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Sin financiación No data JCR 2021 0.385 SJR (2021) Q3, 1499/2489 Medicine (miscellaneous) No data IDR 2021 UEM

Introduction and objectives PCSK9 inhibitors (PCSK9i) are safe and effective lipid-lowering drugs . Their main limitation is their high cost. The aim of this study was to estimate the number of patients eligible for treatment with PCSK9i according to distinct published criteria. Methods Data were obtained from the Information System for the Development of Research in Primary Care. Included patients were equal to or older than 18 years and had at least 1 low-density lipoprotein cholesterol measurement recorded between 2006 and 2014 (n = 2 500 907). An indication for treatment with PCSK9i was assigned according to the following guidelines: National Health System, Spanish Society of Arteriosclerosis , Spanish Society of Cardiology, National Institute for Health and Care Excellence, and the European Society of Cardiology/European Atherosclerosis Society Task Force. Lipid-lowering treatment was defined as optimized if it reduced low-density lipoprotein levels by ≥ 50% and adherence was > 80%. Results Among the Spanish population aged 18 years or older, the number of possible candidates to receive PCSK9i in an optimal lipid-lowering treatment scenario ranged from 0.1% to 1.7%, depending on the guideline considered. The subgroup of patients with the highest proportion of potential candidates consisted of patients with familial hypercholesterolemia , and the subgroup with the highest absolute number consisted of patients in secondary cardiovascular prevention. Conclusions The number of candidates to receive PCSK9i in conditions of real-world clinical practice is high and varies widely depending on the recommendations of distinct scientific societies.

Introduction and objectives New biomarkers could improve the predictive capacity of classic risk functions. The aims of this study were to determine the association between circulating levels of apolipoprotein A1 (apoA1), apolipoprotein B (apoB), albumin , and 25-OH-vitamin D and coronary events and to analyze whether these biomarkers improve the predictive capacity of the Framingham-REGICOR risk function. Methods A case-cohort study was designed. From an initial cohort of 5404 individuals aged 35 to 74 years with a 5-year follow-up, all the participants who had a coronary event (n = 117) and a random group of the cohort (subcohort; n = 667) were selected. Finally, 105 cases and 651 individuals representative of the cohort with an available biological sample were included. The events of interest were angina , fatal and nonfatal myocardial infarction and coronary deaths. Results Case participants were older, had a higher proportion of men and cardiovascular risk factors, and showed higher levels of apoB and lower levels of apoA1, apoA1/apoB ratio, 25-OH-vitamin D and albumin than the subcohort. In multivariate analyses, plasma albumin concentration was the only biomarker independently associated with coronary events (HR, 0.73; P = . 002). The inclusion of albumin in the risk function properly reclassified a significant proportion of individuals, especially in the intermediate risk group (net reclassification improvement, 32.3; P = .048). Conclusions Plasma albumin levels are inversely associated with coronary risk and improve the predictive capacity of classic risk functions.

Introduction and objectives Our aims were to determine acute myocardial infarction (AMI) incidence and mortality rates, and population and in-hospital case-fatality in the population older than 74 years; variability in clinical characteristics and AMI management of hospitalized patients, and changes in the incidence and mortality rates, case-fatality, and management by age groups from 1996 to 1997 and 2007 to 2008. Methods A population-based AMI registry in Girona (Catalonia, Spain) including individuals with suspected AMI older than 34 years. Results The incidence rate increased with age from 169 and 28 cases/100 000 per year in the group aged 35 to 64 years to 2306 and 1384 cases/100 000 per year in the group aged 85 to 94 years, in men and women, respectively. Population case-fatality also increased with age, from 19% in the group aged 35 to 64 years to 84% in the group aged 85 to 94 years. A lower population case-fatality was observed in the second period, mainly explained by a lower in-hospital case-fatality. The use of invasive procedures and effective drugs decreased with age but increased in the second period in all ages up to 84 years. Conclusions Acute myocardial infarction incidence, mortality, and case-fatality increased exponentially with age. There is still a gap in the use of invasive procedures and effective drugs between younger and older patients.

INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVES: Secondary prevention in myocardial infarction patients is paramount to prevent recurrences. Dual antiplatelet therapy has been shown to reduce the risk of subsequent events up to 1 year and beyond in the PEGASUS-TIMI 54 trial. This study aimed to estimate the annual number of myocardial infarction patients with PEGASUS characteristics in Spain and to analyze short- and long-term outcomes in these patients. METHODS: The number of myocardial infarction patients was estimated assuming a Poisson distribution. Myocardial infarction incidence and mortality rates obtained from population registries (IBERICA and REGICOR) were properly adjusted. The proportion of myocardial infarction patients with PEGASUS characteristics was estimated with a REGICOR cohort of consecutive patients from 2003-2009 (n=1391). This cohort follow-up was used to compare the occurrence of reinfarction and death at 1 year and at the end of the follow-up (4.7 years) in patients with and without PEGASUS characteristics by Cox regression. RESULTS: The estimated annual number of stable myocardial infarction patients aged ≥ 50 years and without bleeding events was 41 311. Of these, 22 493 had at least 1 PEGASUS characteristic (diabetes, previous myocardial infarction, or chronic kidney disease). At 4.7 years of follow-up, having any PEGASUS characteristic or age ≥ 65 years was associated with a higher risk of cardiovascular and all-cause death in adjusted analyses (hazard ratio=3.44 and 2.21, 95% confidence interval, 1.22-9.74 and 1.11-4.42, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: In Spain, more than 50% of the stable myocardial infarction patients aged ≥ 50 years are estimated to have at least 1 PEGASUS characteristic, which substantially increases the long-term risk of cardiovascular and all-cause death. The REGICOR AMI Registry was supported by the Instituto de Salud Carlos III-FEDER (grant numbers RD06/0009, RD12/0042, FIS-90/0672, FIS-93/0568, FIS 94/0539, FIS96/0026-01, FIS99/0655, FIS99/0013-01, FIS 99/9342, PI081327, PI11/01801, CP12/03287 [MG], and IFI14/00007 [SSB]), the Catalan Agency for Management of University and Research Grants (grant numbers 2005SGR00577, 2009SGR1195, 2014SGR240), Fundació La Marató TV3 (grant number ID #081630) and Agència d’Informació, Avaluació i Qualitat en Salut (grant number AATRM 034/33/02). I.R. Dégano was funded by the RECERCAIXA Program, Obra Social ‘‘La Caixa’’ (grant number RE087465).

A B S T R A C T Introduction and objectives: The objectives of this study were to analyze the association between two genetic variants (rs2200733 and rs7193343) in a Spanish population and the risk of developing atrial fibrillation, and to carry out a systematic review and meta-analysis of these associations. Methods: We performed a case-control study involving 257 case patients with atrial fibrillation and 379 controls. The case patients were individuals who had donated samples to the Spanish National DNA Bank; the controls were participating in a population-based cross-sectional study. Genotyping was carried out using a TaqMan assay. We conducted a systematic literature search in which 2 independent reviewers extracted the necessary information. The study involved a meta-analysis, a heterogeneity analysis, and a meta-regression analysis to identify the variables that explain the heterogeneity across studies. Results: In our population, the presence of atrial fibrillation was found to be associated with rs2200733 (odds ratio = 1.87; 95% confidence interval, 1.30-2.70), but not with rs7193343 (odds ratio = 1.18; 95% confidence interval, 0.80-1.73). In the meta-analysis, we observed an association between atrial fibrillation and both variants: odds ratio = 1.71 (95% confidence interval, 1.54-1.90) for rs2200733 and odds ratio = 1.18 (95% confidence interval, 1.11-1.25) for rs7193343. We observed heterogeneity among the studies dealing with the association between rs2200733 and atrial fibrillation, partially related to the study design, and the strength of association was greater in case-control studies (odds ratio = 1.83) than in cohort studies (odds ratio = 1.41). Conclusions: Variants rs2200733 and rs7193343 are associated with a higher risk of atrial fibrillation. Case-control studies tend to overestimate the strength of association between these genetic variants and atrial fibrillation.

A B S T R A C T Acute coronary syndromes are a leading cause of mortality, morbidity, and health care cost in Spain. The aims of this report are to estimate the number of acute coronary syndromes cases in the Spanish population in 2013 and 2021, and the trend from 2005 to 2049. We estimated the number of acute coronary syndromes cases by sex and Spanish autonomous community using data from the most updated population and hospital registries. We present the estimated number of cases with an exact 95% confidence interval, assuming that the number of cases followed a Poisson distribution. There will be 115 752 acute coronary syndromes cases in Spain in 2013 (95% confidence interval, 114 822-116 687). Within 28 days, 39 086 of these patients will die and 85 326 will be hospitalized. Non-ST segment elevation acute coronary syndromes (56%) and acute myocardial infarction (81%) will be the most common admission and discharge diagnoses, respectively. We estimate approximately 109 772 acute coronary syndromes cases in 2021 (95% confidence interval, 108 868-110 635). The trend of acute coronary syndromes cases from 2005 to 2049 will stabilize in the population aged 25 to 74 years, but increase in those older than 74 years. Due to population aging, the number of acute coronary syndrome cases will increase overall until 2049, it may stabilize in the population aged

Differences between European countries in coronary heart disease mortality were initially described in the 20th century, and albeit less dramatic than first reported, these differences remain substantial. Three main hypotheses have been proposed to explain the so-called “Mediterranean paradox”: a) underestimation of coronary heart disease mortality due to methodological flaws; b) the “lag time” hypothesis, and c) the traditional Mediterranean diet and lifestyle. In this manuscript we present and discuss another possible explanation for the Mediterranean paradox related to the higher prevalence and incidence of stable atheromatous plaques in this area.

Introducción y objetivos El grosor íntima-media carotídeo medido por ultrasonografía es un predictor de acontecimientos cardiovasculares barato y no invasivo. Se analizaron los valores de referencia del grosor íntima-media carotídeo en población española de 35-84 años y su asociación con los factores de riesgo cardiovascular (edad, tabaquismo, diabetes mellitus, presión de pulso, perfil lipídico e índice de masa corporal). Métodos Estudio transversal de base poblacional llevado a cabo en Girona (España). Se describieron los grosores íntima-media medio y máximo de la arteria carótida y sus tres segmentos (carótida común, interna y bulbo carotídeo). Se recogió información sobre factores de riesgo cardiovascular y se analizó su asociación con el grosor íntima-media carotídeo mediante modelos de regresión lineal. Resultados Se incluyó a 3.161 sujetos (el 54% mujeres), con una media de edad de 58 años. La media del grosor íntima-media carotídeo común fue mayor en los varones que en las mujeres (0,71 frente a 0,67 mm). Los principales predictores de esta medida fueron la edad (coeficiente para incremento de 10 años, 0,65 y 0,58 en varones y mujeres respectivamente), el tabaquismo en los varones (coeficiente, 0,26), el colesterol unido a lipoproteínas de alta densidad en las mujeres (coeficiente para incremento de 10 mg/dl, incremento de –0,08) y la presión de pulso en ambos sexos (coeficientes para incremento de 10 mmHg, 0,23 los varones y 0,08 las mujeres). Los resultados fueron similares en las medias de grosor íntima-media carotídeo de los tres segmentos. Conclusiones Este estudio de base poblacional muestra la amplitud de valores de referencia para el grosor íntima-media carotídeo en población española. Sus principales determinantes son la edad y la presión de pulso en ambos sexos. Abstract Introduction and objectives Carotid intima-media thickness as measured with ultrasonography is an inexpensive and noninvasive predictor of cardiovascular events. The objectives of this study were to determine the population reference ranges of carotid intima-media thickness for individuals aged 35-84 years in Spain and to analyze the association of carotid intima-media thickness with cardiovascular risk factors (age, smoking, diabetes, pulse pressure, lipid profile, and body mass index). Methods Population-based cross-sectional study conducted in Gerona (Spain). We described the mean and maximal values of carotid intima-media thickness of the carotid artery and of its 3 segments (common carotid, carotid bulb and internal carotid). We assessed cardiovascular risk factors and analyzed their association with carotid intima-media thickness using adjusted linear regression models.

To update the prevalence of metabolic syndrome and associated coronary risk in Spain, using the harmonized definition and the new World Health Organization proposal (metabolic premorbid syndrome), which excludes diabetes mellitus and cardiovascular disease.Individual data pooled analysis study of 24,670 individuals from 10 autonomous communities aged 35 to 74 years. Coronary risk was estimated using the REGICOR function.Prevalence of metabolic syndrome was 31% (women 29% [95% confidence interval, 25%-33%], men 32% [95% confidence interval, 29%-35%]). High blood glucose (P=.019) and triglycerides (P.001) were more frequent in men with metabolic syndrome, but abdominal obesity (P.001) and low high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (P=.001) predominated in women. Individuals with metabolic syndrome showed moderate coronary risk (8% men, 5% women), although values were higher (P.001) than in the population without the syndrome (4% men, 2% women). Women and men with metabolic syndrome had 2.5 and 2 times higher levels of coronary risk, respectively (P.001). Prevalence of metabolic premorbid syndrome was 24% and the increase in coronary risk was also proportionately larger in women than in men (2 vs 1.5, respectively; P.001).Prevalence of metabolic syndrome is 31%; metabolic premorbid syndrome lowers this prevalence to 24% and delimits the population for primary prevention. The increase in coronary risk is proportionally larger in women, in both metabolic syndrome and metabolic premorbid syndrome.

Introduction and objectives: To determine the effect of opening an on-site diagnostic catheterization facility on 30-day and 2-year mortality rates in patients with myocardial infarction (MI). Methods: The study included 1539 consecutive MI patients aged 25–74 years who were recruited before and after the catheterization laboratory opened in 1998: during 1995–1997 and 1999–2003, respectively. Results: The 641 consecutive MI patients recruited in 1995–1997 had worse 30-day mortality than the 898 recruited between 1999–2003 (11.2% versus 6.35%, respectively; P = .001). The number of coronary angiographies and percutaneous coronary interventions (PCIs) carried out was greater in the second period (19.4% versus 3.3%, and 54.8% versus 23.0%, respectively; P < .001). Two-year survival curves were significantly better in the second period for all-cause and cardiovascular death. The adjusted odds ratio for death at 30 days was 0.58 (95% confidence interval [CI] 0.36–0.95) for the second period compared with the first and the adjusted hazard ratio for cardiovascular death at 2 years for patients still alive at 30 days was 0.62 (95%CI 0.39–0.99). After adjustment for the prescription of statins, angiotensinconverting enzyme inhibitors, beta-blockers and antiplatelet drugs at discharge, the effect observed at 2 years was no longer significant. Conclusions: Opening a new on-site diagnostic catheterization unit significantly increased the 30-day survival of MI patients. However, the increase in 2-year survival of 30-day survivors observed was largely explained by the implementation of better secondary prevention.

Introduction and objectives: The Kansas City Cardiomyopathy Questionnaire (KCCQ) is specifically designed to evaluate quality of life in patients with chronic heart failure (CHF). The purpose of this study was to assess the reliability, validity, and responsiveness to change of the Spanish version of the KCCQ.

Introduction and objectives Two particular polymorphisms, namely PON1-192 and PON2-311, in the genes encoding the antioxidant enzymes paraoxonase-1 (PON1) and paraoxonase-2 (PON2) have been associated with an increased risk of acute myocardial infarction (AMI). However, previous findings have been contradictory. The aim of this study was to investigate the association between the PON1-192 and PON2-311 polymorphisms and their interaction on AMI risk. Methods This case-control study involved 746 consecutive AMI patients and 1796 control subjects without cardiovascular disease, who were randomly selected from the same population from which the patients came. All participants were recruited between 1999 and 2000 from four Spanish autonomous regions. All were assessed for the presence of PON1-192 and PON2-311 and for classical cardiovascular risk factors. Multivariate analysis was carried out using logistic regression modeling. Results The odds ratios (OR) of AMI for patients with the PON1-192 QQ and PON2-311 SS genotypes (who comprised 50% and 66% of the population, respectively) were 1.26 (95% confidence interval [Cl], 1.02-1.55) and 1.25 (95% Cl, 1.04-1.50), respectively, compared with R and C allele carriers. Moreover, in patients with both QQ and SS genotypes, the adjusted OR of AMI increased to 1.41 (95% Cl, 1.13-1.76). Conclusiones Our results indicate that the PON1-192 and PON2-311 polymorphisms were independent risk factors of AMI in our population.

Epidemiology involves the study of disease frequency and its determinants within the population. Cardiovascular epidemiology began in the 1930s as a result of changes observed in the causes of death. In the 1950s, several epidemiological studies were set in motion with the aim of clarifying the cause of cardiovascular disease. Four years after the Framingham Heart Study started, researchers had identified high cholesterol and high blood pressure levels as important factors in the development of cardiovascular disease. In subsequent years, the Framingham study and other epidemiological studies have helped to identify other risk factors, which are now considered classical risk factors. By coining the expression “risk factor”, the Framingham Heart Study helped to bring about a change in the way medicine is practiced. Today, a risk factor is defined as a measurable characteristic that is causally associated with increased disease frequency and that is a significant independent predictor of an increased risk of presenting with the disease. This wide-ranging overview describes some of the most important insights into the causes of cardiovascular disease to have come from the Framingham Heart Study. The emphasis is on the identification of risk factors, and the assessment of their predictive ability and their implications for disease prevention.

Introduction and objectives The incidence of myocardial infarction in Spain is low, and mortality has been decreasing over the last few decades. The objective of this study was to analyze trends in myocardial infarction mortality, incidence, attack rates, and 28-day case-fatality attack rates between 1990 and 1999 in the general population aged 35-74 years in Girona, Spain. Methods The study included all myocardial infarction cases in Girona classified according to the MONICA algorithm. Attack, incidence, mortality rates and case- fatality were calculated. In addition, the annual percentage change in each of these indicators during the study period was also calculated. Results The mean attack rate per 100,000 inhabitants was 258 (95% CI, 249-267) in men and 55 (95% CI, 51- 59) in women. The mean mortality rate per 100,000 was 99 (95% CI, 93-104) in men and 25 (95% CI, 22-28) in women. Significant reductions in attack, incidence and recurrence rates were observed in men aged 35-64 years during the period 1990-1999, but not in men aged 65-74 years, nor in women. Conclusions Myocardial infarction incidence and mortality rates were low in the general population aged 35- 64 years. Rates improved in men aged 35-64 years during the period 1990-1999, but not in those aged 65-74 years, which indicates that a combination of primary and secondary prevention has increased the age at which a myocardial infarction or its recurrence is observed. Rates in women were lower and did not change during the study period.

Rev Esp Cardiol. 2005;58(8):887-90 887 In 1994, the World Health Organization recognized that a sedentary lifestyle was an independent risk factor for ischemic heart disease.1 Persons with a sedentary lifestyle are estimated to have about twice the risk for ischemic heart disease, or of dying from it, as compared with active persons.1 The regular practice of physical exercise has also been shown to be associated with a reduced risk for cerebrovascular disease.2 Ischemic heart disease, together with cerebrovascular disease and other cardiovascular diseases, represent the largest cause of death in industrialized countries. Prevention of these diseases, therefore, is an important element in public health care programs in these countries. To this end, the encouragement of physical activity should form an important part in disease prevention and the promotion of health.

Introduction and objectives Analysis of the effect of treatment in observational studies is complex due to differences between treated and nontreated patients. Calculating the probability of receiving treatment conditioned on relevant covariates (propensity score [PS]) has been proposed as a method to control for these differences. We report an application of PS to assess the association between reperfusion treatment and 28-day case fatality in patients with acute myocardial infarction (AMI). Method We describe the procedure used to calculate PS for receiving reperfusion treatment, and different strategies to analyze the association between PS and case fatality with regression modeling and matching. Data were from a population-based registry of 6307 patients with AMI in Spain during 1997–98. Results The PS for reperfusion was calculated in 5622 patients. In the multivariate analysis, reperfusion was associated with lower case fatality (OR=0.59; 95% confidence interval [95% CI], 0.46–0.77). When PS was included as a covariate, this association became non-significant (OR=0.76; 95% CI, 0.57–1.01). In the subgroup of matched patients with a similar PS (n=3138), treatment was not associated with case fatality (OR=0.95; 95% CI, 0.72–1.26). When the influence of cases with missing data on PS was controlled for, reperfusion treatment was associated with lower fatality (OR=0.66; 95% CI, 0.55–0.80). Conclusions Calculating propensity score is a method that controls for differences between treated and nontreated patients. This score has limitations when matching is incomplete and when data are missing. Results of the present example suggest that reperfusion treatment reduces AMI case fatality.