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The use of 3 biomarkers - cystatin-C (Cys-C), retinol-binding protein (RBP), and ischemia-modified albumin (IMA) - for the clinical classification and outcome of coronary heart disease (CHD) has not been adequately evaluated. We explored the serum levels of these 3 markers and evaluated their diagnostic and prognostic values in patients with CHD. This retrospective case-control study, conducted between June 2017 and June 2018, included 201 patients with CHD hospitalized at the Henan Provincial People's Hospital and 127 healthy individuals from Henan Provincial People's Hospital as controls. Cys-C, RBP, IMA levels, and other laboratory parameters in the 2 groups were determined, and patient outcomes were analyzed. Cys-C, RBP, and IMA levels were higher in the case group than in the control group (P < .05). Logistic regression analysis confirmed that these 3 biomarkers were independent risk factors for CHD. Each indicator has clinical significance in the diagnosis and prognosis of CHD, with RBP being the most significant. The AUC value for CHD detection using a combination of the 3 indicators was 0.783, and the sensitivity and specificity values were 78% and 74.6%, respectively. Simultaneous detection of Cys-C, RBP, and IMA could be an optimal method for early diagnosis and prognosis of CHD., (Copyright © 2024 the Author(s). Published by Wolters Kluwer Health, Inc.)

Purpose: To quantify associations between various retinal microvascular changes and the risk of the development of coronary heart disease (CHD)., Methods: PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, and Cochrane Library databases were searched for cohort studies on the association between retinal microvascular changes and incident CHD up to July 31, 2023. The summary risk estimates were estimated using the random-effects model. Subgroup and sensitivity analyses were performed to investigate the potential source of heterogeneity., Results: The authors identified 21 studies that met the inclusion criteria of this meta-analysis through database searching. This study yielded significant associations between retinal microvascular changes, including arteriolar narrowing, venular widening, vessel occlusion, and other retinal vascular signs, and the risk of CHD, with pooled adjusted hazard ratios of 1.20 (95% confidence interval: 1.13-1.27). In sex- and age-stratified analyses, retinal microvascular changes were associated with a greater risk of developing CHD in female patients and younger adults., Conclusion: A range of retinal microvascular changes was associated with the risk of CHD, particularly in female patients and younger ages. The results of this study support the concept that retinal microvascular abnormalities may be markers for future CHD. Noninvasive retinal microvascular assessments may be helpful in screening patients with increased CHD risk.

Abstract: Central sleep apnea (CSA) is common in patients with heart failure. Recent studies link ticagrelor use with CSA. We aimed to evaluate CSA prevalence in patients with coronary heart disease (CHD) and whether ticagrelor use is associated with CSA. We reviewed consecutive patients with CHD who underwent a polysomnography (PSG) test over a 5-year period from 3 sleep centers. We sampled patients who were on ticagrelor or clopidogrel during a PSG test at a 1:4 ticagrelor:clopidogrel ratio. Patients with an active opioid prescription during PSG test were excluded. Age, left ventricle (LV) dysfunction, and P2Y12 inhibitor use were included in a multivariate logistic regression. A total of 135 patients were included with 26 on ticagrelor and 109 on clopidogrel (age 64.1 ± 11.4, 32% male). High CSA burden (12%) and strict CSA (4.4%) were more common in patients on ticagrelor than in those on clopidogrel (27% vs. 8.3% and 10.0% vs. 1.8%). Ticagrelor use (vs. clopidogrel) was associated with high CSA burden (OR 3.53, 95% CI 1.04-12.9, P = 0.039) and trended toward significance for strict CSA (OR 6.32, 95% CI 1.03-51.4, P = 0.052) when adjusting for age and LV dysfunction. In an additional analysis also adjusting for history of atrial fibrillation, ticagrelor use and strict CSA became significantly associated (OR 10.0, 95% CI 1.32-117, P = 0.035). CSA was uncommon in patients with CHD undergoing sleep studies. Ticagrelor use (vs. clopidogrel) was associated with high CSA burden and trended toward significance for strict CSA., Competing Interests: The authors report no conflicts of interest., (Copyright © 2023 Wolters Kluwer Health, Inc. All rights reserved.)

Background: Low birth weight is a known risk factor for adult coronary heart disease (CHD), but the additional effect of weight development during childhood and early adult life has not been studied., Methods: We included 35 659 men born 1945 to 1961 from the population-based BMI Epidemiology Study Gothenburg, with data available on birthweight, BMI in childhood (8 years), and BMI in young adulthood (20 years). Information on CHD diagnoses was retrieved from national registers. We used Cox proportional hazards regression to estimate hazard ratios and 95% CIs for the risk of early and late CHD (before and after 58.4 years of age, respectively)., Results: During follow-up, a total of 3380 cases of CHD (fatal and nonfatal) were registered. Birth weight was inversely associated with the risk of both early (hazard ratio, 0.88 per SD increase [95% CI, 0.84-0.92]) and late (hazard ratio, 0.94 per SD increase [95% CI, 0.90-0.98]) CHD, independently of BMI at 8 years and BMI change during puberty. In a model including birth weight (below or above the median) together with overweight at 8 and 20 years, only birth weight and young adult overweight, but not overweight in childhood, were significantly associated with the risk of CHD. A birth weight below the median, followed by overweight at 20 years of age was associated with a more than doubled risk of early CHD (hazard ratio, 2.29 [95% CI, 1.86-2.81]), compared with the reference (birth weight above the median and normal weight at 20 years of age). This excess risk was even more pronounced for a birthweight below 2.5 kg., Conclusions: We demonstrate that low birth weight and young adult overweight are important developmental markers of risk for adult CHD. These findings motivate a life course perspective for prevention and risk assessment of adult CHD., Competing Interests: Disclosures I. Lindh has received compensation from Gedeon Richter and Exeltis for lectures and participation in Advisory Board during the previous 3 years. The other authors report no conflicts.

Background: The plant-based Portfolio dietary pattern includes recognized cholesterol-lowering foods (ie, plant protein, nuts, viscous fiber, phytosterols, and plant monounsaturated fats) shown to improve several cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk factors in randomized controlled trials. However, there is limited evidence on the role of long-term adherence to the diet and CVD risk. The primary objective was to examine the relationship between the Portfolio Diet Score (PDS) and the risk of total CVD, coronary heart disease (CHD), and stroke., Methods: We prospectively followed 73 924 women in the Nurses' Health Study (1984-2016), 92 346 women in the Nurses' Health Study II (1991-2017), and 43 970 men in the Health Professionals Follow-up Study (1986-2016) without CVD or cancer at baseline. Diet was assessed using validated food frequency questionnaires at baseline and every 4 years using a PDS that positively ranks plant protein (legumes), nuts and seeds, viscous fiber sources, phytosterols (mg/day), and plant monounsaturated fat sources, and negatively ranks foods high in saturated fat and cholesterol., Results: During up to 30 years of follow-up, 16 917 incident CVD cases, including 10 666 CHD cases and 6473 strokes, were documented. After multivariable adjustment for lifestyle factors and a modified Alternate Healthy Eating Index (excluding overlapping components), comparing the highest with the lowest quintile, participants with a higher PDS had a lower risk of total CVD (pooled hazard ratio [HR], 0.86 [95% CI, 0.81-0.92]; P trend <0.001), CHD (pooled HR, 0.86 [95% CI, 0.80-0.93]; P trend =0.0001), and stroke (pooled HR, 0.86 [95% CI, 0.78-0.95]; P trend =0.0003). In addition, a 25-percentile higher PDS was associated with a lower risk of total CVD (pooled HR, 0.92 [95% CI, 0.89-0.95]), CHD (pooled HR, 0.92 [95% CI, 0.88-0.95]), and stroke (pooled HR, 0.92 [95% CI, 0.87-0.96]). Results remained consistent across sensitivity and most subgroup analyses, and there was no evidence of departure from linearity for CVD, CHD, or stroke. In a subset of participants, a higher PDS was associated with a more favorable blood lipid and inflammatory profile., Conclusions: The PDS was associated with a lower risk of CVD, including CHD and stroke, and a more favorable blood lipid and inflammatory profile, in 3 large prospective cohorts., Competing Interests: Disclosures Dr Glenn has received honoraria or travel support from the Soy Nutrition Institute Global, Vinasoy, and the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics. Dr Malik has received funding from the Canada Research Chairs Program; Connaught New Researcher Award, the Joannah & Brian Lawson Centre for Child Nutrition, and a Temerty Faculty of Medicine Pathway grant, University of Toronto; Canada Foundation for Innovation; and Ontario Research Fund; and is an advisory board member of the Canadian Institutes of Health Research Institute of Nutrition, Metabolism and Diabetes. Dr Jenkins has received research grants from Saskatchewan & Alberta Pulse Growers Associations; the Agricultural Bioproducts Innovation Program through the Pulse Research Network; the Advanced Foods and Material Network; Loblaw Companies Ltd; Unilever Canada and Netherlands; Barilla; the Almond Board of California; Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada; Pulse Canada; Kellogg’s Company Canada; Quaker Oats Canada; Procter & Gamble Technical Centre Ltd; Bayer Consumer Care, Springfield, NJ; Pepsi/Quaker; International Nut & Dried Fruit Council; Soy Foods Association of North America; the Coca-Cola Company (investigator initiated, unrestricted grant); Solae; Haine Celestial; the Sanitarium Company; Orafti; the International Tree Nut Council Nutrition Research and Education Foundation; the Peanut Institute; Soy Nutrition Institute; the Canola and Flax Councils of Canada; the Calorie Control Council; the Canadian Institutes of Health Research; the Canada Foundation for Innovation; and the Ontario Research Fund; has received in-kind supplies for trials as research support from the Almond Board of California, Walnut Council of California, the Peanut Institute, Barilla, Unilever, Unico, Primo, Loblaw Companies, Quaker (PepsiCo), Pristine Gourmet, Bunge Limited, Kellogg Canada, and WhiteWave Foods; has been on the speaker’s panel, served on the scientific advisory board, or received travel support or honoraria from Nutritional Fundamentals for Health–Nutramedica, Saint Barnabas Medical Center, The University of Chicago, 2020 China Glycemic Index International Conference, Atlantic Pain Conference, Academy of Life Long Learning, the Almond Board of California, Canadian Agriculture Policy Institute, Loblaw Companies Ltd, the Griffin Hospital (for the development of the NuVal scoring system), the Coca-Cola Company, Epicure, Danone, Diet Quality Photo Navigation, Better Therapeutics (FareWell), Verywell, True Health Initiative, Heali AI Corp, Institute of Food Technologists, Soy Nutrition Institute, Herbalife Nutrition Institute, Saskatchewan & Alberta Pulse Growers Associations, Sanitarium Company, Orafti, the International Tree Nut Council Nutrition Research and Education Foundation, the Peanut Institute, Herbalife International, Pacific Health Laboratories, Barilla, Metagenics, Bayer Consumer Care, Unilever Canada and Netherlands, Solae, Kellogg, Quaker Oats, Procter & Gamble, Abbott Laboratories, Dean Foods, the California Strawberry Commission, Haine Celestial, PepsiCo, the Alpro Foundation, Pioneer Hi-Bred International, DuPont Nutrition and Health, Spherix Consulting and WhiteWave Foods, the Advanced Foods and Material Network, the Canola and Flax Councils of Canada, Agri-Culture and Agri-Food Canada, the Canadian Agri-Food Policy Institute, Pulse Canada, the Soy Foods Association of North America, the Nutrition Foundation of Italy, Nutra-Source Diagnostics, the McDougall Program, the Toronto Knowledge Translation Group (St Michael’s Hospital), the Canadian College of Naturopathic Medicine, the Hospital for Sick Children, the Canadian Nutrition Society, the American Society of Nutrition, Arizona State University, Paolo Sorbini Foundation, and the Institute of Nutrition, Metabolism and Diabetes; received an honorarium from the US Department of Agriculture to present the 2013 W.O. Atwater Memorial Lecture; received the 2013 Award for Excellence in Research from the International Nut and Dried Fruit Council; received funding and travel support from the Canadian Society of Endocrinology and Metabolism to produce mini-cases for the Canadian Diabetes Association; and is a member of the International Carbohydrate Quality Consortium; his wife, Alexandra L. Jenkins, is a director and partner of INQUIS Clinical Research for the food industry; his daughters, Wendy Jenkins and Amy Jenkins, have published a book that promotes the use of the foods described here (The Portfolio Diet for Cardiovascular Risk Reduction); and his sister, Caroline Brydson, received funding through a grant from the St Michael’s Hospital Foundation to develop a cookbook for one of his studies. Dr Kendall has received grants or research support from the Advanced Food Materials Network, Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, Almond Board of California, Barilla, Canadian Institutes of Health Research, Canola Council of Canada, International Nut and Dried Fruit Council, International Tree Nut Council Research and Education Foundation, Loblaw Brands Ltd, the Peanut Institute, Pulse Canada, and Unilever; has received in-kind research support from the Almond Board of California, Barilla, California Walnut Commission, Kellogg Canada, Loblaw Companies, Nutrartis, Quaker (PepsiCo), the Peanut Institute, Primo, Unico, Unilever, and WhiteWave Foods/Danone; has received travel support or honoraria from the Barilla, California Walnut Commission, Canola Council of Canada, General Mills, International Nut and Dried Fruit Council, International Pasta Organization, Lantmannen, Loblaw Brands Ltd, Nutrition Foundation of Italy, Oldways Preservation Trust, Paramount Farms, the Peanut Institute, Pulse Canada, Sun-Maid, Tate & Lyle, Unilever, and White Wave Foods/Danone; has served on the scientific advisory board for the International Tree Nut Council, International Pasta Organization, McCormick Science Institute, and Oldways Preservation Trust; is a founding member of the International Carbohydrate Quality Consortium; is chair of the Diabetes and Nutrition Study Group of the European Association for the Study of Diabetes; is on the clinical practice guidelines expert committee for nutrition therapy of the European Association for the Study of Diabetes; and is a director of glycemia consulting and the Toronto 3D Knowledge Synthesis and Clinical Trials Foundation. Dr Sievenpiper has received research support from the Canadian Foundation for Innovation, Ontario Research Fund, Province of Ontario Ministry of Research and Innovation and Science, Canadian Institutes of health Research (CIHR), Diabetes Canada, American Society for Nutrition (ASN), International Nut and Dried Fruit Council (INC) Foundation, National Honey Board (U.S. Department of Agriculture [USDA] honey “Checkoff” program), Institute for the Advancement of Food and Nutrition Sciences (IAFNS), Pulse Canada, Quaker Oats Center of Excellence, The United Soybean Board (USDA soy “Checkoff” program), The Tate and Lyle Nutritional Research Fund at the University of Toronto, The Glycemic Control and Cardiovascular Disease in Type 2 Diabetes Fund at the University of Toronto (a fund established by the Alberta Pulse Growers), The Plant Protein Fund at the University of Toronto (a fund which has received contributions from IFF), and The Nutrition Trialists Network Research Fund at the University of Toronto (a fund established by an inaugural donation from the Calorie Control Council). He has received food donations to support randomized controlled trials from the Almond Board of California, California Walnut Commission, Peanut Institute, Barilla, Unilever/Upfield, Unico/Primo, Loblaw Companies, Quaker, Kellogg Canada, Danone, Nutrartis, Soylent, and Dairy Farmers of Canada. He has received travel support, speaker fees and/or honoraria from ASN, Danone, Dairy Farmers of Canada, FoodMinds LLC, Nestlé, Abbott, General Mills, Nutrition Communications, International Food Information Council (IFIC), Calorie Control Council, International Sweeteners Association, International Glutamate Technical Committee, Arab Beverages Association, and Phynova. He has or has had ad hoc consulting arrangements with Perkins Coie LLP, Tate & Lyle, Inquis Clinical Research, and Brightseed. He is a former member of the European Fruit Juice Association Scientific Expert Panel and former member of the Soy Nutrition Institute (SNI) Scientific Advisory Committee. He is on the Clinical Practice Guidelines Expert Committees of Diabetes Canada, European Association for the study of Diabetes (EASD), Canadian Cardiovascular Society (CCS), and Obesity Canada/Canadian Association of Bariatric Physicians and Surgeons. He serves as an unpaid member of the Board of Trustees of IAFNS and formerly served as an unpaid scientific advisor for the Carbohydrates Committee of IAFNS. He is a Director at Large of the Canadian Nutrition Society (CNS), founding member of the International Carbohydrate Quality Consortium (ICQC), Executive Board Member of the Diabetes and Nutrition Study Group (DNSG) of the EASD, and Director of the Toronto 3D Knowledge Synthesis and Clinical Trials foundation. His spouse is an employee of AB InBev. The other authors have no conflicts of interests to report.

Coronary heart disease (CHD) is the leading cause of mortality worldwide. Identifying effective diagnostic markers and understanding risk factors is crucial for prevention and management. This study aimed to investigate the levels of homocysteine (Hcy) and lipoprotein-associated phospholipase A2 (Lp-PLA2) in human plasma and their roles in the diagnosis and prognosis of CHD. A retrospective study was conducted on 232 patients with CHD, divided into Acute Myocardial Infarction, unstable angina pectoris, and stable angina pectoris groups, and a control group of 75 healthy adults. Blood samples were analyzed for serum Hcy and Lp-PLA2 levels using the cycling enzyme method and ELISA method, respectively. Statistical analyses were performed to evaluate the risk factors, and diagnostic efficacy was assessed using receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves. No significant differences in age and sex were observed between the study and control groups, whereas marked disparities in risk factors such as obesity, hypertension, diabetes, and hyperlipidemia were noted. Significant differences in serum Hcy and Lp-PLA2 levels were identified among the CHD subgroups. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses revealed that Hcy, Lp-PLA2, hypertension, and hyperlipidemia were significant risk factors for CHD. The combined diagnostic Area Under the Curve (AUC) for Hcy and Lp-PLA2 was found to be higher than that when using them individually. This study identified the elevation of Hcy and Lp-PLA2 levels as independent risk factors for CHD, and their conjoint analysis significantly enhanced clinical diagnostic efficacy. These findings provide valuable insights for CHD diagnosis, treatment, and prevention, highlighting the importance of these markers in CHD management., Competing Interests: The authors have no funding and conflicts of interest to disclose., (Copyright © 2023 the Author(s). Published by Wolters Kluwer Health, Inc.)

Abstract: Coronary heart disease (CHD) is a prevalent heart disease with high incidence and mortality rates worldwide, and its pathogenesis is related to genetic factors. L3MBTL3 has been reported to be potentially linked to CHD susceptibility. This study aims to explore the correlation between L3MBTL3 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) and CHD risk in the Chinese population. Three SNPs (rs1125970 A/T, rs4897367 T/C, and rs2068957 A/G) in L3MBTL3 from 649 patients with CHD and 649 healthy controls were genotyped using the Agena MassARRAY platform. The relationship between SNPs and CHD risk was evaluated by logistic regression analysis. Our study indicated that rs1125970 (TT: odds ratio [OR] = 0.76, P = 0.014) and rs4897367 (TT: OR = 0.74, P = 0.021) were related to a decreased susceptibility to CHD. Stratified analyses showed that rs1125970 could reduce the risk of CHD in males, subjects aged <60 years, with a body mass index <24 kg/m 2 , and nonhypertensive patients. rs4897367 exerted a risk-decreasing influence on CHD in nondiabetic patients. In the haplotype analysis, individuals with the T rs4897367 A rs2068957 haplotype were less likely to develop CHD (OR = 0.74, P = 0.024). In summary, L3MBTL3 rs1125970 and rs4897367 were significantly correlated with a decreased susceptibility to CHD in the Chinese population., Competing Interests: The author(s) report(s) no conflicts of interest., (Copyright © 2023 Wolters Kluwer Health, Inc. All rights reserved.)

Background: Psychosocial stressors at work, like job strain and effort-reward imbalance (ERI), can increase coronary heart disease (CHD) risk. ERI indicates an imbalance between the effort and received rewards. Evidence about the adverse effect of combined exposure to these work stressors on CHD risk is scarce. This study examines the separate and combined effect of job strain and ERI exposure on CHD incidence in a prospective cohort of white-collar workers in Quebec, Canada., Methods: Six thousand four hundred sixty-five white-collar workers without cardiovascular disease (mean age, 45.3±6.7) were followed for 18 years (from 2000 to 2018). Job strain and ERI were measured with validated questionnaires. CHD events were retrieved from medico-administrative databases using validated algorithms. Marginal Cox models were used to calculate hazard ratios (HR) stratified by sex. Multiple imputation and inverse probability weights were applied to minimize potential threats to internal validity., Results: Among 3118 men, 571 had a first CHD event. Exposure to either job strain or ERI was associated with an adjusted 49% CHD risk increase (HR, 1.49 [95% CI, 1.07-2.09]). Combined exposure to job strain and ERI was associated with an adjusted 103% CHD risk increase (HR, 2.03 [95% CI, 1.38-2.97]). Exclusion of early CHD cases and censoring at retirement did not alter these associations. Among 3347 women, 265 had a first CHD event. Findings were inconclusive (passive job HR, 1.24 [95% CI, 0.80-1.91]; active job HR, 1.16 [95% CI, 0.70-1.94]; job strain HR, 1.08 [95% CI, 0.66-1.77]; ERI HR, 1.02 [95% CI, 0.72-1.45])., Conclusions: In this prospective cohort study, men exposed to job strain or ERI, separately and in combination, were at increased risk of CHD. Early interventions on these psychosocial stressors at work in men may be effective prevention strategies to reduce CHD burden. Among women, further investigation is required., Competing Interests: Disclosures Drs Talbot, Gilbert-Ouimet, Vézina, Trudel, Milot, and Brisson reported receiving grants from the Canadian Institute of Health Research during the conduct of the study. M. Lavigne-Robichaud was supported by a PhD grant from les Fonds de Recherche du Québec en santé. Dr Talbot is supported by a research career award from the Fonds de Recherche du Québec en Santé. The other authors report no conflicts.

Background: Monocyte to high-density lipoprotein ratio (MHR) is associated with coronary heart disease (CHD) events. The purpose of this study was to analyze the correlation between MHR and CHD in American adults from 2009 to 2018 in the National Health and Nutrition Examination Surveys (NHANES) database., Methods: A total of 25 862 persons in the NHANES from 2009 to 2018 were included in the cross-sectional analysis. The independent variable was MHR and the outcome variable was CHD. MHR was obtained by dividing the number of monocytes by the high-density lipoprotein concentration, and whether it is CHD is obtained through a questionnaire. Univariate analysis, stratified analysis, and a multivariate linear regression model were used to study the correlation between MHR and CHD., Results: In each multivariate linear regression model, MHR was positively correlated with CHD, and this positive correlation was stable in both men and women [man odds ratio (OR): 1.54; 95% confidence interval (CI), 1.17-2.03; woman OR: 2.21; 95% CI, 1.40-3.50]. Our results show that the association between MHR and CHD was significant until MHR was less than 0.6 (OR: 7.2; 95% CI, 4.0-13.0); however, in cases where MHR was greater than 0.6, the results were negative but not significantly different (OR: 0.6; 95% CI, 0.3-1.2)., Conclusion: MHR has a clear association with CHD. Our prediction model and validation model show that MHR is highly predictive and robust as a predictor of CHD, therefore it can play an important role in the prediction of CHD., (Copyright © 2022 Wolters Kluwer Health, Inc. All rights reserved.)

Abstract: Atherosclerotic coronary heart disease is a common cardiovascular disease with high morbidity and mortality. In recent years, the incidence of coronary heart disease has gradually become younger, and biomarkers for predicting coronary heart disease have demonstrated valuable clinical prospects. Several studies have established an association between coronary heart disease and intestinal flora metabolites, including trimethylamine oxide (TMAO), which has attracted widespread attention from researchers. Investigations have also shown that plasma levels of TMAO and its precursors can predict cardiovascular risk in humans; however, TMAO's mechanism of action in causing coronary heart disease is not fully understood. This review examines TMAO's generation, the mechanism through which it causes coronary heart disease, and the approaches used to treat TMAO-caused coronary heart disease to possible avenues for future research on coronary heart disease and find new concepts for the treatment of the condition., Competing Interests: The authors report no conflicts of interest., (Copyright © 2022 The Author(s). Published by Wolters Kluwer Health, Inc.)

Objectives: The aim of this study was to describe and interpret differences in major cardiovascular disease (CVD) mortality during 60 years between Northern European and Southern European cohorts of the Seven Countries Study of Cardiovascular Diseases., Material and Methods: Northern Europe included two cohorts from Finland and one from the Netherlands, and Southern Europe included two cohorts from Italy and two from Greece, for a total of 2360 and 2792 CVD-free men, respectively, at entry examination. Coronary heart disease (CHD), STROKE and other Heart Diseases of Uncertain Etiology (HDUE) deaths were the outcomes and Cox models were solved separately based on 12 risk factors., Results: In 60 years, overall death rates were 99.8% in both Northern and Southern Europe and the pooled CVD rates were 46.9% (significantly higher) and 42.2%, respectively: CHD mortality was higher in Northern Europe, whereas STROKE and HDUE mortality were higher in Southern Europe. Significant Cox coefficients for both areas (but not significantly different between areas) were age, smoking habits, SBP and serum cholesterol for CHD, and only age and SBP did so for STROKE and HDUE. Age at death was lower for CHD, intermediate for STROKE and higher for HDUE in both areas., Conclusion: The advantage for Southern Europe was small in terms of overall CVD death rates, but definitely larger in terms of expectancy of life due to the differences in age at death in the three types of CVD mortality. Mean entry levels of serum cholesterol, 50 mg/dl higher in Northern Europe than in Southern Europe are a major culprit of these outcomes., (Copyright © 2022 Italian Federation of Cardiology - I.F.C. All rights reserved.)

Background: End-stage renal disease is associated with a high risk of cardiovascular events. It is unknown, however, whether mild-to-moderate kidney dysfunction is causally related to coronary heart disease (CHD) and stroke., Methods: Observational analyses were conducted using individual-level data from 4 population data sources (Emerging Risk Factors Collaboration, EPIC-CVD [European Prospective Investigation into Cancer and Nutrition-Cardiovascular Disease Study], Million Veteran Program, and UK Biobank), comprising 648 135 participants with no history of cardiovascular disease or diabetes at baseline, yielding 42 858 and 15 693 incident CHD and stroke events, respectively, during 6.8 million person-years of follow-up. Using a genetic risk score of 218 variants for estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR), we conducted Mendelian randomization analyses involving 413 718 participants (25 917 CHD and 8622 strokes) in EPIC-CVD, Million Veteran Program, and UK Biobank., Results: There were U-shaped observational associations of creatinine-based eGFR with CHD and stroke, with higher risk in participants with eGFR values <60 or >105 mL·min -1 ·1.73 m -2 , compared with those with eGFR between 60 and 105 mL·min -1 ·1.73 m -2 . Mendelian randomization analyses for CHD showed an association among participants with eGFR <60 mL·min -1 ·1.73 m -2 , with a 14% (95% CI, 3%-27%) higher CHD risk per 5 mL·min -1 ·1.73 m -2 lower genetically predicted eGFR, but not for those with eGFR >105 mL·min -1 ·1.73 m -2 . Results were not materially different after adjustment for factors associated with the eGFR genetic risk score, such as lipoprotein(a), triglycerides, hemoglobin A1c, and blood pressure. Mendelian randomization results for stroke were nonsignificant but broadly similar to those for CHD., Conclusions: In people without manifest cardiovascular disease or diabetes, mild-to-moderate kidney dysfunction is causally related to risk of CHD, highlighting the potential value of preventive approaches that preserve and modulate kidney function.

Background: Racial differences in metabolomic profiles may reflect underlying differences in social determinants of health by self-reported race and may be related to racial disparities in coronary heart disease (CHD) among women in the United States. However, the magnitude of differences in metabolomic profiles between Black and White women in the United States has not been well-described. It also remains unknown whether such differences are related to differences in CHD risk., Methods: Plasma metabolomic profiles were analyzed using liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry in the WHI-OS (Women's Health Initiative-Observational Study; 138 Black and 696 White women), WHI-HT trials (WHI-Hormone Therapy; 156 Black and 1138 White women), MESA (Multi-Ethnic Study of Atherosclerosis; 114 Black and 219 White women), JHS (Jackson Heart Study; 1465 Black women with 107 incident CHD cases), and NHS (Nurses' Health Study; 2506 White women with 136 incident CHD cases). First, linear regression models were used to estimate associations between self-reported race and 472 metabolites in WHI-OS (discovery); findings were replicated in WHI-HT and validated in MESA. Second, we used elastic net regression to construct a racial difference metabolomic pattern (RDMP) representing differences in the metabolomic patterns between Black and White women in the WHI-OS; the RDMP was validated in the WHI-HT and MESA. Third, using conditional logistic regressions in the WHI (717 CHD cases and 719 matched controls), we examined associations of metabolites with large differences in levels by race and the RDMP with risk of CHD, and the results were replicated in Black women from the JHS and White women from the NHS., Results: Of the 472 tested metabolites, levels of 259 (54.9%) metabolites, mostly lipid metabolites and amino acids, significantly differed between Black and White women in both WHI-OS and WHI-HT after adjusting for baseline characteristics, socioeconomic status, lifestyle factors, baseline health conditions, and medication use (false discovery rate <0.05); similar trends were observed in MESA. The RDMP, composed of 152 metabolites, was identified in the WHI-OS and showed significantly different distributions between Black and White women in the WHI-HT and MESA. Higher RDMP quartiles were associated with an increased risk of incident CHD (odds ratio=1.51 [0.97-2.37] for the highest quartile comparing to the lowest; P trend =0.02), independent of self-reported race and known CHD risk factors. In race-stratified analyses, the RDMP-CHD associations were more pronounced in White women. Similar patterns were observed in Black women from the JHS and White women from the NHS., Conclusions: Metabolomic profiles significantly and substantially differ between Black and White women and may be associated with CHD risk and racial disparities in US women.

Background: Understanding the predictive utility of previously derived polygenic risk scores (PRSs) for long-term risk of coronary heart disease (CHD) and its additive value beyond traditional risk factors can inform prevention strategies., Methods: Data from adults 20 to 59 years of age who were free of CHD from the FOS (Framingham Offspring Study) and the ARIC (Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities) study were analyzed. Because the PRS was derived from samples of predominantly European ancestry, individuals who self-reported White race were included. The sample was stratified by age and cohort: young (FOS, 20-39 years [median, 30 years] of age), early midlife (FOS, 40-59 years [median, 43] years of age), and late midlife (ARIC, 45-59 years [median, 52 years] of age). Two previously derived and validated prediction tools were applied: (1) a 30-year traditional risk factor score and (2) a genome-wide PRS comprising >6 million genetic variants. Hazard ratios for the association between each risk estimate and incident CHD were calculated. Predicted and observed rates of CHD were compared to assess discrimination for each model individually and together with the optimism-corrected C index (95% CI)., Results: Among 9757 participants, both the traditional risk factor score (hazard ratio per 1 SD, 2.60 [95% CI, 2.08-3.27], 2.09 [95% CI, 1.83-2.40], and 2.11 [95% CI, 1.96-2.28]) and the PRS (hazard ratio, 1.98 [95% CI, 1.70-2.30], 1.64 [95% CI, 1.47-1.84], and 1.22 [95% CI, 1.15-1.30]) were significantly associated with incident CHD in young, early midlife, and late midlife, respectively. Discrimination was similar or better for the traditional risk factor score (C index, 0.74 [95% CI, 0.70-0.78], 0.70 [95% CI, 0.67-0.72], and 0.72 [95% CI, 0.70-0.73]) compared with an age- and sex-adjusted PRS (0.73 [95% CI, 0.69-0.78], 0.66 [95% CI, 0.62-0.69], and 0.66 [95% CI, 0.64-0.67]) in young, early-midlife, and late-midlife participants, respectively. The ΔC index when PRS was added to the traditional risk factor score was 0.03 (95% CI, 0.001-0.05), 0.02 (95% CI, -0.002 to 0.037), and 0.002 (95% CI, -0.002 to 0.006) in young, early-midlife, and late-midlife participants, respectively., Conclusions: Despite a statistically significant association between PRS and 30-year risk of CHD, the C statistic improved only marginally with the addition of PRS to the traditional risk factor model among young adults and did not improve among midlife adults. PRS, an immutable factor that cannot be directly intervened on, has minimal clinical utility for long-term CHD prediction when added to a traditional risk factor model.

Background: Understanding the effect of lifestyle and genetic risk on the lifetime risk of coronary heart disease (CHD) is important to improving public health initiatives. Our objective was to quantify remaining lifetime risk and years free of CHD according to polygenic risk and the American Heart Association's Life's Simple 7 (LS7) guidelines in a population-based cohort study., Methods: Our analysis included data from participants of the ARIC (Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities) study: 8372 White and 2314 Black participants; 45 years of age and older; and free of CHD at baseline examination. A polygenic risk score (PRS) comprised more than 6 million genetic variants was categorized into low (<20th percentile), intermediate, and high (>80th percentile). An overall LS7 score was calculated at baseline and categorized into "poor," "intermediate," and "ideal" cardiovascular health. Lifetime risk and CHD-free years were computed according to polygenic risk and LS7 categories., Results: The overall remaining lifetime risk was 27%, ranging from 16.6% in individuals with an ideal LS7 score to 43.1% for individuals with a poor LS7 score. The association of PRS with lifetime risk differed according to ancestry. In White participants, remaining lifetime risk ranged from 19.8% to 39.3% according to increasing PRS categories. Individuals with a high PRS and poor LS7 had a remaining lifetime risk of 67.1% and 15.9 fewer CHD-free years than did those with intermediate polygenic risk and LS7 scores. In the high-PRS group, ideal LS7 was associated with 20.2 more CHD-free years compared with poor LS7. In Black participants, remaining lifetime risk ranged from 19.1% to 28.6% according to increasing PRS category. Similar lifetime risk estimates were observed for individuals of poor LS7 regardless of PRS category. In the high-PRS group, an ideal LS7 score was associated with only 4.5 more CHD-free years compared with a poor LS7 score., Conclusions: Ideal adherence to LS7 recommendations was associated with lower lifetime risk of CHD for all individuals, especially in those with high genetic susceptibility. In Black participants, adherence to LS7 guidelines contributed to lifetime risk of CHD more so than current PRSs. Improved PRSs are needed to properly evaluate genetic susceptibility for CHD in diverse populations.

Background: The use of a polygenic risk score (PRS) to improve risk prediction of coronary heart disease (CHD) events has been demonstrated to have clinical utility in the general adult population. However, the prognostic value of a PRS for CHD has not been examined specifically in older populations of individuals aged ≥70 years, who comprise a distinct high-risk subgroup. The objective of this study was to evaluate the predictive value of a PRS for incident CHD events in a prospective cohort of older individuals without a history of cardiovascular events., Methods: We used data from 12 792 genotyped, healthy older individuals enrolled into the ASPREE trial (Aspirin in Reducing Events in the Elderly), a randomized double-blind placebo-controlled clinical trial investigating the effect of daily 100 mg aspirin on disability-free survival. Participants had no previous history of diagnosed atherothrombotic cardiovascular events, dementia, or persistent physical disability at enrollment. We calculated a PRS (meta-genomic risk score) consisting of 1.7 million genetic variants. The primary outcome was a composite of incident myocardial infarction or CHD death over 5 years., Results: At baseline, the median population age was 73.9 years, and 54.9% were female. In total, 254 incident CHD events occurred. When the PRS was added to conventional risk factors, it was independently associated with CHD (hazard ratio, 1.24 [95% CI, 1.08-1.42], P =0.002). The area under the curve of the conventional model was 70.53 (95% CI, 67.00-74.06), and after inclusion of the PRS increased to 71.78 (95% CI, 68.32-75.24, P =0.019), demonstrating improved prediction. Reclassification was also improved, as the continuous net reclassification index after adding PRS to the conventional model was 0.25 (95% CI, 0.15-0.28)., Conclusion: A PRS for CHD performs well in older people and improves prediction over conventional cardiovascular risk factors. Our study provides evidence that genomic risk prediction for CHD has clinical utility in individuals aged 70 years and older. Registration: URL: https://www.clinicaltrials.gov; Unique identifier: NCT01038583.

Background and Objectives: Cardiovascular diseases, such as coronary heart disease (CHD), are the main cause of mortality and morbidity worldwide. Although CHD cannot be entirely predicted by classic risk factors, it is preventable. Therefore, predicting CHD risk is crucial to clinical cardiology research, and the development of innovative methods for predicting CHD risk is of great practical interest. The Framingham risk score (FRS) is one of the most frequently implemented risk models. However, recent advances in the field of analytics may enhance the prediction of CHD risk beyond the FRS. Here, we propose a model based on an artificial neural network (ANN) for predicting CHD risk with respect to the Framingham Heart Study (FHS) dataset. The performance of this model was compared to that of the FRS., Methods: A sample of 3066 subjects from the FHS offspring cohort was subjected to an ANN. A multilayer perceptron ANN architecture was used and the lift, gains, receiver operating characteristic (ROC), and precision-recall predicted by the ANN were compared with those of the FRS., Results: The lift and gain curves of the ANN model outperformed those of the FRS model in terms of top percentiles. The ROC curve showed that, for higher risk scores, the ANN model had higher sensitivity and higher specificity than those of the FRS model, although its area under the curve (AUC) was lower. For the precision-recall measures, the ANN generated significantly better results than the FRS with a higher AUC., Conclusions: The findings suggest that the ANN model is a promising approach for predicting CHD risk and a good screening procedure to identify high-risk subjects., Competing Interests: The authors declare no conflicts of interest., (Copyright © 2021 Wolters Kluwer Health, Inc. All rights reserved.)

Abstract: Cardiorenal syndrome (CRS) is a group of disorders in which heart or kidney dysfunction worsens each other. This study aimed to explore the improvement effect of nicorandil on cardiorenal injury in patients with type I CRS. Patients with coronary heart disease complicated with type I CRS were enrolled. Based on the conventional treatment, the patients were prospectively randomized into a conventional treatment group and a nicorandil group, which was treated with 24 mg/d nicorandil intravenously for 1 week. Fasting peripheral venous blood serum and urine were collected before and at the end of treatment. An automatic biochemical analyzer and enzyme linked immunosorbent assay were used to detect B-type brain natriuretic peptide (BNP), serum creatinine (Scr) and cystatin C (Cys-C), renal injury index-kidney injury molecule-1 (KIM-1), neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin (NGAL), and interleukin-18 (IL-18) levels. The left ventricular ejection fraction was measured by echocardiography. All measurements were not significantly different between the nicorandil and conventional treatment groups before treatment (all P > 0.05), and BNP, Scr, Cys-C, NGAL, KIM-1, and IL-18 were decreased in the 2 groups at the end of treatment (all P < 0.05). Compared with the conventional treatment group, BNP, Scr, Cys-C, NGAL, KIM-1, and IL-18 were more significantly decreased in the nicorandil group (all P < 0.05) and left ventricular ejection fraction was more significantly increased (P < 0.05). Therefore, nicorandil could significantly improve the cardiac and renal function of patients with type I CRS. This may prove to be a new therapeutic tool for improving the prognosis and rehabilitation of type I CRS., Competing Interests: The authors report no conflicts of interest., (Copyright © 2021 The Author(s). Published by Wolters Kluwer Health, Inc.)

Background: To evaluate the perioperative safety of simultaneous off-pump coronary artery bypass grafting (OPCABG) with non-cardiac surgery., Methods: From September 2013 to January 2019, patients who underwent OPCABG surgery in the Department of Cardiology, Peking University First Hospital were included in this retrospective study. A total of 54 patients who underwent simultaneous surgery were defined as simultaneous surgery group. A total of 108 patients who had recently undergone isolated OPCABG surgery, and had similar vascular reconstruction methods were selected for matching, and these patients were defined as the OPCABG group. The general data and laboratory indicators were detected and were used as baseline data, and the EuroSCORE II scoring system was used to evaluate the surgical risk of patients based on these data. During surgery, intraoperative indicators were assessed and evaluated during surgery. In addition, evaluation of postoperative indicators was performed, including mechanical ventilation time, residence time in ICU, and proportion of perioperative myocardial infarction, perioperative stroke, postoperative renal failure, and surgical wound infection., Results: All the combined non-cardiac surgeries were assessed to be of moderate-to-severe grade by operative severity scoring system. The analysis of intraoperative indicators showed that there were no significant differences in proportion of emergency or urgent surgery, cases of arterial and venous anastomosis, and proportion of intraoperative blood transfusion between two groups (P > 0.05). Meanwhile, the values of operation time and intraoperative blood loss of patients in simultaneous surgery group were significantly higher than that in OPCABG group (P < 0.05). No perioperative death events occurred in this study. In terms of postoperative indicators, the values of operation duration and intraoperative blood loss of patients in simultaneous surgery group were significantly higher than that in OPCABG group (P < 0.05)., Conclusions: Simultaneous OPCABG surgery with non-cardiac surgeries of moderate-to-severe severity may not be associated with increased postoperative risks when compared with isolated OPCABG., (Copyright © 2020 Wolters Kluwer Health, Inc. All rights reserved.)

Abstract: To improve the correct diagnosis rate of coronary heart disease and to explore the guiding value of electrocardiogram (ECG) ST-T ischemic changes in the clinical diagnosis of coronary heart disease.A retrospective analysis was conducted on a total of 310 cases who underwent a conventional 12-lead ECG, 12-lead dynamic ECG (DECG, Holter) with ST-T ischemic changes, and then coronary angiography (CA) within 1 week in Qingdao Sttarr Heart Hospital from June 2015 to April 2020 in the study. Ischemic ST-T changes were evaluated using conventional diagnostic criteria, and Judkins diagnostic criteria were used in CA. The sensitivity and specificity of ECG were analyzed.The specificity of ST-T changes in conventional ECG for the diagnosis of coronary heart disease is 33.7% and the sensitivity is 66.0%. The specificity of ST-T changes in Holter in the diagnosis of coronary heart disease is 55.6% and the sensitivity is 32.2%. The sensitivity of conventional ECG for the diagnosis of coronary heart disease is better than Holter, but its specificity is inferior to Holter. The negative likelihood ratios of the 2 ECGs for the diagnosis of coronary heart disease were 1.0 and 1.22, both >0.1, and the positive likelihood ratios were 0.99 and 0.73, both <10. The positive results of ST-T in conventional ECG were 128 males (65.7%), 77 females (66.9%), (P < .05), 148 cases (74.7%) in the group ≥60 years old, and 75 cases in the group less than 60 years (67%), (P > .05). The positive results of ST-T change of DECG were 135 males (69.2%), 69 females (60.0%), (P < .05), 152 cases (78.7%) in the group ≥60 years, and 83 cases (70.9%) in the group less than 60 years, (P > .05). Coronary heart disease-related factors: symptoms, hypertension, diabetes, cancer, family history, smoking history as independent variables, and a binary multivariate logistic regression analysis was performed.The sensitivity of DECG in the diagnosis of myocardial ischemia in women and the elderly was slightly higher than that in men and young cases. ST-T ischemic changes in ECG are more significant for the diagnosis of coronary heart disease in male patients. Smoking, hypertension, diabetes, and family history are all high-risk factors for coronary heart disease., Competing Interests: The authors have no conflicts of interest to disclose., (Copyright © 2021 the Author(s). Published by Wolters Kluwer Health, Inc.)

Objectives: This systematic review and meta-analysis assesses the utility of trimetazidine (TMZ) to prevent contrast induced nephropathy (CIN) in patients with renal insufficiency undergoing coronary angiography and angioplasty., Materials and Methods: This meta-analysis was formulated and reported according to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines. A search of databases was conducted by 2 researchers independently for clinical trials, comparing hydration plus TMZ vs conventional hydration alone for prevention of CIN through January 2020. All patients had renal insufficiency (defined as GFR < 89 ml/minute/1.73 m2) and the outcome of interest was the incidence of contrast induced acute kidney injury. The odds ratio (OR) was estimated with 95% confidence interval (CI). Heterogeneity was reported with the I2 statistic, using a fixed-effects model, and >50% of I2 was considered to be statistically significant., Results: Eleven studies, 1611 patients, met the inclusion/exclusion criteria: 797 patients comprised the TMZ plus hydration group and the remaining 814 patients comprised the control (hydration only) group. Heterogeneity was low I2 = 0%, P = .84, and the heterogeneity of each study was also low. The incidence of CIN in the TMZ plus hydration group was 6.6% (53/797), while the incidence of CIN in the control (hydration only) group was 20% (165/814). Pooled analysis of all studies showed TMZ reduced incidence of CIN compared to saline hydration alone (OR risk 0.30, 95% CI 0.21, 0.42, P < .0001)., Conclusion: TMZ added to hydration reduces CIN in renal insufficiency patients undergoing coronary angiography., Competing Interests: The authors have no conflicts of interests to disclose., (Copyright © 2021 the Author(s). Published by Wolters Kluwer Health, Inc.)

Background: Angina pectoris in coronary heart disease (CHD) is a common ischemic heart disease clinically. During the onset, patients often have symptoms such as chest discomfort or paroxysmal crushing pain in the posterior sternum, which seriously affects the quality of life of patients, and even can lead to myocardial infarction and endanger the lives of patients. Clinical studies have shown that the compound Chinese prescription Xuefu Zhuyu decoction combined with western medicine has a certain therapeutic effect on angina pectoris in CHD, but lack of evidence of evidence-based medicine. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the efficacy and safety of Xuefu Zhuyu decoction combined with western medicine in the treatment of angina pectoris in CHD., Methods: Use computer to retrieve English databases (PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, the Cochrane Library) and Chinese databases (CNKI, Wan Fang, VIP, Chinese biomedical database), from the establishment of database to October 2020, for randomized controlled trials (RCTs) of Xuefu Zhuyu decoction combined with Western medicine for angina pectoris in CHD. Two investigators independently conducted data extraction and assessed the literature quality of the included studies. The Revman5.3 software was used for meta-analysis of the included literatures., Results: The efficacy and safety of Xuefu Zhuyu decoction combined with western medicine in the treatment of angina pectoris in CHD were evaluated by total effective rate, angina pectoris pain score, TCM syndrome score, electrocardiogram effect, hemorheology index (including whole blood viscosity, plasma viscosity, hematocrit, and fibrinogen), and the incidence of adverse reactions., Conclusion: This study will provide reliable evidence-based evidence for the clinical application of Xuefu Zhuyu decoction combined with western medicine in the treatment of angina pectoris in CHD., Ethics and Dissemination: Private information from individuals will not be published. This systematic review also does not involve endangering participant rights. Ethical approval was not required. The results may be published in a peer-reviewed journal or disseminated at relevant conferences., Osf Registration Number: DOI 10.17605 / OSF.IO / GFEQ7.

To evaluate the perfusion of coronary circulation and its related factors and the difference in the peak filling times in aortic sinus and coronary sinus by coronary computed tomography angiography (CCTA).From January 1 to August 1, 2018, 61 outpatients with angina pectoris were recruited, completed a questionnaire about risk factors and underwent CCTA, which was also used to assess the stenosis of different coronary artery segments.The duration of circulation was 9.50 ± 2.43 seconds in patients with flat T wave, which was shorter than the duration in normal subjects (P = .021). However, other cardiovascular risk factors showed no effect on the duration of circulation. In addition, the duration of circulation was closely related to the peak filling time of coronary sinus [r(s) = 0.681]. We further divided the circulation time difference (delta) values into 3 levels (<6, 6-12, and ≥12 seconds).It showed that the circulation duration (Y) was associated with:Therefore, the cardiac circulation duration was negatively related to the degree of stenosis in the 1 diagonal and proximal LCA.It compensates for the inability of CCTA to assess circulation at rest simply by determining the peak filling time in the aortic sinus and the coronary sinus. Moderate cardiac microcirculation duration was related to a low incidence of clinical symptoms and electrocardiogram disorders, which was determined mainly by the diagonal and left circumflex branch 1 of LCA.

Objective: HDL (high-density lipoprotein) contains functional proteins that define single subspecies, each comprising 1% to 12% of the total HDL. We studied the differential association with coronary heart disease (CHD) of 15 such subspecies. Approach and Results: We measured plasma apoA1 (apolipoprotein A1) concentrations of 15 protein-defined HDL subspecies in 4 US-based prospective studies. Among participants without CVD at baseline, 932 developed CHD during 10 to 25 years. They were matched 1:1 to controls who did not experience CHD. In each cohort, hazard ratios for each subspecies were computed by conditional logistic regression and combined by meta-analysis. Higher levels of HDL subspecies containing alpha-2 macroglobulin, CoC3 (complement C3), HP (haptoglobin), or PLMG (plasminogen) were associated with higher relative risk compared with the HDL counterpart lacking the defining protein (hazard ratio range, 0.96-1.11 per 1 SD increase versus 0.73-0.81, respectively; P for heterogeneity <0.05). In contrast, HDL containing apoC1 or apoE were associated with lower relative risk compared with the counterpart (hazard ratio, 0.74; P =0.002 and 0.77, P =0.001, respectively)., Conclusions: Several subspecies of HDL defined by single proteins that are involved in thrombosis, inflammation, immunity, and lipid metabolism are found in small fractions of total HDL and are associated with higher relative risk of CHD compared with HDL that lacks the defining protein. In contrast, HDL containing apoC1 or apoE are robustly associated with lower risk. The balance between beneficial and harmful subspecies in a person's HDL sample may determine the risk of CHD pertaining to HDL and paths to treatment.

This study aims to establish a diagnostic model of coronary heart disease (CHD) for diabetic foot (DF) patients.The clinical data of 489 hospitalized patients with DF were retrospectively analyzed in this case-control study. The patients were divided into the CHD group (DF with CHD, n = 212) and the control group (DF without CHD, n = 277). Univariate analysis was performed to screen for CHD-related risk factors, and multivariate logistic regression analysis was conducted to determine significant CHD risk factors. Scores were assigned according to the ratio of risk factors (OR) to establish a diagnostic model of CHD for patients with DF. The area under the ROC curve was used to test the application value of the diagnostic model.The logistic regression analysis showed that the risk factors for CHD in DF patients were age, duration of diabetes, toe-brachial index, hyperuricemia, and chronic renal insufficiency. The area under the ROC curve of the diagnostic model was 0.798 (0.759-0.837), the diagnostic point of CHD was 6 points, the diagnostic sensitivity was 69.3%, and the specificity was 76.5%.The established model has good diagnostic value and provides the basis for preliminary screening for CHD in patients with DF.

Background: Studies examining the role of factor V Leiden among patients at higher risk of atherothrombotic events, such as those with established coronary heart disease (CHD), are lacking. Given that coagulation is involved in the thrombus formation stage on atherosclerotic plaque rupture, we hypothesized that factor V Leiden may be a stronger risk factor for atherothrombotic events in patients with established CHD., Methods: We performed an individual-level meta-analysis including 25 prospective studies (18 cohorts, 3 case-cohorts, 4 randomized trials) from the GENIUS-CHD (Genetics of Subsequent Coronary Heart Disease) consortium involving patients with established CHD at baseline. Participating studies genotyped factor V Leiden status and shared risk estimates for the outcomes of interest using a centrally developed statistical code with harmonized definitions across studies. Cox proportional hazards regression models were used to obtain age- and sex-adjusted estimates. The obtained estimates were pooled using fixed-effect meta-analysis. The primary outcome was composite of myocardial infarction and CHD death. Secondary outcomes included any stroke, ischemic stroke, coronary revascularization, cardiovascular mortality, and all-cause mortality., Results: The studies included 69 681 individuals of whom 3190 (4.6%) were either heterozygous or homozygous (n=47) carriers of factor V Leiden. Median follow-up per study ranged from 1.0 to 10.6 years. A total of 20 studies with 61 147 participants and 6849 events contributed to analyses of the primary outcome. Factor V Leiden was not associated with the combined outcome of myocardial infarction and CHD death (hazard ratio, 1.03 [95% CI, 0.92-1.16]; I 2 =28%; P -heterogeneity=0.12). Subgroup analysis according to baseline characteristics or strata of traditional cardiovascular risk factors did not show relevant differences. Similarly, risk estimates for the secondary outcomes including stroke, coronary revascularization, cardiovascular mortality, and all-cause mortality were also close to identity., Conclusions: Factor V Leiden was not associated with increased risk of subsequent atherothrombotic events and mortality in high-risk participants with established and treated CHD. Routine assessment of factor V Leiden status is unlikely to improve atherothrombotic events risk stratification in this population.

Background: Coronary artery calcium (CAC) predicts atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD) events, inclusive of coronary heart disease (CHD) and stroke, and is a decision-making aid for primary prevention. The predictive value of CAC categories for CHD and stroke separately and across sex and race groups of an asymptomatic population is unclear., Methods: White, Black, and Hispanic participants of MESA (Multi-Ethnic Study of Atherosclerosis) and DHS (Dallas Heart Study) underwent CAC measurement at enrollment and were followed for incident ASCVD events. Ten-year CHD-to-stroke incidence ratios across CAC score categories 0, 1 to 99, and ≥100 were assessed. Associations of CAC with incident CHD and stroke events were evaluated using multivariable-adjusted Cox models and multiplicative interactions of CAC with sex/race were tested., Results: Among 7042 participants (mean age, 57 years, 54% women, 36% Black, 23% Hispanic, 49% CAC=0, 19% CAC ≥100), 574 incident ASCVD events (333 CHD and 241 stroke) were observed over 12.3-year follow-up. Ten-year CHD-to-stroke incidence ratio increased significantly across CAC categories in men, women, Whites, Blacks, and Hispanics (all P <0.001). High CAC burden (score ≥100) was independently associated with ASCVD and CHD risk in all groups and with stroke risk in the overall cohort and Blacks. No sex- or race-based CAC interactions for ASCVD, CHD, and stroke events were observed. Adding CAC to a traditional risk factor model improved risk discrimination and reclassification for CHD but not for stroke events., Conclusions: In 2 population-based cohorts of asymptomatic individuals, 10-year CHD-to-stroke incidence ratio was higher with increasing CAC score categories across sex and race groups, and CAC was consistently a better predictor of CHD than stroke. High CAC burden comparably associated with ASCVD risk across sex and race groups.

The effect of frailty on short and long term results of interventional treatment of coronary heart disease is not well defined. The evaluation of frailty may be helpful in appointment of most suitable treatment option and timing of patient follow-up. The frailty syndrome in daily practice of interventional cardiology ward (FRAPICA) study objective is to evaluate prognostic capability of the Fried frailty scale and instrumental activities of daily living scale (IADL) in elderly patients with symptomatic coronary heart disease.This is a single center, prospective, observational study. Patients aged ≥65 years are eligible. The objectives are to report Fried frailty scale and IADL scale dispersion before hospital discharge and to assess predictive impact of both scores. The endpoints are: success of interventional treatment, its complications (procedure related myocardial infarction, dye-induced renal function deterioration, loss of blood), 3-year mortality, either all-cause and cardiovascular, re-infarction, re-intervention, stroke, new-onset heart failure, any hospital readmission, and a combination of all above mentioned. Secondary analyses will focus on distinct clinical patient presentations, sub-classifications of frailty for modeling of long-term risk.FRAPICA trial will improve understanding of the associations between frailty syndrome, cardiovascular system diseases, their invasive treatment, and short and long-term outcomes. It will allow for more individualized assessment of risk and will identify new goals for interventions. (ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier NCT03209414).

Background: The quantitative association between serum/dietary magnesium and cardiovascular disease (CVD) remains unclear. We conducted a dose-response meta-analysis to evaluate the quantitative association between serum/dietary magnesium and CVD, including coronary heart disease (CHD)., Methods: PubMed, China National Knowledge Infrastructure, and Web of Science were searched for publications. STATA 12.0 was used to analyze data. We used the random-effects model to reduce heterogeneity., Results: Eighteen prospective cohort studies with 544,581 participants and 22,658 CVD cases were included. The follow-up duration was 1-28 years. The pooled relative risk (RR) of CVD for the relatively normal versus lowest serum and dietary magnesium level was 0.64 {[95% confidence interval (CI): 0.51-0.80] and 0.90 [95% CI: 0.84-0.96]}. The pooled RR of CHD for the relatively normal versus lowest serum and dietary magnesium level was 0.70 (95% CI: 0.57-0.85) and 0.86 (95% CI: 0.77-0.94). We noted a significant association between increasing serum magnesium levels (per 0.1-mg/dL increase) and risk of CVD (RR: 0.93, 95% CI: 0.88-0.97) and CHD (RR: 0.90, 95% CI: 0.84-0.96) and between dietary magnesium levels (per 100-mg/d increase) and risk of CVD (RR: 0.90, 95% CI: 0.83-0.96) and CHD (RR: 0.92, 95% CI: 0.82-0.98). Serum/dietary Mg level comparisons presented a 7%-10% decrease in CVD/CHD risk. The dose-response meta-analyses showed linear relationships between serum magnesium and CVD (Pnonlinearity = 0.833) or CHD (Pnonlinearity = 0.193) and dietary magnesium and CVD (Pnonlinearity = 0.463) or CHD (Pnonlinearity = 0.440)., Conclusions: Increasing dietary magnesium or serum magnesium level is linearly and inversely associated with the risk of total CVD and CHD events.

Background: Mobile health interventions may support risk factor management and are readily scalable in healthcare systems. We aim to evaluate the efficacy of a text messaging-based intervention to improve glycemic control in patients with coronary heart disease and diabetes mellitus in China., Methods and Results: The CHAT-DM study (Cardiovascular Health and Texting-Diabetes Mellitus) was a parallel-group, single-blind, randomized clinical trial that included 502 patients with both coronary heart disease and diabetes mellitus from 34 hospitals in China. The intervention group (n=251) received 6 text messages per week for 6 months in addition to usual care. Messages were theory driven and culturally tailored to provide educational and motivational information on glucose monitoring, blood pressure control, medication adherence, physical activity, and lifestyle. The control group (n=251) received usual care and 2 thank you messages per month. The primary outcome was change in glycated hemoglobin (HbA 1C [hemoglobin A 1C ]) from baseline to 6 months. Secondary outcomes were change in proportion of patients achieving HbA 1C <7%, fasting blood glucose, systolic blood pressure, LDL (low-density lipoprotein) cholesterol, body mass index, and physical activity from baseline to 6 months. The end points were assessed using analyses of covariance. The follow-up rate was 99%. When compared with control group at 6 months, the intervention group had a greater reduction in HbA 1C (-0.2% versus 0.1%; P=0.003) and a greater proportion of participants who achieved HbA 1C <7% (69.3% versus 52.6%; P=0.004). Change in fasting blood glucose was larger in the intervention group (between-group difference: -0.6 mmol/L; 95% CI, -1.1 to -0.2; P=0.011), but no other outcome differences were observed. Nearly all participants reported that messages were easy to understand (97.1%) and useful (94.1%)., Conclusions: A text message intervention resulted in better glycemic control in patients with diabetes mellitus and coronary heart disease. While the mechanism of this benefit remains to be determined, the results suggest that a simple, culturally sensitive mobile text messaging program may provide an effective and feasible way to improve disease self-management., Clinical Trial Registration: URL: http://www.clinicaltrials.gov. Unique identifier: NCT02883842.

Background: DNA methylation is implicated in coronary heart disease (CHD), but current evidence is based on small, cross-sectional studies. We examined blood DNA methylation in relation to incident CHD across multiple prospective cohorts., Methods: Nine population-based cohorts from the United States and Europe profiled epigenome-wide blood leukocyte DNA methylation using the Illumina Infinium 450k microarray, and prospectively ascertained CHD events including coronary insufficiency/unstable angina, recognized myocardial infarction, coronary revascularization, and coronary death. Cohorts conducted race-specific analyses adjusted for age, sex, smoking, education, body mass index, blood cell type proportions, and technical variables. We conducted fixed-effect meta-analyses across cohorts., Results: Among 11 461 individuals (mean age 64 years, 67% women, 35% African American) free of CHD at baseline, 1895 developed CHD during a mean follow-up of 11.2 years. Methylation levels at 52 CpG (cytosine-phosphate-guanine) sites were associated with incident CHD or myocardial infarction (false discovery rate<0.05). These CpGs map to genes with key roles in calcium regulation (ATP2B2, CASR, GUCA1B, HPCAL1), and genes identified in genome- and epigenome-wide studies of serum calcium (CASR), serum calcium-related risk of CHD (CASR), coronary artery calcified plaque (PTPRN2), and kidney function (CDH23, HPCAL1), among others. Mendelian randomization analyses supported a causal effect of DNA methylation on incident CHD; these CpGs map to active regulatory regions proximal to long non-coding RNA transcripts., Conclusion: Methylation of blood-derived DNA is associated with risk of future CHD across diverse populations and may serve as an informative tool for gaining further insight on the development of CHD.

Background: Cytochrome P450 17A1 (CYP17A1) catalyzes the formation and metabolism of steroid hormones and is required for cortisol and androgens. There is increasing evidence that CYP17A1 plays an important role in the development of coronary heart disease (CHD). However, the association of CYP17A1 polymorphisms and CHD susceptibility is still not clear., Methods: We conducted a case-control study with 396 CHD cases and 461 healthy controls from Hainan province, China. Using the Agena MassARRAY platform, we genotyped 4 genetic variants (rs3740397, rs1004467, rs4919687, and rs3781286) in CYP17A1. Logistic regression analysis was used to assess the association of CYP17A1 polymorphisms with CHD risk by odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs)., Results: It showed that A allele of CYP17A1 rs4919687 carried with a 1.59-fold increased risk of CHD (OR = 1.59; 95% CI = 1.26-1.99; P < 0.001). Also, rs4919687 was significantly associated with CHD risk under various models (homozygote: OR = 3.60; 95% CI = 1.64-7.83; P = 0.001; dominant: OR = 1.51; 95% CI = 1.06-2.13; P = 0.021; recessive: OR = 3.28; 95% CI = 1.51-7.14; P = 0.003; additive: OR = 1.56; 95% CI = 1.17-2.07; P = 0.002). Moreover, analysis showed that Ars1004467 Ars4919687 haplotype was a protective factor of CHD (OR = 0.64; 95% CI = 0.48-0.86; P = 0.002)., Conclusions: Our study suggests that CYP17A1 polymorphisms are associated with CHD susceptibility in the Hainan Han Chinese population.

Background: We assessed whether plasma troponin I measured by a high-sensitivity assay (hs-TnI) is associated with incident cardiovascular disease (CVD) and mortality in a community-based sample without prior CVD., Methods: ARIC study (Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities) participants aged 54 to 74 years without baseline CVD were included in this study (n=8121). Cox proportional hazards models were constructed to determine associations between hs-TnI and incident coronary heart disease (CHD; myocardial infarction and fatal CHD), ischemic stroke, atherosclerotic CVD (CHD and stroke), heart failure hospitalization, global CVD (atherosclerotic CVD and heart failure), and all-cause mortality. The comparative association of hs-TnI and high-sensitivity troponin T with incident CVD events was also evaluated. Risk prediction models were constructed to assess prediction improvement when hs-TnI was added to traditional risk factors used in the Pooled Cohort Equation., Results: The median follow-up period was ≈15 years. Detectable hs-TnI levels were observed in 85% of the study population. In adjusted models, in comparison to low hs-TnI (lowest quintile, hs-TnI ≤1.3 ng/L), elevated hs-TnI (highest quintile, hs-TnI ≥3.8 ng/L) was associated with greater incident CHD (hazard ratio [HR], 2.20; 95% CI, 1.64-2.95), ischemic stroke (HR, 2.99; 95% CI, 2.01-4.46), atherosclerotic CVD (HR, 2.36; 95% CI, 1.86-3.00), heart failure hospitalization (HR, 4.20; 95% CI, 3.28-5.37), global CVD (HR, 3.01; 95% CI, 2.50-3.63), and all-cause mortality (HR, 1.83; 95% CI, 1.56-2.14). hs-TnI was observed to have a stronger association with incident global CVD events in white than in black individuals and a stronger association with incident CHD in women than in men. hs-TnI and high-sensitivity troponin T were only modestly correlated ( r=0.47) and were complementary in prediction of incident CVD events, with elevation of both troponins conferring the highest risk in comparison with elevation in either one alone. The addition of hs-TnI to the Pooled Cohort Equation model improved risk prediction for atherosclerotic CVD, heart failure, and global CVD., Conclusions: Elevated hs-TnI is strongly associated with increased global CVD incidence in the general population independent of traditional risk factors. hs-TnI and high-sensitivity troponin T provide complementary rather than redundant information.

Objective- It is unclear to what extent genetic susceptibility variants are shared between peripheral artery disease (PAD) and coronary heart disease (CHD), both manifestations of atherosclerotic vascular disease. We investigated whether common and low-frequency/rare variants in loci associated with CHD are also associated with PAD. Approach and Results- Targeted sequencing of 41 genomic regions associated with CHD in genome-wide association studies was performed in 1749 PAD cases (65±11 years, 61% men) and 1855 controls (60±11 years, 56% men) of European ancestry. PAD cases had a resting/postexercise ankle-brachial index ≤0.9, or history of lower extremity revascularization; controls had no history of PAD. We tested the association of common (defined as minor allele frequency ≥5%) variants with PAD assuming an additive genetic model with adjustment for age and sex. To identify low-frequency/rare variants (minor allele frequency <5%) associated with PAD, we conducted gene-level analyses using sequence kernel association test and permutation test. After Bonferroni correction, we found common variants in SH2B3, ABO, and ZEB2 to be associated with PAD ( P<4.5×10 -5 ). At the gene level, the strongest associations were for LPL and SH2B3. Conclusions- Targeted sequencing of 41 genomic regions associated with CHD revealed several common variants/genes to be associated with PAD, highlighting the basis of shared genetic susceptibility between CHD and PAD.

Aims: Objective data on epidemiology, management and outcome of patients with acute cardiac illness are still scarce, and producing evidence-based guidelines remains an issue. In order to define the clinical characteristics and the potential predictors of in-hospital and long-term mortality, we performed a retrospective, observational study, in a tertiary cardiac centre in Italy., Methods: One thousand one hundred and sixty-five consecutive patients, admitted to our intensive cardiac care unit (ICCU) during the year 2016, were included in the study. The data were collected from the hospital discharge summary and the electronic chart records., Results: Global in-hospital mortality was 7.2%. Predictors of in-hospital mortality were age [odds ratio (OR): 2.0; P = 0.011], female sex (OR: 2.18; P = 0.003), cardiac arrest (OR: 12.21; P = 0.000), heart failure/cardiogenic shock (OR: 9.99; P = 0.000), sepsis/septic shock (OR: 5.54; P = 0.000), acute kidney injury (OR: 3.25; P = 0.021) and a primary diagnosis of acute heart failure or a condition other than acute heart failure and acute coronary syndrome. During a mean follow-up period of 17.4 ± 4.8 months, 96 all-cause deaths occurred in patients who were still alive at discharge. One-year mortality rate was 8.2%. Predictors of long-term mortality were age (hazard ratio: 1.08; P = 0.000), female sex (hazard ratio: 0.59; P = 0.022), comorbidity at least 3 (hazard ratio: 1,60; P = 0.047), acute kidney injury (hazard ratio: 3.15; P = 0.001), inotropic treatment (hazard ratio: 2.54; P = 0.002) and a primary diagnosis of acute heart failure., Conclusion: In our Level-2 ICCU, predictors of in-hospital and long-term mortality are similar to those commonly found in a Level-3 ICU. These data strongly suggest that ICUs dealing with acute cardiovascular patients should be reorganized with a necessary upgrading of competences and resources for medical and nursing staff.

Purpose of Review: Heterozygous familial hypercholesterolemia often went unrecognized in China when population cholesterol levels were low, but rapid economic development has changed the situation. This review will discuss the current position of awareness, diagnosis, and management of familial hypercholesterolemia in Chinese populations., Recent Findings: The phenotype of familial hypercholesterolemia in China and other Chinese populations has become similar to that in Western countries, although it may still be somewhat less severe. The prevalence in Chinese populations is also similar to that in other countries and it has been found in up to 7% of Chinese patients with premature coronary heart disease. Most of the mutations are in the low-density lipoprotein receptor gene but the pattern of mutations differs from that in Whites. Chinese patients may be more responsive to statins than Whites but patients with familial hypercholesterolemia are often undertreated., Summary: Increasing population cholesterol levels have changed the phenotype of familial hypercholesterolemia in China and Chinese patients now resemble those in Western countries. International initiatives are facilitating increased awareness and identification of cases and more effective management of the condition.

Background: Mobile health technologies are low cost, scalable interventions with the potential to promote patient engagement and behavior change. We aimed to test whether a culturally sensitive text messaging intervention supporting secondary prevention improves the control of risk factors in patients with coronary heart disease in China., Methods and Results: In this multicenter, single-blinded randomized controlled trial, 822 patients (mean age, 56.4 [SD, 9.5] years; 14.1% women) with coronary heart disease and without diabetes mellitus from 37 hospitals in China were enrolled between August 2016 and March 2017. In addition to usual care, the control group (n=411) received 2 thank you messages/month; the intervention group (n=411) received 6 text messages/week for 6 months delivered by an automated computerized system. The messages provided educational and motivational information related to disease-specific knowledge, risk factor control, physical activity, and medication adherence. The primary end point was change in systolic blood pressure from baseline to 6 months. Secondary end points included the proportion with systolic blood pressure <140 mm Hg, smoking status, and change in body mass index, LDL-C (low-density lipoprotein cholesterol), and physical activity (assessed using the International Physical Activity Questionnaire). The end points were assessed using analyses of covariance. Follow-up was 99.6%. At 6 months, systolic blood pressure was not significantly lower in the intervention group compared with the control group, with a mean change (SD) of 3.2 (14.3) mm Hg and 2.0 (15.0) mm Hg ( P>0.05) from baseline, respectively (mean net change, -1.3 mm Hg [95% CI, -3.3 to 0.8]; P=0.221). There were no significant differences in the change in LDL-C level, physical activity, body mass index, or smoking status between the 2 groups. Nearly all patients in the intervention group reported the text messages to be useful (96.1%), easy to understand (98.8%), appropriate in frequency (93.8%), and reported being willing to receive future text messages (94.8%)., Conclusions: Text messages supporting secondary prevention among patients with coronary heart disease did not lead to a greater reduction in blood pressure at 6 months. Mobile phone text messaging for secondary prevention was feasible and highly acceptable to patients., Clinical Trial Registration: URL: https://clinicaltrials.gov . Unique identifier: NCT02888769.

Objective: GlycA, a novel NMR biomarker of inflammation, has been associated with incident cardiovascular disease (CVD) in the general population, but its association with CVD among HIV-infected individuals is unknown. We examined the associations between GlycA and subclinical coronary plaque among HIV-infected and HIV-uninfected men participating in Multicenter AIDS Cohort Study (MACS)., Design: Cross-sectional analysis of 935 men with plasma measurement of GlycA and noncontrast cardiac computed tomography (CT) and/or coronary CT angiography., Methods: We used multivariable Poisson and linear regression to assess associations of GlycA with prevalent coronary atherosclerosis and plaque extent, respectively., Results: Mean ± SD age was 54 ± 7 years; 31% were black; 63% HIV-infected. GlycA levels were higher in HIV-infected compared with HIV-uninfected men (397 ± 68 vs. 380 ± 60 μmol/l, P = 0.0001) and higher for men with detectable viral load vs. undetectable (413 ± 79 vs. 393 ± 65 μmol/l, P = 0.004). After adjusting for HIV serostatus, demographic and CVD risk factors, every 1SD increment in GlycA level was associated with a higher prevalence of coronary artery calcium (CAC >0) [prevalence ratio 1.09 (95% CI 1.03-1.15)] and coronary stenosis at least 50% [1.20 (1.02-1.41)]. These associations were not significantly altered after adjusting for traditional inflammatory biomarkers or differ by HIV serostatus. Among men with plaque, GlycA was positively associated with the extent of CAC and total plaque., Conclusion: HIV infection was associated with higher GlycA levels. In both HIV-infected and HIV-uninfected individuals, GlycA was significantly associated with several measures of subclinical coronary atherosclerosis, independent of other CVD risk factors and inflammatory biomarkers. These findings suggest the potential role of GlycA in CVD risk stratification among HIV patients.

Background In the large-scale ADAPT-DES study (Assessment of Dual Antiplatelet Therapy With Drug-Eluting Stents), drug-eluting stent implantation with intravascular ultrasound (IVUS) guidance was associated with a reduction in 1-year rates of stent thrombosis, myocardial infarction (MI), and major adverse cardiac events (cardiac death, MI, or stent thrombosis) compared with angiography guidance alone. We assessed whether the benefits of IVUS guidance were maintained, reduced, or increased at 2 years. Methods and Results ADAPT-DES was a prospective, multicenter, nonrandomized all-comers study of 8582 consecutive patients at 11 US and German sites designed to determine the frequency, timing, and correlates of adverse events after drug-eluting stents. Propensity-adjusted multivariable analysis was performed to examine the impact of IVUS guidance on 2-year outcomes. IVUS guidance (n=3361; 39%) compared with angiography guidance (n=5221; 61%) was associated with reduced 2-year adjudicated rates of (1) major adverse cardiac events (cardiac death, MI, or stent thrombosis; 4.9% versus 7.5%; adjusted hazard ratio, 0.72; 95% CI, 0.59-0.89; P=0.003), (2) definite/probable stent thrombosis (0.55% versus 1.16%; adjusted hazard ratio, 0.40; 95% CI, 0.22-0.73; P=0.003), and (3) MI (3.5% versus 5.6%; adjusted hazard ratio, 0.65; 95% CI, 0.51-0.83; P=0.0006). By landmark analysis, IVUS guidance compared with angiography guidance was also associated with significantly reduced rates of major adverse cardiac events, MI, stent thrombosis, and clinically driven target lesion revascularization between 1 and 2 years after drug-eluting stent implantation. The number needed to treat with IVUS guidance to prevent 1 major adverse cardiac event was reduced from 64 (42-137) at 1 year to 41 (29-69) at 2 years. Conclusions In ADAPT-DES, the early improvement in event-free survival after drug-eluting stent implantation with IVUS guidance compared with angiography guidance was further increased with longer term follow-up to 2 years. Clinical Trial Registration URL: https://www.clinicaltrials.gov . Unique identifier: NCT00638794.

Background: Coronary heart disease (CHD) is a leading cause of death globally. Although therapy with statins decreases circulating levels of low-density lipoprotein cholesterol and the incidence of CHD, additional events occur despite statin therapy in some individuals. The genetic determinants of this residual cardiovascular risk remain unknown., Methods: We performed a 2-stage genome-wide association study of CHD events during statin therapy. We first identified 3099 cases who experienced CHD events (defined as acute myocardial infarction or the need for coronary revascularization) during statin therapy and 7681 controls without CHD events during comparable intensity and duration of statin therapy from 4 sites in the Electronic Medical Records and Genomics Network. We then sought replication of candidate variants in another 160 cases and 1112 controls from a fifth Electronic Medical Records and Genomics site, which joined the network after the initial genome-wide association study. Finally, we performed a phenome-wide association study for other traits linked to the most significant locus., Results: The meta-analysis identified 7 single nucleotide polymorphisms at a genome-wide level of significance within the LPA/PLG locus associated with CHD events on statin treatment. The most significant association was for an intronic single nucleotide polymorphism within LPA/PLG (rs10455872; minor allele frequency, 0.069; odds ratio, 1.58; 95% confidence interval, 1.35-1.86; P=2.6×10 - 10 ). In the replication cohort, rs10455872 was also associated with CHD events (odds ratio, 1.71; 95% confidence interval, 1.14-2.57; P=0.009). The association of this single nucleotide polymorphism with CHD events was independent of statin-induced change in low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (odds ratio, 1.62; 95% confidence interval, 1.17-2.24; P=0.004) and persisted in individuals with low-density lipoprotein cholesterol ≤70 mg/dL (odds ratio, 2.43; 95% confidence interval, 1.18-4.75; P=0.015). A phenome-wide association study supported the effect of this region on coronary heart disease and did not identify noncardiovascular phenotypes., Conclusions: Genetic variations at the LPA locus are associated with CHD events during statin therapy independently of the extent of low-density lipoprotein cholesterol lowering. This finding provides support for exploring strategies targeting circulating concentrations of lipoprotein(a) to reduce CHD events in patients receiving statins.

Aims: The analysis evaluated the contemporary percentage of patients with established coronary heart disease (CHD) reaching the European guidelines recommended LDL-cholesterol (LDL-C) levels of less than 70 mg/dl and the threshold required for proprotein convertase subtlisin/kexin type 9 reimbursement in Italy (100 mg/dl). It also assessed how these percentages would change in case of diffuse use of ezetimibe., Methods: The Dyslipidemia International Study II enrolled CHD patients aged at least 18 either on lipid-lowering therapy (LLT) for at least 3 months or not on LLT at the time of the lipid profile. Distribution of LLTs and LDL-C target attainment were assessed. Multivariate logistic regression evaluated predictors of LDL-C target attainment. A 24% LDL-C lowering was modeled in patients not taking ezetimibe to assess its potential effects., Results: Among 676 Italian CHD patients enrolled, LDL-C concentrations were lower among the 631 patients (93.3%) who were on LLT (82 versus 118 mg/dl; P < 0.001). The LDL-C target was attained by 35.4% of patients. Statin dose (median atorvastatin dose 40 mg/day) was the sole significant predictor of LDL-C target attainment. The simple addition of ezetimibe in the model reduced the percentage of patients more than 70 and 100 mg/dl from 64.6 to 37.9% and from 25.1 to 11.8%, respectively., Conclusion: Despite treatment in more than 90%, only one-third of Italian stable CHD patients attained the recommended LDL-C target. Statin dose was the sole predictor of the target achievement. The addition of ezetimibe would almost double patients at target and halve the potential candidates for reimbursement of more expensive agents such as proprotein convertase subtlisin/kexin type 9 inhibitors.

Background: D-dimer, a degradation product of cross-linked fibrin, is a marker for hypercoagulability and thrombotic events. Moderately elevated levels of D-dimer are associated with the risk of venous and arterial events in patients with vascular disease. We assessed the role of D-dimer levels in predicting long-term vascular outcomes, cause-specific mortality, and new cancers in the LIPID trial (Long-Term Intervention with Pravastatin in Ischaemic Disease) in the context of other risk factors., Methods: LIPID randomized patients to placebo or pravastatin 40 mg/d 5 to 38 months after myocardial infarction or unstable angina. D-dimer levels were measured at baseline and at 1 year. Median follow-up was 6.0 years during the trial and 16 years in total., Results: Baseline D-dimer levels for 7863 patients were grouped by quartile (≤112, 112-173, 173-273, >273 ng/mL). Higher levels were associated with older age, female sex, history of hypertension, poor renal function, and elevated levels of B-natriuretic peptide, high-sensitivity C-reactive protein, and sensitive troponin I (each P<0.001). During the first 6 years, after adjustment for up to 30 additional risk factors, higher D-dimer was associated with a significantly increased risk of a major coronary event (quartile 4 versus 1: hazard ratio [HR], 1.45; 95% confidence interval, 1.21-1.74), major cardiovascular disease (CVD) event (HR, 1.45; 95% confidence interval, 1.23-1.71) and venous thromboembolism (HR, 4.03; 95% confidence interval, 2.31-7.03; each P<0.001). During the 16 years overall, higher D-dimer was an independent predictor of all-cause mortality (HR, 1.59), CVD mortality (HR, 1.61), cancer mortality (HR, 1.54), and non-CVD noncancer mortality (HR, 1.57; each P<0.001), remaining significant for deaths resulting from each cause occurring beyond 10 years of follow-up (each P≤0.01). Higher D-dimer also independently predicted an increase in cancer incidence (HR, 1.16; P=0.02).The D-dimer level increased the net reclassification index for all-cause mortality by 4.0 and venous thromboembolism by 13.6., Conclusions: D-dimer levels predict long-term risk of arterial and venous events, CVD mortality, and non-CVD noncancer mortality independent of other risk factors. D-dimer is also a significant predictor of cancer incidence and mortality. These results support an association of D-dimer with fatal events across multiple diseases and demonstrate that this link extends beyond 10 years' follow-up.

Background: CYP2C19 loss-of-function (LOF) alleles impair clopidogrel effectiveness after percutaneous coronary intervention. The feasibility, sustainability, and clinical impact of using CYP2C19 genotype-guided dual antiplatelet therapy (DAPT) selection in practice remains unclear., Methods: A single-center observational study was conducted in 1193 patients who underwent percutaneous coronary intervention and received DAPT after implementation of an algorithm that recommends CYP2C19 testing in high-risk patients and alternative DAPT (prasugrel or ticagrelor) in LOF allele carriers. The frequency of genotype testing and alternative DAPT selection were the primary implementation end points. Risk of major adverse cardiovascular or cerebrovascular and clinically significant bleeding events over 12 months were compared across genotype and DAPT groups by proportional hazards regression., Results: CYP2C19 genotype was obtained in 868 (72.8%) patients. Alternative DAPT was prescribed in 186 (70.7%) LOF allele carriers. CYP2C19 testing ( P <0.001) and alternative DAPT use in LOF allele carriers ( P =0.001) varied over time. Risk for major adverse cardiovascular or cerebrovascular was significantly higher in LOF carriers prescribed clopidogrel versus alternative DAPT (adjusted hazard ratio, 4.65; 95% confidence interval, 2.22-10.0; P <0.001), whereas no significant difference was observed in those without a LOF allele (adjusted hazard ratio, 1.37; 95% confidence interval, 0.72-2.85; P =0.347). Bleeding event rates were similar across groups (log-rank P =0.816)., Conclusions: Implementing CYP2C19 genotype-guided DAPT is feasible and sustainable in a real-world setting but challenging to maintain at a consistently high level of fidelity. The higher risk of major adverse cardiovascular or cerebrovascular associated with clopidogrel use in CYP2C19 LOF allele carriers suggests that use of genotype-guided DAPT in practice may improve clinical outcomes., (© 2018 American Heart Association, Inc.)

Background: The causal role of high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol in cardioprotection has been questioned by genetic and randomized studies. Novel measures that relate to HDL function may contribute new information to the prediction of cardiovascular risk. Apolipoprotein C-III (apoC-III) is a key regulator of lipoprotein metabolism. We investigated whether subspecies of HDL defined by apoC-III are associated with coronary heart disease (CHD)., Methods: We used immunoaffinity chromatography to measure the apoA-I concentrations of HDL that contains and lacks apoC-III in 2 prospective studies of adults free of CHD. In MESA (Multi-Ethnic Study of Atherosclerosis), 5657 participants (52% women, 52-72 years of age) were followed for risk of CHD from 2000 to 2002 through 2013. In a case-cohort study nested within the DCH study (Danish Diet, Cancer, and Health), 3642 participants (47% women, 51-64 years of age) were followed from 1994 to 1997 through 2010. Subsequently, we conducted a meta-analysis that combined these results with the previously published findings from 2 cohort studies that used similar laboratory methodology to measure lipoproteins, totaling 2997 incident cases., Results: ApoC-III was found on 6% to 8% of apoA-I. The 2 HDL subspecies showed opposing associations, with risk of CHD in each of the individual cohorts and in the meta-analysis ( P heterogeneity between the 2 subspecies <0.01). HDL that contains apoC-III was associated with a higher risk of CHD (pooled relative risk per standard deviation, 1.09; 95% confidence interval, 1.01-1.18), whereas HDL that lacks apoC-III was associated with lower risk (relative risk, 0.76; 95% confidence interval, 0.70-0.83). The relative risk for HDL lacking apoC-III was even more negative than the relative risk for total HDL (relative risk, 0.80; 95% confidence interval, 0.74-0.87)., Conclusions: Our findings from 4 prospective studies support the hypothesis that apoC-III may mark a subfraction of HDL that is associated with higher risk of CHD. New measures reflecting HDL structure and function may provide novel insights for cardiovascular risk that extend beyond traditional plasma HDL cholesterol concentrations., (© 2017 American Heart Association, Inc.)

Background: The medical costs for inpatients with coronary heart disease (CHD) have risen to unprecedented levels, putting tremendous financial pressure on their families and the entire society. The objective of this study was to examine the actual direct medical costs of inpatients with CHD and to analyze the influencing factors of those costs, to provide advice on the prevention and control of high medical costs of patients with CHD., Methods: A retrospective descriptive analysis of hospitalization expenditures data examined 10,301 inpatients with coronary heart disease of a tier-3 hospital in Xi'an from January 1, 2015 to December 31, 2015. The data included demographic information, the average length of stay, and different types of expenses incurred during the hospitalization period. The difference between different groups was analyzed using a univariate analysis, and the influencing factors of hospitalization expenditures were explored by the multiple linear stepwise regression analysis., Results: The average age of these patients was 60.0 years old, the average length of stay was 4.0 days, and the majority were males (7172, 69.6%). The average hospitalization expenses were $6791.38 (3294.16-9, 732.59), and the top 3 expenses were medical consumables, operation fees, and drugs. The influencing factors of hospitalization expenditures included the length of stay, the number of times of admission, the type of medical insurance schemes, whether have a surgery or not, the gender, the age, and the marriage status., Conclusion: The inpatients with CHD in this tier-3 hospital were mostly over 45 years old. The average medical cost of males was much higher than that of females. Our findings suggest that the solution for tremendous hospitalization expenditures should be that more attention is paid to controlling the high expense of medical consumables and that the traditional method of reducing medical expenses by shortening the length of stay is still important in nowadays. Furthermore, the type of medical insurance schemes has different impacts on medical expenses. Reducing or controlling high hospitalization expenditures is a complicated process that needs multifaceted cooperation., (Copyright © 2017 The Authors. Published by Wolters Kluwer Health, Inc. All rights reserved.)

Background and Objective: Whether ticagrelor is superior to prasugrel in inhibiting platelet reactivity (PR) has remained unclear, possibly because different test methods have been used to determine this. Therefore, using a different test method, we performed a meta-analysis comparing the effects of ticagrelor and prasugrel on PR., Methods and Results: PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, and Google Scholar were searched - without language restrictions (last updated on 26 February 2017) - for randomized trials comparing the effects of prasugrel with those of ticagrelor in patients with coronary artery disease. Selected studies were chosen for pooled analysis according to the inclusion and exclusion criteria. Data are presented as mean difference (MD) and 95% confidence interval. For the loading dose, using the VerifyNow-P2Y12 (VN) test, the PR was similar for both the prasugrel and ticagrelor groups [MD=10.80 (-9.81-31.40), P=0.30]. Using the vasodilatorstimulated phosphoprotein test, the PR was also similar for both the ticagrelor and prasugrel groups [MD=-2.87 (-6.35-0.60), P=0.10]. For the maintenance dose, using the VN test, the PR was lower in the ticagrelor group than in the prasugrel group [MD=-43.37 (-60.53 to -26.21), P<0.01]. Finally, using the vasodilator-stimulated phosphoprotein test, the PR was lower in the ticagrelor group than in the prasugrel group [MD=-9.23 (-15.82 to -2.64), P<0.01]., Conclusion: There was no difference between ticagrelor and prasugrel in terms of PR under the loading dose, but ticagrelor had a lower degree of PR under the maintenance dose. The results were not affected by the different PR test methods.