New insights to the potential mechanisms driving coronary flow reserve impairment in Cushing's syndrome: A pilot noninvasive study by transthoracic Doppler echocardiography

Cardiac magnetic resonance reveals biventricular impairment in Cushing's syndrome: a multicentre case-control study

PURPOSE

Cushing's syndrome (CS) is associated with severe cardiovascular (CV) morbidity and mortality. Cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) is the non-invasive gold standard for assessing cardiac structure and function; however, few CMR studies explore cardiac remodeling in patients exposed to chronic glucocorticoid (GC) excess. We aimed to describe the CMR features directly attributable to previous GC exposure in patients with cured or treated endogenous CS.

METHODS

This was a prospective, multicentre, case-control study enrolling consecutive patients with cured or treated CS and patients harboring non-functioning adrenal incidentalomas (NFAI), comparable in terms of sex, age, CV risk factors, and BMI. All patients were in stable condition and had a minimum 24-month follow-up.

RESULTS

Sixteen patients with CS and 15 NFAI were enrolled. Indexed left ventricle (LV) end-systolic volume and LV mass were higher in patients with CS (p = 0.027; p = 0.013); similarly, indexed right ventricle (RV) end-diastolic and end-systolic volumes were higher in patients with CS compared to NFAI (p = 0.035; p = 0.006). Morphological alterations also affected cardiac function, as LV and RV ejection fractions decreased in patients with CS (p = 0.056; p = 0.044). CMR features were independent of metabolic status or other CV risk factors, with fasting glucose significantly lower in CS remission than NFAI (p < 0.001) and no differences in lipid levels or blood pressure.

CONCLUSION

CS is associated with biventricular cardiac structural and functional impairment at CMR, likely attributable to chronic exposure to cortisol excess independently of known traditional risk factors.

Cardiac disease in Cushing's syndrome. Emphasis on the role of cardiovascular magnetic resonance imaging

BACKGROUND

Cushing's Syndrome (CS) is associated with increased cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. In endogenous CS, cardiovascular mortality remains increased for up to 15 years post remission of hypercortisolism. Similarly, patients with exogenous CS have 4-fold increased incidence of cardiovascular events, regardless of pre-existing cardiovascular disease (CVD).

OBJECTIVE

To present the pathophysiology, prognosis, clinical and imaging phenotype of cardiac disease in CS.

METHODS

A Pubmed search for cardiac disease in CS over the last 20 years was conducted using combinations of relevant terms. Preclinical and clinical studies, as well as review papers reporting on subclinical heart failure (HF), cardiomyopathy, coronary heart disease (CHD), and cardiovascular imaging were selected.

RESULTS

Cardiac disease in CS is associated with direct mineralocorticoid and glucocorticoid receptor activation, increased responsiveness to angiotensin II, ectopic epicardial adiposity, arterial stiffness and endothelial dysfunction, as well as with diabetes mellitus, hypertension, hyperlipidemia, obesity and prothrombotic diathesis. Subclinical HF and cardiomyopathy are principally related to direct glucocorticoid (GC) effects and markedly improve or regress post hypercortisolism remission. In contrast, CHD is related to both direct GC effects and CS comorbidities and persists post cure. In patients without clinical evidence of CVD, echocardiography and cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) imaging reveal left ventricular hypertrophy, fibrosis, diastolic and systolic dysfunction, with the latter being underestimated by echocardiography. Finally, coronary microvascular disease is encountered in one third of cases.

CONCLUSION

Cardiovascular imaging is crucial in evaluation of cardiac involvement in CS. CMR superiority in terms of reproducibility, operator independency, unrestricted field of view and capability of tissue characterisation makes this modality ideal for future studies.

Abnormal physiological findings after FFR-based revascularisation deferral are associated with worse prognosis in women

The prognostic value of abnormal resting Pd/Pa and coronary flow reserve (CFR) after fractional flow reserve (FFR)-guided revascularisation deferral according to sex remains unknown. From the ILIAS Registry composed of 20 hospitals globally from 7 countries, patients with deferred lesions following FFR assessment (FFR > 0.8) were included. (NCT04485234) The primary clinical endpoint was target vessel failure (TVF) at 2-years follow-up. We included 1392 patients with 1759 vessels (n = 564 women, 31.9%). Although resting Pd/Pa was similar between the sexes (p = 0.116), women had lower CFR than men (2.5 [2.0-3.2] vs. 2.7 [2.1-3.5]; p = 0.004). During a 2-year follow-up period, TVF events occurred in 56 vessels (3.2%). The risk of 2-year TVF was significantly higher in women with low versus high resting Pd/Pa (HR: 9.79; p < 0.001), whereas this trend was not seen in men. (Sex: P-value for interaction = 0.022) Furthermore, resting Pd/Pa provided an incremental prognostic value for 2-year TVF over CFR assessment only in women. After FFR-based revascularisation deferral, low resting Pd/Pa is associated with higher risk of TVF in women, but not in men. The predictive value of Pd/Pa increases when stratified according to CFR values, with significantly high TVF rates in women in whom both indices are concordantly abnormal.Clinical Trial Registration: Inclusive Invasive Physiological Assessment in Angina Syndromes Registry (ILIAS Registry), NCT04485234.

Diagnosis and management of hypertension in patients with Cushing's syndrome: a position statement and consensus of the Working Group on Endocrine Hypertension of the European Society of Hypertension

Endogenous/exogenous Cushing's syndrome is characterized by a cluster of systemic manifestations of hypercortisolism, which cause increased cardiovascular risk. Its biological basis is glucocorticoid excess, acting on various pathogenic processes inducing cardiovascular damage. Hypertension is a common feature in Cushing's syndrome and may persist after normalizing hormone excess and discontinuing steroid therapy. In endogenous Cushing's syndrome, the earlier the diagnosis the sooner management can be employed to offset the deleterious effects of excess cortisol. Such management includes combined treatments directed against the underlying cause and tailored antihypertensive drugs aimed at controlling the consequences of glucocorticoid excess. Experts on endocrine hypertension and members of the Working Group on Endocrine Hypertension of the European Society of Hypertension (ESH) prepared this Consensus document, which summarizes the current knowledge in epidemiology, genetics, diagnosis, and treatment of hypertension in Cushing's syndrome.

The Effect of Endogenous Cushing Syndrome on All-cause and Cause-specific Mortality

OBJECTIVE

We aimed to perform a systematic review and meta-analysis of all-cause and cause-specific mortality of patients with benign endogenous Cushing syndrome (CS).

METHODS

The protocol was registered in PROSPERO (CRD42017067530). PubMed, EMBASE, CINHAL, Web of Science, and Cochrane Central searches were undertaken from inception to January 2021. Outcomes were the standardized mortality ratio (SMR), proportion, and cause of deaths. The I2 test, subgroup analysis, and meta-regression were used to assess heterogeneity across studies.

RESULTS

SMR was reported in 14 articles including 3691 patients (13 Cushing disease [CD] and 7 adrenal CS [ACS] cohorts). Overall SMR was 3.0 (95% CI, 2.3-3.9; I2 = 80.5%) for all CS, 2.8 (95% CI, 2.1-3.7; I2 = 81.2%) for CD and 3.3 (95% CI, 0.5-6.6; I2 = 77.9%) for ACS. Proportion of deaths, reported in 87 articles including 19 181 CS patients (53 CD, 24 ACS, and 20 combined CS cohorts), was 0.05 (95% CI, 0.03-0.06) for all CS subtypes with meta-regression analysis revealing no differences between CS subtypes (P = .052). The proportion of deaths was 0.1 (10%) in articles published before 2000 and 0.03 (3%) in 2000 until the last search for CS (P < .001), CD (P < .001), and ACS (P = .01). The causes of death were atherosclerotic diseases and thromboembolism (43.4%), infection (12.7%), malignancy (10.6%), active disease (3.5%), adrenal insufficiency (3.0%), and suicide (2.2%). Despite improved outcomes in recent years, increased mortality from CS persists. The causes of death highlight the need to prevent and manage comorbidities in addition to treating hypercortisolism.

Coronary Flow Evaluation in Heart Transplant Patients Compared to Healthy Controls Documents the Superiority of Coronary Flow Velocity Reserve Companion as Diagnostic and Prognostic Tool

Background

Distinct contributions by functional or structural alterations of coronary microcirculation in heart transplantation (HT) and their prognostic role have not been fully elucidated. We aimed to identify the mechanisms of coronary microvascular dysfunction (CMD) in HT and their prognostic implications.

Methods

134 patients, surviving at least 5 years after HT, without evidence of angiographic vasculopathy or symptoms/signs of rejection were included. 50 healthy volunteers served as controls. All underwent the assessment of rest and hyperemic coronary diastolic peak flow velocity (DPVr and DPVh) and coronary flow velocity reserve (CFVR) and its inherent companion that is based on the adjusted quadratic mean: CCFVR = √{(DPVr)2 + (DPVh)2}. Additionally, basal and hyperemic coronary microvascular resistance (BMR and HMR) were estimated.

Results

Based on CFVR and DPVh, HT patients can be assigned to four endotypes: endotype 1, discordant with preserved CFVR (3.1 ± 0.4); endotype 2, concordant with preserved CFVR (3.4 ± 0.5); endotype 3, concordant with impaired CFVR (1.8 ± 0.3) and endotype 4, discordant with impaired CFVR (2.0 ± 0.2). Intriguingly, endotype 1 showed lower DPVr (p &lt; 0.0001) and lower DPVh (p &lt; 0.0001) than controls with lower CFVR (p &lt; 0.0001) and lower CCFVR (p &lt; 0.0001) than controls. Moreover, both BMR and HMR were higher in endotype 1 than in controls (p = 0.001 and p &lt; 0.0001, respectively), suggesting structural microvascular remodeling. Conversely, endotype 2 was comparable to controls. A 13/32 (41%) patients in endotype 1 died in a follow up of 28 years and mortality rate was comparable to endotype 3 (14/31, 45%). However, CCFVR was &lt; 80 cm/s in all 13 deaths of endotype 1 (characterized by preserved CFVR). At multivariable analysis, CMD, DPVh &lt; 75 cm/s and CCFVR &lt; 80 cm/s were independent predictors of mortality. The inclusion of CCFVR &lt; 80 cm/s to models with clinical indicators of mortality better predicted survival, compared to only adding CMD or DPVh &lt; 75 cm/s (p &lt; 0.0001 and p = 0.03, respectively).

Conclusion

A normal CFVR could hide detection of microvasculopathy with high flow resistance and low flow velocities at rest. This microvasculopathy seems to be secondary to factors unrelated to HT (less rejections and more often diabetes). The combined use of CFVR and CCFVR provides more complete clinical and prognostic information on coronary microvasculopathy in HT.

Hypercoagulability in Cushing's syndrome: From arterial to venous disease

Cushing's syndrome (CS) is associated with multisystemic complications; the hematological system is not spared. Alteration in hemostatic parameters and in vivo endothelial dysfunction lead to increased thrombotic events. Arterial and venous thrombotic events carry significant morbidity and mortality. Death from cardiovascular and pulmonary embolism account for more than 50% of mortality. Surgery is a critical period; close to 50% of events occur in the 1-2 months after intervention. The evaluation and risk stratification of patients with CS is key to prevent events, balancing the risk-benefit of anticoagulation in this population. This current review will focus on up-to-date data on epidemiology, pathophysiology and management of hypercoagulability in CS.