and intravenous inotropics were used in 20.4% of patients. The use of ACEI/ARB/ARNI, β blockers and aldosterone receptor antagonists at discharge were 71.8%, 79.1% and 83.6% in HFrEF and 69.9%, 75.5% and 72.4% in HFmrEF, respectively. The use of digoxin at discharge was 25.3% (HFrEF 36.7%, HFmrEF 23.1%, HFpEF 17.0%). The rates of cardiac resynchronization therapy and implantable cardioverter defibrillator in HFrEF were 2.7% and 2.1%. Conclusions: Among the hospitalized patients with HF in China, coronary heart disease and hypertension are the mostly prevalent causes. HFpEF accounts for a large proportion of hospitalized patients with HF. HFrEF, HFmrEF and HFpEF have different etiology and clinical features. In real-world, there are still large gaps in the effective application of the guideline recommended therapies to HF patients, especially the non-pharmacological therapy option, which needs to be improved further in China.

The association between total homocysteine and blood pressure in two independent Chinese populations

Hypertension and hyperhomocystinemia have a joint effect on the risk of stroke. We aimed to evaluate the relationship between plasma total homocysteine (tHcy) and blood pressure in two independent Chinese populations. Four thousand five hundred and fifty-five participants who underwent health examinations between March 2016 and September 2016 at Peking University First Hospital were enrolled as 'Population 1', and 2689 participants who were admitted to Peking University First Hospital between January 2014 and December 2015 were enrolled as 'Population 2'. None of the study participants were taking antihypertensive medication or vitamins, or had cardio-cerebrovascular disease or chronic kidney disease stages 4 or 5. In Population 1, a 5 μmol/L increase in tHcy was associated with a 0.47 mmHg (95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.23-0.70 mmHg, p < 0.01) increase in systolic blood pressure (SBP) and a 0.14 mmHg (95% CI: -0.02 to 0.30 mmHg, p = 0.08) increase in diastolic blood pressure (DBP). In Population 2, a 5 μmol/L increase in tHcy was associated with a 0.42 mmHg (95% CI: 0.13-0.72 mmHg, p < 0.01) increase in SBP and a 0.29 mmHg (95% CI: 0.09-0.49 mmHg, p < 0.01) increase in DBP. The prevalence of hypertension was significantly higher in Population 1 (by 47%; odds ratio [OR] 1.47, 95% CI: 1.09-1.98, p = 0.01) and in Population 2 (by 55%;OR 1.55, 95% CI: 1.15-2.08, p < 0.01) in participants with tHcy ≥ 15 μmol/l than in those with tHcy < 10 μmol/L. Stratified analysis showed that the association was stronger in women than in men.

Accuracy of computational pressure-fluid dynamics applied to coronary angiography to derive fractional flow reserve: FLASH FFR

Aims

Conventional fractional flow reserve (FFR) is measured invasively using a coronary guidewire equipped with a pressure sensor. A non-invasive derived FFR would eliminate risk of coronary injury, minimize technical limitations, and potentially increase adoption. We aimed to evaluate the diagnostic performance of a computational pressure-flow dynamics derived FFR (caFFR), applied to coronary angiography, compared to invasive FFR.

Methods and results

The FLASH FFR study was a prospective, multicentre, single-arm study conducted at six centres in China. Eligible patients had native coronary artery target lesions with visually estimated diameter stenosis of 30–90% and diagnosis of stable or unstable angina pectoris. Using computational pressure-fluid dynamics, in conjunction with thrombolysis in myocardial infarction (TIMI) frame count, applied to coronary angiography, caFFR was measured online in real-time and compared blind to conventional invasive FFR by an independent core laboratory. The primary endpoint was the agreement between caFFR and FFR, with a pre-specified performance goal of 84%. Between June and December 2018, matched caFFR and FFR measurements were performed in 328 coronary arteries. Total operational time for caFFR was 4.54 ± 1.48 min. caFFR was highly correlated to FFR (R = 0.89, P = 0.76) with a mean bias of −0.002 ± 0.049 (95% limits of agreement −0.098 to 0.093). The diagnostic performance of caFFR vs. FFR was diagnostic accuracy 95.7%, sensitivity 90.4%, specificity 98.6%, positive predictive value 97.2%, negative predictive value 95.0%, and area under the receiver operating characteristic curve of 0.979.

Conclusions

Using wire-based FFR as the reference, caFFR has high accuracy, sensitivity, and specificity. caFFR could eliminate the need of a pressure wire, technical error and potentially increase adoption of physiological assessment of coronary artery stenosis severity.

Clinical Trial Registration

URL: http://www.chictr.org.cn Unique Identifier: ChiCTR1800019522.

Baseline Plasma Zinc and Risk of First Stroke in Hypertensive Patients

Background and Purpose—

We aimed to examine the relation of baseline plasma zinc with the risk of first stroke and investigate any possible effect modifiers in hypertensive patients.

Methods—

The study population was drawn from the CSPPT (China Stroke Primary Prevention Trial), using a nested case-control design, including 599 first stroke cases and 599 matched controls.

Results—

Compared with participants with baseline plasma zinc <106.9 μg/dL (median), a significantly lower risk of first hemorrhagic stroke was found in those with plasma zinc ≥106.9 μg/dL (multivariate-adjusted odds ratio, 0.45; 95% CI, 0.21–0.94). Furthermore, the inverse plasma zinc-first hemorrhagic stroke association was significantly stronger in participants with body mass index ≥25.0 kg/m 2 or plasma copper <100.1 μg/dL at baseline ( P interaction <0.05 for both variables). However, there was no significant association between plasma zinc and first ischemic stroke (<103.3 versus ≥103.3 μg/dL [median]; multivariate-adjusted odds ratio, 1.16; 95% CI, 0.83–1.61).

Conclusions—

In this sample of hypertensive patients, we found a significant, inverse association between plasma zinc and first hemorrhagic stroke.

Clinical Trial Registration—

URL: https://www.clinicaltrials.gov . Unique identifier: NCT00794885.

Acute Effects of High-Level PM2.5 Exposure on Central Blood Pressure

Central aortic blood pressure (BP) has been increasingly recognized as having a closer relationship with cardiovascular risks than peripheral BP. However, the effects of particulate matter pollution on central aortic BP have not been clearly demonstrated. In this study, we assessed the association between short-term ambient fine particulate matter (with an aerodynamic diameter ≤2.5 μm; PM_2.5) exposure and central aortic BP in a Chinese community-based population. A total of 4715 visits were in our final analysis, including 2151 visits at the baseline and 2564 visits at the follow-up. Central aortic systolic BP (cSBP) was measured noninvasively using the method of radial artery tonometry with Omron HEM-9000AI machine. Data from air pollution monitoring stations were used to estimate daily PM_2.5 exposure. Generalized additive mixed models with clinical and meteorologic covariates adjusted were used to examine the association between PM_2.5 exposure and cSBP. The relationships between PM_2.5 exposure and cSBP were nonlinear, and significant increments of cSBP were observed when the PM_2.5 exposure concentration was above 100 μg/cm³. An interquartile range increase (80.25 μg/m³) in daily PM_2.5 on the day of cSBP measurement (lag 0 day) was associated with 2.54 mm Hg (95% CI, 0.92-4.16) elevation in cSBP. The associations of PM_2.5 with cSBP were not modified by age, sex, body mass index, medications, and comorbid diseases except for cardiovascular disease. Our findings demonstrated that short-term exposure to high concentration of ambient PM_2.5 above 100 μg/cm³ was associated with significant increases in central aortic BP in a Chinese community-based population.

5106A pattern-discovery-based outcome predictive tool integrated with clinical data repository: design and a case study on contrast related acute kidney injury

Introduction

Clinical data repositories (CDR) including electronic health record (EHR) data have great potential for outcome prediction and risk modeling. However, most CDRs were only used for data displaying, and using data from CDR for outcome prediction often requires careful study design and sophisticated modeling techniques before a hypothesis can be tested.

Purpose

We built a prediction tool integrated with CDR based on pattern discovery aiming to bridge the above gap and demonstrated a case study on contrast related acute kidney injury (AKI) with the system.

Methods

A cardiovascular CDR integrated with multiple hospital informatics systems was established. For the case study on AKI, we included patients undergoing cardiac catheterization from January 13, 2015 to April 27, 2017, excluding those with dialysis, end-stage renal disease, renal transplant, and missing pre- or post-procedural creatinine. To handle missing data, a prior-history-note composer was designed to fill in structured data of 14 diseases related to cardiovascular problem. Crucial data such as ejective fraction was extracted from the structured reports. AKI was defined according to Acute Kidney Injury Network by increase of serum creatinine from most recent baseline to the post-procedure 7-day peak. To build predictive modeling, we selected 17 variables covered in existing AKI models. Pattern discovery was recently developed as an interpretable predictive model which works on incomplete noisy data. In this study, we developed a pattern discovery based visual analytics tool, and trained it on 70% data up to August 2016 with three interactive knowledge incorporation modes to develop 3 models: 1) pure data-driven, 2) domain knowledge, and 3) clinician-interactive. In last two modes, a physician using the visual analytics could change the variables and further refine the model, respectively. We tested and compared it with other models on the 30% consecutive patients dated afterwards, which is shown in Figure 1.

Results

Among 2,560 patients in the final dataset with 17 pre-procedure variables derived from CDR data, 169 (7.3%) had AKI. We measured 4 existing models, whose areas under curves (AUCs) of receiver operating characteristics curve for the test set were 0.70 (Mehran's), 0.72 (Chen's), 0.67 (Gao's) and 0.62 (AGEF), respectively. A pure data-driven machine learning method achieves AUC of 0.72 (Easy Ensemble). The AUCs of our 3 models are 0.77, 0.80, 0.82, respectively, with the last being top where physician knowledge is incorporated.

Demo and demonstration

Conclusions

We developed a novel pattern-discovery-based outcome prediction tool integrated with CDR and purely using EHR data. On the case of predicting contrast related AKI, the tool showed user-friendliness by physicians, and demonstrated a competitive performance in comparison with the state-of-the-art models.

Chest Pain Center Accreditation Is Associated With Improved In-Hospital Outcomes of Acute Myocardial Infarction Patients in China: Findings From the CCC-ACS Project

Background

Chest pain center (CPC) accreditation plays an important role in the management of acute myocardial infarction (AMI). However, no evidence shows whether the outcomes of AMI patients are improved with CPC accreditation in China.

Methods and Results

This retrospective analysis is based on a predesigned nationwide registry, CCC‐ACS (Improving Care for Cardiovascular Disease in China‐Acute Coronary Syndrome). The primary outcome was major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE), including all‐cause death, reinfarction, stent thrombosis, stroke, and heart failure. A total of 15 344 AMI patients, from 40 CPC‐accredited hospitals, were enrolled, including 7544 admitted before and 7800 after accreditation. In propensity score matching, 6700 patients in each group were matched. The incidence of 7‐day MACE (6.7% versus 8.0%; P=0.003) and all‐cause death (1.1% versus 1.6%; P=0.021) was lower after accreditation. In multivariate adjusted mixed‐effects Cox proportional hazards models, CPC accreditation was associated with significantly decreased risk of MACE (hazard ratio: 0.78; 95% CI, 0.68–0.91) and all‐cause death (hazard ratio: 0.71; 95% CI, 0.51–0.99). The risk of MACE and all‐cause death both followed a reverse J‐shaped trend: the risk of MACE and all‐cause death decreased gradually after achieving CPC accreditation, with minimal risk occurring in the first year, but increased in the second year and after.

Conclusions

Based on a large‐scale national registry data set, CPC accreditation was associated with better in‐hospital outcomes for AMI patients. However, the benefits seemed to attenuate over time, and reaccreditation may be essential for maintaining AMI care quality and outcomes.

Serum Trimethylamine N-Oxide Concentration Is Positively Associated With First Stroke in Hypertensive Patients

Background and Purpose- Trimethylamine N-oxide (TMAO)-a gut derived metabolite-has been shown to be atherogenic. It remains unknown whether TMAO is associated with the risk of first stroke. We aimed to determine the association between serum TMAO levels and first stroke in hypertensive patients without major cardiovascular diseases and examine any possible effect modifiers. Methods- We used a nested case-control design, using data from the CSPPT (China Stroke Primary Prevention Trial), including 622 patients with first stroke and 622 matched controls. The study was conducted from May 2008 to August 2013. The primary outcome was a first stroke. Results- After adjusting for choline, L-carnitine, and other important covariates, including baseline systolic blood pressure and time-averaged systolic blood pressure, during the treatment period, the risk of first stroke increased with each increment of TMAO level (per natural log [TMAO] increment: odds ratio, 1.22; 95% CI, 1.02-1.46). Consistently, compared with participants in the lowest tertile (<1.79 μmol/L) of serum TMAO levels, a significantly higher risk of first stroke was found in those in higher TMAO tertiles (≥1.79 μmol/L; odds ratio, 1.34; 95% CI, 1.00-1.81) or in TMAO tertile 3 (≥3.19 μmol/L; odds ratio, 1.43; 95% CI, 1.02-2.01). In the exploratory analysis, we observed an interaction between TMAO and folate levels (≥7.7 [median] versus <7.7 ng/mL) on first stroke ( P for interaction, 0.030). Conclusions- Higher TMAO levels were associated with increased risk of first stroke in hypertensive patients. Our finding, if further confirmed, calls for a carefully designed clinical trial to further evaluate the role of higher TMAO levels on outcomes in hypertensive patients. Clinical Trial Registration- URL: https://www.clinicaltrials.gov . Unique identifier: NCT00794885.

Genetic predisposition to type 2 diabetes is associated with severity of coronary artery disease in patients with acute coronary syndromes

Background

Accumulating evidence has shown that type 2 diabetes (T2D) and coronary artery disease (CAD) may stem from a ‘common soil’. The aim of our study was to examine the association between genetic predisposition to T2D and the risk of severe CAD among patients with acute coronary syndromes (ACS) undergoing angiography.

Methods

The current case–control study included 1414 ACS patients with at least one major epicardial vessel stenosis > 50% enrolled in the ACS Genetic Study. The severity of CAD was quantified by the number of coronary arteries involved. Genetic risk score (GRS) was calculated using 41 common variants that robustly associated with increased risk of T2D in East Asians. Logistic regression models were used to estimate the association between GRS and the severity of CAD.

Results

In the age-, sex- and BMI-adjusted model, each additional risk allele was associated with a 6% increased risk of multi-vessel disease (OR = 1.06, 95% CI 1.02–1.09). The OR was 1.43 (95% CI 1.08–1.89) for the risk of severe CAD when comparing the extreme tertiles of T2D-GRS. The association was not reduced after further adjustment for conventional cardiovascular risk factors. Additional adjustment for T2D status in our regression model attenuated the association by approximately one quarter. In subgroup analysis, the strengths of the associations between GRS and the severity of CAD were broadly similar in terms of baseline demographic information and disease characteristics.

Conclusions

Our data indicated that genetic predisposition to T2D is associated with elevated risk of severe CAD. This association revealed a possible causal relationship and is partially mediated through diabetic status.

P1226Very low achieved low-density lipoprotein cholesterol level with alirocumab treatment after acute coronary syndrome: ODYSSEY OUTCOMES

Background

Recent guidelines for cholesterol management recognize uncertainty regarding long-term efficacy and safety of prolonged very low levels of LDL-C on treatment with a PCSK9 inhibitor, including risk of new-onset diabetes. ODYSSEY OUTCOMES used a treat-to-target approach to demonstrate reduction of coronary heart disease death, non-fatal myocardial infarction, ischaemic stroke, or unstable angina (MACE) with the PCSK9 inhibitor alirocumab (ALI) vs placebo (PBO) in 18,924 patients with recent acute coronary syndrome and elevated LDL-C despite intensive statin therapy. ALI was blindly adjusted (75 or 150 mg dose) to target LDL-C 0.6–1.3 mmol/L (25–50 mg/dL). To avoid sustained very low LDL-C, blind substitution of PBO for ALI was intended if 2 consecutive LDL-C levels were <0.39 mmol/L (15 mg/dL). Patients were followed for median of 2.8 years (maximum of 5 years).

Purpose

We report the efficacy and safety of ALI in patients who reached very low LDL-C (consecutively <0.39 mmol/L), compared with matched patients from the PBO group.

Methods

Of 9462 patients randomized to receive ALI, 730 (7.7%) reached very low LDL-C and had substitution of PBO a median 8.3 months after randomization. Using propensity score matching, they were compared (3:1) with 2152 patients initially assigned to PBO. Propensity score matching was also used to compare the incidence of new-onset diabetes in 525 patients without diabetes at baseline who had very low LDL-C levels on ALI with 1675 matched patients in the PBO group. Neurocognitive events and haemorrhagic stroke were also evaluated in relation to very low LDL-C.

Results

Overall, ALI reduced the incidence of MACE (9.5% vs 11.1%; HR 0.85, 95% CI 0.78–0.93; P<0.001). Characteristics used in propensity score matching (and associated with very low LDL-C on ALI) included sex (male), diabetes (present), baseline LDL-C and lipoprotein(a) (lower), region (Asia), statin treatment, smoking, hypertension, and body mass index. Despite being switched to PBO, patients with very low LDL-C on ALI had fewer MACE than matched patients from the PBO group (6.4% vs 8.5%; HR 0.71, 95% CI 0.52–0.98; P=0.039; Figure). Very low LDL-C on ALI was not associated with risk of new-onset diabetes, compared with matched patients from the PBO group (15.1% vs 13.0%; HR 1.10, 95% CI 0.85–1.43; P=0.46). There was no association of very low LDL-C on ALI with neurocognitive events or haemorrhagic stroke.

Conclusions

The overall efficacy of ALI on cardiovascular outcomes was not diminished by the patients who had blinded substitution of PBO for sustained very low LDL-C. Despite a short duration of active treatment, these patients had fewer MACE than matched controls from the PBO group. No adverse consequence of very low LDL-C was identified. However, because patients with sustained very low LDL-C were switched to PBO, the long-term safety of more prolonged very low LDL-C, including risk of new-onset diabetes, deserves further study.

Acknowledgement/Funding

Funded by Sanofi and Regeneron Pharmaceuticals

Expert consensus on the management of hypertension in the young and middle-aged Chinese population

Hypertension, defined as blood pressure (BP) ≥140/90 mmHg, is one of the most common, yet reversible, risk factors for cardiovascular disease (CVD). Globally, 9.40 million people died from hypertension in 2010, accounting for 17.8% of total deaths; disability-adjusted life years (DALYs) caused by hypertension were 170 million person-years, or 7.0% of the total global DALYs.1 Data from China showed that hypertension accounted for 24.6% of all deaths, and 12.0% of total DALYs,2 and the direct medical cost of hypertension in China has reached 36.6 billion yuan per year.3.

P613Cardiac magnetic resonance imaging derived left ventricular mechanical function in patients with atrial fibrillation and left atrial low voltage zones

Background

The relation of left atrial low voltage zones (LVZ) to left ventricular function in patients undergoing pulmonary vein isolation (PVI) is not known.

Objective

To explore the relationship of left atrial low voltage zones (LVZ) on left ventricular function in patients with atrial fibrillation.

Methods

From June to Nov. 2018, 107 (mean age 67y, 70 men, 73 persistent AF) consecutive patients with symptomatic AF underwent a PVI with LVZ mapping. Before PVI the left ventricular ejection fraction (EF) and stroke volume (SV) were measured by cardiac magnetic resonance imaging (CMR). From feature-tracking of CMR-cine images left ventricular global, systolic and diastolic longitudinal strains (GLS), circumferential strains (GCS) and radial strains (GRS) were calculated.

Results

Of 59 patients CMR scanning in sinus rhythm was performed, LVZ were present in 24 patients.

LVEF was significantly lower in patients with left atrial LVZ (62±9% vs. 55±15%) (p=0,03). Left ventricular stroke volume was significantly decreased by the extent of LVZ (94±23 vs. 72±21ml), (p=0,03).

The left ventricular diastolic strains during ventricular filling (caused by atrial contraction) of GLS (r=−0,52), GCS (r=−0,65) and GRS (r=−0,65) were highly signifcantly correlated to the occurence and extent of LVZ (each p<0,001 respectively).

The only systolic ventricular strain was GLS, which decreased (r=−0,3, p=0,03) by the occurance of atrial low voltage.

Conclusion

The active, atrial part of diastolic left ventricular filling properties is impaired by the occurrence and extent of left atrial LVZ. In patients with left atrial LVZ the left ventricular stroke volume and ejection fraction is decreased already in sinus rhythm. It seems possible that atrial mechanical dysfunction and presence of atrial low voltage maybe predicted by LV diastolic strain analysis.

P605Correlation of left atrial phasic transport function and arrhythmogenic substrate in patients with atrial fibrillation: cardiac magnetic resonance feature tracking and bipolar voltage mapping

Background

Bipolar voltage mapping is a widely accepted approach to identify areas of arrhythmogenic substrate in patients presenting for atrial fibrillation (AF) ablation.

However, until now little is known about the correlation of left atrial (LA) bipolar voltage distribution and LA transport function.

Purpose

To study the impact of LA low voltage zones (LVZ) on LA transport function.

Methods

107 consecutive patients presenting for ablation of symptomatic AF (34 paroxysmal AF, 73 persistent AF) were prospectively enrolled. Each patient underwent cardiac magnetic resonance imaging (CMR) within 24 hours prior to the ablation procedure. 59 patients were in sinus rhythm (SR) and 48 in AF. LA phasic indexed volumes (LAVi) and ejection fractions were calculated using biplane area length formula. In addition LA phasic strains and strain rates were analyzed using dedicated software (Figure 1A & B).

LA bipolar voltage mapping was performed prior to beginning of ablation in sinus rhythm using a 3-dimensional mapping system and LVZ were defined as areas of bipolar voltage <0.5mV.

Results

LVZ were present in 47 patients (23 in SR). The area of LVZ was 14.6cm2 (5.3–34.0). For patients in AF at the time of CMR only elevated minimal and maximal LAVi (p=0.001 and p=0.002 respectively) but no LA functional parameter was predictive for the occurrence of LVZ. In contrast for patients in SR all LA phasic volumes (endsystolic, pre atrial contraction and enddiastolic LAVi) and LA function parameters (passive, active and total ejection fraction (EF), reservoir, conduit and booster pump strains and strain rates) were predictive for the occurrence of LVZ. After clustered and pooled multivariate logistic regression only impaired booster pump strain rate was still predictive for occurrence of LVZ (OR 0.974, 95% CI 0.950–0.998, p=0.036).

In addition Pearson correlation analysis revealed a strong link between LA booster pump functional parameters and cm2 expansion of LVZ areas: LA active EF, LA booster pump strain and SR (r=−0.42, p=0.044; r=−0.47, p=0.024; r=−0.65, p=0.001 [Figure 1C] respectively).

Conclusion

For patients in SR LA transport function is closely linked to the occurrence of LA LVZ and outperforms LA volumetric measurements for the prediction of LA LVZ.

Furthermore LA booster pump function parameters show robust correlation to the extension of LA LVZ.

Perception and self-management of hypertension in Chinese cardiologists (CCHS): a multicenter, large-scale cross-sectional study

OBJECTIVES

To determine the frequency of risk factors for hypertension among Chinese cardiologists using a nation-wide survey.

DESIGN

Multicenter, cross-sectional observational study.

SETTING

2441 hospitals across China were surveyed between September 2016 and August 2017.

PARTICIPANTS

All in-service cardiologists were surveyed (n=28 924).

INTERVENTIONS

WeChat-based electronic data capture system, a social application in China (Tencent, Nanshan, China), was used for data acquisition. Physician subscribed to the WeChat official account of the China Cardiologist Heart Study, and filled out an online questionnaire that included age, gender, level of in-service hospital, professional title, academic degree, area of expertise and cardiovascular risk factors. All information was required.

PRIMARY AND SECONDARY OUTCOME MEASURES

The primary outcome was the presence of cardiovascular risk factors. The secondary outcome was the impact of the risk factors on the occurrence of hypertension.

RESULTS

Among 28 924 Chinese cardiologists who completed the questionnaire, 57.6% had blood pressure of 130-139/80-89 mm Hg (5.3% were taking antihypertensive drugs) and 22.0% had blood pressure >140/>90 mm Hg (36.5% were taking antihypertensive drugs). The multivariable analysis showed that age, gender, academic degree, hospital level, body mass index (BMI), smoking and comorbidities were independently associated with hypertension among cardiologists (all p<0.05). Age, female gender, BMI, smoking, family history of cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) and comorbidities were independently associated with taking antihypertensive drugs among hypertensive cardiologists (all p<0.05). Age, hospital level, professional title, BMI, family history of CVDs and comorbidities were independently associated with reaching target blood pressure among hypertensive cardiologists taking antihypertensive drugs.

CONCLUSION

Chinese cardiologists do not recognise and pay attention to their own blood pressure. Their rate of antihypertensive treatment was low. The identified risk factors could be used to identify cardiologists at higher risk for hypertension and for implementing preventive interventions.

The relationship between carotid intima-media thickness and carotid plaque: a cohort study in China

Both carotid intima-media thickness (cIMT) and carotid plaque (CP) quantified by B-mode ultrasound have been proposed as surrogate imaging biomarkers of subclinical atherosclerosis, while the relationship between cIMT and CP, whether cIMT evaluation in a given patient might allow for predicting the development of a carotid plaque, is still discussed controversially. We investigated the cross-sectional relationship between cIMT and CP, and the predictive value of cIMT for incident CP formation in 1078 subjects with mean age of 52 ± 5 years in a community based atherosclerosis cohort in Beijing. Participants underwent ultrasonography of bilateral carotid arteries and received vascular risk factor assessment at baseline and after a mean of 2.35 years follow-up. The prevalence of plaque was increased by 3.75-fold for upper quartile cIMT compare with the lower quartile even after adjustments for traditional risk factors at baseline. Among the 746 plaque-free subjects at baseline, 230 (31.0%) developed new CP. After adjusted for demographics and vascular risk factors, neither baseline cIMT nor the cIMT change from baseline to follow-up predicted incident CP. In conclusion, although cIMT associates with CP cross-sectionally, increased cIMT dose not independently predict future plaque development. Our data suggest that paying attention to the traditional risk factors might prevent subjects from developing carotid plaques regardless from IMT changes.

Positive association between baseline brachial-ankle pulse wave velocity and the risk of new-onset diabetes in hypertensive patients

Background

There is no clearly defined temporal relationship between arterial stiffness and diabetes. We aimed to investigate the prospective association between baseline brachial–ankle pulse wave velocity (baPWV) and the risk of new-onset diabetes during follow-up, and examined whether there were effect modifiers, in hypertensive patients.

Methods

We included 2429 hypertensive patients with all the pertinent data but without diabetes at the baseline, who were part of the China Stroke Primary Prevention Trial (CSPPT), a randomized, double-blind, actively controlled trial conducted in 32 communities in Anhui and Jiangsu provinces in China. The primary outcome was new-onset diabetes, defined as physician-diagnosed diabetes or use of glucose-lowering drugs during follow-up, or fasting glucose (FG) ≥ 126.0 mg/dL at the exit visit.

Results

During a median follow-up duration of 4.5 years, 287 (11.8%) participants developed diabetes. There was a significant positive association between baseline baPWV and the risk of new-onset diabetes (per SD increment; OR, 1.33; 95% CI 1.13, 1.56). Consistently, when baPWV was assessed as quartiles, a significantly higher risk of new-onset diabetes was found in participants in quartiles 2–4 (≥ 15.9 m/s; OR, 1.80; 95% CI 1.22, 2.65) compared with those in quartile 1 (< 15.9 m/s). The positive association was consistent in participants with (per SD increment; OR, 1.29; 95% CI 1.06, 1.56) or without (per SD increment; OR, 1.40; 95% CI 1.15, 1.71) impaired fasting glucose (IFG, FG ≥ 100.8 and < 126.0 mg/dL, P-interaction = 0.486).

Conclusions

In this sample of hypertensive patients, we found a significant positive association between baseline baPWV and the risk of new-onset diabetes.

Clinical trial registration Trial registration: NCT00794885 (clinicaltrials.gov). Retrospectively registered November 20, 2008

China STudy of valsartan/amlodipine fixed-dose combination-bAsed long-Term blood pressUre management in HypertenSive patients: a one-year registry (China STATUS III)

Objective: The present observational study evaluated long-term management of hypertension in patients who received treatment with valsartan and amlodipine in a single-pill combination (Val/Aml SPC) in a real-world setting in China (Chinese Clinical Trial Registry number ChiCTR1900021324). Methods: This was a prospective, observational, multicenter, real-world registry study wherein patients with hypertension who had already received Val/Aml SPC (80/5 mg) for at least 4 weeks before study enrollment were observed for 1 year. Investigators recorded patient data every 3 months and essentially five times during the 1 year follow-up period. Effectiveness was assessed by the blood pressure (BP) control rate and average duration of treatment at the end of the study. Safety was monitored by the incidence of adverse events (AEs) and serious adverse events (SAEs). Results: Overall, 985 patients were enrolled (mean ± standard deviation [SD] age: 60.3 ± 11.5 years); of these, 894 were included in the full analysis set, 758 of whom completed the study. At baseline, BP was controlled (<140/90 mmHg) in 64.3% of patients on Val/Aml SPC for at least 4 weeks before enrollment. Office BP control rates significantly improved from baseline in 74.1% of patients at 1 year (p < .0001). Overall, 575 (87.0%) patients remained on Val/Aml SPC at 1 year (average exposure: 311.5 days). AEs were reported in 23.3% of patients. The majority of AEs were mild to moderate, and 0.6% of patients discontinued Val/Aml SPC because of SAEs. Conclusion: This study provides evidence that Val/Aml SPC effectively reduced BP over the long term among Chinese hypertensive patients, with a good adherence and tolerability profile, and that most hypertensive patients may benefit from this combination.

Protocol of the China ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) Care Project (CSCAP): a 10-year project to improve quality of care by building up a regional STEMI care network

INTRODUCTION

Successful ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) management is time-sensitive and is based on prompt reperfusion mainly to reduce patient mortality. It has evolved from a single hospital care to an integrated regional network approach over the last decades. This prospective study, named the China STEMI Care Project (CSCAP), aims to show how implementation of different types of integrated regional STEMI care networks can improve the reperfusion treatment rate, shorten the total duration of myocardial ischaemia and lead to mortality reduction step by step.

METHODS AND ANALYSIS

The CSCAP is a prospective, multicentre registry study of three phases. A total of 18 provinces, 4 municipalities and 2 autonomous regions in China were included. Patients who meet the third universal definition of myocardial infarction and the Chinese STEMI diagnosis and treatment guidelines are enrolled. Phase 1 (CSCAP-1) focuses on the in-hospital process optimisation of primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PPCI) hospitals, phase 2 (CSCAP-2) focuses on the PPCI hospital-based regional STEMI care network construction together with emergency medical services and adjacent non-PPCI hospitals, while phase 3 (CSCAP-3) focuses on the whole-city STEMI care network construction by promoting chest pain centre accreditation. Systematic data collection, key performance index assessment and subsequent improvement are implemented throughout the project to continuously improve the quality of STEMI care.

ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION

The study has been reviewed and approved by the Ethics Committee of Peking University First Hospital. Ranking reports of quality of care will be generated available to all participant affiliations. Results will be disseminated via peer-reviewed scientific journals and presentations at congresses.

TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER

NCT03821012.

Association between homocysteine level and blood pressure traits among Tibetans: A cross-sectional study in China

Studies on hypertension (HTN) in Tibetans who live in high altitude areas are less and whether total homocysteine level (tHcy) is associated with blood pressure (BP) levels or HTN status in Tibetans is unknown.A total of 1486 Tibetans with complete information from a cross-sectional survey conducted in Lhasa Chengguan County of Tibet were included in this study. Demographic data, self-reported history of disease, and life styles were collected using a questionnaire. Blood tHcy, creatinine, fasting plasma-glucose, total cholesterol, triglycerides, and BP were measured with equipment.The median tHcy level of the whole population was 14.60 (13.17-16.50) μmol/L, and the prevalence of HTN was 26.99%. Regression models, adjusted for possible covariates, showed that an average increase of 1 lnHcy (log transformation of tHcy level) was associated with an increase of 3.78 mmHg of systolic BP (SBP, P = .011) and 3.02 mmHg of diastolic BP (DBP, P = .003). The prevalence of HTN, levels of SBP and DBP in the third (OR for HTN: 1.60, P = .026; β for SBP: 3.41, P = .004; β for DBP: 2.57, P = .002) and fourth (OR for HTN: 2.19, P < .001; β for SBP: 5.08, P < .001; β for DBP: 3.09, P < .001) quartile of tHcy level were higher than those in the first quartile.THcy is associated with BP levels and HTN status among Tibetans. Both HTN management and tHcy level should be paid more attention in Tibetans.

Plasma copper and the risk of first stroke in hypertensive patients: a nested case-control study

BACKGROUND

Previous studies indicated that trace elements may play an important role in cardiovascular diseases. However, data concerning the association between blood copper and the risk of stroke are limited.

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this study was to evaluate the association between plasma copper and the risk of first stroke, and examine any possible effect modifiers in hypertensive patients.

METHODS

We conducted a nested case-control study, using data from the China Stroke Primary Prevention Trial. Hypertension is defined as systolic blood pressure ≥ 140 mm Hg or diastolic blood pressure ≥ 90 mm Hg, or taking antihypertensive medication. A total of 618 first stroke cases and 618 controls matched for age, sex, treatment group, and study site were included in this study. The crude and adjusted risks of first stroke were estimated by ORs and 95% CIs using conditional logistic regression, without or with adjusting for pertinent covariates, respectively.

RESULTS

There were significant positive associations of plasma copper with risk of first stroke (per SD increment-OR: 1.20; 95% CI: 1.03, 1.39) and first ischemic stroke (OR: 1.26; 95% CI: 1.07, 1.50). When plasma copper was categorized in quartiles, significantly higher risks of first stroke (OR: 1.72; 95% CI: 1.12, 2.65) and first ischemic stroke (OR: 1.91; 95% CI: 1.18, 3.11) were found in participants in quartile 4 (≥ 117.0 μg/dL) than in those in quartile 1 (< 91.2 μg/dL). Furthermore, the plasma copper-first stroke association was significantly stronger in participants with higher BMI (< 25.0 compared with ≥ 25.0 kg/m2, P-interaction = 0.024). However, there was no significant association between plasma copper and first hemorrhagic stroke.

CONCLUSIONS

In Chinese hypertensive patients, there was a significant positive association between baseline plasma copper and the risk of first stroke, especially among those with higher BMI.This trial was registered at clinicaltrials.gov as NCT00794885.

Associations between Blood Pressure Indices and Brachial-ankle Pulse Wave Velocity in Treated Hypertensive Adults: results from the China Stroke Primary Prevention Trial (CSPPT)

Brachial–ankle pulse wave velocity (baPWV), as a marker of arterial stiffness, has been demonstrated to be associated with blood pressure (BP) and onset of hypertension. However, little information is available on the associations between baPWV and BP indices [systolic BP (SBP), diastolic BP (DBP), pulse pressure (PP), mean arterial pressure (MAP)] in treated hypertensive patients. We aimed to assess the associations between BP indices and baPWV. In this cross-sectional study, 14,598 hypertensive patients from China Stroke Primary Prevention Trial (CSPPT) at the exit visit of the trial were analyzed. Elevated baPWV was defined as ≥18.3 m/s. Multivariate linear and logistic regression analyses were performed to evaluate the associations of BP indices with baPWV and elevated baPWV. Moreover, the smooth curve fitting (penalized spline method) was conducted. Multivariate linear regression analyses showed that continuous SBP, DBP, PP and MAP were independently and positively associated with baPWV (β = 0.081, 0.084, 0.078 and 0.115, respectively, all P < 0.001). Compared with controlled SBP group (<140 mm Hg), uncontrolled SBP (≥140 mm Hg) was significantly associated with higher baPWV [β = 2.234, 95% confidence interval (CI): 2.137–2.332]. Similarly, compared with controlled DBP group (<90 mm Hg), uncontrolled DBP (≥90 mm Hg) was significantly associated with higher baPWV (β = 1.466, 95%CI: 1.341–1.590). Multiple logistic analyses also showed that SBP, DBP, PP and MAP were significantly and positively associated with elevated baPWV (OR = 1.056, 1.049, 1.052, and 1.075, respectively, all P < 0.001). The fully-adjusted smooth curve fitting presented a linear association between BP indices with baPWV. In conclusion, among treated hypertensive patients, SBP, DBP, PP and MAP levels were independently and positively associated with baPWV and elevated baPWV, suggesting that baPWV might be a way to predict uncontrolled BP.

Prehospital statin use and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels at admission in acute coronary syndrome patients with history of myocardial infarction or revascularization: Findings from the Improving Care for Cardiovascular Disease in China (CCC) project

BACKGROUND

Lowering low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) by statins is a key strategy for secondary prevention of acute coronary syndrome (ACS). However, few studies have examined prehospital statin use and admission LDL-C levels in ACS patients with history of myocardial infarction (MI) or revascularization. This study aimed to assess use of prehospital statins and LDL-C levels at admission in ACS patients with history of MI or revascularization.

METHODS

Improving Care for Cardiovascular Disease in China project was a nationwide registry, with 192 participating hospitals reporting details of clinical information of ACS patients from November 2014. By May 2018, 80,282 patients with ACS were included. LDL-C levels were obtained from the initial admission lipid testing.

RESULTS

Of the 80,282 ACS patients, 6,523 with a history of MI or revascularization were enrolled. Among them, 50.8% were receiving lipid-lowering therapy before hospitalization (statin monotherapy in 98.4%, combination in 1.2%). A total of 30.1% of patients had LDL-C < 70 mg/dL at admission. In patients receiving prehospital statins, 36.1% had LDL-C < 70 mg/dL compared to 24.0% without prehospital statins (P < .001). At discharge, 91.8% of patients were treated with statin monotherapy, 90.7% at moderate doses irrespective of prehospital statin use and LDL-C levels at admission.

CONCLUSIONS

Among ACS patients with history of MI or revascularization, half were not being treated with statin therapy prior to admission, and most had not attained LDL-C < 70 mg/dL despite prehospital statin use. There is an important opportunity to provide intensive statin or combination lipid-lowering therapy to these very high risk patients.

Performance on management strategies with Class I Recommendation and A Level of Evidence among hospitalized patients with non-ST-segment elevation acute coronary syndrome in China: Findings from the Improving Care for Cardiovascular Disease in China-Acute Coronary Syndrome (CCC-ACS) project

BACKGROUND

This study aimed to examine hospital performance on evidence-based management strategies for non-ST-segment elevation acute coronary syndrome (NSTE-ACS) and variations across hospitals.

METHODS

Improving Care for Cardiovascular Disease in China (CCC)-ACS project is an ongoing registry and quality improvement project, with 150 tertiary hospitals recruited across China. We examined hospital performance on nine management strategies (Class I Recommendations with A Level of Evidence) based on established guidelines. We also evaluated the proportion of patients receiving defect-free care, which was defined as the care that included all the required management strategies for which the patient was eligible. The hospital-level variations in the performance were examined.

RESULTS

From 2014 to 2018, 28,170 NSTE-ACS patients were included. Overall, 16% of patients received defect-free care. Higher-performing metrics were statin at discharge (93%), cardiac troponin measurement (92%), dual antiplatelet therapy (DAPT) within 24 hours (90%), and DAPT at discharge (85%). These were followed by metrics of β-blocker at discharge (69%), angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitor/angiotensin receptor blocker (ACEI/ARB) at discharge (59%), and risk stratification (56%). Lower-performing metrics were smoking cessation counseling (35%) and percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) within recommended times (33%). The proportion of patients receiving defect-free care substantially varied across hospitals, ranging from 0% to 58% (Median (interquartile range):12% (7%-21%)). There were large variations across hospitals in performance on risk stratification, smoking cessation counseling, PCI within recommended times, ACEI/ARB at discharge and β-blocker at discharge.

CONCLUSIONS

About one in six NSTE-ACS patients received defect-free care, and the performance varied across hospitals.

Abstract 198: Lifetime Clinical Benefit of Folic Acid Therapy for Primary Prevention of Stroke in Patients with Hypertension - Projection Based on the CSPPT

Background: The CSPPT (China Stroke Primary Prevention Trial) demonstrated a significant risk reduction of first stroke in hypertensive patients treated with EPFA (enalapril plus folic acid) compared to those with enalapril alone, but the life time clinical benefit associated with the use of EPFA is unknown. In this study, we evaluated and quantified the net lifetime clinical benefit of EPFA vs. enalapril alone via assessing stroke-fee life expectancy.

Methods: By establishing adjusted models for competing risks and an age-based time scale using data from 19, 053 participants of the CSPPT, we estimated lifetime incremental stroke-free life expectancy for EPFA vs. enalapril alone.

Results: Compared with enalapril alone, lifetime EPFA treatment projected a mean stroke-free survival gain of 1.75 months, with an interquartile range months from 0.96 to 4.06 months and the maximum gain up to 12.95 months ( Table 1 ). Subgroup analysis showed greater gain in stroke-free survival in younger male patients, and those with lower baseline folate levels, higher systolic blood pressure, higher total cholesterol and blood glucose, and with methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) C677T CT or TT genotype; the net benefit of stroke-free life expectancy varies from 3.5 months to 5.3 months among subgroup ( Figure 1 ).

Conclusions: Our analyses projected that compared with enalapril alone, enalapril plus folic acid treatment in patients with hypertension is associated with a modest gain in lifetime stroke-free life expectancy. Younger male patients and those with lower baseline folate levels, and higher systolic blood pressure, total cholesterol and blood glucose, and the MTHFR C677T CT or TT genotype are expected to benefit most from the treatment.

Serum Lipids and Risk of Rapid Renal Function Decline in Treated Hypertensive Adults With Normal Renal Function

BACKGROUND

We aim to evaluate the effect of different lipids parameters, including triglycerides (TG), high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), the TG to HDL-C (TG:HDL-C) ratio, total cholesterol (TC), and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), on the risk of rapid renal function decline and examine any possible effect modifiers in general hypertensive patients with normal renal function.

METHODS

A total of 12,549 hypertensive patients with estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) ≥60 ml/min/1.73 m2 in the renal sub-study of the China Stroke Primary Prevention Trial were included in the analyses. The primary outcome was rapid renal function decline, defined as an average decline in eGFR ≥ 5 ml/min/1.73 m2 per year.

RESULTS

The median treatment duration was 4.4 years. After the full adjustment for TC, TG, HDL-C, and other major covariates, a significantly higher risk of rapid renal function decline was found in participants with higher TG [≥150 vs. <150 mg/dl, 7.7% vs. 5.5%; odds ratios (OR): 1.27; 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.06-1.51], higher TG:HDL-C ratio [≥2.7 (median) vs. <2.7, 7.7% vs. 5.0%; OR: 1.39; 95% CI: 1.14-1.71), lower TC (≥200 vs. <200 mg/dl, 6.0% vs. 7.0%; OR: 0.79; 95% CI: 0.67-0.93), or lower LDL-C levels (≥130 vs. <130 mg/dl, 6.1% vs. 7.0%; OR: 0.79; 95% CI: 0.67-0.94). Moreover, the increased risk of the primary outcome associated with elevated TG was particularly evident among individuals with lower total homocysteine levels [<12.4 (median) vs. ≥ 12.4 μmol/l, P interaction = 0.036].

CONCLUSIONS

Higher TG and TG:HDL-C ratio were independent risk factors for rapid renal function decline in hypertensive adults with normal renal function.

2018 update of expert consensus statement on antiplatelet therapy in East Asian patients with ACS or undergoing PCI

East Asians are the most populous race in the world and their health status is an important global issue. Compared with Caucasian populations, East Asian patients have a different benefit/risk ratio when using antithrombotic treatment. Despite this observation, treatment strategies in East Asian patients are mostly based on the American and European guidelines. Despite a lower platelet inhibitory response to clopidogrel, East Asian patients show a similar or even a lower rate of ischemic event occurrence and higher bleeding risk compared with Caucasian patients. For potent P2Y₁₂ inhibitors (ticagrelor and prasugrel), East Asian patients have shown less favorable net clinical benefits compared with Caucasian patients, which may be related to differences in pharmacokinetic/pharmacodynamic profiles and therapeutic zone of antiplatelet effect. This updated consensus mainly focuses on state-of-the-art and current controversies in the East Asian population. In addition, when East Asian patients are administered potent P2Y₁₂ receptor inhibitors, the strategies and ongoing trials to overcome the related hurdles are discussed.

U-shaped association between serum albumin and development of chronic kidney disease in general hypertensive patients

BACKGROUND & AIMS

We aimed to examine the association between serum albumin (SAlb) and the development of chronic kidney disease (CKD), and examine any possible effect modifiers in general hypertensive patients with normal renal function and with no previous cardiovascular diseases (CVD).

METHODS

This is a post-hoc analysis (performed at May, 2018) of 12,621 hypertensive adults with estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) ≥60 mL/min/1.73 m² and SAlb ≥35.0 g/L from the renal sub-study of the China Stroke Primary Prevention Trial (CSPPT), conducted from May 2008 to August 2013. The primary outcome was development of CKD, defined as a decrease in eGFR of ≥30% and to a level of <60 mL/min/1.73 m²; or end stage renal disease.

RESULTS

The median follow-up duration was 4.4 years. Overall, the association between SAlb levels and risk of the primary outcome followed a U-shape. The risk of CKD development significantly decreased with the increment of SAlb (per g/L: OR = 0.92; 95% CI: 0.88-0.96) in participants with SAlb <51.4 g/L, and increased with the increment of SAlb (per g/L: OR = 1.06; 95%CI: 1.01-1.11) in participants with SAlb ≥51.4 g/L. Moreover, in participants with SAlb <51.4 g/L, the association between SAlb and CKD development remained significant in participants without proteinuria (per g/L: OR = 0.93; 95% CI: 0.88-0.99). The association between SAlb and CKD development was not significantly modified by age, sex, folic acid treatment, proteinuria, systolic blood pressure (SBP) at baseline and time-averaged SBP during the treatment period (all P-interactions>0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

There was a U-shaped association between SAlb levels and risk of CKD development among general hypertensive patients with normal renal function and without CVD, with a turning point at about 51.4 g/L.

Perceptions and Acceptance of mHealth in Patients With Cardiovascular Diseases: A Cross-Sectional Study

Background

Mobile health (mHealth)—a method of assisting long-term care in patients with chronic cardiovascular diseases (CVDs)—is gaining popularity in China, mainly owing to the large number of patients and limited clinical resources. Patients of different ages have varying needs for CVD management. However, evidence regarding how age influences Chinese CVD patients’ use and perceptions of mHealth is limited.

Objective

This study aimed to explore age-related differences among Chinese patients with CVD regarding their use and perceptions of mHealth and to determine the factors that influence this population’s willingness to use mHealth technologies.

Methods

We conducted a cross-sectional study of patients with chronic CVDs in a tertiary hospital in Beijing using a new questionnaire designed by the investigators. Participants were sourced using nonproportional quota-sampling methods, being recruited consecutively in each sampling category (age 18-49, 50-64, 65-74, and ≥75 years, with at least 25 men and 25 women in each age group). The survey consisted of 5 parts, including sociodemographic profile and medical history; current disease management situation; self-evaluation of disease management; current usage of mobile and internet technology (IT); and willingness to use an mHealth solution to perform disease self-management. Responses were compared among the 4 age groups as well as between patients who were willing to use mHealth solutions and those who were not. Multivariate logistic regression model was used to identify predictors of willingness to use mHealth for self-management.

Results

Overall, 231 patients (124 men) completed the questionnaire; of these, 53 were aged 18-49 years, 66 were aged 50-64 years, 54 were aged 65-74 years, and 58 were aged ≥75 years. Patients in the older cohorts visited hospitals more often than did those in the younger cohorts (P<.001), and they also showed lower technology skills regarding the use of mobile or internet devices (P<.001) and searched for health-related information on the internet less often (P<.001). In addition, 68.0% (157/231) of the patients showed interest in using mHealth solution to manage their disease; of these, 40.8% (64/157) were aged ≥65 years. Patients who were more willing to use mHealth solution to manage their diseases were younger (P<.001), more educated (P<.001), still working (P=.001), possessed higher skill regarding mobile or internet device use (P<.001), and more frequently searched for health information on the internet (P<.001). Finally, multivariate logistic regression showed that IT skill was the single indicator (P=.003) of willingness to use mHealth, not age.

Conclusions

Although age is associated with the use of mobile or internet devices, the sole indicator of mHealth use for self-management was participants’ IT skills. Education regarding the use of mobile devices and development of easy-to-use software might improve the acceptance of mHealth solutions among older patient populations.

Plasma retinol and the risk of first stroke in hypertensive adults: a nested case-control study

Background

Identification of novel risk factors is needed to further lower stroke risk. Data concerning the association between plasma retinol concentrations and the risk of stroke are limited.

Objectives

We aimed to evaluate the effect of plasma retinol on the risk of first stroke and to examine any possible effect modifiers in hypertensive patients.

Methods

The study sample population was drawn from the China Stroke Primary Prevention Trial (CSPPT), using a nested case-control design, including 620 cases with first stroke and 620 matched controls. In the CSPPT, a total of 20,702 hypertensive patients were randomly assigned to a double-blind, daily treatment with either 10 mg enalapril and 0.8 mg folic acid or 10 mg enalapril alone. The median treatment duration was 4.5 y.

Results

There was a significant inverse association between plasma retinol and the risk of first stroke (per 10-μg/dL increment; OR: 0.92; 95% CI: 0.86, 0.97) and first ischemic stroke (OR: 0.92; 95% CI: 0.86, 0.98). When retinol was assessed as quartiles, significantly lower risks of first stroke (OR: 0.64; 95% CI: 0.46, 0.88) and first ischemic stroke (OR: 0.67; 95% CI: 0.46, 0.96) were found in participants in quartiles 2-4 compared with those in quartile 1. Furthermore, a stronger inverse association between plasma retinol and first stroke was observed in participants with baseline total homocysteine (<10 compared with ≥10 μmol/L; P-interaction = 0.049). However, plasma retinol had no significant effect on first hemorrhagic stroke (per 10-μg/dL increment; OR: 0.98; 95% CI: 0.79, 1.18).

Conclusions

Our data showed a significant inverse association between plasma retinol and the risk of first stroke among Chinese hypertensive adults. This study was registered at clinicaltrials.gov as NCT00794885.

A Nested Case-Control Study on Plasma Vitamin E and Risk of Cancer: Evidence of Effect Modification by Selenium

BACKGROUND

Evidence from epidemiologic studies has been inconsistent regarding the role of vitamin E in cancer incidence risk.

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this study was to evaluate the prospective association between baseline plasma vitamin E levels and subsequent cancer risk in Chinese adults with hypertension, and to identify effect modifiers.

DESIGN

A nested, case-control study was conducted from 20,702 hypertensive participants in the China Stroke Primary Prevention Trial, a randomized, double-blind, controlled trial, conducted from May 2008 to August 2013.

PARTICIPANTS

The current study included 229 new cancer cases and 229 controls matched for age (±1 year), sex, treatment group, and study site.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

Plasma vitamin E was measured by liquid chromatography with tandem quadrupole mass spectrometers and plasma selenium was measured by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry using Thermo Fisher iCAP Q ICP-MS.

STATISTICAL ANALYSES

Odds ratios (OR) of cancer in relation to plasma concentrations of vitamin E were calculated using conditional logistic regression models.

RESULTS

Median follow-up duration was 4.5 years. Overall, vitamin E was not associated with subsequent risk of total cancer (per 1-mg/L [2.3 μmol/L] increase: OR 1.01, 95% CI 0.93 to 1.09) and non-gastrointestinal cancer (OR 1.10, 95% CI 0.98 to 1.24). However, there was a significant, inverse association between vitamin E and gastrointestinal cancer (OR 0.86, 95% CI 0.75 to 0.99), particularly esophageal cancer (OR 0.67, 95% CI 0.48 to 0.95). Moreover, high vitamin E decreased the risk of total cancer (OR 0.91, 95% CI 0.84 to 0.99) and gastrointestinal cancer (OR 0.83, 95% CI 0.73 to 0.95) among patients with high selenium levels (median≥83.7 μg/L [1.1 μmol/L]), and increased the risk of total cancer (OR 1.13, 95% CI 1.00 to 1.26) and non-gastrointestinal cancer (OR 1.25, 95% CI 1.03 to 1.50) among those with low selenium levels (<83.7 μg/L [1.1 μmol/L]).

CONCLUSIONS

This study suggests that higher levels of plasma vitamin E are associated with reduced risk of gastrointestinal cancer. High vitamin E decreased the risk of total cancer among patients with high selenium levels, but increased the risk of total cancer among those with low selenium levels.

Association Between Lipid Profiles and Arterial Stiffness in Chinese Patients With Hypertension: Insights From the CSPPT

Arterial stiffness plays a key role in the pathogenesis of cardiovascular disease. However, the relationship between lipid levels and arterial stiffness is controversial. We aimed to investigate the association between lipid parameters and brachial-ankle pulse-wave velocity (baPWV) in Chinese patients with hypertension. A total of 14 071 participants with hypertension in the China Stroke Primary Prevention Trial (CSPPT) were enrolled in the present study. Patients were assigned to 4 equal groups according to their baPWV. Participants in the highest baPWV group were older with a higher prevalence of stroke and diabetes mellitus as well as higher body mass index (BMI), blood pressure, fasting plasma glucose, uric acid, total cholesterol (TC), triglycerides (TG), homocysteine (Hcy), and vitamin B12 levels ( P < .001). After adjusting for age, sex, BMI, and other cardiovascular risks, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) was negatively related to baPWV (β = -0.22, P = .012), TC (β = 0.08, P = 0.001), TG (β = 0.14, P = .001); non-HDL-C (β = 0.12, P = .001) and positively related to baPWV. The effect was not observed for low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C; β = 0.12, P = .335).These results suggested that non-HDL-C, TG, and TC were associated with arterial stiffness in a Chinese population with hypertension. HDL-C was inversely associated with arterial stiffness.

Higher blood pressure increases arterial stiffness modified by blood glucose levels in a Chinese community-based study

Background: Increased arterial stiffness measured by brachial-ankle pulse wave velocity is associated with cardiovascular disease. However, the rates at which brachial-ankle pulse wave velocity and blood glucose accelerate within individuals who differ in blood pressure levels are largely unknown. Methods: This study was based on the baseline data of a Chinese community-based atherosclerosis cohort which included 7402 individuals. Using generalized linear regression models, the relationship between blood glucose levels and brachial-ankle pulse wave velocity, and the relationship between blood pressure levels and brachial-ankle pulse wave velocity were examined. Results: A marked interaction between hypertensive state and diabetic state was seen for brachial-ankle pulse wave velocity (P for interaction <0.001). The adjusted coefficient for subjects stratified by hypertensive groups and diabetic states showed that the highest brachial-ankle pulse wave velocity risk subjects were those who had both diabetes and hypertension (B=403.24; 95% CI: 372.43-434.05; P<0.001). Conclusions: The participants with increased arterial stiffness demonstrate a high prevalence of higher blood pressure. When high blood glucose levels co-occur with high blood pressure levels, there is a remarkable increase in arterial stiffness.

Metabolic Syndrome Is Associated With Rapid Estimated Glomerular Filtration Rate Decline In A Chinese Community-Based Population

PURPOSE

This study aimed to determine the relationship between the metabolic syndrome (MetS) and rapid estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) decline in a Chinese community-based population.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

A total of 3108 participants were recruited between December 2011 and July 2014 from an observational study cohort designed for the study of atherosclerotic diseases in Beijing, China. The outcome was a rapid eGFR decline. Subgroup and interaction analyses were performed with respect to a number of covariates.

RESULTS

Over a median follow-up period of 2.34 (IQR: 2.29-2.41) years, the overall incidence of rapid eGFR decline was 7.24%. We found that the MetS was significantly associated with the risk of rapid eGFR decline (odds ratio [OR]=1.69, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.28-2.23, p<0.001) in a model adjusted for age, sex, and eGFR, and this relationship remained significant after adjustment for smoking, drinking, and low-density lipoprotein-cholesterol (OR=1.78, 95% CI: 1.34-2.35, p<0.001). Waist circumference (OR=1.38, 95% CI: 1.04-1.83, p=0.027), triglycerides (OR=1.40, 95% CI: 1.05-1.86, p=0.022), blood pressure (OR=2.05, 95% CI: 1.49-2.82, p<0.001), and fasting plasma glucose (OR=2.12, 95% CI: 1.57-2.85, p<0.001), but not high-density lipoprotein-cholesterol (OR=1.26, 95% CI: 0.94-1.69, p=0.117), were positively associated with the risk of rapid eGFR decline. Similarly, an increase in the number of MetS components present was associated with an increase in the risk of rapid eGFR decline. Furthermore, this association was modified by smoking status (OR=3.78, 95% CI: 1.68-8.49, p-interaction=0.030).

CONCLUSION

The MetS independently predicted rapid eGFR decline in a Chinese community-based cohort recruited for the study of atherosclerosis. The relationship between the MetS and the risk of rapid eGFR decline was modified by smoking status.

Decreased GFR and its joint association with type 2 diabetes and hypertension with prevalence and severity of carotid plaque in a community population in China

BACKGROUND

Type 2 diabetes (T2DM), hypertension and kidney dysfunction are known risk factors for cardiovascular disease, but their combined effect on carotid plaque remains uncertain. This study aims to assess the associations between T2DM, hypertension, kidney dysfunction and carotid plaque, and further explore the combined effect of three diseases.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

We conducted a cross-sectional analysis among 3,815 community-dwelling adults in a Chinese atherosclerosis cohort. Estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR), hypertension and T2DM were evaluated as risk factors for carotid plaque. The presence, number and total area of carotid plaques were also assessed. Using logistic model, mutinomial logistic model and generalized linear regression model, the relationship between risk factors and carotid plaque was examined.

RESULTS

T2DM, hypertension, decreased GFR, and, inversely, eGFR, were independently associated with the presence, number and total area of carotid plaque. Stratified analysis by T2DM and hypertension showed T2DM attenuated the association between eGFR change and carotid plaque. There was a cumulative relationship between three risk factors and carotid plaque burden. The OR for the number of plaques was 1.0 (reference), 1.55 to 2.03, 1.94 to 3.14, and 3.69 (all P<0.05), respectively, for individuals with none, one, two, and three risk factors. Likewise, combining three risk factors was associated with greater increase in total plaque area (β, 20.63; 95% CI, 14.04-27.22).

CONCLUSION

The coexistence of decreased GFR, diabetes and hypertension is associated with increased risk of carotid plaque, and these comorbidities may contribute additively to the development of plaque.

MASked-unconTrolled hypERtension management based on office BP or on ambulatory blood pressure measurement (MASTER) Study: a randomised controlled trial protocol

INTRODUCTION

Masked uncontrolled hypertension (MUCH) carries an increased risk of cardiovascular (CV) complications and can be identified through combined use of office (O) and ambulatory (A) blood pressure (BP) monitoring (M) in treated patients. However, it is still debated whether the information carried by ABPM should be considered for MUCH management. Aim of the MASked-unconTrolled hypERtension management based on OBP or on ambulatory blood pressure measurement (MASTER) Study is to assess the impact on outcome of MUCH management based on OBPM or ABPM.

METHODS AND ANALYSIS

MASTER is a 4-year prospective, randomised, open-label, blinded-endpoint investigation. A total of 1240 treated hypertensive patients from about 40 secondary care clinical centres worldwide will be included -upon confirming presence of MUCH (repeated on treatment OBP <140/90 mm Hg, and at least one of the following: daytime ABP ≥135/85 mm Hg; night-time ABP ≥120/70 mm Hg; 24 hour ABP ≥130/80 mm Hg), and will be randomised to a management strategy based on OBPM (group 1) or on ABPM (group 2). Patients in group 1 will have OBP measured at 0, 3, 6, 12, 18, 24, 30, 36, 42 and 48 months and taken as a guide for treatment; ABPM will be performed at randomisation and at 12, 24, 36 and 48 months but will not be used to take treatment decisions. Patients randomised to group 2 will have ABPM performed at randomisation and all scheduled visits as a guide to antihypertensive treatment. The effects of MUCH management strategy based on ABPM or on OBPM on CV and renal intermediate outcomes (changing left ventricular mass and microalbuminuria, coprimary outcomes) at 1 year and on CV events at 4 years and on changes in BP-related variables will be assessed.

ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION

MASTER study protocol has received approval by the ethical review board of Istituto Auxologico Italiano. The procedures set out in this protocol are in accordance with principles of Declaration of Helsinki and Good Clinical Practice guidelines. Results will be published in accordance with the CONSORT statement in a peer-reviewed scientific journal.

TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER

NCT02804074; Pre-results.

Efficacy and safety of sacubitril/valsartan compared with olmesartan in Asian patients with essential hypertension: A randomized, double-blind, 8-week study

This study assessed the efficacy and safety of angiotensin receptor neprilysin inhibitor sacubitril/valsartan vs olmesartan in Asian patients with mild-to-moderate hypertension. Patients (N = 1438; mean age, 57.7 years) with mild-to-moderate hypertension were randomized to receive once daily administration of sacubitril/valsartan 200 mg (n = 479), sacubitril/valsartan 400 mg (n = 473), or olmesartan 20 mg (n = 486) for 8 weeks. The primary endpoint was reduction in mean sitting systolic blood pressure (msSBP) from baseline with sacubitril/valsartan 200 mg vs olmesartan 20 mg at Week 8. Secondary endpoints included msSBP reduction with sacubitril/valsartan 400 mg, and reductions in clinic and ambulatory BP and pulse pressure (PP) vs olmesartan. In addition, changes in msBP from baseline in the Chinese subpopulation, elderly (≥65 years), and in patients with isolated systolic hypertension (ISH) were assessed. Sacubitril/valsartan 200 mg provided a significantly greater reduction in msSBP than olmesartan 20 mg at Week 8 (between-treatment difference: -2.33 mm Hg [95% confidence interval (CI) -4.00 to -0.66 mm Hg], P < 0.05 for non-inferiority and superiority). Greater reductions in msSBP were also observed with sacubitril/valsartan 400 mg vs olmesartan 20 mg (-3.52 [-5.19 to -1.84 mm Hg], P < 0.001 for superiority). Similarly, greater reductions in msBP were observed in the Chinese subpopulation, in elderly patients, and those with ISH. In addition, both doses of sacubitril/valsartan provided significantly greater reductions from baseline in nighttime mean ambulatory BP vs olmesartan. Treatment with sacubitril/valsartan 200 or 400 mg once daily is effective and provided superior BP reduction than olmesartan 20 mg in Asian patients with mild-to-moderate hypertension and is generally safe and well tolerated.

Prevalence and in-hospital outcomes of diabetes among patients with acute coronary syndrome in China: findings from the Improving Care for Cardiovascular Disease in China-Acute Coronary Syndrome Project

BACKGROUND

Guidelines have classified patients with acute coronary syndrome (ACS) and diabetes as a special population, with specific sections presented for the management of these patients considering their extremely high risk. However, in China up-to-date information is lacking regarding the burden of diabetes in patients with ACS and the potential impact of diabetes status on the in-hospital outcomes of these patients. This study aims to provide updated estimation for the burden of diabetes in patients with ACS in China and to evaluate whether diabetes is still associated with excess risks of early mortality and major adverse cardiovascular and cerebrovascular events (MACCE) for ACS patients.

METHODS

The Improving Care for Cardiovascular Disease in China-ACS Project was a collaborative study of the American Heart Association and the Chinese Society of Cardiology. A total of 63,450 inpatients with a definitive diagnosis of ACS were included. Prevalence of diabetes was evaluated in the overall study population and subgroups. Multivariate logistic regression was performed to examine the association between diabetes and in-hospital outcomes, and a propensity-score-matched analysis was further conducted.

RESULTS

Among these ACS patients, 23,880 (37.6%) had diabetes/possible diabetes. Both STEMI and NSTE-ACS patients had a high prevalence of diabetes/possible diabetes (36.8% versus 39.0%). The prevalence of diabetes/possible diabetes was higher in women (45.0% versus 35.2%, p < 0.001). Even in patients younger than 45 years, 26.9% had diabetes/possible diabetes. While receiving comparable treatments for ACS, diabetes/possible diabetes was associated with a twofold higher risk of all-cause death (adjusted odds ratio 2.04 [95% confidence interval 1.78-2.33]) and a 1.5-fold higher risk of MACCE (adjusted odds ratio 1.54 [95% confidence interval 1.39-1.72]).

CONCLUSIONS

Diabetes was highly prevalent in patients with ACS in China. Considerable excess risks for early mortality and major adverse cardiovascular events were found in these patients. Trial registration NCT02306616. Registered December 3, 2014.

The modifying effect of the MTHFR genotype on the association between folic acid supplementation and pulse wave velocity: Findings from the CSPPT

OBJECTIVE

In a subgroup analysis of the China Stroke Primary Prevention Trial, we aimed to explore the impact of folic acid supplementation on arterial stiffness and assess the modifying effect of the methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) gene in Chinese patients with hypertension.

METHODS

This prospective study enrolled 2529 hypertensive Chinese patients. Participants were randomized to receive treatment with either a combination of enalapril and folic acid or enalapril. Brachial-ankle pulse wave velocity (PWV) was measured by trained medical staff using PWV instruments at both baseline and exit visits, approximately 5 years after enrollment. This trial was registered with clinicaltrials.gov (NCT00794885).

RESULTS

During the follow-up, change in folate was significantly and independently correlated with change in ba-PWV in study patients (β = -1.31, P < 0.001). Individuals with CC genotype had a significantly greater PWV response to folic acid supplementation than did carriers of the T allele (β = -2.79, P < 0.001 for CC homozygotes compared with β = -0.56, P = 0.464 for TT homozygotes). The positive effect of folic acid on improved PWV was modified by the MTHFR genotype (P for interaction = 0.034).

CONCLUSION

In a subgroup of Chinese hypertensive patients who had received 5-year antihypertensive therapy, increases in folate status were associated with higher reductions in PWV, and individuals with the CC genotype showed greatest PWV response to folic acid supplementation.