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Catov JM, Muldoon MF, Reis SE, Ness RB, Nguyen LN, Yamal JM, Hwang H, Parks WT. Preterm birth with placental evidence of malperfusion is associated with cardiovascular risk factors after pregnancy: a prospective cohort study. BJOG 2017; 125:1009-1017. [PMID: 29193660 DOI: 10.1111/1471-0528.15040] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 11/12/2017] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Preterm birth (PTB) is associated with excess maternal cardiovascular disease risk. We considered that women with PTB and placental evidence of maternal malperfusion would be particularly affected. DESIGN Pregnancy cohort study. SETTING Pittsburgh, PA, USA. POPULATION Women with PTB (n = 115) and term births (n = 210) evaluated 4-12 years after pregnancy. METHODS Cardiometabolic risk markers were compared in women with prior PTB versus term births; pre-eclampsia and growth restriction cases were excluded. Placental evidence of maternal vascular malperfusion (vasculopathy, infarct, advanced villous maturation, perivillous fibrin, intervillous fibrin deposition), acute infection/inflammation (chorioamnionitis, funisitis, deciduitus) and villitis of unknown aetiology (chronic inflammation) was used to classify PTBs. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES Carotid artery intima-media thickness (IMT), fasting lipids, blood pressure (BP) and inflammatory markers measured after delivery. RESULTS Women with PTB and malperfusion lesions had higher total cholesterol (+13.5 mg/dl) and systolic BP (+4.0 mmHg) at follow up compared with women with term births, accounting for age, race, pre-pregnancy BMI, and smoking (P < 0.05). Women with PTB and malperfusion accompanied by inflammatory lesions had the most atherogenic profile after pregnancy (cholesterol +18.7, apolipoprotein B + 12.7 mg/dl; all P < 0.05), adjusted for pre-pregnancy features. Carotid IMT was higher in this group (+0.037 cm, P = 0.031) accounting for pre-pregnancy factors; differences were attenuated after adjusting for BP and atherogenic lipids at follow up (+0.027, P = 0.095). CONCLUSION PTBs with placental malperfusion were associated with an excess maternal cardiometabolic risk burden in the decade after pregnancy. The placenta may offer insight into subtypes of PTB related to maternal cardiovascular disease. TWEETABLE ABSTRACT Preterm births with placental malperfusion may mark women at higher cardiovascular disease risk.
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Affiliation(s)
- J M Catov
- Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Sciences, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA, USA.,Department of Epidemiology, Graduate School of Public Health, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
| | - M F Muldoon
- Department of Medicine, University of Pittsburgh, School of Medicine and Hypertension Center, University of Pittsburgh Medical Center Heart and Vascular Institute, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
| | - S E Reis
- Office of Clinical Research, Clinical Translational Science Institute, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA.,Department of Cardiology, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
| | - R B Ness
- Division of Epidemiology and Disease Control, Innovation, The University of Texas School of Public Health, Houston, TX, USA
| | - L N Nguyen
- Department of Pathology, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
| | - J-M Yamal
- Department of Biostatistics, The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, School of Public Health, Houston, TX, USA
| | - H Hwang
- Department of Biostatistics, The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, School of Public Health, Houston, TX, USA
| | - W T Parks
- Departments of Pathology and Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Sciences, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine and the Magee-Womens Hospital of UPMC, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
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Stanley BOC, Feingold E, Cooper M, Vanyukov MM, Maher BS, Slayton RL, Willing MC, Reis SE, McNeil DW, Crout RJ, Weyant RJ, Levy SM, Vieira AR, Marazita ML, Shaffer JR. Genetic Association of MPPED2 and ACTN2 with Dental Caries. J Dent Res 2014; 93:626-32. [PMID: 24810274 DOI: 10.1177/0022034514534688] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/04/2013] [Accepted: 04/15/2014] [Indexed: 11/15/2022] Open
Abstract
The first genome-wide association study of dental caries focused on primary teeth in children aged 3 to 12 yr and nominated several novel genes: ACTN2, EDARADD, EPHA7, LPO, MPPED2, MTR, and ZMPSTE24. Here we interrogated 156 single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) within these candidate genes for evidence of association with dental caries experience in 13 race- and age-stratified samples from 6 independent studies (n = 3600). Analysis was performed separately for each sample, and results were combined across samples via meta-analysis. MPPED2 was significantly associated with caries via meta-analysis across the 5 childhood samples, with 4 SNPs showing significant associations after gene-wise adjustment for multiple comparisons (p < .0026). These results corroborate the previous genome-wide association study, although the functional role of MPPED2 in caries etiology remains unknown. ACTN2 also showed significant association via meta-analysis across childhood samples (p = .0014). Moreover, in adults, genetic association was observed for ACTN2 SNPs in individual samples (p < .0025), but no single SNP was significant via meta-analysis across all 8 adult samples. Given its compelling biological role in organizing ameloblasts during amelogenesis, this study strengthens the hypothesis that ACTN2 influences caries risk. Results for the other candidate genes neither proved nor precluded their associations with dental caries.
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Affiliation(s)
- B O C Stanley
- Department of Mathematics, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN, USA
| | - E Feingold
- Department of Human Genetics, Graduate School of Public Health, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA Department of Biostatistics, Graduate School of Public Health, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
| | - M Cooper
- Center for Craniofacial and Dental Genetics, School of Dental Medicine, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA Department of Oral Biology, School of Dental Medicine, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
| | - M M Vanyukov
- Department of Human Genetics, Graduate School of Public Health, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, School of Pharmacy, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA Department of Psychiatry, School of Medicine, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
| | - B S Maher
- Department of Mental Health, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Johns Hopkins University, USA
| | - R L Slayton
- Department of Pediatric Dentistry, School of Dentistry, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - M C Willing
- Division of Genetics and Genomics, Medicine, Department of Pediatrics, School of Medicine, Washington, University at St. Louis, St. Louis, MO, USA
| | - S E Reis
- Department of Medicine, School of Medicine, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA Clinical and Translational Science Institute, School of Medicine, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
| | - D W McNeil
- Dental Practice and Rural Health, West Virginia University, Morgantown, WV, USA
| | - R J Crout
- Department of Periodontics, School of Dentistry, West Virginia University, Morgantown, WV, USA
| | - R J Weyant
- Department of Dental Public Health and Information Management, School of Dental Medicine, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
| | - S M Levy
- Department of Preventive and Community Dentistry, University of Iowa College of Dentistry, Iowa City, IA, USA Department of Epidemiology, University of Iowa College of Public Health, Iowa City, IA, USA
| | - A R Vieira
- Center for Craniofacial and Dental Genetics, School of Dental Medicine, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA Department of Oral Biology, School of Dental Medicine, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
| | - M L Marazita
- Department of Human Genetics, Graduate School of Public Health, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA Center for Craniofacial and Dental Genetics, School of Dental Medicine, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA Department of Oral Biology, School of Dental Medicine, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA Department of Psychiatry, School of Medicine, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA Clinical and Translational Science Institute, School of Medicine, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
| | - J R Shaffer
- Department of Human Genetics, Graduate School of Public Health, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
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Abstract
BACKGROUND The agency for Health Care Policy and Research (AHCPR) has published practice guidelines to improve the quality of care patients with unstable angina. Prior to publication, studies demonstrated that when compared with cardiologists, internists were less likely to use effective pharmacologic therapies or revascularization in patients with unstable angina. HYPOTHESIS The study was undertaken to determine whether the AHCPR guideline publication abolished specialty-related disparities in care. METHODS We performed a chart review of consecutive patients hospitalized at a university-affiliated institution with an admission diagnosis of chest pain in the absence of myocardial infarction and a noncardiac etiology. Treatment and diagnostic cardiac testing were compared between risk-stratified patients cared for by a generalist (n = 125) and those whose care was guided by a cardiologist (n = 211). RESULTS In those with low-risk unstable angina, generalists were less likely to prescribe recommended aspirin (71 vs. 88%, p < 0.01) and beta blockers (9 vs. 37%, p < 0.001), and heparin (20 vs. 49%, p < 0.001), and to perform a recommended diagnostic stress test or cardiac catheterization (28 vs. 60%, p < 0.001). In those with at least intermediate risk, generalists were less likely to prescribe beta blockers (19 vs. 52%, p < 0.001), heparin (19 vs. 66%, p < 0.001), and nitrates (77 vs. 96%, p < 0.001), and to refer for diagnostic testing (19 vs. 65%, p < 0.001). Generalists' care was associated with significantly lower hospital charges. CONCLUSIONS AHCPR guidelines for the evaluation and treatment of unstable angina are implemented more effectively, but not uniformly, by cardiologists at our institution. Further studies are necessary to evaluate the barriers to implementation of the AHCPR guidelines.
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Affiliation(s)
- S E Reis
- Department of Medicine, University of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA
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4
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Matthews KA, Kamarck TW, H. Hall M, Strollo PJ, Owens JF, Buysse DJ, Lee L, Reis SE. Blood pressure dipping and sleep disturbance in African-American and Caucasian men and women. Am J Hypertens 2008; 21:826-31. [PMID: 18483473 DOI: 10.1038/ajh.2008.183] [Citation(s) in RCA: 73] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Elevated night time/daytime blood pressure (BP) ratios are associated with cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. We evaluated the associations between sleep/awake BP ratios and sleep disturbances. METHODS Sleep disturbances were assessed by in-home actigraphy and diary measures for nine nights, and polysomnography (PSG) for two nights; ambulatory BP was measured for at least 48 h. Participants were 186 middle-aged African-American and Caucasian men and women who were free from prevalent myocardial infarction, stroke, history of interventional cardiology procedures, diabetes, and diagnosed apnea or other sleep disorders. RESULTS Results showed that the greater the sleep/wake ratios of BP, the more fragmented the sleep, the greater the proportion in stage 1 (light) sleep and the smaller the proportion in rapid eye movement (REM) sleep, and the greater the number of arousals from sleep. These results were independent of age, race, gender, Framingham Risk status, cardiovascular medications, body mass index, and apnea/hypopnea index. Indicators of psychosocial stress were not greater among those with higher sleep/wake BP ratios. CONCLUSIONS Findings are consistent with the hypothesis that elevated night time/daytime pressure may be a consequence of poor sleep.
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Merz NB, Johnson BD, Reis SE, Lewis JF, Reichek N, Rogers WJ, Pepine CF, Shaw LJ. Diagnostic, prognostic, and cost assessment of coronary artery disease in women. Am J Manag Care 2001; 7:959-65. [PMID: 11669360] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/22/2023]
Abstract
Women with obstructive coronary disease appear to be more challenging diagnostically and suffer a more adverse prognosis than men. More than one half of women with symptoms of ischemic heart disease have no obstructive coronary artery disease at coronary angiography, yet these women frequently have persistent symptom-related disability and consume large amounts of healthcare resources. Prior evidence has been limited regarding effective diagnostic strategies for the assessment of symptomatic women. The current report synthesizes existing evidence on diagnostic testing in women, including research from the ongoing National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute-sponsored Women's Ischemia Syndrome Evaluation (WISE) study. In addition to recent published evidence (drawn from much larger cohorts of women) that stress echocardiography and nuclear imaging are similar in their ability to risk-stratify women, the WISE study is exploring new pathophysiological mechanisms of microvascular dysfunction in women. An unfolding body of evidence suggests that as tests become more diagnostically and prognostically accurate, the process will become more cost efficient. The results from a growing number of large observational series and National Institutes of Health-sponsored studies are expected to be the foundation for cost-effective diagnostic and prognostic strategies for the approximately 5 million women who undergo evaluation for coronary disease annually.
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Affiliation(s)
- N B Merz
- Department of Medicine, Cedars-Sinai Research Institute, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA, USA.
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Reis SE, Holubkov R, Conrad Smith AJ, Kelsey SF, Sharaf BL, Reichek N, Rogers WJ, Merz CN, Sopko G, Pepine CJ. Coronary microvascular dysfunction is highly prevalent in women with chest pain in the absence of coronary artery disease: results from the NHLBI WISE study. Am Heart J 2001; 141:735-41. [PMID: 11320360 DOI: 10.1067/mhj.2001.114198] [Citation(s) in RCA: 365] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Chest pain in the absence of obstructive coronary artery disease (CAD) is common in women; it is frequently associated with debilitating symptoms and repeated evaluations and may be caused by coronary microvascular dysfunction. However, the prevalence and determinants of microvascular dysfunction in these women are uncertain. METHODS We measured coronary flow velocity reserve (coronary velocity response to intracoronary adenosine) to evaluate the coronary microvasculature and risk factors for atherosclerosis in 159 women (mean age, 52.9 years) with chest pain and no obstructive CAD. All women were referred for coronary angiography to evaluate their chest pain as part of the Women's Ischemia Syndrome Evaluation (WISE) study. RESULTS Seventy-four (47%) women had subnormal (<2.5) coronary flow velocity reserve suggestive of microvascular dysfunction (mean, 2.02 +/- 0.38); 85 (53%) had normal reserve (mean, 3.13 +/- 0.64). Demographic characteristics, blood pressure, ventricular function, lipid levels, and reproductive hormone levels were not significantly different between women with normal and those with abnormal microvascular function. Postmenopausal hormone use within 3 months was significantly less prevalent among those with microvascular dysfunction (40% vs 60%, P =.032). Age and number of years past menopause correlated with flow velocity reserve (r = -0.18, P =.02, and r = -0.30, P <.001, respectively). No significant associations were identified between flow velocity reserve and lipid and hormone levels, blood pressure, and left ventricular ejection fraction. CONCLUSIONS Coronary microvascular dysfunction is present in approximately one half of women with chest pain in the absence of obstructive CAD and cannot be predicted by risk factors for atherosclerosis and hormone levels. Therefore, the diagnosis of coronary microvascular dysfunction should be considered in women with chest pain not attributable to obstructive CAD.
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Affiliation(s)
- S E Reis
- Cardiovascular Institute and Department of Epidemiology, University of Pittsburgh, PA, USA.
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Sharaf BL, Pepine CJ, Kerensky RA, Reis SE, Reichek N, Rogers WJ, Sopko G, Kelsey SF, Holubkov R, Olson M, Miele NJ, Williams DO, Merz CN. Detailed angiographic analysis of women with suspected ischemic chest pain (pilot phase data from the NHLBI-sponsored Women's Ischemia Syndrome Evaluation [WISE] Study Angiographic Core Laboratory). Am J Cardiol 2001; 87:937-41; A3. [PMID: 11305981 DOI: 10.1016/s0002-9149(01)01424-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 176] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
Abstract
The purpose of this study is to provide a contemporary qualitative and quantitative analysis of coronary angiograms from a large series of women enrolled in the Women's Ischemia Syndrome Evaluation (WISE) study who had suspected ischemic chest pain. Previous studies have suggested that women with chest pain have a lower prevalence of significant coronary artery disease (CAD) compared with men. Detailed analyses of angiographic findings relative to risk factors and outcomes are not available. All coronary angiograms were reviewed in a central core laboratory. Quantitative measurement of percent stenosis was used to assess the presence and severity of disease. Of the 323 women enrolled in the pilot phase, 34% had no detectable, 23% had measurable but minimal, and 43% had significant ( > 50% diameter stenosis) CAD. Of those with significant CAD, most had multivessel disease. Features suggesting complex plaque were identified in < 10%. Age, hypertension, diabetes mellitus, prior myocardial infarction (MI), current hormone replacement therapy, and unstable angina were all significant, independent predictors of presence of significant disease (p < 0.05). Subsequent hospitalization for a cardiac cause occurred more frequently in those women with minimal and significant disease compared with no disease (p = 0.001). The common findings of no and extensive CAD among symptomatic women at coronary angiography highlight the need for better clinical noninvasive evaluations for ischemia. Women with minimal CAD have intermediate rates of rehospitalization and cardiovascular events, and thus should not be considered low risk.
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Affiliation(s)
- B L Sharaf
- Rhode Island Hospital, Brown University, Providence, Rhode Island 02903, USA.
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Abstract
We reviewed studies of the effects of different estrogens, progestins, and selective estrogen receptor modulators at the coronary and carotid arterial sites to help determine their likely effects on cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. All English-language studies published between 1997 and 2000 on MEDLINE, Current Contents, and Best Evidence were reviewed, including in vitro, other animal, human physiologic, and clinical trial studies. We synthesize, assess limitations, and integrate across systems with the in vivo experience in humans to evaluate the clinical context. Estrogens have favorable direct effects in most circumstances, progestins oppose these effects, and early studies suggest that selective estrogen receptor modulators are protective. In some systems the dosage, route of delivery, and type of progestin may be important and risk factors may modulate hormone effects. The evaluation of endothelial dysfunction gives a unique in vivo opportunity to assess the vascular properties of hormones, although the relationship between the in vivo physiologic effects of hormones and clinical outcomes remains to be determined.
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Affiliation(s)
- R A Wild
- Reproductive Endocrinology Section, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, USA
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Rutledge T, Reis SE, Olson M, Owens J, Kelsey SF, Pepine CJ, Reichek N, Rogers WJ, Merz CN, Sopko G, Cornell CE, Matthews KA. Psychosocial variables are associated with atherosclerosis risk factors among women with chest pain: the WISE study. Psychosom Med 2001; 63:282-8. [PMID: 11292277 DOI: 10.1097/00006842-200103000-00014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 43] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE We investigated associations between atherosclerosis risk factors (smoking behavior, serum cholesterol, hypertension, body mass index, and functional capacity) and psychological characteristics with suspected linkages to coronary disease (depression, hostility, and anger expression) in an exclusively female cohort. METHODS Six hundred eighty-eight middle-aged women with chest pain warranting clinical investigation completed a comprehensive diagnostic protocol that included quantitative coronary angiography to assess coronary artery disease (CAD). Primary analyses controlled for menopausal status, age, and socioeconomic status variables (income and education). RESULTS High depression scores were associated with a nearly three-fold risk of smoking (odds ratio (OR) = 2.8, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 1.4-5.7) after covariate adjustment, and women reporting higher depression symptoms were approximately four times more likely to describe themselves in the lowest category of functional capacity (OR = 3.7, 95% CI = 1.7-7.8). High anger-out scores were associated with a four-fold or greater risk of low high-density lipoprotein cholesterol concentration (<50 mg/dl; OR = 4.0, 95% CI = 1.4-11.1) and high low-density lipoprotein cholesterol concentration (>160 mg/dl; OR = 4.8, 95% CI = 1.5-15.7) and a larger body mass index (OR = 3.5, 95% CI = 1.1-10.8) after covariate adjustment. CONCLUSIONS These results demonstrate consistent and clinically relevant relationships between psychosocial factors and atherosclerosis risk factors among women and may aid our understanding of the increased mortality risk among women reporting high levels of psychological distress.
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Affiliation(s)
- T Rutledge
- University of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA.
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Rutledge T, Reis SE, Olson M, Owens J, Kelsey SF, Pepine CJ, Reichek N, Rogers WJ, Merz CN, Sopko G, Cornell CE, Sharaf B, Matthews KA. History of anxiety disorders is associated with a decreased likelihood of angiographic coronary artery disease in women with chest pain: the WISE study. J Am Coll Cardiol 2001; 37:780-5. [PMID: 11693752 DOI: 10.1016/s0735-1097(00)01163-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES We sought to evaluate the ability of psychiatric anxiety-disorder history to discriminate between women with and without angiographic coronary artery disease (CAD) in a population with chest pain. BACKGROUND A total of 435 women with chest pain underwent a diagnostic battery including coronary angiography in order to improve testing guidelines for women with suspected CAD. METHODS Women referred for coronary angiography completed questionnaires assessing prior treatment history for anxiety disorder and current anxiety-related symptoms. Analyses controlled for standard CAD risk factors. RESULTS Forty-four women (10%) reported receiving prior treatment for an anxiety disorder. This group acknowledged significantly higher levels of autonomic symptoms (e.g., headaches, muscle tension [F = 25.0, p < 0.0011 and higher behavioral avoidance scores (e.g., avoidance of open places or traveling alone by bus [F = 4.2, p < 0.05]) at baseline testing compared with women without prior anxiety problems. Women with an anxiety-disorder history did not differ from those without such a history with respect to the presence of inducible ischemia or use of nitroglycerin, although they were younger and more likely to describe both "tight" and "sharp" chest pain symptoms and to experience back pain and episodes of nocturnal chest pain. Logistic regression results indicated that the positive-anxiety-history group was more likely to be free of underlying significant angiographic CAD (odds ratio = 2.74, 95% confidence interval 1.15 to 6.5, p = 0.03). CONCLUSIONS Among women with chest pain symptoms, a history of anxiety disorders is associated with a lower probability of significant angiographic CAD. Knowledge of anxiety disorder history may assist in the clinical evaluation of women with chest pain.
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Affiliation(s)
- T Rutledge
- University of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA.
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Reis SE, Costantino JP, Wickerham DL, Tan-Chiu E, Wang J, Kavanah M. Cardiovascular effects of tamoxifen in women with and without heart disease: breast cancer prevention trial. National Surgical Adjuvant Breast and Bowel Project Breast Cancer Prevention Trial Investigators. J Natl Cancer Inst 2001; 93:16-21. [PMID: 11136837 DOI: 10.1093/jnci/93.1.16] [Citation(s) in RCA: 110] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The overall effect of prophylactic tamoxifen in women depends on the balance between the effects of the drug, which include preventing breast cancer and altering cardiovascular risk. In a recent clinical trial, postmenopausal estrogen-progestin therapy was shown to increase the risk of early cardiovascular events among women with a history of coronary heart disease (CHD). The cardiovascular effects of tamoxifen in women with and without CHD are not known. The National Surgical Adjuvant Breast and Bowel Project Breast Cancer Prevention Trial (BCPT) is the only clinical trial that provides data to assess the cardiovascular effects of tamoxifen in women with and without CHD. METHODS A total of 13 388 women at increased risk for breast cancer were randomly assigned in the BCPT to receive either tamoxifen (20 mg/day) or placebo. Cardiovascular follow-up was available for 13 194 women, 1048 of whom had prior clinical CHD. Fatal and nonfatal myocardial infarction, unstable angina, and severe angina were tabulated (mean follow-up: 49 months). All statistical tests were two-sided. RESULTS Cardiovascular event rates were not statistically significantly different between women assigned to receive tamoxifen and those assigned to receive placebo, independent of pre-existing CHD. Among women without CHD (6074 on tamoxifen versus 6072 on placebo), risk ratios (95% confidence intervals [CIs]) for tamoxifen users were 1.75 (0.44 to 8.13) for fatal myocardial infarction, 1.11 (0.55 to 2.28) for nonfatal myocardial infarction, 0.69 (0.29 to 1.57) for unstable angina, and 0.83 (0.32 to 2.10) for severe angina. In women with CHD (516 on tamoxifen versus 532 on placebo), risk ratios (95% CIs) for tamoxifen users were 0.00 (0 to 1.58) for fatal myocardial infarction, 1.25 (0.32 to 5.18) for nonfatal myocardial infarction, 2.26 (0.87 to 6.55) for unstable angina, and 1.39 (0.23 to 9.47) for severe angina. There was no evidence that the lack of association between tamoxifen and cardiovascular events was related to an early increase in risk that may have been offset by a late decrease in risk. CONCLUSION When used for breast cancer prevention in women with or without heart disease, tamoxifen is not associated with beneficial or adverse cardiovascular effects.
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Affiliation(s)
- S E Reis
- Cardiovascular Institute, University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, PA 15213, USA.
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Olson MB, Kelsey SF, Bittner V, Reis SE, Reichek N, Handberg EM, Merz CN. Weight cycling and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol in women: evidence of an adverse effect: a report from the NHLBI-sponsored WISE study. Women's Ischemia Syndrome Evaluation Study Group. J Am Coll Cardiol 2000; 36:1565-71. [PMID: 11079659 DOI: 10.1016/s0735-1097(00)00901-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 61] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/17/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES We undertook an analysis of weight cycling, coronary risk factors and angiographic coronary artery disease (CAD) in women. BACKGROUND The effect of weight cycling on cardiovascular mortality and morbidity is controversial, and the impact of weight cycling on cardiovascular risk factors is unclear. METHODS This is a cross-sectional population study of 485 women with coronary risk factors undergoing coronary angiography for evaluation of suspected myocardial ischemia enrolled in the Women's Ischemia Syndrome Evaluation (WISE). Reported lifetime weight cycling-defined as voluntary weight loss of at least 10 lbs at least 3 times--coronary risk factors including core laboratory determined blood lipoproteins and CAD, as determined by a core angiographic laboratory, are the main outcome measures. RESULTS Overall, 27% of women reported weight cycling--19% cycled 10 to 19 lbs, 6% cycled 20 to 49 lbs, and 2% cycled 50+ lbs. Reported weight cycling was associated with 7% lower high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) levels in women (p = 0.01). The HDL-C effect was directly related to the amount of weight cycled with women who lost > or = 50 lbs/cycle having HDL-C levels 27% lower than noncyclers (p = 0.0025). This finding was independent of other HDL-C modulators, including estrogen status, physical activity level, alcohol intake, body mass index, diabetes, beta-blocker use, cigarette smoking and race. Weight cycling was not associated with an increased prevalence of CAD in this population. CONCLUSIONS Weight cycling is associated with lower HDL-C in women of a magnitude that is known to be associated with an increased risk of cardiac events as demonstrated in prior clinical trials.
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Affiliation(s)
- M B Olson
- Department of Epidemiology, Graduate School of Public Health, University of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15261, USA.
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13
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Reis SE, Holubkov R, Young JB, White BG, Cohn JN, Feldman AM. Estrogen is associated with improved survival in aging women with congestive heart failure: analysis of the vesnarinone studies. J Am Coll Cardiol 2000; 36:529-33. [PMID: 10933368 DOI: 10.1016/s0735-1097(00)00738-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 49] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES This study sought to evaluate the effects of postmenopausal estrogen use on mortality in aging women with congestive heart failure (CHF). BACKGROUND The age-related increase in CHF mortality in women may be related to a menopause-associated increased incidence of coronary artery disease. In addition to inhibiting coronary atherosclerosis, estrogen may also have protective effects on cardiac myocytes independent of the coronary vasculature. We hypothesized that estrogen use is associated with improved survival in elderly women with CHF. METHODS Associations between survival, estrogen use and patient characteristics were assessed in 1,134 women who were at least 50 years of age, had CHF and left ventricular ejection fraction (EF) < or =30% and were enrolled in one of three clinical trials of vesnarinone. RESULTS All-cause 12-month mortality was 15.0% among the 237 estrogen users versus 27.1% among the 897 estrogen nonusers (p = 0.004 for unadjusted comparison of survival). Similar results were observed for cardiac mortality. Regression analysis demonstrated that estrogen use was independently associated with improved survival (relative risk of mortality = 0.68, 95% confidence interval 0.48 to 0.96, p = 0.03). Advanced age, low EF, New York Heart Association class IV CHF, Caucasian race and abnormal serum creatinine, sodium, potassium and transaminase were independently associated with increased mortality. CONCLUSIONS Estrogen use among older women with CHF is associated with decreased overall and cardiac mortality.
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Affiliation(s)
- S E Reis
- University of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA
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Abstract
Trastuzumab, a monoclonal antibody against the HER2 receptor, was recently approved for the treatment of metastatic breast cancer. However, 28% of patients receiving both an anthracycline and trastuzumab developed heart failure. Although HER2 overexpression has been associated with the development of cancer, HER2 receptors seem to be cardioprotective because they mediate the activation of important cardiac survival pathways. Because the morbidity and mortality of heart failure surpasses that of many cancers, prudent medical practice mandates that physicians learn more about the mechanisms of trastuzumab-induced cardiotoxicity and develop algorithms for assessing risk/benefit ratios before extending the use of this agent to patients with less invasive forms of breast cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- A M Feldman
- Cardiovascular Institute of the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center Health System, Pittsburgh, PA 15213, USA.
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Bittner V, Olson M, Kelsey SF, Rogers WJ, Bairey Merz CN, Armstrong K, Reis SE, Boyette A, Sopko G. Effect of coronary angiography on use of lipid-lowering agents in women: a report from the Women's Ischemia Syndrome Evaluation (WISE) study. For the WISE Investigators. Am J Cardiol 2000; 85:1083-8. [PMID: 10781756 DOI: 10.1016/s0002-9149(00)00700-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/01/2022]
Abstract
We sought to assess the impact of coronary angiography results on use of lipid-lowering agents among women enrolled in the Women's Ischemia Syndrome Evaluation [WISE] study. WISE is a multicenter study designed to evaluate new diagnostic modalities among women undergoing angiography for suspected coronary artery disease (CAD). History of atherosclerosis, risk factors for CAD, and low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol are determined at baseline. The percentage of women at LDL cholesterol goal, use of lipid-lowering agents, and eligibility for lipid-lowering therapy were determined based on National Cholesterol Education Program II guidelines at baseline and 6-week follow-up. Among the 212 women for whom angiographic data were available, 84 had known atherosclerosis, 80 had no history of atherosclerosis but > or =2 risk factors (high risk), and 48 had no history of atherosclerosis and <2 risk factors (low risk). At baseline, LDL cholesterol goals were met in 24% women with atherosclerosis, in 56% high-risk women, and in 88% low-risk women. Angiography revealed previously undiagnosed CAD in 70% of the high-risk and in 42% of the low-risk women. After angiography results were available, 6 women started lipid-lowering therapy and 2 stopped. Based on National Cholesterol Education Program II guidelines, 63 additional women would have been eligible for pharmacologic lipid-lowering therapy. Intensification of lipid-lowering therapy was not apparent 6 weeks after coronary angiography in women with newly diagnosed CAD or among women whose diagnosis was confirmed.
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Affiliation(s)
- V Bittner
- Division of Cardiovascular Disease, University of Alabama at Birmingham, 35294, USA.
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Reis SE, Holubkov R, Lee JS, Sharaf B, Reichek N, Rogers WJ, Walsh EG, Fuisz AR, Kerensky R, Detre KM, Sopko G, Pepine CJ. Coronary flow velocity response to adenosine characterizes coronary microvascular function in women with chest pain and no obstructive coronary disease. Results from the pilot phase of the Women's Ischemia Syndrome Evaluation (WISE) study. J Am Coll Cardiol 1999; 33:1469-75. [PMID: 10334410 DOI: 10.1016/s0735-1097(99)00072-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 148] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES We sought to develop and validate a definition of coronary microvascular dysfunction in women with chest pain and no significant epicardial obstruction based on adenosine-induced changes in coronary flow velocity (i.e., coronary velocity reserve). BACKGROUND Chest pain is frequently not caused by fixed obstructive coronary artery disease (CAD) of large vessels in women. Coronary microvascular dysfunction is an alternative mechanism of chest pain that is more prevalent in women and is associated with attenuated coronary volumetric flow augmentation in response to hyperemic stimuli (i.e., abnormal coronary flow reserve). However, traditional assessment of coronary volumetric flow reserve is time-consuming and not uniformly available. METHODS As part of the Women's Ischemia Syndrome Evaluation (WISE) study, 48 women with chest pain and normal coronary arteries or minimal coronary luminal irregularities (mean stenosis = 7%) underwent assessment of coronary blood flow reserve and coronary flow velocity reserve. Blood flow responses to intracoronary adenosine were measured using intracoronary Doppler ultrasonography and quantitative angiography. RESULTS Coronary volumetric flow reserve correlated with coronary velocity reserve (Pearson correlation = 0.87, p < 0.001). In 29 (60%) women with abnormal coronary microcirculation (mean coronary flow reserve = 1.84), adenosine increased coronary velocity by 89% (p < 0.001) but did not change coronary cross-sectional area. In 19 (40%) women with normal microcirculation (mean flow reserve = 3.24), adenosine increased coronary velocity and area by 179% (p < 0.001) and 17% (p < 0.001), respectively. A coronary velocity reserve threshold of 2.24 provided the best balance between sensitivity and specificity (90% and 89%, respectively) for the diagnosis of microvascular dysfunction. In addition, failure of the epicardial coronary to dilate at least 9% was found to be a sensitive (79%) and specific (79%) surrogate marker of microvascular dysfunction. CONCLUSIONS Coronary flow velocity response to intracoronary adenosine characterizes coronary microvascular function in women with chest pain in the absence of obstructive CAD. Attenuated epicardial coronary dilation response to adenosine may be a surrogate marker of microvascular dysfunction in women with chest pain and no obstructive CAD.
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Affiliation(s)
- S E Reis
- Department of Medicine, University of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA.
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Merz CN, Kelsey SF, Pepine CJ, Reichek N, Reis SE, Rogers WJ, Sharaf BL, Sopko G. The Women's Ischemia Syndrome Evaluation (WISE) study: protocol design, methodology and feasibility report. J Am Coll Cardiol 1999; 33:1453-61. [PMID: 10334408 DOI: 10.1016/s0735-1097(99)00082-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 251] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES The Women's Ischemia Syndrome Evaluation (WISE) is a National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute-sponsored, four-center study designed to: 1) optimize symptom evaluation and diagnostic testing for ischemic heart disease; 2) explore mechanisms for symptoms and myocardial ischemia in the absence of epicardial coronary artery stenoses, and 3) evaluate the influence of reproductive hormones on symptoms and diagnostic test response. BACKGROUND Accurate diagnosis of ischemic heart disease in women is a major challenge to physicians, and the role reproductive hormones play in this diagnostic uncertainty is unexplored. Moreover, the significance and pathophysiology of ischemia in the absence of significant epicardial coronary stenoses is unknown. METHODS The WISE common core data include demographic and clinical data, symptom and psychosocial variables, coronary angiographic and ventriculographic data, brachial artery reactivity testing, resting/ambulatory electrocardiographic monitoring and a variety of blood determinations. Site-specific complementary methods include physiologic and functional cardiovascular assessments of myocardial perfusion and metabolism, ventriculography, endothelial vascular function and coronary angiography. Women are followed for at least 1 year to assess clinical events and symptom status. RESULTS In Phase I (1996-1997), a pilot phase, 256 women were studied. These data indicate that the WISE protocol is safe and feasible for identifying symptomatic women with and without significant epicardial coronary artery stenoses. CONCLUSIONS The WISE study will define contemporary diagnostic testing to evaluate women with suspected ischemic heart disease. Phase II (1997-1999) is ongoing and will study an additional 680 women, for a total WISE enrollment of 936 women. Phase III (2000) will include patient follow-up, data analysis and a National Institutes of Health WISE workshop.
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Affiliation(s)
- C N Merz
- Department of Medicine, Cedars-Sinai Research Institute, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, California, USA
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Reis SE, Holubkov R, Zell KA, Smith AJ, Cohen HA, Feldman MD, Blumenthal RS. Estrogen acutely abolishes abnormal cold-induced coronary constriction in men. Chest 1998; 114:1556-61. [PMID: 9872188 DOI: 10.1378/chest.114.6.1556] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/01/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND STUDY OBJECTIVE Ambient cold exposure may induce myocardial ischemia by precipitating coronary artery constriction and a decrease in coronary blood flow. Estrogen has vasoactive properties that may prevent abnormal coronary constriction in a sex-independent manner. The purpose of this study is to determine whether estrogen acutely abolishes abnormal coronary responses to cold exposure in men. DESIGN Randomized, double-blinded placebo-controlled clinical trial. SETTING Cardiac catheterization laboratory. PATIENTS Men referred for routine diagnostic coronary angiography who exhibit abnormal coronary artery constriction in response to a 90-s cold pressor test (CPT). INTERVENTION Intravenous conjugated estrogens (1.25 mg) vs. placebo. MEASUREMENTS AND RESULTS Rate-pressure product, coronary cross-sectional area (CSA), and coronary blood flow responses to the CPT were measured before and 15 min after intervention. In 12 men with CPT-induced coronary constriction who were assigned to estrogen, CPT induced a mean 21.8% decrease in coronary CSA (p < 0.01) and a nonsignificant change in coronary flow. After estrogen, the repeated CPT induced a 16.3% increase in CSA (p < 0.01) and a 54.9% increase in flow (p < 0.01). CSA and coronary flow responses to CPT were significantly different before and after estrogen (p < 0.01). In contrast, placebo was not associated with changes in CSA or coronary flow responses to CPT in eight men. CONCLUSIONS In men, conjugated estrogens acutely abolish abnormal coronary constriction and improve coronary blood flow responses to an exogenous cold stimulus. These results suggest that estrogen favorably alters coronary vasoreactivity in men.
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Affiliation(s)
- S E Reis
- Division of Cardiology, University of Pittsburgh, PA, USA.
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Reis SE, Bhoopalam V, Zell KA, Counihan PJ, Smith AJ, Pham S, Murali S. Conjugated estrogens acutely abolish abnormal cold-induced coronary vasoconstriction in male cardiac allografts. Circulation 1998; 97:23-5. [PMID: 9443427 DOI: 10.1161/01.cir.97.1.23] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/05/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Transplant-associated coronary arteriopathy is manifested in its early stages by paradoxical coronary artery constriction in response to endothelium-dependent vasodilator stimuli such as the cold pressor test (CPT) and is a major cause of death or retransplantation. Estrogen has vasoactive properties that abolish coronary artery endothelial dysfunction in native hearts. We hypothesized that estrogen attenuates inappropriate coronary artery constriction in cardiac allografts. METHODS AND RESULTS Coronary artery diameter and systemic hemodynamic responses to a 90-second CPT were measured before and 15 minutes after double-blind, randomized administration of intravenous conjugated estrogens (1.25 mg) or placebo in men with male cardiac allografts. Before estrogen, 9 men exhibited an abnormal 15.1 +/- 3.0% CPT-induced decrease in coronary artery diameter. However, repeat CPT did not induce significant coronary artery constriction when performed 15 minutes after estrogen. CPT responses before and after estrogen were significantly different (P=.02). Placebo did not influence coronary artery responses to CPT in 6 men. Systemic hemodynamic responses to CPT were not influenced by estrogen or placebo. Estrogen was the only significant determinant of changes in coronary artery responses to CPT. CONCLUSIONS Conjugated estrogens acutely abolish abnormal CPT-induced coronary artery constriction in male cardiac allografts. This favorable vasomotor effect suggests that estrogen may prevent inappropriate coronary artery constriction in men with cardiac transplants.
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Affiliation(s)
- S E Reis
- Department of Medicine, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, PA 15213, USA
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Blumenthal RS, Heldman AW, Brinker JA, Resar JR, Coombs VJ, Gloth ST, Gerstenblith G, Reis SE. Acute effects of conjugated estrogens on coronary blood flow response to acetylcholine in men. Am J Cardiol 1997; 80:1021-4. [PMID: 9352971 DOI: 10.1016/s0002-9149(97)00596-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 52] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/05/2023]
Abstract
Estrogen therapy is associated with a 50% reduction in the clinical manifestations of coronary artery disease in postmenopausal women. Attenuation of coronary vasomotor dysfunction may contribute to estrogen's cardioprotective effects. We hypothesized that conjugated estrogens, which contain several vasoactive estrogenic compounds, may favorably influence the vasomotor response to acetylcholine in men. Twenty men, 56 +/- 5 years of age, referred for clinically indicated coronary angiography, participated in this study. Acetylcholine-induced changes in coronary flow were measured by quantitative coronary angiography and intracoronary Doppler ultrasonography before and 15 minutes after intravenous administration of conjugated estrogens (0.625 mg) in 12 men and placebo in 8 men. Initial acetylcholine infusion resulted in no significant increase in coronary blood flow. However, 15 minutes after estrogen administration repeat acetylcholine infusion caused a mean 32% increase in coronary blood flow from 41 +/- 5 to 54 +/- 8 ml/min (p = 0.02). Acetylcholine-induced change in flow after estrogen was significantly different from that before estrogen (p = 0.03). Placebo administration did not affect acetylcholine-induced changes in coronary flow. Thus, intravenous conjugated estrogens favorably modulate acetylcholine-induced changes in coronary hemodynamics in men. This suggests that novel nonfeminizing estrogenic compounds may have anti-ischemic effects in men.
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Affiliation(s)
- R S Blumenthal
- Ciccarone Center for the Prevention of Heart Disease, Johns Hopkins Hospital, Baltimore, Maryland 21287, USA
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Reis SE, Holubkov R, Edmundowicz D, McNamara DM, Zell KA, Detre KM, Feldman AM. Treatment of patients admitted to the hospital with congestive heart failure: specialty-related disparities in practice patterns and outcomes. J Am Coll Cardiol 1997; 30:733-8. [PMID: 9283533 DOI: 10.1016/s0735-1097(97)00214-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 185] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/05/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES This study sought to define specialty-related differences in the care and outcome of patients admitted to the hospital with congestive heart failure (CHF). BACKGROUND Congestive heart failure is the leading diagnosis-related group (DRG) discharge diagnosis in the United States and accounts for an estimated annual hospital cost in excess of $7 billion. The clinical impact of aggressive CHF management and the importance of the subspecialist in guiding this care have not been evaluated. METHODS To define differences in physician practice patterns, we performed a chart review of consecutive patients admitted to a university teaching hospital with a primary DRG discharge diagnosis of CHF. We compared treatment and outcome of patients cared for by a generalist (n = 160) and those whose care was guided by a cardiologist (n = 138) during their index hospital period with CHF and over the next 6 months. RESULTS At our institution, > 50% of patients admitted to the hospital with CHF cared for by generalists alone had minimal (New York Heart Association functional class I or II) symptoms, compared with < 15% of those cared for by a cardiologist (p < 0.01). Although generalists' patients underwent significantly fewer in-hospital diagnostic tests and had shorter lengths of stay, they had a 1.7-fold increased risk of readmission for CHF within 6 months (p < 0.05). Six-month cardiac and all-cause mortality were not significantly different between the groups. The type of physician caring for the patient and a history of diabetes, previous CHF or myocardial infarction were independent predictors of readmission for CHF. CONCLUSIONS Involvement of a cardiologist in the care of patients admitted to the hospital with CHF is associated with increased use of diagnostic testing, longer hospital stays and improved clinical outcome. These results substantiate practice guidelines that suggest a role for cardiologists in the care of symptomatic patients with CHF.
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Affiliation(s)
- S E Reis
- Department of Medicine, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pennsylvania, USA.
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Reis SE, Feldman AH. Effect of atenolol on mortality and cardiovascular morbidity after noncardiac surgery. N Engl J Med 1997; 336:1453; author reply 1453-4. [PMID: 9148148] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [MESH Headings] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/04/2023]
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Blumenthal RS, Brinker JA, Resar JR, Gloth ST, Zacur HA, Coombs V, Gerstenblith G, Reis SE. Long-term estrogen therapy abolishes acute estrogen-induced coronary flow augmentation in postmenopausal women. Am Heart J 1997; 133:323-8. [PMID: 9060801 DOI: 10.1016/s0002-8703(97)70227-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/03/2023]
Abstract
Postmenopausal estrogen replacement therapy (ERT) may reduce the clinical manifestations of coronary heart disease by favorably modulating coronary vasoreactivity. Intravenous ethinyl estradiol acutely increases coronary flow in postmenopausal women not receiving ERT. Because several vasoactive agents induce vasomotor tolerance when administered on a long-term basis, we hypothesized that long-term ERT attenuates the acute coronary vasomotor effects of intravenous ethinyl estradiol. To test this hypothesis, coronary hemodynamics were determined before and 15 minutes after intravenous ethinyl estradiol (35 micrograms) in 10 postmenopausal women who were receiving long-term conjugated ERT (group 1) and 10 who had never received ERT (group 2). Estradiol administration in group 1 was not associated with significant changes in coronary flow or resistance. However, women in group 2 exhibited a 28.6% +/- 6.5% (p < 0.001) increase in coronary flow and a 19.9% +/- 3.5% (p = 0.008) decrease in resistance. These results demonstrate that long-term ERT significantly attenuates the response of coronary arteries to the acute vasomotor effects of a high dose of estradiol. This response may be caused by long-term estrogen-induced coronary flow augmentation or to the development of vasomotor tolerance to estrogen.
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Affiliation(s)
- R S Blumenthal
- Department of Medicine, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, USA
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Abstract
The ability of academic divisions of cardiology to pursue educational and research missions in an era of market-driven managed care is being increasingly jeopardized. Indeed, several academic medical centers have been sold to for-profit entities, and many cardiology divisions have been forced to decrease staff and faculty reimbursements. Despite these threats, the academic division has unique strengths: (1) premium quality of care, (2) a single employer, (3) a somewhat uniform practice culture, (4) high-volume operators performing interventional procedures, (5) expertise in highly technical aspects of cardiology, and (6) the availability of physicians for outreach ventures. Therefore, we hypothesized that the cardiology division could be strengthened by collaborating with the medical center in the development of an aggressive and proactive managed care strategy. To this end, we developed a cardiovascular network having the academic center as its central focus but including a group of high-quality and geographically dispersed community-based physicians. These physicians were attracted by an economic package that provided protection from downside risk, participation in our managed care initiatives, and geographic exclusivity in an over-crowded market. In turn, the community-based physicians increasingly used the academic medical center for tertiary care, resulting in increased volumes and incremental profitability. Using this paradigm, we have now recruited approximately 40 community cardiologists. The resulting network provides access to a university cardiologist in most of the surrounding urban and rural counties and will allow us to compete effectively for capitated contracts.
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Affiliation(s)
- A M Feldman
- Department of Medicine, University of Pittsburgh (Pa) Medical Center 15213, USA.
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Abstract
Syndrome X was diagnosed in a female patient who presented with typical angina and a non-Q wave myocardial infarction, yet demonstrated normal coronary arteries. Syndrome X has been described as an impairment in normal endothelial function of the coronary microvasculature, resulting in inappropriate vasoconstriction and inadequate coronary flow reserve. In this article we review pathophysiology, diagnosis, treatment, and prognosis in a single case.
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Zell KA, Reis SE. Syndrome X: a discussion of angina and normal coronary arteries. Am J Crit Care 1996; 5:99-101. [PMID: 8653171] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/01/2023]
Abstract
Syndrome X was diagnosed in a female patient who presented with typical angina and a non-Q wave myocardial infarction, yet demonstrated normal coronary arteries. Syndrome X has been described as an impairment in normal endothelial function of the coronary microvasculature, resulting in inappropriate vasoconstriction and inadequate coronary flow reserve. In this article we review pathophysiology, diagnosis, treatment, and prognosis in a single case.
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Affiliation(s)
- K A Zell
- Department of Cardiology, University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, PA 15213, USA
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Blumenthal RS, Reis SE. Does early coronary endothelial dysfunction predict the development of vasculopathy? Chest 1995; 107:1187-9. [PMID: 7750302 DOI: 10.1378/chest.107.5.1187] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/26/2023] Open
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Blumenthal RS, Savader SJ, Resar JR, Brinker JA, Reis SE. Use of intravascular Doppler ultrasonography to assess the hemodynamic significance of the coronary-subclavian steal syndrome. Am Heart J 1995; 129:622-5. [PMID: 7872198 DOI: 10.1016/0002-8703(95)90296-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/27/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- R S Blumenthal
- Cardiac Catheterization Laboratory, Johns Hopkins Medical Institutions, Baltimore, MD
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Reis SE, Gloth ST, Blumenthal RS, Resar JR, Zacur HA, Gerstenblith G, Brinker JA. Ethinyl estradiol acutely attenuates abnormal coronary vasomotor responses to acetylcholine in postmenopausal women. Circulation 1994; 89:52-60. [PMID: 8281693 DOI: 10.1161/01.cir.89.1.52] [Citation(s) in RCA: 372] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/29/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Estrogen administration in postmenopausal women is associated with a 50% reduction in the clinical manifestations of coronary artery disease. The mechanisms are not known, although one potential explanation is estrogen-induced modulation of coronary vasoreactivity. Acetylcholine is an endothelium-dependent vasodilator that may be used to assess coronary vasoreactivity and elicits coronary responses that parallel those found with common daily vasomotor stimuli. Therefore, we tested whether estrogen attenuates abnormal coronary vasomotor responses to acetylcholine in postmenopausal women. METHODS AND RESULTS Acetylcholine-induced changes in coronary flow, resistance, and cross-sectional area were determined before and 15 minutes after intravenous administration of ethinyl estradiol (EE, 35 micrograms) in 15 postmenopausal women. The influence of estrogen on basal coronary flow, resistance, and epicardial cross-sectional area was also assessed by measuring these parameters before and after EE or placebo administration in 33 women. Estrogen altered basal coronary vasomotor tone in 22 women as manifested by an EE-induced 23.3 +/- 4.5% (mean +/- SEM) increase (P < .01) in coronary flow, a 15.0 +/- 3.2% decrease (P < .01) in resistance, and a 20.0 +/- 6.5% increase (P = .02) in epicardial cross-sectional area. Placebo administration in 11 women did not change these parameters. Estrogen also attenuated abnormal coronary vasomotor responses to acetylcholine. Seven women who exhibited a paradoxical acetylcholine-induced decrease in coronary flow (-33.5 +/- 12.3%, P < .01) and increase in resistance (38.9 +/- 14.1%, P = .05) and seven who had an abnormal acetylcholine-induced decrease in epicardial cross-sectional area (-14.2 +/- 4.4%; P = .04) did not have acetylcholine-induced changes in these parameters after EE administration. Acetylcholine-induced flow, resistance, and cross-sectional area responses before and after EE were significantly different (P < .01, P = .02, and P = .02, respectively). Normal coronary responses to acetylcholine were not affected by EE administration. CONCLUSIONS EE attenuates abnormal coronary vasomotor responses to acetylcholine in postmenopausal women. EE also decreases basal coronary vasomotor tone as manifested by increased coronary flow, decreased resistance, and increased epicardial cross-sectional area. These acute effects of estrogen on coronary vasoreactivity may explain, in part, the cardioprotective effects of estrogen in postmenopausal women.
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Affiliation(s)
- S E Reis
- Department of Medicine, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Md
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Reis SE, Gloth ST, Brinker JA. Assessment of the hemodynamic significance of a left internal mammary artery graft-pulmonary artery shunt in a post-bypass patient using a Doppler-tipped guide wire. Cathet Cardiovasc Diagn 1993; 29:52-6. [PMID: 8495473 DOI: 10.1002/ccd.1810290112] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/31/2023]
Abstract
We assessed the hemodynamic significance of a left internal mammary artery (LIMA) graft-pulmonary artery (PA) fistula in a post-bypass patient with chest pain. A Doppler-tipped guide wire and quantitative coronary angiography (QCA) were used to demonstrate that flow through the proximal LIMA (14.0 ml/min) was similar to the distal LIMA's contribution of flow to the left anterior descending artery (LAD) (15.6 ml/min), suggesting that the fistula was not hemodynamically significant. Therefore, intravascular Doppler and quantitative angiography may be used to assess the hemodynamic significance of a LIMA-PA fistula in a post-bypass patient.
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Affiliation(s)
- S E Reis
- Department of Medicine, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD 21287
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Affiliation(s)
- S E Reis
- Department of Medicine, Johns Hopkins Hospital, Baltimore, MD 21205
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Abstract
Despite their expense and inconvenience, serial ultrasound or venographic examinations are currently the only available methods to assess the efficacy of thrombolysis for deep venous thrombosis (DVT). We therefore tested whether the bleeding time (BT), a simple and inexpensive test, is useful in assessing lytic efficacy and might thus be a valuable adjunct in guiding the dose and duration of the thrombolytic agent. Serial BTs were obtained daily in 16 patients (eight men and eight women, average age 45.5 years, range 19 to 70) receiving streptokinase (SK) for proximal lower extremity DVT (n = 5), for upper extremity DVT (n = 10), or for renal vein thrombosis (n = 1). Duration of treatment averaged 89.9 +/- 43.6 hours (range 35 to 198 hours). Clot lysis on ultrasound, venogram, or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) was defined as: complete (greater than or equal to 90%), moderate (50% to 90%), minimal (less than 50%), or none. Important (complete or moderate) clot lysis occurred in 9 of 15 patients for whom follow-up studies were available. BT prolongation was defined as greater than 9.5 minutes and, during SK therapy, had a sensitivity of 0.67 and a specificity of 0.67 for important clot lysis. The positive predictive value of prolonged BT for clot lysis was 0.75. Calculated likelihood ratios revealed that a patient with BT prolongation was twice as likely to have important clot lysis rather than minimal or no lysis. These findings suggest that the BT should undergo further investigation as a simple, adjunctive, noninvasive marker of thrombolytic efficacy among DVT patients treated with SK.
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Affiliation(s)
- D R Hirsch
- Department of Medicine, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115
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35
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Abstract
Postoperative orthopaedic patients remain at risk for venous thromboembolism (VTE) after hospital discharge. Therefore, the authors designed and implemented a program for prevention of VTE that included outpatient adjusted-dose warfarin using twice-weekly prothrombin time (PT) determinations, a dedicated telephone line for PT results, and vigilant nurse-physician supervision to administer prophylaxis to 125 postoperative orthopaedic patients against VTE for an average of 31.4 days after discharge. PT was maintained between 13.2 and 18.3 seconds (1.1-1.5 x control) in the average patient. There was a failure rate of 3.2% and 0.8% for clinically suspected and radiologically confirmed deep venous thrombosis (DVT) and pulmonary embolism (PE), respectively. The rate of bleeding complications was 3.2%, but none of these patients required transfusion or hospital readmission for hemorrhage. The authors conclude that the described program for VTE prevention is a safe, effective, and practical program to administer prophylaxis to postoperative orthopaedic patients against clinically evident VTE for the first month after hospital discharge.
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Affiliation(s)
- S E Reis
- Department of Medicine, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, MA 02115
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