Relation of coronary atherosclerosis and metabolic syndrome in asymptomatic subjects: evaluation with coronary CT angiography

Vascular medicine in the 21st century: Embracing comprehensive vasculature evaluation and multidisciplinary treatment

The field of vascular medicine has undergone a profound transformation in the 21st century, transforming our approach to assessment and treatment. Atherosclerosis, a complex inflammatory disease that affects medium and large arteries, presents a major challenge for researchers and healthcare professionals. This condition, characterized by arterial plaque formation and narrowing, poses substantial challenges to vascular health at individual, national, and global scales. Its repercussions are far-reaching, with clinical outcomes including ischemic heart disease, ischemic stroke, and peripheral arterial disease-conditions with escalating global prevalence. Early detection of vascular changes caused by atherosclerosis is crucial in preventing these conditions, reducing morbidity, and averting mortality. This article underscored the imperative of adopting a holistic approach to grappling with the intricacies, trajectories, and ramifications of atherosclerosis. It stresses the need for a thorough evaluation of the vasculature and the implementation of a multidisciplinary treatment approach. By considering the entire vascular system, healthcare providers can explore avenues for prevention, early detection, and effective management of this condition, ultimately leading to improved patient outcomes. We discussed current practices and proposed new directions made possible by emerging diagnostic modalities and treatment strategies. Additionally, we considered healthcare expenditure, resource allocation, and the transformative potential of new innovative treatments and technologies.

Association Between Premorbid Metabolic Syndrome and Coronary Arterial Stenosis: Results from One Medical Center in Taiwan

Background: Although the relationship between metabolic syndrome (MetS) and cardiovascular disease is already well-established, there is limited evidence as to whether individuals are at risk for cardiovascular disease during the premorbid state of MetS. The aim of this study is to explore the relationship between coronary arterial stenosis and MetS in a nonhypertensive and nondiabetic population. Methods: In this cross-sectional study, we analyzed the data of participants who underwent annual health checkups in a medical center. These data were collected from physical examination, blood tests, cardiac computed tomography examinations, and medical charts. We excluded those with established hypertension or diabetes and age of <50 or >75 years. Results: This study recruited 700 participants with a mean age of 59.5 years. More than 31% had MetS, and the overall prevalence of coronary arterial stenosis was 48.0% (grade 1, 2, 3, 4: 16.3%, 20.9%, 8.4%, 2.4%, respectively). In univariate analysis, older age, male sex, smoking, body mass index, elevated fasting plasma glucose (FPG), elevated triglyceride, lower level of high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, and presence of MetS were all positively correlated with coronary arterial stenosis. After adjustment for confounding factors, MetS still showed strong association with high grades of coronary arterial stenosis [odds ratio (OR) 2.86, confidence interval (95% CI) 1.30-4.01]. Specific components of MetS, such as elevated triglyceride [OR 2.02, 95% CI 1.14-3.57] and elevated FPG [OR 2.25, 95% CI 1.31-3.88], were also associated with coronary arterial stenosis. Conclusion: Our study concluded that premorbid MetS was significantly associated with coronary arterial stenosis. As for the individual components, elevated triglyceride and elevated FPG were both correlated with coronary arterial stenosis. Early preventive measures would be suggested at this stage of MetS to prevent future cardiovascular events.

Effects of Metabolic Syndrome on Cardiovascular Outcomes of Psoriatic Patients with Coronary Artery Disease: A Single Center Retrospective Cohort Study

BACKGROUND

Psoriasis is associated with an increased prevalence of cardiovascular risk factors, including metabolic syndrome (MetS). To date, it is unclear whether MetS causes differences in cardiovascular outcomes in psoriatic patients with coronary artery disease.

METHODS

We conducted a retrospective cohort study to determine the effects of MetS in psoriatic patients with coronary artery disease. Comparisons were made between patients with and without MetS. Cox regression analysis and Kaplan-Meier survival analysis were used to evaluate the association between variables.

RESULTS

Of the 307 psoriatic patients with coronary artery disease, 94 met criteria (30.6%) for MetS. Individuals with MetS were more likely to be female (p <0.001). Levels of platelet counts and high-sensitivity C-reactive protein were higher in the MetS group (p = 0.038 and 0.005, respectively). After a mean follow-up of 35.32 months, major adverse cardiovascular events (MACEs) and non-fatal myocardial infarction were more likely in the MetS than the non-MetS group (33.3% vs 20.6%, p = 0.02; 26.4% vs 15.7%, p = 0.032, respectively). Kaplan-Meier estimates showed the same trend. Cox regression analysis showed that MetS (hazard ratio 1.738; 95% confidence interval 1.045-2.891; p = 0.033) and left ventricular ejection fraction (hazard ratio 0.968; 95% confidence interval 0.945-0.991; p = 0.006) were associated with an increased risk of MACEs.

CONCLUSION

In psoriatic patients with coronary artery disease, MetS independently predicted MACEs. In addition, left ventricular ejection fraction was negatively associated with an increased risk of MACEs. To reduce the cardiovascular disease risk, it is necessary to increase awareness of MetS in psoriatic patients with coronary artery disease.

Prevalence of high-risk coronary plaques in patients with and without metabolic syndrome and the relationship with prognosis

BACKGROUND

Metabolic syndrome (MS) is a disorder, characterized by clusters of cardiovascular risk factors such as central obesity, insulin resistance, dyslipidemia and hypertension. Patients with MS may have a higher plaque burden that increases their risk of major adverse cardiovascular events (MACEs). This study aimed to analyze the prevalence of high-risk coronary plaques in patients with and without MS by coronary computed tomography angiography (CCTA) and to investigate the relationship between MS, high-risk coronary plaques, and their prognosis.

METHODS

This was a retrospective cohort study of 1136 patients who underwent CCTA due to chest pain without obstructive heart disease (≥50% coronary stenosis) between January 2014 and December 2015 in our hospital. The relationships between high risk coronary plaques, MS, and other clinical factors were assessed. Multicollinearity analysis was performed to identify the collinearity between the variables. The proportional hazard assumption was checked and using Schoenfeld residual test. Cox proportional hazards model and Kaplan-Meier survival analysis assessed the relationship between MS, high-risk coronary plaques and MACEs.

RESULTS

High-risk plaques were more frequent in the MS group than non-MS group (P = 0.004). MS (HR = 2.128, 95%CI: 1.524-2.970, P < 0.001), presence of high-risk plaques (HR = 11.059, 95%CI: 7.749-57.232, P < 0.001) and high sensitivity C-reactive protein (hsCRP) (HR = 1.629, 95%CI: 1.128-2.352, P = 0.009) were related with an increased risk of MACEs in patients with risk factors for coronary heart disease. In patients with high-risk plaques, MS (HR = 2.265, 95%CI: 1.629-3.150, P < 0.001) and hsCRP (HR = 1.267, 95%CI: 1.191-1.348, P = 0.004) were related with an increased risk of MACEs. Kaplan-Meier analysis showed differences in MACEs between the MS and non-MS groups in the whole population and those with high-risk plaques (both P < 0.0001).

CONCLUSIONS

High-risk plaques were more common in patients with MS. MS and the presence of high-risk plaques were independent risk factors for MACEs.

Associations between reflux esophagitis and the progression of coronary artery calcification: A cohort study

BACKGROUND

Reflux esophagitis (RE) and coronary heart disease (CHD) have common risk factors, including obesity and metabolic syndrome. This study aimed to evaluate the associations between RE and the future CHD risk.

METHODS

This retrospective cohort study included 8,221 participants who were ≥20 years old, and who underwent esophagogastroduodenoscopy and coronary computed tomography (CT) scans during the same visit and subsequent CT scans between 2003 and 2013. RE was defined as the presence of at least Los Angeles classification grade A mucosal break. CT scan was used to determine the coronary artery calcium (CAC) scores. CAC progression was defined as an increase in the CAC score on a subsequent CT scan.

RESULTS

RE was present in 984 (12.0%) participants. RE at baseline was associated with CAC progression (odds ratio [OR], 1.253; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.088-1.444; P = 0.002), and this association persisted after adjusting the model for age, sex, smoking status, and alcohol consumption (OR, 1.175; 95% CI, 1.001-1.378; P = 0.048). This association disappeared when the model was further adjusted for body mass index, diastolic blood pressure, the presence of hypertension, glycated hemoglobin, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, and triglycerides (OR, 1.088; 95% CI, 0.924-1.281; P = 0.311) which were selected using a stepwise selection procedure from several metabolic variables.

CONCLUSIONS

Our results suggest that the presence of RE is closely associated with CHD, even though RE is not a direct risk factor for CHD. Metabolic factors may play roles in CAC progression in individuals with RE.

Obesity, metabolic syndrome and cardiovascular prognosis: from the Partners coronary computed tomography angiography registry

Objective

To investigate the relationship among body mass index (BMI), cardiometabolic risk and coronary artery disease (CAD) among patients undergoing coronary computed tomography angiography (CTA).

Methods

Retrospective cohort study of 1118 patients, who underwent coronary CTA at two centers from September 2004 to October 2011. Coronary CTA were categorized as normal, nonobstructive CAD (<50%), or obstructive CAD (≥50%) in addition to segment involvement (SIS) and stenosis scores. Extensive CAD was defined as SIS > 4. Association of BMI with cardiovascular prognosis was evaluated using multivariable fractional polynomial models.

Results

Mean age of the cohort was 57 ± 13 years with median follow-up of 3.2 years. Increasing BMI was associated with MetS (OR 1.28 per 1 kg/m², p < 0.001) and burden of CAD on a univariable basis, but not after multivariable adjustment. Prognosis demonstrated a J-shaped relationship with BMI. For BMI from 20–39.9 kg/m², after adjustment for age, gender, and smoking, MetS (HR 2.23, p = 0.009) was more strongly associated with adverse events.

Conclusions

Compared to normal BMI, there was an increased burden of CAD for BMI > 25 kg/m². Within each BMI category, metabolically unhealthy patients had greater extent of CAD, as measured by CCTA, compared to metabolically healthy patients.

Imaging of coronary atherosclerosis in various susceptible groups

Coronary artery disease (CAD) is the leading cause of death and disability worldwide. Atherosclerosis, which is the primary pathophysiologic mechanism for the development of plaque leading to CAD, is a multifactorial process resulting from a complex interplay between genetic susceptibility and various risk factors such as hypertension (HT), dyslipidaemia, diabetes mellitus (DM) and smoking. In addition, influences from other disease states such as chronic kidney disease (CKD), obesity and the metabolic syndrome as well as gender and ethnic diversity also contribute to the disease process. Insights from pathological observations and advances in cellular and molecular biology have helped us understand the process of plaque formation, progression and rupture leading to events. Several intravascular imaging techniques such as intravascular ultrasound (IVUS), Virtual histology IVUS (VH-IVUS) and optical coherence tomography (OCT) allow in vivo assessment of plaque burden, plaque morphology and response to therapy. In addition, non invasive assessment using coronary artery calcium (CAC) score allows risk stratification and plaque burden assessment whilst computed tomography coronary angiography (CTCA) allows evaluation of luminal stenosis, plaque characterisation and quantification. This review aims to summarise the results of invasive and non-invasive imaging studies of coronary atherosclerosis seen in various high-risk populations including DM, metabolic syndrome, obesity, CKD and, gender differences and ethnicity. Understanding the phenotype of plaques in various susceptible groups may allow potential development of personalised therapies.

Impact of metabolic syndrome on the progression of coronary calcium and of coronary artery disease assessed by repeated cardiac computed tomography scans

BACKGROUND

It is not clear how severe metabolic syndrome (MS) affects the development of coronary atherosclerosis.

METHODS

This was an observational, retrospective cohort study with Koreans who received health check-ups voluntarily. A total of 2426 subjects had baseline and follow-up coronary artery calcium score (CACS) data. Among them, 1079 had coronary computed tomography angiography (CCTA) data. We compared baseline CACS and any progression in subjects with and without MS. A more detailed analysis was conducted for coronary artery disease (CAD), which was defined by coronary artery stenosis (≥50 %), multivessel involvement, and coronary plaques in those patients with CCTA data.

RESULTS

At baseline, subjects with MS (34.0 %, n = 825) had higher CACS and more significant coronary artery stenosis, multivessel involvement, and atheromatous plaques than those without MS (P < 0.05 for all). In the follow-up (median 1197 days), subjects with MS showed significant increases in CACS and progression of CAD compared with counterparts without MS, in parallel with the numbers of MS components. Finally, MS was a significant predictor for the progression of CACS (hazard ratio 1.32; 95 % confidence interval 1.06-1.64) and progression of coronary artery stenosis and/or development of vulnerable plaque (hazard ratio 1.47, 95 % confidence interval 1.01-2.15) after adjusting for other cardiovascular risk factors.

CONCLUSIONS

Subjects with MS showed progression of CAD as assessed by CACS and CCTA over ~3 years. Therefore, more vigilant screening for coronary vascular health is needed among those with MS.

Impact of Metabolic Syndrome on Subclinical Atherosclerosis in Asymptomatic Individuals

BACKGROUND

Little is known about subclinical atherosclerosis on coronary computed tomographic angiography (CCTA) in asymptomatic individuals with metabolic syndrome (MetS).

METHODS AND RESULTS

We analyzed 5,213 asymptomatic individuals who underwent CCTA. A cardiac event was defined as a composite of all-cause death, myocardial infarction, unstable angina, or coronary revascularization. Of the study participants, 2,042 (39.2%) had MetS. MetS was an independent predictor of significant coronary artery disease (CAD) in at least 1 coronary artery (odds ratio [OR]=1.992, 95% confidence interval [CI]=1.623-2.445, P<0.001) and significant CAD in the left main (LM) or proximal left anterior descending (LAD) artery (OR=2.151, 95% CI=1.523-3.037, P<0.001). During the follow-up period (median 28.1 [interquartile range, 19.2-36.5] months), 111 individuals had 114 cardiac events. Individuals with MetS were significantly associated with more cardiac events than those without (RR [rate ratio]=1.67, 95% CI=1.15-2.43, P=0.007). In the MetS group, individuals with significant CAD had the majority of cardiac events (RR=64.33, 95% CI=29.17-141.88, P<0.001). Furthermore, in the MetS with significant CAD group, those with significant CAD in the LM or proximal LAD had more cardiac events (RR=2.63, 95% CI=1.51-4.59, P=0.001).

CONCLUSIONS

MetS was associated with subclinical atherosclerosis on CCTA with subsequent high risk for cardiac events. These findings suggest the importance of reducing unfavorable metabolic conditions in asymptomatic individuals.

Metabolic syndrome: a risk factor for high intraocular pressure in the Israeli population

AIM

To evaluate the association among elevated intraocular pressure (IOP), the metabolic syndrome (MetS), body mass index (BMI), and some of their components in the Israeli population.

METHODS

We retrospectively reviewed the charts of 12 747 soldiers of the Israeli Defense Forces, aged 35y or older, who underwent a routine periodical medical examination between 1991 and 2004. None of the subjects received medical treatment for either glaucoma or ocular hypertension. High IOP (>21 mm Hg) was correlated with age, sex, arterial blood pressure, total blood cholesterol levels, triglyceride levels, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, smoking, BMI and MetS.

RESULTS

A statistically significant difference was found between the IOP of subjects with a low risk and higher risk for the development of MetS (P<0.0001 for males, P=0.0026 for females). A statistically significant positive correlation was found in male subjects between high BMI and elevated IOP (r=0.11677, P<0.0001).

CONCLUSION

MetS and BMI were significantly more prevalent in subjects with increased IOP levels. We suggest that both should be taken into consideration in the assessment of glaucoma suspects.