Lp(a) Levels in Relatives of Patients with Acute Coronary Syndrome and Elevated Lp(a): HER(a) Study

Background: Lipoprotein(a) [Lp(a)] is a proatherogenic particle associated with increased cardiovascular risk. It is mainly genetically determined; so, the aim of our study is to evaluate the levels of Lp(a) in the relatives of a prospective cohort of patients who have suffered from an acute coronary syndrome (ACS) with Lp(a) ≥ 50 mg/dL. Methods: We conducted a multicenter prospective study, in which consecutive patients who had suffered from an ACS and presented Lp(a) ≥ 50 mg/dL and their first-degree relatives were included. Results: We included 413 subjects, of which 56.4% were relatives of the patients. Family history of early ischemic heart disease was present in 57.5%, and only 20.6% were receiving statin treatment. The family cohort was younger (37.5 vs. 59.1 years; p < 0.001), and 4% had ischemic heart disease and fewer cardiovascular risk factors. Mean Lp(a) levels were 64.9 mg/dL, 59.4% had levels ≥ 50 mg/dL, and 16.1% had levels ≥ 100 mg/dL. When comparing the patients with respect to their relatives, the mean level of Lp(a) was lower but without significant differences regarding the levels of LDLc, ApoB, and non-HDL. However, relatives with Lp(a) ≥ 50 mg/dL, had values similar to the group of patients with ACS (96.8 vs. 103.8 mg/dL; p = 0.18). No differences were found in Lp(a) levels in relatives based on the other lipid parameters. Conclusions: Overall, 59.4% of the first-degree relatives of patients who suffered from an ACS with Lp(a) ≥ 50 mg/dL also had elevated levels. Relatives with elevated Lp(a) had similar levels as patients.

Design and validation of a new questionnaire with a gender perspective to measure medication adherence for secondary prevention of ischaemic heart disease: study protocol

INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVES

Only about 50% of chronic patients in high-income countries adhere to their treatment. There are methods to measure medication adherence but none of them can be considered optimal. This study will aim to design and validate a questionnaire to measure medication adherence in patients with ischaemic heart disease using a direct method as a gold-standard adherence measure and taking into account the gender perspective. Moreover, the profile of low adherence in these patients will be determined.

METHODS AND ANALYSIS

First study phase consists on the questionnaire design following the next steps: identification of the dimensions, definition of the target population, questionnaire items and order, response coding, questionnaire instructions, content validity by experts and understandability. In the second phase, a cross-sectional study will be performed to end the questionnaire development and validate it. Four hundred and forty patients (50% female) with acute coronary syndrome receiving treatment within the previous 12 months will be included. Patient will answer the initial questionnaire and adherence to aspirin and statin will be measured using a direct method (drug concentration analysis in blood) and other questionnaires. From the set of preselected questionnaire items, those most closely associated with the gold standard measure will be selected using multivariate statistics.

ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION

All participants gave their written informed consent before participating in the study. The study protocol follows the recommendations of the Declaration of Helsinki and was approved by the ethics committees of the three participating centres. The results of this study will be displayed at national and international conferences and in peer-reviewed scientific journals.

The CNIC-polypill (acetylsalicylic acid, atorvastatin, and ramipril), an effective and cost-saving secondary prevention strategy compared with other therapeutic options in patients with ischaemic heart disease

Aims

The retrospective NEPTUNO study evaluated the effectiveness of the Centro Nacional de Investigaciones Cardiovasculares (CNIC)-polypill (including acetylsalicylic acid, ramipril, and atorvastatin) vs. other therapeutic approaches in secondary prevention for cardiovascular (CV) disease. In this substudy, the focus was on the subgroup of patients with ischaemic heart disease (IHD).

Methods and results

Patients on four strategies: CNIC-polypill, its monocomponents as loose medications, equipotent medications, and other therapies. The primary endpoint was the incidence of recurrent major adverse CV events (MACEs) after 2 years. After matching, 1080 patients were included in each cohort. The CNIC-polypill cohort had a significantly lower incidence of recurrent MACE compared with monocomponents, equipotent drugs, and other therapies cohorts (16.1 vs. 24, 24.4, and 24.3%, respectively; P < 0.001). The hazard ratios (HRs) for recurrent MACE were higher in monocomponents (HR = 1.12; P = 0.042), equipotent drugs (HR = 1.14; P = 0.031), and other therapies cohorts (HR = 1.17; P = 0.016) compared with the CNIC-polypill, with a number needed to treat of 12 patients to prevent a MACE. The CNIC-polypill demonstrated a greater reduction in LDL cholesterol (LDL-c; -56.1 vs. -43.6, -33.3, and -33.2% in the monocomponents, equipotent drugs, and other therapies, respectively; P < 0.001) and systolic blood pressure (-13.7 vs. -11.5, -10.6, and -9.1% in the CNIC-polypill, monocomponents, equipotent drugs, and other therapies, respectively; P < 0.001) compared with other cohorts. The CNIC-polypill intervention was less costly and more effective than any other therapeutic option, with €2317-€2407 cost savings per event prevented.

Conclusion

In IHD, the CNIC-polypill exemplifies a guideline-recommended secondary prevention treatment linked to better outcomes and cost saving compared with other therapeutic options.

[Predictive validity of the risk SCORE model in a Mediterranean population with arterial hypertension]

INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVES

Hypertension is the most prevalent risk factor globally. Calculation of cardiovascular risk in hypertensive patients before initiation of treatment is recommended. This study aimed to assess the predictive value and clinical utility of the SCORE scale in preventing cardiovascular events and all-cause mortality in patients with hypertension.

METHODS

Patients with hypertension from the ESCARVAL-RISK cohort were included. Cardiovascular risk was calculated using the SCORE scale. All deaths and cardiovascular events were recorded during a 5-year follow-up period. Sensitivity, specificity and predictive values were calculated for different cut-off points and the effect of different risk factors on the diagnostic accuracy of SCORE charts were assessed.

RESULTS

In a final cohort of 9834 patients, there were 555 cardiovascular events and 69 deaths. The recommended risk value for initiating drug treatment (5%) had a specificity of 92% for death and 91% for cardiovascular events, and a sensitivity of 20% for death and 22% for cardiovascular events. In addition, the scale classified 80.4% of patients who experienced a cardiovascular event and 78.3% of those who died as low risk. Age, body mass index, retinopathy and anticoagulant therapy were associated with reduced predictive ability of the SCORE scale, while being female was associated with better risk prediction.

CONCLUSIONS

The predictive ability of the SCORE scale for cardiovascular disease and total mortality in patients with hypertension is limited.

Applicability of the Zwolle score for selection of very high-risk ST-elevation myocardial infarction patients treated with primary angioplasty

The Zwolle risk score was designed to stratify in-hospital mortality risk of ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) patients treated with primary percutaneous coronary intervention (pPCI) and for decision-making in the unit where patients are admitted. We assessed the accuracy of Zwolle risk score for in-hospital mortality estimation compared with the GRACE score in all patients (n = 4446) admitted for STEMI in 3 university hospitals. Only one fourth of the patients were classified as high-risk by the Zwolle risk score vs 60% by the GRACE score. In-hospital mortality was 10.6%. A statistically significant increase in in-hospital mortality, adjusted by age, gender, and revascularization, was observed with both scores. The assessment of the optimal cut-off points verified the accuracy of Zwolle score ≥4 as optimal threshold for high-risk categorization. In contrast, GRACE score ≥140 had very low specificity as well as percentage of patients correctly classified; GRACE score ≥175 was fairly better. The reclassification index of the Zwolle score after applying the GRACE score was 35.5%. Selection of high-risk STEMI patients treated with pPCI based on the Zwolle risk score has higher specificity than the GRACE score and might be useful in clinical practice.

Lipoprotein(a) and Long-Term Recurrent Infarction After an Acute Myocardial Infarction

Lipoprotein(a) (Lp[a]) is an emerging risk factor for incident ischemic heart disease. However, its role in risk stratification in in-hospital survivors to an index acute myocardial infarction (AMI) is scarcer, especially for predicting the risk of long-term recurrent AMI. We aimed to assess the relation between Lp(a) and very long-term recurrent AMI after an index episode of AMI. It is a retrospective analysis that included 1,223 consecutive patients with an AMI discharged from October 2000 to June 2003 in a single-teaching center. Lp(a) was assessed during index admission in all cases. The relation between Lp(a) at discharge and total recurrent AMI was evaluated through negative binomial regression. The mean age of the patients was 67.0 ± 12.3 years, 379 (31.0%) were women, and 394 (32.2%) were diabetic. The index event was more frequently non-ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (66.0%). The median Lp(a) was 28.8 (11.8 to 63.4) mg/100 ml. During a median follow-up of 9.9 (4.6 to 15.5) years, 813 (66.6%) deaths and 1,205 AMI in 532 patients (43.5%) occurred. Lp(a) values were not associated with an increased risk of long-term all-cause mortality (p = 0.934). However, they were positively and nonlinearly associated with an increased risk of total long-term reinfarction (p = 0.016). In the subgroup analysis, there was no evidence of a differential effect for the most prevalent subgroups. In conclusion, after an AMI, elevated Lp(a) values assessed during hospitalization were associated with an increased risk of recurrent reinfarction in the very long term. Further prospective studies are warranted to evaluate their clinical implications.

Risk factors for major adverse cardiovascular events in postmenopausal women: UK Biobank prospective cohort study

BACKGROUND AND AIMS

Cardiovascular risk increases during menopause, so the medical and scientific community should consider women's specific risk factors to prevent cardiovascular disease. This study aims to assess the risk factors for the incidence of major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE) exclusive to postmenopausal women.

METHODS

We conducted a prospective cohort study in postmenopausal women aged 40 years and older, who were included in the UK Biobank cohort between 2006 and 2010 and followed to 2021 (12 years). A total of 156,787 women were followed for a median of 12.5 years (nearly 2 million person-years), and MACE risk was assessed using Fine-Gray competing risk models.

RESULTS

The cumulative incidence of cardiovascular morbidity and mortality was 1.2% (0.97 cases per 1000 women-years). Not having taken birth control pills, not having children, and early menarche (≤12 years) were independently associated with cardiovascular morbidity and mortality.

CONCLUSIONS

Risk factors for cardiovascular disease that are specific to women include early menarche, not having taken oral contraceptives, and reproductive history, and this relationship is independent of classic cardiovascular risk factors.

Changes in circulating ApoJ-Glyc levels in patients with suspected acute coronary syndrome: The EDICA trial

BACKGROUND

Myocardial ischemia induces intracellular accumulation of non-glycosylated apolipoprotein J that results in a reduction of circulating glycosylated ApoJ (ApoJ-Glyc). The latter has been suggested to be a marker of transient myocardial ischemia.

OBJECTIVE

This proof-of-concept clinical study aimed to assess whether changes in circulating ApoJ-Glyc could detect myocardial ischemia in patients attending the emergency department (ED) with chest pain suggestive of acute coronary syndrome (ACS).

METHODS

In suspected ACS patients, EDICA (Early Detection of Myocardial Ischemia in Suspected Acute Coronary Syndromes by ApoJ-Glyc a Novel Pathologically based Ischemia Biomarker), a multicentre, international, cohort study assessed changes in 2 glycosylated variants of ApoJ-Glyc, (ApoJ-GlycA2 and ApoJ-GlycA6), in serum samples obtained at ED admission (0 h), and 1 h and 3 h thereafter, blinded to the clinical diagnosis (i.e. STEMI, NSTEMI, unstable angina, non-ischemic).

RESULTS

404 patients were recruited; 291 were given a clinical diagnosis of "non-ischemic" chest pain and 113 were considered to have had an ischemic event. ApoJ-GlycA6 was lower on admission in ischemic compared with "non-ischemic" patients (66 [46-90] vs. 73 [56-95] μg/ml; P = 0.04). 74% of unstable angina patients (all with undetectable hs-Tn), had ischemic changes in ApoJ-Glyc at 0 h and 89% at 1 h. Initially low ApoJ-Glyc levels in 62 patients requiring coronary revascularization increased significantly after successful percutaneous intervention.

CONCLUSIONS

Circulating ApoJ-Glyc concentrations decrease early in ED patients with myocardial ischemia compared with "non-ischemic" patients, even in the absence of troponin elevations. ApoJ-Glyc may be a useful marker of myocardial ischemia in the ED setting.

Clinical Benefit of Bempedoic Acid in Randomized Clinical Trials

Bempedoic acid is a selective inhibitor of the adenosine triphosphate citrate lyase that reduces low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDLc) levels by 17% to 28%. Although the Evaluation of Major Cardiovascular Events in Patients With, or at High Risk for, Cardiovascular Disease Who Are Statin Intolerant Treated With Bempedoic Acid (CLEAR-OUTCOMES) trials demonstrated the efficacy on cardiovascular outcomes there is a controversy related to the possible net clinical benefit. Thereafter, we performed an intention-to-treat meta-analysis in line with recommendations from the Cochrane Collaboration and the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) statement. The primary outcome of the metanalysis was the incidence of major adverse cardiovascular events, defined by each study protocol. Secondary outcomes for the analyses were myocardial infarction, stroke, myocardial revascularization, cardiovascular death, and all-cause death. Results of 4 clinical trials evaluated contained a total of 17,324 patients; 9,236 received bempedoic acid for a median of 46.6 months. The mean baseline LDLc was 129.4 (22.8) mg/100 ml and treatment was associated with a mean LDLc reduction of 26.0 (12.6) mg/100 ml. Treatment with bempedoic acid significantly reduced the incidence of major adverse cardiovascular events (hazard ratio [HR] 0.88, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.81 to 0.96), myocardial infarction (HR 0.76, 95% CI 0.66 to 0.89) and myocardial revascularization (HR 0.82, 95% CI 0.73 to 0.92); the crude incidence of stroke, cardiovascular or all-cause mortality were lower in patients in the bempedoic acid groups although no significant risk reduction was observed. No heterogeneity was observed in any of the end points. In conclusion, the metanalysis of the 4 clinical trials currently available with bempedoic acid provides reliable evidence of its clinical benefit with no signs of heterogeneity or harm.

Effect of dapagliflozin on COVID-19 infection and risk of hospitalization

BACKGROUND

Dapagliflozin has been proposed as a potential treatment for coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) by reducing cytokine production and inflammation. However, there are limited data on its effectiveness. We aimed to evaluate the impact of dapagliflozin on COVID-19 severity (including hospitalization risk, ICU admission, in-hospital death and progression to severe COVID-19) and its potential on susceptibility to COVID-19 infection.

METHODS

We conducted a population-based case-control study. For aim 1, we assessed COVID-19 severity in cases (positive PCR patients requiring hospitalization) and matched controls (negative PCR patients or positive PCR patients not requiring hospitalization). For aim 2, we compared positive PCR cases (hospitalized and non-hospitalized) with controls. Adjusted odds ratios (aORs) were calculated using a generalized linear mixed model.

RESULTS

We analysed 86 602 subjects: 3060 were hospitalized cases, 26 757 were non-hospitalized cases and 56 785 were controls. Among the hospitalized COVID-19 patients, 228 were admitted to the ICU and 413 died. Dapagliflozin had no effect on the risk of hospitalization (aOR 0.98; 95% CI 0.65-1.48; P = 0.915), ICU admissions (aOR 1.21; 95% CI 0.34-4.25; P = 0.767) or in-hospital death (aOR 1.33; 95% CI 0.53-3.30; P = 0.543). Dapagliflozin reduced the risk of progression to severe COVID-19 by 35%, but this was not statistically significant (aOR 0.65; 95% CI 0.40-1.06; P = 0.086). Dapagliflozin was associated with a 30% increased risk of susceptibility to COVID-19 infection (aOR 1.31; 95% CI 1.05-1.62; P = 0.015).

CONCLUSIONS

Use of dapagliflozin prior to SARS-CoV-2 infection was not associated with an increased risk of hospitalization, ICU admission, mortality or progression to severe COVID-19. However, it was associated with an increased risk of susceptibility to COVID-19 infection.

The efficacy of intensive lipid-lowering therapies on the reduction of LDLc and of major cardiovascular events

BACKGROUND

Statins are the cornerstone of lipid-lowering therapy (LLT) for reduction of low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDLc) levels and high percentage of patients require LLT combinations or alternative treatments for adequate LDLc control.

METHODS

We performed an intention-to-treat meta-analysis of published data of phase III trials evaluating LLT efficacy on major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE). The primary endpoint was MACE incidence, as reported in each trial, and secondary analyses included myocardial infarction, stroke and mortality.

RESULTS

Eleven clinical trials and 135,688 patients were included; seven trials tested high intensity LLT and 4 LLT combinations. Intensive LLT reduced MACE risk by 15% (12.03% vs. 13.79%, HR: 0.85 95% CI 0.80-0.90; p<0.001). The number needed to treat was 56 patients. Meta-regression analyses showed a linear correlation between absolute LDLc reductions and the risk of MACE. Significant reductions in myocardial infarction (HR: 0.83, 95% CI 0.80-0.86) and stroke (HR: 0.81, 95% CI 0.75-0.87) were observed. Cardiovascular death rate was 3.32% in LLT treatment arm vs. 3.56% in controls, resulting in a HR: 0.94 (95% CI 0.88-0.99; p = 0.03); no effect on all-cause mortality was observed (HR: 0.97 95% CI 0.93-1.01; p = 0.09). The sensitivity analyses verified the lack of heterogeneity, except for MACE that was mainly driven by the divergent results of the 2 trials. Small study effect was detected for the assessment of mortality.

CONCLUSIONS

Current evidence consistently supports the efficacy of available intensity LLT for LDLc decrease on MACE and cardiovascular mortality reduction.

Cognitive Function with PCSK9 Inhibitors: A 24-Month Follow-Up Observational Prospective Study in the Real World-MEMOGAL Study

INTRODUCTION

The cognitive safety of monoclonal antibody proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9 inhibitors (PCSK9i) has been established in clinical trials, but not yet in real-world observational studies. We assessed the cognitive function in patients initiating PCSK9i, and differences in cognitive function domains, to analyze subgroups by the low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) achieved, and differences between alirocumab and evolocumab.

METHODS

This has a multicenter, quasi-experimental design carried out in 12 Spanish hospitals from May 2020 to February 2023. Cognitive function was assessed using the Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA).

RESULTS

Among 158 patients followed for a median of 99 weeks, 52% were taking evolocumab and 48% alirocumab; the mean change from baseline in MoCA score at follow-up was + 0.28 [95% CI (- 0.17 to 0.73; p = 0.216)]. There were no significant differences in the secondary endpoints-the visuospatial/executive domain + 0.04 (p = 0.651), naming domain - 0.01 (p = 0.671), attention/memory domain + 0.01 (p = 0.945); language domain - 0.10 (p = 0.145), abstraction domain + 0.03 (p = 0.624), and orientation domain - 0.05 (p = 0.224)-but for delayed recall memory the mean change was statistically significant (improvement) + 0.44 (p = 0.001). Neither were there any differences in the three stratified subgroups according to lowest attained LDL-C level-0-54 mg/dL, 55-69 mg/dL and ≥ 70 mg/dL; p = 0.454-or between alirocumab and evolocumab arms.

CONCLUSION

We did not find effect of monoclonal antibody PCSK9i on neurocognitive function over 24 months of treatment, either in global MoCA score or different cognitive domains. An improvement in delayed recall memory was shown. The study showed no differences in the cognitive function between the prespecified subgroups, even among patients who achieved very low levels of LDL-C. There were no differences between alirocumab and evolocumab.

REGISTRATION

ClinicalTtrials.gov Identifier number NCT04319081.

Platelet-Released Extracellular Vesicle Characteristics Differ in Chronic and in Acute Heart Disease

BACKGROUND

 Extracellular vesicles (EVs), shed in response to cell activation, stress, or injury, are increased in the blood of patients with cardiovascular disease. EVs are characterized by expressing parental-cell antigens, allowing the determination of their cellular origin. Platelet-derived EVs (pEVs) are the most abundant in blood. Although not universally given, EVs generally express phosphatidylserine (PS) in their membrane.

OBJECTIVES

 To investigate pEVs in chronic and acute conditions, such as chronic heart failure (CHF) and first-onset acute coronary syndrome (ACS), in patients treated as per guidelines.

METHODS

 EVs in CHF patients (n = 119), ACS patients (n = 58), their respective controls (non-CHF [n = 21] and non-ACS [n = 24], respectively), and a reference control group (n = 31) were characterized and quantified by flow cytometry, using monoclonal antibodies against platelet antigens, and annexin V (AV) to determine PS exposure.

RESULTS

 CHF patients had higher EVs-PS- numbers, while ACS had predominantly EVs-PS+. In contrast to ACS, CHF patients had significantly reduced numbers of pEVs carrying PECAM and αIIb-integrin epitopes (CD31+/AV+, CD41a+/AV+, and CD31+/CD41a+/AV+), while no differences were observed in P-selectin-rich pEVs (CD62P+/AV+) compared with controls. Additionally, background etiology of CHF (ischemic vs. nonischemic) or ACS type (ST-elevation myocardial infarction [STEMI] vs. non-STEMI [NSTEMI]) did not affect pEV levels.

CONCLUSION

 PS exposure in EV and pEV-release differ between CHF and ACS patients, with tentatively different functional capacities beyond coagulation to inflammation and cross-talk with other cell types.

Economic Burden Associated with the Treatment with a Cardiovascular Polypill in Secondary Prevention in Spain: Cost-Effectiveness Results of the NEPTUNO Study

Purpose

The aim of this study was to estimate health-care resources utilization, costs and cost-effectiveness associated with the treatment with CNIC-Polypill as secondary prevention of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD) compared to other treatments, in clinical practice in Spain.

Patients and Methods

An observational, retrospective study was performed using medical records (economic results [healthcare perspective], NEPTUNO-study; BIG-PAC-database) of patients who initiated secondary prevention between 2015 and 2018. Patients were followed up to 2 years (maximum). Four cohorts were balanced with a propensity-score-matching (PSM): 1) CNIC-Polypill (aspirin+atorvastatin+ramipril), 2) Monocomponents (same separate drugs), 3) Equipotent (equipotent drugs) and 4) Other therapies ([OT], other cardiovascular drugs). Incidence of cardiovascular events, health-care resources utilization and healthcare and non-healthcare costs (2020 Euros) were compared. Incremental cost-effectiveness ratios per cardiovascular event avoided were estimated.

Results

After PSM, 1614 patients were recruited in each study cohort. The accumulated incidence of cardiovascular events during the 24-month follow-up was lower in the CNIC-Polypill cohort vs the other cohorts (19.8% vs Monocomponents: 23.3%, Equipotent: 25.5% and OT: 26.8%; p<0.01). During the follow-up period, the CNIC-Polypill cohort also reduced the health-care resources utilization per patient compared to the other cohorts, particularly primary care visits (16.6 vs Monocomponents: 18.7, Equipotent: 18.9 and OT: 21.0; p<0.001) and hospitalization days (2.3 vs Monocomponents: 3.4, Equipotent: 3.7 and OT: 4.0; p<0.001). The treatment cost in the CNIC-Polypill cohort was lower than that in the other cohorts (€4668 vs Monocomponents: €5587; Equipotent: €5682 and OT: €6016; p<0.001) (Difference: -€919, -€1014 and -€1348, respectively). Due to the reduction of cardiovascular events and costs, the CNIC-Polypill is a dominant alternative compared to the other treatments.

Conclusion

CNIC-Polypill reduces recurrent major cardiovascular events and costs, being a cost-saving strategy as secondary prevention of ASCVD.

Differences in weight loss and safety between the glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists: A non-randomized multicenter study from the titration phase

INTRODUCTION

Obesity increases the risk of type 2 diabetes mellitus and cardiovascular disease (CVD). Weight loss (≥5 %) reduces the risk of CVD. Glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists (GLP1 RA) have shown clinically weight loss.

OBJECTIVES

1) To assess differences in the efficacy of weight loss and HbA1c; 2) to evaluate the safety and adherence during the titration phase.

METHODS

It is a multicenter, prospective, and observational study on GLP1 RA naïve patients. The primary end point was the weight loss (≥5 %). Changes in weight, BMI and HbA1c were also calculated as co-primary endpoints. Secondary endpoints were safety, adherence, and tolerance.

RESULTS

Among 94 subjects, 42.4 % received dulaglutide, 29,3 % subcutaneous semaglutide, 22,8 % oral semaglutide. 45 % female and the mean age was 62. Baseline characteristics were body weight 99.3 kg, BMI 36.7 kg/m² and Hba1c 8.2 %. Oral semaglutide achieved the highest reduction: 61.1 % of patients achieving ≥ 5 %, subcutaneous semaglutide 45.8 % and dulaglutide 40.6 %. GLP1 RA significantly reduced body weight (-4.95 kg, p < 0.001) and BMI (-1.86 kg/m², p < 0.001), without significant differences between groups. Gastrointestinal disorders were the most frequently reported events (74.5 %). 62 % of patients on dulaglutide, 25 % on oral semaglutide and 22 % on subcutaneous semaglutide.

CONCLUSIONS

Oral semaglutide achieved the highest proportion of patients that lost ≥ 5 %. GLP1 RA significantly reduced BMI and HbA1c. Most of the reported adverse events were gastrointestinal disorders and they were reported in a major frequency in the dulaglutide group. Oral semaglutide would be a reasonable switch in case of future shortages.

Differential prognosis of patients that are candidates for standard, short or prolonged dual antiplatelet treatment discharged after an acute coronary syndrome

BACKGROUND

Current evidence supports the efficacy of prolonged dual antiplatelet treatment (DAPT) for patients at high-ischemic risk and low bleeding risk as well as the efficacy and safety of short DAPT in high-bleeding risk (HBR) patients.

METHODS

We evaluated patterns of DAPT candidates in all patients discharged in 2 hospitals after an acute coronary syndrome (ACS). Patients categorized in 3 groups: 1) short-DAPT candidates if they met 1 major o 2 minor criteria for HBR, by the 2019 ARC-HBR criteria; 2) prolonged-DAPT candidates if were not HBR and had recurrent ACS, complex percutaneous coronary interventions or diabetes; 3) standard 12 months DAPT if were not include in the previous 2 groups. Major bleeding (MB) was registered according to 3 or 5 of the BARC consortium definitions.

RESULTS

We included 8252 patients and 3215 (39 %) were candidates for abbreviated DAPT, 3119 (37.8 %) for prolonged DAPT, and 1918 (23.2 %) for 12 m DAPT. Relevant differences were observed between the 3 categories beyond the bleeding risk. Median follow-up was 57 months. Multivariate analysis identified higher risk of all-cause mortality (HR: 1.96 95 % CI 1.45-2.67; p < 0.001), cardiovascular mortality (HR: 2.10 95 % CI 1.39-3.19; p < 0.011), MACE (HR: 1.69 95 % 1.50-2.02; p < 0.001) and MB (sHR: 3.41 95 % CI 1.45-8.02; p = 0.005) in candidates to short DAPT. Candidates to prolonged DAPT had higher risk of MACE (HR: 1.17 95 % CI 1.02-1.35; p = 0.027).

CONCLUSIONS

Almost two thirds of patients discharged after an ACS would be candidates for short or prolonged DAPT and these patients are at higher risk of MACE and mortality.

Increased Risk of Heart Failure in Elderly Patients Treated with Beta-Blockers After AV Node Ablation

INTRODUCTION

Controversy exists regarding the indication of beta-blockers (BB) in different scenarios in patients with cardiovascular disease. We sought to evaluate the effect of BB on survival and heart failure (HF) hospitalizations in a sample of pacemaker-dependent patients after AV node ablation to control ventricular rate for atrial tachyarrhythmias.

METHODS

A retrospective study including consecutive patients that underwent AV node ablation was conducted in a single center between 2011 and 2019. The study's primary endpoints were the incidence of all-cause mortality, first HF hospitalization and the cumulative incidence of subsequent hospitalizations for HF. Competing risk analyses were employed.

RESULTS

A total of 111 patients with a mean age of 73.9 years were included in the study. After a median follow-up of 45.5 months, 43 patients had died (38.7%) and 31 had been hospitalized for HF (27.9%). The recurrent HF hospitalization rate was 74/1000 patients/year. Patients treated with BB had a non-significant trend to higher mortality rates and a higher risk of recurrent HF hospitalizations (incidence rate ratio 2.23, 95% confidence interval 1.12-4.44; p = 0.023).

CONCLUSION

After an AV node ablation, the use of BB is associated with an increased risk of HF hospitalizations in a cohort of elderly patients.

Remnant cholesterol in patients admitted for acute coronary syndromes

BACKGROUND

Remnant cholesterol has been identified as one of leading lipid values associated with the incidence of coronary heart disease. There is scarce evidence on its distribution and prognostic value in acute coronary syndrome (ACS) patients.

METHODS AND RESULTS

We included all consecutive patients admitted for ACS in two different centres. Remnant cholesterol was calculated by the equation: total cholesterol minus LDL cholesterol minus HDL cholesterol, and values ≥30 were considered high. Among the 7479 patients, median remnant cholesterol level was 28 mg/dL (21-39), and 3429 (45.85%) patients had levels ≥30 mg/dL. Age (r: -0.29) and body mass index (r: 0.44) were the variables more strongly correlated. At any given age, patients with overweigh or obesity had higher levels. In-hospital mortality was 3.75% (280 patients). Remnant cholesterol was not associated to higher in-hospital mortality risk (odds ratio: 0.89; P = 0.21). After discharge (median follow-up of 57 months), an independent and linear risk of all-cause mortality and heart failure (HF) associated to cholesterol remnant levels was observed. Remnant cholesterol levels >60 mg/dL were associated to higher risk of mortality [hazard ratio (HR): 1.49 95% CI 1.08-2.06; P = 0.016], cardiovascular mortality (HR: 1.49 95% CI 1.08-2.06; P = 0.016), and HF re-admission (sub-HR: 1.55 95% CI 1.14-2.11; P = 0.005).

CONCLUSIONS

Elevated remnant cholesterol is highly prevalent in patients admitted for ACS and is inversely correlated with age and positively with body mass index. Remnant cholesterol levels were not associated to higher in-hospital mortality risk, but they were associated with higher long-term risk of mortality and HF.

Prognostic value of liver fibrosis assessed by the FIB-4 index in patients with acute coronary syndrome

INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVES

Liver fibrosis is present in nonalcoholic liver disease (NAFLD) and both precede liver failure. Subclinical forms of liver fibrosis might increase the risk of cardiovascular events. The objective of this study was to describe the prognostic value of the FIB-4 index on in-hospital mortality and postdischarge outcomes in patients with acute coronary syndrome (ACS).

METHODS

Retrospective study including all consecutive patients admitted for ACS between 2009 and 2019. According to the FIB-4 index, patients were categorized as <1.30, 1.30-2.67 or> 2.67. Heart failure (HF) and major bleeding (MB) were assessed taking all-cause mortality as a competing event and subhazard ratios (sHR) are presented. Recurrent events were evaluated by the incidence rate ratio (IRR).

RESULTS

We included 3106 patients and 6.66% had a FIB-4 index ≥ 1.3. A multivariate analysis verified a higher risk of in-hospital mortality associated with the FIB-4 index (OR, 1.24; P=.016). Patients with a FIB-4 index> 2.67 had a 2-fold higher in-hospital mortality risk (OR, 2.35; P=.038). After discharge (median follow-up 1112 days), the FIB-4 index had no prognostic value for mortality. In contrast, patients with FIB-4 index ≥ 1.3 had a higher risk of first (sHR, 1.61; P=.04) or recurrent (IRR, 1.70; P=.001) HF readmission. Similarly, FIB-4 index ≥ 1.30 was associated with a higher MB risk (sHR, 1.62; P=.030).

CONCLUSIONS

The assessment of liver fibrosis by the FIB-4 index identifies ACS patients not only at higher risk of in-hospital mortality but also at higher risk of HF and MB after discharge.

Most Recent Trials and Advances in Hypertension

Hypertension is one of the most prevalent cardiovascular risk factors and blood pressure control remains a clinical challenge, especially for patients with established cardiovascular disease. Late-breaking clinical trials and other evidence in hypertension have evolved to assess the most accurate ways to measure blood pressure, the use of combination therapies, considerations in special populations and evaluation of new techniques. Recent evidence supports the superiority of ambulatory or 24-hour blood pressure measurements, rather than office blood pressure measurements, for the assessment of cardiovascular risk. The use of fixed-dose combinations and polypills has been demonstrated to be valid and to provide clinical benefits beyond blood pressure control. There have also been advances in new approaches such as telemedicine, devices and the use of algorithms. Clinical trials have provided valuable data on blood pressure control in primary prevention, during pregnancy and in the elderly. The role of renal denervation remains unsolved but innovative techniques using ultrasound or alcohol injections are being explored. Current evidence and results of latest trials are summarised in this review.

Effect of PCSK9 inhibitors on remnant cholesterol and lipid residual risk: The LIPID-REAL registry

BACKGROUND

Monoclonal antibodies that inhibit the proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9 (PCSK9) reduce low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDLc) by 55%, regardless of baseline treatments. Nonetheless, the effect of other lipid parameters, such as cholesterol remnants or, the so-called lipid residual risk, is unknown.

METHODS

Multicenter and retrospective registry of patients treated with PCSK9 inhibitors from 14 different hospitals in Spain. Before and on-treatment lipid parameters were recorded. Residual lipid risk was estimated by (1) cholesterol remnants, (2) triglycerides/HDLc ratio (TG/HDL), (3) total cholesterol/HDLc (TC/HDL) and (4) the triglycerides-to-glucose index (TGGi).

RESULTS

Six hundred fifty-two patients were analysed, mean age of 60.2 (9.63) years, 24.69% women and mean LDLc before treatment 149.24 (49.86) mg/dl. Median time to second blood determination was 187.5 days. On-treatment LDLc was 67.46 (45.78) mg/dl, which represented a 55% reduction. Significant reductions were observed for TG/HDL ratio, cholesterol remnants, TC/HDL ratio and TGGi. As consequence, 34.61% patients had LDLc <55 mg/dl and cholesterol remnants <30 mg/dl; additionally, 31.95% had cholesterol remnants <30 mg/dl but LDLc >55 mg/dl. Patients who had levels of cholesterol remnants >30 mg/dl before initiating the treatment with PCSK9 had higher reductions in cholesterol remnants, TG/HDL ratio, TC/HDL and TGGi. By contrast, no reduction differences were observed according to baseline LDLc (< or > the mean), age, gender or obesity.

CONCLUSIONS

This multicenter and retrospective registry of real-world patients treated with PCSK9 inhibitors demonstrates a positive effect on cholesterol remnants and lipid residual risk beyond LDLc reductions.

Cholesterol remnants distribution in patients admitted for acute coronary syndrome

Background

Cholesterol remnants have been identified as one of leading lipid measurements associated with the incidence of coronary heart diseases. Nonetheless, there is scarce evidence on cholesterol remnants distribution in patients with acute coronary syndrome (ACS).

Methods

We included all consecutive patients admitted for ACS in two different centers. Cholesterol remnants were calculated by the equation: total cholesterol minus low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDLc) minus high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDLc) and values ≥30 were considered high. Premature ACS was defined in patients presenting with age &lt;55 for men or &lt;65 for women. Correlation weres assessed by linear regression and predictive models were obtained after logistic binary regression.

Results

We included 7,479 patients, mean age 66.68 (13.02), 2,062 (27.57%) women, mean body mass index (BMI) 28.60 (4.64) kg/m2, 2088 (27,92%) with diabetes and 2,726 (36.45%) admitted for ST-elevation ACS. Median (interquartile range) remnants level was 28 mg/dl (21–39) and 3,429 (45.85%) patients had levels ≥30 mg/dl. Significantly higher levels of remnants were observed in patients with diabetes, current smokers, BMI &gt;30 kg/m2, absence of previous cardiovascular disease or premature ACS. No gender differences were observed in remnants level. Age (r: −0.29) and BMI (r: 0.44) were the variables more strongly correlated. As shown in the figures, at any given age, the risk of having cholesterol remnants ≥30 increased with higher BMI.

In-hospital mortality was 3.75% (280 patients). After adjustment by age, gender, previous cardiovascular disease and GRACE score, cholesterol remnants were not associated to higher mortality risk (OR: 0.89 95% CI 0.64–1.10; p=0.21)

Conclusions

Elevated cholesterol remnants is highly prevalent in patients admitted for ACS and their levels inversely correlate with age and positively with body mass index. We propose a risk matrix for estimating the probability of having cholesterol remnants ≥30. Elevated cholesterol remnants were not associated to higher in-hospital mortality risk.

Funding Acknowledgement

Type of funding sources: None.

Differential prognosis of patients candidates for standard, short or prolonged dual antiplatelet treatment discharged after an acute coronary syndrome

Background

Current evidence supports the efficacy of prolonged dual antiplatelet treatment prolonged (DAPT) patients at high-ischemic risk and low bleeding risk. In contrast, several trials have demonstrated the efficacy and safety of short DAPT (1,3 o6 months) in high-bleeding risk (HBR) patients. Nonetheless, 12 months of DAPT is the most commonly strategy recommended in patients discharged after an ACS.

Methods

We evaluated patterns of DAPT candidates in all patients discharged in single center between 2009 and 2019 after an acute coronary syndrome (ACS). Patients categorized in 3 groups: 1) short-DAPT candidates if they met 1 major o 2 minor criteria for HBR, by the 2019 ARC-HBR criteria; 2) prolonged-DAPT candidates if were not HBR and had recurrent ACS, complex percutaneous coronary interventions or diabetes; 3) standard 12 months DAPT if were not include in the previous 2 groups. We evaluated all-cause and cardiovascular mortality, mayor bleeding (MB), and major cardiovascular events (MACE) after discharge.

Results

We assessed 3,155 patients discharged after an ACS, mean age was 68.4 (13.0), 25.9% were women, 32.5% had diabetes, 13.2% received complex percutaneous coronary interventions and 40.5% were categorized as HBR. After categorization, 1,277 (40.48%) were candidates for short DAPT, 1,203 (38.1%) for standard 12m DAPT and 675 (21.39%) for prolonged DAPT.

After a median follow-up was 1032 days (interquartile range 555–1950), all-cause mortality was 15.8%, cardiovascular mortality 10.5%, 35.9% had a first MACE and 6.2% had at least one MB. As shown in figure 1, patients candidates for short or prolonged DAPT had significantly higher rates of all-cause and cardiovascular mortality as well as MACE. In contrast, higher rate of MB was only increased in patients candidates for short-DAPT (figure 2). Multivariate analysis demonstrated higher risk of MB (sHR: 1.60 95% CI 1.10–2.60; p=0.030) only in patients candidates for short-DAPT. In contrast, candidates for short-DAPT has higher risk of all-cause mortality (HR: 2.92 95% CI 1.95–4.37; p&lt;0.01) and cardiovascular mortality (HR: 3.01 95% CI 1.78–5.32; p&lt;0.01) and MACE (HR: 2.22, 95% CI 1.82–2.70; p&lt;0.01). Similarly, patients candidates for prolonged DAPT had higher risk of all-cause mortality (HR: 1.72 95% CI 1.10–2.69; p=0.002), cardiovascular mortality (HR: 2.47 95% CI 1.39–4.40; p=0.017) and MACE (HR: 1.58 95% CI 1.28–1.95; p&lt;0.001).

Conclusions

Almost two thirds of patients discharged after an ACS would be candidates for short or prolonged DAPT and these patients are at higher risk of MACE and mortality. Patients candidates for short-DAPT had higher risk of MB through the follow-up. These results might reinforce the need of individual assessment of most optimal DAPT duration in all patients discharged after an ACS.

Funding Acknowledgement

Type of funding sources: None.

Predictors of no-reflow in patients with myocardial infarction and ST-segment elevation treated with primary angioplasty

Introduction

The no-reflow phenomenon is a serious complication of coronary intervention, especially in primary angioplasty and effective preventive measures are unknown.

Methods

Retrospective study of all patients treated by primary angioplasty in a single center through 4 years. We define no-reflow as the absence of flow immediately after stent angioplasty. The variables associated with this phenomenon were analyzed using binary logistic regression. The delay to primary angioplasty was calculated as the sum of the time to the first medical contact, activation, transfer until arterial puncture.

Results

We included 1453 patients, mean age 64.1 years, 21% women, 16.1% Killip &gt;1. The mean delay to primary angioplasty was 180 minutes (interquartile range 125–323). No-reflow was recorded in 81 (5.57%) patients and these patients had a higher mean age (69.37±12.51 vs. 63.76±13.52; p&lt;0.001), higher delay to primary angioplasty (770.93±2056.91 vs. 348.80±749.73; p&lt;0.001), presentation with Killip grade &gt;1 (29.0% 15.36%; p=0.002), in addition to lower systolic blood pressure (121.18±28.63 vs. 113.37±28.22; p=0.021). Regarding coronary angiography, patients who developed no-reflow presented more frequently TIMI-0 (88.89% vs. 70.32%; p&lt;0.001) and a tendency to being the left anterior descending the culprit vessel (46.91% vs. 36.88, p=0.07). In 59.3% of the patients who presented no-reflow, a final TIMI 3 was achieved, with the measurements carried out, compared to (94.9%) of the patients who did not have no-reflow (p&lt;0.001).

Multivariate analysis identified the following variables associated with no-reflow: age (OR: 1.03 95% CI 1.01–1.05; p=0.008), delay to primary angioplasty &gt;120 min (OR: 2.70, 95% CI 1.21–6.00; p=0.015), initial TIMI-0 (OR: 3.22, 95% CI 1.57–6.58; p=0.001). In fact, patients aged &gt;40 had a very low incidence of no-reflow (1.72%), regardless of delay to primary angioplasty; however, in patients &gt;70 years of age, the incidence was much higher (figure)

Hospital mortality was 9.25% (125 patients) and was almost 4 times higher in patients who presented no-reflow (23.68% vs. 8.39%; p&lt;0.001). Adjusted for age, sex, delay to primary angioplasty diabetes and final TIMI flow, the no-reflow phenomenon was associated with higher hospital mortality (OR: 2.34 95% CI 1.02 4.25; p=0.030)

Conclusions

The no-reflow phenomenon has a low incidence but high mortality in patients with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction treated with primary angioplasty. Age, delay to primary angioplasty and initial TIMI 0 flow are the main predictors of no-reflow.

Funding Acknowledgement

Type of funding sources: None.

Age as a prognostic modifier in anemic patients discharged after acute coronary syndrome

Introduction

The presence of anemia on admission is a poor long-term prognostic factor in patients diagnosed with acute coronary syndrome (ACS). However, it is unknown whether age is a factor modifying the effect of anemia on mortality.

Objective

To determine the effect of age on anemia in terms of long-term mortality in patients admitted for ACS.

Methods

This is an observational study in which we included all patients discharged from cardiology for ACS in two centers from 2003 to 2020. Patients with anemia were classified by hemoglobin values &lt;13 g/dL in men and &lt;12 g/dL in women in the first blood count performed during hospitalization. The interaction between age and anemia was analyzed using the Cox regression model and the chunk test. We analyzed the effect of anemia on mortality using the Cox regression model adjusted for several confounding variables and the interaction with age.

Results

We included 8872 patients diagnosed with ACS, with a mean age of 66.38 (SD ±12.76) years, 27.1% female and 34.3% diagnosed with ST-segment elevation ACS. The mean hemoglobin value was 13.88 (SD ±1.85) g/dL and 20.5% of patients were anemic on admission.

During follow-up (median 1764 days, IQR 694–2439 days) there was an increased risk of all-cause mortality in patients with anemia adjusted for age and other risk factors (sex, renal function, GRACE score, atrial fibrillation, LVEF and previous revascularization), HR 15.5 (CI 5.77–41.75; p&gt;0.005). We found a significant interaction between age and anemia (p&lt;0.01). As represented in the figure, the adjusted risk of mortality decreased at older ages; in patients whose age was &gt;80 anemia was not associated to higher mortality risk. Similar results were observed for cardiovascular mortality, HR 21.36 (CI 6.13–74.43, p&gt;0.005).

Conclusion

Age modifies the risk of mortality in patients discharged after an ACS being the risk of mortality higher in youngest ages and disappearing in octogenearians. There results should be taken under consideration for the treatment and management of ACS patients.

Funding Acknowledgement

Type of funding sources: None.

Effect on cholesterol remnants and residual lipid risk with PCSK9 inhibitors: the LIPID-REAL Registry

Background

Monoclonal antibodies that inhibit the proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9 (PCSK9) reduce low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDLc) by 55%, regardless of baseline treatments. Nonetheless, the effect of other lipid parameters, as cholesterol remnants or, the so-called residual lipid risk, are unknown.

Methods

Multicenter and retrospective registry of patients treated with PCSK9 inhibitors from 14 different hospitals from Spain. Before and on-treatment lipid parameters were recorded. Cholesterol remnants were calculated by the equation: total cholesterol minus LDLc minus HDLc and values ≥30 were considered high. Residual lipid risk was estimated by 1) the estimation of LDL particle size, by the triglycerides/HDLc ratio (TG/HDL) and values &lt;2 were assumed as low and dense LDL particles; 2) total cholesterol/HDLc (TC/HDL) and values &gt;3 were considered high; and; 3) the triglycerides-to-glucose (TG/Gluc) index, obtained as the natural logarithm of (triglycerides * glucose/2)

Results

A total of 652 patients were analyzed, mean age 60.0 (10.5) years and 161 (24.69%) women. Baseline LDLc was 149.2 (49.9) mg/dl, cholesterol remnants 29.9 (20.3) mg/dl, TG/HDL 3.9 (4.1), TC/HDL 4.9 (1.9) and TG/Gluc index 8.9 (0.7). Most patients (92.3%) were on statins; 54.8% with ezetimibe, 8.5% with fibrates.

Evolocumab was initiated in 318 (56.6%) patients; 229 (40.7%) alirocumab 75 mg and 15 (2.7%) alirocumab 150 mg. Median time to second blood determination were 187.5 (IQR 101–242) days. Mean on-treatment LDLc was 67.46 (45.78) mg/dl what represented a 55% reduction. As shown in the figure, significant reduction in cholesterol remnants (p=0.017), TG/HDL ratio (p=0.020), TC/HDL ratio (p&lt;0.001) and TG/Gluc index (p&lt;0.001). The percentage of patients with remnants &gt;30 mg/dl decreased: 34.62% to 30.07 (p&lt;0.01). Significant reductions were also observed in the percentage of patients with TG/HDL &gt;2 (71.25% to 61.98%; p&lt;0.01) or TC/HDL &gt;3 (94.28% to 38.97%; p&lt;0.01)

Conclusions

This multicenter and retrospective registry of real-world patients treated with PCSK9 inhibitors demonstrates a positive effect on cholesterol remnants and lipid-residual risk beyond LDLc reductions.

Funding Acknowledgement

Type of funding sources: None.

Polypill Strategy in Secondary Cardiovascular Prevention

BACKGROUND

A polypill that includes key medications associated with improved outcomes (aspirin, angiotensin-converting-enzyme [ACE] inhibitor, and statin) has been proposed as a simple approach to the secondary prevention of cardiovascular death and complications after myocardial infarction.

METHODS

In this phase 3, randomized, controlled clinical trial, we assigned patients with myocardial infarction within the previous 6 months to a polypill-based strategy or usual care. The polypill treatment consisted of aspirin (100 mg), ramipril (2.5, 5, or 10 mg), and atorvastatin (20 or 40 mg). The primary composite outcome was cardiovascular death, nonfatal type 1 myocardial infarction, nonfatal ischemic stroke, or urgent revascularization. The key secondary end point was a composite of cardiovascular death, nonfatal type 1 myocardial infarction, or nonfatal ischemic stroke.

RESULTS

A total of 2499 patients underwent randomization and were followed for a median of 36 months. A primary-outcome event occurred in 118 of 1237 patients (9.5%) in the polypill group and in 156 of 1229 (12.7%) in the usual-care group (hazard ratio, 0.76; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.60 to 0.96; P = 0.02). A key secondary-outcome event occurred in 101 patients (8.2%) in the polypill group and in 144 (11.7%) in the usual-care group (hazard ratio, 0.70; 95% CI, 0.54 to 0.90; P = 0.005). The results were consistent across prespecified subgroups. Medication adherence as reported by the patients was higher in the polypill group than in the usual-care group. Adverse events were similar between groups.

CONCLUSIONS

Treatment with a polypill containing aspirin, ramipril, and atorvastatin within 6 months after myocardial infarction resulted in a significantly lower risk of major adverse cardiovascular events than usual care. (Funded by the European Union Horizon 2020; SECURE ClinicalTrials.gov number, NCT02596126; EudraCT number, 2015-002868-17.).

Sex Differences in Low-Density Lipoprotein Cholesterol Reduction With PCSK9 Inhibitors in Real-world Patients: The LIPID-REAL Registry

BACKGROUND

Previous evidence supports that monoclonal antibodies that inhibit the proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9 (PCSK9) reduce low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDLc) by 50%-65%, regardless of baseline treatments. We tested possible sex differences in a multicentre registry of real-world patients treated with PCSK9 inhibitors.

METHODS

This is a multicentre and retrospective study of 652 patients initiating treatment with any PCSK9 inhibitor in 18 different hospitals. Before-treatment and on-treatment LDLc and medical treatments, clinical indication, and clinical features were recorded.

RESULTS

Women represented 24.69% of the cohort. The use of statins was similar in both sexes, but women were receiving most frequently ezetimibe. Before-treatment median LDLc was 135 (interquartile range 115-166) mg, and it was higher in women. The median on-treatment LDLc was 57 (interquartile range 38-84) mg/dL, which represented a mean 54.5% reduction. On-treatment LDLc was higher in women, and the mean LDLc reduction was lower in women (47.4% vs. 56.9%; P = 0.0002) receiving evolocumab or alirocumab. The percentage of patients who achieved ≥50% LDLc reduction was higher in men (71.36% vs. 57.62%; P = 0.002). According to LDLc before-treatment quartiles, LDLc reduction was statistically lower in women in the 2 highest and a significant interaction of women and baseline LDLc >135 mg/dL was observed. Women were negatively associated with lower rates of LDLc treatment target achievement (odds ratio: 0.31). Differences were also observed in women with body mas index >25 kg/m2. Only 14 patients (2.14%) presented side effects.

CONCLUSIONS

This multicentre and retrospective registry of real-world patients treated with PCSK9 inhibitors highlights significant gender differences in LDLc reduction.

Should PRECISE-DAPT be included for long-term prognostic stratification of diabetic patients with NSTEACS?

AIMS

There are insufficient data regarding risk scores validation in patients with diabetes mellitus and non-ST elevation acute coronary syndrome (NSTEACS). We performed a diabetes mellitus-specific analysis of cardiovascular outcomes after NSTEACS. We tested the predictive power of the Global Registry of Acute Coronary Events (GRACE) and PREdicting bleeding Complications In patients undergoing Stent implantation and subsEquent Dual Anti-Platelet Therapy (PRECISE-DAPT) scores.

METHODS

This work is a retrospective analysis that included 7,415 consecutive NSTEACS patients from two Spanish Universitarian hospitals between the years 2003 and 2017. The area under the ROC curve among with and without diabetes mellitus patients was calculated, to evaluate the predictive power of both scores.  RESULTS: Among the study participants, 2124 patients (28.0%) were diabetic. The median follow-up was 54,3 months (IQR 24,7-80,0 months). Diabetic patients were more women (30.5% vs. 25.7%) and older (70.0 ± 10.8 vs. 65.3 ± 13.2 years old); they had higher GRACE (146 ± 36 vs. 137 ± 36), PRECISE-DAPT (15 ± 7 vs. 18 ± 9) at admission. Early invasive coronary angiography (≤ 24 h after admission) was performed more frequently in non-diabetic. We tested the predictive power of the GRACE and PRECISE-DAPT risk scores among diabetic and non-diabetic. PRECISE-DAPT risk score showed a good predictive power for all-cause mortality, cardiovascular mortality and MACE in diabetic admitted with NSTEACS, without differences compared to non-diabetic.

CONCLUSIONS

PRECISE-DAPT risk score has an appropriate predictive power in diabetic patients admitted with NSTEACS compared to non-diabetic NSTEACS. However, GRACE would be predictive worse in diabetic during long-term follow-up in a large contemporary registry.

Myocarditis after RNA-based vaccines for coronavirus

Background

The incidence of myocarditis after RNA-based vaccines for coronavirus has gained social and medical interest.

Methods

We performed an intention-to-treat meta-analysis, following the PRISMA statement. After a systematic search, without language restriction, 9 publications were selected. Two were excluded (one was only in subjects with age 12–17 and other might had included subjects from a larger publication). We followed the PRISMA guidelines for abstracting data and assessing data quality and validity. Data was verified by 2 investigators.

Results

We analyzed 17,704,413 subjects, from 7 studies, that included 627 cases of confirmed myocarditis). The incidence of myocarditis was 0.0035% (95% CI 0.0034–0.0035). Mean incidence rate was 10.69 per 100.000 persons-year. Cases reported from Israel represented 45.14% from total (283 out of the 627). Only 1 case of fatal myocarditis or death was reported. There was significant heterogeneity between results. The meta-regression analysis excluded mean age, region, number of cases or number of people included as sources of heterogeneity. No small-study effect was observed (p = 0.19).

Conclusions and relevance

Myocarditis incidence after RNA vaccines is very rare (0.0035%) and has a very favorable clinical course.

Early angiography in elderly patients with non-ST-segment elevation acute coronary syndrome: The cardio CHUS-HUSJ registry

BACKGROUND

In elderly patients with non-ST elevation acute coronary syndrome (NSTEACS), while routine invasive management is established in high-risk NSTEACS patients, there is still uncertainty regarding the optimal timing of the procedure.

METHODS

This study analyzes the association of early coronary angiography with all-cause mortality, cardiovascular mortality, heart failure (HF) hospitalization, and major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE) in patients older than 75 years old with NSTEACS. This retrospective observational study included 7811 consecutive NSTEACS patients who were examined between the years 2003 and 2017 at two Spanish university hospitals. There were 2290 patients older than 75 years old. We compared their baseline characteristics according to the early invasive strategy used (coronarography ≤24 h vs. coronarography >24 h) after the diagnosis of NSTEACS.

RESULTS

Among the study participants, 1566 patients (68.38%) underwent early invasive coronary intervention. The mean follow-up period was 46 months (interquartile range 18-71 months). This association was also maintained after propensity score matching: early invasive strategy was significantly related to lower all-cause mortality [HR 0.61 (95% CI 0.51-0.71)], cardiovascular mortality [HR 0.52 (95% CI 0.43-0.63)], and MACE [HR 0.62 (CI 95% 0.54-0.71)].

CONCUSIONS

In a contemporary real-world registry of elderly NSTEACS patients, early invasive management significantly reduced all-cause mortality, cardiovascular mortality, and MACE during long-term follow-up.

BRIEF SUMMARY

In this real-world retrospective observational study that included 2451 patients older than 75 years old, 1566 patients (68.38%) underwent early invasive coronary intervention. After performing a propensity score matching, the early invasive strategy was still associated with lower all-cause mortality [HR (hazard ratio) 0.61, 95% CI (95% confidence interval) (0.51-0.71)], cardiovascular mortality [HR 0.52 (95%CI 0.43-0.63)], and MACE [HR 0.62 (95%CI 0.54-0.71)] during long-term follow-up.

Reduction of cardiovascular events in patients with cardiovascular disease with the CV-polypill: a retrospective and propensity score matching study

Background

Previous clinical trials suggested that a strategy based on a cardiovascular (CV) polypill improves risk factor control and reduces the incidence of CV events. The CNIC-Polyill (aspirin (ASA) 100mg, atorvastatin 20/40mg (or simvastatin 40mg) and ramipril 2,5–10mg) has shown to improve adherence and risk factors control.

Methods

The NEPTUNO study is a retrospective, non-interventional analysis of an anonymized medical history dataset in the BIG-PAC administrative database in the years 2015–2018. Patients at age ≥18 years with previous CV disease were allocated in four different cohorts according to their therapy: CNIC-polypill containing ASA 100mg, R 2.5/5/10mg and A 20/40mg (1:case cohort), identical mono-components (ASA,R,A) (C2), equipotent medication (ASA 100mg, simvastatin 40/80mg or rosuvastatin 5/10mg, enalapril 5–20mg or valsartan 40–160mg) (C3) and usual care (C4) (control cohorts) and were followed for 2 years. To ensure comparability of the study cohorts, a propensity score matching (PSM) was performed. The primary endpoint was the incidence first major cardiovascular event (MACE) including: myocardial infarction, angina, ischemic stroke, transitory ischemic attack, peripheral artery disease and CV mortality.

Results

8,946 patients were recruited. After the PSM, 4 well-balanced cohorts of 1,614 patients were obtained. The mean age was 63.3 years and 60.4% were men. Cohort 1 (Case cohort, CNIC-polypill) compared with cohorts 2, 3 and 4 showed a significant reduction in MACEs (19.8% vs. 23.3%, 25.5% and 26.8%; p&lt;0.001), respectively although the CV death rate (8.1% vs. 8.1%, 8.9% and 9.2%; p=0.357) did not show differences. The hazard ratio (HR) for a MACE in the CV polypill cohort vs cohort 2 was 0.761 (IC95%; 0.657–0.881), p=0.001; vs Cohort 3 was 0.821 (IC95%; 0.714–0.944), p=0.006 and vs. Cohort 4 was 0.834 (IC95%; 0.716–0,950), p=0.008. Time to the event was also longer in the CV-polypill cohort compared the other 3 cohorts (274.8 days vs 249.2 days; 226.4 days and 217 days; p&lt;0.001). There was a significant greater reduction in the case cohort vs the 3 control cohorts in the absolute levels of all the analyzed lipidic variables (LDL (−19.6 vs. −12.9, −12.3 and −9.1 mg/dL; p&lt;0.001), triglycerides (−67.5 vs. −59.9, −56.1 and −54.4 mg/dL; p&lt;0.001)) and in reduction of blood pressure (PAS (−14.1 vs. −11.7, −10.4 and −10.4 mmHg; p&lt;0.001) and PAD (−4.5 vs −2.5, −2.1, −1.2 mmHg; p&lt;0.001)). Higher persistence to treatment in the CNIC- polypill cohort (72.1% vs. 62. 2%, 60.0% and 54.2%; p&lt;0.001) was also found.

Conclusion

This study shows the reduction of clinical events by the CNIC-polypill in a large population of real-life patients. In spite of the retrospective design of this study, the results of our analysis support the use of a CV-polypill in secondary prevention of cardiovascular events. These results need to be confirmed by prospective randomized clinical trials with major clinical outcomes.

Funding Acknowledgement

Type of funding sources: Private company. Main funding source(s): Ferrer International Figure 1

LDLc reduction with fixed-dose combination rosuvastatin-ezetimibe in patients with coronary heart disease that are not candidates for PCSK9 inhibitors treatment

Background

Statin plus ezetimibe combination has a recommendation class IIa, level of evidence B, for low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDLc) reduction. Since LDLc treatment target for patients with coronary heart disease (CHD) has been recently reduced to &lt;55 mg/dl most patients might need lipid-lowering drugs combinations and fixed-dose combinations are known to increase adherence. Current indications for PCSK9 inhibitors accepted for reimbursement in Spain in patients with CHD are LDL &gt;100 mg/dl despite maximal dose tolerated of statins or any of previous patients with statin intolerance and LDL &gt;100 mg/dl.

Methods

Investigator-initiated retrospective analysis of patients with coronary heart disease that received fixed-dose combination with rosuvastatin-ezetimibe between 2019 and 2020 in a specialized unit for patients with CHD. Inclusion criteria were: CHD and LDLc &lt;100 mg/dl despite statin treatment or &gt;100 mg/dl without previous lipid-lowering treatments. We also analysed patients in whom treatment was initiated at discharge from and acute coronary syndrome (ACS) or with chronic coronary syndrome (CCS)

Results

We analyzed 137 patients, 79.4% males, mean age 62. (12.3) and 24.1% with ACS. Statin treatment before initiation fixed-dose combination was higher in patients with CCS (71.2% vs. 8.2%; p&lt;0.01). Mean LDLc before treatment was 103.0 (30.5) mg/dl and it was higher in patients with ACS (121.3 (40.2) vs. 97.4 (24.4); p&lt;0.001). Median time to second blood test was 203 days (IQR 122–300); mean post-treatment LDLc was 60.8 (21.2) mg/dl and no difference (p=0.18) was found in patients with ACS vs CCS: 56.0 (26.1) vs. 62.4 (19.2) mg/dl. Mean LDLc reduction was 38.5% and it was higher in was higher in ACS patients (49.9% vs. 34.7%) (figure). LDLc &lt;55 mg/dl was achieved in 42.1% of the patients, more frequently in patients with ACS: 59.3% vs. 36.3% (p=0.036). No increase in transaminases was detected and a reduction in triglycerides was found (149.1 (100.4) to 124.7 (82.3) mg/dl; p=0.041).

Conclusions

Treatment with a fixed-dose combination with rosuvastatin-ezetimibe in patients with CHD not candidate for PCSK9 inhibitors is effective and safe for LDLc reduction especially in patients discharged after an ACS.

Funding Acknowledgement

Type of funding sources: None.

The value of GRACE risk score for predicting mortality in heart failure patients admitted with non-ST elevation acute coronary syndrome

Background

Acute coronary syndrome (ACS) in heart failure (HF) patients has not been well studied yet.

Purpose

The main aims of this study were to compare the characteristics and outcomes of Non-ST elevation ACS (NSTACS) in patients with and without prior HF, and to assess the GRACE risk score performance for risk stratification in both groups.

Methods

All consecutive patients (n=5661) admitted due to a NSTACS from November'2003 to November'2017 in two Spanish hospitals were retrospectively analysed. Patients were divided according to prior HF. As GRACE score predicts mortality in 6 months, logistic regression models were used to predict mortality in both groups. The different aspects of model performance were studied, including calibration and discrimination.

Results

Killip class, GRACE and CRUSADE scores were higher in HF-patients compared to patients without prior HF. Also, HF-patients had more complications (major bleeding, worsening HF, acute kidney injury) and higher mortality. Discrimination capacity of GRACE score to predict mortality at 6 months was slightly higher in non-HF patients (AUC 83.9% [81.6–86.2]) than in HF-patients [AUC 77.0% [70.1–83.8]) (Figure 1). The risk score calibration was acceptable for both groups [Brier scores were 0.139 (c-AUC 0,77) for HF-patients, and 0.046 (c-AUC 0.839) for non-HF patients]. Finally, HF-patients with lower GRACE scores had a higher predicted mortality than non-HF patients (Table 1).

Conclusions

We showed the potential utility of GRACE risk score in HF-patients admitted with NSTACS, expanding the indication of GRACE risk score for HF-patients as well. In fact, GRACE risk score not only keeps its accuracy, but it is even more robust in HF-patients than in non-HF patients.

Funding Acknowledgement

Type of funding sources: None. Figure 1Table 1

Trends in major bleeding events in patients with acute coronary syndrome

Background

Bleeding events incidence has gained a crucial role in acute coronary patients (ACS) due to its independent effect prognostic value.

Methods

We assessed the trend of in-hospital and first-year-after-discharge major bleeding events (MB) in all ACS admitted in a single center between January 2009 and Agoust 2019. MB was defined as those fitting definitions 3 or 5 of the BARC consortium. Patients were categorized as high-bleeding risk (HBR) if according to the 2019 Academic Research Consortium HBR consensus if they met at least one major or two minor criteria. Inclusion period was divided in 3 groups: 2009–2012 (n=884; 27.4%), 2013–2015 (n=1,047; 32.5%); 2016–2019 (n=1,294; 40.1%). Post-discharge MB was assessed by competing events regression models, taking all-cause mortality as a competing event, and results are presented as sub-hazard ratio (sHR).

Results

We included 3225 patients, mean age was 68.4 (29.7), 25.7% females, 1,108 32.1% had diabetes and 44.0% STEMI. Radial access was perfume in 92% of the angiographies in the 3 time-periods. A significant decrease in dual antiplatelet treatment (DAPT) before angiography was noted (69.0%; 56.3%; 53.6%; p=0.001) with a decreasing pattern in clopidogrel and increase in ticagrelor and prasugrel. A total of 1,591 (46.2%) were categorized as HBR patients. A non-significant trend to higher incidence of in-hospital MB was noted through the 3 time periods: 1.39%; 1.43%; 2.55% (p=0.056) and it was mainly driven by the significant increase only in HBR patients: 2.21%; 3.55%; 6.26% (p=0.003). Multivariate analysis identified age (OR: 1.06 95% CI 1.03–1.08, p&lt;0.001) and the time period 2016–2019 (OR: 1.96 95% CI 1.01–3.84; p=0.031) as main variables associated to higher in-hospital MB.

In contrast, postdischarge MB did not change overtime (p=0.155) and trends were the same in HBR and non-HBR patients (figure). The competing risk regression analysis, adjusted by age, gender, previous cardiovascular disease, revascularization and medical treatments, identified that the leading factors for postdischarge MB were diabetes (sHR: 1.37; 95% CI 1.01–2.92), time-period 2016–2019 (sHR: 1.52; 95% CI 1.01–2.30), HBR patient (sHR: 1.91; 95% CI 1.28- 2.87) and and previous heart failure (sHR: 2.26; 95% CI 1.264.40)

Conclusions

This continuous 10-year registry highlights the increasing trend of in-hospital mainly driven by the incidence in HBR patients. In contrast, postdischarge MB increased in all patients.

Funding Acknowledgement

Type of funding sources: None. Post-discharge MB incidence

Clinical benefit of direct oral anticoagulants vs. vitamin-K antagonist in octogenarians with atrial fibrillation

Background

Direct oral anticoagulants (DOACs) have demonstrated to the be more effective and safer than vitamin-K antagonist (VKA) for stroke prevention in patients with atrial fibrillation (AF). AF prevalence increases exponentially with age but octogenarians were underrepresented in clinical trials.

Methods

We performed a metanalysis with currently available studies that assessed the effect of DOACS vs. VKA in patients with age ≥80 and AF after performing a systematic search. The primary endpoints analyzed were stroke and all-cause death. Secondary endpoints were major bleeding, according to each study definitions, intracranial bleeding and gastrointestinal (GI) bleeding. The raw numbers of incident end-points reported in each study were used. A random effects model was selected because significant heterogeneity was observed; sensitivity analyses tested potential sources of heterogeneity, publication bias and the small-study effect.

Results

A total of 147,067 patients from 16 studies were included, 71,913 treated with DOACs and 75,154 with VKA. Inclusion criteria for the study was age ≥80 in 13 studies, ≥85 in two and ≥90 in one. Mean age of patients included all the studies was 86.2 (2.6) years. According to the study drug, 34,448 received rivaroxaban; 20,295 apixaban; 14,641 dabigatran, 492 edoxaban and; 2,037 any DOAC. No difference in mean age was observed according to the study drug.

Stroke incidence was available in the 16 studies. DOACs treatment was associated to 28% reduction of stroke (RR: 0.72 95% CI 0.63–0.82; p&lt;0.001) (figure). All-cause mortality could be assessed in 12 studies and DOACs treatment was associated to 18% in mortality (RR: 0.82, 95% CI 0.70–0.96; p=0.012) (figure). DOACs treatment was not associated to reductions in major bleeding (RR: 0.85, 95% CI 0.69–1.04; p=0.108); in contrast, the highest effect of DOACs treatment was a 43% reduction of intracranial bleeding (RR: 0.47, 95% CI 0.36–0.60; p&lt;0.001) (Figure 4). Finally, DOACs treatment was not associated higher of GI bleeding risk (RR: 1.08, 95% CI 0.76–1.53; p=0.678). Metaregression identified inclusion site in North-America (p&lt;0.001), the ELDERCARE-AF results (p=0.023), control arm different than VKA (p=0.006) and the prevalence of hypertension (p=0.042) were outlined as main sources of heterogeneicity for stroke risk reduction. The type of DOAC was the main source of source of heterogeneicity for all-cause mortality (p&lt;0.001) and major bleeding (p=0.03) risk reduction. No small-study effect was found for any endpoint except for intracranial bleeding (Harbor test p=0.029).

Conclusions

Treatment with DOACs in octogenarians reduces the incidence of stroke, all-cause mortality and intracranial bleeding as compared to VKA.

Funding Acknowledgement

Type of funding sources: None.

Prognostic benefit from an early invasive strategy in patients with non ST elevation acute coronary syndrome (NSTEACS): evaluation of the new risk stratification in the NSTEACS European guidelines

Objectives

The objective of our work is to evaluate the prognostic benefit of an early invasive strategy in patients with high-risk NSTACS according to the recommendations of the 2020 clinical practice guidelines during long-term follow-up.

Methods

This retrospective observational study included 6454 consecutive NSTEACS patients. We analyze the effects of early coronary angiography (&lt;24 h) in patients with: (a) GRACE risk score &gt;140 and (b) patients with “established NSTEMI” (non ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction defined by an increase in troponins) or dynamic ST-T-segment changes with a GRACE risk score &lt;140.

Results

From 2003 to 2017, 6454 patients with “new high-risk NSTEACS” were admitted, and 6031 (93.45%) of these underwent coronary angiography. After inverse probability of treatment weighting, the long-term cumulative probability of being free of all-cause mortality, cardiovascular mortality and MACE differed significantly due to an early coronary interven- tion in patients with NSTEACS and GRACE &gt;140 [HR 0.62 (IC 95% 0.57–0.67), HR 0.62 (IC 95% 0.56–0.68), HR 0.57 (IC 95% 0.53–0.61), respectively]. In patients with NSTEACS and GRACE &lt;140 with established NSTEMI or ST/T-segment changes, the benefit of the early invasive strategy is only observed in the reduction of MACE [HR 0.62 (IC 95% 0.56–0.68)], but not for total mortality [HR 0.96 (IC 95% 0.78–1.2)] and cardiovascular mortality [HR 0.96 (IC 95% 0.75–1.24)].

Conclusions

An early invasive management is associated with reduced all-cause mortality, cardiovascular mortality and MACE in NSTEACS with high GRACE risk score. However, this benefit is less evident in the subgroup of patients with a GRACE score &lt;140 with established NSTEMI or ST/T-segment changes.

Funding Acknowledgement

Type of funding sources: None.

Gender differences low-density lipoprotein cholesterol reduction with PCSK9 inhibitors in real world patients

Background

Monoclonal antibodies that inhibit the proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9 (PCSK9) reduce low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDLc) by 55%, regardless of baseline treatments, and are supposed to have a homogenous effect. We tested possible gender differences in a large multicenter registry of real-world patients treated with PCSK9 inhibitors.

Methods

Multicentre and retrospective registry of patients treated with PCSK9 inhibitors from 14 different hospitals from Spain. Before and on-treatment LDLc cholesterol was recorded as well as medical treatments, clinical indication and clinical features.

Results

A total of 562 patients were analysed, mean age 60.2 (9.6) years and 79.2% males. Most frequent indication for PCSK9 inhibitor treatment was established cardiovascular disease (CVD) with LDLc &gt;100 mg/dl (58.1%) followed by familial hypercholesterolemia (23.4%) and statin intolerance (18.5%). Indications other than CVD were more frequent in women (53.3% vs. 39.1%; p=0.03). Women were more frequently ezetimibe (67.5% vs. 50.6%; p=0.001) before PCSK9 treatment; although no gender differences in statin use was observed (78.6% vs. 83.6%; p=0.93) in the whole cohort it was significantly lower in patients with coronary heart disease (91.4% vs. 98.9%; p=0.005). Before treatment LDLc was 148.7 (50.1) mg/dl and it was higher women vs. men (160.3 (59.3) vs. 145.6 (47.0); p=0.005). Evolocumab was initiated in 318 (56.6%) patients; 229 (40.7%) alirocumab 75 mg and 15 (2.7%) alirocumab 150 mg. No gender differences in PCSK9 inhibitors drug or dose were observed.

Median time to second blood determination were 187.5 (IQR 101–242) days. Mean on-treatment LDLc was 66.7 (46.4) mg/dl and it was also higher in women vs. men (84.4 (58.6) vs. 61.9 (41.3); p&lt;0.001). Mean LDLc reduction was 54.7% but it was higher in men as compared to women (57.0% vs. 46.1%; p=0.0003). Higher LDLc reductions were also observed in patients with CVD as compared to the other 2 indications (57.1% vs. 47.3%; p=0.002). Moreover, LDLc reduction with PCSK9 inhibitors treatment was also higher in men vs women among patients with CVD (58.9% vs. 48.0%; p=0.04)

Conclusions

This multicentre and retrospective registry of real-world patients treated with PCSK9 inhibitors highlights significant gender differences in LDLc reduction.

Funding Acknowledgement

Type of funding sources: None.

The real-world cost and health resource utilization associated to the CNIC-polypill compared to usual care

Background

Cardiovascular (CV) polypills have been defined as scalable strategies for CV prevention. Nonetheless, their impact on health systems from an economic perspective has been questioned. The NEPTUNO study has evaluated the effectiveness, the healthcare resources utilization (HRU) and the economic impact of the CNIC-polypill - aspirin (ASA) 100mg, atorvastatin (A) 20/40mg and ramipril (R) 2,5/5/10mg – compared to usual care in a real-life clinical setting in Spain.

Methods

The NEPTUNO study is a retrospective, non-interventional analysis of an anonymized medical history dataset covering patients contained in the BIG-PAC administrative database in the years 2015–2018. Patients at age ≥18 years with medical history of previous CV disease were allocated in 4 different cohorts according to their therapy: (1) CNIC-polypill (case cohort), (2) identical mono-components (ASA,R,A), (3) equipotent medication and (4) usual care (control cohorts) and were followed for 2 years. To ensure comparability the cohorts a propensity score matching was performed. Direct all-cause HRU, including inpatient stay, outpatient visits, emergency room visits, rehabilitation, testing and medical treatment, were registered. Total direct medical costs were computed based on unit costs (€, 2020) assigned to each HRU item and were expressed on a per patient (PP) basis. Indirect costs where estimated based on registered productivity loss and the interprofessional average salary.

Results

8,946 patients were recruited. After PSM, each of the four study cohorts consisted of 1,614 patients. There was acceptable comparability between the study cohorts (balance). The mean age was 63.3 years and 60.4% were men. Cohort 1 compared with the control cohorts 2, 3 and 4 showed a significant reduction in HRU on a per patient average for all items (table), specifically in visits to primary care (16.6 vs. 18.7, 18.9 and 21.0; p&lt;0.001), visits to specialists (5.0 vs. 6.2, 6.5 and 7.3; p&lt;0.001), percentage of patients hospitalized (16.5% vs. 19.8%, 21.9% and 24.0%; p&lt;0.001) and days of hospitalization (2.3 vs. 3.4, 3.7 and 4.0; p&lt;0.001), respectively. The total cost per patient with the CNIC-Polypill compared to monotherapy, equivalents and other treatments, corrected for covariates (ANCOVA), was significantly lower (€4,668 vs. €5,587, €5,682 and €6,016; p&lt;0.001), representing a 16.5%, 17.8% and 22.4% reduction in total costs, respectively. Differences were also observed in healthcare costs, while in non-healthcare costs (loss of labor productivity) the differences were not significative (table).

Conclusion(s)

The results of our analysis demonstrate that the use of the CNIC-polypill results in a significantly lower HRU compared to control cohorts as well as a significantly lower total cost and direct medical costs. This data could support the sustainability and scalability of the polypill strategy.

Funding Acknowledgement

Type of funding sources: Private company. Main funding source(s): Unrestricted grant from Ferrer Lab, Spain

Is it justified to remove the intermediate risk group in the latest European guidelines for NSTEACS?

Background

Risk stratification in patients with non-ST elevation acute coronary syndrome (NSTEACS), becomes a priority after its diagnosis, due to the fact that it gives us information about prognosis and has crucial implications. The latest guidelines of European Society of Cardiology (ESC) suggest a new proposal of risk stratification dividing patients in three different groups: “low”, “high” and “very high risk”. Thus, they remove the intermediate risk group that defended the previous guidelines (2015).

Purpose

Our aim was to identify an intermediate risk group following the recommendations of the previous guidelines about risk stratification. We believe that the risk stratification in four groups if more accurate that the latest proposed in 2020 in three groups, because the “intermediate risk group” has a different prognosis that the subgroup nowadays considered “low risk”.

Methods

We included a cohort of 7 597 patients with NSTEACS admitted in two different Cardiology departments between 2003 and 2017 with 4,4±2,7 mean years of follow-up. Subsequently, a classification of the patients in four different risk groups was made following the 2015 guidelines and events during follow-up was assigned in the next categories:first adverse major cardiovascular event (MACE),all-cause mortality and cardiovascular mortality.

Results

Stratified analysis brought up that patients included in the intermediate risk group, had a different prognosis to the categories of “low” and “high risk” patients and we obtained the following results:

Mean incidence rate for total mortality measured in cases per 100 person-year [confidence interval (CI 95%)] was 1.96; for “low risk” patients CI95% 1.30–2.95, “intermediate risk” 3.91; (CI95% 3.28–4.57), “high risk” 4.94; CI95% 4.87–5.21 and “very high risk” 8.74; CI95% 7.75- 9.85.

Incidence rate for cardiovascular mortality for “low”, “intermediate”, “high” and “very high” was 1.02; (CI95% 0.58–1.18); 2.64 (CI95% 2.13–3.26); 3.32 (CI95% 3.11–3.55) and 6.71 (CI95% 4.84–7.69), respectively.

Using Cox analysis, the “intermediate risk group” (refference), still achieved statistical significance. Results expressed in hazard ratio demonstrated that:

Conclusion

These findings suggest that the four categories proposal could have better ability for risk stratification in NSTEACS patients and make us doubt about the new three groups classification displayed in the current ESC guidelines, particularly the “intermediate risk” group exclusion that would be reassessed as “low risk”.

Funding Acknowledgement

Type of funding sources: Public hospital(s). Main funding source(s): No funding sources.