Why not screen for subclinical atherosclerosis?

New insight into air pollution-related cardiovascular disease: an adverse outcome pathway framework of PM2.5-associated vascular calcification

Despite the air quality has been generally improved in recent years, ambient fine particulate matter (PM2.5), a major contributor to air pollution, remains one of the major threats to public health. Vascular calcification is a systematic pathology associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular disease. Although the epidemiological evidence has uncovered the association between PM2.5 exposure and vascular calcification, little is known about the underlying mechanisms. The adverse outcome pathway (AOP) concept offers a comprehensive interpretation of all of the findings obtained by toxicological and epidemiological studies. In this review, reactive oxygen species generation was identified as the molecular initiating event (MIE), which targeted subsequent key events (KEs) such as oxidative stress, inflammation, endoplasmic reticulum stress, and autophagy, from the cellular to the tissue/organ level. These KEs eventually led to the adverse outcome, namely increased incidence of vascular calcification and atherosclerosis morbidity. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first AOP framework devoted to PM2.5-associated vascular calcification, which benefits future investigations by identifying current limitations and latent biomarkers.

Association between high-sensitivity cardiac troponin I and fall-related hospitalisation in women aged over 70 years

OBJECTIVE

To examine the association between high-sensitivity cardiac troponin I (hs-cTnI), a biomarker of myocardial injury, muscle function decline and 14.5-year fall-related hospitalisation risk in women aged over 70 years.

METHODS

1179 ambulatory community-dwelling women aged over 70 years with subclinical levels of hs-cTnI (ie, <15.6 ng/L), who were followed up for 14.5 years, were included. Samples for hs-cTnI were obtained in 1998. Fall-related hospitalisations were retrieved from linked health records. Muscle function measures, including handgrip strength and the Timed-Up-and-Go (TUG) test, were assessed in 1998 and 2003.

RESULTS

Mean±SD age was 75.2±2.7 years. Over 14.5 years of follow-up, 40.4% (476 of 1179) experienced fall-related hospitalisation. Participants were categorised into four approximate hs-cTnI quartiles: quartile 1 (<3.6 ng/L), quartile 2 (3.6-4.4 ng/L), quartile 3 (4.5-5.8 ng/L) and quartile 4 (≥5.9 ng/L). Compared with those in Q1, women in Q4 were likely to experience fall-related hospitalisation (36.0% vs 42.8%). In a multivariable-adjusted model that accounted for CVD and fall risk factors, compared with women in Q1, those in Q4 had a 46% higher risk of fall-related hospitalisation (HR 1.46, 95% CI 1.08 to 1.98). Additionally, women in Q4 had slower TUG performance compared with those in Q1 (10.3 s vs 9.5 s, p=0.032).

CONCLUSION

Elevated level of hs-cTnI was associated with slower TUG performance and increased fall-related hospitalisation risk. This indicates subclinical level of hs-cTnI can identify clinically relevant falls, emphasising the need to consider cardiac health during fall assessment in women aged over 70 years.

TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER

ACTRN12617000640303.

Nomogram and Carotid Risk Score for Predicting Moderate or High Carotid Atherosclerosis among Asymptomatic Elderly Recycling Volunteers

Carotid atherosclerosis is associated with cardiovascular and cerebrovascular events. We explored an appropriate method for selecting participants without ischemic cerebrovascular disease but with various comorbidities eligible for a carotid ultrasound. This was a retrospective subgroup analysis of the carotid plaque burden from a previous study involving a vascular and cognitive survey of 956 elderly recycling volunteers (778 women and 178 men; mean age: 70.8 years). We used carotid ultrasound to detect the carotid plaque and computed the carotid plaque score (CPS). A moderate or high degree of carotid atherosclerosis (MHCA) was defined as CPS > 5 and was observed in 22% of the participants. The CPS had positive linear correlations with age, systolic blood pressure, and fasting glucose. We stratified the participants into four age groups: 60−69, 70−74, 75−79, and ≥80 years. Multivariable analysis revealed that significant predictors for MHCA were age, male sex, hypertension, diabetes mellitus, hyperlipidemia, coronary artery disease, and a nonvegetarian diet. Coronary artery disease and advanced age were the two strongest predictors. We chose the aforementioned seven significant predictors to establish a nomogram for MHCA prediction. The area under the receiver operating characteristic curve in internal validation with 10-fold cross-validation and the classification accuracy of the nomogram were 0.785 and 0.797, respectively. We presumed people who have a ≥50% probability of MHCA warranted a carotid ultrasound. A flowchart table derived from the nomogram addressing the probabilities of all models of combinations of comorbidities was established to identify participants who had a probability of MHCA ≥ 50% (corresponding to a total nomogram score of ≥15 points). We further established a carotid risk score range from 0 to 17 comprising the seven predictors. A carotid risk score ≥ 7 was the most optimal cutoff value associated with a probability of MHCA ≥ 50%. Both total nomogram score ≥ 15 points and carotid risk score ≥ 7 can help in the rapid identification of individuals without stroke but who have a ≥50% probability of MHCA—these individuals should schedule a carotid ultrasound.

Diameter Reduction Determined Through Carotid Ultrasound Associated With Cardiovascular and All-Cause Mortality: A Single-Center Experience of 38 201 Consecutive Patients in Taiwan

Background

Few studies have evaluated the prognostic significance of diameter‐based carotid sonographic measurements for mortality. We investigated whether a reduction in diameter of different carotid anatomical segments is associated with cardiovascular and all‐cause mortality in a hospital‐based cohort with universal health care.

Methods and Results

We conducted a retrospective cohort study of 38 201 patients who underwent carotid duplex ultrasound at a medical center in Taiwan. Carotid sonographic parameters were the diameter reduction percentage in carotid bifurcation, the internal carotid artery, the common carotid artery, and the external carotid artery and the overall carotid atherosclerotic burden score, determined by summing the scores from all segments. The vital status was ascertained by linking data to National Death Registry until 2017. During a median follow‐up of 4.2 years, 5644 participants died, with 1719 deaths attributable to cardiovascular diseases. The multivariable‐adjusted hazard ratios (HRs; 95% CIs) for cardiovascular mortality were 1.33 (1.16‒1.53), 1.58 (1.361.84), and 1.89 (1.58, 2.26) for participants with 30% to <40%, 40% to <50%, and ≥50% reduction in carotid bifurcation diameter, respectively, compared with participants with <30% diameter reduction (P for trend <0.001). The corresponding HRs (95% CIs) for all‐cause mortality were 1.25 (1.16‒1.34), 1.42 (1.31‒1.54), and 1.60 (1.45‒1.77), respectively. Diameter reduction at other carotid sites and the carotid atherosclerotic burden score exhibited the same dose–response relationship.

Conclusions

This study suggests that reduction in carotid artery diameter, which can be determined through routinely available sonography, is an independent risk factor for all‐cause and cardiovascular mortality.

Screening for cardiovascular disease risk using traditional risk factor assessment or coronary artery calcium scoring: the ROBINSCA trial

Aims

Screening for a high cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk followed by preventive treatment can potentially reduce coronary heart disease-related morbidity and mortality. ROBINSCA (Risk Or Benefit IN Screening for CArdiovascular disease) is a population-based randomized controlled screening trial that investigates the effectiveness of CVD screening in asymptomatic participants using the Systematic COronary Risk Evaluation (SCORE) model or coronary artery calcium (CAC) scoring. This study describes the distributions in risk and treatment in the ROBINSCA trial.

Methods and results

Individuals at expected elevated CVD risk were randomized into screening arm A (n = 14 478; SCORE, 10-year fatal and non-fatal risk); or screening arm B (n = 14 450; CAC scoring). Preventive treatment was largely advised according to current Dutch guidelines. Risk and treatment differences between the screening arms were analysed. A total of 12 185 participants (84.2%) in arm A and 12 950 (89.6%) in arm B were screened. In total, 48.7% were women, and median age was 62 (interquartile range 10) years. SCORE screening identified 45.1% at low risk (SCORE &lt; 10%), 26.5% at intermediate risk (SCORE 10–20%), and 28.4% at high risk (SCORE ≥ 20%). According to CAC screening, 76.0% were at low risk (Agatston &lt; 100), 15.1% at high risk (Agatston 100–399), and 8.9% at very high risk (Agatston ≥ 400). CAC scoring significantly reduced the number of individuals indicated for preventive treatment compared to SCORE (relative reduction women: 37.2%; men: 28.8%).

Conclusion

We showed that compared to risk stratification based on SCORE, CAC scoring classified significantly fewer men and women at increased risk, and less preventive treatment was indicated.

Trial registration number

NTR6471.

Randomised trial of telephone counselling to improve participants' adherence to prescribed drugs in a vascular screening trial

A total of 1446 participants, 65- to 74-year-old men diagnosed with abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA), peripheral arterial disease (PAD) or high blood pressure (HB) in the Viborg Vascular (VIVA) screening trial, were consecutively included and randomised to a telephone counselling (TC) or no TC 3 months after being screened positive. Data from VIVA were linked to data from Danish registers from 2007 to 2016. The primary outcome was a composite outcome of proportion of days covered by statin, antithrombotic drugs and antihypertensive agents and for each specific drug class at 6-month follow-up. The same outcomes were assessed at 12 and 60 months and considered secondary outcomes. Outcome measures are reported as risk differences (RD). There were no differences between the groups in relation to the composite of all three drug classes over 6 months of follow-up, RD = 4.1 (95% CI: -1.0; 9.1). A significant increase in redeemed statin prescriptions was observed in the intervention group at 6 months, RD = 9.8% (CI 95%: 0.5; 19.0). There was no intervention effect observed after 12 and 60 months. TC 3 months after screening improved adherence to statin at 6-month follow-up, but had no effect on the composite treatment, statins, antithrombotic or antihypertensive treatment over 60 months of follow-up.

Increased carotid plaque burden in patients with family medical history of premature cardiovascular events in the absence of classical risk factors

INTRODUCTION

The hypothesis that relates atherosclerosis to traditional risk factors (TRF) seems to be not as adequate as previously thought; other risk factors (RF) need to be considered to prevent atherosclerosis progression. Although a family medical history of premature cardiovascular events (FHx) has been considered the putative RF for decades, it has not been incorporated routinely into cardiovascular risk evaluation along with another RF. The objective of this study was to investigate whether FHx is associated with a higher atherosclerotic burden, measured as carotid total plaque area (TPA) in a population having no traditional RF.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

The study included 4,351 primary care patients in Argentina. After excluding a personal history of cardiovascular disease (CVD) and TRF: hypertension, diabetes mellitus, hypercholesterolemia, smoking history, and body mass index (BMI) > 25 kg/cm², 34 patients with FHx were identified. Compared to 56 matched controls TPA was 86% higher in FHx patients (p < 0.05). A second analysis performed in hypertensive patients but no other TRF; 32 patients with FHx were identified.

RESULTS

Compared with 44 matched controls, TPA was 77% higher in FHx patients (p < 0.05). A final analysis using a generalized linear model with TPA progression as the response variable suggests that TPA progresses more rapidly in FHx patients compared to controls.

CONCLUSIONS

The FHx was associated with increased TPA burden and progression in the absence of other TRF. This supports ultrasound screening in FHx patients in order to detect high-risk patients who may benefit from early intervention.

Impact of a cardiovascular disease risk screening result on preventive behaviour in asymptomatic participants of the ROBINSCA trial

Introduction

A teachable moment for preventive behavioural change can occur when asymptomatic individuals receive their cardiovascular disease screening result. This study investigated prevention-seeking behaviour and compliance with preventive treatment of participants of the population-based Risk Or Benefit IN Screening for CArdiovascular disease (ROBINSCA) trial after receiving a screening result.

Methods

Asymptomatic Dutch individuals ( n = 43,447) were randomly assigned (1:1:1) to screening for cardiovascular disease by either traditional risk assessment (intervention arm A), or determining the amount of coronary artery calcification (intervention arm B), or to usual care (control arm). A random sample ( n = 600) of ROBINSCA participants with a screening result (arms A and B) received an online questionnaire (in 2017) to measure the impact of a cardiovascular disease screening result in low and increased (arm A: risk > 10%; arm B: Agatston ≥ 100) risk groups.

Results

Of all respondents (438/600; 73%) 63.5% were men and the mean age ( ± standard deviation) was 63.8 ± 6.9 years. Individuals with an increased coronary artery calcification score consulted their general practitioner more often compared to increased risk individuals from arm A: 140/149 (94%) and 86/137 (62.8%), respectively ( P < 0.001). Current use of blood pressure and cholesterol-lowering drugs was significantly higher in the increased coronary artery calcification score group (108/140; 77.1%), compared to the group with an increased traditional risk (35/80, 43.8%; P < 0.001). Self-reported compliance was high (98.1–100%).

Conclusion

Receiving the screening result might be a teachable moment that can enhance cardiovascular disease prevention-seeking behaviour through consulting a general practitioner and high compliance with preventive treatment. The impact of the screening result was more profound in the increased coronary artery calcification score group. Trial registration number: NTR6471

Baseline findings of the population-based, randomized, multifaceted Danish cardiovascular screening trial (DANCAVAS) of men aged 65–74 years

Background

The challenge of managing age-related diseases is increasing; routine checks by the general practitioner do not reduce cardiovascular mortality. The aim here was to reduce cardiovascular mortality by advanced population-based cardiovascular screening. The present article reports the organization of the study, the acceptability of the screening offer, and the relevance of multifaceted screening for prevention and management of cardiovascular disease.

Methods

Danish men aged 65–74 years were invited randomly (1 : 2) to a cardiovascular screening examination using low-dose non-contrast CT, ankle and brachial BP measurements, and blood tests.

Results

In all, 16 768 of 47 322 men aged 65–74 years were invited and 10 471 attended (uptake 62·4 per cent). Of these, 3481 (33·2 per cent) had a coronary artery calcium score above 400 units. Thoracic aortic aneurysm was diagnosed in the ascending aorta (diameter 45 mm or greater) in 468 men (4·5 per cent), in the arch (at least 40 mm) in 48 (0·5 per cent) and in the descending aorta (35 mm or more) in 233 (2·2 per cent). Abdominal aortic aneurysm (at least 30 mm) and iliac aneurysm (20 mm or greater) were diagnosed in 533 (5·1 per cent) and 239 (2·3 per cent) men respectively. Peripheral artery disease was diagnosed in 1147 men (11·0 per cent), potentially uncontrolled hypertension (at least 160/100 mmHg) in 835 (8·0 per cent), previously unknown atrial fibrillation confirmed by ECG in 50 (0·5 per cent), previously unknown diabetes mellitus in 180 (1·7 per cent) and isolated severe hyperlipidaemia in 48 men (0·5 per cent).

In all, 4387 men (41·9 per cent), excluding those with potentially uncontrolled hypertension, were referred for additional cardiovascular prevention. Of these, 3712 (35·5 per cent of all screened men, but 84·6 per cent of those referred) consented and were started on medication.

Conclusion

Multifaceted cardiovascular screening is feasible and may optimize cardiovascular disease prevention in men aged 65–74 years. Uptake is lower than in aortic aneurysm screening.

Vascular, Cognitive, and Psychomental Survey on Elderly Recycling Volunteers in Northern Taiwan

Background: Stroke and dementia represent frequent causes of psychophysical and socioeconomic burdens. We conducted a vascular, cognitive, and psychomental survey involving elderly volunteers at community-based recycling stations in Northern Taiwan.

Methods: Recycling volunteers aged ≥60 years were surveyed. We recorded seven parameters, namely (1) body mass index (BMI), (2) fasting glucose, (3) fasting cholesterol, (4) ankle-brachial index (ABI), (5) carotid duplex sonography, (6) five-item Brief Symptom Rating Scale (BSRS-5) score, and (7) eight-item Interview to Differentiate Aging and Dementia (AD8). During the carotid duplex study, we measured the carotid intima-media thickness (CIMT) and the carotid total plaque score (CTPS) of the common and internal carotid arteries.

Results: In total, 985 subjects (mean age: 70.8 years) participated in this study. Among these, 81% were women, and 52% were vegetarians. The average ABI, CIMT, and CTPS were higher in men, whereas women had higher cholesterol levels and BSRS-5 scores. Obesity, hypertension, hyperglycemia, and hyperlipidemia were present in 21, 38, 9, and 27% of all subjects, respectively. Carotid plaques with mild (CTPS 1–5), moderate (CTPS 5.1–10), and severe (CTPS > 10) atherosclerosis were detected in 45, 16, and 7% of the subjects, respectively. Mild cognitive impairment (AD8 > 2) was observed in 13% of the subjects, whereas moderate mood disorder (BSRS-5≧10) was observed in only 1% of subjects. Vegetarians had a lower BMI, systolic blood pressure (SBP), cholesterol, CIMT, and CTPS than did non-vegetarians. Substantial predictors of severe atherosclerosis were advanced age (>70 years), male sex, history of heart disease, hyperlipidemia, and currently elevated SBP and cholesterol levels. Predictors of mild cognitive impairment were illiteracy, history of hypertension, hyperlipidemia, and moderate mood disorder.

Conclusions: Subclinical carotid atherosclerosis was common in elderly recycling volunteers, with 23% having moderate to severe stenosis. Vegetarians had a reduced risk of atherosclerosis. The low incidence of moderate mood disorder might indicate that recycling work enhances psychomental health. In addition, a healthier lifestyle, better mood condition, and vegetarian diet might contribute to lower incidence of mild cognitive impairment.

Adherence to Prescribed Drugs Among 65-74 Year Old Men Diagnosed with Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm or Peripheral Arterial Disease in a Screening Trial: A VIVA Substudy

OBJECTIVE

Adherence to antiplatelet and statin therapy in participants diagnosed with abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) or peripheral arterial disease (PAD) was examined in a vascular screening trial.

METHODS

This was a population based cohort study. The study population consisted of 65-74 year old men diagnosed with AAA or PAD in the Viborg Vascular (VIVA) multifaceted screening trial for CVD. Data from the VIVA screening cohort were linked to data from Danish registers from 2007 to 2016. Initiation of antiplatelet and statin treatment was measured within 120 days after screening. Persistence was defined as no treatment gap >100 days between two prescription renewals after screening. A proportion of days covered ≥80% over five years of follow up was used as a categorical cut off for adherence.

RESULTS

Among the 18,748 screened participants, 618 with AAA and 2051 with PAD were identified. Among non-users at baseline, 65% and 62% initiated antiplatelet and statin treatment, 57% and 59% persisted with antiplatelet and statin use, and 60% and 57% were adherent, respectively. Among users at baseline, 73% and 69% had filled an antiplatelet or statin prescription, respectively, within 120 days after screening. Further, 79% and 73% persisted with their antiplatelet and statin treatment, and 89% and 83% were adherent, respectively.

CONCLUSION

In a vascular screening trial, six of every 10 non-users initiated preventive treatment; among these, the adherence rate was 57-60%. Among users at baseline, the five year adherence to antiplatelet and statin treatment exceeded 80%. The effectiveness of screening initiatives might be improved by measures to improve the fulfilment of preventive medication.

Subclinical atherosclerosis in patients with cyanotic congenital heart disease

INTRODUCTION

Survival in patients with cyanotic congenital heart disease (CCHD) has improved dramatically. The result is an ageing population with risk of acquired heart disease. Previous small uncontrolled studies suggested that these patients are protected against the development of atherosclerosis. To test this hypothesis, we sought to determine the prevalence of subclinical atherosclerosis in a larger population of patients with CCHD.

METHOD

We compared the prevalence of subclinical atherosclerosis in adult CCHD patients from Denmark, Sweden, Norway and Australia, with that in age-, sex-, smoking status-, and body mass index matched controls. Coronary artery atherosclerosis was assessed on computed tomography with coronary artery calcification (CAC) score. Subclinical atherosclerosis was defined by CAC-score > 0. Carotid artery atherosclerosis was evaluated using ultrasound by measuring carotid plaque thickness (cPT-max) and carotid intima media thickness (CIMT). Lipid status was evaluated as an important atherosclerotic risk factor.

RESULTS

Seventy-four patients with CCHD (57% women, median age 49.5 years) and 74 matched controls (57% women, median age 50.0 years) were included. There were no differences between the groups in: CAC-score > 0 (21% vs. 19%, respectively; p = 0.8), carotid plaques (19% vs. 9%, respectively; p = 0.1), cPT-max (2.3 mm vs. 2.8 mm, respectively; p = 0.1) or CIMT (0.61 mm vs. 0.61 mm, respectively; p = 0.98). And further no significant differences in lipoprotein concentrations measured by ultracentrifugation.

CONCLUSION

Young adults with CCHD have similar cardiovascular risk factor profiles and measures of subclinical atherosclerosis, compared with controls. Given their increasing life expectancies, athero-preventive strategies should be an important part of their clinical management.

Peripheral vascular atherosclerosis in a novel PCSK9 gain-of-function mutant Ossabaw miniature pig model

Hypercholesterolemia is a major risk factor for atherosclerosis. Remaining challenges in the management of atherosclerosis necessitate development of animal models that mimic human pathophysiology. We characterized a novel mutant pig model with DNA transposition of D374Y gain-of-function (GOF) cDNA of chimp proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type-9 (PCSK9), and tested the hypothesis that it would develop peripheral vascular remodeling and target organ injury in the kidney. Wild-type or PCSK9-GOF Ossabaw miniature pigs fed a standard or atherogenic diet (AD) (n = 7 each) were studied in vivo after 3 and 6 months of diet. Single-kidney hemodynamics and function were studied using multidetector computed tomography and kidney oxygenation by blood oxygen level-dependent magnetic resonance imaging. The renal artery was evaluated by intravascular ultrasound, aortic stiffness by multidetector computed tomography, and kidney stiffness by magnetic resonance elastography. Subsequent ex vivo studies included the renal artery endothelial function and morphology of abdominal aorta, renal, and femoral arteries by histology. Compared with wild type, PCSK9-GOF pigs had elevated cholesterol, triglyceride, and blood pressure levels at 3 and 6 months. Kidney stiffness increased in GOF groups, but aortic stiffness only in GOF-AD. Hypoxia, intrarenal fat deposition, oxidative stress, and fibrosis were observed in both GOF groups, whereas kidney function remained unchanged. Peripheral arteries in GOF groups showed medial thickening and development of atheromatous plaques. Renal endothelial function was impaired only in GOF-AD. Therefore, the PCSK9-GOF mutation induces rapid development of atherosclerosis in peripheral vessels of Ossabaw pigs, which is exacerbated by a high-cholesterol diet. This model may be useful for preclinical studies of atherosclerosis.

Similar pro-NT and pro-RLX2 levels after preeclampsia and after uncomplicated pregnancy

OBJECTIVE

Women are at increased risk of developing cardiovascular disease (CVD) after preeclampsia. Proneurotensin 1-117 (pro-NT) and prorelaxin 2 connecting peptide (pro-RLX2) have recently emerged as potential biomarkers for CVD risk in women. We assessed pro-NT and pro-RLX2 levels in women with and without a history of preeclampsia.

STUDY DESIGN

339 women with a history of early-onset preeclampsia and 327 women with an uncomplicated pregnancy underwent cardiovascular screening 10 years after delivery (the Preeclampsia Risk EValuation in FEMales (PREVFEM) cohort).

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

Pro-NT, a stable fragment of the neurotensin precursor, was assessed in the whole cohort. Pro-RLX2, the stable connecting peptide of the relaxin 2 prohormone, was assessed in a subset of this cohort, consisting of 27 women with a history of preeclampsia and 23 healthy controls. Associations between biomarker levels and traditional CVD risk factors in the preeclampsia and control group were assessed by Pearson's correlation coefficient.

RESULTS

We found no differences in pro-NT and pro-RLX2 levels between the preeclampsia and control group. Pro-NT levels were associated with higher HbA1c levels (r=0.113, p-value 0.045) and with BMI (r=0.124, p-value 0.027), but only in the control group. Pro-RLX2 was related to current smoking and triglyceride levels in women with a history of preeclampsia and related to LDL-cholesterol in women with an uncomplicated pregnancy.

CONCLUSIONS

Pro-NT and pro-RLX2 levels were comparable in women 10 years after preeclampsia and women with an uncomplicated pregnancy. The role of pro-NT and pro-RLX2 in CVD development after preeclampsia should be further investigated.

Progression of disease preceding lower extremity amputation in Denmark: a longitudinal registry study of diagnoses, use of medication and healthcare services 14 years prior to amputation

OBJECTIVES

Patients with non-traumatic lower extremity amputation are characterised by high age, multi-morbidity and polypharmacy and long-term complications of atherosclerosis and diabetes. To ensure early identification of patients at risk of amputation, we need to gain knowledge about the progression of diseases related to lower extremity amputations during the years preceding the amputation.

DESIGN

A retrospective population-based national registry study.

SETTING

The study includes data on demographics, diagnoses, surgery, medications and healthcare services from five national registries. Data were retrieved from 14 years before until 1 year after the amputation. Descriptive statistics were used to describe the progression of diseases and use of medication and healthcare services.

PARTICIPANTS

An unselected cohort of patients (≥50 years; n=2883) subjected to a primary non-traumatic lower extremity amputation in 2010 or 2011 in Denmark.

RESULTS

The prevalence of atherosclerosis, hypertension and diabetes was 70%, 53% and 49%, respectively. Among patients with atherosclerosis, 42% had not received cholesterol-lowering treatment even though 87% had visited their general practitioner within the last year prior to amputation. Further, 16% were diagnosed with diabetes at the time of the amputation. The prevalence of cardiovascular diseases increased from 22% to 70%, atherosclerosis from 5% to 53% and diabetes from 17% to 35% over the 14 years preceding major amputation. Of all patients, 64% had been in contact with the hospital or outpatient clinics within the last 3 years, and 29% received a prescription of opioids 3 years prior to the amputation.

CONCLUSION

Among patients with non-traumatic lower extremity amputation, one-third live with undiagnosed and untreated atherosclerosis and one-sixth suffer from undiagnosed diabetes despite continuous contacts to general practitioner and the hospital. This study emphasises a need for enhanced focus, among both hospital clinicians and general practitioners, on the early identification of atherosclerosis and diabetes.

A Noninvasive Sonographic Study of Multisite Atherosclerosis in an Elderly Chinese Population

OBJECTIVES

A sonographic study was conducted to determine the prevalence of atherosclerosis across multiple arterial beds in an elderly Chinese population and to examine relationships between detected atherosclerosis and traditional risk factors.

METHODS

A total of 197 participants underwent sonography of the abdominal aorta and bilateral carotid, femoral, and lower limb arteries. Images were reviewed to determine the presence or absence of plaques in each artery. Plaque thickness was measured as the indicator of plaque burden. Plaque prevalence was estimated per site and correlated with age, sex, and the Framingham Risk Score (FRS). Plaque frequency and thickness were compared between different arterial beds.

RESULTS

Of the 197 participants (54% female; age range, 58-86 years), 90% had plaques present in at least 1 artery, and 55% had plaques present in at least 4 arteries. The most common sites for plaques were the carotid arteries (80%), followed by the lower limb arteries (59%), femoral arteries (57%), and abdominal aorta (37%). Plaque prevalence in each arterial bed except the abdominal aorta was significantly associated with male participants (P < .05), increasing age (P < .003) and FRS (P < .04). Male participants were more likely to have carotid (P = .04), femoral (P = .045), and lower limb (P = .006) plaques than female participants, but there was no significant difference in aortic plaque prevalence between male and female participants (P = .9).

CONCLUSIONS

Plaque prevalence increased significantly in the carotid and peripheral arteries with increasing FRS. These findings should be considered for designing screening programs for stroke and heart attack prevention.

The DanCavas Pilot Study of Multifaceted Screening for Subclinical Cardiovascular Disease in Men and Women Aged 65-74 Years

OBJECTIVE/BACKGROUND

This pilot study of a large population based randomised screening trial investigated feasibility, acceptability, and relevance (prevalence of clinical and subclinical cardiovascular disease [CVD] and proportion receiving insufficient prevention) of a multifaceted screening for CVD.

METHODS

In total, 2060 randomly selected Danish men and women aged 65-74 years were offered (i) low dose non-contrast computed tomography to detect coronary artery calcification (CAC) and aortic/iliac aneurysms; (ii) detection of atrial fibrillation (AF); (iii) brachial and ankle blood pressure measurements; and (iv) blood levels of cholesterol and hemoglobin A1c. Web based self booking and data management was used to reduce the administrative burden.

RESULTS

Attendance rates were 64.9% (n = 678) and 63.0% (n = 640) for men and women, respectively. In total, 39.7% received a recommendation for medical preventive actions. Prevalence of aneurysms was 12.4% (95% confidence interval [CI] 9.9-14.9) in men and 1.1% (95% CI 0.3-1.9) in women, respectively (p < .001). A CAC score > 400 was found in 37.8% of men and 11.3% of women (p < .001), along with a significant increase in median CAC score with age (p = .03). Peripheral arterial disease was more prevalent in men (18.8%, 95% CI 15.8-21.8) than in women (11.2%, 95% CI 8.7-13.6). No significant differences between the sexes were found with regard to newly discovered AF (men 1.3%, women 0.5%), potential hypertension (men 9.7%, women 11.5%), hypercholesterolemia (men 0.9%, women 1.1%) or diabetes mellitus (men 2.1%, women 1.3%).

CONCLUSION

Owing to the higher prevalence of severe conditions, such as aneurysms and CAC ≥ 400, screening for CVD seemed more prudent in men than women. The attendance rates were acceptable compared with other screening programs and the logistical structure of the screening program proved successful.

Adding carotid total plaque area to the Framingham risk score improves cardiovascular risk classification

INTRODUCTION

Cardiovascular events (CE) due to atherosclerosis are preventable. Identification of high-risk patients helps to focus resources on those most likely to benefit from expensive therapy. Atherosclerosis is not considered for patient risk categorization, even though a fraction of CE are predicted by Framingham risk factors. Our objective was to assess the incremental value of combining total plaque area (TPA) with the Framingham risk score (FramSc) using post-test probability (Ptp) in order to categorize risk in patients without CE and identify those at high risk and requiring intensive treatment.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

A descriptive cross-sectional study was performed in the primary care setting in an Argentine population aged 22-90 years without CE. Both FramSc based on body mass index and Ptp-TPA were employed in 2035 patients for risk stratification and the resulting reclassification was compared. Total plaque area was measured with a high-resolution duplex ultrasound scanner.

RESULTS

57% male, 35% hypertensive, 27% hypercholesterolemia, 14% diabetes. 20.1% were low, 28.5% moderate, and 51.5% high risk. When patients were reclassified, 36% of them changed status; 24.1% migrated to a higher and 13.6% to a lower risk level (κ index = 0.360, SE κ = 0.16, p < 0.05, FramSc vs. Ptp-TPA). With this reclassification, 19.3% were low, 18.9% moderate and 61.8% high risk.

CONCLUSIONS

Quantification of Ptp-TPA leads to higher risk estimation than FramSc, suggesting that Ptp-TPA may be more sensitive than FramSc as a screening tool. If our observation is confirmed with a prospective study, this reclassification would improve the long-term benefits related to CE prevention.

Association between abdominal aortic plaque and coronary artery disease

OBJECTIVE

Currently, the association between abdominal aortic plaques and coronary artery disease (CAD) has not yet been clarified clearly. The purpose of this study was to determine the prevalence of abdominal aortic plaques by ultrasound imaging and to explore its association with CAD in patients undergoing coronary angiography.

METHODS

Between October 2014 and June 2015, a prospective study was conducted in the Department of Cardiology at Guangdong General Hospital, Guangzhou, People's Republic of China. Ultrasound scanning of the abdominal aortas was performed in 1,667 consecutive patients undergoing coronary angiography. Clinical characteristics and coronary profile were collected from the patients.

RESULTS

Of the 1,667 study patients (male, 68.9%; mean age, 63±11 years) undergoing coronary angiography, 1,268 had CAD. Compared with 399 patients without CAD, 1,268 patients with CAD had higher prevalence of abdominal aortic plaques (37.3% vs 17%, P<0.001). In multivariate analysis, abdominal aortic plaques served as independent factors associated with the presence of CAD (odds ratio =2.08; 95% confidence interval =1.50-2.90; P<0.001). Of the 1,268 patients with CAD, the prevalence of abdominal aortic plaques was 27.0% (98/363) in patients with one-vessel disease, 35.0% (107/306) in patients with two-vessel disease, and 44.7% (268/599) in patients with three-vessel disease. Stepwise increases in the prevalence of abdominal aortic plaque was found depending on the number of stenotic coronary vessels (P<0.001; P-value for trend <0.001). In an ordinal logistic regression model, abdominal aortic plaques served as independent factors associated with the severity of CAD according to the number of stenotic coronary vessels (P<0.001).

CONCLUSION

The prevalence of abdominal aortic plaques was higher in patients with CAD than in those without CAD. Abdominal aortic plaque was an independent factor associated with the presence and severity of CAD.

The Danish Cardiovascular Screening Trial (DANCAVAS): study protocol for a randomized controlled trial

Background

The significant increase in the average life expectancy has increased the societal challenge of managing serious age-related diseases, especially cancer and cardiovascular diseases. A routine check by a general practitioner is not sufficient to detect incipient cardiovascular disease.

Design

Population-based randomized clinically controlled screening trial.

Methods

Participants: 45,000 Danish men aged 65–74 years living on the Island of Funen, or in the surrounding communities of Vejle and Silkeborg. No exclusion criteria are used.

Interventions: One-third will be invited to cardiovascular seven-faceted screening examinations at one of four locations. The screening will include: (1) low-dose non-contrast CT scan to detect coronary artery calcification and aortic/iliac aneurysms, (2) brachial and ankle blood pressure index to detect peripheral arterial disease and hypertension, (3) a telemetric assessment of the heart rhythm, and (4) a measurement of the cholesterol and plasma glucose levels. Up-to-date cardiovascular preventive treatment is recommended in case of positive findings.

Objective: To investigate whether advanced cardiovascular screening will prevent death and cardiovascular events, and whether the possible health benefits are cost effective.

Outcome: Registry-based follow-up on all cause death (primary outcome), and costs after 3, 5 and 10 years (secondary outcome).

Randomization: Each of the 45,000 individuals is, by EPIDATA, given a random number from 1–100. Those numbered 67+ will be offered screening; the others will act as a control group.

Blinding: Only those randomized to the screening will be invited to the examination;the remaining participants will not.

Numbers randomized: A total of 45,000 men will be randomized 1:2.

Recruitment: Enrollment started October 2014.

Outcome: A 5 % reduction in overall mortality (HR = 0.95), with the risk for a type 1 error = 5 % and the risk for a type II error = 80 %, is expected. We expect a 2-year enrollment, a 10-year follow-up, and a median survival of 15 years among the controls. The attendance to screening is assumed to be 70 %.

Discussion

The primary aim of this so far stand-alone population-based, randomized trial will be to evaluate the health benefits and costeffectiveness of using non-contrast full truncus computer tomography (CT) scans (to measure coronary artery calcification (CAC) and identify aortic/iliac aneurysms) and measurements of the ankle brachial blood pressure index (ABI) as part of a multifocal screening and intervention program for CVD in men aged 65–74.

Attendance rate and compliance to initiated preventive actions must be expected to become of major importance.

Trial registration

Current Controlled Trials: ISRCTN12157806 (21 March 2015).

Determinants of future cardiovascular health in women with a history of preeclampsia

Women who develop preeclampsia have an increased risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD) later in life. However, current guidelines on cardiovascular risk assessment and prevention are unclear on how and when to screen these women postpartum, and about the role of a positive history of preeclampsia in later-life CVD risk management. The aim of this review is to discuss the present knowledge on commonly used cardiovascular screening modalities available to women with a history of preeclampsia, and to discuss recent developments in early detection of CVD using cardiovascular imaging. Furthermore, we explore how female-specific risk factors may have additional value in cardiovascular screening, in particular in relatively young women, although their implementation in clinical practice is challenged by inconsistent results and lack of long-term outcome data. Non-invasive imaging techniques, e.g., coronary artery intima-media thickness (CIMT), can be helpful to detect subclinical atherosclerotic disease, and coronary artery calcium scoring (CACS) has shown to be effective in early detection of cardiovascular damage. However, while more short-term and long-term follow-up studies are becoming available, few studies have investigated women with a history of preeclampsia in the fourth and fifth decade of life, when early signs of premature CVD are most likely to become apparent. Further studies are needed to inform new and improved clinical practice guidelines, and provide long-term strategies to effectively prevent CVD, specifically targeted at women with a history of preeclampsia. Additionally, evaluation of feasibility, cost-effectiveness, and implementation of CVD screening and prevention initiatives targeted at former preeclampsia patients are needed.

Improved correlation between carotid and coronary atherosclerosis SYNTAX score using automated ultrasound carotid bulb plaque IMT measurement

Described here is a detailed novel pilot study on whether the SYNTAX (Synergy between percutaneous coronary intervention with TAXUS and cardiac surgery) score, a measure of coronary artery disease complexity, could be better predicted with carotid intima-media thickness (cIMT) measures using automated IMT all along the common carotid and bulb plaque compared with manual IMT determined by sonographers. Three hundred seventy consecutive patients who underwent carotid ultrasound and coronary angiography were analyzed. SYNTAX score was determined from coronary angiograms by two experienced interventional cardiologists. Unlike most methods of cIMT measurement commonly used by sonographers, our method involves a computerized automated cIMT measurement all along the carotid artery that includes the bulb region and the region proximal to the bulb (under the class of AtheroEdge systems from AtheroPoint, Roseville, CA, USA). In this study, the correlation between automated cIMT that includes bulb plaque and SYNTAX score was found to be 0.467 (p < 0.0001), compared with 0.391 (p < 0.0001) for the correlation between the sonographer's IMT reading and SYNTAX score. The correlation between the automated cIMT and the sonographer's IMT was 0.882. When compared against the radiologist's manual tracings, automated cIMT system performance had a lumen-intima error of 0.007818 ± 0.0071 mm, media-adventitia error of 0.0179 ± 0.0125 mm and automated cIMT error of 0.0099 ± 0.00988 mm. The precision of automated cIMT against the manual radiologist's reading was 98.86%. This current automated algorithm revealed a significantly stronger correlation between cIMT and coronary SYNTAX score as compared with the sonographer's cIMT measurements with multiple cardiovascular risk factors. We benchmarked our correlation between the automated cIMT that includes bulb plaque and SYNTAX score against a previously published (Ikeda et al. 2013) AtheroEdgeLink (AtheroPoint) correlation between the automated cIMT that does not include bulb plaque and SYNTAX score and had an improvement of 44.58%. By sampling cIMT in the bulb region, the automated cIMT technique improves the degree of correlation between coronary artery disease lesion complexity and carotid atherosclerosis characteristics.

The correlation between serum lipid profile with carotid intima-media thickness and plaque

Background

It is indicated that non-HDL cholesterol and lipid ratios, including total/HDL cholesterol and LDL/HDL cholesterol ratios, are risk indicators with greater predictive value for coronary atherosclerotic progression or regression compared with conventional lipid profile. However, there have been few reports about the correlation between serum lipid profile with carotid intima-media thickness (IMT) and plaque in Chinese general people.

Methods

We examined 402 subjects without apparent diseases in a cross-sectional study (mean age 50.16 years; 36.07% female). Demographics, anthropometrics, and laboratory data were collected. The presence of carotid plaque and intima-media thickness were evaluated by ultrasonography.

Results

Univariate correlations showed carotid IMT was correlated with LDL-C (r = 0.137, p = 0.009), non-LDL-C levels (r = 0.140, p = 0.008) and LDL-C/HDL-C ratio (r = 0.169, p = 0.001). After adjustment for potential covariates, LDL-C/HDL-C ratio (β = 0.132, p < 0.001) were independent variables that interacted on carotid IMT. Other risk factors including age and systolic blood pressure were independently associated with carotid IMT. LDL-C levels, non-HDL-C levels, TC/HDL-C and LDL-C/HDL-C ratios were significantly higher, but HDL-C levels were significantly lower in subjects with carotid plaque than those without it. The subsequent multiple logistic regression analysis showed that LDL-C (OR; 1.325, 95% CI; 1.046-1.821, p = 0.033) and HDL-C levels (OR; 0.093, 95% CI; 0.038-0.227, p < 0.001) were significantly associated with the presence of carotid plaque after adjustment of age. Furthermore, LDL-C combined with HDL-C levels showed the highest area under the curve (0.788, 95% CI; 0.740–0.837, p < 0.001).

Conclusions

Serum LDL-C/HDL-C ratio represents as an independent index associated with increased carotid IMT and LDL-C combined with HDL-C levels may be useful markers for predicting the presence of carotid plaque in the Chinese general population.

Mechanisms of Plaque Formation and Rupture

Atherosclerosis causes clinical disease through luminal narrowing or by precipitating thrombi that obstruct blood flow to the heart (coronary heart disease), brain (ischemic stroke), or lower extremities (peripheral vascular disease). The most common of these manifestations is coronary heart disease, including stable angina pectoris and the acute coronary syndromes. Atherosclerosis is a lipoprotein-driven disease that leads to plaque formation at specific sites of the arterial tree through intimal inflammation, necrosis, fibrosis, and calcification. After decades of indolent progression, such plaques may suddenly cause life-threatening coronary thrombosis presenting as an acute coronary syndrome. Most often, the culprit morphology is plaque rupture with exposure of highly thrombogenic, red cell–rich necrotic core material. The permissive structural requirement for this to occur is an extremely thin fibrous cap, and thus, ruptures occur mainly among lesions defined as thin-cap fibroatheromas. Also common are thrombi forming on lesions without rupture (plaque erosion), most often on pathological intimal thickening or fibroatheromas. However, the mechanisms involved in plaque erosion remain largely unknown, although coronary spasm is suspected. The calcified nodule has been suggested as a rare cause of coronary thrombosis in highly calcified and tortious arteries in older individuals. To characterize the severity and prognosis of plaques, several terms are used. Plaque burden denotes the extent of disease, whereas plaque activity is an ambiguous term, which may refer to one of several processes that characterize progression. Plaque vulnerability describes the short-term risk of precipitating symptomatic thrombosis. In this review, we discuss mechanisms of atherosclerotic plaque initiation and progression; how plaques suddenly precipitate life-threatening thrombi; and the concepts of plaque burden, activity, and vulnerability.

Predicting coronary heart disease: from Framingham Risk Score to ultrasound bioimaging

Atherosclerosis is the leading cause of death and disabling disease. Whereas risk factors are well known and constitute therapeutic targets, they are not useful for prediction of risk of future myocardial infarction, stroke, or death. Therefore, methods to identify atherosclerosis itself have been tested and found useful (ie, coronary calcium detection by computed tomography scanning, reduction in ankle-brachial index, and ultrasound scanning of the carotid arteries). This review will focus on the latter technique. Detection of thickened carotid intima-media by ultrasound has been used in many large epidemiological studies, but although it has been found to be associated with increased risk of cardiovascular death, its clinical utility is limited. Detection of carotid plaque has, on the other hand, been found to be associated with a substantial risk of future events. Similarly, detection of plaque in the femoral arteries is associated with increased risk, and plaque in the femoral as well as carotid arteries predicts even higher risk. Furthermore, quantification of plaque size (plaque area), such as quantification of amount of coronary calcium on computed tomography scanning, improves predictability-the larger the plaques, the higher the risk. So far, studies using ultrasound all have been performed with 2-dimensional ultrasound imaging. Recently, 3-dimensional ultrasound imaging has been introduced, which allows for more accurate quantification of atherosclerosis. Small studies pioneering its use have indicated the utility of measuring changes in vessel-wall volume and plaque volume with respect to treatment effect. The High-Risk Plaque Initiative BioImage Study is currently investigating the predictive value of total carotid plaque volume with respect to prediction of future cardiovascular events.

Familial hypercholesterolemia and atherosclerosis in cloned minipigs created by DNA transposition of a human PCSK9 gain-of-function mutant

Lack of animal models with human-like size and pathology hampers translational research in atherosclerosis. Mouse models are missing central features of human atherosclerosis and are too small for intravascular procedures and imaging. Modeling the disease in minipigs may overcome these limitations, but it has proven difficult to induce rapid atherosclerosis in normal pigs by high-fat feeding alone, and genetically modified models similar to those created in mice are not available. D374Y gain-of-function mutations in the proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9 (PCSK9) gene cause severe autosomal dominant hypercholesterolemia and accelerates atherosclerosis in humans. Using Sleeping Beauty DNA transposition and cloning by somatic cell nuclear transfer, we created Yucatan minipigs with liver-specific expression of human D374Y-PCSK9. D374Y-PCSK9 transgenic pigs displayed reduced hepatic low-density lipoprotein (LDL) receptor levels, impaired LDL clearance, severe hypercholesterolemia, and spontaneous development of progressive atherosclerotic lesions that could be visualized by noninvasive imaging. This model should prove useful for several types of translational research in atherosclerosis.

Progression of carotid plaque volume predicts cardiovascular events

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

Carotid ultrasound evaluation of intima-media thickness (IMT) and plaque burden has been used for risk stratification and for evaluation of antiatherosclerotic therapies. Increasing evidence indicates that measuring plaque burden is superior to measuring IMT for both purposes. We compared progression/regression of IMT, total plaque area (TPA), and total plaque volume (TPV) as predictors of cardiovascular outcomes.

METHODS

IMT, TPA, and TPV were measured at baseline in 349 patients attending vascular prevention clinics; they had TPA of 40 to 600 mm(2) at baseline to qualify for enrollment. Participants were followed up for ≤5 years (median, 3.17 years) to ascertain vascular death, myocardial infarction, stroke, and transient ischemic attacks. Follow-up measurements 1 year later were available in 323 cases for IMT and TPA, and in 306 for TPV.

RESULTS

Progression of TPV predicted stroke, death or TIA (Kaplan-Meier logrank P=0.001), stroke/death/MI (P=0.008) and Stroke/Death/TIA/Myocardial infarction (any Cardiovascular event) (P=0.001). Progression of TPA weakly predicted Stroke/Death/TIA (P=0.097) but not stroke/death/MI (P=0.59) or any CV event (P=0.143); likewise change in IMT did not predict Stroke/Death/MI (P=0.13) or any CV event (P=0.455 ). In Cox regression, TPV progression remained a significant predictor of events after adjustment for coronary risk factors (P=0.001) but change in TPA did not. IMT change predicted events in an inverse manner; regression of IMT predicted events (P=0.004).

CONCLUSIONS

For assessment of response to antiatherosclerotic therapy, measurement of TPV is superior to both IMT and TPA.

Update on acute coronary syndromes: the pathologists' view

Although mortality rates from coronary heart disease in the western countries have declined in the last few decades, morbidity caused by this disease is increasing and a substantial number of patients still suffer acute coronary syndrome (ACS) and sudden cardiac death. Acute coronary syndrome occurs as a result of myocardial ischaemia and its manifestations include acute myocardial infarction and unstable angina. Culprit plaque morphology in these patients varies from thrombosis with or without coronary occlusion to sudden narrowing of the lumen from intraplaque haemorrhage. The coronary artery plaque morphologies primarily responsible for thrombosis are plaque rupture, and plaque erosion, with plaque rupture being the most common cause of acute myocardial infarction, especially in men. Autopsy data demonstrate that women <50 years of age more frequently have erosion, whereas in older women, the frequency of rupture increases with each decade. Ruptured plaques are associated with positive (expansive) remodelling and characterized by a large necrotic core and a thin fibrous cap that is disrupted and infiltrated by foamy macrophages. Plaque erosion lesions are often negatively remodelled with the plaque itself being rich in smooth muscle cells and proteoglycans with minimal to absence of inflammation. Plaque haemorrhage may expand the plaque rapidly, leading to the development of unstable angina. Plaque haemorrhage may occur from plaque rupture (fissure) or from neovascularization (angiogenesis). Atherosclerosis is now recognized as an inflammatory disease with macrophages and T-lymphocytes playing a dominant role. Recently at least two subtypes of macrophages have been identified. M1 is a pro-inflammatory macrophage while M2 seems to play a role in dampening inflammation and promoting tissue repair. A third type of macrophage, termed by us as haemoglobin associated macrophage or M(Hb) which is observed at site of haemorrhage also can be demonstrated in human atherosclerosis. In order to further our understanding of the specific biological events which trigger plaque instability and as well as to monitor the effects of novel anti-atherosclerotic therapies newer imaging modalities in vivo are needed.

Carotid plaque burden as a measure of subclinical atherosclerosis: comparison with other tests for subclinical arterial disease in the High Risk Plaque BioImage study

OBJECTIVES

The purpose of this study was to compare carotid plaque burden, carotid intima-media thickness (cIMT), ankle-brachial index (ABI), and abdominal aortic diameter (AAD) to coronary artery calcium score (CACS) in people without known cardiovascular disease.

BACKGROUND

The clinical utility of risk factors to predict cardiovascular events is limited. Detection of subclinical atherosclerosis by noninvasive tests such as CACS, cIMT, carotid plaque burden, AAD, and ABI may improve risk prediction above that of established risk scoring models, namely, Framingham Risk Score.

METHODS

The High Risk Plaque BioImage study investigated 6.101 asymptomatic persons and reports baseline CACS, cIMT, ABI, and AAD. In addition, we present findings from a new 3-dimensional-based ultrasound approach, where the carotid artery was investigated in cross section from proximal in the neck to as distal as possible. From the resulting 10-s video, plaque was outlined on cross-sectional images and all plaque areas were summarized into "plaque burden."

RESULTS

The mean age was 68.8 years, and 65.3% of subjects had intermediate Framingham Risk Score (6% to 20% 10-year risk). Carotid plaques were identified in 78% of cases, abnormal ABI in 10%, AAD >20 mm in 28%, and coronary calcium in 68% of participants. Carotid plaque burden was found to correlate stronger with CACS (chi-square 450, p < 0.0001) than did cIMT (chi-square 24, p < 0.0001), AAD (chi-square 2.9, p = 0.091), and ABI (chi-square 35.2, p < 0.0001).

CONCLUSIONS

In the BioImage study, a new 3-dimensional-based ultrasound method identified more carotid plaques than in previous studies. Compared to other methods, carotid plaque burden was the strongest cross-sectional predictor of CACS, and its clinical utility as predictor of future cardiovascular events is being evaluated in the BioImage study. (BioImage Study: A Clinical Study of Burden of Atherosclerotic Disease in an At-Risk Population; NCT00738725).

The biological role of inflammation in atherosclerosis

The concept of the involvement of inflammation in the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis has existed since the 1800s, stemming from sentinel pathologic observations made by Rudolf Virchow, Karl Rokitansky, and others. Our understanding of the complex role played by immune and inflammatory mediators in the initiation and progression of atherosclerosis has evolved considerably in the intervening years, and today, a dramatically evolved understanding of these processes has led to advances in both diagnostic and prognostic approaches, as well as novel treatment modalities targeting inflammatory and immune mediators. Therapeutic interventions working through multiple mechanisms involved in atheroma pathogenesis, such as statins, which both lower lipids and alter the inflammatory milieu in the vessel wall, hold promise for the future. In this brief review, we explore the biological role of inflammation in atherosclerosis, with a focus on cellular involvement in both acute and chronic inflammation, and outline novel biomarkers of inflammation and atherosclerosis with a particular focus on the potential application of these novel approaches in improving strategies for disease diagnosis and management.

The SHAPE guideline: ahead of its time or just in time?

In 2006, a grass roots movement called SHAPE (Screening for Heart Attack Prevention and Education) published a novel practice guideline for cardiovascular screening in the asymptomatic at-risk population. It suggested the use of noninvasive tests for subclinical atherosclerosis in cardiovascular risk assessment to target intensified preventive care to those at highest risk. The SHAPE guideline received much attention but not as much support from the "official" medical societies. However, subsequent studies published since 2006 have now provided strong supportive evidence for the strategy spearheaded by the SHAPE guideline. Indeed, the latest guidelines issued jointly by the American Heart Association and the American College of Cardiology have elevated recommendation levels for noninvasive imaging of subclinical atherosclerosis. This change is widely viewed as a significant step toward the SHAPE guidelines. The background for SHAPE and the evidence behind the recommendation to use coronary artery calcium score measured by computed tomography, carotid intima-media thickness and plaque measured by ultrasound, and ankle-brachial index in cardiovascular risk assessment is reviewed in this article.

Improvement of cardiovascular risk prediction using coronary imaging: subclinical atherosclerosis: the memory of lifetime risk factor exposure

Deaths from diseases of the heart are decreasing. Cardiovascular diseases (CVD) will be the main cause of morbidity and mortality in 2015 according to a WHO report. The main problem is related to the long-time delay between the start of the development of atherosclerosis in young adults and the manifestation many decades later. Despite a recent decline in a CVD mortality rate in men and women, the main problem is related to the acute manifestation as the acute coronary syndrome, which leads 30-50% of subjects to sudden and fatal outcomes. In addition, about 20% of first and recurrent acute myocardial infarctions are silent. The lifetime risk of coronary artery disease after 40 years is 49% for men and 32% for women. That means, we are confronted with a major health care problem. This is even more obvious, when the rate of coronary heart disease deaths out of the hospital are taken into account which amount to 70% in 2007. These data are confirmed for Europe despite a strong decline of hospital deaths. Another problem is related to the fact that the number of sudden cardiac death amounts to >300 000 in the general US population. It is about 10 times higher than in those patients who are defined as prone to sudden death due to low ejection fraction, ventricular arrhythmias, and acute myocardial infarction. For cardiologists, this general topic becomes even more obvious, because even well-known cardiologists experienced early (≤65 years) sudden cardiac deaths such as RW Campbell, JM Isner, PA Poole-Wilson, H Drexler, and recently the paediatric cardiologist from Hannover, A Wessels. These events underline again what has been emphasized 15 years ago by the MONICA study that two-thirds of patients die outside the hospital and that we have to concentrate on primary and secondary prevention, also in memory of these colleagues. This review will demonstrate the potential value of coronary artery calcification screening which can be used as a sign of subclinical coronary arteriosclerosis for improved risk prediction, the first step to prevention. Subclinical atherosclerosis represents the vessel memory of risk factor exposure.

Association of menopause and hormone replacement therapy with large artery remodeling

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the remodeling of large arteries according to age at menopause, duration of menopause, and use of hormone therapy (HT).

DESIGN

A cross-sectional study consisting of baseline measurements of a multicentric randomized trial were used to evaluate arterial parameters.

SETTING

The study was conducted in France, Belgium, and the Netherlands in academic hospitals and private clinics.

PATIENT(S)

Postmenopausal women (n = 538) with mild hypercholesterolemia.

INTERVENTION(S)

None.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S)

Common carotid artery intima-media thickness (CCA-IMT), central pulse pressure, and aortic stiffness (carotid-femoral pulse wave velocity) were measured and centrally controlled for quality. Multivariate regression analysis was used to assess the possible covariates associated with arterial parameters.

RESULT(S)

Women were 58 ± 6 (mean ± SD) years of age with an age of 50 ± 5 at menopause and a mean duration of menopause of 8 ± 7 years. Lower age at menopause, time since menopause, and absence of HT use were independently associated with worsening of the arterial parameters. After multivariate analysis, HT was associated with a lower CCA-IMT (-40 μm [range -64 to -1]), whereas lower age at menopause and menopause duration were respectively associated with a CCA-IMT increase (25 μm/5 y and 27 μm/5 y). Similarly, values of central pulse pressure and pulse wave velocity were lower in HT users (-3.1 mm Hg [-5.1 to -0.9] and -0.31 m/s [-0.63 to -0.02], respectively) but worsened with age at menopause and menopause duration.

CONCLUSION(S)

The age at menopause, the time since menopause, and the use of HT are independently associated with the thickening and stiffening of the large arteries.

CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER

NCT00163163.