A progressive increase in cardiovascular risk assessed by coronary angiography in non-diabetic patients at sub-diabetic glucose levels

Fasting Blood Glucose and HbA1c Correlate With Severity of Coronary Artery Disease in Elective PCI Patients With HbA1c 5.7% to 6.4

Diabetes mellitus, and even prediabetes, has been shown to be independently associated with cardiovascular disease. Our study explored whether the combination of glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA_1c) and fasting blood glucose (FBG) can better assess the severity of coronary heart disease (CHD) in elective percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) patients. We consecutively enrolled 1006 prediabetic patients with HbA_1c 5.7% to 6.4% who underwent elective PCI. Patients were divided into 2 groups: a normal fasting glucose (NFG) group (FBG <6.1 mmol/L) and an impaired fasting glucose (IFG) group (6.1 ≤FBG<7.0 mmol/L) with defined values. Baseline characteristics and angiography data of the 2 groups were compared. The prevalence of 3-vessel disease (P = .002), the GENSINI (the score is named after a professor) score (P = .002), and the SYNTAX (SYNergy between PCI with TAXUS™ and Cardiac Surgery) score (P = .002) of the IFG group was significantly higher compared to the NFG group. After multiple regression analysis, FBG was found to be independently associated with prevalence of 3-vessel disease (adjusted odds ratio: 1.62; 95% confidence interval: 1.21-2.36; P = .013), the GENSINI score (standardized β = .138, P = .008), and the SYNTAX score (standardized β = .145, P = .005). In addition, HbA_{1 c} was independently associated with the prevalence of 3-vessel disease, the GENSINI, score, and the SYNTAX score (P < .05). Both FBG and HbA_1c are independently correlated with the severity of CHD in prediabetic patients with HbA_1c 5.7% to 6.4%.

Correlation Between Pigment Epithelium-Derived Factor (PEDF) level and Degree of Coronary Angiography and Severity of Coronary Artery Disease in a Chinese Population

BACKGROUND The role of pigment epithelium-derived factor (PEDF) in protection of coronary artery disease (CAD) remains controversial. The aim of this study was to reassess the value of PEDF in predicting the severity and prognosis of newly diagnosed stable CAD in a Chinese population. MATERIAL AND METHODS Plasma PEDF levels were measured in 259 stable CAD patients undergoing coronary angiography and 116 age- and sex-matched healthy controls. The severity of coronary atherosclerosis was assessed using Gensini score. RESULTS PEDF levels were significantly lower in CAD patients than in healthy subjects (5.856±0.790 vs. 6.658±1.070 μg/ml, respectively, p<0.01). Stepwise regression analysis showed a negative correlation between PEDF levels and severity of CAD as quantified by Gensini score value (β=-0.626, p<0.01). CONCLUSIONS Our study showed that plasma PEDF levels were significantly lower in CAD patients than in controls, and the plasma PEDF levels may be used as a potential predicator for coronary severity.

2017 Taiwan lipid guidelines for high risk patients

In Taiwan, the prevalence of hyperlipidemia increased due to lifestyle and dietary habit changes. Low density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) and non-high density lipoprotein cholesterol (non-HDL-C) are all significant predicting factors of coronary artery disease in Taiwan. We recognized that lipid control is especially important in patients with existed atherosclerotic cardiovascular diseases (ASCVD), including coronary artery disease (CAD), ischemic stroke and peripheral arterial disease (PAD). Because the risk of ASCVD is high in patients with diabetes mellitus (DM), chronic kidney disease (CKD) and familial hypercholesterolemia (FH), lipid control is also necessary in these patients. Lifestyle modification is the first step to control lipid. Weight reduction, regular physical exercise and limitation of alcohol intake all reduce triglyceride (TG) levels. Lipid-lowering drugs include HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors (statins), cholesterol absorption inhibitors (ezetimibe), proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9 (PCSK9) inhibitors, nicotinic acids (niacin), fibric acids derivatives (fibrates), and long-chain omega-3 fatty acids. Statin is usually the first line therapy. Combination therapy with statin and other lipid-lowering agents may be considered in some clinical settings. For patients with acute coronary syndrome (ACS) and stable CAD, LDL-C < 70 mg/dL is the major target. A lower target of LDL-C <55 mg/dL can be considered in ACS patients with DM. After treating LDL-C to target, non-HDL-C can be considered as a secondary target for patients with TG ≥ 200 mg/dL. The suggested non-HDL-C target is < 100 mg/dL in ACS and CAD patients. For patients with ischemic stroke or transient ischemic attack presumed to be of atherosclerotic origin, statin therapy is beneficial and LDL-C < 100 mg/dL is the suggested target. For patients with symptomatic carotid stenosis or intracranial arterial stenosis, in addition to antiplatelets and blood pressure control, LDL-C should be lowered to < 100 mg/dL. Statin is necessary for DM patients with CV disease and the LDL-C target is < 70 mg/dL. For diabetic patients who are ≥ 40 years of age, or who are < 40 years of age but have additional CV risk factors, the LDL-C target should be < 100 mg/dL. After achieving LDL-C target, combination of other lipid-lowering agents with statin is reasonable to attain TG < 150 mg/dL and HDL-C >40 in men and >50 mg/dL in women in DM. LDL-C increased CV risk in patients with CKD. In adults with glomerular filtration rate (GFR) < 60 mL/min/1.73m² without chronic dialysis (CKD stage 3-5), statin therapy should be initiated if LDL-C ≥ 100 mg/dL. Ezetimibe can be added to statin to consolidate the CV protection in CKD patients. Mutations in LDL receptor, apolipoprotein B and PCSK9 genes are the common causes of FH. Diagnosis of FH usually depends on family history, clinical history of premature CAD, physical findings of xanthoma or corneal arcus and high levels of LDL-C. In addition to conventional lipid lowering therapies, adjunctive treatment with mipomersen, lomitapide, or PCSK9 inhibitors become necessary to further reduce LDL-C in patients with FH. Overall, these recommendations are to help the health care professionals in Taiwan to treat hyperlipidemia with current scientific evidences. We hope the prescription rate of lipid lowering drugs and control rate of hyperlipidemia in high risk patients could be increased by implementation of the clinical guidelines. The major purpose is to improve clinical outcomes of these high risk patients through the control of hyperlipidemia.

Elevated risk of an intermediate or high SYNTAX score in subjects with impaired fasting glucose

OBJECTIVE

This study was designed to determine the SYNTAX score under different fasting plasma glucose (FPG) states in Chinese patients undergoing coronary angiography, particularly subjects with impaired FPG.

METHODS

Four hundred and forty-six subjects undergoing coronary angiography were enrolled in this study and divided into four groups based on the FPG level or a history of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM): normal FPG, impaired FPG, known and previously unknown T2DM.

RESULTS

The angiographic SYNTAX scores were higher in the subjects with known (p<0.001) or previously unknown (p<0.001) T2DM than in those with normal FPG. There were significant differences in the number of diseased coronary artery vessels between the subjects with known (p<0.01) or unknown T2DM (p<0.05) and the subjects with normal FPG. However, there were no significant differences in the SYNTAX score or the number of diseased coronary artery vessels between the subjects with impaired FPG and those with normal FPG. The subjects with impaired FPG (2.917-fold, p=0.004) and known (3.064-fold, p=0.000) or previously unknown (3.301-fold, p=0.000) T2DM exhibited a significantly elevated risk of having an intermediate or high SYNTAX score compared with the subjects with normal FPG.

CONCLUSION

Chinese subjects with impaired FPG have a significantly elevated risk of having an intermediate or high SYNTAX score, indicating a risk of severe coronary artery lesions. Subjects with known or previously unknown T2DM may have severe coronary artery lesions. These findings suggest the importance of achieving better glycemic control in order to prevent coronary atherosclerosis and improve the cardiovascular prognosis.

Fasting plasma glucose correlates with angiographic coronary artery disease prevalence and severity in Chinese patients without known diabetes

Type 2 diabetes mellitus is a risk factor for coronary artery disease (CAD). While there is a clear association of fasting plasma glucose (FPG) with microvascular complications, the risk for CAD conferred by FPG is relatively less clear. Therefore, we investigate the association between different FPG and the prevalence and severity of angiographic CAD in high-risk Chinese patients without known diabetes. Among 1,419 subjects who were to undergo coronary angiography for the confirmation of suspected myocardial ischemia, 906 subjects without known diabetes were included in this study and categorized into four groups according to the level of FPG: group 1, ≤5.5 mmol/l; group 2, 5.6-6.0 mmol/l; group 3, 6.1-6.9 mmol/l; and group 4, ≥7.0 mmol/l. Significant angiographic CAD was defined as ≥50 % lumen diameter reduction in at least one major coronary artery in a given subject. The severity and extent of coronary atherosclerosis were defined as the number of diseased vessels, the proportion of totally occluded vessel and the Gensini score. Associations between FPG and the prevalence and severity of CAD were assessed by logistic and linear stepwise regression analyses. The angiographic CAD prevalence, the number of diseased vessels, the totally occluded vessel, and the Gensini score increased corresponding to increasing FPG levels from ≤5.5 mmol/l to 5.6-6.0 mmol/l to 6.1-6.9 mmol/l to ≥7.0 mmol/l (P < 0.05). The FPG had significant association with angiographic CAD (adjusted OR, 1.53; 95 % CI, 1.19-1.98; P = 0.001) and the Gensini score (standardized regression coefficient = 0.172, P = 0.011). Compared with group 1, group 2, 3 and 4 demonstrated significantly higher CAD prevalence after adjustment (adjusted OR, 1.61 [1.16-2.19]; P = 0.015 for group 2; 1.49 [1.11-2.59]; P = 0.027 for group 3; and 4.19 [2.85-6.16]; P = 0.024 for group 4, respectively). FPG group was also significantly associated with the Gensini score (Standardized coefficients, 0.185; P = 0.007, respectively). FPG was an independent risk factor for the prevalence and severity of significant angiographic CAD in our study population. The severity of angiographic CAD increased along with the increasing FPG levels even in prediabetic state.

Impact of post-challenge hyperglycemia on clinical outcomes in Japanese patients with stable angina undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention

BACKGROUND

Post-challenge hyperglycemia (PH) is well-established as one of risk factors for coronary artery disease. However, it remains unclear whether PH affects clinical outcomes in patients with stable angina undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI).

METHODS

A total of 828 patients with stable angina undergoing PCI were retrospectively analyzed. Of these, 452 patients with previously diagnosed diabetes mellitus (DM) or fasting plasma glucose (PG) ≥126 mg/dl and HbA1c ≥6.5% were defined as known DM. The remaining 376 patients were divided into the two groups according to 2-h PG: PH (2-h PG ≥140 mg/dl, n=236) and normal glucose tolerance (NGT, 2-h PG <140 mg/dl, n=140). We assessed the rate of major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE), defined as a composite of cardiovascular death, myocardial infarction, stroke, and clinically-driven revascularization.

RESULTS

During the median follow-up of 4.3 years, the MACE rate was significantly higher in the DM and PH groups than the NGT group (39.3% vs. 20.7%, P <0.001; 31.4% vs. 20.7%, P=0.044, respectively). Compared with the NGT group, the cumulative incidence of revascularization was significantly higher in the DM group (35.1% vs. 18.5%, P <0.001) and tended to be higher in the PH group (27.1% vs. 18.5%, P=0.067). In the multivariate analysis, known DM (Hazard ratio [HR]: 2.16, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.49-3.27, P < 0.001), PH (HR: 1.62, 95% CI: 1.07-2.53, P = 0.023), LDL-C >100 mg/dl (HR: 1.62, 95% CI: 1.26 to 2.10, P < 0.001), and previous stroke (HR: 1.47, 95% CI: 1.03-2.04, P = 0.034) were predictors of MACE.

CONCLUSION

PH is associated with future cardiovascular events in patients with stable angina undergoing PCI.

2-h postchallenge plasma glucose predicts cardiovascular events in patients with myocardial infarction without known diabetes mellitus

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

The incidence of cardiovascular events remains high in patients with myocardial infarction (MI) despite advances in current therapies. New and better methods for identifying patients at high risk of recurrent cardiovascular (CV) events are needed. This study aimed to analyze the predictive value of an oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) in patients with acute myocardial infarction without known diabetes mellitus (DM).

METHODS

The prospective cohort study consisted of 123 men and women aged between 31-80 years who had suffered a previous MI 3-12 months before the examinations. The exclusion criteria were known diabetes mellitus. Patients were followed up over 6.03 ± 1.36 years for CV death, recurrent MI, stroke and unstable angina pectoris. A standard OGTT was performed at baseline.

RESULTS

2-h plasma glucose (HR, 1.27, 95% CI, 1.00 to 1.62; P < 0.05) and smoking (HR, 3.56, 95% CI, 1.02 to 12.38; P < 0.05) proved to be independent predictors of CV events in multivariate statistical analysis after adjustments for age, sex, total cholesterol, and other baseline characteristics.

CONCLUSIONS

In this study population, with previous MI and without known DM, 2-h PG and smoking were significant predictors of CV death, recurrent MI, stroke and unstable angina pectoris, independent of baseline characteristics and medical treatment.

Development of coronary heart disease and ischemic stroke in relation to fasting and 2-hour plasma glucose levels in the normal range

Background

Individuals who had normoglycemia but whose 2-hour plasma glucose (2hPG) concentrations did not return to the fasting plasma glucose (FPG) levels during an oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) have been shown to have increased cardiovascular mortality. This is further investigated regarding to the first events of coronary heart disease (CHD) and ischemic stroke (IS).

Method

Data from 9 Finnish and Swedish cohorts comprising 3743 men and 3916 women aged 25 to 90 years who had FPG < 6.1 mmol/l and 2hPG < 7.8 mmol/l and free of CVD at enrolment were analyzed. Hazard ratios (HRs) for first CHD and IS events were estimated for the individuals with 2hPG > FPG (Group II) compared with those having 2hPG ≤ FPG (Group I).

Results

A total of 466 (115) CHD and 235 (106) IS events occurred in men (women) during a median follow-up of 16.4 years. Individuals in Group II were older and had greater body mass index, blood pressure, 2hPG and fasting insulin than those in Group I in both sexes. Multivariate adjusted HRs (95% confidence intervals) for incidence of CHD, IS, and composite CVD events (CHD + IS) in men were 1.13 (0.93-1.37), 1.40 (1.06-1.85) and 1.20 (1.01-1.42) in the Group II as compared with those in the Group I. The corresponding HRs in women were 1.33 (0.83-2.13), 0.94 (0.59-1.51) and 1.11 (0.79-1.54), respectively.

Conclusion

Within normoglycemic range individuals whose 2hPG did not return to their FPG levels during an OGTT had increased risk of CHD and IS.

Shadow of diabetes over cardiovascular disease: comparative quantification of population-attributable all-cause and cardiovascular mortality

BACKGROUND

We contrasted impacts on all-cause and cardiovascular disease (CVD) mortality of diabetes vs. CVD.

METHODS

Among participants the Tehran lipid and glucose study aged ≥ 30 years (n = 9752), we selected those who participated in the follow-up study until 20 March 2009 (n = 8795). Complete data on covariate were available for 8, 469 participants, contributing to a 67935 person-year follow up. In the analysis of outcomes (all-cause and CVD mortality), diabetes and CVD were assessed using Cox proportional hazard regression model adjusting for established CVD risk factors. We used population attributable hazard fraction (PAHF) and rate advancement period (RAP) that expresses how much sooner a given mortality rate is reached among exposed than among unexposed individuals.

RESULTS

Ten percent of the participants self-reported to have pervious CVD, and diabetes was ascertained in 17% of participants at baseline examination. During a median follow-up of 9 years 386 participants died of which 184 were due to CVD. All-cause and CVD mortality rate (95% CIs) were 5.5 (5.0-6.1) and 2.6 (2.3-3.0) per 1000 person-year, respectively. The PAHF of all-cause mortality for diabetes 9.2 (7.3-11.1) was greater than the one for CVD 3.5 (1.1-5.5). RAP estimates for all-cause mortality associated with diabetes ranged from 7.4 to 8.6 years whereas the RAP estimates for all-cause mortality associated with CVD ranged from 3.1 to 4.3 years. The PAHF of CVD mortality for diabetes 9.4 (6.8-12.0) was greater than the one for CVD 4.5 (1.8-7.0). RAP estimates for CVD mortality associated with diabetes ranged from 8.2 to 9.8 years whereas the RAP estimates for CVD mortality associated with CVD ranged from 4.7 to 6.7 years.

CONCLUSIONS

We demonstrated that diabetes, which was shown to be keeping pace with prevalent CVD in terms of conferring excess risk of incident CVD, is currently causing more deaths in the population than does CVD.