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McEvoy D, Abu-Omar A, Hussain M, Vaqar M, Dong C, Sahi Q, Khosa F. Sex distribution in clinical trials of radiologic contrast agents: A 27-year review. Clin Imaging 2024; 113:110194. [PMID: 38943784 DOI: 10.1016/j.clinimag.2024.110194] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/07/2024] [Revised: 05/01/2024] [Accepted: 05/21/2024] [Indexed: 07/01/2024]
Abstract
PURPOSE Clinical trials play a pivotal role in assessing the safety and efficacy of medical therapies. Addressing sex distribution among enrollees in clinical trials of radiologic contrast agents is essential for ensuring the generalizability of trial outcomes. Previous research has highlighted the influence of demographic factors, particularly sex, on treatment responses, emphasizing the need for equitable representation in clinical trials. Our study aim was to determine the sex distribution of enrollees in clinical trials of radiologic contrast agents. METHODS Our retrospective study included a total of 65 clinical trials conducted between 1990 and 2017 identified on clinicaltrials.gov after a comprehensive review including searching individually for all FDA approved contrast agents. Data collected included the year of FDA approval, the number of participants, sex distribution, trial location, trial phase, and study type. Inter-rater validation ensured data accuracy. RESULTS Our analysis revealed fluctuations in sex distribution of trial enrollees. Enrollment of males exceeded females in most years, with a shift towards a more equitable representation in recent trials. Trials conducted in the United States had a higher rate of enrollment by females. Phase I trials had the most balanced representation, whereas Phase IV trials had the highest sex disparity. CONCLUSION Across all trials, females made up 47.3 % of enrollees [3316 out of 7016 total enrollees]. Enrollment of males exceeded females in 44 of the 65 trials studied, females outnumbered males in 19 trials, and enrollment was equal between the sexes in 2 trials. While the sex distribution observed across all trials represents an equitable representation of enrollees, the wide variance of sex distribution at the level of individual trials has the potential to limit the generalizability of results.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Mehwish Hussain
- Imam Abdulrahman Bin Faisal University, Dammam, Saudi Arabia
| | | | - Carol Dong
- Queen's University, Kingston, ON, Canada
| | | | - Faisal Khosa
- University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada. https://twitter.com/khosafaisal
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López-Palop R, Carrillo P, Lozano Í. Impact of Sex in the Incidence of Heart Failure in Patients with Chronic Coronary Syndrome. Curr Heart Fail Rep 2024; 21:354-366. [PMID: 38703306 DOI: 10.1007/s11897-024-00663-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 04/15/2024] [Indexed: 05/06/2024]
Abstract
PURPOSE OF REVIEW This review examines the available evidence concerning the incidence of heart failure in patients with chronic coronary syndrome, with a focus on gender differences. RECENT FINDINGS The incidence of heart failure in the context of chronic coronary syndrome presents conflicting data. Most of the available information stems from studies involving stable patients' post-acute coronary syndrome, revealing a wide range of incidence rates, from less than 3% to over 20%, observed over 5 years of follow-up. Regarding the gender differences in heart failure incidence, there is no consensus about whether women exhibit a higher incidence, particularly in the presence of evidence of obstructive coronary artery disease. However, in cases where obstructive coronary artery disease is absent, women may face a more unfavourable prognosis due to a higher prevalence of microvascular disease and heart failure with preserved ventricular function. The different profile of ischaemic heart disease in women difficult to establish differences in prognosis independently associated with female sex. Targeted investigations are essential to discern the incidence of heart failure in chronic coronary syndrome and explore potential gender-specific associations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ramón López-Palop
- Servicio de Cardiología, Hospital Clínico Universitario Virgen de la Arrixaca, Ctra. Murcia-Cartagena s/n. 30120, Murcia, Spain.
| | - Pilar Carrillo
- Servicio de Cardiología, Hospital Clínico Universitario Virgen de la Arrixaca, Ctra. Murcia-Cartagena s/n. 30120, Murcia, Spain
| | - Íñigo Lozano
- Servicio de Cardiología, Hospital Universitario de Cabueñes, Gijón, Spain
- Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria del Principado de Asturias, ISPA, Oviedo, Spain
- Universidad de Oviedo, Oviedo, Spain
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3
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Dahlby J, Larssen BC, Boyd LA. Examining Sex Differences in Relationships Between Subjective and Objective Measures of Upper Extremity Motor Impairment in a Sample of Stroke Survivors. J Neurol Phys Ther 2024; 48:159-164. [PMID: 38768068 DOI: 10.1097/npt.0000000000000481] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/22/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE Rehabilitation professionals use subjective and objective outcome measures to assess stroke-related impact and impairment. Understanding if subjective and objective findings correlate among stroke survivors, especially if these associations differ between females and males, can inform care decisions. METHODS A retrospective cross-sectional design was used, with data selected from subacute to chronic stroke survivors on age, time since stroke, the hand domain from the Stroke Impact Scale version 3.0 (SIS-H), and the Fugl-Meyer Upper Extremity (FMUE) Assessment. Group differences were assessed for all outcomes based on sex and time poststroke. Separate correlations for females and males were performed between the subjective (SIS-H) and objective measures (FMUE) of upper limb function and impairment. RESULTS Data from 148 participants (44 females) were included in this study. SIS-H was significantly correlated with FMUE in both females and males ( P s ≤ 0.001). No significant differences were found between the groups' mean SIS-H or FMUE scores based on sex or time poststroke. DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSIONS Subjective and objective measures of physical functioning were correlated in both females and males. Although we found no sex differences in our primary outcomes, the sample size of females was disproportionately lower than the males. This is consistent with an ongoing problem in the stroke recovery research field, where females are often underrepresented and understudied, and where females who experience higher levels of impairment are less likely to participate in research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Julia Dahlby
- Department of Physical Therapy, Faculty of Medicine, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada (J.D., B.C.L., and L.A.B); and Djavad Mowafaghian Centre for Brain Health, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada (L.A.B)
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Cheng K, Wang J, Zheng W, Wu S, Zheng J, Sang W, Ma J, Pang J, Pan C, Wang G, Wu Y, Chen Y, Xu F. Sex differences in the management of patients with suspected acute coronary syndrome in China. Intern Emerg Med 2024; 19:1071-1079. [PMID: 38102447 DOI: 10.1007/s11739-023-03494-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/02/2023] [Accepted: 11/18/2023] [Indexed: 12/17/2023]
Abstract
Few studies have assessed sex differences in the management of suspected acute coronary syndrome (ACS). We aimed to compare the evaluation, treatment, and outcomes between males and females with suspected ACS in the emergency department. Data were obtained from a prospective registry of acute chest pain involving 21 emergency departments in Shandong Province, China. The primary endpoint was 30-day major adverse cardiac events (MACEs). Overlap propensity score weighting was used to address potential confounding. A total of 8046 patients were analysed (42.8% female). Overlap-weighted analysis showed no significant association of female sex with 30-day MACEs (odds ratio, 0.91; 95% CI 0.75 to 1.11; P = 0.363). Secondary analyses found that women were less likely to be identified as high risk at first presentation (odds ratio, 0.86; 95% CI 0.78 to 0.94; P < 0.001). In the emergency department, women were less likely to undergo antiplatelet therapy (odds ratio, 0.87; 95% CI 0.79 to 0.96; P = 0.004) or coronary angiography (odds ratio, 0.78; 95% CI, 0.69 to 0.88; P < 0.001). Women had a longer length of stay in the emergency department and were less likely to be admitted to a ward at disposition. These sex differences existed only in the non-ST-elevation subgroup and were independent of risk stratification. Women with non-ST-elevation chest pain in China received suboptimal treatment in the emergency department. However, their clinical outcomes were not significantly different from those of men. Further studies are needed to determine the causes and impacts of these sex differences.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kai Cheng
- Department of Emergency Medicine, Qilu Hospital of Shandong University, 107 Wenhua Xi Road, Jinan, 250012, China
- Shandong Provincial Clinical Research Centre for Emergency and Critical Care Medicine, Institute of Emergency and Critical Care Medicine of Shandong University, Chest Pain Centre, Qilu Hospital of Shandong University, Jinan, China
- Shandong Key Laboratory: Magnetic Field-Free Medicine and Functional Imaging (MF), Qilu Hospital of Shandong University, Jinan, China
- NMPA Key Laboratory for Clinical Research and Evaluation of Innovative Drug, Qilu Hospital of Shandong University, Jinan, China
| | - Jiali Wang
- Department of Emergency Medicine, Qilu Hospital of Shandong University, 107 Wenhua Xi Road, Jinan, 250012, China
- Shandong Provincial Clinical Research Centre for Emergency and Critical Care Medicine, Institute of Emergency and Critical Care Medicine of Shandong University, Chest Pain Centre, Qilu Hospital of Shandong University, Jinan, China
- Shandong Key Laboratory: Magnetic Field-Free Medicine and Functional Imaging (MF), Qilu Hospital of Shandong University, Jinan, China
- NMPA Key Laboratory for Clinical Research and Evaluation of Innovative Drug, Qilu Hospital of Shandong University, Jinan, China
| | - Wen Zheng
- Department of Emergency Medicine, Qilu Hospital of Shandong University, 107 Wenhua Xi Road, Jinan, 250012, China
- Shandong Provincial Clinical Research Centre for Emergency and Critical Care Medicine, Institute of Emergency and Critical Care Medicine of Shandong University, Chest Pain Centre, Qilu Hospital of Shandong University, Jinan, China
- Shandong Key Laboratory: Magnetic Field-Free Medicine and Functional Imaging (MF), Qilu Hospital of Shandong University, Jinan, China
- NMPA Key Laboratory for Clinical Research and Evaluation of Innovative Drug, Qilu Hospital of Shandong University, Jinan, China
| | - Shuo Wu
- Department of Emergency Medicine, Qilu Hospital of Shandong University, 107 Wenhua Xi Road, Jinan, 250012, China
- Shandong Provincial Clinical Research Centre for Emergency and Critical Care Medicine, Institute of Emergency and Critical Care Medicine of Shandong University, Chest Pain Centre, Qilu Hospital of Shandong University, Jinan, China
- Shandong Key Laboratory: Magnetic Field-Free Medicine and Functional Imaging (MF), Qilu Hospital of Shandong University, Jinan, China
- NMPA Key Laboratory for Clinical Research and Evaluation of Innovative Drug, Qilu Hospital of Shandong University, Jinan, China
| | - Jiaqi Zheng
- Department of Emergency Medicine, Qilu Hospital of Shandong University, 107 Wenhua Xi Road, Jinan, 250012, China
- Shandong Provincial Clinical Research Centre for Emergency and Critical Care Medicine, Institute of Emergency and Critical Care Medicine of Shandong University, Chest Pain Centre, Qilu Hospital of Shandong University, Jinan, China
- Shandong Key Laboratory: Magnetic Field-Free Medicine and Functional Imaging (MF), Qilu Hospital of Shandong University, Jinan, China
- NMPA Key Laboratory for Clinical Research and Evaluation of Innovative Drug, Qilu Hospital of Shandong University, Jinan, China
| | - Wentao Sang
- Department of Emergency Medicine, Qilu Hospital of Shandong University, 107 Wenhua Xi Road, Jinan, 250012, China
- Shandong Provincial Clinical Research Centre for Emergency and Critical Care Medicine, Institute of Emergency and Critical Care Medicine of Shandong University, Chest Pain Centre, Qilu Hospital of Shandong University, Jinan, China
- Shandong Key Laboratory: Magnetic Field-Free Medicine and Functional Imaging (MF), Qilu Hospital of Shandong University, Jinan, China
- NMPA Key Laboratory for Clinical Research and Evaluation of Innovative Drug, Qilu Hospital of Shandong University, Jinan, China
| | - Jingjing Ma
- Department of Emergency Medicine, Qilu Hospital of Shandong University, 107 Wenhua Xi Road, Jinan, 250012, China
- Shandong Provincial Clinical Research Centre for Emergency and Critical Care Medicine, Institute of Emergency and Critical Care Medicine of Shandong University, Chest Pain Centre, Qilu Hospital of Shandong University, Jinan, China
- Shandong Key Laboratory: Magnetic Field-Free Medicine and Functional Imaging (MF), Qilu Hospital of Shandong University, Jinan, China
- NMPA Key Laboratory for Clinical Research and Evaluation of Innovative Drug, Qilu Hospital of Shandong University, Jinan, China
| | - Jiaojiao Pang
- Department of Emergency Medicine, Qilu Hospital of Shandong University, 107 Wenhua Xi Road, Jinan, 250012, China
- Shandong Provincial Clinical Research Centre for Emergency and Critical Care Medicine, Institute of Emergency and Critical Care Medicine of Shandong University, Chest Pain Centre, Qilu Hospital of Shandong University, Jinan, China
- Shandong Key Laboratory: Magnetic Field-Free Medicine and Functional Imaging (MF), Qilu Hospital of Shandong University, Jinan, China
- NMPA Key Laboratory for Clinical Research and Evaluation of Innovative Drug, Qilu Hospital of Shandong University, Jinan, China
| | - Chang Pan
- Department of Emergency Medicine, Qilu Hospital of Shandong University, 107 Wenhua Xi Road, Jinan, 250012, China
- Shandong Provincial Clinical Research Centre for Emergency and Critical Care Medicine, Institute of Emergency and Critical Care Medicine of Shandong University, Chest Pain Centre, Qilu Hospital of Shandong University, Jinan, China
- Shandong Key Laboratory: Magnetic Field-Free Medicine and Functional Imaging (MF), Qilu Hospital of Shandong University, Jinan, China
- NMPA Key Laboratory for Clinical Research and Evaluation of Innovative Drug, Qilu Hospital of Shandong University, Jinan, China
| | - Guangmei Wang
- Department of Emergency Medicine, Qilu Hospital of Shandong University, 107 Wenhua Xi Road, Jinan, 250012, China
- Shandong Provincial Clinical Research Centre for Emergency and Critical Care Medicine, Institute of Emergency and Critical Care Medicine of Shandong University, Chest Pain Centre, Qilu Hospital of Shandong University, Jinan, China
- Shandong Key Laboratory: Magnetic Field-Free Medicine and Functional Imaging (MF), Qilu Hospital of Shandong University, Jinan, China
- NMPA Key Laboratory for Clinical Research and Evaluation of Innovative Drug, Qilu Hospital of Shandong University, Jinan, China
| | - Yangfeng Wu
- Peking University Clinical Research Institute, Peking University First Hospital, Beijing, China.
| | - Yuguo Chen
- Department of Emergency Medicine, Qilu Hospital of Shandong University, 107 Wenhua Xi Road, Jinan, 250012, China.
- Shandong Provincial Clinical Research Centre for Emergency and Critical Care Medicine, Institute of Emergency and Critical Care Medicine of Shandong University, Chest Pain Centre, Qilu Hospital of Shandong University, Jinan, China.
- Shandong Key Laboratory: Magnetic Field-Free Medicine and Functional Imaging (MF), Qilu Hospital of Shandong University, Jinan, China.
- NMPA Key Laboratory for Clinical Research and Evaluation of Innovative Drug, Qilu Hospital of Shandong University, Jinan, China.
| | - Feng Xu
- Department of Emergency Medicine, Qilu Hospital of Shandong University, 107 Wenhua Xi Road, Jinan, 250012, China.
- Shandong Provincial Clinical Research Centre for Emergency and Critical Care Medicine, Institute of Emergency and Critical Care Medicine of Shandong University, Chest Pain Centre, Qilu Hospital of Shandong University, Jinan, China.
- Shandong Key Laboratory: Magnetic Field-Free Medicine and Functional Imaging (MF), Qilu Hospital of Shandong University, Jinan, China.
- NMPA Key Laboratory for Clinical Research and Evaluation of Innovative Drug, Qilu Hospital of Shandong University, Jinan, China.
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Matthews S, Cook S, Clayton T, Murray S, Wynne R, Sanders J. Factors affecting women's participation in cardiovascular research: a scoping review. Eur J Cardiovasc Nurs 2024; 23:107-114. [PMID: 37201192 DOI: 10.1093/eurjcn/zvad048] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/03/2022] [Revised: 05/08/2023] [Accepted: 05/10/2023] [Indexed: 05/20/2023]
Abstract
AIMS Women are underrepresented in cardiovascular trials. We sought to explore the proportional representation of women in contemporary cardiovascular research and the factors (barriers and enablers) that affect their participation in cardiovascular studies. METHODS AND RESULTS Multiple electronic databases were searched between January 2011 and September 2021 to identify papers that defined underrepresentation of women in cardiovascular research and/or reported sex-based differences in participating in cardiovascular research and/or barriers for women to participate in cardiovascular research. Data extraction was undertaken independently by two authors using a standardised data collection form. Results were summarised using descriptive statistics and narrative synthesis as appropriate.From 548 identified papers, 10 papers were included. Of those, four were conducted prospectively and six were retrospective studies. Five of the retrospective studies involved secondary analysis of trial data including over 780 trials in over 1.1 million participants. Overall, women were reported to be underrepresented in heart failure, coronary disease, myocardial infarction, and arrhythmia trials, compared to men. Barriers to participation included lack of information and understanding of the research, trial-related procedures, the perceived health status of the participant, and patient-specific factors including travel, childcare availability, and cost. A significantly higher likelihood of research participation was reported by women following a patient educational intervention. CONCLUSION This review has highlighted the underrepresentation of women in a range of cardiovascular trials. Several barriers to women's participation in cardiovascular studies were identified. Researchers could mitigate against these in future trial planning and delivery to increase women's participation in cardiovascular research. REGISTRATION The protocol was published on the public Open Science Framework platform on 13th August 2021 (no registration reference provided) and can be accessed at https://osf.io/ny4fd/.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stacey Matthews
- National Heart Foundation of Australia, 850 Collins Street, Melbourne VIC 3000, Australia
- Royal Melbourne Hospital, 300 Grattan Street, Parkville 3050, Australia
| | - Samantha Cook
- St Bartholomew's Hospital, Barts Health NHS Trust, West Smithfield, London EC1A 7BE, UK
| | - Tim Clayton
- Department of Medical Statistics, Faculty of Epidemiology and Public Health, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London WC1E 7HT, UK
| | - Sarah Murray
- Society of Cardiothoracic Surgery of Great Britain and Ireland, London WC2A 3PE, UK
| | - Rochelle Wynne
- Royal Melbourne Hospital, 300 Grattan Street, Parkville 3050, Australia
- School of Nursing, Faculty of Science, Medicine & Health, University of Wollongong, Northfields Ave Wollongong, NSW 2522, Australia
| | - Julie Sanders
- St Bartholomew's Hospital, Barts Health NHS Trust, West Smithfield, London EC1A 7BE, UK
- William Harvey Research Institute, Queen Mary University of London, Charterhouse Square, London EC1M 6BQ, UK
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6
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Pabon M, Cunningham J, Claggett B, Felker GM, McMurray JJV, Metra M, Diaz R, Wang X, Arias-Mendoza A, Bonderman D, Crespo-Leiro M, Fonseca C, Goncalvesova E, Lund M, O'Meara E, Sliwa-Hahnle K, Malik FI, Solomon SD, Teerlink JR. Sex Differences in Heart Failure With Reduced Ejection Fraction in the GALACTIC-HF Trial. JACC. HEART FAILURE 2023; 11:1729-1738. [PMID: 37831045 DOI: 10.1016/j.jchf.2023.07.029] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/12/2023] [Revised: 07/11/2023] [Accepted: 07/25/2023] [Indexed: 10/14/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Women with heart failure with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF) receive less guideline-recommended therapy and experience worse quality of life than men. OBJECTIVES The authors sought to assess differences in baseline characteristics, outcomes, efficacy, and safety of omecamtiv mecarbil between men and women enrolled in the GALACTIC-HF (Registrational Study With Omecamtiv Mecarbil [AMG 423] to Treat Chronic Heart Failure With Reduced Ejection Fraction) study. METHODS In GALACTIC-HF, patients with symptomatic heart failure with EF of 35% or less, recent heart failure event, and elevated natriuretic peptides were randomized to omecamtiv mecarbil or placebo. The current analysis investigated differences in baseline characteristics, clinical outcomes, and efficacy and safety of omecamtiv mecarbil between men and women. RESULTS Of 8,232 patients analyzed, 21.2% were women. Women more likely self-identified as being Black, had worse symptoms (lower Kansas City Cardiomyopathy Questionnaire Total Symptom Score [KCCQ-TSS]), and were less likely to be treated with angiotensin receptor/neprilysin inhibitor and devices at baseline. Compared with men, women had lower rates of the primary endpoint (adjusted HR: 0.80, 95% CI: 0.73-0.88). Sex did not significantly modify omecamtiv mecarbil's treatment effect (P interaction = 0.68). Women also had 20% less risk of cardiovascular death, heart failure event, and all-cause death. Women participants had lower rates of serious adverse events. CONCLUSIONS Women participants of the GALACTIC-HF trial had worse quality of life and were less likely to be treated with guideline-based therapies at baseline. Despite KCCQ-TSS being predictive of poor outcomes in this population, women had a 20% lower risk of an HF event or cardiovascular death compared with men. The beneficial effect of omecamtiv mecarbil did not significantly differ by sex. (Registrational Study With Omecamtiv Mecarbil [AMG 423] to Treat Chronic Heart Failure With Reduced Ejection Fraction [GALACTIC-HF]; NCT02929329).
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria Pabon
- Brigham and Women's Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Jon Cunningham
- Brigham and Women's Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Brian Claggett
- Brigham and Women's Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - G Michael Felker
- Division of Cardiology, Duke University School of Medicine and Duke Clinical Research Institute, Durham, North Carolina, USA
| | - John J V McMurray
- British Heart Foundation Cardiovascular Research Centre, Glasgow, United Kingdom
| | | | - Rafael Diaz
- Estudios Clínicos Latino América, Rosario, Argentina
| | - Xiaowen Wang
- Brigham and Women's Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | | | | | - Maria Crespo-Leiro
- Unidad de Insuficiencia Cardiaca Avanzada y Trasplante Cardiaco, Complexo Hospitalario Universitario A Coruna, CHUAC, INIBIC, UDC, CIBERCV, La Coruna, Spain
| | - Cândida Fonseca
- Department of Internal Medicine, Hospital São Francisco Xavier, Lisbon, Portugal
| | | | | | - Eileen O'Meara
- Montreal Heart Institute and Université de Montréal, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | | | - Fady I Malik
- Cytokinetics Inc, South San Francisco, California, USA
| | - Scott D Solomon
- Brigham and Women's Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA.
| | - John R Teerlink
- San Francisco Veterans Affairs Medical Center and School of Medicine, University of California-San Francisco, San Francisco, California, USA
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Gurgoglione FL, Solinas E, Pfleiderer B, Vezzani A, Niccoli G. Coronary atherosclerotic plaque phenotype and physiopathologic mechanisms: Is there an influence of sex? Insights from intracoronary imaging. Atherosclerosis 2023; 384:117273. [PMID: 37730456 DOI: 10.1016/j.atherosclerosis.2023.117273] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/27/2023] [Revised: 06/01/2023] [Accepted: 09/01/2023] [Indexed: 09/22/2023]
Abstract
Coronary artery disease (CAD) is the leading cause of disability and death in both women and men; considerable differences in clinical presentation, natural history and prognosis are reported between sexes. Different pathophysiological mechanisms play a major role, including sex-related and gender-related features or a combination of both. Reports from intracoronary imaging studies pointed towards morphological plaque features, which seemed to differ between men and women, albeit results reported so far were not conclusive. The purpose of this review is to shed light on differences in the pathophysiology underlying CAD in women vs men including the description of coronary plaque phenotype and mechanisms of plaque instability, as assessed by intracoronary imaging. We will also discuss potential clinical implications with the aim to move towards a sex and gender-based personalized approach in CAD patients.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Emilia Solinas
- Division of Cardiology, Parma University Hospital, Parma, Italy
| | | | - Antonella Vezzani
- Cardiac Surgery Intensive Care Unit, Parma University Hospital, Parma, Italy
| | - Giampaolo Niccoli
- Division of Cardiology, University of Parma, Parma University Hospital, Parma, Italy.
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8
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Rau Steuernagel C, Lam CSP, Greenhalgh T. Countering sex and gender bias in cardiovascular research requires more than equal recruitment and sex disaggregated analyses. BMJ 2023; 382:e075031. [PMID: 37648271 DOI: 10.1136/bmj-2023-075031] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 09/01/2023]
Affiliation(s)
| | - Carolyn S P Lam
- National Heart Centre Singapore and Duke-National University of Singapore, Singapore
| | - Trisha Greenhalgh
- University of Oxford, Nuffield Department of Primary Care Health Sciences, Oxford, UK
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9
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De Matteis G, Biscetti F, Della Polla DA, Serra A, Burzo ML, Fuorlo M, Nicolazzi MA, Novelli A, Santoliquido A, Gambassi G, Gasbarrini A, Flex A, Franceschi F, Covino M. Sex-Based Differences in Clinical Characteristics and Outcomes among Patients with Peripheral Artery Disease: A Retrospective Analysis. J Clin Med 2023; 12:5094. [PMID: 37568498 PMCID: PMC10420161 DOI: 10.3390/jcm12155094] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/16/2023] [Revised: 07/29/2023] [Accepted: 07/31/2023] [Indexed: 08/13/2023] Open
Abstract
Peripheral arterial disease (PAD) is a prevalent medical condition associated with high mortality and morbidity rates. Despite the high clinical burden, sex-based differences among PAD patients are not well defined yet, in contrast to other atherosclerotic diseases. This study aimed to describe sex-based differences in clinical characteristics and outcomes among hospitalized patients affected by PAD. This was a retrospective study evaluating all patients with a diagnosis of PAD admitted to the Emergency Department from 1 December 2013 to 31 December 2021. The primary endpoint of the study was the difference between male and female PAD patients in cumulative occurrence of Major Adverse Cardiovascular Events (MACEs) and Major Adverse Limb Events. A total of 1640 patients were enrolled. Among them, 1103 (67.3%) were males while females were significantly older (median age of 75 years vs. 71 years; p =< 0.001). Females underwent more angioplasty treatments for revascularization than men (29.8% vs. 25.6%; p = 0.04); males were treated with more amputations (19.9% vs. 15.3%; p = 0.012). A trend toward more MALEs and MACEs reported in the male group did not reach statistical significance (OR 1.27 [0.99-1.64]; p = 0.059) (OR 0.75 [0.50-1.11]; p = 0.153). However, despite lower extremity PAD severity seeming similar between the two sexes, among these patients males had a higher probability of undergoing lower limb amputations, of cardiovascular death and of myocardial infarction. Among hospitalized patients affected by PAD, even if there was not a sex-based significant difference in the incidence of MALEs and MACEs, adverse clinical outcomes were more common in males.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giuseppe De Matteis
- Department of Internal Medicine, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli, IRCCS, 00168 Rome, Italy; (G.D.M.)
| | - Federico Biscetti
- Cardiovascular Internal Medicine, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli, IRCCS, 00168 Rome, Italy
| | | | - Amato Serra
- Department of Internal Medicine, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli, IRCCS, 00168 Rome, Italy; (G.D.M.)
| | - Maria Livia Burzo
- Department of Internal Medicine, Ospedale Santo Spirito in Sassia, 00193 Rome, Italy
| | - Mariella Fuorlo
- Emergency Department, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli, IRCCS, 00168 Rome, Italy
| | - Maria Anna Nicolazzi
- Cardiovascular Internal Medicine, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli, IRCCS, 00168 Rome, Italy
| | - Angela Novelli
- Emergency Department, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli, IRCCS, 00168 Rome, Italy
| | - Angelo Santoliquido
- Faculty of Medicine and Surgery, Rome Campus, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, 20123 Rome, Italy
| | - Giovanni Gambassi
- Department of Internal Medicine, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli, IRCCS, 00168 Rome, Italy; (G.D.M.)
- Faculty of Medicine and Surgery, Rome Campus, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, 20123 Rome, Italy
| | - Antonio Gasbarrini
- Department of Internal Medicine, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli, IRCCS, 00168 Rome, Italy; (G.D.M.)
- Faculty of Medicine and Surgery, Rome Campus, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, 20123 Rome, Italy
| | - Andrea Flex
- Cardiovascular Internal Medicine, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli, IRCCS, 00168 Rome, Italy
- Faculty of Medicine and Surgery, Rome Campus, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, 20123 Rome, Italy
| | - Francesco Franceschi
- Emergency Department, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli, IRCCS, 00168 Rome, Italy
- Faculty of Medicine and Surgery, Rome Campus, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, 20123 Rome, Italy
| | - Marcello Covino
- Emergency Department, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli, IRCCS, 00168 Rome, Italy
- Faculty of Medicine and Surgery, Rome Campus, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, 20123 Rome, Italy
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10
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Xu M, Yang F, Shen B, Wang J, Niu W, Chen H, Li N, Chen W, Wang Q, HE Z, Ding R. A bibliometric analysis of acute myocardial infarction in women from 2000 to 2022. Front Cardiovasc Med 2023; 10:1090220. [PMID: 37576112 PMCID: PMC10416645 DOI: 10.3389/fcvm.2023.1090220] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/24/2022] [Accepted: 06/01/2023] [Indexed: 08/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Plenty of publications had been written in the last several decades on acute myocardial infarction (AMI) in women. However, there are few bibliometric analyses in such field. In order to solve this problem, we attempted to examine the knowledge structure and development of research about AMI in women based on analysis of related publications. Method The Web of Science Core Collection was used to extract all publications regarding AMI in women, ranging from January 2000 to August 2022. Bibliometric analysis was performed using VOSviewer, Cite Space, and an online bibliometric analysis platform. Results A total of 14,853 publications related to AMI in women were identified from 2000 to 2022. Over the past 20 years, the United States had published the most articles in international research and participated in international cooperation the most frequently. The primary research institutions were Harvard University and University of Toronto. Circulation was the most cited journal and had an incontrovertible academic impact. 67,848 authors were identified, among which Harlan M Krumholz had the most significant number of articles and Thygesen K was co-cited most often. And the most common keywords included risk factors, disease, prognosis, mortality, criteria and algorithm. Conclusion The research hotspots and trends of AMI in women were identified and explored using bibliometric and visual methods. Researches about AMI in women are flourishing. Criteria and algorithms might be the focus of research in the near future, which deserved great attentions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ming Xu
- Department of Cardiology, Shanghai Changzheng Hospital, Naval Medical University, Shanghai, China
- Shanghai Cardiovascular Institute of Integrative Medicine, Shanghai, China
- Department of Cardiology, Shanghai Navy Feature Medical Center, Naval Medical University, Shanghai, China
| | - Fupeng Yang
- Department of Cardiology, Shanghai Changzheng Hospital, Naval Medical University, Shanghai, China
- Shanghai Cardiovascular Institute of Integrative Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Bin Shen
- Department of Cardiology, Shanghai Navy Feature Medical Center, Naval Medical University, Shanghai, China
| | - Jiamei Wang
- Department of Cardiology, Shanghai Changzheng Hospital, Naval Medical University, Shanghai, China
- Shanghai Cardiovascular Institute of Integrative Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Wenhao Niu
- Department of Cardiology, Shanghai Changzheng Hospital, Naval Medical University, Shanghai, China
- Shanghai Cardiovascular Institute of Integrative Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Hui Chen
- Department of Cardiology, Shanghai Changzheng Hospital, Naval Medical University, Shanghai, China
- Shanghai Cardiovascular Institute of Integrative Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Na Li
- Department of Cardiology, Shanghai Changzheng Hospital, Naval Medical University, Shanghai, China
- Shanghai Cardiovascular Institute of Integrative Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Wei Chen
- Department of Cardiology, Shanghai Changzheng Hospital, Naval Medical University, Shanghai, China
- Shanghai Cardiovascular Institute of Integrative Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Qinqin Wang
- Department of Cardiology, Shanghai Changzheng Hospital, Naval Medical University, Shanghai, China
- Shanghai Cardiovascular Institute of Integrative Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Zhiqing HE
- Department of Cardiology, Shanghai Changzheng Hospital, Naval Medical University, Shanghai, China
- Shanghai Cardiovascular Institute of Integrative Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Ru Ding
- Department of Cardiology, Shanghai Changzheng Hospital, Naval Medical University, Shanghai, China
- Shanghai Cardiovascular Institute of Integrative Medicine, Shanghai, China
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11
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Zafar MDB, Jamil Y, Bilal M, Rathi S, Anwer A. Impact of racial, ethnic and gender disparities in Cardiology. Curr Probl Cardiol 2023; 48:101725. [PMID: 36990187 DOI: 10.1016/j.cpcardiol.2023.101725] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/21/2023] [Accepted: 03/22/2023] [Indexed: 03/29/2023]
Abstract
Literature shows evidence of racial and gender biases in many sub-specialties of medicine including cardiology. Racial, ethnic, and gender disparities exist along the path to cardiology residency, beginning as early as medical school admissions. Approximately 65.62% White, 4.71% Black, 18.06% Asian, and 8.86% Hispanic are cardiologists, while there are a total of 60.1% White, 12.2% Black, 5.6% Asian, and 18.5% Hispanic people in the US in 2019, showing evident underrepresentation. Gender disparities have an inevitable role in the lack of a diverse cardiovascular workforce. According to a recent study, only 13% of practicing cardiologists in the US are women, even though the female population in the US is 50.52% as compared to 49.48%- of men. These disparities led to underrepresented physicians earning less than their similarly qualified counterparts, decreased equity, increased workplace harassment, and also results in patients facing unconscious bias from their physicians leading to deteriorated clinical outcomes. Implications in the field of research include the underrepresentation of minorities and the female population despite the increased burden of cardiovascular disease they face. However, efforts are underway to eradicate the disparities that exist in cardiology. This paper aims to increase awareness regarding the issue and inform future policies with the goal of encouraging underrepresented communities to join the cardiology workforce.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Yumna Jamil
- Dow Medical College, Dow University of Health Sciences, Karachi, Pakistan.
| | - Maham Bilal
- Dow Medical College, Dow University of Health Sciences, Karachi, Pakistan
| | - Sushma Rathi
- Dow Medical College, Dow University of Health Sciences, Karachi, Pakistan
| | - Anusha Anwer
- Dow Medical College, Dow University of Health Sciences, Karachi, Pakistan
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12
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Velez AK, Lawton JS. Commentary: Isn't evidence a prerequisite for evidence-based medicine? J Thorac Cardiovasc Surg 2023; 165:1099-1101. [PMID: 34489103 DOI: 10.1016/j.jtcvs.2021.08.030] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/12/2021] [Revised: 08/12/2021] [Accepted: 08/13/2021] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Ana Karen Velez
- Division of Cardiac Surgery, Department of Surgery, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, Md
| | - Jennifer S Lawton
- Division of Cardiac Surgery, Department of Surgery, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, Md.
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13
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Hana D, Miller T, Chaker Z, Chobufo MD, Khan A, Patel B, Ghobrial J, Kawsara A, Thompson J, Raybuck B, Badhwar V, Daggubatti R, Mills J, Hamirani YS. Evaluating Gender-based Differences in Clinical Outcomes for Patients Undergoing Left Atrial Appendage Occlusion: A Single Centre Experience. Curr Probl Cardiol 2023; 48:101532. [PMID: 36509198 DOI: 10.1016/j.cpcardiol.2022.101532] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/26/2022] [Accepted: 12/01/2022] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
There is emerging recent data that has shown women to be more prone to in-hospital major adverse events after trans catheter left atrial appendage occlusion. Institutional LAAO registry at West Virginia University (WVU) was reviewed from January 2016 to October 2021 to identify 271 women and 293 men who underwent successful LAAO device implantation. Patients were evaluated for gender-based differences in baseline characteristics, CHA₂DS₂-VASc Score, HAS-BLED score, procedural data, in-hospital, and follow-up outcomes. Compared to men, women had lower baseline comorbidities including coronary artery disease (135 (49.6%) vs 172 (58.7%), P = 0.03), myocardial infarction (MI) (56 (20.5%) vs 85 (29%), P = 0.02) and coronary artery bypass surgery (10 (3.6%) vs 27 (9.2%), P = 0.008). Women were noted to have a higher CHA₂DS₂-VASc Score (5.3 ± 1.4 vs 4.4 ± 1.4, P < 0.001), and left ventricular ejection fraction (57.9 ± 7.7 vs 52.7 ± 12.4, P < 0.001). Women were noted to have a significantly higher rate of in-hospital composite adverse events (74 (27.2%) vs 58 (19.8%), P = 0.03); bleeding events (38 (10.2%) vs 19 (6.4%), P = 0.003) and associated blood transfusion (6 vs 0, P = 0.001) compared with men. No statistically significant differences were noted between both genders regarding the follow-up outcome. Our single center study shows women to have higher in-hospital composite adverse events as well as higher bleeding events during the index hospital admission.
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Affiliation(s)
- David Hana
- Department of Medicine, West Virginia University School of Medicine, Morgantown, WV
| | - Tyler Miller
- Department of Medicine, West Virginia University School of Medicine, Morgantown, WV
| | - Zakeih Chaker
- Department of Cardiology, West Virginia University School of Medicine, Morgantown, WV
| | - Muchi D Chobufo
- Department of Cardiology, West Virginia University School of Medicine, Morgantown, WV
| | - Arsalan Khan
- Department of Medicine, West Virginia University School of Medicine, Morgantown, WV
| | - Bansari Patel
- Department of Medicine, West Virginia University School of Medicine, Morgantown, WV
| | - Jonathan Ghobrial
- Department of Medicine, West Virginia University School of Medicine, Morgantown, WV
| | - Akram Kawsara
- Department of Cardiology, West Virginia University School of Medicine, Morgantown, WV
| | - Jesse Thompson
- Department of Medicine, West Virginia University School of Medicine, Morgantown, WV
| | - Bryan Raybuck
- Department of Cardiology, West Virginia University School of Medicine, Morgantown, WV
| | - Vinay Badhwar
- Department of Cardiovascular and Thoracic Surgery, West Virginia University School of Medicine, Morgantown, WV
| | - Ramesh Daggubatti
- Department of Cardiology, West Virginia University School of Medicine, Morgantown, WV
| | - James Mills
- Department of Cardiology, West Virginia University School of Medicine, Morgantown, WV
| | - Yasmin S Hamirani
- Department of Cardiology, West Virginia University School of Medicine, Morgantown, WV.
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14
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Yong C, Suvarna A, Harrington R, Gummidipundi S, Krumholz HM, Mehran R, Heidenreich P. Temporal Trends in Gender of Principal Investigators and Patients in Cardiovascular Clinical Trials. J Am Coll Cardiol 2023; 81:428-430. [PMID: 36697143 DOI: 10.1016/j.jacc.2022.10.038] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/23/2022] [Revised: 09/08/2022] [Accepted: 10/14/2022] [Indexed: 01/25/2023]
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15
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Huang T, Howse FM, Stachenfeld NS, Usselman CW. Correlations between salivary- and blood-derived gonadal hormone assessments and implications for inclusion of female participants in research studies. Am J Physiol Heart Circ Physiol 2023; 324:H33-H46. [PMID: 36426884 DOI: 10.1152/ajpheart.00399.2022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
Even in the 21st century, female participants continue to be underrepresented in human physiology research. This underrepresentation is attributable in part to the perception that the inclusion of females is more time consuming, less convenient, and more expensive relative to males because of the need to account for the menstrual cycle in cardiovascular study designs. Accounting for menstrual cycle-induced fluctuations in gonadal hormones is important, given established roles in governing vascular function and evidence that failure to consider gonadal hormone fluctuations can result in misinterpretations of biomarkers of cardiovascular disease. Thus, for cardiovascular researchers, the inclusion of females in research studies implies a necessity to predict, quantify, and/or track indexes of menstrual cycle-induced changes in hormones. It is here that methodologies are lacking. Gold standard measurement requires venous blood samples, but this technique is invasive and can become both expensive and technically preclusive when serial measurements are required. To this end, saliva-derived measures of gonadal hormones provide a means of simple, noninvasive hormone tracking. To investigate the feasibility of this technique as a means of facilitating research designs that take the menstrual cycle into account, the purpose of this review was to examine literature comparing salivary and blood concentrations of the primary gonadal hormones that fluctuate across the menstrual cycle: estradiol and progesterone. The data indicate that there appear to be valid and promising applications of salivary gonadal hormone monitoring, which may aid in the inclusion of female participants in cardiovascular research studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tingyu Huang
- Cardiovascular Health and Autonomic Regulation Laboratory, Department of Kinesiology and Physical Education, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
| | - Fiona M Howse
- Cardiovascular Health and Autonomic Regulation Laboratory, Department of Kinesiology and Physical Education, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
| | - Nina S Stachenfeld
- The John B. Pierce Laboratory, New Haven, Connecticut.,Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut
| | - Charlotte W Usselman
- Cardiovascular Health and Autonomic Regulation Laboratory, Department of Kinesiology and Physical Education, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada.,McGill Research Centre for Physical Activity and Health, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
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16
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Sex/Gender- and Age-Related Differences in β-Adrenergic Receptor Signaling in Cardiovascular Diseases. J Clin Med 2022; 11:jcm11154280. [PMID: 35893368 PMCID: PMC9330499 DOI: 10.3390/jcm11154280] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/10/2022] [Revised: 07/15/2022] [Accepted: 07/22/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Sex differences in cardiovascular disease (CVD) are often recognized from experimental and clinical studies examining the prevalence, manifestations, and response to therapies. Compared to age-matched men, women tend to have reduced CV risk and a better prognosis in the premenopausal period. However, with menopause, this risk increases exponentially, surpassing that of men. Although several mechanisms have been provided, including sex hormones, an emerging role in these sex differences has been suggested for β-adrenergic receptor (β-AR) signaling. Importantly, β-ARs are the most important G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs), expressed in almost all the cell types of the CV system, and involved in physiological and pathophysiological processes. Consistent with their role, for decades, βARs have been considered the first targets for rational drug design to fight CVDs. Of note, β-ARs are seemingly associated with different CV outcomes in females compared with males. In addition, even if there is a critical inverse correlation between β-AR responsiveness and aging, it has been reported that gender is crucially involved in this age-related effect. This review will discuss how β-ARs impact the CV risk and response to anti-CVD therapies, also concerning sex and age. Further, we will explore how estrogens impact β-AR signaling in women.
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17
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Morgan H, Sinha A, Mcentegart M, Hardman SM, Perera D. Evaluation of the causes of sex disparity in heart failure trials. BRITISH HEART JOURNAL 2022; 108:1547-1552. [PMID: 35361671 PMCID: PMC9484380 DOI: 10.1136/heartjnl-2021-320696] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/09/2021] [Accepted: 03/08/2022] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
ObjectivesCardiovascular disease is one of the leading causes of mortality and morbidity in women. Despite this, even in contemporary research, female patients are poorly represented in trials. This study aimed to explore reasons behind the sex disparity in heart failure (HF) trials.MethodsHF trials published in seven high-impact clinical journals (impact factor >20), between 2000 and 2020, were identified. Trials with over 300 participants of both sexes were included. Large HF registries, as well as population statistics, were also identified using the same criteria.ResultsWe identified 146 HF trials, which included 248 620 patients in total. The median proportion of female patients was 25.8%, with the lowest proportions seen in trials enrolling patients with ischaemic cardiomyopathy (17.9%), severe systolic dysfunction (left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) <35%) (21.4%) and those involving an invasive procedure (21.1%). The highest proportion of women was seen in trials assessing HF with preserved LVEF (51.6%), as well as trials including older participants (40.5%). Significant differences were seen between prevalence of female trial participants and population prevalence in all LVEF categories (25.8% vs 49.0%, p<0.01).ConclusionsA significant sex disparity was identified in HF trials, most visible in trials assessing patients with severely reduced LVEF and ischaemic aetiology. This is likely due to a complex interplay between enrolment bias and biological variation. Furthermore, the degree of both these aspects may vary according to trial type. Going forward, we should encourage all HF trials to appraise their recruitment log and suggest reasons for any reported sex disparity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Holly Morgan
- Cardiovascular Division, King's College London, London, UK
| | - Aish Sinha
- Cardiovascular Division, King's College London, London, UK
| | | | - Suzanna Marie Hardman
- Clinical and Academic Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, Whittington Hospital, London, UK
| | - Divaka Perera
- Cardiovascular Division, King's College London, London, UK
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18
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Lucà F, Abrignani MG, Parrini I, Di Fusco SA, Giubilato S, Rao CM, Piccioni L, Cipolletta L, Passaretti B, Giallauria F, Leone A, Francese GM, Riccio C, Gelsomino S, Colivicchi F, Gulizia MM. Update on Management of Cardiovascular Diseases in Women. J Clin Med 2022; 11:1176. [PMID: 35268267 PMCID: PMC8911459 DOI: 10.3390/jcm11051176] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/28/2021] [Revised: 02/11/2022] [Accepted: 02/14/2022] [Indexed: 02/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Cardiovascular diseases (CVD) have a lower prevalence in women than men; although, a higher mortality rate and a poorer prognosis are more common in women. However, there is a misperception of CVD female risk since women have commonly been considered more protected so that the real threat is vastly underestimated. Consequently, female patients are more likely to be treated less aggressively, and a lower rate of diagnostic and interventional procedures is performed in women than in men. In addition, there are substantial sex differences in CVD, so different strategies are needed. This review aims to evaluate the main gender-specific approaches in CVD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fabiana Lucà
- Cardiology Department, Big Metropolitan Hospital, 89129 Reggio Calabria, Italy;
| | | | - Iris Parrini
- Cardiology Department, Ospedale Mauriziano Umberto I Hospital, 10128 Turin, Italy;
| | - Stefania Angela Di Fusco
- Clinical and Rehabilitation Cardiology Department, San Filippo Neri Hospital, ASL Roma 1, 00100 Roma, Italy; (S.A.D.F.); (F.C.)
| | - Simona Giubilato
- Division of Cardiology, Cannizzaro Hospital, 95121 Catania, Italy;
| | | | - Laura Piccioni
- Italy Cardiology Department, “G. Mazzini” Hospital, 64100 Teramo, Italy;
| | - Laura Cipolletta
- Division of Cardiology, Department of Cardiovascular Sciences, University of Ancona, 60126 Ancona, Italy;
| | - Bruno Passaretti
- Rehabilitation Cardiology Department, Humanitas Gavazzeni, 24125 Bergamo, Italy;
| | - Francesco Giallauria
- Department of Translational Medical Sciences, Federico II University of Naples, 80138 Naples, Italy;
| | - Angelo Leone
- Cardiology Division, Annunziata Hospital Cosenza, 87100 Cosenza, Italy;
| | | | - Carmine Riccio
- Division of Clinical Cardiology, ‘Sant’Anna e San Sebastiano’ Hospital, 81100 Caserta, Italy;
| | - Sandro Gelsomino
- Cardio Thoracic Department, Maastricht University, 6202 AZ Maastricht, The Netherlands;
| | - Furio Colivicchi
- Clinical and Rehabilitation Cardiology Department, San Filippo Neri Hospital, ASL Roma 1, 00100 Roma, Italy; (S.A.D.F.); (F.C.)
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19
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Tobb K, Kocher M, Bullock-Palmer RP. Underrepresentation of women in cardiovascular trials- it is time to shatter this glass ceiling. AMERICAN HEART JOURNAL PLUS : CARDIOLOGY RESEARCH AND PRACTICE 2022; 13:100109. [PMID: 38560055 PMCID: PMC10978176 DOI: 10.1016/j.ahjo.2022.100109] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/12/2022] [Accepted: 01/20/2022] [Indexed: 04/04/2024]
Abstract
Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is the leading cause of death in women, with underrepresented minority (URM) women experiencing the highest mortality rate. For decades, there has been an underrepresentation of women in CVD trials. Although more recent studies have increased the number of women enrolled in these trials, systematic reviews have demonstrated that this enrollment is still low. The National Institute of Health along with other agencies have boosted their efforts to increase enrollment of women and URM populations in CVD trials. Despite these efforts, there still remains a gap. This paper reviews the magnitude, implications and causes of the underrepresentation of women in CVD trials. A proposed multifaceted approach to solving this issue is also outlined in this commentary. Hopefully, implementation of these proposed solutions may facilitate the increase of women, including URM women, enrolled in CVD trials. It is anticipated that this will improve CVD outcomes in these patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kardie Tobb
- Cone Health Medical Group HeartCare, Greensboro, NC, United States of America
| | - Madison Kocher
- Department of Radiology, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, United States of America
| | - Renée P. Bullock-Palmer
- Department of Cardiology, Deborah Heart and Lung Center, Browns Mills, NJ, United States of America
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20
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Alexander S, Li S, Tracy M. Cardiac rehabilitation - The answer for the second chance. AMERICAN HEART JOURNAL PLUS : CARDIOLOGY RESEARCH AND PRACTICE 2022; 13:100108. [PMID: 38560078 PMCID: PMC10978207 DOI: 10.1016/j.ahjo.2022.100108] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/20/2021] [Revised: 01/10/2022] [Accepted: 02/09/2022] [Indexed: 04/04/2024]
Abstract
In the United States and worldwide, the leading cause of death in females is cardiovascular disease (CVD). However, compared to males, females have overall higher mortality rates, especially within the first few years of having an acute myocardial infarction (AMI). Despite the increased awareness of CVD in females and established benefits of cardiac rehabilitation (CR) programs, there is still delayed initiation of care, under-recognition of atypical presentations of angina in females, under referral of females to CR, and under-representation of females in CVD trials. In this paper, we will investigate the barriers to female participation in CR, explore the fundamental differences in physiology between males and females, and current limitations in CVD trials where females are under-represented. Finally, we aim to provide potential methods to increase enrollment of females in CR and CR related trials.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sarah Alexander
- Community Care Network, Inc., Munster, IN, United States of America
| | - Shannon Li
- RUSH University Medical Center, Chicago, IL, United States of America
| | - Melissa Tracy
- RUSH University Medical Center, Chicago, IL, United States of America
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21
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Darden D, Duong T, Du C, Munir MB, Han FT, Reeves R, Saw J, Zeitler EP, Al-Khatib SM, Russo AM, Minges KE, Curtis JP, Freeman JV, Hsu JC. Sex Differences in Procedural Outcomes Among Patients Undergoing Left Atrial Appendage Occlusion: Insights From the NCDR LAAO Registry. JAMA Cardiol 2021; 6:1275-1284. [PMID: 34379072 DOI: 10.1001/jamacardio.2021.3021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 53] [Impact Index Per Article: 17.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
Abstract
Importance Left atrial appendage occlusion (LAAO) has emerged as an alternative to anticoagulation for select patients with atrial fibrillation; however, women have been underrepresented in clinical trials of LAAO, and sex-specific subanalyses are limited. Objective To evaluate the sex differences in the baseline characteristics of patients undergoing LAAO implant and in the in-hospital outcomes after LAAO implant. Design, Setting, and Participants A total of 49 357 patients in the National Cardiovascular Data Registry LAAO Registry undergoing LAAO with the Watchman device between January 1, 2016, and June 30, 2019, were included in this study. Exposure Female or male sex. Main Outcomes and Measures The primary outcomes were aborted or canceled procedure, major adverse event, any adverse event, prolonged hospital stay longer than 1 day, and death. Unadjusted and multivariable adjusted logistic regression analyses were performed to assess sex differences in in-hospital adverse events. Results In this cohort study of 49 357 patients (mean [SD] age, 76.1 [8.0] years), 20 388 women (41.3%) and 28 969 (58.7%) men underwent LAAO. Compared with men, women were older and had a higher prevalence of paroxysmal atrial fibrillation, prior stroke, and uncontrolled hypertension but a lower prevalence of congestive heart failure, diabetes, and coronary artery disease. After multivariable adjustment, there were no differences in aborted or canceled procedures between women and men (613 [3.0%] vs 851 [2.9%]; odds ratio [OR] 1.01, 95% CI, 0.90-1.13). Women were more likely than men to experience any adverse event (1284 [6.3%] vs 1144 [3.9%]; P < .001; OR, 1.63; 95% CI, 1.49-1.77; P < .001) or major adverse event (827 [4.1%] vs 567 [2.0%]; P < .001; OR, 2.06; 95% CI, 1.82-2.34; P < .001) owing to pericardial effusion requiring drainage (241 [1.2%] vs 144 [0.5%]) or major bleeding (349 [1.7%] vs 244 [0.8%]). Women were also more likely than men to experience a hospital stay longer than 1 day (3272 [16.0%] vs 3355 [11.6%]; P < .001; adjusted OR, 1.46; 95% CI, 1.38-1.54; P < .001) or death (adjusted OR, 2.01; 95% CI, 1.31-3.09; P = .001), although death was rare and absolute differences were minimal (58 [0.3%] vs 37 [0.1%]; P < .001). Conclusions and Relevance This study suggests that, compared with men, women have a significantly higher risk of in-hospital adverse events after LAAO. Further research aimed at risk reduction, particularly strategies to reduce the risk of pericardial effusion and major bleeding, in women undergoing LAAO is warranted.
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Affiliation(s)
- Douglas Darden
- Division of Cardiology, Department of Medicine, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla
| | - Thao Duong
- Division of Cardiology, Department of Medicine, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla
| | - Chengan Du
- Section of Cardiovascular Medicine, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut.,Center for Outcomes Research and Evaluation, Yale-New Haven Hospital, New Haven, Connecticut
| | - Muhammad Bilal Munir
- Division of Cardiology, Department of Medicine, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla
| | - Frederick T Han
- Division of Cardiology, Department of Medicine, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla
| | - Ryan Reeves
- Division of Cardiology, Department of Medicine, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla
| | - Jacqueline Saw
- Division of Cardiology, Vancouver General Hospital, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Emily P Zeitler
- Section of Cardiovascular Medicine, Heart and Vascular Center, Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center, Lebanon, New Hampshire
| | - Sana M Al-Khatib
- Duke Clinical Research Institute, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, North Carolina
| | - Andrea M Russo
- Cardiac Electrophysiology and Arrhythmia Services, Cooper Medical School of Rowan University, Camden, New Jersey
| | - Karl E Minges
- Section of Cardiovascular Medicine, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut.,Center for Outcomes Research and Evaluation, Yale-New Haven Hospital, New Haven, Connecticut.,Department of Health Administration and Policy, University of New Haven, West Haven, Connecticut
| | - Jeptha P Curtis
- Section of Cardiovascular Medicine, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut.,Center for Outcomes Research and Evaluation, Yale-New Haven Hospital, New Haven, Connecticut
| | - James V Freeman
- Section of Cardiovascular Medicine, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut.,Center for Outcomes Research and Evaluation, Yale-New Haven Hospital, New Haven, Connecticut
| | - Jonathan C Hsu
- Division of Cardiology, Department of Medicine, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla
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22
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Narvaez Linares NF, Poitras M, Burkauskas J, Nagaratnam K, Burr Z, Labelle PR, Plamondon H. Neuropsychological Sequelae of Coronary Heart Disease in Women: A Systematic Review. Neurosci Biobehav Rev 2021; 127:837-851. [PMID: 34062209 DOI: 10.1016/j.neubiorev.2021.05.026] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/02/2020] [Revised: 04/28/2021] [Accepted: 05/27/2021] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
Heart disease, such as coronary heart disease (CHD), is the leading cause of death among aging women. However, over the past years, the mortality rate has declined, resulting in an increased number of CHD survivors. In this context, research has uncovered relationships between cardiovascular disease (CVD) and the development of neurodegenerative diseases, suggesting that CHD can act as a precursor. Despite heart disease affecting both sexes, CVD research has significantly neglected women. Therefore, we conducted the first systematic review of neuropsychological sequelae of CHD in women to gain a clear portrait of the current knowledge of the association of CHD on women's neuropsychological status. We found that studies continue to include an insufficient number of women in their research. Our work also uncovered that there is variability in the definition of CHD by researchers (i.e., operationalization of the variable), which could explain inconsistencies across studies. Overall, we found evidence that supports the heart-brain disease hypothesis. To conclude, we provide several guidelines for future research involving the impact of CHD in women.
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Affiliation(s)
- N F Narvaez Linares
- Behavioural Neuroscience Group, School of Psychology, University of Ottawa, 136 Jean-Jacques Lussier, Ottawa, ON, K1N 6N5, Canada.
| | - M Poitras
- Behavioural Neuroscience Group, School of Psychology, University of Ottawa, 136 Jean-Jacques Lussier, Ottawa, ON, K1N 6N5, Canada.
| | - J Burkauskas
- Laboratory of Behavioral Medicine, Neuroscience Institute, Lithuanian University of Health Sciences, Vyduno al. 4, Palanga, LT-00135, Lithuania.
| | - K Nagaratnam
- Behavioural Neuroscience Group, School of Psychology, University of Ottawa, 136 Jean-Jacques Lussier, Ottawa, ON, K1N 6N5, Canada; Faculty of Health Sciences, 125 University Private, Ottawa, ON, K1N 6N5, Canada.
| | - Z Burr
- Behavioural Neuroscience Group, School of Psychology, University of Ottawa, 136 Jean-Jacques Lussier, Ottawa, ON, K1N 6N5, Canada.
| | - P R Labelle
- University of Ottawa Library, 120 University Private, Ottawa, ON, K1N 6N5, Canada.
| | - H Plamondon
- Behavioural Neuroscience Group, School of Psychology, University of Ottawa, 136 Jean-Jacques Lussier, Ottawa, ON, K1N 6N5, Canada.
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23
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Haider A, Bengs S, Luu J, Osto E, Siller-Matula JM, Muka T, Gebhard C. Sex and gender in cardiovascular medicine: presentation and outcomes of acute coronary syndrome. Eur Heart J 2021; 41:1328-1336. [PMID: 31876924 DOI: 10.1093/eurheartj/ehz898] [Citation(s) in RCA: 156] [Impact Index Per Article: 52.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/12/2019] [Revised: 09/01/2019] [Accepted: 12/02/2019] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Although health disparities in women presenting with acute coronary syndrome (ACS) have received growing attention in recent years, clinical outcomes from ACS are still worse for women than for men. Women continue to experience higher patient and system delays and receive less aggressive invasive treatment and pharmacotherapies. Gender- and sex-specific variables that contribute to ACS vulnerability remain largely unknown. Notwithstanding the sex differences in baseline coronary anatomy and function, women and men are treated the same based on guidelines that were established from experimental and clinical trial data over-representing the male population. Importantly, younger women have a particularly unfavourable prognosis and a plethora of unanswered questions remains in this younger population. The present review summarizes contemporary evidence for gender and sex differences in vascular biology, clinical presentation, and outcomes of ACS. We further discuss potential mechanisms and non-traditional risk conditions modulating the course of disease in women and men, such as unrecognized psychosocial factors, sex-specific vascular and neural stress responses, and the potential impact of epigenetic modifications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ahmed Haider
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, University Hospital Zurich, Raemistrasse 100, 8091 Zurich, Switzerland.,Center for Molecular Cardiology, University of Zurich, Wagistrasse 12, 8952 Schlieren, Switzerland
| | - Susan Bengs
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, University Hospital Zurich, Raemistrasse 100, 8091 Zurich, Switzerland.,Center for Molecular Cardiology, University of Zurich, Wagistrasse 12, 8952 Schlieren, Switzerland
| | - Judy Luu
- Division of Cardiology, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Manitoba, 820 Sherbrook Street, Winnipeg MB R3A, Manitoba, Canada
| | - Elena Osto
- Institute of Clinical Chemistry, University of Zurich and University Hospital Zurich, Raemistrasse 100, 8091 Zurich, Switzerland.,Cardiology, University Heart Center, University Hospital Zurich, Raemistrasse 100, 8091 Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Jolanta M Siller-Matula
- Division of Cardiology, Department of Internal Medicine II, Medical University of Vienna, Währinger Gürtel 18-20, 1090 Vienna, Austria.,Centre for Preclinical Research and Technology, Department of Experimental and Clinical Pharmacology, Medical University of Warsaw, Zwirki i Wigury 61, 02-091 Warsaw, Poland
| | - Taulant Muka
- Institute of Social and Preventive Medicine, University of Bern, Mittelstrasse 43, 3012 Bern, Switzerland
| | - Catherine Gebhard
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, University Hospital Zurich, Raemistrasse 100, 8091 Zurich, Switzerland.,Center for Molecular Cardiology, University of Zurich, Wagistrasse 12, 8952 Schlieren, Switzerland.,Division of Cardiology, Department of Internal Medicine II, Medical University of Vienna, Währinger Gürtel 18-20, 1090 Vienna, Austria
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24
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Mohadjer A, Brown G, Shah SR, Nallapati C, Waheed N, Bavry AA, Park K. Sex-Based Differences in Coronary and Structural Percutaneous Interventions. Cardiol Ther 2020; 9:257-273. [PMID: 32440761 PMCID: PMC7584690 DOI: 10.1007/s40119-020-00176-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/20/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
In the current state of interventional cardiology, the ability to offer advanced therapies to patients who historically were not surgical candidates has grown exponentially in the last few decades. As therapies have expanded in complex coronary and structural interventions, the nuances of treating certain populations have emerged. In particular, the role of sex-based anatomic and outcome differences has been increasingly recognized. As guidelines for cardiovascular prevention and treatment for certain conditions may vary by sex, therapeutic interventions in the structural and percutaneous coronary areas may also vary. In this review, we aim to discuss these differences, the current literature available on these topics, and areas of focus for the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ashley Mohadjer
- Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA
| | - Garrett Brown
- Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA
- Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, University of South Florida, Tampa, FL, USA
| | - Syed R Shah
- Department of Internal Medicine, North Florida Regional Medical Center, University of Central Florida (Gainesville), Gainesville, FL, USA
| | - Charishma Nallapati
- Department of Internal Medicine, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA
| | - Nida Waheed
- Department of Internal Medicine, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA
| | - Anthony A Bavry
- Division of Cardiology, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Texas Southwestern, Dallas, TX, USA
| | - Ki Park
- Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA.
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25
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Whitelaw S, Sullivan K, Eliya Y, Alruwayeh M, Thabane L, Yancy CW, Mehran R, Mamas MA, Van Spall HGC. Trial characteristics associated with under-enrolment of females in randomized controlled trials of heart failure with reduced ejection fraction: a systematic review. Eur J Heart Fail 2020; 23:15-24. [PMID: 33118664 DOI: 10.1002/ejhf.2034] [Citation(s) in RCA: 72] [Impact Index Per Article: 18.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/18/2020] [Revised: 10/20/2020] [Accepted: 10/24/2020] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
AIMS To evaluate temporal trends in the enrolment of females in randomized controlled trials (RCTs) of heart failure with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF) published in high-impact journals, and assess RCT characteristics associated with under-enrolment. METHODS AND RESULTS We searched MEDLINE, EMBASE and CINAHL for studies published from January 2000 to May 2019 in journals with impact factor ≥10. We included RCTs that recruited adults with HFrEF. We used a 20% threshold below the sex distribution of HFrEF to define under-enrolment. We used multivariable logistic regression to assess trial characteristics independently associated with under-enrolment. We included 317 RCTs. Among the 183 097 participants, mean (standard deviation) age was 63.0 (7.0) years and 25.5% were female. Females were under-enrolled in 71.6% [95% confidence interval (CI) 66.6-76.6%] of the RCTs; enrolment did not increase significantly between 2000-2019. Sex-related eligibility criteria [odds ratio (OR) 2.05, 95% CI 1.01-4.16; P = 0.046]; recruitment in ambulatory settings (OR 2.56, 95% CI 1.37-4.81; P = 0.003); trial coordination in North America (OR 4.44, 95% CI 1.09-18.07; P = 0.037), Europe (OR 6.79, 95% CI 1.63-27.39; P = 0.018) and Asia (OR 9.33, 95% CI 1.40-12.40; P = 0.033); drug (OR 1.76, 95% CI 1.96-7.36; P < 0.001) and device/surgical interventions (OR 1.69, 95% CI 1.16-9.43; P = 0.002); and men in first and last authorship position (OR 1.32, 95% CI 1.12-3.54; P = 0.047) were associated with under-enrolment of females. CONCLUSIONS Females were under-enrolled relative to disease distribution in a majority of high-impact HFrEF RCTs, with no change in temporal trends between 2000 and 2019. Trial characteristics and gender of trial leaders were associated with under-enrolment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sera Whitelaw
- Department of Health Research Methods, Evidence, and Impact, McMaster University, Hamilton, Canada
| | | | - Yousif Eliya
- Department of Health Research Methods, Evidence, and Impact, McMaster University, Hamilton, Canada
| | | | - Lehana Thabane
- Department of Health Research Methods, Evidence, and Impact, McMaster University, Hamilton, Canada
| | - Clyde W Yancy
- Department of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Roxana Mehran
- Ican School of Medicine, Mount Sinai Hospital, NY, New York, USA
| | - Mamas A Mamas
- Institute of Population Health, University of Manchester, Manchester, UK.,Keele Cardiac Research Group, Centre for Prognosis Research, Keele University, Stoke-on-Trent, UK
| | - Harriette G C Van Spall
- Department of Health Research Methods, Evidence, and Impact, McMaster University, Hamilton, Canada.,Department of Medicine, McMaster University, Hamilton, Canada.,Population Health Research Institute, Hamilton, Canada.,ICES, McMaster University, Hamilton, Canada
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26
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Haine A, Kavanagh S, Berger JS, Hess CN, Norgren L, Fowkes FGR, Katona BG, Mahaffey KW, Blomster JI, Patel MR, Jones WS, Rockhold FW, Hiatt WR, Baumgartner I. Sex-Specific Risks of Major Cardiovascular and Limb Events in Patients With Symptomatic Peripheral Artery Disease. J Am Coll Cardiol 2020; 75:608-617. [PMID: 32057375 DOI: 10.1016/j.jacc.2019.11.057] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/19/2019] [Revised: 11/08/2019] [Accepted: 11/26/2019] [Indexed: 01/11/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Patients with peripheral artery disease (PAD) have a higher risk of major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE) compared with those without PAD. OBJECTIVES The aim of this post hoc analysis was to evaluate sex-specific differences in MACE and limb events in the EUCLID (Examining Use of Ticagrelor in PAD) trial. METHODS Cox proportional hazards models were used to compare time-to-event outcomes stratified by sex. Covariates were introduced after adjusted model selection. RESULTS EUCLID enrolled 13,885 patients with PAD (28% women [n = 3,888]). PAD severity and medical treatment were comparable between sexes, whereas prior lower extremity revascularization was reported less frequently in women (54.8% vs. 57.3%; p = 0.006). Women were older (mean ± SD age: 67.8 ± 8.9 vs. 66.1 ± 8.2 years; p < 0.001) and more likely to have diabetes mellitus (p = 0.004), hypertension, hyperlipidemia, and chronic kidney disease (all p < 0.001). Over a mean follow-up of 30 months, women had a lower risk of MACE (9.5% vs. 11.2%; adjusted hazard ratio: 0.77; 95% confidence interval: 0.68 to 0.88; p < 0.001) and all-cause-mortality (7.6% vs. 9.7%; adjusted hazard ratio: 0.61; 95% confidence interval: 0.53 to 0.71; p < 0.001). In contrast, risk for major adverse limb events (2.6% vs. 3.0%) and hospitalization for acute limb ischemia (1.6% vs. 1.7%) were not different by sex. CONCLUSIONS Although women with PAD are at lower risk for MACE and all-cause mortality, risk for limb events was similar between sexes over a mean follow-up of 30 months. Understanding sex-specific differences and dissociation between baseline cardiovascular risk and subsequent cardiovascular events requires further investigation. (A Study Comparing Cardiovascular Effects of Ticagrelor and Clopidogrel in Patients With Peripheral Artery Disease [EUCLID]; NCT01732822).
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Affiliation(s)
- Axel Haine
- Swiss Cardiovascular Centre, Inselspital, Division of Angiology, Bern University Hospital, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Sarah Kavanagh
- University of Colorado School of Medicine and CPC Clinical Research, Aurora, Colorado
| | - Jeffrey S Berger
- Departments of Medicine and Surgery, New York University School of Medicine, New York, New York
| | - Connie N Hess
- University of Colorado School of Medicine and CPC Clinical Research, Aurora, Colorado
| | - Lars Norgren
- Faculty of Medicine and Health, Örebro University, Örebro, Sweden
| | - F Gerry R Fowkes
- Usher Institute of Population Health Sciences and Informatics, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, United Kingdom
| | | | - Kenneth W Mahaffey
- Stanford Center for Clinical Research, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, California
| | - Juuso I Blomster
- Heart Centre, Turku University Hospital, Turku, Finland; University of Turku, Turku, Finland
| | - Manesh R Patel
- Duke Clinical Research Institute, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, North Carolina
| | - W Schuyler Jones
- Duke Clinical Research Institute, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, North Carolina
| | - Frank W Rockhold
- Duke Clinical Research Institute, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, North Carolina
| | - William R Hiatt
- University of Colorado School of Medicine and CPC Clinical Research, Aurora, Colorado.
| | - Iris Baumgartner
- Swiss Cardiovascular Centre, Inselspital, Division of Angiology, Bern University Hospital, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
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27
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Caponcello MG, Banderas LM, Ferrero C, Bramlage C, Thoenes M, Bramlage P. Gender differences in aortic valve replacement: is surgical aortic valve replacement riskier and transcatheter aortic valve replacement safer in women than in men? J Thorac Dis 2020; 12:3737-3746. [PMID: 32802453 PMCID: PMC7399394 DOI: 10.21037/jtd-20-700] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/09/2023]
Abstract
Aortic stenosis (AS) is a progressive and degenerative disease that necessitates valve replacement through either surgical aortic valve replacement (SAVR) or transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR). Various studies have shown that, unlike for TAVR, SAVR is associated with an elevated risk for women as compared to men. The aim of this review is to better understand the risks and their possible causes, associated with the use of both TAVR and SAVR in female patients. Our systematic review included studies published between 2012 and 2020, identified through specific searches of PubMed. Compatibility of publications, determined by the use of pre-defined inclusion/exclusion criteria, resulted in 15 articles being used in our review. Overall, more men than women undergo SAVR, but our findings confirmed that SAVR is associated with worse outcomes in women in the short-term. Reasons for a higher 30-day mortality post-SAVR in women include an increased age, higher in-hospital mortality and, possibly baseline comorbidities and anatomical differences. There was no difference observed in 30-day mortality between men and women undergoing TAVR. Female patients appear to have a better longer-term survival post-TAVR than their male counterparts. Understanding the reasons why women have worse outcomes post-SAVR is essential for ensuring appropriate treatment selection for patients with AS, as well as for achieving the best possible long-term and safety outcomes for these patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria Giulia Caponcello
- Departamento Farmacia y Tecnología Farmacéutica, Universidad de Sevilla, Sevilla, Spain.,Institute for Pharmacology and Preventive Medicine, Cloppenburg, Germany
| | - Lucia M Banderas
- Departamento Farmacia y Tecnología Farmacéutica, Universidad de Sevilla, Sevilla, Spain
| | - Carmen Ferrero
- Departamento Farmacia y Tecnología Farmacéutica, Universidad de Sevilla, Sevilla, Spain
| | - Carsten Bramlage
- Institute for Pharmacology and Preventive Medicine, Cloppenburg, Germany
| | - Martin Thoenes
- Departamento Farmacia y Tecnología Farmacéutica, Universidad de Sevilla, Sevilla, Spain.,Leman Research Institute, Switzerland
| | - Peter Bramlage
- Departamento Farmacia y Tecnología Farmacéutica, Universidad de Sevilla, Sevilla, Spain.,Institute for Pharmacology and Preventive Medicine, Cloppenburg, Germany
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28
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Ghare MI, Tirziu D, Abbott JD, Altin E, Yang Y, Ng V, Grines C, Lansky A. Sex-Specific Outcomes in Cardiovascular Device Evaluations. J Womens Health (Larchmt) 2020; 29:1246-1255. [PMID: 32543268 DOI: 10.1089/jwh.2019.8068] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Background: Females have historically been underrepresented in cardiovascular device trials. As a result, differences in outcomes for males and females are not possible to be determined in subanalyses. Materials and Methods: Against a backdrop of troubling trends in cardiovascular outcomes for females, we provide a narrative review on the differences in outcomes observed in females undergoing device evaluations in multiple fields of cardiovascular medicine, including coronary revascularization, structural heart disease, and heart failure. We also review predictors of cardiovascular trial nonparticipation as it may provide avenues by which female enrollment in cardiovascular device trials can be improved. Results: Advances have been made in structural heart therapy, where female representation in transcatheter aortic valve replacement studies was nearly 50%. For other indications, coronary revascularization and heart failure, there was clearly a disparity in female recruitment. On average, female representation was 25% in major clinical trials evaluating drug eluting stents, implantable cardioverter defibrillators, cardiac resynchronization defibrillators, and ventricular assist devices. As a result, the best treatment recommendations for females in these fields are currently guided by outcomes evaluated primarily in males. Conclusions: Female enrollment in device clinical trials for coronary revascularization and heart failure has lagged, leaving uncertainty in making benefit/risk assessments of device therapy. The predictors of female nonparticipation in clinical trials can inform a comprehensive strategy to facilitate and enrich the enrollment of females in cardiovascular device trials. This is critical to ensure that sex differences can be considered in treatment selection, so that patients can receive the best available care.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mohammed Imran Ghare
- Section of Cardiovascular Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut, USA
| | - Daniela Tirziu
- Section of Cardiovascular Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut, USA
| | - Jinnette Dawn Abbott
- Department of Medicine, Brown University, Rhode Island Hospital, Providence, Rhode Island, USA
| | - Elissa Altin
- Department of Internal Medicine, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut, USA
| | - Yiping Yang
- Section of Cardiovascular Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut, USA
| | - Vivian Ng
- Division of Cardiology, Department of Internal Medicine, Columbia University Medical Center, New York, New York, USA
| | - Cindy Grines
- Northside Cardiovascular Institute, Atlanta, Georgia, USA
| | - Alexandra Lansky
- Section of Cardiovascular Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut, USA.,Barts Heart Center, St Bartholomew's Hospital and William Harvey Research Institute, Queen Mary University of London, London, United Kingdom
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29
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Pacheco C, Bairey Merz CN. Women in Cardiovascular Clinical Trials—What Are the Barriers to Address to Improve Enrollment? Can J Cardiol 2019; 35:552-554. [DOI: 10.1016/j.cjca.2019.03.018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/07/2019] [Revised: 03/21/2019] [Accepted: 03/22/2019] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
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30
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Rodriguez F, Harrington RA. One Size Does Not Fit All. JACC Cardiovasc Interv 2019; 12:309-311. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jcin.2018.11.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/05/2018] [Accepted: 11/13/2018] [Indexed: 01/09/2023]
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