Mortality attributable to secondhand smoke exposure in the autonomous communities of Spain

INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVES

Exposure to secondhand smoke (SHS) causes cardiovascular disease, respiratory disease, and cancer. The aim of this study was to estimate the mortality attributed to SHS in people aged ≥ 35 years in Spain and its autonomous communities (AC) by sex from 2016 to 2021.

METHODS

Estimates of SHS-attributable mortality were calculated by applying the prevalence-dependent method where SHS exposure was derived from the adjustment of small-area models and based on the calculation of population-attributed fractions. Sex, age group, AC, and cause of death (ischemic heart disease and lung cancer) were included. The estimates of attributed mortality are presented with their 95% confidence interval (95%CI). Crude and age-standardized rates were estimated for each sex and AC.

RESULTS

From 2016 to 2021, SHS exposure caused 4,970 (95%CI, 4,787-5,387) deaths, representing 1.6% of total mortality for ischemic heart disease and lung cancer. The burden of attributed mortality differed widely among the AC, with Andalusia having the highest burden of attributed mortality (crude rate: 46.6 deaths per 100 000 population in men and 17.0/100 000 in women). In all the AC, the main cause of death in both sexes was ischemic heart disease. The highest burden of mortality was observed in nonsmokers.

CONCLUSIONS

The burden of SHS-attributable mortality was high and varied geographically. The results of this study should be considered to advance tobacco control legislation in Spain.

Frank's sign associated with the severity of ischemic heart disease in patients under 65 years old

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE

Frank's sign is the diagonal ear fold which has been associated with ischemic heart disease. The objective of this work was to evaluate the relationship of Frank's sign with severity of ischemic heart disease in adults ≤ 65 years old in the northeast of Mexico.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

A cross-sectional study was conducted in patients ≤ 65 years old who underwent coronary angiography consecutively over a period of 5 months in 2022. Severe coronary artery disease (CAD) was associated with Frank's sign and other common cardiovascular risks. To determine the association, bivariate and multivariate analysis was performed using logistic regression that included variables with a value of p<0.05. Statistical analysis was performed with SPSS version 22.

RESULTS

We included 311 patients ≤ 65 years, of whom 80% were men. The median age was 57 years (range 28-65). Frank's sign was positive in 62% of the population. The main clinical characteristics in patients with Frank's sign were type 2 diabetes mellitus (55%), p=0.003, dyslipidemia (53%), p=0.026 and smoking (68%), p=0.002. In the multivariate analysis, the independent variables associated with severe CAD were Frank's Sign OR 3.26; 95% CI (1.98-5.38), p≤0.001, male gender OR 2.28; 95% CI (1.20-4.35), p=0.012, and dyslipidemia OR 1.81; 95% CI (1.11-2.97), p=0.017.

CONCLUSIONS

There is an independent association between Frank's sign with the presence of severe CAD in patients ≤ 65 years old, which may be useful for screening and prevention.

Nuclear Cardiology in the COVID-19 pandemic

SARS-CoV-2 infection has a very important relationship with cardiovascular disease. Since the beginning of the pandemic, a close relationship has been observed between cardiovascular comorbidity and a worse prognosis in COVID-19 patients. The study of the pathophysiology of SARS-CoV-2 infection and cardiovascular disease suggests several concomitant hypotheses: direct myocardial damage by the virus, hypoxemia secondary to respiratory failure, inflammatory response to infection and/or thromboembolic phenomena. Cardiovascular damage can manifest in the acute phase of infection with acute myocardial infarction, myocarditis, arrhythmias…, during this phase Nuclear Cardiology procedures have not played a determining role in the diagnosis and management of these patients. On the other hand, in the subacute phase of the infection and in the post-acute COVID syndrome, Nuclear Cardiology seems to shed light on what happens in the cardiovascular system in this phase of the disease. The COVID-19 pandemic has represented a great challenge for health systems, with a significant reduction in non-urgent diagnostic procedures with the aim of reducing the risk of transmission to patients and health personnel. Nuclear Cardiology has not been an exception. In addition to the prioritization of urgent/non-deferrable procedures and general screening, hygiene and distance measures, the main organizations and scientific societies of Nuclear Medicine and Nuclear Cardiology released recommendations and guidelines for safe practice, introducing significant changes in myocardial perfusion SPECT protocols.

Impact of the Mexican education system and age on basic knowledge about ischemic heart disease in the pre-COVID-19 era

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE

To assess general population's knowledge about ischemic heart disease (IHD) and its relationship to years of schooling in Mexico.

METHOD

Analysis of surveys designed to measure knowledge about IHD applied in Mexico City.

RESULTS

530 surveys were analyzed. 51.7% were women. The median age was 43 years (IQR: 15-92) and the median of schooling was 18 years (IQR: 15-18). 64.5% of respondents scored less than 50% of correct answers. A slight increase in the knowledge level and years of study (p < 0.001) and age (p = 0.101) was observed, but with low correlation indexes (r = 0.215 and r = 0.071, respectively).

CONCLUSIONS

Knowledge about IHD in general population is deficient and doesn't increase adequately neither with age nor academic studies. It is necessary to review our health education strategies.

Impact of renal function on the prognostic value of mineral metabolism in patients with chronic ischaemic heart disease patients with chronic ischaemic heart disease

BACKGROUND

Parathormone (PTH) is a component of the Mineral Metabolism (MM) system that has been shown recently to add prognostic value in pts. with stable coronary artery disease (SCAD) and average renal function. However, the influence of renal function on the prognostic role of PTH in pts. with SCAD has not been shown yet.

PURPOSE

To assess the influence of estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) on the prognostic role of PTH and other MM markers in pts. with SCAD.

METHODS

We analyzed the prognostic value of MM markers (PTH, klotho, phosphate, calcidiol [25-hydroxyvitamin D], and fibroblast growth factor-23 [FGF23]) in 964 pts. with SCAD and eGFR<60ml/min/1.73 m² (LGFR) vs pts. with eGFR≥60ml/min/1.73 m² (HGFR) included in five hospitals of Madrid. The main outcome was the combination of death with ischemic events (any acute coronary syndrome, ischemic stroke or transient ischemic attack). eGFR was calculated by the Chronic Kidney Disease Epidemiology Collaboration equation (CKD-EPI).

RESULTS

Age was 60.0 (52.0-72.0) years, 76.2% of patients were men, and eGFR was 80.4 (65.3-93.1) ml/min/1,73 m². Median follow-up was 5.39 (2.81-6.92) years. There were 790 pts. with HGFR and 174 with LGFR. In HGFR pts., predictors of ischemic events or death were plasma levels of calcidiol [HR=0.023 (0.94-0.99) p=0.023], FGF23 [HR=1.00 (1.00-1.003) p=0.036], non-HDL cholesterol [HR=1.01 (1.00-1.01) p=0.026] and high sensitivity troponin I [HR=5.12 (1.67-15.59) p=0.004], along with age [HR=1.03 (1.01-1.05) p=0.01], treatment with statins [HR=0.36 (0.19-0.68) p=0.002], nitrates [HR=1.13 (1.07-2.79) p=0.027], dihydropyridines [HR=1.71 (1.05-2.77) p=0.032], verapamil [HR=5.71 (1.35-24.1) p=0.018], and proton-pump inhibitors [HR=2.23 (1.36-3.68) p= 0.002]. In the LGFR subgroup, predictors of death or ischemic events were PTH plasma levels, [HR=1.01 (1.00-1.01) p=0.005], eGFR [HR=0.96 (0.94-0.99) p=0.004], age [HR=1.06 (1.02-1.10) p=0.003], caucasian race [HR=0.04 (0.004-0.380) p=0.005], and treatment with insulin [HR=2.6 (1.20-5.63) p=0.015].

CONCLUSIONS

In pts. with SCAD, PTH is an independent predictor of poor outcomes only in those with eGFR<60ml/min/1.73 m², while in pts. with eGFR≥60ml/min/1.73 m² calcidiol and FGF23 become the only components of MM that may predict prognosis. Then, renal function influences the predictive power of MM markers in pts. with SCAD.

Economic evaluation of complete revascularization versus stress echocardiography-guided revascularization in the STEACS with multivessel disease

INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVES

Economic studies may help decision making in the management of multivessel disease in the setting of myocardial infarction. We sought to perform an economic evaluation of CROSS-AMI (Complete Revascularization or Stress Echocardiography in Patients With Multivessel Disease and ST-Segment Elevation Acute Myocardial Infarction) randomized clinical trial.

METHODS

We performed a cost minimization analysis for the strategies (complete angiographic revascularization [ComR] and selective stress echocardiography-guided revascularization [SelR]) compared in the CROSS-AMI clinical trial (N=306), attributable the initial hospitalization and readmissions during the first year of follow-up, using current rates for health services provided by our health system.

RESULTS

The index hospitalization costs were higher in the ComR group than in SelR arm (19 657.9±6236.8 € vs 14 038.7±4958.5 €; P <.001). There were no differences in the costs of the first year of follow-up rehospitalizations between both groups for (ComR 2423.5±4568.0 vs SelR 2653.9±5709.1; P=.697). Total cost was 22 081.3±7505.6 for the ComR arm and 16 692.6±7669.9 for the SelR group (P <.001).

CONCLUSIONS

In the CROSS-AMI trial, the initial extra economic costs of the ComR versus SelR were not offset by significant savings during follow-up. SelR seems to be more efficient than ComR in patients with ST-segment elevation acute coronary syndrome and multivessel disease treated by emergent angioplasty. Study registred at ClinicalTrial.gov (Identifier: NCT01179126).

[Incidence of ischemic heart disease in the HERMEX study and its association with classical cardiovascular risk factors]

OBJECTIVES

Knowledge about the incidence of coronary heart disease in our country is scarce and its sources are not comparable. Our aim was to determine the incidence of ischemic heart disease in a population cohort in a 7 years of follow-up, as well as the risk associated with the different classical cardiovascular risk factors.

METHODS

Cohort study with a population sample of 2833 subjects, selected by the simple random method in a population between 25 and 79, from the Don Benito - Villanueva de la Serena (Badajoz) health area, response rate was 80.5%. All episodes of angina pectoris, lethal and non-lethal myocardial infarction were collected in individuals with no previous history of cardiovascular disease. Cumulative incidences and incidence rates adjusted per 100,000 person-years by sex and overall were calculated.

RESULTS

From 2833 initial cohort participants, 103 were excluded due to a history of cardiovascular disease and 61 for losses, 2669 completed the follow-up (94.2%). The median follow-up was 6.9 years (IR 6.5-7.5), 56.4% women; 59 events were recorded. The overall incidence rate of ischemic heart disease was 327 cases/100,000 person-years, corresponding to 470 cases/100,000 for men and 211 cases/100,000 people-years for women. The classical cardiovascular risk factors that were associated with a higher risk of presenting events in the follow-up were dyslipidemia and arterial hypertension, in addition to male sex and age.

CONCLUSIONS

The incidence of ischemic heart disease in the urban-rural population of Extremadura is high. The classical cardiovascular risk factors most strongly associated with events were dyslipidemia, and arterial hypertension.

Clinical characteristics of premature cardiovascular disease in our health area

INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVES

Cardiovascular disease continues to be the main cause of mortality, but few data are available in the young population. The aim of our study was to know the incidence and clinical characteristics of premature cardiovascular disease in our health area.

METHODS

Cross-sectional study of patients admitted for acute episode of premature cardiovascular disease in a referral hospital during 2018.

RESULTS

We detected 367 subjects: 306 (83.4%) with atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease. Almost half (164, 44.7%) were diabetic, with primary hypercholesterolaemia or high cardiovascular risk, and 84 (22.9%) had a personal history of cardiovascular disease. Among those with elevated risk or history (n = 207) only 47 subjects had LDL cholesterol at therapeutic target.

CONCLUSIONS

Most of the subjects with premature cardiovascular disease in our study had higher cardiovascular risk than attributable to their age. Intensive diagnosis and treatment of cardiovascular risk factors may prevent cardiovascular disease in young adults.

Trends in premature mortality due to ischemic heart disease in Spain from 1998 to 2018

INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVES

Ischemic heart disease (IHD) is the leading cause of death and one of the leading causes of disability. The aim of this study was to analyze trends in premature mortality due to IHD in patients younger than 75 years in Spain from 1998 to 2018 by region.

METHODS

Observational study of temporal trends in premature mortality due to IHD in Spain by region and sex from 1998 to 2018. The study population included resident citizens aged between 0 and 74 years. The data sources were the continuous population register and the mortality registry of the National Institute of Statistics. We calculated age-adjusted mortality rates and their average annual percent change estimated by Poisson models.

RESULTS

During the study period, mortality rates due to IHD decreased, both in the country as a whole and by provinces (53% in men and 61% in women), with an average annual percent change of -3.92% and -5.07%, respectively. In the first year (1998), mortality was unequally distributed among provinces, with higher mortality in the south of Spain.

CONCLUSIONS

Premature mortality due to IHD significantly decreased in Spain during the study period in both sexes to roughly half of initial cases. This decrease was statistically significant in almost all regions. Interprovincial differences in mortality and their variation also decreased in recent years.

Telemedicine consultation for the clinical cardiologists in the era of COVID-19: present and future. Consensus document of the Spanish Society of Cardiology

The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has changed how we view our consultations. To reduce the risk of spread in the most vulnerable patients (those with heart disease) and health personnel, most face-to-face consultations have been replaced by telemedicine consultations. Although this change has been rapidly introduced, it will most likely become a permanent feature of clinical practice. Nevertheless, there remain serious doubts about organizational and legal issues, as well as the possibilities for improvement etc. In this consensus document of the Spanish Society of Cardiology, we attempt to provide some keys to improve the quality of care in this new way of working, reviewing the most frequent heart diseases attended in the cardiology outpatient clinic and proposing some minimal conditions for this health care process. These heart diseases are ischemic heart disease, heart failure, and arrhythmias. In these 3 scenarios, we attempt to clarify the basic issues that must be checked during the telephone interview, describe the patients who should attend in person, and identify the criteria to refer patients for follow-up in primary care. This document also describes some improvements that can be introduced in telemedicine consultations to improve patient care.

[Impact of antithrombotic treatment and geriatric syndromes in octogenarians with atrial fibrillation and ischaemic heart disease. Atrial Fibrillation and Ischemic Heart Disease in the Elderly]

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES

The prevalence of atrial fibrillation (AF) and ischaemic heart disease (IHC) increases with age. They coexist in up to 20% of octogenarian patients, a situation that poses a therapeutic challenge. Trials that have addressed this scenario, which included a low percentage of octogenarians, showed that double therapy (single antiplatelet + anticoagulation) compared to triple therapy (double antiplatelet + anticoagulation) was associated with less bleeding events, especially with direct oral anticoagulants. These studies did not have sufficient power to detect differences in ischaemic events. On the other hand, prevalent characteristics in the elderly, such as geriatric syndromes, were not assessed in these studies, and are not usually evaluated in clinical practice. Accordingly, their prognostic impact remains unknown in this clinical context.

METHODS

Observational, prospective, and multicentre study that will include patients ≥ 80 years with AF and IHC in Spain. Baseline characteristics and geriatric syndromes will be assessed, as well as the choice of antithrombotic treatment. The primary endpoint is cardiovascular and overall mortality at one and three years follow-up.

RESULTS

This study will assess both characteristics and prognosis of octogenarian patients with AF and IHC in Spain, the factors involved in the choice of antithrombotic treatment, and the incidence of ischaemic and haemorrhagic events during the short- and long-term follow-up.

CONCLUSION

This study will contribute to improve the knowledge in terms of safety and efficacy of the different therapeutic options in older patients with AF and IHC, as well as their prognostic impact.

Estudio de la deformación miocárdica longitudinal en pacientes con cardiopatía isquémica

INTRODUCTION

Cardiovascular diseases are the leading cause of death in Cuba and most of the developed countries. -Two-dimensional speckle tracking echocardiography (2D ST) is a recent technique in the evaluation of cardiac function.

OBJECTIVES

To determine the relationship between myocardial deformation measured by 2D ST and coronary circulation in patients with ischemic heart disease, in the CIMEQ, for 1 year.

MATERIAL AND METHOD

An analytical, cross-sectional study was carried out with 55 patients with an indication for coronary angiography who underwent 2D echocardiography and 2D ST study with longitudinal strain measurement (LSM). Two groups significant coronary disease (SCD = 32) and not significant (NSCD = 23) were created. SSPS was used to analyze the results.

RESULTS

The average age was higher in SCD (55.6 ± 9.3 vs. 61.8 ± 8.8, p = 0.014). Men with SCD (47.3%), hypertensive (SCD = 90.6% and NSCD = 65.2%, p = 0.02) and smokers (SCD = 59.4% and NSCD = 17.4%, p = 0.002) predominated. The most frequent diagnosis was chronic stable angina (87%). Three-vessel disease (75%) prevailed in SCD. The LMS was lower in SCD ([-20.0 ± 3.2 vs. -22.1 ± 3.6, p = 0.035]; AUC = 0.458). There were no differences in LSM according to the number of significantly diseased vessels.

CONCLUSIONS

The results found do not justify the use of 2D ST to discriminate SCD.

Giant aneurysm of the right coronary artery, report of a case and review of the literature

Coronary artery aneurysms are described as a localized dilatation that exceeds the normal diameter by 1.5 times. This is a rare condition; its incidence varies from 0.3% up to 5.3% of all coronary angiographies. Those aneurysms that exceed 4 times the diameter of a normal artery are considered giant aneurysms, which are even more uncommon, presenting between 0.02% and 0.2% of all cases. There is controversy regarding its pathophysiology, however, up to 50% of the cases are related to atherosclerosis. They are diagnosed more frequently between the sixth and seventh decade of life. The main clinical manifestations are related to ischemic heart disease. Regarding their treatment, there is no general consensus toward its management in adult patients. The options are medical, surgical, or percutaneous treatment. We report the presence of a giant aneurysm of the right coronary artery and giant ectasia of the left coronary system with active thrombosis in a man with a history of an abdominal aortic aneurysm, with endovascular treatment and a non-ST segment elevation myocardial infarction with no reperfusion strategy, who required a coronary computed tomography, identifying the anatomical characteristics of this disease.

Recommendations to improve lipid control. Consensus document of the Spanish Society of Cardiology

T***he current control of low-density lipoprotein cholesterol among patients with atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease is very low and this is associated with an increase of cardiovascular outcomes. In addition, the latter this happens, the risk will be greater. This is mainly due to an insufficient use of the lipid-lowering therapy currently available. In fact, with current treatments (statins, ezetimibe and PCSK9 inhibitors), the majority of patients in secondary prevention should achieve low-density lipoprotein cholesterol goals. For these reasons, in this manuscript promoted by the Spanish Society of Cardiology we propose three simple and feasible decision-making algorithms that include the majority of clinical scenarios among patients with ischemic heart disease, with the double aim of attaining therapeutic goals in the majority of patients as soon as possible; in secondary prevention the magnitude of the benefit is risk- and time-dependent.

Non-HDL cholesterol as a therapeutic goal

Although cholesterol linked to low-density lipoproteins (c-LDL) is well established as a risk factor for cardiovascular disease, there is often a more complex dyslipidaemia pattern that contributes to the formation of atherosclerotic plaque. Non-HDL cholesterol (c-NO-HDL) is used to estimate the total amount of atherogenic lipoproteins in plasma, some of which are not usually determined in daily clinical practice. c-NO-HDL is easily calculated from the subtraction of total plasma cholesterol from the cholesterol content carried by high density lipoproteins. The c-NO-HDL has a predictive value superior to that of C-LDL to estimate the risk of major cardiovascular events in epidemiological studies. Genetic studies by analysis of the complete genome, together with those based on Mendelian randomisation, point to the aetiological character of c-NO-HDL on ischaemic heart disease (IHD). Intervention studies, and the meta-analyses derived from them, close the causal circle between c-NO-HDL and IHD, by demonstrating that any intervention that decreases the concentrations of the former reduces the incidence of arteriosclerotic heart disease. The European ESC/EAS 2016 guide for the management of dyslipidaemia considers c-NO-HDL as a therapeutic target with a Class IIa recommendation (should be performed) Level B (data from a single randomised clinical trial [RCT]) or from several non-RCTs), and sets its target at less than 100 or 130mg/dL for those patients with very high risk or high risk, respectively. These achievable c-NO-HDL values are easily calculated by adding 30mg/dL to the c-LDL targets.

The Two-way Relationship Between Cancer and Atherosclerosis

In the last few years, there has been growing interest in the relationship between cancer and cardiovascular disease. The increase in life expectancy in both diseases has led to their frequent coexistence in the same patient, which can lead to adverse drug reactions that increase patient risk. This is especially relevant in the case of atherosclerosis, which seems to share a common pathophysiological substrate with cancer. In this review, we analyze these common risk factors, and specifically analyze the relationship between different cancer treatments with the risk of coronary or cerebrovascular disease, as well as the current scientific evidence on the possible relationship between antiplatelet therapy and cancer risk. We also review the incidence and prognosis of cancer in patients with atherosclerosis and vice versa, based on the information reported in the most recently published studies in the field of cardio-oncology.

Prognostic role of stress cardiac magnetic resonance in the elderly

INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVES

Several trials have tested the diagnostic and prognostic value of stress cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) in ischemic heart disease. However, scientific evidence is lacking in the older population, and the available techniques have limitations in this population. The aim of this study was to evaluate the usefulness of stress CMR in the elderly.

METHODS

We prospectively studied consecutive patients referred for stress CMR to rule out myocardial ischemia. The cutoff age for the elderly population was 70 years. Stress CMR study was performed according to standardized international protocols. Hypoperfusion severity was classified according to the number of affected segments: mild (1-2 segments), moderate (3-4 segments), or severe (> 4 segments). We analyzed the occurrence of major events during follow-up (death, acute coronary syndrome, or revascularization). Survival was studied with the Kaplan-Meier method and multivariate Cox regression models.

RESULTS

Of an initial cohort of 333 patients, 110 were older than 70 years. In 40.9% patients, stress CMR was positive for ischemia. The median follow-up was 26 [18-37] months. In elderly patients there were 35 events (15 deaths, 10 acute coronary syndromes, and 10 revascularizations). Patients with moderate or severe ischemia were at a higher risk of events, adjusted for age, sex, and cardiovascular risk (HR, 3.53 [95%CI, 1.41-8.79]; P=.01).

CONCLUSIONS

Moderate to severe perfusion defects in stress CMR strongly predict cardiovascular events in people older than 70 years, without relevant adverse effects.

Study of arterial stiffness in patients with an acute coronary event and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease confirmed by spirometry

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) worsens the prognosis for patients with an acute coronary event (ACE) treated with percutaneous coronary intervention. Objective To assess the effect of COPD on arterial stiffness in patients with an ACE.

METHODS

The study included patients with an ACE treated with percutaneous coronary intervention. At 1 month, postbronchodilation spirometry was performed, and arterial stiffness and markers of myocardial damage (troponin T and ProBNP) were measured.

RESULTS

We included 68 patients, 33% of whom had COPD (59% undiagnosed). The patients with COPD presented higher arterial stiffness values after adjusting for age and blood pressure readings. The troponin T and ProBNP levels were higher in the patients with COPD.

CONCLUSIONS

Arterial stiffness is greater in patients with an ACE if they have concomitant COPD. These findings can help explain the poorer prognosis of patients with both conditions.

Histology of atherosclerotic plaque from coronary arteries of deceased patients after coronary artery bypass graft surgery

BACKGROUND AND AIM

Ischaemic heart disease is an important health problem. The characteristics of atherosclerotic plaques determine patient outcome. The aim of this study was to determine the histological grade of coronary atherosclerotic lesions in deceased patients after coronary artery bypass graft surgery, and to identify the complications of the severe plaques.

METHOD

A descriptive, cross-sectional, prospective study was carried out on 21 anatomical pieces of deceased patients over a period of 3 years. The epicardial coronary arteries were sectioned transversally every 1cm, and the odd numbered fragments and the regions of the anastomosis with the grafts were selected. They were embedded in paraffin, stained with haematoxylin-eosin, and the histological slides were studied using an Olympus BHM microscope.

RESULTS

An age over 50 years (85.7%), male gender (81.0%), and smoking (66.7%) predominated. Peri-operative infarction (38.1%) and cardiogenic shock (33.3%) were the main direct causes of death. The majority of the grafts were of venous origin (64.6%), and 149 lesions were detected, of which 116 (77.8%) were severe plaques, and 47.4% of them were located in the left anterior descending artery. The large majority (81.9%) of the lesions were located in the arterial segments proximal to the graft. A total of 255 histological complications were detected in the severe plaques, with 75.0% showing calcification. Hypertensive patients had more plaques with more complications, but no statistically significant association was found between these variables.

CONCLUSIONS

Severe plaques predominated, mostly located in the proximal segments of the coronary arteries, and the left anterior descending was the most affected artery. Calcification was the most observed complication in the severe plaques.

Impact of 2 Successive Smoking Bans on Hospital Admissions for Cardiovascular Diseases in Spain

INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVES

To evaluate the impact of 2 smoking bans enacted in 2006 (partial ban) and 2011 (comprehensive ban) on hospitalizations for cardiovascular disease in the Spanish adult population.

METHODS

The study was performed in 14 provinces in Spain. Hospital admission records were collected for acute myocardial infarction (AMI), ischemic heart disease (IHD), and cerebrovascular disease (CVD) in patients aged ≥ 18 years from 2003 through 2012. We estimated immediate and 1-year effects with segmented-linear models. The coefficients for each province were combined using random-effects multivariate meta-analysis models.

RESULTS

Overall, changes in admission rates immediately following the implementation of the partial ban and 1 year later were -1.8% and +1.2% for AMI, +0.1 and +0.4% for IHD, and +1.0% and +2.8% for CVD (P>.05). After the comprehensive ban, immediate changes were -2.3% for AMI, -2.6% for IHD, and -0.8% for CVD (P>.05), only to return to precomprehensive ban values 1 year later. For patients aged ≥ 65 years of age, immediate changes associated with the comprehensive ban were -5.0%, -3.9%, and -2.3% for AMI, IHD, and CVD, respectively (P<.05). Again, the 1-year changes were not statistically significant.

CONCLUSIONS

In Spain, smoking bans failed to significantly reduce hospitalizations for AMI, IHD, or CVD among patients ≥ 18 years of age. In the population aged ≥ 65 years, hospital admissions due to these diseases showed significant decreases immediately after the implementation of the comprehensive ban, but these reductions disappeared at the 1-year evaluation.

Epistasis analysis of metabolic genes polymorphisms associated with ischemic heart disease in Yucatan

OBJECTIVE

Epistasis is a type of genetic interaction that could explain much of the phenotypic variability of complex diseases. In this work, the effect of epistasis of metabolic genes and cardiovascular risk on the susceptibility to the development of ischemic heart disease in Yucatan was determined.

METHODS

Case-control study in 79 Yucatecan patients with ischemic heart disease and 101 healthy controls matched by age and origin with cases. The polymorphisms -108CT, Q192R, L55M (paraoxonase 1; PON1), C677T, A1298C (methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase; MTHFR), and the presence/absence of the glutathione S-transferase T1 (GSTT1) gene were genotyped. Epistasis analysis was performed using the multifactorial dimensional reduction method. The best risk prediction model was selected based on precision (%), statistical significance (P<0.05), and cross-validation consistency.

RESULTS

We found an independent association of the null genotype GSTT1*0/0 (OR=3.39, CI: 1.29-8.87, P=0.017) and the null allele (OR=1.86, CI: 1.19-2.91, P=0.007) with ischemic heart disease. The GSTT1*0 deletion and the 677TT genotype (MTHFR) were identified as being at a high cardiovascular risk, whereas the GSTT1*1 wild type genotype and the CC677 variant were at low risk. The gene-environment interaction identified the GSTT1 gene, C677T polymorphism (MTHFR), and hypertension as the factors that best explain ischemic heart disease in the study population.

CONCLUSIONS

The interaction of the MTHFR, GSTT1 and hypertension may constitute a predictive model of risk for early onset ischemic heart disease in the population of Yucatan.

The Genetics of Ischemic Heart Disease: From Current Knowledge to Clinical Implications

Ischemic heart disease continues to cause high morbidity and mortality. Its prevalence is expected to increase due to population aging, and its prevention is a major goal of health policies. The risk of developing ischemic heart disease is related to a complex interplay between genetic, environmental, and lifestyle factors. In the last decade, considerable progress has been made in knowledge of the genetic architecture of this disease. This narrative review provides an overview of current knowledge of the genetics of ischemic heart disease and of its translation to clinical practice: identification of new therapeutic targets, assessment of the causal relationship between biomarkers and disease, improved risk prediction, and identification of responders and nonresponders to specific drugs (pharmacogenomics).

Nordic walking for cardiovascular prevention in patients with ischaemic heart disease or metabolic syndrome

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE

The incidence of atherosclerotic diseases has increased in Europe due in part to the population's sedentary lifestyle. Physical activity is useful for cardiovascular prevention. Nordic walking (NW) mobilizes a great number of muscular groups and is very popular in northern Europe. There is no data available on its impact in the healthcare system of the Mediterranean area. We propose the implementation of a NW program to promote physical activity and control cardiovascular risk factors (CVRF), as well as to improve quality of life and the adherence to medical treatment in patients with a chronic ischemic heart disease or metabolic syndrome.

METHODS

We selected patients with uncontrolled CVRFs. These patients performed 2 weekly sessions of NW over the course of one year. Baseline data extracted from the patients' medical history, quality of life questionnaires and on adherence to treatment was compared with the results obtained at the end of the program.

RESULTS

A reduction in the rate of CVRFs from 4.78 to 3 was observed, with an evident trend towards the improvement of the patients' quality of life and a better adherence to the treatment.

CONCLUSIONS

The implementation of a NW program is feasible in the public healthcare system and can aid in the management of CVRFs.

[Chronic ischaemic heart disease in the elderly]

It is the aim of this manuscript to take into account the peculiarities and specific characteristics of elderly patients with chronic ischaemic heart disease from a multidisciplinary perspective, with the participation of the Spanish Society of Cardiology (sections of Geriatric Cardiology and Ischaemic Heart Disease/Acute Cardiovascular Care), the Spanish Society of Internal Medicine, the Spanish Society of Primary Care Physicians and the Spanish Society of Geriatrics and Gerontology. This consensus document shows that in order to adequately address these elderly patients a comprehensive assessment is needed, which includes comorbidity, frailty, functional status, polypharmacy and drug interactions. We conclude that in most patients medical treatment is the best option and that this treatment must take into account the above factors and the biological changes associated with aging.

[ETAP: A smoking scale for Primary Health Care]

OBJECTIVE

To obtain a scale of tobacco exposure to address smoking cessation.

DESIGN

Follow-up of a cohort. Scale validation.

SETTING

Primary Care Research Unit. Tenerife.

PARTICIPANTS

A total of 6729 participants from the "CDC de Canarias" cohort.

METHODS

A scale was constructed under the assumption that the time of exposure to tobacco is the key factor to express accumulated risk. Discriminant validity was tested on prevalent cases of acute myocardial infarction (AMI; n=171), and its best cut-off for preventive screening was obtained. Its predictive validity was tested with incident cases of AMI (n=46), comparing the predictive power with markers (age, sex) and classic risk factors of AMI (hypertension, diabetes, dyslipidaemia), including the pack-years index (PYI).

RESULTS

The scale obtained was the sum of three times the years that they had smoked plus years exposed to smoking at home and at work. The frequency of AMI increased with the values of the scale, with the value 20 years of exposure being the most appropriate cut-off for preventive action, as it provided adequate predictive values for incident AMI. The scale surpassed PYI in predicting AMI, and competed with the known markers and risk factors.

CONCLUSION

The proposed scale allows a valid measurement of exposure to smoking and provides a useful and simple approach that can help promote a willingness to change, as well as prevention. It still needs to demonstrate its validity, taking as reference other problems associated with smoking.

The clinical profile of women with stable ischaemic heart disease in Spain. More effort is needed in secondary prevention. SIRENA study

OBJECTIVES

Cardiovascular diseases are the leading cause of death for women, especially ischaemic heart disease, which is still considered a man's disease. In Spain, there are various registries on ischaemic heart disease, although none are exclusively for women. The objectives of the SIRENA study were to describe the clinical profile of women with ischaemic heart disease treated in cardiology consultations, to estimate its prevalence of cardiovascular risk factors and understand its clinical management.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

A multicentre observational study was conducted with a sample of 631 women with stable ischaemic heart disease, consecutively included during cardiology consultations. Forty-one researchers from all over Spain participated in the study.

RESULTS

The mean age was 68.5 years. The clinical presentation was in the form of acute coronary syndrome in up to 67.2% of the patients. The prevalence of cardiovascular risk factors was high (77.7% of the patients had hypertension, 40.7% had diabetes and 68% had dyslipidaemia), with 30.7% having uncontrolled hypertension, 78.4% having LDL-cholesterol levels higher than 70mg/dL and 49.2% having HbA1c levels greater than 7%. The considerable majority of the patients underwent optimal medical treatment with antiplatelet agents, beta-blockers, renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system blockers and hypolipidaemic agents. Coronary angiography was performed for 88.3% of the patients, and 63.4% underwent percutaneous coronary intervention.

CONCLUSIONS

Women with stable ischaemic heart disease in Spain initially present some form of acute coronary syndrome and a high prevalence of inadequately controlled cardiovascular risk factors, despite undergoing optimal medical therapy. A high percentage of these women undergo coronary revascularisation. Increased efforts are required for secondary prevention in women with stable ischaemic heart disease.

[Preoperative and follow-up cardiac magnetic resonance imaging of candidates for surgical ventricular restoration]

PURPOSE

To assess pre and post-operative cardiac MRI (CMR) findings in patients with left endoventriculoplasty repair for ventricular aneurysm due to ischemic heart disease.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

Data were retrospectively gathered on 21 patients with diagnosis of ventricular aneurysm secondary to ischemic heart disease undergoing left endoventriculoplasty repair between January 2007 and March 2013. Pre and post-operative CMR was performed in 12 patients. The following data were evaluated in pre-operative and post-operative CMR studies: quantitative analysis of left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF), left ventricular end-diastolic (LVEDV) and end-systolic (LVESV) volume index, presence of valvular disease and intracardiac thrombi. The time between surgery and post-operative CRM studies was 3-24 months.

RESULTS

Significant differences were found in the pre and post-operative LVEF, LVEDV and LVESV data. EF showed a median increase of 10% (IQR 2-15) (p=0.003). The LVEDV showed a median decrease of 38 ml/m(2) (IQR 18-52) (p=0.006) and the LVESV showed a median decrease of 45 ml/m(2) (IQR:12-60) (p=0.008). Post-operative ventricular volume reduction was significantly higher in those patients with preoperative LVESV >110 ml/m(2) (59 ml/m(2) and 12 ml/m(2), p=0.006).

CONCLUSION

In patients with ischemic heart disease that are candidates for left endoventriculoplasty, CMR is a reliable non-invasive and reproducible technique for the evaluation of the scar before the surgery and the ventricular volumes and its evolution after endoventricular surgical repair.

Prevalence of Stable Angina in Spain. Results of the OFRECE Study

INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVES

The objective of the OFRECE study was to estimate the prevalence of stable angina in Spain. This prevalence is currently unknown, due to a lack of recent studies and to changes in the epidemiology and treatment of ischemic heart disease.

METHODS

This cross-sectional study involved a representative sample of the Spanish population aged 40 years or older, obtained via 2-stage random sampling: in the first stage, primary care physicians were randomly selected from each Spanish province, whereas in the second stage 20 people were selected from the population assigned to each physician. The prevalence was weighted by age, sex, and geographical area. Participants were classified as having angina if they met the "definite angina" criteria of the Rose questionnaire and as having confirmed angina if the angina was confirmed by a cardiologist or if they had a history of acute ischemic heart disease or revascularization.

RESULTS

Of the 11 831 people invited to participate, 8378 (71%) were analyzed (mean age, 59.2 years). The weighted prevalence of definite angina (Rose) was 2.6% (95% confidence interval, 2.1%-3.1%) and was higher in women (2.9%) than in men (2.2%), whereas that of confirmed angina was 1.4% (95% confidence interval, 1.0%-1.8%), without differences between men (1.5%) and women (1.3%). The prevalence of definite angina (Rose) increased with age (0.7% in patients aged 40 to 49 years and 7.1% in those aged 70 years or older), history of cardiovascular disease, and cardiovascular risk factors, except smoking.

CONCLUSIONS

The prevalence of definite angina (Rose) in the Spanish population aged 40 years or older was 2.6%, whereas that of confirmed angina was 1.4%. Both prevalences increased with age, cardiovascular risk factors, and cardiovascular history.

[Cardiac rehabilitation after coronary artery bypass surgery]

Ischemic heart disease is the leading cause of death worldwide with an increase in the incidence in younger populations. Today revascularization strategies are capable of alleviating acute ischemia and/or chronic ischemia. These can be performed percutaneously or through surgery. Even if we improve myocardial perfusion by these methods, the main determinant in maintaining patency of coronary arteries and bypass is a correctly instituted secondary prevention. This is the main focus of cardiac rehabilitation proposals. Although much has been published about the role of cardiac rehabilitation after percutaneous revascularization, there is little work able to synthesize the current state of cardiac rehabilitation in patients undergoing coronary artery bypass surgery. The aim of this paper is to review the effect of rehabilitation in the return to work, survival, functional capacity, depression and anxiety, as well as compare centralized vs. home rehabilitation in this patient population.

Contributions of cardiovascular mortality to Spanish life expectancy from 1980 to 2009

INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVES

This article describes the contribution of the decrease in cardiovascular mortality to the increase in life expectancy at birth in Spain from 1980 to 2009. We explain the demographic factors underlying the decrease in mortality from cardiovascular diseases at older ages and the effect of this decrease on lifespan.

METHODS

The contribution of these decreases to Spanish life expectancy at birth was calculated using decomposition methods for life expectancy. We calculated standardized mortality rates by sex and 3 causes of death (cerebrovascular disease, ischemic heart disease, and other heart disease) for 3 age groups: 65 to 79 years, 80 to 89 years, and ≥ 90 years.

RESULTS

From 1980 to 2009, life expectancy at birth in Spain increased by more than 6 years for both sexes. The contribution of the decrease in cardiovascular mortality to the total increase in life expectancy at birth was 63% among women and 53% among men. Among the ≥ 65-year-old age group, this contribution was 93% among women and 87% among men.

CONCLUSIONS

The decrease in cardiovascular mortality, mainly at older ages, has been the main contributor to increased Spanish life expectancy at birth during the last 3 decades.

[New antiplatelet drugs in coronary artery disease]

The dual antiplatelet therapy with acetylsalicylic acid and clopidogrel has been the mainstay of both acute and chronic phase coronary artery disease, reducing importantly the risk of adverse events. Despite a correct compliance, a non-negligible rate of adverse events still happens. New compounds, with improved properties, are now clinically available (such as prasugrel or ticagrelor) or under advanced development. The aim of the present review is the description of these new compounds, particularly prasugrel and ticagrelor.

[Ischaemic heart disease]

In the year 2011, cardiovascular diseases were responsible of 31.2% of total deaths in Spain. The absolute number of cases of acute coronary syndrome in this year will be approximately 115,752 cases (95%CI: 114,822-116,687). The prevalence of stable angina in the population aged 25-74 years is 2.6% in men and 3.5% in women. Cardiovascular diseases were in the year 2011 the first cause of hospitalizations representing 14.1% of the total hospitalizations. Diagnose of ischaemic heart disease and acute myocardial infarction were responsible of 110,950 and 50,064 hospitalizations, respectively. In the year 2003, the hospitalization rate was 314 while in the year 2011 was 237 per 100,000, a reduction of 24.4%. The average cost of hospitalization due to ischaemic heart disease in 1997 was 3,093.7euros while in the year 2011 was 7,028.71euros. Cardiovascular mortality rates have decreased from 2007 to 2011, showing a relative reduction of 7% in women and 8% in men. With regard to myocardial infarction, it was observed a relative reduction of 17% in men and 20% in women. According to EUROASPIREIII survey done in 8,966 patients with ischaemic heart disease in Europe, 17% of patients were still smokers, 35% were obese, 56% has uncontrolled blood pressure, 51% has raised blood cholesterol and 25% were diabetics. With regard to drugs utilisation, 91% were treated with antiplatelets agents, 80% with beta blockers, 71% with ACE inhibitors/ARBs.

Myocardial ischemia evaluation with dual-source computed tomography: comparison with magnetic resonance imaging

INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVES

Computed tomography does not accurately determine which coronary lesions lead to myocardial ischemia and consequently further tests are required to evaluate ischemia induction. The aim of this study was to compare diagnostic accuracy between dual-energy computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging in the assessment of myocardial perfusion and viability in patients suspected of coronary artery disease.

METHODS

A prospective study was performed in 56 consecutive patients (39 men [69.6%]; mean age [standard deviation], 63 [10]; range, 23-81). Computed tomography was performed with the following protocol: 1, adenosine stress perfusion; 2, coronary angiography; and 3, delayed enhancement. Magnetic resonance imaging for the evaluation of stress perfusion and delayed enhancement was performed within 30 days. Two observers in consensus analyzed the perfusion and delayed enhancement images.

RESULTS

We studied 952 myocardial segments and 168 vascular territories. In a per-segment analysis, the sensitivity, specificity, and positive and negative predictive values of computed tomography compared with magnetic resonance were 76%, 99%, 89%, and 98% for perfusion defects, and 64%, 99%, 82%, and 99% for delayed enhancement, respectively. In a per-vascular territory analysis, the same measures were 78%, 97%, 86%, and 95% for perfusion defects, and 72%, 99%, 93%, and 97% for delayed enhancement, respectively. The mean radiation dose was 8.2 (2) mSv.

CONCLUSIONS

Dual-source computed tomography may allow accurate and concomitant evaluation of perfusion defects and myocardial viability and analysis of coronary anatomy.

[Variables that influence the indication of a second myocardial perfusion gated-SPECT after a normal stress-rest gated SPECT]

OBJECTIVE

The objective of this study was to investigate predictor variables at the moment of normal stress-rest myocardial perfusion gated SPECT for indication of a second gated SPECT.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

A prospective, single center cohort study was conducted. We evaluated 2326 consecutive patients (age 63.6 ± 13 years, 57.3% females) without perfusion defects and with normal left ventricular ejection fraction on a myocardial perfusion gated SPECT. Clinical and stress test variables were studied to predict indication of a second gated SPECT and presence of reversible perfusion defects in the second gated SPECT.

RESULTS

During a mean follow-up of 3.6 ± 2 years a second gated SPECT was performed in 286 patients (12.3%). Independent predictor variables of a second gated SPECT were presence of three or more cardiovascular risk factors (χ(2): 5.510; HR: 1.4; p=0.019), previous acute myocardial infarction (χ(2): 3.867; HR: 1.4; p=0.049), previous coronary revascularization (χ(2): 41.081; HR: 2.5; p<0.001), and a positive stress test (χ(2): 8.713; HR: 1.5; p=0.003). Observation of perfusion defects in the 280 patients in whom a second stress-rest gated SPECT was performed was more likely in male patients (χ(2): 4.322; HR: 1.9; p=0.038) who had a first pure pharmacological gated-SPECT (χ(2): 7.182; HR: 2.6; p=0.007).

CONCLUSIONS

In patients with a first normal myocardial perfusion gated SPECT, various clinical factors and variables derived from the stress test affect the indication of a second gated SPECT and the presence of ischemia in the latter.

[Prevalence of cardiovascular diseases and cardiovascular risk factors in older than 65 years persons in an urban area: DERIVA study]

OBJECTIVE

To estimate the prevalence of cardiovascular diseases, cardiovascular risk factors, and the psychosocial characteristics associated with them in an urban population aged 65 years and older.

DESIGN

Descriptive cross-sectional study of the population.

SETTING

City of Salamanca (Spain).

PARTICIPANTS

A total of 480 participants aged 65 and older were selected using a stratified randomized sampling method. A health questionnaire was completed in the participants' homes.

MAIN MEASUREMENTS

Weight, height, waist circumference, arterial pressure, blood glucose and cholesterol, were measured, and the standardized prevalence for a European population was estimated.

RESULTS

A total of 327 participants were interviewed (68.10% of those selected), mean age of participants was 76 (SD: 7.33). Of the total, 64.5% were women and 20.2% (15.8-24.5) had some cardiovascular disease. In males, the most prevalent cardiovascular disease was ischemic heart disease (12.1% [6.1-18]), while in females it was heart failure (10.4% [6.3-14.6]). Hypertension was the most frequent cardiovascular risk factor for males (63.8% [53.2-70.9]) and females (69.7%.[63.5-75.9]), followed by diabetes in males (36.2% [27.5-45]), and sedentary lifestyle in females (36.0% [29.5-42.5]). Those with cardiovascular diseases were more dependent and had a worse prognosis (Charlson's Comorbility Index).

CONCLUSIONS

Ischemic heart disease is the most prevalent heart disease in males, while heart failure is the most prevalent disease for females. Almost 80% of the population aged 65 and older did not suffer any of the three cardiovascular diseases that are the main causes of mortality in this group of age. Participants who had a CVD were more dependent for activities of daily living.