Longitudinal Associations of Fitness and Obesity in Young Adulthood With Right Ventricular Function and Pulmonary Artery Systolic Pressure in Middle Age: The CARDIA Study

Characterizing the Causal Pathway From Childhood Adiposity to Right Heart Physiology and Pulmonary Circulation Using Lifecourse Mendelian Randomization

BACKGROUND

Observational epidemiological studies have reported an association between childhood adiposity and altered cardiac morphology and function in later life. However, whether this is due to a direct consequence of being overweight during childhood has been difficult to establish, particularly as accounting for other measures of body composition throughout the lifecourse can be exceptionally challenging.

METHODS AND RESULTS

In this study, we used human genetics to investigate this using a causal inference technique known as lifecourse Mendelian randomization. This approach allowed us to evaluate the effect of childhood body size on 11 measures of right heart and pulmonary circulation independent of other anthropometric traits at various stages in the lifecourse. We found strong evidence that childhood body size has a direct effect on an enlarged right heart structure in later life (eg, right ventricular end-diastolic volume: β=0.24 [95% CI, 0.15-0.33]; P=3×10-7) independent of adulthood body size. In contrast, childhood body size effects on maximum ascending aorta diameter attenuated upon accounting for body size in adulthood, suggesting that this effect is likely attributed to individuals remaining overweight into later life. Effects of childhood body size on pulmonary artery traits and measures of right atrial function became weaker upon accounting for adulthood fat-free mass and childhood height, respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

Our findings suggest that, although childhood body size has a long-term influence on an enlarged heart structure in adulthood, associations with the other structural components of the cardiovascular system and their function may be largely attributed to body composition at other stages in the lifecourse.

Preventing new-onset heart failure: Intervening at stage A

Heart failure (HF) prevention is an urgent public health need with national and global implications. Stage A HF patients do not show HF symptoms or structural heart disease but are at risk of HF development. There are no unique recommendations on detecting Stage A patients. Patients in Stage A are heterogeneous; many patients have different combinations of risk factors and, therefore, have markedly different absolute risks for HF. Comprehensive strategies to prevent HF at Stage A include intensive blood pressure lowering, adequate glycemic and lipid management, and heart-healthy behaviors (adopting Life's Essential 8). First and foremost, it is imperative to improve public awareness of HF risk factors and implement healthy lifestyle choices very early. In addition, recognize the HF risk-enhancing factors, which are nontraditional cardiovascular (CV) risk factors that identify individuals at high risk for HF (genetic susceptibility for HF, atrial fibrillation, chronic kidney disease, chronic liver disease, chronic inflammatory disease, sleep-disordered breathing, adverse pregnancy outcomes, radiation therapy, a history of cardiotoxic chemotherapy exposure, and COVID-19). Early use of biomarkers, imaging markers, and echocardiography (noninvasive measures of subclinical systolic and diastolic dysfunction) may enhance risk prediction among individuals without established CV disease and prevent chemotherapy-induced cardiomyopathy. Efforts are needed to address social determinants of HF risk for primordial HF prevention.Central illustrationPolicies developed by organizations such as the American Heart Association, American College of Cardiology, and the American Diabetes Association to reduce CV disease events must go beyond secondary prevention and encompass primordial and primary prevention.

Characterising the prevalence of overweight and obese status among adults with sickle cell disease

Individuals with sickle cell disease (SCD) have historically been considered underweight. Despite increasing body mass index (BMI) in the general population, the prevalence of overweight and obese status remains unclear in the adult SCD population. Our primary aim was to determine the prevalence of overweight and obese status and to identify associations between BMI, demographic, and clinical characteristics. We conducted an analysis of abstracted electronic health record data and patient-reported outcomes from the Sickle Cell Disease Implementation Consortium registry; individuals aged 20-45 years were included. The median (interquartile range) BMI for the 1664 adults in this analysis was 23.9 (21.1-28) kg/m2 . In this cohort, 42.9% had a BMI of >25 kg/m2 (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention definition of overweight/obese). In multivariable analysis, higher odds of being overweight or obese were associated with female gender, older age, college education, private insurance, and hypertension diagnosis. Higher odds of a BMI of >25 kg/m2 were observed in individuals with HbSC or HbSβ+ thalassaemia regardless of hydroxycarbamide (hydroxyurea) exposure (odds ratio [OR] 3.4, p < 0.0001) and HbSS or HbSβ0 thalassaemia exposed to hydroxycarbamide (OR 1.6, p = 0.0003) compared to those with HbSS or HbSβ0 thalassaemia with no hydroxycarbamide exposure. These data highlight the importance of early identification, prevention, and intervention for increasing BMI to reduce obesity-related complications that may impact SCD-related complications.

Diabetes Status Modifies the Association Between Different Measures of Obesity and Heart Failure Risk Among Older Adults: A Pooled Analysis of Community-Based NHLBI Cohorts

BACKGROUND

Obesity and diabetes are associated with a higher risk of heart failure (HF). The interrelationships between different measures of adiposity-overall obesity, central obesity, fat mass (FM)-and diabetes status for HF risk are not well-established.

METHODS

Participant-level data from the ARIC study (Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities; visit 5) and the CHS (Cardiovascular Health Study; visit 1) cohorts were obtained from the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute Biologic Specimen and Data Repository Information Coordinating Center, harmonized, and pooled for the present analysis, excluding individuals with prevalent HF. FM was estimated in all participants using established anthropometric prediction equations additionally validated using the bioelectrical impedance-based FM in the ARIC subgroup. Incident HF events on follow-up were captured across both cohorts using similar adjudication methods. Multivariable-adjusted Fine-Gray models were created to evaluate the associations of body mass index (BMI), waist circumference (WC), and FM with risk of HF in the overall cohort as well as among those with versus without diabetes at baseline. The population attributable risk of overall obesity (BMI≥30 kg/m²), abdominal obesity (WC>88 and 102 cm in women and men, respectively), and high FM (above sex-specific median) for incident HF was evaluated among participants with and without diabetes.

RESULTS

The study included 10 387 participants (52.9% ARIC; 25.1% diabetes; median age, 74 years). The correlation between predicted and bioelectrical impedance-based FM was high (R²=0.90; n=5038). During a 5-year follow-up, 447 participants developed HF (4.3%). Higher levels of each adiposity measure were significantly associated with higher HF risk (hazard ratio [95% CI] per 1 SD higher BMI=1.15 [1.05, 1.27], WC=1.22 [1.10, 1.36]; FM=1.13 [1.02, 1.25]). A significant interaction was noted between diabetes status and measures of BMI (P interaction=0.04) and WC (P interaction=0.004) for the risk of HF. In stratified analysis, higher measures of each adiposity parameter were significantly associated with higher HF risk in individuals with diabetes (hazard ratio [95% CI] per 1 SD higher BMI=1.29 [1.14-1.47]; WC=1.48 [1.29-1.70]; FM=1.25 [1.09-1.43]) but not those without diabetes, including participants with prediabetes and euglycemia. The population attributable risk percentage of overall obesity, abdominal obesity, and high FM for incident HF was higher among participants with diabetes (12.8%, 29.9%, and 13.7%, respectively) versus those without diabetes (≤1% for each).

CONCLUSIONS

Higher BMI, WC, and FM are strongly associated with greater risk of HF among older adults, particularly among those with prevalent diabetes.

Association between cumulative blood pressure in early adulthood and right ventricular structure and function in middle age: The CARDIA study

OBJECTIVE

Cumulative blood pressure (BP) exposure is a known risk factor for cardiovascular disease. This study sought to investigate the association between cumulative BP from early adulthood to middle age and right ventricular (RV) structure and function in middle age.

METHODS

We included 2844 participants from the CARDIA study (Coronary Artery Risk Development in Young Adults). Cumulative BP over the 30-years follow-up was defined as the sum of the product of mean BP for each pair of consecutive examinations and the time interval between these two consecutive examinations in years. RV structure and function were assessed by echocardiography. The main analyses utilized logistic and linear regression models.

RESULTS

In fully adjusted models, higher cumulative systolic BP was independently associated with lower tricuspid annular plane systolic excursion (TAPSE), right ventricular peak systolic velocity (RVS'), right ventricular early diastolic velocity (RVe'), and higher pulmonary arterial systolic pressure. Higher cumulative diastolic BP was independently associated with smaller RV basal diameter, lower TAPSE, RVS', and RVe'. For categorical analyses of RV dysfunction, cumulative systolic BP was not related to systolic dysfunction. Per 1-SD increase in cumulative systolic BP was associated with a higher risk of diastolic dysfunction, while an increase in cumulative diastolic BP was associated with a higher risk of systolic dysfunction and diastolic dysfunction.

CONCLUSIONS

Cumulative exposure to increased BP from early adulthood to middle age was associated with incipient RV systolic and diastolic dysfunction in middle age. Exposure to higher diastolic BP levels from early adulthood to middle age was associated with a smaller RV basal diameter in middle age.

Associations between physical activity, sedentary behaviour and left ventricular structure and function from the Echocardiographic Study of Latinos (ECHO-SOL)

OBJECTIVE

The cross-sectional association between accelerometer-measured physical activity (PA), sedentary behaviour (SB) and cardiac structure and function is less well described. This study's primary aim was to compare echocardiographic measures of cardiac structure and function with accelerometer measured PA and SB.

METHODS

Participants included 1206 self-identified Hispanic/Latino men and women, age 45-74 years, from the Echocardiographic Study of Latinos. Standard echocardiographic measures included M-mode, two-dimensional, spectral, tissue Doppler and myocardial strain. Participants wore an Actical accelerometer at the hip for 1 week.

RESULTS

The mean±SE age for the cohort was 56±0.4 years, 57% were women. Average moderate to vigorous PA (MVPA) was 21±1.1 min/day, light PA was 217±4.2 min/day and SB was 737±8.1 min/day. Both higher levels of light PA and MVPA (min/day) were associated with lower left ventricular (LV) mass index (LVMI)/end-diastolic volume and a lower E/e' ratio. Higher levels of MVPA (min/day) were associated with better right ventricular systolic function. Higher levels of SB were associated with increased LVMI. In a multivariable linear regression model adjusted for demographics and cardiovascular disease modifiable factors, every 10 additional min/day of light PA was associated with a 0.03 mL/m2 increase in left atrial volume index (LAVI) (p<0.01) and a 0.004 cm increase in tricuspid annular plane systolic excursion (p<0.01); every 10 additional min/day of MVPA was associated with a 0.18 mL/m2 increase in LAVI (p<0.01) and a 0.24% improvement in global circumferential strain (p<0.01).

CONCLUSIONS

Our findings highlight the potential positive association between the MVPA and light PA on cardiac structure and function.

Metabolics of PH - an update

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

While there has been a longstanding interest in metabolic disease in pulmonary hypertension, publications in the last several years have translated basic science findings to human disease and even led to recently published studies of metabolic therapy in pulmonary arterial hypertension that are discussed here.

RECENT FINDINGS

Progress has been made in four key areas including mechanisms of insulin resistance in pulmonary arterial hypertension, the role of obesity in pulmonary vascular disease, novel clinical trials targeting metabolism in pulmonary hypertension, and the role of metabolism in chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension.

SUMMARY

: Insulin resistance in pulmonary arterial hypertension is primarily in the lipid axis. There are systemic manifestations of insulin resistance including right ventricular lipotoxicity. Obesity is associated with elevation of right ventricular systolic pressure even in a healthy population and therapies in pulmonary arterial hypertension that target metabolism hold promise for improving exercise, right ventricular function, and visceral adiposity. Finally, there are emerging data that chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension is similarly characterized by metabolic alterations, though the specific metabolites may be different from pulmonary arterial hypertension.

Longitudinal Associations of Fitness and Obesity in Young Adulthood With Right Ventricular Function and Pulmonary Artery Systolic Pressure in Middle Age: The CARDIA Study

Background Low cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF) and obesity are risk factors for heart failure but their associations with right ventricular (RV) systolic function and pulmonary artery systolic pressure (PASP) are not well understood. Methods and Results Participants in the CARDIA (Coronary Artery Risk Development in Young Adults) study who underwent maximal treadmill testing at baseline and had a follow-up echocardiographic examination at year 25 were included. A subset of participants had repeat CRF and body mass index (BMI) assessment at year 20. The associations of baseline and changes in CRF and BMI on follow-up (baseline to year 20) with RV systolic function parameters (tricuspid annular plane systolic excursion, RV Doppler systolic velocity of the lateral tricuspid annulus), and PASP were assessed using multivariable-adjusted linear regression models. The study included 3433 participants. In adjusted analysis, higher baseline BMI but not CRF was significantly associated with higher PASP. Among RV systolic function parameters, higher baseline CRF and BMI were significantly associated with higher tricuspid annular plane systolic excursion and RV systolic velocity of the lateral tricuspid annulus. In the subgroup of participants with follow-up assessment of CRF or BMI at year 20, less decline in CRF was associated with higher RV systolic velocity of the lateral tricuspid annulus and lower PASP, while greater increase in BMI was significantly associated with higher PASP in middle age. Conclusions Higher CRF in young adulthood and less decline in CRF over time are each significantly associated with better RV systolic function. Higher baseline BMI and greater age-related increases in BMI are each significantly associated with higher PASP in middle age. These findings provide insights into possible mechanisms through which low fitness and obesity may contribute toward risk of heart failure.