Association of overweight and obesity with coronary risk factors and the presence of multivessel disease in patients with obstructive coronary artery disease - A nationwide registry study.

Background: The growing prevalence of obesity is expected to increase the burden of coronary artery disease. This study examined the prevalence of overweight and obesity in patients with a first-time diagnosis of obstructive coronary artery disease in a contemporary population. The association of body-mass-index (BMI) with age, traditional risk factors, and the presence of multivessel disease were explored. Methods and results: Using the Danish Nationwide registries, we identified 49,733 patients with a first-time diagnosis of obstructive coronary artery disease in the period 2012-2018. We investigated the association between BMI and coronary risk factors by multivariate logistic regression. Mean age was 65.8 ± 11.8 years, mean BMI was 27.5 kg/m2 ± 7.2, and 73.2 % were men. 66.3 % had a BMI ≥25 kg/m2 and 1.3 % were underweight. The prevalence of patients with BMI ≥25 kg/m2 decreased with increasing age and was 69 % in patients <50 year vs. 46.2 % in patients ≥80 years (p < 0.001). In all age groups, higher odds of BMI ≥25 kg/m2 were observed in males, former smokers, and patients with hypertension. In multivariate logistic regression, BMI ≥25 kg/m2 was not associated with presence of multivessel disease (p = 0.74). Conclusion: In this large, nationwide study, 66.3 % of patients with first time diagnosis of obstructive coronary disease had BMI ≥25 kg/m2. Young patients had higher BMI and were more likely to be current smokers. Overweight or obesity was independently associated with the presence of diabetes and hypertension. BMI ≥25 kg/m2 was not independently associated with the presence of multivessel disease.

Natural history of cardiac involvement in myotonic dystrophy type 1 - Emphasis on the need for lifelong follow-up.

BACKGROUND: Cardiac involvement represents a major cause of morbidity and mortality in patients with myotonic dystrophy type 1 (DM1) and prevention of sudden cardiac death (SCD) is a central part of patient care. We investigated the natural history of cardiac involvement in patients with DM1 to provide an evidence-based foundation for adjustment of follow-up protocols. METHODS: Patients with genetically confirmed DM1 were identified. Data on patient characteristics, performed investigations (12 lead ECG, Holter monitoring and echocardiography), and clinical outcomes were retrospectively collected from electronic health records. RESULTS: We included 195 patients (52% men) with a mean age at baseline evaluation of 41 years (range 14-79). The overall prevalence of cardiac involvement increased from 42% to 66% after a median follow-up of 10.5 years. There was a male predominance for cardiac involvement at end of follow-up (74 vs. 44%, p < 0.001). The most common types of cardiac involvement were conduction abnormalities (48%), arrhythmias (35%), and left ventricular systolic dysfunction (21%). Only 17% of patients reported cardiac symptoms. The standard 12­lead ECG was the most sensitive diagnostic modality and documented cardiac involvement in 24% at baseline and in 49% at latest follow-up. However, addition of Holter monitoring and echocardiography significantly increased the diagnostic yield with 18 and 13% points at baseline and latest follow-up, respectively. Despite surveillance 35 patients (18%) died during follow-up; seven due to SCD. CONCLUSIONS: In patients with DM1 cardiac involvement was highly prevalent and developed during follow-up. These findings justify lifelong follow-up with ECG, Holter, and echocardiography. CLINICAL PERSPECTIVE: What is new? What are the clinical implications?