Development of new coronary atherosclerotic lesions during a 4-year multifactor risk reduction program: the Stanford Coronary Risk Intervention Project (SCRIP)

Diabetes exacerbates angiographic coronary lesion progression in subjects with metabolic syndrome independent of CRP levels

BACKGROUND

Metabolic syndrome is gaining more attention as a special cluster of cardiovascular risks. However, its role, with or without diabetes, in predicting atherosclerosis progression, remains largely undetermined. We investigated the predictors for angiographic coronary atherosclerosis progression in patients with metabolic syndrome and angina pectoris.

METHODS

Patients with metabolic syndrome and angina pectoris who underwent repeat coronary angiograms and had serum samples at the time of first catheterization were enrolled for analysis (N=113). A modified Gensini scoring system was used to define CAD progression between the index and follow-up angiograms. Those who had significant angiographic progression of coronary disease were classified as the progression group (N=42) and those who did not as the non-progression group (N=71).

RESULTS

There were more cases of diabetes mellitus (52% vs. 31%, p=0.040) in the CAD progression group. The progression group also had higher baseline fasting blood glucose (150+/-73 vs. 117+/-46 mg/dl, p=0.010) but similar LDL cholesterol (114+/-38 vs. 109+/-33 mg/dl, p=0.421) than the non-progression group. In terms of inflammatory markers, there was no difference in hs-CRP (p=0.208), MCP-1 (p=0.514), or sCD40L (p=0.549) between the groups. In binary logistic regression, diabetes mellitus remained a significant predictor of CAD progression (OR 2.43, p=0.030) for patients with metabolic syndrome and angina pectoris, but hs-CRP and LDL-C were not.

CONCLUSION

Diabetes mellitus, but not inflammatory marker hs-CRP or LDL-C, is a significant predictor of angiographic CAD progression in patients with metabolic syndrome and angina pectoris.

Long-term effects of lifestyle behavior change in coronary artery disease: effects on recurrent coronary events after percutaneous coronary intervention

This study evaluated the effects of a behaviorally oriented cardiac rehabilitation and secondary prevention program on lifestyle changes and on coronary recurrence rates. Patients recently treated with percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) were randomized to an intervention with an aggressive focus on lifestyle changes (smoking, diet, exercise, and stress; n=46) or to a standard-care control group (n=42). Results showed that the intervention group had significantly larger overall lifestyle changes than the control group after 12, 24, 36, and 60 months. The intervention group had significantly lower rates of all coronary events (acute myocardial infarction, coronary artery bypass graft, PCI, cardiac death; 30.4% vs. 53.7%), and of cardiovascular mortality (2.2% vs. 14.6%). The need for future large-scale and long-term evaluations of lifestyle-oriented secondary prevention interventions of this kind is emphasized.

Dietary recommendations in the prevention and treatment of coronary heart disease: do we have the ideal diet yet?

To respond to the question of the best "heart-healthy" diet, we reviewed the effects of common diets on lipids, their efficacy, advantages, and limitations. The high-protein, low-carbohydrate diet is effective for weight loss over the short term, but its long-term benefits remain unproved. The very low-fat diet decreases levels of total and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol and, with lifestyle modifications, may slow progression of coronary atherosclerosis. The high-protein and very low-fat diets are difficult to follow over the long term. The American Heart Association diet, which is rich in fruits, vegetables, and nuts, decreases blood pressure and may be acceptable to most patients. However, it is rich in carbohydrates and may not be suitable for patients who are obese and/or have high levels of triglycerides. In such patients, diet based on foods with a low glycemic index may be an alternative. There is also immense interest in the Mediterranean diet, which is acceptable to most patients, may decrease some biomarkers of coronary atherosclerosis, and may decrease cardiovascular events and death. Despite these options, there is no "fits all" dietary recommendation for prevention of coronary heart disease. Importantly, dietary discretion is only 1 part of lifestyle changes, such as exercise and smoking cessation.

Metabolic syndrome and coronary angiographic disease progression: the Women's Angiographic Vitamin & Estrogen trial

BACKGROUND

The metabolic syndrome is a cluster of clinical characteristics thought to be associated with increased coronary risk. This analysis evaluates angiographic progression of coronary disease in women who are postmenopausal with and without the metabolic syndrome enrolled in the Women's Angiographic Vitamin & Estrogen (WAVE) trial, a randomized, controlled trial of hormone therapy and antioxidant vitamins.

METHODS

A total of 425 women who are postmenopausal and have angiographic coronary disease were enrolled at 7 clinics between July 1997 and August 1999. Women were categorized as having the metabolic syndrome when they met the National Cholesterol Education Program Adult Treatment Panel III definition. Coronary angiograms were performed at baseline and after 2.8 +/- 0.9 years (mean +/- SD). Quantitative coronary angiographic analysis was performed at a core laboratory.

RESULTS

Women with the metabolic syndrome (177/294, 60%) were more likely to be taking cholesterol-lowering medication (65% vs 51%, P =.01) and had higher body mass index (33 +/- 6 vs 28 +/- 6 kg/m(2), P <.001). The mean reduction in minimum lumen diameter was greater (-0.041 +/- 0.151 vs -0.023 +/- 0.148 mm/year, P =.33) and new lesions were more frequent (34% vs 23%, P =.054) in women with the metabolic syndrome. In multivariate analysis, the metabolic syndrome was not an independent predictor of angiographic disease progression. However, clinical events (myocardial infarction, stroke, or coronary death) were more frequent among women with the metabolic syndrome (P =.02).

CONCLUSION

The metabolic syndrome was prevalent among postmenopausal women with coronary disease enrolled in the WAVE trial. Having the metabolic syndrome was not independently associated with changes in minimum lumen diameter or the development of new or progressing coronary lesions, but did confer an increased risk of clinical cardiovascular events.

Cardiac rehabilitation with nurse care management and telephonic interactions at a community hospital: program evaluation of participation and lipid outcomes

Cardiac rehabilitation (CR) can help patients with heart disease control some risk factors, limit new coronary artery lesions, and decrease death rates. However, participation rates in CR are low. Using a descriptive design, we evaluated a modified CR program in which nurse care managers used telephonic communication with patients in their homes by comparing it to a traditional CR program in a hospital setting. Using multivariate analysis we compared the patient cohorts eligible for each of the programs, and program participants to the nonparticipants for each program. Compared to traditional CR, the modified CR program with nurse care management was associated with significantly improved participation rates (11% vs. 22%) and the apparent overcoming of several well-described barriers to CR participation (distance from the hospital and domestic isolation). Risk factor management, including testing of serum lipids and achieving goals for lipid reduction, for participants in both CR programs was superior to risk factor management for nonparticipants.

Atherosclerosis imaging methods: assessing cardiovascular disease and evaluating the role of estrogen in the prevention of atherosclerosis

Various interventions for cardiovascular disease (CVD) slow or reverse the progression of atherosclerosis and reduce the risk of clinical coronary events. Although the cardiovascular benefits of hormone replacement therapy have been demonstrated in observational studies in predominantly healthy women, no benefit has been found in a randomized clinical trial conducted in older women with established CVD. It is possible that the benefit of hormone therapy occurs when it is used relatively early in the progression of atherosclerosis. Techniques are now available to monitor the various stages of atherosclerosis. Quantitative coronary angiography, a technique used to evaluate relatively late-stage atherosclerosis, has been shown to predict the risk of subsequent clinical coronary events. B-mode ultrasonography of the intima-media wall thickness (IMT) of the carotid artery can assess the earlier stages of atherosclerosis and correlates with atherosclerosis risk factors, as well as with clinical cardiovascular and cerebrovascular outcome. This technique offers a relatively rapid and cost-effective method to test therapies for CVD and to screen for individuals who are at high risk for cardiovascular events. As an example of the use of atherosclerosis imaging to evaluate possible therapeutic interventions, measurements of IMT were performed in a randomized, controlled trial comparing oral 17beta-estradiol with placebo. The results demonstrated that 17beta-estradiol significantly reduces the progression of subclinical atherosclerosis in healthy, postmenopausal women when compared with placebo.

Lipoproteins, nutrition, and heart disease

This article reviews the current status of our knowledge of lipoproteins, nutrition, and coronary heart disease (CHD). Special emphasis is placed on CHD risk assessment, dietary intervention studies, diet-gene interactions, and current dietary guidelines and the contributions of my laboratory to these areas. CHD remains a major cause of death and disability, and risk factors include age, sex, hypertension, smoking, diabetes, elevated serum LDL cholesterol, and low HDL cholesterol. Emerging independent risk factors include elevated serum concentrations of lipoprotein(a), remnant lipoproteins, and homocysteine. The cornerstone of CHD prevention is lifestyle modification. Dietary intervention studies support the concepts that restricting saturated fat and cholesterol and increasing the intake of essential fatty acids, especially n - 3 fatty acids, reduces CHD risk. The variability in LDL-cholesterol response to diet is large, related in part to APOE and APOA4 genotype. The use of antioxidants in intervention studies has not been shown to reduce CHD risk. Compliance with dietary recommendations remains a major problem, and directly altering the food supply may be the most effective way to ensure compliance. The available data indicate that the recommendation to use fats, oils, and sugars sparingly for CHD prevention should be modified to a recommendation to use animal, dairy, and hydrogenated fats; tropical oils; egg yolks; and sugars sparingly and to increase the use of vegetables, fruit, and whole grains.

The optimal dietary strategy to manage risk associated with various dyslipidemias

A successful dietary strategy should reduce coronary heart disease (CHD) endpoints, improve correctable risk factors for CHD, and provide for an overall healthful lifestyle. The therapeutic diet achieves a lowering of low-density lipoprotein cholesterol by limiting saturated fat and dietary cholesterol, avoiding an increase in trans fatty acids, and incorporates the use of dietary adjuncts such as an increase in dietary viscous fiber and dietary plant stanol/sterol esters. For those with elevated triglycerides and low high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, impaired fasting glucose, increased waist circumference and other stigmata of the metabolic syndrome, individualized and supervised weight loss, and regular physical activity is strongly recommended.

Dietary advice given by a dietitian versus other health professional or self-help resources to reduce blood cholesterol

BACKGROUND

The average level of blood cholesterol is an important determinant of the risk of coronary heart disease. Blood cholesterol can be reduced by dietary means. Although dietitians are trained to provide dietary advice, for practical reasons it is also given by other health professionals and occasionally through the use of self-help resources.

OBJECTIVES

To assess the effects of dietary advice given by a dietitian compared with another health professional, or the use of self-help resources, in reducing blood cholesterol in adults.

SEARCH STRATEGY

We searched The Cochrane Library (to Issue 2 1999), MEDLINE (1966 to January 1999), EMBASE (1980 to December 1998), Cinahl (1982 to December 1998), Human Nutrition (1991 to 1998), Science Citation Index, Social Sciences Citation Index, hand searched conference proceedings on nutrition and heart disease, and contacted experts in the field.

SELECTION CRITERIA

Randomised trials of dietary advice given by a dietitian compared with another health professional or self-help resources. The main outcome was difference in blood cholesterol between dietitian groups compared with other intervention groups.

DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS

Two reviewers independently extracted data and assessed study quality.

MAIN RESULTS

Eleven studies with 12 comparisons were included, involving 704 people receiving advice from dietitians, 486 from other health professionals and 551 people using self-help leaflets. Four studies compared dietitian with doctor, seven with self-help resources, and one compared dietitian with nurse. Participants receiving advice from dietitians experienced a greater reduction in blood cholesterol than those receiving advice only from doctors (-0.25 mmol/L (95% CI -0.37, -0.12 mmol/L)). There was no statistically significant difference in change in blood cholesterol between dietitians and self-help resources (-0.10 mmol/L (95% CI -0.22, 0.03 mmol/L)). No statistically significant differences were detected for secondary outcome measures between any of the comparisons with the exception of dietitian versus nurse for HDLc, where the dietitian groups showed a greater reduction (-0.06 mmol/L (95% CI -0.11, -0.01)). No significant heterogeneity between the studies was detected.

REVIEWER'S CONCLUSIONS

Dietitians were better than doctors at lowering blood cholesterol in the short to medium term, but there was no evidence that they were better than self-help resources. The results should be interpreted with caution as the studies were not of good quality and the analysis was based on a limited number of trials. More evidence is required to assess whether change can be maintained in the longer term. There was no evidence that dietitians provided better outcomes than nurses.

Diet and coronary heart disease: clinical trials

Dietary intervention trials using coronary heart disease (CHD) mortality and morbidity as endpoints have demonstrated that restriction of dietary total and saturated fat or replacement of the latter with polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs), in particular n-3 PUFAs, is of great benefit with respect to CHD risk. This is likewise the case for intervention trials using angiographic endpoints, with many studies showing that such diets not only retard progression of coronary atherosclerosis but can cause regression as well. The role that antioxidants, such as vitamin E, may play in the development and progression of CHD is less clear. The results of large-scale clinical trials evaluating the effect of vitamin E supplementation on CHD risk do not support the concept that this agent is cardioprotective. The purpose of this report is to review dietary intervention trials that support a direct relationship between diet, lipoproteins, and CHD risk.

Effects of dietary modification and treatment of obesity. Emphasis on improving vascular outcomes

This article has considered a vast literature attesting to the efficacy of dietary intervention on risk factors and on vascular outcomes. Rather than rely solely on pharmacotherapy to improve risk factors and vascular outcomes, physicians, nurses, dietitians, pharmacists, and medical providers should emphasize the benefits of a well-balanced, nutritionally sound dietary program. It should be low in SFA; controlled in calories to avoid (or reduce) obesity; and rich in fruits, vegetables, whole-grain products, and good sources of protein. Emphasis on foods rich in n-3 fatty acids shows promise for reducing cardiovascular outcomes. Further studies using these and antioxidants are eagerly awaited.

Neurocognitive functioning and improvement in quality of life following participation in cardiac rehabilitation

We investigated the relationship between neurocognitive functioning and quality of life/self-perceived health status (QOL) among cardiac rehabilitation (CR) patients to determine whether level of neurocognitive functioning is related to baseline QOL and improvement following CR. CR patients (n = 35) were given a neurocognitive screening before participation in CR, and also completed a behavioral inventory (SF-36) before and after CR to measure QOL associated with medical illness. At baseline, CR patients obtained relatively low SF-36 scores compared with published norms, and as reported previously, demonstrated inferior neurocognitive performance compared with healthy controls. Furthermore, neurocognitive performance was strongly positively correlated to SF-36 scores. Significant improvements were evident on many of the SF-36 subscales following rehabilitation. These improvements were relatively greater among SF-36 indexes of physical health status compared with SF-36 indexes of mental health status. Baseline neurocognitive performance also correlated strongly to the degree of improvement in SF-36 scores following rehabilitation. These findings indicate a strong relationship between baseline neurocognitive functioning and QOL before CR, and the degree to which QOL improves following this intervention.

Behavioral effects of a comprehensive, multifactorial program for lifestyle change after percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty: a prospective, randomized controlled study

A group of 93 coronary patients recently treated with percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty (PTCA) were randomly assigned to either an intervention or a control group. Subjects in the intervention group participated in a comprehensive behaviorally oriented program aimed at achieving significant long-term changes in risk factor-related lifestyle behavior. Assessments of lifestyle behaviors, psychological factors, biological risk factors, and rehabilitation as well as secondary prevention endpoints were carried out, at inclusion and after 12 months. Results showed that the intervention patients, as compared with controls, improved significantly on measures assessing smoking, exercise, and diet habits. These self-rated changes were confirmed by weight reductions and improved exercise capacity, as well as by between-group differences in subclinical chest pain during an exercise test. However, few effects were found on the different psychological variables, as well as on morbidity or return to work.

Diet, lipoproteins, and coronary heart disease

Current dietary recommendations to decrease coronary heart disease (CHD) risk in the general population include reduction of total fat intake to less than or equal to 30% of energy, saturated fat to less than 10% of energy, and dietary cholesterol to less than 300 mg/day. Further restrictions in saturated fat to less than 7% of energy and in dietary cholesterol to less than 200 mg/day are indicated for those individuals with elevated low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol concentrations. Under controlled conditions, such diets reduce LDL cholesterol by 15% to 20%. However, in the out-patient setting, only 5% to 10% reductions in LDL cholesterol have been achieved, and large variability in dietary response is observed due to differences in compliance, as well as to genetic heterogeneity. This article reviews epidemiologic studies and dietary intervention trials that support a direct relationship between diet, lipoproteins, and CHD risk, with the ultimate goal of providing a framework for dietary management of the hyperlipidemic patient.

Secondary prevention of coronary heart disease

Despite the significant reduction in cardiovascular mortality during the past three decades, atherosclerotic coronary heart disease (CHD) remains the leading cause of death and disability in the United States. Randomized clinical trials in patients with CHD have provided convincing evidence that risk factor modification is beneficial in decreasing all-cause mortality and cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. Multifactorial coronary risk reduction provides the most substantial benefit. Coronary risk reduction is associated with a decrease in cardiovascular-related hospital admissions, a reduced need for myocardial revascularization procedures, and an improved quality of life for the patients so treated. Control of coronary risk factors is an integral component of the optimal care of the patient with CHD.

New concepts and paradigms in cardiovascular medicine: the noninvasive management of coronary artery disease

Coronary atherosclerosis is a diffuse heterogeneous process that occurs throughout the length of epicardial coronary arteries. Myocardial infarction and unstable coronary syndromes are caused most commonly by plaque rupture of lipid rich, less severe coronary artery stenoses. Vigorous cholesterol lowering by low fat food and lipid active drugs, control of hypertension, and smoking abstinence stabilize plaque and markedly reduce coronary events and angina pectoris with greater improvement in survival than reported for elective invasive revascularization procedures. The term "regression" or "reversal" of coronary artery disease (CAD) as used clinically incorporates the spectrum of beneficial changes in plaque composition and pathology, modest improvement in anatomic severity, endothelial healing, increased coronary flow and flow capacity, decreased symptoms, and improved survival. Standard coronary arteriography and standard noninvasive diagnostic tests (as commonly used) are inadequate for identifying or assessing severity of diffuse CAD. Newer technology or approaches using noninvasive positron emission tomography (PET), invasive intravascular ultrasound or pressure or flow velocity guide wires provide important new insights into the presence and severity of both segmental and diffuse CAD. Revascularization procedures may be beneficial in selected, restricted circumstances, primarily for 3-vessel disease and reduced left ventricular function and for "hibernating" or "stunned" myocardium. However, the benefits of revascularization procedures on survival in patients with good left ventricular function have not been convincingly documented, with substantive evidence that adverse outcomes outweigh the potential benefits. This collective new knowledge provides the basis for a shift in the management of CAD from an invasive, procedure-oriented viewpoint currently dominant in cardiology toward a noninvasive orientation that views the problem as a graded, continuous, heterogeneously diffuse disease process for which reversal treatment is optimal. Noninvasive management of CAD based on reversal treatment is a valid, safe, effective primary step, but it requires patient and physician knowledge. CAD should be treated immediately at the time of a firm diagnosis by simultaneous, vigorous risk factor management, low fat diet and a statin class drug. For control of high-density lipoprotein and triglycerides, other lipid active drugs should be added or substituted for statins if side effects prevent their use. Low fat food and weight control by appropriate caloric carbohydrate restriction are essential for reducing the highly atherogenic postprandial lipid surge that is not affected by statins. This vigorous reversal treatment, with aggressive anti-anginal and anti-platelet management as needed, should be used in every patient with diagnosed CAD before elective revascularization procedures are considered. In the author's experience, the majority of patients will pursue an effective reversal regimen when it is presented and managed appropriately with strong support by a knowledgeable participating physician providing sustained, intense guidance and pharmacologic control. For the minority of patients not responding to vigorous medical treatment or demonstrating progression, coronary arteriography and revascularization procedures are then appropriate.

Evidence for the effectiveness of cardiac rehabilitation

Cardiac rehabilitation is a relatively recent development and, though it is increasingly being recognized as an important part of comprehensive cardiac care, there remains some scepticism regarding its effectiveness and some ignorance of its potential. This article reviews the literature pertaining to the effectiveness of cardiac rehabilitation for patients with coronary heart disease (CHD).

Comprehensive cardiovascular disease risk reduction in a cardiac rehabilitation setting

Cardiac rehabilitation combines prescriptive exercise training with coronary artery disease (CAD) risk factor modification in patients with established CAD. As such, cardiac rehabilitation programs are ideally positioned to assume a pivotal role in the rendering of many components of comprehensive cardiovascular disease risk reduction in a secondary prevention setting. However, the extent to which traditional cardiac rehabilitation programs can successfully accomplish this goal is limited by low participation rates, inadequate emphasis on many of the essential aspects of secondary prevention, and lack of long-term follow-up of patients. To overcome these deficiencies, cardiac rehabilitation programs should evolve into cardiovascular risk reduction programs by implementing approaches that have been shown to be effective in randomized clinical trials. In this manuscript we describe one such approach, based on the Stanford Coronary Risk Intervention Project, which has been implemented in > 1,000 patients. Key components of this physician-supervised, nurse case-manager model include: (1) initial evaluation and risk assessment; (2) identification of specific goals for each CAD risk factor; (3) formulation and implementation of an individualized treatment plan that includes lifestyle modification and pharmacologic interventions for accomplishing specific risk reduction goals; (4) long-term follow-up to enhance compliance and revise the treatment plan as indicated; and (5) a mechanism for outcomes based long-term assessment of each patient.

Repeat coronary angiography in patients with chest pain and previously normal coronary angiogram

Patients with chest pain and normal coronary angiograms have excellent long-term survival and are unlikely over the ensuing years to develop clinically significant atherosclerotic coronary artery disease. Specifically, of the 17 subjects with a previously normal coronary angiogram who had repeat angiography an average of almost 9 years later, 15 showed no appearance of coronary artery disease and 2 developed single-vessel coronary artery disease, 1 of whom had a myocardial infarction.

Cardiovascular, pulmonary, and cancer rehabilitation. 1. Cardiac rehabilitation

This self-directed learning module highlights assessment and therapeutic options in the rehabilitation of cardiac patients and other rehabilitation patients with cardiac diseases. It is part of the chapter on cardiovascular, pulmonary, and cancer rehabilitation in the Self-Directed Physiatric Education Program for practitioners and trainees in physical medicine and rehabilitation. New advances covered in this article include the management of patients who have undergone cardiac surgery, including transplantation, and gender differences in evaluation, therapy, and outcome.

Lessons from coronary atherosclerosis "regression" trials

This article describes the background and methodology of the published studies assessing the effects of cholesterol-lowering therapy and of treatment of multiple risk factors on the progression of coronary atherosclerosis. The results are then presented, followed by a discussion of the lessons that can be learned from this large series of similar trials.