Influence of LDL-Cholesterol Lowering on Cardiovascular Outcomes in Patients With Diabetes Mellitus Undergoing Coronary Revascularization

Antioxidant effects of a novel pioglitazone analogue (PA9) in a rat model of diabetes: Modulation of redox homeostasis and preservation of tissue architecture

Oxygen-free radicals have been implicated in the initiation of diabetic complications. Thiazolidinediones (TZDs), known for their antidiabetic properties, also demonstrate notable antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects. Although a recently developed imidazolyl analogue of pioglitazone (PA9) has exhibited superior glucose-lowering efficacy compared to pioglitazone, its antioxidant effects remain unexplored. Thus, the objective of this study is to evaluate the antioxidant properties of PA9 in animal models with diabetes. Rats were randomly separated into the following four groups: control, diabetic, and two groups treated orally with pioglitazone as a standard drug and PA9 for ten days. Upon completion of the experiment, tissues from the liver, heart, brain, pancreas, spleen, and kidneys were collected to assess oxidant/antioxidant markers and histological alterations. The administration of PA9 resulted in a noteworthy reduction in malondialdehyde (MDA) levels compared to the diabetic group (p < 0.05). The group receiving PA9 displayed elevated levels of three antioxidant markers, catalase (CAT), superoxide dismutase (SOD), and total thiol, in pancreatic tissue compared to diabetic rats (p < 0.05). Furthermore, increased content of CAT was evident in the heart (p < 0.05), spleen (p < 0.001), brain, and kidney tissues in the PA9-treated group, along with augmented thiol content in the spleen compared to the diabetic group. Remarkably, no significant histological changes were observed in the liver, pancreas, heart, brain, spleen, and kidneys of the PA9-treated groups relative to diabetic rats. PA9 effectively mitigates oxidative stress, modulates redox homeostasis, and shows promise in preventing diabetic complications. The proven safety profile of this analogue underscores its potential, warranting comprehensive clinical evaluation to thoroughly understand its therapeutic scope and efficacy in the management of diabetes.

Diabetic adverse events associated with three commonly used statins: a disproportionality analysis based on the FDA adverse event reporting system database

BACKGROUND

The increasing prevalence of statin use for cardiovascular disease management has raised concerns regarding their safety profile, particularly regarding the potential risk of diabetes. Our study aims to analyze diabetic adverse event reports related to statins using a large pharmacovigilance database to provide timely insights into this significant issue.

METHODS

We analyzed data from the FDA Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS) database from 2004 to 2023. Disproportionality analyses were performed to detect signals of diabetic adverse events associated with the three most commonly prescribed statins: atorvastatin, rosuvastatin, and simvastatin.

RESULTS

We identified 11,364 cases of statin-related diabetic adverse events across the three statins. Disproportionality analyses revealed a significant association between these statins and four specific diabetic adverse events: type 2 diabetes mellitus, impaired glucose tolerance, diabetic neuropathy, and diabetic retinal edema. Notable sex differences emerged, with females exhibiting an overall significantly higher propensity for diabetes-related adverse events.

CONCLUSIONS

Our study is timely and relevant as it addresses growing concerns about the safety of widely prescribed statins and their association with diabetes. By highlighting these critical issues, the study seeks to contribute valuable insights to practitioners, ultimately guiding better clinical practices and enhancing pharmacovigilance efforts.

Unraveling the rapid progression of non-target lesions: risk factors and the therapeutic potential of PCSK9 inhibitors in post-PCI patients

BACKGROUND

Rapid progression of non-target lesions (NTLs) leads to a high incidence of NTL related cardiac events post-PCI, which accounting half of the recurrent cardiac events. It is important to identify the risk factors and establish an accurate clinical prediction model for the rapid progression of NTLs post-PCI. PCSK9 inhibitors lower LDL-c levels significantly, also show the anti-inflammation effect, and may have the potential to reduce the rapid progression of NTLs post-PCI. We tried to test this hypothesis and explore the potential mechanisms.

METHODS

This retrospective study included 1250 patients who underwent the first PCI and underwent repeat coronary angiography for recurrence of chest pain within 24 months. General characteristics, laboratory tests and inflammatory factors(IL-10, IL-6, IL-8, IL-1β, sIL-2R, and TNF-α) were collected. Machine learning (LASSO regression) was mainly employed to select the important characteristic risk factors for the rapid progression of NTLs post-PCI and build prediction models. Finally, mediator analysis was employed to explore the potential mechanisms by which PCSK9 inhibitors reduce the rapid progression of NTLs post-PCI.

RESULTS

There were more diabetes, less beta-blockers and PCSK9 inhibitors application, higher HbA1c, LDL-c, ApoB, TG, TC, uric acid, hs-CRP, TNF-α, IL-6, IL-8, and sIL-2R in NTL progressed group. LDL-c, hs-CRP, IL-8, and sIL-2R were characteristic risk factors for the rapid progression of NTLs post-PCI, combining LDL-c, hs-CRP, IL-8, and sIL-2R builds the optimal model for predicting the rapid progression of NTLs post-PCI (AUC = 0.632). LDL-c had a clear and incomplete mediating effect (95% CI, mediating effect: 51.56%) in the reduction of the progression of NTLs by PCSK9 inhibitors, and there was a possible mediating effect of IL-8 (90% CI), and sIL-2R (90% CI).

CONCLUSIONS

LDL-c, hs-CRP, IL-8, and sIL-2R may be the key characteristic risk factors for the rapid progression of NTLs post-PCI, and combining these parameters might predict the rapid progression of NTLs post-PCI. The application of PCSK9 inhibitors had a negative correlation with the rapid progression of NTLs. In addition to the significant LDL-c-lowering, PCSK9 inhibitors may reduce the rapid progression of NTLs by reducing local inflammation of plaque.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

ChiCTR2200058529; Date of registration: 2022-04-10.

Intensive Lipid-Lowering Therapy as per the Latest Dyslipidemia Management Guideline in Predicting Favorable Long-Term Clinical Outcomes in Patients Undergoing Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting: A Retrospective Cohort Study

Background There are limited data on low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) goal achievement per the 2019 European Society of Cardiology/European Atherosclerosis Society dyslipidemia management guidelines and its impact on long-term outcomes in patients undergoing coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG). We investigated the association between LDL-C levels attained 1 year after CABG and the long-term outcomes. Methods and Results A total of 2072 patients diagnosed with multivessel coronary artery disease and undergoing CABG between 2011 and 2020 were included. Patients were categorized by lipid levels at 1 year after CABG, and the occurrence of major adverse cardiovascular and cerebrovascular events (MACCEs) was evaluated. The goal of LDL-C <1.40 mmol/L was attained in only 310 patients (14.9%). During a mean follow-up of 4.2 years after the index 1-year assessment, 25.0% of the patients experienced MACCEs. Multivariable-adjusted hazard ratios (95% CIs) for MACCEs, cardiac death, nonfatal myocardial infarction, nonfatal stroke, revascularization, and cardiac rehospitalization were 1.94 (1.41-2.67), 2.27 (1.29-3.99), 2.45 (1.55-3.88), 1.17 (0.63-2.21), 2.47 (1.31-4.66), and 1.87 (1.19-2.95), respectively, in patients with LDL-C ≥2.60 mmol/L, compared with patients with LDL-C <1.40 mmol/L. The LDL-C levels at 1-year post-CABG were independently associated with long-term MACCEs. Conclusions This retrospective analysis demonstrates that lipid goals are not attained in the vast majority of patients at 1 year after CABG, which is independently associated with the increased risk of long-term MACCEs. Further prospective, multicenter studies are warranted to validate if intensive lipid management could improve the outcomes of patients undergoing CABG.

Role of percutaneous coronary intervention in the modern-day management of chronic coronary syndrome

Contemporary randomised trials of percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) in chronic coronary syndrome (CCS) demonstrate no difference between patients treated with a conservative or invasive strategy with respect to all-cause mortality or myocardial infarction, although trials lack power to test for individual endpoints and long-term follow-up data are needed. Open-label trials consistently show greater improvement in symptoms and quality of life among patients with stable angina treated with PCI. Further studies are awaited to clarify this finding. In patients with severe left ventricular (LV) systolic dysfunction and obstructive coronary artery disease in the Revascularization for Ischemic Ventricular Dysfunction trial, PCI has not been found to improve all-cause mortality, heart failure hospitalisation or recovery of LV function when compared with medical therapy. PCI was, however, performed without additional hazard and so remains a treatment option when there are favourable patient characteristics. The majority of patients reported no angina, and the low burden of angina in many of the randomised PCI trials is a widely cited limitation. Despite contentious evidence, elective PCI for CCS continues to play a significant role in UK clinical practice. While PCI for urgent indications has more than doubled since 2006, the rate of elective PCI remains unchanged. PCI remains an important strategy when symptoms are not well controlled, and we should maximise its value with appropriate patient selection. In this review, we provide a framework to assist in critical interpretation of findings from most recent trials and meta-analysis evidence.

Impact of preprocedural biological markers on 10-year mortality in the SYNTAXES trial

BACKGROUND

Creatinine clearance (CrCl) is an independent determinant of mortality in predictive models of revascularisation outcomes for complex coronary artery disease.

AIMS

This study aimed to investigate the impact of preprocedural biological markers on 10-year mortality following coronary revascularisation.

METHODS

The SYNTAX Extended Survival (SYNTAXES) study evaluated the 10-year vital status follow-up of 1,800 patients with de novo three-vessel (3VD) and/or left main coronary artery disease (LMCAD) randomised to include percutaneous or surgical coronary revascularisation. The associations between mortality and preprocedural C-reactive protein (CRP), haemoglobin, HbA1c, CrCl, fasting triglycerides, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol were analysed.

RESULTS

Out of 1,800 patients, 460 patients died before the 10-year follow-up. CRP, HbA1c and CrCl with threshold values of ≥2 mg/L, ≥6% (42 mmol/mol) and <60 ml/min, respectively, were associated with 10-year all-cause death (adjusted hazard ratio [95% confidence interval]: 1.35 [1.01-1.82], 1.51 [1.16-1.95], and 1.46 [1.07-2.00], respectively). There was no significant interaction between the biological markers on all-cause mortality and the type of revascularisation. Preprocedural lipid markers were not significantly associated with 10-year all-cause death, but the non-use of statins was a determinant factor of worse prognosis (adjusted hazard ratio [95% confidence interval]: 1.68 [1.26-2.25]).

CONCLUSIONS

Preprocedural biomarkers, such as CRP and HbA1c, are associated with long-term mortality post revascularisation, regardless of the revascularisation technique. Conventional lipidic biomarkers associated with high-risk of cardiovascular events seem to be effectively mitigated by the long-term use of statins, whereas the non-use of statins was a factor of a worse prognosis, emphasising the importance of pharmacological treatment.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

SYNTAXES ClinicalTrials.gov: NCT03417050. SYNTAX ClinicalTrials.gov: NCT00114972.

Accelerated Ovarian Aging Among Type 2 Diabetes Patients and Its Association With Adverse Lipid Profile

BACKGROUND

The impact of diabetes on reproductive function is still not clearly defined. This study aimed to evaluate accelerated ovarian aging in women with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and its association with adverse lipid profile.

METHODS

Female patients with T2DM (n=964) and non-T2DM controls (n=263) aging from 18-80 years were included. Levels of circulating sex hormones were measured at the follicular phase in menstruating women. We analyzed the age-specific trends in the levels of sex hormones between T2DM and controls. The correlations of sex hormones with the lipid profile, including low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), total cholesterol (TC) and triglycerides (TG) were also evaluated.

RESULTS

In the temporal trends analysis, LH and FSH both started to increase obviously approximately from the age of 45 years among patients with T2DM, and displayed peaks of LH and FSH among patients with T2DM aged between 61 and 65, both of which were obviously earlier than that in non-T2DM controls and proved the accelerated ovarian aging among patients with T2DM. E2 of patients with T2DM was continuous lower than that of non-T2DM controls from approximately 45 years old, and LH and FSH of patients with T2DM were higher than those of non-T2DM controls between the age of 55 to 65 years. Multiple linear regression analyses revealed that LH was positively correlated with LDL-C (Coefficient=0.156, P=0.001) and TC (Coefficient=0.134, P=0.025), and was negatively correlated with HDL-C (Coefficient =-0.065, P=0.001) in patients with T2DM aged between 51 and 60, which was independent of age, T2DM duration, body mass index (BMI), glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c), FSH, E2 and other potential confounders. Higher E2 level was significantly and independently correlated with lower LDL-C (Coefficient= -0.064, P=0.033) in patients with T2DM aged between 51 and 60.

CONCLUSIONS

This study suggests that patients with T2DM have accelerated ovarian aging, and it is correlated with the occurrence of disturbed lipid profile in patients with T2DM. With an ever increasing number of female patients with T2DM diagnosed at younger ages, the accelerated ovarian aging and its adverse impacts in T2DM need to be carefully managed.

Lower levels of low-density lipoprotein cholesterol are associated with a lower prevalence of thin-cap fibroatheroma in statin-treated patients with coronary artery disease

BACKGROUND

Reducing low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) levels with statins slows the progression of atherosclerotic plaques and reduces cardiovascular events. The 2019 European Society of Cardiology/European Atherosclerosis Society guidelines recommend absolute LDL-C treatment targets of <100 mg/dL, <70 mg/dL and <55 mg/dL according to coexisting patient risk factors.

OBJECTIVE

To clarify the difference in the plaque characteristics of coronary lesions associated with these LDL-C levels in statin-treated patients.

METHODS

A total of 685 consecutive statin-treated patients with coronary artery disease (CAD) who underwent optical coherence tomography (OCT) imaging of culprit lesions were enrolled. The characteristics of culprit plaques evaluated by OCT were compared among the high LDL-C group (≥100 mg/dL, n=247), the moderate LDL-C group (70-100 mg/dL, n=289), the low LDL-C group (55-70 mg/dL, n=106) and the very low LDL-C group (<55 mg/dL, n=43).

RESULTS

A significant trend toward a lower prevalence of thin-cap fibroatheroma (TCFA) associated with the LDL-C groups was observed (23.1, 18.3, 9.4 and 11.6%, respectively, in each group; p=0.002). A trend toward a lower prevalence of TCFAs associated with the LDL-C groups was also observed among patients with lower hemoglobin A1c (<6.2%; p=0.003). LDL-C <70 mg/dL (the low/very low group) was independently associated with the lack of TCFAs (odds ratio, 0.50; 95% confidence interval, 0.27-0.87, p=0.014).

CONCLUSIONS

Lower LDL-C levels were associated with a lower prevalence of TCFAs in culprit plaques among statin-treated patients with CAD.

Effect of Perioperative Lipid Status on Clinical Outcomes after Cardiac Surgery

Patients undergoing cardiac surgery are at increased cardiovascular risk, which includes altered lipid status. However, data on the effect of cardiac surgery and cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) on plasma levels of key lipids are scarce. We investigated potential effects of CPB on plasma lipid levels and associations with early postoperative clinical outcomes. This is a prospective bio-bank study of patients undergoing elective cardiac surgery at our center January to December 2019. The follow-up period was 1 year after surgery. Blood sampling was performed before induction of general anesthesia, upon weaning from cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB), and on the first day after surgery. Clinical end points included the incidence of postoperative stroke, myocardial infarction, and death of any cause at 30 days after surgery as well as 1-year all-cause mortality. A total of 192 cardiac surgery patients (75% male, median age 67.0 years (interquartile range 60.0-73.0), median BMI 26.1 kg/m² (23.7-30.4)) were included. A significant intraoperative decrease in plasma levels compared with preoperative levels (all p < 0.0001) was observed for total cholesterol (TC) (Cliff's delta d: 0.75 (0.68-0.82; 95% CI)), LDL-Cholesterol (LDL-C) (d: 0.66 (0.57-0.73)) and HDL-Cholesterol (HDL-C) (d: 0.72 (0.64-0.79)). At 24h after surgery, the plasma levels of LDL-C (d: 0.73 (0.650.79)) and TC (d: 0.77 (0.69-0.82)) continued to decrease compared to preoperative levels, while the plasma levels of HDL-C (d: 0.46 (0.36-0.55)) and TG (d: 0.40 (0.29-0.50)) rebounded, but all remained below the preoperative levels (p < 0.001). Mortality at 30 days was 1.0% (N = 2/192), and 1-year mortality was 3.8% (N = 7/186). Postoperative myocardial infarction occurred in 3.1% of patients (N = 6/192) and postoperative stroke in 5.8% (N = 11/190). Adjusting for age, sex, BMI, and statin therapy, we noted a protective effect of postoperative occurrence of stroke for pre-to-post-operative changes in TC (adjusted odds ratio (OR) 0.29 (0.07-0.90), p = 0.047), in LDL-C (aOR 0.19 (0.03-0.88), p = 0.045), and in HDL-C (aOR 0.01 (0.00-0.78), p = 0.039). No associations were observed between lipid levels and 1-year mortality. In conclusion, cardiac surgery induces a significant sudden drop in levels of key plasma lipids. This effect was pronounced during the operation, and levels remained significantly lowered at 24 h after surgery. The intraoperative drops in LDL-C, TC, and HDL-C were associated with a protective effect against occurrence of postoperative stroke in adjusted models. We demonstrate that the changes in key plasma lipid levels during surgery are strongly correlated, which makes attributing the impact of each lipid to the clinical end points, such as postoperative stroke, a challenging task. Large-scale analyses should investigate additional clinical outcome measures.

Development and Validation of a Risk Nomogram Model for Predicting Revascularization After Percutaneous Coronary Intervention in Patients with Acute Coronary Syndrome

Objective

Percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) is one of the most effective treatments for acute coronary syndrome (ACS). However, the need for postoperative revascularization remains a major problem in PCI. This study was to develop and validate a nomogram for prediction of revascularization after PCI in patients with ACS.

Methods

A retrospective observational study was conducted using data from 1083 patients who underwent PCI (≥6 months) at a single center from June 2013 to December 2019. They were divided into training (70%; n = 758) and validation (30%; n = 325) sets. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was used to establish a predictive model represented by a nomogram. The nomogram was developed and evaluated based on discrimination, calibration, and clinical efficacy using the concordance statistic (C-statistic), calibration plot and decision curve analysis (DCA), respectively.

Results

The nomogram was comprised of ten variables: follow-up time (odds ratio (OR): 1.01; 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.00-1.03), history of diabetes mellitus (OR: 1.83; 95% CI: 1.25-2.69), serum creatinine level on admission (OR: 0.99; 95% CI: 0.98-1.00), serum uric acid level on admission (OR: 1.005; 95% CI: 1.002-1.007), lipoprotein-a level on admission (OR: 1.0021; 95% CI: 1.0013-1.0029), low density lipoprotein cholesterol level on re-admission (OR: 1.33; 95% CI: 0.10-0.47), the presence of chronic total occlusion (OR: 3.30; 95% CI: 1.93-5.80), the presence of multivessel disease (OR: 4.48; 95% CI: 2.85-7.28), the presence of calcified lesions (OR: 1.63; 95% CI: 1.11-2.39), and the presence of bifurcation lesions (OR: 1.82; 95% CI: 1.20-2.77). The area under the receiver operating characteristic curve values for the training and validation sets were 0.765 (95% CI: 0.732-0.799) and 0.791 (95% CI: 0.742-0.830), respectively. The calibration plots showed good agreement between prediction and observation in both the training and validation sets. DCA also demonstrated that the nomogram was clinically useful.

Conclusion

We developed an easy-to-use nomogram model to predict the risk of revascularization after PCI in patients with ACS. The nomogram may provide useful assessment of risk for subsequent treatment of ACS patients undergoing PCI.

Cardioprotective Effect of Low Level of LDL Cholesterol on Perioperative Myocardial Injury in Off-Pump Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting

Background and Objectives: Coronary artery disease is still a major cause of death in developed countries. Low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) lowering with statin therapy is a key strategy in major acute coronary events' prevention. The aim of the study was to establish if there is a cardioprotective effect of pre-operative LDL lowering therapy on perioperative myocaridal injury in patients undergoing off-pump coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG). Moreover, the impact of pre-operative LDL level on long term outcome was analysed. Materials and Methods: The retrospective single center analysis included 662 consecutive patients (431 (65%) males and 231 (35%) female, mean age of 65 ± 8) referred for cardiac surgery due to stable chronic coronary syndrome between 2012-2018. The follow up was 9 years. Results: A statistically significant difference was found in postoperative serum Troponin-I for LDL thresholds of 1.8 mmol/L (p = 0.009), 2.6 mmol/L (p = 0.03) and 3.0 mmol/L (p = 0.001). The results indicate that cardioprotective role of LDL is achieved within LDL concentration rate below 1.8 mmol/L (<70 mg/dL). Five patients died perioperatively, whereas 1-year and 9-year overall mortality rates were 4% (n = 28) and 18.6% (n = 123), respectively. Comparing the survival group with diseased, Mann-Whitney U test showed a statistically significant difference in HDL-C (p = 0.007), Troponin (p = 0.009), Castelli index (p = 0.001) and atherogenic index (p = 0.004). Preoperative levels of total cholesterol, LDL-C and HDL-C did not significantly differ between survivors and diseased. The 9-year mortality risk did not differ significantly between subgroups divided according to LDL-C thresholds of 1.4 mmol/L (55 mg/dL), 1.8 mmol/L (70 mg/dL), 2.6 mmol/L (100 mg/dL) and 3.0 mmol/L (116 mg/dL). Conclusions: Preoperative low level of LDL-C cholesterol (below 1.83 mmol/L, 70 mg/dL) has a cardioprotective effect on perioperative myocardial injury in off-pump coronary artery bypass grafting.

Cardiac mortality in patients randomised to elective coronary revascularisation plus medical therapy or medical therapy alone: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Aims

The value of elective coronary revascularisation plus medical therapy over medical therapy alone in managing stable patients with coronary artery disease is debated. We reviewed all trials comparing the two strategies in this population.

Methods and results

From inception through November 2020, MEDLINE, EMBASE, Google Scholar, and other databases were searched for randomised trials comparing revascularisation against medical therapy alone in clinically stable coronary artery disease patients. Treatment effects were measured by rate ratios (RRs) with 95% confidence intervals, using random-effects models. Cardiac mortality was the pre-specified primary endpoint. Spontaneous myocardial infarction (MI) and its association with cardiac mortality were secondary endpoints. Further endpoints included all-cause mortality, any MI, and stroke. Longest follow-up data were abstracted. The study is registered with PROSPERO (CRD42021225598). Twenty-five trials involving 19 806 patients (10 023 randomised to revascularisation plus medical therapy and 9783 to medical therapy alone) were included. Compared with medical therapy alone, revascularisation yielded a lower risk of cardiac death [RR 0.79 (0.67–0.93), P < 0.01] and spontaneous MI [RR 0.74 (0.64–0.86), P < 0.01]. By meta-regression, the cardiac death risk reduction after revascularisation, compared with medical therapy alone, was linearly associated with follow-up duration [RR per 4-year follow-up: 0.81 (0.69–0.96), P = 0.008], spontaneous MI absolute difference (P = 0.01) and percentage of multivessel disease at baseline (P = 0.004). Trial sequential and sensitivity analyses confirmed the reliability of the cardiac mortality findings. All-cause mortality [0.94 (0.87–1.01), P = 0.11], any MI (P = 0.14), and stroke risk (P = 0.30) did not differ significantly between strategies.

Conclusion

In stable coronary artery disease patients, randomisation to elective coronary revascularisation plus medical therapy led to reduced cardiac mortality compared with medical therapy alone. The cardiac survival benefit after revascularisation improved with longer follow-up times and was associated with fewer spontaneous MIs.