Prognostic impact of body mass index and culprit lesion calcification in patients with acute myocardial infarction

Long-term all-cause death prediction by coronary, aortic, and valvular calcification in patients with acute ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction

BACKGROUND

To determine the prognostic value of cumulative calcification score of coronary artery calcification (CAC), thoracic aortic calcification (TAC) and aortic valve calcification (AVC) in acute ST segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) patients.

METHODS

This was a retrospective, single-center cohort study. A total of 332 STEMI patients who received primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PPCI) were enrolled in this study between January 2010 to October 2018. We assessed the calcification in the left anterior descending branch (LAD), left circumflex branch (LCX), right coronary artery (RCA), thoracic aorta, and aortic valve. Calcification of each part was counted as 1 point, and the cumulative calcification score was calculated as the sum of all points. The primary endpoint was all-cause mortality. Multivariate Cox proportional hazards models were used to determine association of cumulative calcification score with end points. The performance of the score was evaluated by receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis and absolute net reclassification improvement (NRI), compared with the Global Registry of Acute Coronary Events (GRACE) risk score.

RESULTS

The overall population's calcification score was 2.0 ± 1.6. During a mean follow-up time of 69.8 ± 29.3 months, the all-cause mortality rate was 12.1%. Kaplan-Meier curve showed that the score was significantly associated with mortality (log-rank p < 0.001). The multivariable Cox proportional hazard analyses showed that a calcification score of 4-5 was independently associated with all-cause death in STEMI patients [hazard ratio (HR) = 2.32, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.01-5.31, p = 0.046]. The area under the ROC curve (AUC) of the calcification score was 0.67 (95% CI: 0.61-0.72), and the AUC of the GRACE score was 0.80 (95% CI: 0.75-0.84). There was no statistical difference in the predictive value between both scores for 3-year mortality in STEMI patients after PPCI (p = 0.06). Based on the NRI analysis, the calcification score showed better risk classification compared with the GRACE score (absolute NRI = 6.63%, P = 0.027).

CONCLUSION

The cumulative calcification score is independently associated with the long-term prognosis of STEMI patients after PPCI.

Association between triglyceride glucose index and arterial stiffness and coronary artery calcification: a systematic review and exposure-effect meta-analysis

BACKGROUND

The triglyceride and glucose (TyG) index has been linked to various cardiovascular diseases. However, it's still unclear whether the TyG index is associated with arterial stiffness and coronary artery calcification (CAC).

METHODS

We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis of relevant studies until September 2022 in the PubMed, Cochrane Library, and Embase databases. We used a random-effects model to calculate the pooled effect estimate and the robust error meta-regression method to summarize the exposure-effect relationship.

RESULTS

Twenty-six observational studies involving 87,307 participants were included. In the category analysis, the TyG index was associated with the risk of arterial stiffness (odds ratio [OR]: 1.83; 95% CI 1.55-2.17, I² = 68%) and CAC (OR: 1.66; 95% CI 1.51-1.82, I² = 0). The per 1-unit increment in the TyG index was also associated with an increased risk of arterial stiffness (OR: 1.51, 95% CI 1.35-1.69, I² = 82%) and CAC (OR: 1.73, 95% CI 1.36-2.20, I² = 51%). Moreover, a higher TyG index was shown to be a risk factor for the progression of CAC (OR = 1.66, 95% CI 1.21-2.27, I² = 0, in category analysis, OR = 1.47, 95% CI 1.29-1.68, I² = 41% in continuity analysis). There was a positive nonlinear association between the TyG index and the risk of arterial stiffness (P_nonlinearity < 0.001).

CONCLUSION

An elevated TyG index is associated with an increased risk of arterial stiffness and CAC. Prospective studies are needed to assess causality.

Body Mass Index and Mortality, Recurrence and Readmission after Myocardial Infarction: Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

The following study aimed to systematically review and meta-analyse the literature on the relations between markers of nutritional status and long-term mortality, recurrence and all-cause hospital readmission following myocardial infarction (MI). Medline, EMBASE and Web of Science were searched for prospective cohort studies reporting the relationship between anthropometric and biochemical markers of nutritional status and nutritional assessment tools on long-term mortality, recurrence and all-cause hospital readmission in adult patients with an MI. Two reviewers conducted screening, data extraction and critical appraisal independently. Random-effects meta-analysis was performed. Twenty-seven studies were included in the qualitative synthesis and twenty-four in the meta-analysis. All eligible studies analysed BMI as their exposure of interest. Relative to normal weight, mortality was highest in underweight patients (adjusted Hazard Ratio (95% confidence interval): 1.42 (1.24–1.62)) and lower in both overweight (0.85 (0.76–0.94)) and obese patients (0.86 (0.81–0.91)), over a mean follow-up ranging from 6 months to 17 years. No statistically significant associations were identified between different BMI categories for the outcomes of recurrence and hospital readmission. Patients with low BMI carried a significant mortality risk post-MI; however due to the known limitations associated with BMI measurement, further evidence regarding the prognostic utility of other nutritional markers is required.

The Contribution of Extracellular Vesicles From Senescent Endothelial and Vascular Smooth Muscle Cells to Vascular Calcification

Vascular calcification is an irreversible pathological process associated with a loss of vascular wall function. This process occurs as a result of aging and age-related diseases, such as cardiovascular and chronic kidney diseases, and leads to comorbidities. During these age-related diseases, the endothelium accumulates senescent cells, which stimulate calcification in vascular smooth muscle cells. Currently, vascular calcification is a silent pathology, and there are no early diagnostic tools. Therefore, by the time vascular calcification is diagnosed, it is usually untreatable. Some mediators, such as oxidative stress, inflammation, and extracellular vesicles, are inducers and promoters of vascular calcification. They play a crucial role during vascular generation and the progression of vascular calcification. Extracellular vesicles, mainly derived from injured endothelial cells that have acquired a senescent phenotype, contribute to calcification in a manner mostly dependent on two factors: (1) the number of extracellular vesicles released, and (2) their cargo. In this review, we present state-of-the-art knowledge on the composition and functions of extracellular vesicles involved in the generation and progression of vascular calcification.

Effect of Low Body Mass Index on the Clinical Outcomes of Japanese Patients With Acute Myocardial Infarction - Results From the Prospective Japan Acute Myocardial Infarction Registry (JAMIR)

BACKGROUND

Acute myocardial infarction (AMI) patients with low body mass index (BMI) exhibit worse clinical outcomes than obese patients; however, to our knowledge, no prospective, nationwide study has assessed the effect of BMI on the clinical outcomes of AMI patients.

METHODS AND RESULTS

In this multi-center, prospective, nationwide Japanese trial, 2,373 AMI patients who underwent emergent percutaneous coronary intervention within 12 h of onset from the Japanese AMI Registry (JAMIR) were identified. Patients were divided into the following 4 groups based on their BMI at admission: Q1 group (BMI <18.5 kg/m2, n=133), Q2 group (18.5≤BMI<25.0 kg/m2, n=1,424), Q3 group (25.0≤BMI<30.0 kg/m2, n=672), and Q4 group (30.0 kg/m2≤BMI, n=144). The primary endpoint was all-cause death, and the secondary endpoint was a composite of cardiovascular death, non-fatal myocardial infarction (MI), and non-fatal stroke. The median follow-up period was 358 days. Q1 patients were older and had lower prevalence of coronary risk factors. Q1 patients also had higher all-cause mortality and higher incidence of secondary endpoints than normal-weight or obese AMI patients. Multivariate analysis showed that low BMI (Q1 group) was an independent predictor for primary endpoint.

CONCLUSIONS

AMI patients with low BMI had fewer coronary risk factors but worse clinical outcomes than normal-weight or obese patients.

Body mass index and all-cause mortality in patients with percutaneous coronary intervention: A dose-response meta-analysis of obesity paradox

The association between body mass index (BMI) and mortality of patients with percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) is still controversial. We hope to explore whether the 'obesity paradox' really exists through this dose-response meta-analysis. PubMed, Embase and Cochrane databases were systematically searched for eligible studies up to April 2020. The random-effects restricted cubic spline models were used to evaluate the potential non-linear relationship between BMI and all-cause mortality of patients undergoing PCI. Fifteen studies were identified and included total 138 592 participants. The pooled hazard ratio of all-cause mortality was 0.60 (95% confidence interval: 0.45-0.82) when compared the highest category (mean = 33.32 kg m^-2 ) of BMI with the lowest category (mean = 18.89 kg m^-2 ). A non-linear U-shaped dose-response curve between BMI and the risk of all-cause mortality was found, with higher mortality rate at BMI lower than 27 kg m^-2 and higher than 32 kg m^-2 . The 'obesity paradox' does exist after PCI. The association between BMI and the risk of all-cause mortality for patients undergoing PCI is U shaped, with a nadir of risk at a BMI of 27 to 32 kg m^-2 and the highest risk at patients with underweight. The relationship between other prognostic indicators and BMI is worthy of further research.

Clinical Outcomes of Acute Myocardial Infarction Patients With a History of Malignant Tumor

BACKGROUND

Little is known about the clinical outcomes of acute myocardial infarction (AMI) in patients with a history of malignant tumor (MT).

PATIENTS AND METHODS

We retrospectively studied 1,295 consecutive patients with AMI who underwent primary percutaneous coronary intervention within 24 hours of onset. The patients were divided into two groups: those with a history of MT (MT group, n=50) and those without (non-MT group, n=1,245).

RESULTS

The MT group was older, and had lower hemoglobin, total protein, and albumin levels. All-cause mortality and re-admission rates due to acute decompensated heart failure (ADHF) were significantly higher in the MT group. Multivariate analysis showed that a history of MT was an independent predictor for all-cause mortality and re-admission due to ADHF.

CONCLUSION

The clinical outcomes of patients with AMI with a history of MT are poor, and a history of MT is an independent predictor for all-cause mortality and re-admission due to ADHF. These patients may need careful risk management for heart failure to avoid re-admissions due to ADHF.