Recent Trends in Hospitalization for Acute Myocardial Infarction in Beijing: Increasing Overall Burden and a Transition From ST-Segment Elevation to Non-ST-Segment Elevation Myocardial Infarction in a Population-Based Study

Profiles of work ability and associated factors in young and middle-aged acute myocardial infarction patients: A latent profile analysis

BACKGROUND

The incidence of acute myocardial infarction (AMI) is increasing among young and middle-aged people, and such patients need to be reemployed after AMI events from the individual and society perspectives. However, the situation of employment after AMI was not ideal. Early identification of patients vulnerable to decreased work ability and provided targeted intervention may be beneficial.

OBJECTIVE

To identify the profiles and associated factors of work ability in young and middle-aged AMI patients.

METHODS

A cross-sectional study was conducted in Guangzhou, China, from September 2022 to October 2023. Work ability, self-efficacy for return-to-work, social support, anxiety, and depression were measured by the Work-ability Support Scale (WSS), Return-To-Work Self-Efficacy Questionnaire, Social Support Rating Scale, 7-item Generalized Anxiety Disorder Scale, and Patient Health Questionnaire 9, respectively. We performed latent profile analysis based on three subdomains of the WSS by using Mplus 8.3. Multiple logistic regression was used to identify factors associated with work ability.

RESULTS

A total of 155 participants (aged 48.58±7.153 years, 95.5 % male) were included. We identified three latent profiles of work ability: low work ability (28.1 %), moderate work ability (51 %), and high work ability (20.6 %). The per capita monthly household income, NYHA functional class, total cholesterol, length of hospital stay, social support, and self-efficacy for return-to-work were factors associated with work ability.

CONCLUSION

This study demonstrated different profiles and associated factors of work ability in young and middle-aged AMI patients. It is suggested that healthcare providers identify and monitor associated factors to improve work ability among this subpopulation.

Epidemiology and current management of cardiovascular disease in China

The Annual Report on Cardiovascular Health and Diseases in China (2022) intricate landscape of cardiovascular health in China. This is the fourth section of the report with a specific focus on epidemiology and current management of cardiovascular disease (CVD) in China. This section of the report highlights the epidemiological trends of CVD in China. It reveal a concerning rise in prevalence, with approximately 330 million affected individuals, including significant numbers with stroke, coronary artery disease (CAD), heart failure, and other conditions. CVD stands as the primary cause of mortality among both urban and rural populations, accounting for nearly half of all deaths in 2020. Mortality rates are notably higher in rural areas compared to urban centers since 2009. While age-standardized mortality rates have decreased, the absolute number of CVD deaths has increased, primarily due to population aging. Ischemic heart disease, hemorrhagic and ischemic strokes are the leading causes of CVD-related deaths. Notably, the burden of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease has risen substantially, with atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease-related deaths increasing from 1990 to 2016. The incidence of ischemic stroke and ischemic heart disease has shown similar increasing trends over the past three decades. CAD mortality, particularly acute myocardial infarction, has been on the rise, with higher mortality rates observed in rural areas since 2016. The prevalence of CAD has increased significantly, with over 11 million patients identified in 2013. Studies assessing hospital performance in managing acute coronary syndrome reveal gaps in adherence to guideline-recommended strategies, with disparities in care quality across hospitals. However, initiatives like the China Patient-centered Evaluative Assessment of Cardiac Events (PEACE)-Retrospective AMI Study and the Improving Care for Cardiovascular Disease in China-Acute Coronary Syndrome (CCC-ACS) project aim to improve patient outcomes through enhanced care protocols. Moreover, advancements in medical technology, such as quantitative flow ratio-guided lesion selection during percutaneous coronary intervention, show promise in improving clinical outcomes for patients undergoing intervention.

Trends in the prevalence of cognitive impairment at old age in China, 2002-2018

INTRODUCTION

China has the world's largest number of older adults with cognitive impairment (CI). We aimed to examine secular trends in the prevalence of CI in China from 2002 to 2018.

METHODS

Generalized estimating equations (GEE) was used to assess changes in CI trend in 44,154 individuals (72,027 observations) aged 65 to 105 years old.

RESULTS

The prevalence of CI increased from 2002 to 2008 and then decreased until 2018. The age-standardized prevalence increased from 25.7% in 2002, 26.1% in 2005, to 28.2% in 2008, then decreased to 26.0% in 2011, 25.3% in 2014, and 24.9% in 2018. Females and those ≥ 80 years old had greater CI prevalence.

DISCUSSION

The prevalence of CI showed an inverted U shape from early 2000s to late 2010s with a peak in 2008. Follow-up studies are needed to confirm the decreasing trend after 2008 and examine the contributing factors and underlying mechanisms of this trend.

HIGHLIGHTS

Generalized estimating equations (GEE) were used to assess trends of changes in cognitive impairment (CI). CI prevalence in China increased from 2002 to 2008 and then decreased until 2018. Females and those ≥ 80 years old had greater CI prevalence. Stroke, diabetes, and cigarette smoking were risk factors for CI.

Development and Validation of a Nomogram Model for Predicting in-Hospital Mortality in non-Diabetic Patients with non-ST-Segment Elevation Acute Myocardial Infarction

Non-ST-segment elevation acute myocardial infarction (NSTEMI) is a life-threatening clinical emergency with a poor prognosis. However, there are no individualized nomogram models to identify patients at high risk of NSTEMI who may undergo death. The aim of this study was to develop a nomogram for in-hospital mortality in patients with NSTEMI to facilitate rapid risk stratification of patients. A total of 774 non-diabetic patients with NSTEMI were included in this study. Least Absolute Shrinkage and Selection Operator regression was used to initially screen potential predictors. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression (backward stepwise selection) analyses were performed to identify the optimal predictors for the prediction model. The corresponding nomogram was constructed based on those predictors. The receiver operating characteristic curve, GiViTI calibration plot, and decision curve analysis (DCA) were used to evaluate the performance of the nomogram. The nomogram model consisting of six predictors: age (OR = 1.10; 95% CI: 1.05-1.15), blood urea nitrogen (OR = 1.06; 95% CI: 1.00-1.12), albumin (OR = 0.93; 95% CI: 0.87-1.00), triglyceride (OR = 1.41; 95% CI: 1.09-2.00), D-dimer (OR = 1.39; 95% CI: 1.06-1.80), and aspirin (OR = 0.16; 95% CI: 0.06-0.42). The nomogram had good discrimination (area under the curve (AUC) = 0.89, 95% CI: 0.84-0.94), calibration, and clinical usefulness. In this study, we developed a nomogram model to predict in-hospital mortality in patients with NSTEMI based on common clinical indicators. The proposed nomogram has good performance, allowing rapid risk stratification of patients with NSTEMI.

Nonoptimum Temperatures Are More Closely Associated With Fatal Myocardial Infarction Than With Nonfatal Events

BACKGROUND

Ambient temperatures trigger hospitalisation, mortality, and emergency department visits for myocardial infarction (MI). However, nonoptimum temperature-related risks of fatal and nonfatal MI have not yet been compared.

METHODS

From 2007 to 2019, 416,894 MI events (233,071 fatal and 183,823 nonfatal) were identified in Beijing, China. A time-series analysis with a distributed-lag nonlinear model was used to compare the relative and population-attributable risks of fatal and nonfatal MI associated with nonoptimum temperatures.

RESULTS

The reference was the optimum temperature of 24.3°C. For single-lag effects, cold (-5.2°C) and heat (29.6°C) effects had associations that persisted for more days for fatal MI than for nonfatal MI. For cumulative-lag effects over 0 to 21 days, cold effects were higher for fatal MI (relative risk [RR] 1.99, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.68-2.35) than for nonfatal MI (RR 1.60, 95% CI 1.32-1.94) with a P value for difference in effect sizes of 0.048. In addition, heat effects were higher for fatal MI (RR 1.33, 95% CI 1.24-1.44) than for nonfatal MI (RR 0.99, 95% CI 0.91-1.08) with a P value for difference in effect sizes of 0.002. The attributable fraction of nonoptimum temperatures was higher for fatal MI (25.6%, 95% CI 19.7%-30.6%) than for nonfatal MI (19.1%, 95% CI 12.1%-25.0%).

CONCLUSIONS

Fatal MI was more closely associated with nonoptimum temperatures than nonfatal MI, as evidenced by single-lag effects that have associations which persisted for more days, higher cumulative-lag effects, and higher attributable risks for fatal MI. Strategies are needed to mitigate the adverse effects of nonoptimum temperatures.

Effect of Comprehensive Psychological Intervention on Negative Emotions and Quality of Life in Patients with Acute Myocardial Infarction

Although acute myocardial infarction (AMI) currently has a high survival rate, the treatment and prognosis are still diffuse negative life events for patients, which will affect their quality of life (QOL) and psychological health. Based on an integrated physiological-psychological-social-medical model, it is necessary to design an intervention program for safeguarding the physical and mental health of AMI patients.This study aimed to explore the influence of psychological intervention on negative emotions and QOL of AMI patients using a randomized controlled trial (RCT) design.Based on convenience sampling and double-blinded group assignment, 101 patients from August 2019 to January 2020 were randomly divided into 2 groups. An intervention group received comprehensive psychological intervention, while a control group received general supportive nursing. Both groups answered questionnaires before and after the intervention, including assessments of anxiety, depression, and QOL.Before the intervention, there were no significant differences between the groups. After intervention, anxiety and depression in the intervention group (n = 48) were significantly lower (P < 0.001) and QOL was markedly improved (P < 0.05) compared to that of the control group (n = 53).Comprehensive psychological intervention contributed to ameliorate negative emotions, enhance confidence in treatment, and improve the QOL of AMI patients.

Mechanism of Artemisia annua L. in the treatment of acute myocardial infarction: network pharmacology, molecular docking and in vivo validation

This study was to evaluate the potential mechanism of action of Artemisia annua L. (A. annua) in the treatment of acute myocardial infarction (AMI) using network pharmacology, molecular docking and in vivo experiments. 22 active chemical compounds and 193 drug targets of A. annua were screened using the Traditional Chinese Medicine System Pharmacological (TCMSP) database. 3876 disease targets were also collected. Then 158 intersection targets between AMI and A. annua were obtained using R 4.2.0 software. String database was used to construct the protein-protein interaction (PPI) network and 6 core targets (MAPK1, TP53, HSP90AA1, RELA, AKT1, and MYC) were screened. Gene Ontology (GO) enrichment analysis and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathway analysis were performed using the R package. GO enrichment results were mainly related to cell responses to chemical stress and cell membrane microregions. KEGG pathways were mainly involved in lipids, atherosclerosis and fluid shear stress. In addition, molecular docking between A. annua active compounds and core targets showed high binding activity. As for in vivo validation, A. annua extract showed significant effects on improving post-infarction ventricular function, delaying ventricular remodeling, and reducing myocardial fibrosis and apoptosis. This study has revealed the potential components and molecular mechanisms of A. annua in the treatment of AMI. Our work also showed that A. annua has great effect on reducing myocardial fibrosis and scar area after infarction.

Impact of Sex- and Gender-Related Factors on Length of Stay Following Non-ST-Segment-Elevation Myocardial Infarction: A Multicountry Analysis

Background Gender-related factors are psycho-socio-cultural characteristics and are associated with adverse clinical outcomes in acute myocardial infarction, independent of sex. Whether sex- and gender-related factors contribute to the substantial heterogeneity in hospital length of stay (LOS) among patients with non-ST-segment-elevation myocardial infarction remains unknown. Methods and Results This observational cohort study combined and analyzed data from the GENESIS-PRAXY (Gender and Sex Determinants of Cardiovascular Disease: From Bench to Beyond Premature Acute Coronary Syndrome study), EVA (Endocrine Vascular Disease Approach study), and VIRGO (Variation in Recovery: Role of Gender on Outcomes of Young AMI [Acute Myocardial Infarction] Patients study) cohorts of adults hospitalized across Canada, the United States, Switzerland, Italy, Spain, and Australia for non-ST-segment-elevation myocardial infarction. In total, 5219 participants were assessed for eligibility. Sixty-three patients were excluded for missing LOS, and 2938 were excluded because of no non-ST-segment-elevation myocardial infarction diagnosis. In total, 2218 participants were analyzed (66% women; mean±SD age, 48.5±7.9 years; 67.8% in the United States). Individuals with longer LOS (51%) were more likely to be White race, were more likely to have diabetes, hypertension, and a lower income, and were less likely to be employed and have completed secondary education. No univariate association between sex and LOS was observed. In the adjusted multivariable model, age (0.62 d/10 y; P<0.001), unemployment (0.63 days; P=0.01), and some of countries included relative to Canada (Italy, 4.1 days; Spain, 1.7 days; and the United States, -1.0 days; all P<0.001) were independently associated with longer LOS. Medical history mediated the effect of employment on LOS. No interaction between sex and employment was observed. Longer LOS was associated with increased 12-month all-cause mortality. Conclusions Older age, unemployment, and country of hospitalization were independent predictors of LOS, regardless of sex. Individuals employed with non-ST-segment-elevation myocardial infarction were more likely to experience shorter LOS. Sociocultural factors represent a potential target for improvement in health care expenditure and resource allocation.

Geographic Variation in Mortality of Acute Myocardial Infarction and Association With Health Care Accessibility in Beijing, 2007 to 2018

Background Little is known about geographic variation in acute myocardial infarction (AMI) mortality within fast-developing megacities and whether changes in health care accessibility correspond to changes in AMI mortality at the small-area level. Methods and Results We included data of 94 106 AMI deaths during 2007 to 2018 from the Beijing Cardiovascular Disease Surveillance System in this ecological study. We estimated AMI mortality for 307 townships during consecutive 3-year periods with a Bayesian spatial model. Township-level health care accessibility was measured using an enhanced 2-step floating catchment area method. Linear regression models were used to examine the association between health care accessibility and AMI mortality. During 2007 to 2018, median AMI mortality in townships declined from 86.3 (95% CI, 34.2-173.8) to 49.4 (95% CI, 30.5-73.7) per 100 000 population. The decrease in AMI mortality was larger in townships where health care accessibility increased more rapidly. Geographic inequality, defined as the ratio of the 90th to 10th percentile of mortality in townships, increased from 3.4 to 3.8. In total, 86.3% (265/307) of townships had an increase in health care accessibility. Each 10% increase in health care accessibility was associated with a -0.71% (95% CI, -1.08% to -0.33%) change in AMI mortality. Conclusions Geographic disparities in AMI mortality among Beijing townships are large and increasing. A relative increase in township-level health care accessibility is associated with a relative decrease in AMI mortality. Targeted improvement of health care accessibility in areas with high AMI mortality may help reduce AMI burden and improve its geographic inequality in megacities.

Predictors of Readmission after the First Acute Coronary Syndrome and the Risk of Recurrent Cardiovascular Events-Seven Years of Patient Follow-Up

Recurrent hospitalization after acute coronary syndromes (ACS) is common. Identifying risk factors associated with subsequent cardiovascular events and hospitalization is essential for the management of these patients. Our research consisted in observing the outcomes of subjects after they suffered an acute coronary event and identifying the factors that can predict rehospitalization in the first 12 months and the recurrence of another acute coronary episode. Data from 362 patients admitted with ACS during 2013 were studied. Recurrent hospitalizations were retrospectively reviewed from medical charts and electronic hospital archives over a period of seven years. The mean age of the studied population was 64.57 ± 11.79 years, 64.36% of them being males. The diagnosis of ACS without ST elevation was registered in 53.87% of the patients at index hospitalization. More than half had recurrent hospitalization in the first year after the first ACS episode. Patients with lower ejection fraction (39.20 ± 6.85 vs. 42.24 ± 6.26, p < 0.001), acute pulmonary edema during the first hospitalization (6.47% vs. 1.24%, p = 0.022), coexistent valvular heart disease (69.15% vs. 55.90%, p = 0.017), and three-vessel disease (18.90% vs. 7.45%, p = 0.002) were more frequently readmitted in the following twelve months after their first acute coronary event, while those with complete revascularization were less frequently admitted (24.87% vs. 34.78%, p = 0.005). In multiple regression, complete revascularization during the index event (HR = 0.58, 95% CI 0.35-0.95, p = 0.03) and a higher LVEF (left ventricular ejection fraction) (HR = 0.95, 95% CI 0.92-0.988, p = 0.009) remained independent predictors of fewer early readmissions. Complete revascularization of the coronary lesions at the time of the first event and a preserved LVEF were found to be the predictors of reduced hospitalizations in the first year after an acute coronary event.

Driving Time to the Nearest Percutaneous Coronary Intervention-Capable Hospital and the Risk of Case Fatality in Patients with Acute Myocardial Infarction in Beijing

Timely arrival at a hospital capable of percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) is critical in treating acute myocardial infarction (AMI). We examined the association between driving time to the nearest PCI-capable hospital and case fatality among AMI patients. A total of 142,474 AMI events during 2013-2019 from the Beijing Cardiovascular Disease Surveillance System were included in this cross-sectional study. The driving time from the residential address to the nearest PCI-capable hospital was calculated. Logistic regression was used to estimate the risk of AMI death associated with driving time. In 2019, 54.5% of patients lived within a 15-min drive to a PCI-capable hospital, with a higher proportion in urban than peri-urban areas (71.2% vs. 31.8%, p < 0.001). Compared with patients who had driving times ≤15 min, the adjusted odds ratios (95% CI, p value) for AMI fatality risk associated with driving times 16-30, 31-45, and >45 min were 1.068 (95% CI 1.033-1.104, p < 0.001), 1.189 (95% CI 1.127-1.255, p < 0.001), and 1.436 (95% CI 1.334-1.544, p < 0.001), respectively. Despite the high accessibility to PCI-capable hospitals for AMI patients in Beijing, inequality between urban and peri-urban areas exists. A longer driving time is associated with an elevated AMI fatality risk. These findings may help guide the allocation of health resources.

Gut-microbiome-based predictive model for ST-elevation myocardial infarction in young male patients

BACKGROUND

ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) in young male patients accounts for a significant proportion of total heart attack events. Therefore, clinical awareness and screening for acute myocardial infarction (AMI) in asymptomatic patients at a young age is required. The gut microbiome is potentially involved in the pathogenesis of STEMI. The aim of the current study is to develop an early risk prediction model based on the gut microbiome and clinical parameters for this population.

METHODS

A total of 81 young males (age < 44 years) were enrolled in this study. Forty-one young males with STEMI were included in the case group, and the control group included 40 young non-coronary artery disease (CAD) males. To identify the differences in gut microbiome markers between these two groups, 16S rRNA-based gut microbiome sequencing was performed using the Illumina MiSeq platform. Further, a nomogram and corresponding web page were constructed. The diagnostic efficacy and practicability of the model were analyzed using K-fold cross-validation, calibration curves, and decision curve analysis (DCA).

RESULTS

Compared to the control group, a significant decrease in tendency regarding α and β diversity was observed in patients in the case group and identified as a significantly altered gut microbiome represented by Streptococcus and Prevotella. Regarding clinical parameters, compared to the control group, the patients in the case group had a higher body mass index (BMI), systolic blood pressure (SBP), triglyceride (TG), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), and aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and low blood urea nitrogen (BUN). Additionally, BMI and SBP were significantly (p<0.05) positively correlated with Streptococcus and [Ruminococcus]. Further, BMI and SBP were significantly (p<0.05) negatively correlated with Prevotella and Megasphaera. A significant negative correlation was only observed between Prevotella and AST (p < 0.05). Finally, an early predictive nomogram and corresponding web page were constructed based on the gut microbiome and clinical parameters with an area under the receiver-operating characteristic (ROC) curve (AUC) of 0.877 and a C-index of 0.911. For the internal validation, the stratified K-fold cross-validation (K = 3) was as follows: AUC value of 0.934. The calibration curves of the model showed good consistency between the actual and predicted probabilities. The DCA results showed that the model had a high net clinical benefit for use in the clinical setting.

CONCLUSION

In this study, we combined the gut microbiome and common clinical parameters to construct a prediction model. Our analysis shows that the constructed model is a non-invasive tool with potential clinical application in predicting STEMI in the young males.

Timing of angiography and outcomes in patients with non-ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction: Insights from the evaluation and management of patients with acute chest pain in China registry

Objective

Although an invasive strategy has been recommended within 24 h for patients with non-ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (NSTEMI), the optimal timing of the invasive strategy remains controversial. We sought to investigate the association between the different timings of invasive strategies and clinical outcomes in patients with NSTEMI.

Materials and methods

Patients admitted with NSTEMI from the Evaluation and Management of Patients with Acute ChesT pain in China (EMPACT) registry between January 2016 and September 2017 were included. The primary outcomes were major adverse cardiac events (MACEs) within 30 days. Multivariable logistic regression was performed to assess independent risk factors for MACEs.

Results

A total of 969 patients with NSTEMI from the EMPACT Registry were eligible for this study. Coronary angiography (CAG) was performed in 501 patients [<24 h, n = 150 (15.5%); ≥ 24 h, n = 351 (36.2%)]. The rate of MACEs at 30 days in all patients was 9.2%, including 54 (5.6%) deaths. Patients who underwent CAG had a lower rate of MACEs and mortality than those who did not receive CAG (MACEs: 5.6% vs. 13.0%, P < 0.001; mortality: 1.6% vs. 9.8%, P < 0.001). Nonetheless, no statistically significant difference was found in the rates of MACEs and mortality between the early (< 24 h) and delayed (≥ 24 h) CAG groups. Older age (OR: 1.036, 95% CI: 1.007, 1.065, P = 0.014), and acute heart failure (OR: 2.431, 95% CI: 1.244, 4.749, P = 0.009) increased the risk of MACEs and protective factors were underwent CAG (OR: 0.427, 95% CI: 0.219, 0.832, P = 0.012) or PCI (OR: 0.376, 95% CI: 0.163, 0.868, P = 0.022). In the multilevel logistic regression, older age (OR: 0.944, 95% CI: 0.932, 0.957, P < 0.001), cardiogenic shock (OR: 0.233, 95% CI: 0.079, 0.629, P = 0.009), pulmonary moist rales (OR: 0.368, 95% CI: 0.197, 0.686, P = 0.002), and prior chronic kidney disease (OR: 0.070, 95% CI: 0.018, 0.273, P < 0.001) was negatively associated with CAG.

Conclusion

This real-world cohort study of NSTEMI patients confirmed that the early invasive strategy did not reduce the incidence of MACEs and mortality within 30 days compared with the delayed invasive strategy in NSTEMI patients.

Prognosis of patients with cardiogenic shock following acute myocardial infarction: The difference between ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction and non-ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction

Acute myocardial infarction (AMI) complicated by cardiogenic shock has high mortality and remains challenging even in the revascularization era. We conducted this study to understand patients' outcomes. We retrospectively analyzed electronic medical records data from 1175 patients with AMI complicated by cardiogenic shock that developed within 3 days of admission to a multicenter medical care system between January 1, 2000, and July 31, 2018. Patients with AMI were classified into the ST-segment elevation MI (STEMI) group or the non-ST-segment elevation MI (NSTEMI) group. The short-term and 1-year mortality and adverse events after index admission were analyzed via logistic regression and a Cox proportional hazards model. When compared with NSTEMI, patients with STEMI tended to be younger (65.68 ± 14.05 years vs 70.70 ± 12.99 years, P < .001), men (73.29% vs 60.87%, P < .001), and have fewer underlying chronic diseases. Short-term mortality at index hospitalization was 14.83% in the STEMI group and 21.30% in the NSTEMI group; long-term mortality was 17.06% for the STEMI group and 24.13% for the NSTEMI group. No difference was observed between the 2 groups for patients who developed a cerebral vascular accident during the admission period. However, the major and gastrointestinal bleeding rates were higher in the STEMI group (2.66% vs 0.22%, P = .014; 3.36% vs 0.22%, P = .007, respectively). Age and respiratory failure were the most significant risk factors for short-term mortality. Revascularization may be beneficial for the short-term outcome but did not reach significance in multivariable analysis. In patients with AMI with cardiogenic shock, NSTEMI was associated with a significantly higher mortality rate in short-term results.

Can the WHO 's recommendations of physical activity volume decrease the risk of heart disease in middle and older aged Chinese People: the evidence from a seven year longitudinal survey

Background

At present, there is a lack of direct evidence to confirm whether the recommendations of the World Health Organization can play a role in fitness and disease prevention in the Chinese population. Therefore, we aimed to analyse 7-year longitudinal survey data to explore whether the physical activity volume recommended by the World Health Organization can help Chinese middle-aged and elderly people reduce the risk of heart disease.

Methods

Data for the 8327 participants who were finally included in this study were derived from the 7-year data of the China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study (CHARLS) from 2011 to 2018. The physical activity volume is expressed by the product of physical frequency and duration, and heart disease is screened according to self-reported diagnosis and related treatment. The relationship between different physical activity volume groups and the incidence rate of heart disease was determined by a multivariate Cox proportional hazards regression model.

Results

After adjusting for all covariates, participants meeting the WHO’s recommendations had a 20% lower risk of heart disease than those who did not meet the WHO’s recommendations (HR = 0.80, 95% = 0.68–0.96). Subgroup analysis showed that among the participants meeting the WHO’s recommendations, men (HR = 0.71) had a lower risk of heart disease than women (HR = 0.74); in addition, the risk of heart disease was significantly reduced in participants who were middle-aged (26%), had a normal BMI range (49%), did not have hypertension (24%), did not have hyperlipidaemia (21%) and did not have lung disease (21%). It should be noted that the risk of heart disease was reduced by 72 and 67% in participants with untreated hyperlipidaemia and untreated lung disease, respectively.

Conclusions

This study revealed that meeting the WHO’s recommendations for physical activity volume can reduce the risk of heart disease in middle-aged and older people in China and can also effectively prevent heart disease for people with some common chronic diseases, such as hyperlipidaemia and lung disease. The results showed that physical activity for leisure and exercise had a lower preventive effect on heart disease than physical activity for a job, which may be related to the inappropriate leisure and exercise methods of the participants.

Trial registration

IRB00001052–11015.

Prognostic Value of Metabolic Syndrome in Patients With Non-ST Elevated Myocardial Infarction Undergoing Percutaneous Coronary Intervention

Objective

We aim to investigate the prognostic effects of metabolic syndrome (MS) on patients with non-ST elevated myocardial infarction (NSTEMI) after percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI).

Methods

Patients with NSTEMI undergoing PCI were consecutively collected. According to the presence or absence of MS, they were divided into two groups and followed up for 1 year. The endpoint was major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE), including all-cause death, unstable angina hospitalization, heart failure (HF) hospitalization, non-fatal recurrent myocardial infarction (MI), and target lesion revascularization. Also, six subgroups were made according to gender, age, left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF), Global Registry of Acute Coronary Events (GRACE) score, hypersensitive troponin (hsTNT), and several diseased vessels. Cox proportional hazard model was adopted to analyze the effect of MS on MACE in all the patients and different subgroups.

Results

A total of 1,295 patients were included in the current analysis and 660 (50.97%) of them had MS. About 88 patients were lost to follow-up, and the overall average follow-up was 315 days. MS was an independent risk factor for MACE (HR 1.714, CI 1.265–2.322, p = 0.001), all-cause death, heart failure (HF) hospitalization, and non-fatal recurrent MI. In the MS component, BMI ≥28 kg/m² was positively associated with MACE. Subgroup analysis indicated the prognostic value of MS was more striking for patients with the following: age of >60, LVEF of ≤40%, GRACE of >140, multivessel disease, or hsTNT of >0.1 ng/ml.

Conclusions

The MS was a robust adverse prognostic factor in patients diagnosed with NSTEMI, especially among those of older age and at higher ischemic risk. A BMI of ≥28 kg/m² independently predicted the occurrence of MACE. Prognosis may be improved by controlling abdominal obesity.

Sex Differences in Characteristics, Treatments, and Outcomes Among Patients Hospitalized for Non-ST-Segment-Elevation Myocardial Infarction in China: 2006 to 2015

BACKGROUND

Sex differences in clinical characteristics and in-hospital outcomes among patients with non-ST-segment-elevation myocardial infarction have been described in Western countries, but whether these differences exist in China is unknown.

METHODS

We used a 2-stage random sampling design to create a nationally representative sample of patients admitted to 151 Chinese hospitals for non-ST-segment-elevation myocardial infarction in 2006, 2011, and 2015 and examined sex differences in clinical profiles, treatments, and in-hospital outcomes over this time. Multivariable logistic regression models adjusting for age or other potentially confounding clinical covariates were used to estimate these sex-specific differences.

RESULTS

Among 4611 patients, the proportion of women (39.8%) was unchanged between 2006 and 2015. Women were older with higher rates of hypertension, diabetes, and dyslipidemia. Among patients without contraindications, women were less likely to receive treatments than men, with significant differences for aspirin in 2015 (90.3% versus 93.9%) and for invasive strategy in 2011 (28.7% versus 45.7%) and 2015 (34.0% versus 48.4%). After adjusting for age, such differences in aspirin and invasive strategy in 2015 were not significant, but the difference in invasive strategy in 2011 persisted. The sex gaps in the use of invasive strategy did not narrow. From 2006 to 2015, a significant decrease in in-hospital mortality was observed in men (from 16.9% to 8.7%), but not in women (from 11.8% to 12.0%), with significant interaction between sex and study year (P=0.023). After adjustment, in-hospital mortality in women was significantly lower than men in 2006, but not in 2011 or 2015.

CONCLUSIONS

Sex differences in cardiovascular risk factors and invasive strategy after non-ST-segment-elevation myocardial infarction were observed between 2011 and 2015 in China. Although sex gaps in in-hospital mortality were largely explained by age differences, efforts to narrow sex-related disparities in quality of care should remain a focus.

REGISTRATION

URL: http://www.

CLINICALTRIALS

gov; Unique identifier: NCT01624883.

Overall and gender-specific associations between marital status and out-of-hospital coronary death during acute coronary events: a cross-sectional study based on data linkage in Beijing, China

OBJECTIVES

To assess overall and gender-specific associations between marital status and out-of-hospital coronary death (OHCD) compared with patients surviving to hospital admission.

DESIGN

A cross-sectional study based on linkage of administrative health databases.

SETTING

Beijing, China.

PARTICIPANTS

From 2007 to 2019, 378 883 patients with acute coronary event were identified in the Beijing Monitoring System for Cardiovascular Diseases, a validated city-wide registration system based on individual linkage of vital registration and hospital discharge data.

OUTCOME MEASURES

OHCD was defined as coronary death occurring before admission. Multilevel modified Poisson regression models were used to calculate the prevalence ratios (PR) and 95% CIs.

RESULTS

Among 378 883 acute coronary events, OHCD accounted for 33.8%, with a higher proportion in women compared with men (41.5% vs 28.7%, p<0.001). Not being married was associated with a higher proportion of OHCD in both genders, with a stronger association in women (PR 2.18, 95% CI 2.10 to 2.26) than in men (PR 1.97, 95% CI 1.91 to 2.02; p for interaction <0.001). The associations of OHCD with never being married (PR 1.98, 95% CI 1.88 to 2.08) and being divorced (PR 2.54, 95% CI 2.42 to 2.67) were stronger in men than in women (never married: PR 0.98, 95% CI 0.82 to 1.16; divorced: PR 1.47, 95% CI 1.34 to 1.61) (p for interaction <0.001 for both). Being widowed was associated with a higher proportion of OHCD in both genders, with a stronger association in women (PR 2.26, 95% CI 2.17 to 2.35) compared with men (PR 1.89, 95% CI 1.84 to 1.95) (p for interaction <0.001).

CONCLUSIONS

Not being married was independently associated with a higher proportion of OHCD and the associations differed by gender. Our study may aid the development of gender-specific public health interventions in high-risk populations characterised by marital status to reduce OHCD burden.

Public Reporting on the Quality of Care in Patients with Acute Myocardial Infarction: The Korean Experience

Public reporting is a way to promote quality of healthcare. However, evidence supporting improved quality of care using public reporting in patients with acute myocardial infarction (AMI) is disputed. This study aims to describe the impact of public reporting of AMI care on hospital quality improvement in Korea. Patients with AMI admitted to the emergency room with ICD-10 codes of I21.0 to I21.9 as the primary or secondary diagnosis were identified from the national health insurance claims data (2007-2012). Between 2007 and 2012, 43,240/83,378 (51.9%) patients manifested ST segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI). Timely reperfusion rate increased (β = 2.78, p = 0.001). The mortality rate of STEMI patients was not changed (β = -0.0098, p = 0.384) but that of NSTEMI patients decreased (β = -0.465, p = 0.001). Public reporting has a substantial impact on the process indicators of AMI in Korea because of the increased reperfusion rate. However, the outcome indicators such as mortality did not significantly change, suggesting that public reporting did not necessarily improve the quality of care.

Trends in conventional cardiovascular risk factors and myocardial infarction subtypes among young Chinese men with a first acute myocardial infarction

BACKGROUND

There is limited data on the characteristics of conventional risk factors (RFs) in young Chinese men hospitalized with a first acute myocardial infarction (AMI).

HYPOTHESIS

We analyzed the trends in and prevalence of cardiovascular RFs and subtypes of MI during the first AMI in young Chinese men.

METHODS

A total of 2739 men aged 18-44 years hospitalized for a first AMI were identified from 2007 to 2017. The overall prevalence of RFs and their respective temporal trends and subtypes of AMI were evaluated.

RESULTS

The most prevalent conditions were smoking, followed by hypertension and then obesity. Patients aged <35 years had a much higher prevalence of hypercholesterolemia and obesity. Compared with a similar reference population in the United States, young Chinese men had a higher prevalence of smoking and dyslipidemia, but a lower prevalence of obesity, hypertension, and diabetes. The prevalence of hypertension increased from 2007 through 2017 (p trend <.001), whereas smoking decreased gradually. AMI frequently presented as ST-segment elevation MI (STEMI) (77.5%). Cluster of conventional RFs (3 RFs, odds ratio [OR]: 1.69, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.11-2.57; ≥4 RFs, OR: 2.50, 95% CI: 1.55-4.03] and multivessel disease (OR = 1.32, 95% CI: 1.08-1.60) increased the risk of non-STEMI (NSTEMI).

CONCLUSIONS

Conventional RFs were highly prevalent in young Chinese men who were hospitalized for first AMI events, and the temporal trends varied different between China and US populations. Multivessel disease and cluster of conventional RFs are closely related to NSTEMI. Optimized preventive strategies among young adults are warranted.

Regional Differences in the Ratio of Observed and Expected In-hospital Mortality for Acute Coronary Syndrome Patients in China: The Improving Care for Cardiovascular Disease in China-Acute Coronary Syndrome Project Analysis

Previous studies reported regional variations in in-hospital acute coronary syndrome (ACS) mortality, but the reasons for that were not clearly defined. We explored whether differences in patient characteristics could explain regional variation. The Improving Care for Cardiovascular Disease in China (CCC)-ACS project is an ongoing national registry and quality improvement project, involving 150 tertiary hospitals from 30 provinces across China. We applied a prediction model that included patient-specific variables to calculate the expected in-hospital mortality. For each province, we reported the observed, expected in-hospital mortality and the risk-adjusted ratio which is based on the observed divided by the expected mortality. From 2014 to 2018, 79 585 ACS patients were enrolled. The average in-hospital mortality was 1.8%. There was a wide variation in the in-hospital mortality among different provinces (0.2-3.9%). Patient characteristics explained part of this variation because of differences in the expected in-hospital mortality (0.7-2.8%). There was a substantial variation in the risk-adjusted ratio among provinces (0.2-3.5), which suggests that the variations in the mortality cannot be completely explained by the differences in patient characteristics. In conclusion, we observed a wide regional variation in mortality for ACS, part of which could be explained by the difference in patient characteristics.

Impact of COVID-19 Pandemic on Hospital Admissions of Acute Coronary Syndrome: A Beijing Inpatient Database Study

Background

Consequences of reduced acute coronary syndrome (ACS) admissions during COVID-19 pandemic periods were reported by different countries. However, admissions, treatments, and prognosis of ACS during and after COVID-19 pandemic in Beijing, China was unknown.

Methods

Information on ACS admissions and heart failure (HF) admission were identified from database of Beijing Municipal Health Commission Information Center. Study period was defined as December 1, 2019 to June 30, 2020, and control period was defined as December 1, 2018 to June 30, 2019. Numbers of admission for HF during the control period, the study period, and seven months after study period were compared to evaluate the consequence of changed ACS care during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Findings

Admissions for ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI), Non-ST-elevation myocardial infarction (Non-STEMI), and unstable angina (UAP) reduced by 38·0%, 41·0%, and 63·3% (N = 1953, 1991, 7664 between January 24, 2020 to June 30, 2020 vs. N = 3150, 3373, and 20,868 between January 24, 2019 to June 30, 2019) in study period. Percutaneous coronary intervention performed within 24 h were significantly more frequent during study period in patients with STEMI (37·9% vs. 31·7%, P<0·0001), but significantly less frequent in patients with Non-STEMI (7·9% vs. 9·5%, P = 0·049), and in patients with UAP (1·7% vs. 3·5%, P<0·0001). In-hospital mortality rates in patients with ACS were similar during the study period and the control period (3·1% vs 2·5%, P = 0·174 for STEMI; 2·7% vs 2·3%, P = 0·429 for Non-STEMI; 0·2% vs 0·1%, P = 0·222 for UAP). A fall by 23.9% for HF admissions was also observed during the seven months following the study period than equivalent period in 2019.

Interpretation

During COVID-19 pandemic, ACS admissions reduced significantly in Beijing; however, increase of HF admissions was not observed within seven months post-pandemic period, implying the pandemic didn't deteriorate the short-term prognosis for ACS.

Funding

the National Natural Science Foundation of China (82,103,904), the National Key Research and Development Program of China (Grant number: 2020YFC2004803).

Trends and Inequalities in the Incidence of Acute Myocardial Infarction among Beijing Townships, 2007-2018

Acute myocardial infarction (AMI) poses a serious disease burden in China, but studies on small-area characteristics of AMI incidence are lacking. We therefore examined temporal trends and geographic variations in AMI incidence at the township level in Beijing. In this cross-sectional analysis, 259,830 AMI events during 2007–2018 from the Beijing Cardiovascular Disease Surveillance System were included. We estimated AMI incidence for 307 consistent townships during consecutive 3-year periods with a Bayesian spatial model. From 2007 to 2018, the median AMI incidence in townships increased from 216.3 to 231.6 per 100,000, with a greater relative increase in young and middle-aged males (35–49 years: 54.2%; 50–64 years: 33.2%). The most pronounced increases in the relative inequalities was observed among young residents (2.1 to 2.8 for males and 2.8 to 3.4 for females). Townships with high rates and larger relative increases were primarily located in Beijing’s northeastern and southwestern peri-urban areas. However, large increases among young and middle-aged males were observed throughout peri-urban areas. AMI incidence and their changes over time varied substantially at the township level in Beijing, especially among young adults. Targeted mitigation strategies are required for high-risk populations and areas to reduce health disparities across Beijing.

Sex Differences in Prodromal Symptoms and Individual Responses to Acute Coronary Syndrome

BACKGROUND

Although researchers have shown that prodromal symptoms can predict acute coronary events, the ability of patients with acute coronary syndrome (ACS) to identify these symptoms in a timely manner is limited.

OBJECTIVES

We aimed to assess prodromal symptoms in Chinese patients with ACS and their responses to symptoms by sex.

DESIGN

This cross-sectional, multicenter study involved 5 teaching hospitals in China and included 806 patients admitted for ACS between June 2013 and February 2014. The McSweeney Acute and Prodromal Myocardial Infarction Symptom Survey (Chinese version) was used to gather data.

RESULTS

Among 806 patients (including 483 women), 688 (85.4%) experienced at least 1 prodromal symptom before ACS onset. Using adjusted logistic regression models, we determined that women were significantly more likely than men to report back pain, between- or under-shoulder blade pain/discomfort, sleep disturbances, anxiousness, or heart racing. The prevalence of generalized chest pain and loss of appetite was higher among men than women. Only 41% of patients attributed their prodromal symptoms to the heart, and women were more likely than men to attribute prodromal symptoms to a heart attack.

CONCLUSIONS

More than two-thirds of patients with ACS reported at least 1 prodromal symptom, with some significant sex differences. Most patients do not attribute their symptoms to an impending ACS event.

Trends in low-density lipoprotein cholesterol level among Chinese young adults hospitalized with first acute myocardial infarction

BACKGROUND

Representative data has shown a linear increase in mean low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) levels among Chinese adults, contributing to the burden of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD). This study aimed to assess the trends in LDL-C levels and their association with coronary artery stenosis during the first acute myocardial infarction (AMI) in young Chinese adults.

METHODS

A retrospective study including 2,781 adults, aged 18-44 years, hospitalized for their first AMI in Beijing Anzhen hospital between 2007 and 2017 was performed.

RESULTS

Mean LDL-C level was 2.82±0.97 mmol/L with the prevalence of elevated LDL-C being 21.6% (601/2,781). Of the study, only 4.2% were aware of their elevated LDL-C status. Neither mean LDL-C concentration nor prevalence of elevated LDL-C showed a downward trend between 2007 and 2017 (P>0.05). Patients aged <35 years had the highest LDL-C level and frequency of elevated LDL-C among the three age groups (aged <35, 35-39, and 40-44 years; P<0.01). Patients with LDL-C ≥3.4 mmol/L evinced a more than 50% increased risk of coronary artery stenosis compared with those with LDL-C <1.4 mmol/L [adjusted odds ratio (OR) 3.19; 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.62 to 6.29]. Of the study, 62.0% had at least two conventional risk factors (RFs), and smoking, accompanied by hypertension, obesity, or elevated LDL-C were the most common combinations.

CONCLUSIONS

The current study provides an overview of trends in LDL-C level and elevated LDL-C among young adults at the time of first AMI. Patients had a high prevalence of elevated LDL-C but low awareness of this status. Coronary artery stenosis was positively correlated with LDL-C level. Preventive strategies, including public education regarding cholesterol levels and benefits of maintaining LDL-C below 3.4 mmol/L should be considered for young adults as a primary preventive strategy.

Clinical Characteristics, Prognosis, and Gender Disparities in Young Patients With Acute Myocardial Infarction

Background: Young people hold a stable or increasing percentage of patients with acute myocardial infarction (AMI) in many countries. However, data on clinical characteristics and outcomes of young AMI patients were insufficient. This study aimed to analyze clinical characteristics, prognosis, and gender disparities in patients aged ≤45 years with AMI. Methods: A total of 24,125 patients from China Acute Myocardial Infarction registry were included in this study. Clinical characteristics, managements, and in-hospital and 2-year outcomes were compared between patients aged ≤45 years and those aged >45 years. Predictors of all-cause death were obtained using multivariate regression models. Gender disparities of AMI were analyzed among young patients. Results: Of 24,125 patients, 2,042 (8.5%, 116 female) were aged ≤45 years. Compared with patients aged >45 years, young patients were more often male, current smokers, and more likely to have medical history of hyperlipidemia. Smoking (72.1%) was the major modifiable risk factor in patients aged ≤45 years. Young patients received more evidence-based medications and had significantly lower risk of both in-hospital and 2-year adverse events than older patients. Education level and left ventricular ejection fraction were independent predictors of 2-year mortality in young patients. Moreover, symptom onset to admission time of young women was significantly longer than that of young men. Young women were less likely to receive percutaneous coronary intervention and suffered higher risk of in-hospital adverse events than young men (adjusted odds ratio for death: 5.767, 95% confidence interval 1.580-21.049, p = 0.0080; adjusted odds ratio for the composite of death, re-infarction, and stroke: 3.981, 95% confidence interval 1.150-13.784, p = 0.0292). Young women who survived at discharge had a higher 2-year cumulative incidence of death (3.8 vs 1.4%, p log-rank = 0.0412). Conclusions: Patients aged ≤45 years constituted a non-negligible proportion of AMI patients, with higher prevalence of smoking and hyperlipidemia but better care and prognosis compared with older patients. There were significant gender disparities of managements and outcomes in young patients. More efforts to improve quality of care in young women are needed.

Pcsk9 is associated with severity of coronary artery lesions in male patients with premature myocardial infarction

BACKGROUND

Proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9 (Pcsk9) correlated with incidence and prognosis of coronary heart disease. However, it is unclear whether Pcsk9 contributed to coronary artery lesion severity in patients with premature myocardial infarction (PMI). The present study investigated associations between Pcsk9 and coronary artery lesion severity in PMI patients who underwent coronary angiography (CAG).

METHODS

This prospective cohort study included young men (age ≤ 45 years, n = 332) with acute MI who underwent CAG between January 2017 and July 2019. Serum Pcsk9 levels and clinical characteristics were evaluated. SYNTAX scores (SYNergy between percutaneous coronary intervention with [paclitaxel-eluting] TAXUS stent and cardiac surgery) were calculated to quantify coronary artery lesions.

RESULTS

Serum Pcsk9 levels were positively associated with SYNTAX scores (r = 0.173, P < 0.05). The diagnostic cutoff value of PSCK9 level was 122.9 ng/mL, yielding an area under the curve (AUC) of 0.63, sensitivity 81%, and specificity 40%. Serum Pcsk9, LDL-C, Apob, NT-proBnp, CK level, and diabetes history were independent predictors of high SYNTAX scores (P < 0.05). After stratifying by serum LDL-C level (cutoff = 2.6 mmol/L), medium-high Pcsk9 levels had increased risk of high SYNTAX scores in patients with high LDL-C (P < 0.05), and higher serum Pcsk9 levels had increased risk of major adverse cardiac events (MACE) after adjusting for confounding factors (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSION

Serum Pcsk9 levels correlates with severity of coronary artery lesion in PMI patients and may serve as a biomarker for severity of coronary artery stenosis in this patient population, which may contribute to risk stratification.

The Number of Patients with Acute Myocardial Infarction Decreased and Door-to-Balloon Time Delayed in COVID-19

Background

At present, COVID-19 is sweeping the world, and all countries are actively responding. During the COVID-19 epidemic, the treatment of patients with acute myocardial infarction (AMI) may be affected.

Methods

We reviewed data of patients with AMI from January 23 to April 23, 2020 (2020), and January 23 to April 23, 2019 (2019), who were admitted to two hospitals from Southern China. We collected clinical characteristics, comorbidities, treatment, prognosis, and key time segments to analyze.

Results

The total number of patients that had been diagnosed with AMI in the two hospitals was 218 in 2020 and 260 in 2019. The number of AMI patients that were admitted to hospitals per day decreased in 2020. The percentage of patients with AMI who refused hospitalization in 2020 was significantly higher than that in 2019 (5.0% vs 1.5%, p=0.028). There is no statistical difference in symptoms of the first medical contact (S2FMC) time between 2020 and 2019 (p=0.552). Door-to-balloon (D2B) time of ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) patients who were treated with a primary percutaneous coronary intervention (pPCI) in 2020 was 79 (63.75-105.25) mins, while D2B time in 2019 was 57.5 (41.5-76.5) mins, which was statistically different from the two groups.

Conclusions

COVID-19 had an impact on the number of AMI patients who were admitted to hospitals and the time of treatment. During the COVID-19 epidemic, the number of AMI patients that were admitted to hospitals per day was decreased, while the percentage of AMI patients that refused therapy in these two hospitals increased, and the D2B time of STEMI patients was also delayed.

Economic Burden of Myocardial Infarction Combined With Dyslipidemia

Background: Dyslipidemia is a common comorbidity and an important risk factor for myocardial infarction (MI). This study aimed to examine the economic burden of MI combined with dyslipidemia in China. Methods: Patients who were hospitalized due to MI combined with dyslipidemia in 2016 were enrolled. Costs were measured based on electronic medical records and questionnaires. The annual costs were analyzed by conducting descriptive statistics, univariable, and multivariable analyses. Results: Data of 900 patients were analyzed, and 144 patients were dead during the follow-up. The majority of patients were aged 51-70 years (n = 563, 62.55%) and males (n = 706, 78.44%). For all-cause costs, the median annual direct medical costs, direct non-medical costs, indirect costs, and total costs were RMB 13,168 (5,212-29,369), RMB 600 (0-1,750), RMB 676 (0-1,787), RMB 15,361 (6,440-33,943), respectively; while for cardiovascular-related costs, the corresponding costs were RMB 12,233 (3,795-23,746), RMB 515 (0-1,680), RMB 587 (0-1,655), and RMB 14,223 (4,914-28,975), respectively. Lifestyle and complications significantly affected both all-cause costs and cardiovascular-related costs. Conclusions: Increasing attention should be paid to encourage healthy lifestyle, and evidence-based medicine should focus on optimal precautions and treatments for complications, to reduce the economic burden among MI patients with a comorbid dyslipidemia.

Trends in Incidence and Case Fatality Rates of Heart Disease and Its Subtypes in Korea, 2006-2015

Heart disease (HD) is the second leading cause of death in Korea. Several studies in Korea have analyzed the trends of incidence and mortality of myocardial infarction (MI) and ischemic heart disease (IHD), but few have investigated incidence and mortality trends of HD and its subtypes. The aim of this study was to assess the national trends in incidence and case fatality rates of overall HD and its subtypes (including IHD, heart failure (HF), arrhythmia, hypertensive HD (HHD), valvular HD, pulmonary HD, and others) in Korea between 2006 and 2015. Using records from the National Health Insurance Service (NHIS) claims database (2003–2015) and by obtaining the causes of death (Korean Statistical Information Service, 2006–2017), we analyzed the crude and age-standardized incidence rates from 2006 to 2015 and the case fatality rates from 2006 to 2017 of HD and its subtypes. Between 2006 and 2015, the incidence of overall HD changed minimally, but the age-standardized incidence of HD decreased from 210.0 persons per 100,000 populations in 2006 to 161.3 persons in 2015. However, incidence rates have increased in arrhythmia, HD other, pulmonary HD, and the case fatality rates have increased in HF, valvular HD, and HD other. Therefore, it is essential to continuously monitor the incidence and case fatality rates of HD and its subtypes and expand the focus onto prevention and treatment strategies from MI or IHD to various HD subtypes. Active prevention and management are needed to alleviate the burden of HD due to an aging population in Korea.

MiR-324/SOCS3 Axis Protects Against Hypoxia/Reoxygenation-Induced Cardiomyocyte Injury and Regulates Myocardial Ischemia via TNF/NF-κB Signaling Pathway

We aimed at exploring the function of microRNA-324/cytokine signaling 3 (miR-324/SOCS3) axis in hypoxia/reoxygenation (H/R) -induced cardiomyocyte injury and its underlying mechanism. The differential expression genes were analyzed based on the GSE83500 and GSE48060 datasets from the Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) database. Then, to conduct the function enrichment analysis, Gene Ontology (GO) and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) databases were used. The upstream regulatory microRNAs (miRNAs) of the identified genes were predicted by miRanda, miRWalk, and TargetScan websites. MiR-324 expression was measured with quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR). The target binding of miR-324 and SOCS3 was established by dual-luciferase reporter assay. Cardiomyocyte proliferation was analyzed by cell counting kit-8 (CCK-8) assay, whereas the apoptosis was investigated via flow cytometry. The expression of TNF pathway-related proteins was detected by western blot analysis. SOCS3 was upregulated in patients with myocardial infarction (MI), and function enrichment analyses proved that SOCS3 was enriched in TNF signaling pathway. Moreover, we found that miR-324 was the upstream regulatory miRNA of SOCS3 and negatively regulated SOCS3 expression. MiR-324 was downregulated in cardiomyocytes with H/R-induced injury, inhibiting cell proliferation. In the H/R model, SOCS3 suppresses cardiomyocyte proliferation, which was recovered by miR-324, and induces cell apoptosis, which was repressed by miR-324 via regulating the expression of cleaved caspase-3 and p P38-MAPK. MiR-324 upregulation decreased the protein levels of TNF-α, p-P65, and p-IκBα in cardiomyocytes that suffered from H/R, which was reversed with SOCS3 overexpression. MiR-324/SOCS3 axis could improve the H/R-induced injury of cardiomyocytes via regulating TNF/NF-κB signaling pathway, and this might provide a new therapy strategy for myocardial ischemia.

Comparison of the CAMI-NSTEMI and GRACE Risk Model for Predicting In-Hospital Mortality in Chinese Non-ST-Segment Elevation Myocardial Infarction Patients

Introduction

The ability of risk models to predict in-hospital mortality and the influence on downstream therapeutic strategy has not been fully investigated in Chinese Non-ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (NSTEMI) patients. Thus, we sought to validate and compare the performance of the Global Registry of Acute Coronary Events risk model (GRM) and China Acute Myocardial Infarction risk model (CRM) and investigate impacts of the two models on the selection of downstream therapeutic strategies among these patients.

Methods

We identified 2587 consecutive patients with NSTEMI. The primary endpoint was in-hospital death. For each patient, the predicted mortality was calculated according to GRM and CRM, respectively. The area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC), Hosmer–Lemeshow (H–L) test, and net reclassification improvement (NRI) were used to assess the performance of models.

Results

In-hospital death occurred in 4.89% (126/2587) patients. Compared to GRM, CRM demonstrated a larger AUC (0.809 versus 0.752, p < 0.0001), less discrepancy between observed and predicted mortality (H–L χ²: 22.71 for GRM, p=0.0038 and 10.25 for CRM, p=0.2479), and positive NRI (0.3311, p < 0.0001), resulting in a significant change of downstream therapeutic strategy.

Conclusion

In Chinese NSTEMI patients, the CRM provided a more accurate estimation for in-hospital mortality, and application of the CRM instead of the GRM changes the downstream therapeutic strategy remarkably.

Epidemiology of Cardiovascular Disease in China and Opportunities for Improvement: JACC International

The burden of cardiovascular (CV) disease is very high in China, due to highly prevalent and poorly controlled risk factors resulting from changing sociodemographic structure and lifestyles in its large population. Rapid economic development and urbanization have been accompanied by changing patterns, expression, and management of CV disease. However, the health care system in China lacks a hierarchical structure, with a focus on treating acute diseases in hospital while ignoring long-term management, and primary health care is too weak to effectively control CV risk factors. To address these challenges, the Chinese central government has ensured health is a national priority and has introduced reforms that include implementing policies for a healthy environment, strengthening primary care, and improving affordability and accessibility within the health system. Turning the inverted pyramid of the health care system is essential in the ongoing battle against CV disease.

Socioeconomic differences in health-care use and outcomes for stroke and ischaemic heart disease in China during 2009-16: a prospective cohort study of 0·5 million adults

BACKGROUND

China initiated major health-care reforms in 2009 aiming to provide universal health care for all by 2020. However, little is known about trends in health-care use and health outcomes across different socioeconomic groups in the past decade.

METHODS

We used data from the China Kadoorie Biobank (CKB), a nationwide prospective cohort study of adults aged 30-79 years in 2004-08, in ten regions (five urban, five rural) in China. Individuals who were alive in 2009 were included in the present study. Data for all admissions were obtained by linkage to electronic hospital records from the health insurance system, and to region-specific disease and death registers. Generalised linear models were used to estimate trends in annual hospital admission rates, 28-day case fatality rates, and mean length of stay for stroke, ischaemic heart disease, and any cause in all relevant individuals.

FINDINGS

512 715 participants were recruited to the CKB between June 25, 2004, and July 15, 2008, 505 995 of whom were still alive on Jan 1, 2009, and contributed to the present study. Among them, we recorded 794 824 hospital admissions (74 313 for stroke, 69 446 for ischaemic heart disease) between 2009 and 2016. After adjustment for demographic, socioeconomic, lifestyle, and morbidity factors, hospitalisation rates increased annually by 3·6% for stroke, 5·4% for ischaemic heart disease, and 4·2% for any cause, between 2009 and 2016. Higher socioeconomic groups had higher hospitalisation rates, but the annual proportional increases were higher in those with lower education or income levels, those enrolled in the urban or rural resident health insurance scheme, and for those in rural areas. Lower socioeconomic groups had higher case fatality rates for stroke and ischaemic heart disease, but greater reductions in case fatality rates than higher socioeconomic groups. By contrast, mean length of stay decreased by around 2% annually for stroke, ischaemic heart disease, and any cause, but decreased to a greater extent in higher than lower socioeconomic groups for stroke and ischaemic heart disease.

INTERPRETATION

Between 2009 and 2016, lower socioeconomic groups in China had greater increases in hospital admission rates and greater reductions in case fatality rates for stroke and ischaemic heart disease. Additional strategies are needed to further reduce socioeconomic differences in health-care use and disease outcomes.

FUNDING

Wellcome Trust, Medical Research Council, British Heart Foundation, Cancer Research UK, Kadoorie Charitable Foundation, China Ministry of Science and Technology, and Chinese National Natural Science Foundation.

Vaccine effectiveness against influenza A(H3N2) and B among laboratory-confirmed, hospitalised older adults, Europe, 2017-18: A season of B lineage mismatched to the trivalent vaccine

Background

Influenza A(H3N2), A(H1N1)pdm09 and B viruses co‐circulated in Europe in 2017‐18, predominated by influenza B. WHO‐recommended, trivalent vaccine components were lineage‐mismatched for B. The I‐MOVE hospital network measured 2017‐18 seasonal influenza vaccine effectiveness (IVE) against influenza A(H3N2) and B among hospitalised patients (≥65 years) in Europe.

Methods

Following the same generic protocol for test‐negative design, hospital teams in nine countries swabbed patients ≥65 years with recent onset (≤7 days) severe acute respiratory infection (SARI), collecting information on demographics, vaccination status and underlying conditions. Cases were RT‐PCR positive for influenza A(H3N2) or B; controls: negative for any influenza. “Vaccinated” patients had SARI onset >14 days after vaccination. We measured pooled IVE against influenza, adjusted for study site, age, sex, onset date and chronic conditions.

Results

We included 3483 patients: 376 influenza A(H3N2) and 928 B cases, and 2028 controls. Most (>99%) vaccinated patients received the B lineage‐mismatched trivalent vaccine. IVE against influenza A(H3N2) was 24% (95% CI: 2 to 40); 35% (95% CI: 6 to 55) in 65‐ to 79‐year‐olds and 14% (95% CI: −22 to 39) in ≥80‐year‐olds. Against influenza B, IVE was 30% (95% CI: 16 to 41); 37% (95% CI: 19 to 51) in 65‐ to 79‐year‐olds and 19% (95% CI: −7 to 38) in ≥80‐year‐olds.

Conclusions

IVE against influenza B was similar to A(H3N2) in hospitalised older adults, despite trivalent vaccine and circulating B lineage mismatch, suggesting some cross‐protection. IVE was lower in those ≥80 than 65‐79 years. We reinforce the importance of influenza vaccination in older adults as, even with a poorly matched vaccine, it still protects one in three to four of this population from severe influenza.

Prolonged dual antiplatelet therapy in patients with non-ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction: 2-year findings from EPICOR Asia

Background

Patients with non‐ST‐segment elevation myocardial infarction (NSTEMI) have a generally poor prognosis and antithrombotic management patterns (AMPs) used post‐acute coronary syndrome (ACS) remain unclear. Duration of dual antiplatelet therapy (DAPT) and patient characteristics was evaluated in NSTEMI patients enrolled in EPICOR Asia.

Hypothesis

Patients stopping DAPT early may benefit from more intensive monitoring.

Methods

EPICOR Asia was a prospective, real‐world, primary data collection, cohort study in adults with an ACS, conducted in eight countries/regions in Asia, with 2 year follow‐up. Eligible patients were hospitalized within 48 hours of symptom onset and survived to discharge. We describe AMPs and baseline characteristics in NSTEMI patients surviving ≥12 months with DAPT duration ≤12 and > 12 months post‐discharge. Clinical outcomes (composite of death, myocardial infarction, and stroke; and bleeding) were also explored.

Results

At discharge, 90.8% of patients were on DAPT (including clopidogrel, 99%). At 1‐ and 2‐year follow‐up, this was 79.2% and 60.0%. Patients who stopped DAPT ≤12 months post‐discharge tended to be older, female, less obese, have prior cardiovascular disease, and have renal dysfunction. While causality cannot be inferred, the incidence of the composite endpoint over the subsequent 12 months was 10.6% and 3.1% with shorter vs longer use of DAPT, and mortality risk over the same period was 8.4% and 1.6%.

Conclusions

Over 90% of NSTEMI patients were discharged on DAPT, with 60% on DAPT at 2 years. Patients stopping DAPT early were more likely to have higher baseline risk and may therefore benefit from more intensive monitoring during long‐term follow‐up.

The Trend in Incidence and Case-fatality of Hospitalized Acute Myocardial Infarction Patients in Korea, 2007 to 2016

BACKGROUND

The trend in the incidence of hospitalized acute myocardial infarction (AMI) and the difference between regions has not been reported in Korea since 2010. Thus, we aimed to inspect recent trends and regional differences in the incidence of AMI and case-fatality between 2007 and 2016.

METHODS

Data from the medical utilization cohort from 2002 to 2016 were analyzed. New incidence of AMI was identified by checking the diagnosis code, duration of admission, type of test, treatment, and medication. Age-standardized incidence rate by gender, age group, and resident region was calculated from 2007 to 2016. Cumulative case-fatality rate was calculated until 3 years.

RESULTS

Age-standardized incidence of hospitalized AMI decreased from 53.6 cases per 100,000 person-years in 2007 to 38.9 cases in 2011. Thereafter, the incidence gradually increased to 43.2 cases in 2016. The trend by gender and age groups was also similar to the total trend. The regional age-standardized incidence was the highest in Daegu (50.3 cases per 100,000 person-years) and the lowest in Sejong (30.2 cases), which were similar to the ischemic heart disease mortality in these regions. The 7-, 30-, and 90-days and 1- and 3-years average case-fatality over 10 years were 3.2%, 6.9%, 9.9%, 14.7%, and 22.4%, respectively.

CONCLUSION

Although case-fatality continuously decreased from 2007 to 2016, hospitalized AMI incidence decreased from 2007 to 2011 and gradually increased from 2011 to 2016, with marked disparity between regions. Effective preventive strategies to decrease AMI incidence are required to decrease cardiovascular disease mortality in Korea.

Impact of immune thrombocytopenic purpura on clinical outcomes in patients with acute myocardial infarction

Background

Patients with immune thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP) admitted with acute myocardial infarction (AMI) may be challenging to manage given their increased risk of bleeding complications. There is limited evidence in the literature guiding appropriate interventions in this population. The objective of this study is to determine the difference in clinical outcomes in AMI patients with and without ITP.

Methods

Using the United States national inpatient sample database, adults aged ≥18 years, who were hospitalized between 2007 and 2014 for AMI, were identified. Among those, patients with ITP were selected. A propensity‐matched cohort analysis was performed. The primary outcome was in‐hospital mortality. Secondary outcomes were coronary revascularization procedures, bleeding and cardiovascular complications, and length of stay (LOS).

Results

The propensity‐matched cohort included 851 ITP and 851 non‐ITP hospitalizations for AMI. There was no difference in mortality between ITP and non‐ITP patients with AMI (6% vs7.3%, OR:0.81; 95% CI:0.55‐1.19; P = .3). When compared to non‐ITP patients, ITP patients with AMI underwent fewer revascularization procedures (40.9% vs 45.9%, OR:0.81; 95% CI:0.67‐0.98; P = .03), but had a higher use of bare metal stents (15.4% vs 11.3%, OR:1.43; 95% CI:1.08‐1.90; P = .01), increased risk of bleeding complications (OR:1.80; CI:1.36‐2.38; P < .0001) and increased length of hospital stay (6.14 vs 5.4 days; mean ratio: 1.14; CI:1.05‐1.23; P = .002). More cardiovascular complications were observed in patients requiring transfusions.

Conclusions

Patients with ITP admitted for AMI had a similar in‐hospital mortality risk, but a significantly higher risk of bleeding complications and a longer LOS compared to those without ITP. Further studies are needed to assess optimal management strategies of AMI that minimize complications while improving outcomes in this population.

Safety and cost analysis of early discharge following percutaneous coronary intervention for acute coronary syndrome in patients with diabetes mellitus

Objective

To evaluate the safety and cost of early discharge compared with ordinary discharge in patients with diabetes mellitus (DM) following percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) for acute coronary syndrome.

Methods

We performed a retrospective analysis of prospectively collected data from 474 patients with DM who were discharged from hospital following PCI at a regional center between 2012 and 2015.

Results

A total of 192 patients (40.5%) were included in the early discharge group and 282 patients (59.5%) were included in the ordinary group. Mortality and morbidity after PCI were recorded. Kaplan–Meier analysis showed similar prognosis between the two groups at 30 days and at 1 year after discharge. However, hospitalization expenses for the regular discharge group were significantly higher than those of the early discharge group (RMB65,750 vs. RMB50,983).

Conclusion

Our findings demonstrate that early discharge of patients with DM following PCI for acute coronary syndrome is safe compared with ordinary discharge, and may reduce hospitalization costs.

TIMI risk score for secondary prevention of recurrent cardiovascular events in a real-world cohort of post-non-ST-elevation myocardial infarction patients

Background

Patients who survive non-ST-elevation myocardial infarction (NSTEMI) are at heightened risk of recurrent cardiovascular events. Data on long-term secondary atherothrombotic risk stratification are limited.

Objectives

To stratify post-NSTEMI patients for risk of recurrent cardiovascular events to maximise benefit from aggressive secondary prevention strategies using the TIMI Risk Score for Secondary Prevention (TRS 2°P) score in a real-world cohort of NSTEMI patients.

Methods and results

This was a single-centre observational study of 891 post-NSTEMI patients (73.7 ± 12.7 years; male: 54.2%). The TRS 2°P is a nine-point risk stratification tool to predict cardiovascular events in patients with established cardiovascular disease. The primary outcome was a composite endpoint of cardiovascular death, non-fatal MI and non-fatal ischaemic stroke. After a median follow-up of 31 months (IQR: 11.4 – 60.2), 281 patients (31.5%) had developed a primary outcome (13.3%/year) including 196 cardiovascular deaths, 94 non-fatal MIs and 22 non-fatal strokes. The TRS 2°P score was strongly associated with the primary outcome. The annual incidence of primary composite endpoint for patients with TRS 2°P score =0 was 1.6%, and increased progressively to 47.4% for those with a TRS 2°P score ≥6 (HR: 20.18, 95% CI: 4.85 to 84.05, p<0.001). Similar associations were also observed between the TRS 2°P score and cardiovascular death and MI (fatal and non-fatal), but not non-fatal ischaemic stroke.

Conclusion

The TRS 2°P score stratified post-NSTEMI patients for risk of future cardiovascular events and potentially help guide the selection of more aggressive secondary prevention therapy.

Performance on management strategies with Class I Recommendation and A Level of Evidence among hospitalized patients with non-ST-segment elevation acute coronary syndrome in China: Findings from the Improving Care for Cardiovascular Disease in China-Acute Coronary Syndrome (CCC-ACS) project

BACKGROUND

This study aimed to examine hospital performance on evidence-based management strategies for non-ST-segment elevation acute coronary syndrome (NSTE-ACS) and variations across hospitals.

METHODS

Improving Care for Cardiovascular Disease in China (CCC)-ACS project is an ongoing registry and quality improvement project, with 150 tertiary hospitals recruited across China. We examined hospital performance on nine management strategies (Class I Recommendations with A Level of Evidence) based on established guidelines. We also evaluated the proportion of patients receiving defect-free care, which was defined as the care that included all the required management strategies for which the patient was eligible. The hospital-level variations in the performance were examined.

RESULTS

From 2014 to 2018, 28,170 NSTE-ACS patients were included. Overall, 16% of patients received defect-free care. Higher-performing metrics were statin at discharge (93%), cardiac troponin measurement (92%), dual antiplatelet therapy (DAPT) within 24 hours (90%), and DAPT at discharge (85%). These were followed by metrics of β-blocker at discharge (69%), angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitor/angiotensin receptor blocker (ACEI/ARB) at discharge (59%), and risk stratification (56%). Lower-performing metrics were smoking cessation counseling (35%) and percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) within recommended times (33%). The proportion of patients receiving defect-free care substantially varied across hospitals, ranging from 0% to 58% (Median (interquartile range):12% (7%-21%)). There were large variations across hospitals in performance on risk stratification, smoking cessation counseling, PCI within recommended times, ACEI/ARB at discharge and β-blocker at discharge.

CONCLUSIONS

About one in six NSTE-ACS patients received defect-free care, and the performance varied across hospitals.

Effects of familial hypercholesterolemia-associated genes on the phenotype of premature myocardial infarction

Background

The incidence of premature myocardial infarction (PMI) has gradually increased in recent years. Genetics plays a central role in the development of PMI. Familial hypercholesterolemia (FH) is one of the most common genetic disorders of cholesterol metabolism leading to PMI.

Objective

This study investigated the relationship between FH-associated genes and the phenotype of PMI to clarify the genetic spectrum of PMI diseases.

Method

This study enrolled PMI patients (n = 225) and detected the mutations in their FH-associated genes (LDLR, APOB, PCSK9, LDLRAP1) by Sanger sequencing. At the same time, patients free of PMI (non-FH patients, n = 56) were enrolled as control, and a logistic regression analysis was used to identify risk factors associated with PMI. The diagnosis of FH was confirmed using “2018 Chinese expert consensus of FH screening and diagnosis” before the prevalence and clinical features of FH were analyzed.

Results

Pathogenic mutations in LDLR, APOB, PCSK9 and LDLRAP1 genes were found in 17 of 225 subjects (7.6%), and all mutations were loss of function (LOF) and heterozygous. The genotype-phenotype relationship of patients carrying FH-associated mutations showed high heterogeneity. The logistic regression analysis showed that the smoking history, obesity and the family history of premature CHD were independent risk factors of PMI. In this study, a total of 19 patients (8.4%) were diagnosed as FH, and the proportion of smoking subjects in FH patients was higher than that in non-FH patients.

Conclusions

FH-associated gene mutations were present in about 7.6% of Chinese patients with PMI. In addition to genetic factors, smoking history, lifestyle and other environmental factors may play a synergistic role in determining the phenotype of PMI.

Trial registration

Essential gene mutation of cholesterol metabolism in patients with premature myocardial infarction. ChiCTR-OCH-12002349.Registered 26 December 2014, http://www.chictr.org.cn/showproj.aspx?proj=7201.

Acute myocardial infarction in young women: current perspectives

Acute myocardial infarction (AMI) is the leading cause of death in women worldwide. Every year, in the USA alone, more than 30,000 young women <55 years of age are hospitalized with AMI. In recent decades, the incidence of AMI is increasing in younger women in the context of increasing metabolic syndrome, diabetes mellitus, and non-traditional risk factors such as stress, anxiety, and depression. Although women are classically considered to present with atypical chest pain, several observational data confirm that men and women experience similar rates of chest pain, with some differences in intensity, duration, radiation, and the choice of descriptors. Women also experience more number of symptoms and more prodromal symptoms compared with men. Suboptimal awareness, sociocultural and financial reasons result in pre-hospital delays in women and lower rates of access to care with resulting undertreatment with guideline-directed therapies. Causes of AMI in young women include plaque-related MI, microvascular dysfunction or vasospasm, and spontaneous coronary artery dissection. Compared with men, women have greater in-hospital, early and late mortality, as a result of baseline comorbidities. Post-AMI women have lower referral to cardiac rehabilitation with more dropouts, lower levels of physical activity, and poorer improvements in health status compared with men, with higher inflammatory levels at 1-year from index presentation. Future strategies should focus on primary and secondary prevention, adherence, and post-AMI health-related quality of life. This review discusses the current evidence in the epidemiology, diagnosis, and treatment of AMI in young women.

Geographic Variations in In‐Hospital Mortality and Use of Percutaneous Coronary Intervention Following Acute Myocardial Infarction in China: A Nationwide Cross‐Sectional Analysis

Background

Prevalence of acute myocardial infarction (AMI) is increasing in China, and AMI has become a major cause of mortality; however, information is very limited about the nationwide geographic and hospital variation in in‐hospital mortality (IHM) and the use of percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) after AMI.

Methods and Results

From the Nationwide Hospital Discharge Database of China, we identified 242 866 adult admissions with AMI in 2015 from 1055 tertiary hospitals. We used multivariable logistic regressions to analyze the associations between geographic or hospital characteristics with IHM or PCI use. The national IHM rate was 4.71% (95% confidence interval, 4.62–4.79%). There was a greater risk of mortality in the Northeast (odds ratio [OR]: 1.86), West (OR: 1.73), South (OR: 1.32), and North (OR: 1.14) regions than in the East region of China. Non–teaching hospitals (OR: 1.18) and tertiary level B hospitals (OR: 1.06) were associated with higher IHM rates. The national PCI use rate was 45.3% (95% confidence interval, 45.1–45.5%). Compared with the East region of China, PCI use was lower in the Northeast (OR: 0.50), West (OR: 0.64), North (OR: 0.84), and South (OR: 0.88) regions. Non–teaching hospitals (OR: 0.83) and tertiary level B hospitals (OR: 0.55) were also associated with lower usage rates. There was a significant negative correlation between IHM and PCI use (r=−0.955), and IHM rates for patients with and without PCI both differed by geographic regions.

Conclusions

There were significant differences in IHM and PCI use among China's tertiary hospitals, linked to both geographic and hospital characteristics. More targeted intervention at national and regional levels is needed to improve access to effective health technologies and, eventually, outcomes following AMI.

Using big data to improve cardiovascular care and outcomes in China: a protocol for the CHinese Electronic health Records Research in Yinzhou (CHERRY) Study

INTRODUCTION

Data based on electronic health records (EHRs) are rich with individual-level longitudinal measurement information and are becoming an increasingly common data source for clinical risk prediction worldwide. However, few EHR-based cohort studies are available in China. Harnessing EHRs for research requires a full understanding of data linkages, management, and data quality in large data sets, which presents unique analytical opportunities and challenges. The purpose of this study is to provide a framework to establish a uniquely integrated EHR database in China for scientific research.

METHODS AND ANALYSIS

The CHinese Electronic health Records Research in Yinzhou (CHERRY) Study will extract individual participant data within the regional health information system of an eastern coastal area of China to establish a longitudinal population-based ambispective cohort study for cardiovascular care and outcomes research. A total of 1 053 565 Chinese adults aged over 18 years were registered in the health information system in 2009, and there were 23 394 deaths from 1 January 2009 to 31 December 2015. The study will include information from multiple epidemiological surveys; EHRs for chronic disease management; and health administrative, clinical, laboratory, drug and electronic medical record (EMR) databases. Follow-up of fatal and non-fatal clinical events is achieved through records linkage to the regional system of disease surveillance, chronic disease management and EMRs (based on diagnostic codes from the International Classification of Diseases, tenth revision). The CHERRY Study will provide a unique platform and serve as a valuable big data resource for cardiovascular risk prediction and population management, for primary and secondary prevention of cardiovascular events in China.

ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION

The CHERRY Study was approved by the Peking University Institutional Review Board (IRB00001052-16011) in April 2016. Results of the study will be disseminated through published journal articles, conferences and seminar presentations, and on the study website (http://www.cherry-study.org).

Rationale and design of the DEAR-OLD trial: Randomized evaluation of routinely Deferred versus EARly invasive strategy in elderly patients of 75 years or OLDer with non-ST-elevation myocardial infarction

BACKGROUND

Comparing with conservative strategy, early invasive approach has been shown to be beneficial for initially stabilized patients with non-ST-elevation myocardial infarction (NSTEMI). However, concerns of increased risk of bleeding and other complications associated with early revascularization in patients aged ≥75 years persist. A routinely deferred invasive strategy aiming to facilitate revascularization after stabilizing the culprit lesion predominates across China.

AIM

The aim was to compare efficacy and safety of deferred invasive strategy versus guideline-recommended early invasive strategy in initially stabilized Chinese patients aged ≥75 years with NSTEMI.

METHODS

Twenty qualified centers from 10 different provinces throughout mainland China will contribute to the study. Eligible patients will be central randomized to a routine deferred invasive approach or an early invasive approach (coronary angiography >72 hours or <24 hours of admission and appropriate revascularization). Patients meeting the inclusion criteria but not randomized for any reason will be registered. The primary end point of the present study is a composite of all-cause mortality, nonlethal (re) MI, ischemic stroke, and urgent revascularization at 1 year. Noninferiority design is used, and the inferiority margin was set to be 5%. The goal is to enroll 696 patients with expected primary end point rates of 30%, 2-tailed α of .05, power of 80%, and dropout rate of 5%.

CONCLUSIONS

The DEAR-OLD trial is a prospective, nationwide, multicenter, noninferiority-designed, open-label randomized clinical trial evaluating efficacy and safety of routinely deferred invasive strategy compared with early invasive strategy in Chinese elderly patients with NSTEMI.

Are non-ST-segment elevation myocardial infarctions missing in China?

Aims

ST-segment elevation myocardial infarctions (STEMI) in China and other low- and middle-income countries outnumber non-ST-segment elevation myocardial infarctions (NSTEMI). We hypothesized that the STEMI predominance was associated with lower biomarker use and would vary with hospital characteristics.

Methods and results

We hypothesized that the STEMI predominance was associated with lower biomarker use and would vary with hospital characteristics. Using data from the nationally representative China PEACE-Retrospective AMI Study during 2001, 2006, and 2011, we compared hospital NSTEMI proportion across categories of use of any cardiac biomarker (CK, CK-MB, or troponin) and troponin, as well as across region, location, level, and teaching status. Among 15 416 acute myocardial infarction (AMI) patients, 14% had NSTEMI. NSTEMI patients were older, more likely female, and to have comorbidities. Median hospital NSTEMI proportion in each study year was similar across categories of any cardiac biomarker use, troponin, region, location, level, and teaching status. For instance, in 2011 the NSTEMI proportion at hospitals without troponin testing was 11.2% [inter quartile range (IQR) 4.4–16.7%], similar to those with ≥ 75% troponin use (13.0% [IQR 8.7–23.7%]) (P-value for difference 0.77). Analysed as continuous variables there was no relationship between hospital NSTEMI proportion and proportion biomarker use. With troponin use there was no relationship in 2001 and 2006, but a modest correlation in 2011 (R = 0.16, P = 0.043). Admissions for NSTEMI increased from 0.3/100 000 people in 2001 to 3.3/100 000 people in 2011 (P-value for trend < 0.001).

Conclusion

STEMI is the dominant presentation of AMI in China, but the proportion of NSTEMI is increasing. Biomarker use and hospital characteristics did not account for the low NSTEMI rate.

Clinical trial registration

www.clinicaltrials.gov (NCT01624883).