Unrecognized myocardial infarction and risk of atrial fibrillation: The Rotterdam Study

Bidirectional Association Between Atrial Fibrillation and Myocardial Infarction, and Relation to Mortality in the Framingham Heart Study

BACKGROUND

Individuals with both atrial fibrillation (AF) and myocardial infarction (MI) have higher mortality compared with individuals with only 1 condition. Whether mortality differs according to the temporal order of AF and MI is unclear.

METHODS AND RESULTS

We included participants from the FHS (Framingham Heart Study) from 1960 and onwards. We assessed the hazard ratio (HR) of new-onset AF and MI, and mortality according to MI and AF status (prevalent and interim) using multivariable-adjusted Cox proportional hazards models. Interim diseases were modeled as time-varying variables. For the analysis of new-onset AF, 10 923 participants (55% women; mean±SD age, 54±8 years) were included. For new-onset MI, 10 804 participants (55% women; mean±SD age, 54±8 years) were included. Compared with no MI, the hazard of new-onset AF was higher in participants with prevalent (HR, 1.60 [95% CI, 1.32-1.94]) and interim MI (HR, 3.96 [95% CI, 3.18-4.91]). Both ST-segment-elevation MI and non-ST-segment-elevation MI were associated with new-onset AF. Interim AF, not prevalent AF, was associated with higher hazard rate of new-onset MI (HR, 2.21 [95% CI, 1.67-2.92]). Interim AF was associated with both ST-segment-elevation MI and non-ST-segment-elevation MI. Mortality was significantly greater among participants with AF and MI compared with participants with 1 of the 2, regardless of temporal order.

CONCLUSIONS

We report a bidirectional association between AF and MI, which was observed for both non-ST-segment-elevation MI and ST-segment-elevation MI. Participants with both AF and MI had considerably higher mortality compared with participants with only 1 of the 2 conditions, regardless of order.

The relationship between atrial fibrillation and coronary artery disease: Understanding common denominators

Atrial fibrillation (AF) and coronary artery disease (CAD) are highly prevalent cardiovascular conditions. The coexistence of both diseases is common as they share similar risk factors and common pathophysiological characteristics. Systemic inflammatory conditions are associated with an increased incidence of both AF and CAD. The presence of both entities increases the incidence of complications and adverse outcomes. Furthermore, their coexistence poses challenges for the management of patients, particularly with respect to anticoagulation and rhythm management. In this review, we aim to better understand the relationship between AF and CAD by detailing basic molecular pathophysiology, assessing therapeutic guidelines, and describing interactions between the two conditions.

The bidirectional association between atrial fibrillation and myocardial infarction

Atrial fibrillation (AF) is associated with an increased risk of myocardial infarction (MI) and vice versa. This bidirectional association relies on shared risk factors as well as on several direct and indirect mechanisms, including inflammation, atrial ischaemia, left ventricular remodelling, myocardial oxygen supply-demand mismatch and coronary artery embolism, through which one condition can predispose to the other. Patients with both AF and MI are at greater risk of stroke, heart failure and death than patients with only one of the conditions. In this Review, we describe the bidirectional association between AF and MI. We discuss the pathogenic basis of this bidirectional relationship, describe the risk of adverse outcomes when the two conditions coexist, and review current data and guidelines on the prevention and management of both conditions. We also identify important gaps in the literature and propose directions for future research on the bidirectional association between AF and MI. The Review also features a summary of methodological approaches for the study of bidirectional associations in population-based studies.

Construction and validation of a nomogram of risk factors for new-onset atrial fibrillation in advanced lung cancer patients after non-surgical therapy

Objective

Risk factors of new-onset atrial fibrillation (NOAF) in advanced lung cancer patients are not well defined. We aim to construct and validate a nomogram model between NOAF and advanced lung cancer.

Methods

We retrospectively enrolled 19484 patients with Stage III-IV lung cancer undergoing first-line antitumor therapy in Shanghai Chest Hospital between January 2016 and December 2020 (15837 in training set, and 3647 in testing set). Patients with pre-existing AF, valvular heart disease, cardiomyopathy were excluded. Logistic regression analysis and propensity score matching (PSM) were performed to identify predictors of NOAF, and nomogram model was constructed and validated.

Results

A total of 1089 patients were included in this study (807 in the training set, and 282 in the testing set). Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that age, c-reactive protein, centric pulmonary carcinoma, and pericardial effusion were independent risk factors, the last two of which were important independent risk factors as confirmed by PSM analysis. Nomogram included independent risk factors of age, c-reactive protein, centric pulmonary carcinoma, and pericardial effusion. The AUC was 0.716 (95% CI 0.661-0.770) and further evaluation of this model showed that the C-index was 0.716, while the bias-corrected C-index after internal validation was 0.748 in the training set. The calibration curves presented good concordance between the predicted and actual outcomes.

Conclusion

Centric pulmonary carcinoma and pericardial effusion were important independent risk factors for NOAF besides common ones in advanced lung cancer patients. Furthermore, the new nomogram model contributed to the prediction of NOAF.

Is It Really Safe to Discontinue Antiplatelet Therapy 12 Months After Percutaneous Coronary Intervention in Patients with Atrial Fibrillation?

The prevalence of AF in patients with coronary artery disease is high. The guidelines from many professional groups, including the European Society of Cardiology, American College of Cardiology/American Heart Association and Heart Rhythm Society, recommend a maximum duration of 12 months of combination single antiplatelet and anticoagulation therapy in patients who undergo percutaneous coronary intervention and who have concurrent AF, followed by anticoagulation alone beyond 1 year. However, the evidence that anticoagulation alone without antiplatelet therapy adequately reduces the well-documented attritional risk of stent thrombosis after coronary stent implantation is relatively sparse, particularly given that very late stent thrombosis (>1 year from stent implantation) is the commonest type. By contrast, the elevated risk of bleeding from combined anticoagulation and antiplatelet therapy is clinically important. The aim of this review is to assess the evidence for long-term anticoagulation alone without antiplatelet therapy 1 year post-percutaneous coronary intervention in patients with AF.

Management of atrial fibrillation: two decades of progress - a scientific statement from the European Cardiac Arrhythmia Society

BACKGROUND

Atrial fibrillation (AF) is the most common sustained arrhythmia encountered in clinical practice. The aim of this review was to evaluate the progress made in the management of AF over the two last decades.

RESULTS

Clinical classification of AF is usually based on the presence of symptoms, the duration of AF episodes and their possible recurrence over time, although incidental diagnosis is not uncommon. The majority of patients with AF have associated cardiovascular diseases and more recently the recognition of modifiable risk factors both cardiovascular and non-cardiovascular which should be considered in its management. Among AF-related complications, stroke and transient ischaemic accidents (TIAs) carry considerable morbidity and mortality risk. The use of implantable devices such as pacemakers and defibrillators, wearable garments and subcutaneous cardiac monitors with recording capabilities has enabled to access the burden of "subclinical AF". The recent introduction of non-vitamin K antagonists has led to improve the prevention of stroke and peripheral embolism. Agents capable of reversing non-vitamin K antagonists have also become available in case of clinically relevant major bleeding. Transcatheter closure of left atrial appendage represents an option for patients unable to take oral anticoagulation. When treating patients with AF, clinicians need to select the most suitable strategy, i.e. control of heart rate and/or restoration and maintenance of sinus rhythm. The studies comparing these two strategies have not shown differences in terms of mortality. If an AF episode is poorly tolerated from a haemodynamic standpoint, electrical cardioversion is indicated. Otherwise, restoration of sinus rhythm can be obtained using intravenous pharmacological cardioversion and oral class I or class III antiarrhythmic is used to prevent recurrences. During the last two decades after its introduction in daily practice, catheter ablation has gained considerable escalation in popularity. Progress has also been made in AF associated with heart failure with reduced or preserved ejection fraction.

CONCLUSIONS

Significant progress has been made within the past 2 decades both in the pharmacological and non-pharmacological managements of this cardiac arrhythmia.

Combination of Atrial Fibrillation and Coronary Heart Disease in Patients in Clinical Practice: Comorbidities, Pharmacotherapy and Outcomes (Data from the REСVASA Registries)

Aim. Assess the structure of comorbid conditions, cardiovascular pharmacotherapy and outcomes in patients with atrial fibrillation (AF) and concomitant coronary artery disease (CAD) included in the outpatient and hospital RECVASA registries.

Materials and methods. 3169 patients with AF were enrolled in outpatient RECVASA (Ryazan), RECVASA AF-Yaroslavl registries and hospital RECVASA AF (Moscow, Kursk, Tula). 2497 (78.8%) registries of patients with AF had CAD and 703 (28.2%) of them had a previous myocardial infarction (MI).

Results. There were 2,497 patients with a combination of AF and CAD (age was 72.2±9.9 years; 43.1% of men; CHA2DS2-VASc – 4.57±1.61 points; HAS-BLED – 1.60±0,75 points), and the group with AF without CAD included 672 patients (age was 66.0±12.3 years; 43.2% of men; CHA2DS2-VASc – 3.26±1.67 points; HAS-BLED – 1,11±0.74 points). Patients with CAD were on average 6.2 years older and had a higher risk of thromboembolic and hemorrhagic complications (p<0.05). 703 patients with a combination of AF and CAD had the previous myocardial infarction (MI; age was 72.3±9.5 years; 55.2% of men; CHA2DS2-VASc – 4.57±1.61; HAS-BLED – 1.65±0.76), and 1794 patients didn't have previous MI (age was 72.2±10.0 years; 38.4% of men; CHA2DS2-VASc – 4.30±1.50; HAS-BLED – 1.58±0.78). The proportion of men was 1.4 times higher among those with the previous MI. Patients with a combination of AF and CAD significantly more often (p <0.0001) than in the absence of CAD received a diagnosis of hypertension (93.8% and 78.6%), chronic heart failure (90.1% and 51.2%), diabetes mellitus (21.4% and 13.8%), chronic kidney disease (24.8% and 17.7%), as well as anemia (7.0% and 3.0%; p=0.001). Patients with and without the previous MI had the only significant difference in the form of a diabetes mellitus higher incidence having the previous MI (27% versus 19.2%, p=0.0008). The frequency of proper cardiovascular pharmacotherapy was insufficient, mainly in the presence of CAD (67.8%) than in its absence (74.5%), especially the prescription of anticoagulants (39.1% and 66.2%; p <0.0001), as well as in the presence of the previous MI (63.3%) than in its absence (74.3%). The presence of CAD and, in particular, the previous MI, was significantly associated with a higher risk of death (risk ratio [RR]=1.58; 95% confidence interval [CI] was 1.33-1.88; p <0.001 and RR=1.59; 95% CI was 1.33-1.90; p <0.001), as well as with a higher risk of developing a combined cardiovascular endpoint (RR=1.88; 95% CI was 1.17-3 , 00; p <0.001 and RR=1.75; 95% CI was 1.44-2.12; p<0.001, respectively).

Conclusion. 78.8% of patients from AF registries in 5 regions of Russia were diagnosed with CAD, of which 28.2% had previously suffered myocardial infarction. Patients with a combination of AF and CAD more often than in the absence of CAD had hypertension, chronic heart failure, diabetes, chronic kidney disease and anemia. Patients with the previous MI had higher incidence of diabetes than those without the previous MI. The frequency of proper cardiovascular pharmacotherapy was insufficient, and to a greater extent in the presence of CAD and the previous MI than in their absence. All-cause mortality was recorded in patients with a combination of AF and CAD more often than in the absence of CAD. All-cause mortality and the incidence of nonfatal myocardial infarction were higher in patients with AF and the previous MI than in those without the previous MI. The presence of CAD and, in particular, the previous MI, was significantly associated with a higher risk of death, as well as a higher risk of developing a combined cardiovascular endpoint.

Interrelationships Between American Heart Association's Life's Simple 7, ECG Silent Myocardial Infarction, and Cardiovascular Mortality

Background We examined the interrelationships among cardiovascular health (CVH), assessed by the American Heart Association's Life's Simple 7 (LS7) health metrics, silent myocardial infarction (SMI), and cardiovascular disease (CVD) mortality. Methods and Results This analysis included 6766 participants without a history of coronary heart disease from the Third Report of the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey. Poor, intermediate, and ideal CVH were defined as an LS7 score of 0 to 4, 5 to 9, and 10 to 14, respectively. SMI was defined as ECG evidence of myocardial infarction without a clinical diagnosis of myocardial infarction. Cox proportional hazard analysis was used to examine the association of baseline CVH with CVD death stratified by SMI status on follow-up. In multivariable logistic regression models, ideal CVH was associated with 69% lower odds of SMI compared with poor CVH. During a median follow-up of 14 years, 907 CVD deaths occurred. In patients without SMI, intermediate CVH (hazard ratio, 1.41; 95% CI, 1.14-1.74) and poor CVH (hazard ratio, 2.77; 95% CI, 2.10-3.66) were associated with increased risk of CVD mortality, compared with ideal CVH. However, in the presence of SMI, the magnitude of these associations almost doubled (hazard ratio, 2.17 [95% CI, 1.42-3.32] for intermediate CVH and hazard ratio, 6.28 [95% CI, 3.02-13.07] for poor CVH). SMI predicted a significant increased risk of CVD mortality in the intermediate and poor CVH subgroups but a nonsignificant increased risk in the ideal CVH subgroup. Conclusions Ideal CVH is associated with a lower risk of SMI, and concomitant presence of SMI and poor CVH is associated with a worse prognosis. These novel findings underscore the potential role of maintaining ideal CVH in preventing future CVD outcomes.

Prognosis of unrecognised myocardial infarction determined by electrocardiography or cardiac magnetic resonance imaging: systematic review and meta-analysis

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the prognosis of unrecognised myocardial infarction determined by electrocardiography (UMI-ECG) or cardiac magnetic resonance imaging (UMI-CMR).

DESIGN

Systematic review and meta-analysis of prospective studies.

DATA SOURCES

Electronic databases, including PubMed, Embase, and Google Scholar.

STUDY SELECTION

Prospective cohort studies were included if they reported adjusted relative risks, odds ratios, or hazard ratios and 95% confidence intervals for all cause mortality or cardiovascular outcomes in participants with unrecognised myocardial infarction compared with those without myocardial infarction.

DATA EXTRACTION AND SYNTHESIS

The primary outcomes were composite major adverse cardiac events, all cause mortality, and cardiovascular mortality associated with UMI-ECG and UMI-CMR. The secondary outcomes were the risks of recurrent coronary heart disease or myocardial infarction, stroke, heart failure, and atrial fibrillation. Pooled hazard ratios and 95% confidence intervals were reported. The heterogeneity of outcomes was compared in clinically recognised and unrecognised myocardial infarction.

RESULTS

The meta-analysis included 30 studies with 253 425 participants and 1 621 920 person years of follow-up. UMI-ECG was associated with increased risks of all cause mortality (hazard ratio 1.50, 95% confidence interval 1.30 to 1.73), cardiovascular mortality (2.33, 1.66 to 3.27), and major adverse cardiac events (1.61, 1.38 to 1.89) compared with the absence of myocardial infarction. UMI-CMR was also associated with increased risks of all cause mortality (3.21, 1.43 to 7.23), cardiovascular mortality (10.79, 4.09 to 28.42), and major adverse cardiac events (3.23, 2.10 to 4.95). No major heterogeneity was observed for any primary outcomes between recognised myocardial infarction and UMI-ECG or UMI-CMR. The absolute risk differences were 7.50 (95% confidence interval 4.50 to 10.95) per 1000 person years for all cause mortality, 11.04 (5.48 to 18.84) for cardiovascular mortality, and 27.45 (17.1 to 40.05) for major adverse cardiac events in participants with UMI-ECG compared with those without myocardial infarction. The corresponding data for UMI-CMR were 32.49 (6.32 to 91.58), 37.2 (11.7 to 104.20), and 51.96 (25.63 to 92.04), respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

UMI-ECG or UMI-CMR is associated with an adverse long term prognosis similar to that of recognised myocardial infarction. Screening for unrecognised myocardial infarction could be useful for risk stratification among patients with a high risk of cardiovascular disease.

Association of Unrecognized Myocardial Infarction With Long-term Outcomes in Community-Dwelling Older Adults: The ICELAND MI Study

Importance

Cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) imaging can identify unrecognized myocardial infarction (UMI) in the general population. Unrecognized myocardial infarction by CMR portends poor prognosis in the short term but, to our knowledge, long-term outcomes are not known.

Objective

To determine the long-term outcomes of UMI by CMR compared with clinically recognized myocardial infarction (RMI) and no myocardial infarction (MI).

Design, Setting, and Participants

Participants of the population-based, prospectively enrolled ICELAND MI cohort study (aged 67-93 years) were characterized with CMR at baseline (from January 2004-January 2007) and followed up for up to 13.3 years. Kaplan-Meier time-to-event analyses and a Cox regression were used to assess the association of UMI at baseline with death and future cardiovascular events.

Main Outcomes and Measures

The primary outcome was all-cause mortality. Secondary outcomes were a composite of major adverse cardiac events (MACE: death, nonfatal MI, and heart failure).

Results

Of 935 participants, 452 (48.3%) were men; the mean (SD) age of participants with no MI, UMI, and RMI was 75.6 (5.3) years, 76.8 (5.2) years, and 76.8 (4.7) years, respectively. At 3 years, UMI and no MI mortality rates were similar (3%) and lower than RMI rates (9%). At 5 years, UMI mortality rates (13%) increased and were higher than no MI rates (8%) but still lower than RMI rates (19%). By 10 years, UMI and RMI mortality rates (49% and 51%, respectively) were not statistically different; both were significantly higher than no MI (30%) (P < .001). After adjusting for age, sex, and diabetes, UMI by CMR had an increased risk of death (hazard ratio [HR], 1.61; 95% CI, 1.27-2.04), MACE (HR, 1.56; 95% CI, 1.26-1.93), MI (HR, 2.09; 95% CI, 1.45-3.03), and heart failure (HR, 1.52; 95% CI, 1.09-2.14) compared with no MI and statistically nondifferent risk of death (HR, 0.99; 95% CI, 0.71-1.38) and MACE (HR, 1.23; 95% CI, 0.91-1.66) vs RMI.

Conclusions and Relevance

In this study, all-cause mortality of UMI was higher than no MI, but within 10 years from baseline evaluation was equivalent with RMI. Unrecognized MI was also associated with an elevated risk of nonfatal MI and heart failure. Whether secondary prevention can alter the prognosis of UMI will require prospective testing.

Association of sST2 and hs-CRP levels with new-onset atrial fibrillation in coronary artery disease

BACKGROUND

The data on biomarkers as predictors of atrial fibrillation (AF) in patients with coronary artery disease (CAD) are limited.

METHODS

A total of 1946 patients with CAD were recruited to the ARTEMIS study. At baseline, the study patients underwent clinical and echocardiographic examinations and had laboratory tests. The patients (n=1710) with the information about the occurrence of new-onset AF during the follow-up were included in the present analysis.

RESULTS

During 5.7±1.5years of follow-up, 143 (8.4%) patients developed a new-onset AF. Higher values of soluble ST2 (sST2) (20.2±10.8 vs. 17.5±7.2ng/mL, p=0.005), high-sensitivity troponin T (hs-TnT) (11.9±10.2 vs. 10.3±8.3ng/L, p=0.005), high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) (3.3±5.9 vs. 2.0±4.4mg/L, p<0.001) and brain natriuretic peptide (BNP) (85.6±77.5 vs. 64.9±73.5ng/L, p<0.001) had significant associations with the occurrence of new-onset AF. In the Cox clinical hazards model, higher age (p=0.004), greater weight (p=0.045), larger left atrial diameter (p=0.001), use of asthma/chronic obstructive pulmonary disease medication (p=0.001) and lack of cholesterol lowering medication (p=0.008) had a significant association with the increased risk of AF. When the biomarkers were tested in the Cox clinical hazards model, sST2 (HR=1.025, 95% CI=1.007-1.043, p=0.006) and hs-CRP (HR=1.027, 95% CI=1.008-1.047, p=0.006) retained their significant power in predicting AF.

CONCLUSION

A biomarker of fibrosis, sST2, and a biomarker of inflammation, hs-CRP, predict the risk of occurrence of new-onset AF in patients with CAD. These biomarkers contributed to the discrimination of the AF risk model, but did not improve it markedly.

Prevalence of electrocardiographic unrecognized myocardial infarction and its association with mortality

BACKGROUND

Identifying unrecognized myocardial infarction (MI) is important for secondary prevention. The aim of this study is to determine the prevalence and correlates of unrecognized MI and the association with mortality in the general population.

METHODS

All participants ≥18years participating in the Lifelines population, a three-generation Cohort Study and Biobank, were included (n=152,180). Participants with unrecognized MI were matched with controls without MI (1:2) based on age and gender. Unrecognized MI was defined when no history of MI was reported in combination with electrocardiographic (ECG) signs corresponding to MI. A history of MI was defined as a reported history of MI in combination with ECG signs and/or the use of antithrombotic medication.

RESULTS

MI was present in 1881(1.2%) of participants and was unrecognized in 431 (22.9%) participants. Under the age of 50years, percentages of unrecognized MI relative to the total amount of MI were 34% and 55% in men and women respectively. Compared to recognized MI, classical cardiovascular risk factors were less prevalent in participants with unrecognized MI. During a median follow- up time of 5, 4 and 4years, 4.4%, 6.4% and 2.2% of participants with unrecognized MI, recognized MI and without MI died, respectively. In a multivariable logistic regression unrecognized MI was an independent predictor of death.

CONCLUSIONS

The prevalence of unrecognized MI is substantial and classical cardiovascular risk factors are less prevalent in participants with unrecognized MI. Nevertheless, unrecognized MI is associated with mortality. Risk stratification and early diagnosis is necessary to reduce the morbidity and mortality after MI.

Prevalence and incidence of Q-wave unrecognized myocardial infarction in general population: Diagnostic value of the electrocardiogram. The REGICOR study

BACKGROUND

Diagnosis of unrecognized myocardial infarction (UMI) remains an open question in epidemiological and clinical studies, inhibiting effective secondary prevention of myocardial infarction. We aimed to determine the prevalence and incidence of Q-wave UMI in asymptomatic individuals aged 35 to 74years, and to ascertain the positive predictive value (PPV) of asymptomatic Q-wave to diagnose UMI.

METHODS

Two population-based cross-sectional studies were conducted, in 2000 (with 10-year follow-up) and in 2005. A baseline electrocardiogram was obtained for each participant. Imaging techniques (echocardiography, cardiac magnetic resonance imaging, and myocardial perfusion single-photon emission computerized tomography) were used to confirm UMI in patients with asymptomatic Q-wave.

RESULTS

The prevalence of confirmed Q-wave UMI in the 5580 participants was 0.18% (95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.10-0.33) and the incidence rate was 27.1 Q-wave UMI per 100,000person-years. The proportion of confirmed Q-wave UMI with respect to all prevalent MI was 8.1% (95% CI: 4.4-14.2). The PPV of asymptomatic Q-wave to diagnose Q-wave UMI was 29.2% (95% CI: 18.2-43.2%) overall, but much higher (75%, 95% CI: 40.9-92.9%) in participants with 10-year CHD risk ≥10%, compared to lower-risk participants.

CONCLUSION

Opportunistic identification of asymptomatic Q-waves by routine electrocardiogram overestimates actual Q-wave UMI, which represents 8% to 13% of all myocardial infarction in the population aged 35 to 74years. This overestimation is particularly high in the population at low cardiovascular risk. In epidemiological studies and in clinical practice, diagnosis of a pathologic Q-wave in asymptomatic patients requires detailed analysis of imaging tests to confirm or rule out myocardial necrosis.

A Review of the Relationship of Atrial Fibrillation and Acute Coronary Syndrome

Atrial fibrillation (AF) is the most common arrhythmia encountered by clinicians. Clinical decision-making focuses on reducing ischemic stroke risk in AF patients; however, AF is also associated with an increased risk of acute coronary syndromes (ACS). Patients with ACS and concurrent AF are less likely to receive appropriate therapies and more likely to experience adverse outcomes than ACS patients in sinus rhythm (SR). Clinicians may be able to stratify ACS patients at increased risk of AF development based on clinical characteristics. Evidence supporting specific therapeutic options for prevention of ACS in AF patients or for prevention of AF in ACS patients is limited, however there is some evidence of differing effects among oral anticoagulant regimens in these populations. Investigations of the relationship of AF with the full spectrum of ACS are not well described and should be the focus of future research.

The long-term risk of recognized and unrecognized myocardial infarction for depression in older men

BACKGROUND

The association between myocardial infarction (MI) and depression is well described. Yet, the underlying mechanisms are unclear and the contribution of psychological factors is uncertain. We aimed to determine the risk of recognized (RMI) and unrecognized (UMI) myocardial infections on depression, as both have a similar impact on cardiovascular health but differ in psychological epiphenomena.

METHOD

Participants of the Rotterdam Study, 1823 men aged ⩾55 years, were followed for the occurrence of depression. RMI and UMI were ascertained using electrocardiography and medical history at baseline. We determined the strength of the association of RMI and UMI with mortality, and we studied the relationship of RMI and UMI with depressive symptoms and the occurrence of major depression.

RESULTS

The risk of mortality was similar in men with RMI [adjusted hazard ratio (aHR) 1.71, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.45-2.03] and UMI (aHR 1.58, 95% CI 1.27-1.97). Men with RMI had on average [unstandardized regression coefficient (B) 1.14, 95% CI 0.07-2.21] higher scores for depressive symptoms. By contrast, we found no clear association between UMI and depressive symptoms (B 0.55, 95% CI -0.51 to 1.62) in men. Analysis including occurrence of major depression as the outcome were consistent with the pattern of association.

CONCLUSION

The discrepant association of RMI and UMI with mortality compared to depression suggests that the psychological burden of having experienced an MI contributes to the long-term risk of depression.

Comparison of prognosis in unrecognized versus recognized myocardial infarction in men versus women >55 years of age (from the Rotterdam Study)

Unrecognized myocardial infarction (MI) is frequent in the general population. Its prognosis is reported to be at least as unpropitious as that of recognized MI, particularly in men. However, contemporary data with long follow-up are lacking. The aims of this study were to investigate the long-term prognosis of unrecognized MI with respect to all-cause and cause-specific mortality and to investigate possible differences in prognosis by gender. In the population-based Rotterdam Study (2,672 men and 3,862 women), the presence of unrecognized MI and recognized MI was determined at baseline (1990 to 1993). The cohort was followed for nearly 2 decades for all-cause and cause-specific mortality. During 82,268 patient-years of follow-up (median 15.6 years) 3,412 patients died (1,300 from cardiovascular causes). Men and women with recognized and unrecognized MIs had increased total mortality rates compared with those without MIs. Hazard ratios (HRs) for men and women were 1.57 (95% confidence interval [CI] 1.36 to 1.81) and 1.89 (95% CI 1.56 to 2.30) for recognized MI and 1.72 (95% CI 1.43 to 2.07) and 1.36 (95% CI 1.14 to 1.61) for unrecognized MI. Unrecognized MI was associated with increased risks for cardiovascular mortality (men: HR 2.19, 95% CI 1.66 to 2.91; women: HR 1.36, 95% CI 1.03 to 1.81) and noncardiovascular mortality (men: HR 1.47, 95% CI 1.14 to 1.89; women: HR 1.39, 95% CI 1.10 to 1.75). In conclusion, the long-term prognosis of patients with unrecognized MIs is worse compared with those without MIs and applies not only to cardiovascular mortality but also to noncardiovascular mortality. In men, the prognosis is as unfavorable as that of patients with recognized MIs.

The Rotterdam Study: 2014 objectives and design update

The Rotterdam Study is a prospective cohort study ongoing since 1990 in the city of Rotterdam in The Netherlands. The study targets cardiovascular, endocrine, hepatic, neurological, ophthalmic, psychiatric, dermatological, oncological, and respiratory diseases. As of 2008, 14,926 subjects aged 45 years or over comprise the Rotterdam Study cohort. The findings of the Rotterdam Study have been presented in over a 1,000 research articles and reports (see www.erasmus-epidemiology.nl/rotterdamstudy ). This article gives the rationale of the study and its design. It also presents a summary of the major findings and an update of the objectives and methods.