Graft Failure After Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting and Its Association With Patient Characteristics and Clinical Events: A Pooled Individual Patient Data Analysis of Clinical Trials With Imaging Follow-Up.

BACKGROUND: Graft patency is the postulated mechanism for the benefits of coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG). However, systematic graft imaging assessment after CABG is rare, and there is a lack of contemporary data on the factors associated with graft failure and on the association between graft failure and clinical events after CABG. METHODS: We pooled individual patient data from randomized clinical trials with systematic CABG graft imaging to assess the incidence of graft failure and its association with clinical risk factors. The primary outcome was the composite of myocardial infarction or repeat revascularization occurring after CABG and before imaging. A 2-stage meta-analytic approach was used to evaluate the association between graft failure and the primary outcome. We also assessed the association between graft failure and myocardial infarction, repeat revascularization, or all-cause death occurring after imaging. RESULTS: Seven trials were included comprising 4413 patients (mean age, 64.4±9.1 years; 777 [17.6%] women; 3636 [82.4%] men) and 13 163 grafts (8740 saphenous vein grafts and 4423 arterial grafts). The median time to imaging was 1.02 years (interquartile range [IQR], 1.00-1.03). Graft failure occurred in 1487 (33.7%) patients and in 2190 (16.6%) grafts. Age (adjusted odds ratio [aOR], 1.08 [per 10-year increment] [95% CI, 1.01-1.15]; P=0.03), female sex (aOR, 1.27 [95% CI, 1.08-1.50]; P=0.004), and smoking (aOR, 1.20 [95% CI, 1.04-1.38]; P=0.01) were independently associated with graft failure, whereas statins were associated with a protective effect (aOR, 0.74 [95% CI, 0.63-0.88]; P<0.001). Graft failure was associated with an increased risk of myocardial infarction or repeat revascularization occurring between CABG and imaging assessment (8.0% in patients with graft failure versus 1.7% in patients without graft failure; aOR, 3.98 [95% CI, 3.54-4.47]; P<0.001). Graft failure was also associated with an increased risk of myocardial infarction or repeat revascularization occurring after imaging (7.8% versus 2.0%; aOR, 2.59 [95% CI, 1.86-3.62]; P<0.001). All-cause death after imaging occurred more frequently in patients with graft failure compared with patients without graft failure (11.0% versus 2.1%; aOR, 2.79 [95% CI, 2.01-3.89]; P<0.001). CONCLUSIONS: In contemporary practice, graft failure remains common among patients undergoing CABG and is strongly associated with adverse cardiac events.

Utilisation of Chronic Disease and Mental Health Management Services and Cardioprotective Medication Prescriptions in Primary Care for Patients With Cardiovascular Diseases and Cancer: A Cross-Sectional Study.

BACKGROUND: Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is a leading cause of morbidity and mortality among cancer survivors. Mental health is considered an important risk factor affecting the treatment of cardiovascular disease. However, little is known about the use of secondary prevention strategies for CVD in patients with both cancer and CVD. This study aimed to compare the utilisation of primary care chronic disease management plans, mental health care and guideline-indicated cardioprotective medications among CVD patients with and without cancer. METHODS: Retrospective cross-sectional study utilising clinical data of patients with CVD from 50 Australian primary care practices. Outcomes included the use of chronic disease management plans, mental health care, guideline-indicated cardioprotective medications and influenza vaccination. Logistic regression, accounting for demographic and clinical covariates and clustering effects by practices, was used to compare the two groups. RESULTS: Of the 15,040 patients with CVD, 1,486 patients (9.9%) concurrently had cancer. Patients with cancer, compared to those without, were older (77.6 vs 71.8 years, p<0.001), more likely to drink alcohol (62.6% vs 55.7%, p<0.001), have lower systolic (130.3±17.8 vs 132.5±21.1 mmHg, p<0.001) and diastolic (72.2±11 vs 75.3±34 mmHg, p<0.001) blood pressure. Although suboptimal for both groups, patients with cancer were significantly more likely to have general practice management plans (GPMPs) (51.4% vs 43.2%, p<0.001), coordination of team care arrangements (TCAs) (46.2% vs 37.0%, p<0.001), have a review of either GPMP or TCA (42.8% vs 34.7%, p<0.001), have a mental health treatment consultation (15.4% vs 10.5%, p=0.004) and be prescribed blood pressure-lowering medications (70.1% vs 66.0%, p=0.002). However, there were no statistical differences in the prescription of lipid-lowering or antiplatelet medications. After adjustments for covariates and multiple testing, patients with cancer did not show a difference in GPMPs, TCAs, and a review of either, but were more likely to receive mental health treatment consultations than those without cancer (odds ratio 1.76; 95% confidence interval 1.42-2.19). CONCLUSIONS: Less than half of patients with CVD had a GPMP, TCA or review of either. Although those patients with cancer were more likely to receive these interventions, still around half the patients did not. Medicare-funded GPMPs, TCAs and a review of either GPMP or TCA were underutilised, and future studies should seek to identify ways of improving access to these services.

Australian Atherosclerosis Society Position Statement on Lipoprotein(a): Clinical and Implementation Recommendations.

This position statement provides guidance to cardiologists and related specialists on the management of adult patients with elevated lipoprotein(a) [Lp(a)]. Elevated Lp(a) is an independent and causal risk factor for atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD) and calcific aortic valve disease (CAVD). While circulating Lp(a) levels are largely determined by ancestry, they are also influenced by ethnicity, hormones, renal function, and acute inflammatory events, such that measurement should be done after accounting for these factors. Further, circulating Lp(a) concentrations should be estimated using an apo(a)-isoform independent assay that employs appropriate calibrators and reports the results in molar units (nmol/L). Selective screening strategies of high-risk patients are recommended, but universal screening of the population is currently not advised. Testing for elevated Lp(a) is recommended in all patients with premature ASCVD and those considered to be at intermediate-to-high risk of ASCVD. Elevated Lp(a) should be employed to assess and stratify risk and to enable a decision on initiation or intensification of preventative treatments, such as cholesterol lowering therapy. In adult patients with elevated Lp(a) at intermediate-to-high risk of ASCVD, absolute risk should be reduced by addressing all modifiable behavioural, lifestyle, psychosocial and clinical risk factors, including maximising cholesterol-lowering with statin and ezetimibe and, where appropriate, PCSK9 inhibitors. Apheresis should be considered in patients with progressive ASCVD. New ribonucleic acid (RNA)-based therapies which directly lower Lp(a) are undergoing clinical trials.

Consensus statement on the current pharmacological prevention and management of heart failure.

INTRODUCTION: This consensus statement of Australian clinicians provides new recommendations for the pharmacological management of heart failure based on studies reported since the publication of the 2018 Australian heart failure guidelines. MAIN RECOMMENDATIONS: ▪Use of sodium-glucose cotransporter 2 (SGLT2) inhibitors to prevent hospitalisation for heart failure in type 2 diabetes mellitus can be extended to patients with multiple cardiovascular risk factors, albuminuric chronic kidney disease, or atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease. ▪New evidence supports the use of a mineralocorticoid receptor antagonist (finerenone) to prevent heart failure in type 2 diabetes mellitus associated with albuminuric chronic kidney disease. ▪In addition to renin angiotensin system inhibitors (angiotensin receptor neprilysin inhibitor preferred), beta blockers and mineralocorticoid receptor antagonists, an SGLT2 inhibitor (dapagliflozin or empagliflozin) is recommended in all patients with heart failure with reduced left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF ≤ 40%) (HFrEF). Lower quality evidence supports these therapies in patients with heart failure with mildly reduced LVEF (41-49%) (HFmrEF). ▪A soluble guanylate cyclase stimulator (vericiguat), selective cardiac myosin activator (omecamtiv mecarbil) and, if iron deficient, intravenous iron (ferric carboxymaltose) provide additional benefits in persistent HFrEF. ▪An SGLT2 inhibitor (empagliflozin) should be considered in patients with heart failure with preserved LVEF (≥ 50%) (HFpEF). Key changes in management from this statement: This document broadens the scope of angiotensin receptor neprilysin inhibitor use in patients with HFrEF and HFmrEF. SGLT2 inhibitor use expands to become a cornerstone therapy in HFrEF, with increasing evidence to support its use in HFmrEF and HFpEF.

Iron Deficiency in Heart Failure Patients and Benefits of Iron Replacement on Clinical Outcomes Including Comorbid Depression.

BACKGROUND: Iron deficiency and depression are prevalent comorbidities in the setting of heart failure. Both conditions are associated with poorer patient outcomes including mortality, hospitalisation and quality of life. Iron replacement has come to the fore as a means to improve patient outcomes. This review aims to assess the current literature regarding the benefits of iron supplementation for iron deficient heart failure patients including potential improvements in depression. METHODS AND RESULTS: The databases of Medline, EMBASE, the Cochrane library of systematic reviews, Central Register of Controlled Trials, PubMed, Web of Science and ClinicalTrials.gov were searched for studies with relevant patient outcomes. A total of 18 studies were identified and included in the review. In essence, intravenous iron was found to be beneficial for New York Heart Association (NYHA) classification, quality of life measures, heart failure (HF) hospitalisation and aerobic capacity. Oral iron however was not beneficial. Research surrounding intravenous iron improving cardiovascular mortality, time to first hospitalisation and changes in depression status is lacking. CONCLUSIONS: Further research is required to elucidate the advantages of intravenous iron for iron deficient heart failure patients on their depression, mortality and first admission to hospital. Consensus is required regarding which form of iron and the treatment regime that should be adopted for future clinical guidelines.

Management of Acute Decompensated Heart Failure in Rural Versus Metropolitan Settings: An Australian Experience.

BACKGROUND: Acute decompensated heart failure (ADHF) is the most common cause of hospital admission in patients over 65, with poorer outcomes demonstrated in rural versus metropolitan areas. The aim of this study was to compare the in-hospital and post-discharge management of ADHF patients admitted to rural versus metropolitan hospitals in Victoria. METHODS: Data from the Victorian Cardiac Outcomes Registry, Heart Failure (VCOR-HF) project was used. This was a prospective, observational, non-randomised study of consecutive patients admitted to participating hospitals in Victoria, Australia, with ADHF as their primary diagnosis over four 30-day periods during consecutive years. All patients were followed up for 30 days post discharge. RESULTS: 1,357 patients (1,260 metropolitan, 97 rural) were admitted to study hospitals with ADHF during the study periods. Cohorts were similar in age (average 76.87±13.12 yrs) and percentage of male gender (56.4% overall). Metropolitan patients were more likely to have diabetes (44.4% vs 34.0%, p=0.046), kidney disease (65.8% vs 37.1%, p<0.01) and anaemia (31.9% vs 19.6%, p=0.01). There was no significant difference in length of stay between metropolitan and rural patients (7.49 vs 6.37 days, p=0.12). There was no significant difference between metropolitan and rural patients in 30-day rehospitalisations (19.1% vs 11.6%, p=0.07, respectively) and all-cause 30-day mortality (8.2% vs 4.1%, p=0.15, respectively). Metropolitan patients were significantly more likely to have seen their general practitioner (GP) (68.1% vs 53.2%, p<0.01) or attend an outpatient clinic (35.9% vs 10.6%, p<0.01) by 30 days. There was no significant difference in number of days to follow-up of any kind between groups. Referrals to a heart failure home visiting program remained low overall (19.9%). CONCLUSION: There was no significant difference in 30-day rehospitalisations or mortality between patients admitted to rural versus metropolitan hospitals. Geographical discrepancies were noted in follow-up by 30 days, with significantly more metropolitan patients having seen a doctor by 30 days post-discharge. Overall follow-up rates remain suboptimal.

Characteristics and Clinical Outcomes in Patients With Heart Failure With Preserved Ejection Fraction Compared to Heart Failure With Reduced Ejection Fraction: Insights From the VCOR Heart Failure Snapshot.

BACKGROUND: Heart failure is increasing in prevalence, creating a greater public health and economic burden on our health care system. With a rising proportion of hospitalisations for heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF) compared to heart failure with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF) and lack of proven therapies for HFpEF, patient characterisation and defining clinical outcomes are important in determining optimal management of heart failure patients. There is scarce Australian-specific data with regards to the burden of disease of patients with HFpEF which further limits our ability to appropriately manage this syndrome. AIM: To determine the characteristics, management practices and outcomes of patients with HFpEF compared to patients diagnosed with HFrEF. METHOD: Data was sourced from the Victorian Cardiac Outcomes Registry-Heart Failure (VCOR-HF) snapshot of patients admitted with acute heart failure to one of 16 Victorian health services between 2014-2017 over one consecutive month annually. Outcomes measured were in-hospital mortality, and 30-day readmission and mortality. RESULTS: Of the 1,132 HF patients, 436 patients were diagnosed with HFpEF and were more likely to be female (59%) and older (81.5±9.8 vs 73.2±14.5 years). They were also more likely to have hypertension (80%), atrial fibrillation (59.9%), chronic obstructive airways disease (36.2%) and chronic kidney disease (68.8%). Patients with HFrEF were more likely to have ischaemic heart disease with a history of previous myocardial infarction (36.6%), percutaneous coronary intervention and cardiac bypass surgery (35.2%). There were no significant differences in 30-day mortality between HFpEF and HFrEF (10.2% vs 7.8%; p=0.19, respectively) and 30-day readmission rates (22.1% vs 25.9%; p=0.15, respectively). CONCLUSION: VCOR-HF Snapshot data provides important insight into the burden of acute heart failure. Whilst patients with HFpEF and HFrEF have differing clinical profiles, morbidity, mortality and re-admission rates are similar.

Depression and cardiovascular disease.

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: The purpose of this review is to outline the relationship between cardiovascular disease (CVD) and depression, both as a cause of and a result of CVD. RECENT FINDINGS: The prevalence of depression seems to be increasing in the general population.It is likely that depression will be even more of a problem for CVD patients in the post-COVID-19 pandemic era.New studies confirm the independent association of depression with later incident CVD, although perhaps not as strong as suggested by some previous studies.Depression seems to be becoming even more prevalent in CVD patients, with new data for stroke and peripheral arterial disease patients.Cardiologists rarely screen for depression and most do not believe that they have a responsibility for detecting or treating depression.There are new data suggesting that patients who are more in control of their lives have better outcomes and that change is possible. SUMMARY: Depression is preventable and treatable. It is imperative to detect and manage depression in CVD patients. Additional research is required to see whether or not comprehensive patient screening for depression translates into both better quality of life and improved clinical outcomes.

Long-Term Results of the RAPCO Trials.

BACKGROUND: An internal thoracic artery graft to the left anterior descending artery is standard in coronary bypass surgery, but controversy exists on the best second conduit. The RAPCO trials (Radial Artery Patency and Clinical Outcomes) were designed to compare the long-term patency of the radial artery (RA) with that of the right internal thoracic artery (RITA) and the saphenous vein (SV). METHODS: In RAPCO-RITA (the RITA versus RA arm of the RAPCO trial), 394 patients <70 years of age (or <60 years of age if they had diabetes mellitus) were randomized to receive RA or free RITA graft on the second most important coronary target. In RAPCO-SV (the SV versus RA arm of the RAPCO trial), 225 patients ≥70 years of age (or ≥60 years of age if they had diabetes mellitus) were randomized to receive RA or SV graft. The primary outcome was 10-year graft failure. Long-term mortality was a nonpowered coprimary end point. The main analysis was by intention to treat. RESULTS: In the RA versus RITA comparison, the estimated 10-year patency was 89% for RA versus 80% for free RITA (hazard ratio for graft failure, 0.45 [95% CI, 0.23-0.88]). Ten-year patient survival estimate was 90.9% in the RA arm versus 83.7% in the RITA arm (hazard ratio for mortality, 0.53 [95% CI, 0.30-0.95]). In the RA versus SV comparison, the estimated 10-year patency was 85% for the RA versus 71% for the SV (hazard ratio for graft failure, 0.40 [95% CI, 0.15-1.00]), and 10-year patient survival estimate was 72.6% for the RA group versus 65.2% for the SV group (hazard ratio for mortality, 0.76 [95% CI, 0.47-1.22]). CONCLUSIONS: The 10-year patency rate of the RA is significantly higher than that of the free RITA and better than that of the SV. Registration: URL: https://www.clinicaltrials.gov; Unique identifier: NCT00475488.

Radial-Artery or Saphenous-Vein Grafts in Coronary-Artery Bypass Surgery.

BACKGROUND: The use of radial-artery grafts for coronary-artery bypass grafting (CABG) may result in better postoperative outcomes than the use of saphenous-vein grafts. However, randomized, controlled trials comparing radial-artery grafts and saphenous-vein grafts have been individually underpowered to detect differences in clinical outcomes. We performed a patient-level combined analysis of randomized, controlled trials to compare radial-artery grafts and saphenous-vein grafts for CABG. METHODS: Six trials were identified. The primary outcome was a composite of death, myocardial infarction, or repeat revascularization. The secondary outcome was graft patency on follow-up angiography. Mixed-effects Cox regression models were used to estimate the treatment effect on the outcomes. RESULTS: A total of 1036 patients were included in the analysis (534 patients with radial-artery grafts and 502 patients with saphenous-vein grafts). After a mean (±SD) follow-up time of 60±30 months, the incidence of adverse cardiac events was significantly lower in association with radial-artery grafts than with saphenous-vein grafts (hazard ratio, 0.67; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.49 to 0.90; P=0.01). At follow-up angiography (mean follow-up, 50±30 months), the use of radial-artery grafts was also associated with a significantly lower risk of occlusion (hazard ratio, 0.44; 95% CI, 0.28 to 0.70; P<0.001). As compared with the use of saphenous-vein grafts, the use of radial-artery grafts was associated with a nominally lower incidence of myocardial infarction (hazard ratio, 0.72; 95% CI, 0.53 to 0.99; P=0.04) and a lower incidence of repeat revascularization (hazard ratio, 0.50; 95% CI, 0.40 to 0.63; P<0.001) but not a lower incidence of death from any cause (hazard ratio, 0.90; 95% CI, 0.59 to 1.41; P=0.68). CONCLUSIONS: As compared with the use of saphenous-vein grafts, the use of radial-artery grafts for CABG resulted in a lower rate of adverse cardiac events and a higher rate of patency at 5 years of follow-up. (Funded by Weill Cornell Medicine and others.).

Essentials of a new clinical practice guidance on familial hypercholesterolaemia for physicians.

Familial hypercholesterolaemia (FH) is a common, heritable and preventable cause of premature coronary artery disease. New clinical practice recommendations are presented to assist practitioners in enhancing the care of all patients with FH. Core recommendations are made on the detection, diagnosis, assessment and management of adults, children and adolescents with FH. Management is under-pinned by the precepts of risk stratification, adherence to healthy lifestyles, treatment of non-cholesterol risk factors and appropriate use of low-density lipoprotein (LDL)-cholesterol-lowering therapies including statins, ezetimibe and proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9 (PCSK9) inhibitors. The recommendations need to be utilised using judicious clinical judgement and shared decision-making with patients and families. New government-funded schemes for genetic testing and use of PCSK9 inhibitors, as well as the National Health Genomics Policy Framework, will enable adoption of the recommendations. However, a comprehensive implementation science and practice strategy is required to ensure that the guidance translates into benefit for all families with FH.

Resting Heart Rate and Heart Rate Variability in the Year Following Acute Coronary Syndrome: How Do Women Fare?

BACKGROUND: Women experience poorer health outcomes following acute coronary syndrome (ACS). Heart rate (HR) and heart rate variability (HRV) have emerged as sensitive and cost-effective markers of autonomic function and prognostic risk factors of poor cardiac outcomes. The aim of the current study was to investigate whether sex-specific differences existed across HR and five parameters of HRV, at 1 and 12 months following ACS diagnosis. METHODS: Between January 2013 and June 2014, a sample of 416 ACS patients was enrolled in the Anxiety Depression & Heart Rate Variability in cardiac patients: Evaluating the impact of Negative emotions on functioning after Twenty four months (ADVENT) longitudinal cohort study. At 1 and 12 months following discharge, patient HR and HRV (root mean square of successive differences [RMSDD], standard deviation of RR intervals [SDRR], high frequency power [HF], low frequency power [LF], very low frequency power [VLF]) was measured via three-lead electrocardiogram. RESULTS: At 1 month post-ACS, sex was a significant predictor of HR and VLF power in fully- adjusted models. At 12 months post-ACS, sex was a predictor of HR, SDRR and VLF power in fully-adjusted models. CONCLUSION: Sex-specific differences in resting HR and HRV were observed in the year following ACS, whereby women had higher HR and lower HRV, suggestive of poorer autonomic function. Further large-scale cohort studies examining autonomic function as a driver of sex-specific outcomes following ACS are required.

Gender Comparison of Receipt of Government-Funded Health Services and Medication Prescriptions for the Management of Patients With Cardiovascular Disease in Primary Care.

BACKGROUND: Cardiovascular disease (CVD) and risk factors remains a major burden in terms of disease, disability, and death in the Australian population and mental health is considered as an important risk factor affecting cardiovascular disease. A multidisciplinary collaborative approach in primary care is required to ensure an optimal outcome for managing cardiovascular patients with mental health issues. Medicare introduced numerous primary care health services and medications that are subsidised by the Australian government in order to provide a more structured approach to reduce and manage CVD. However, the utilisation of these services nor gender comparison for CVD management in primary care has been explored. Therefore, the aim is to compare the provision of subsidised chronic disease management plans (CDMPs), mental health care and prescription of guideline-indicated medications to men and women with CVD in primary care practices for secondary prevention. METHODS: De-identified data for all active patients with CVD were extracted from 50 Australian primary care practices. Outcomes included the frequency of receipt of CDMPs, mental health care and prescription of evidence-based medications. Analyses adjusted for demography and clinical characteristics, stratified by gender, were performed using logistic regression and accounted for clustering effects by practices. RESULTS: Data for 14,601 patients with CVD (39.4% women) were collected. The odds of receiving the CDMPs was significantly greater amongst women than men (preparation of general practice management plan [GPMP]: (46% vs 43%; adjusted OR [95% CI]: 1.22 [1.12, 1.34]). Women were more likely to have diagnosed with mental health issues (32% vs 20%, p<0.0001), however, the adjusted odds of men and women receiving any government-subsidised mental health care were similar. Women were less often prescribed blood pressure, lipid-lowering and antiplatelet medications. After adjustment, only an antiplatelet medication or agent was less likely to be prescribed to women than men (44% vs 51%; adjusted OR [95% CI]: 0.84 [0.76, 0.94]). CONCLUSION: Women were more likely to receive CDMPs but less likely to receive antiplatelet medications than men, no gender difference was observed in the receipt of mental health care. However, the receipt of the CDMPs and the mental health treatment consultations were suboptimal and better use of these existing services could improve ongoing CVD management.

Integrated Guidance for Enhancing the Care of Familial Hypercholesterolaemia in Australia.

Familial hypercholesterolaemia (FH) is a dominant and highly penetrant monogenic disorder present from birth that markedly elevates plasma low-density lipoprotein (LDL)-cholesterol concentration and, if untreated, leads to premature atherosclerosis and coronary artery disease (CAD). There are approximately 100,000 people with FH in Australia. However, an overwhelming majority of those affected remain undetected and inadequately treated, consistent with FH being a leading challenge for public health genomics. To further address the unmet need, we provide an updated guidance, presented as a series of systematically collated recommendations, on the care of patients and families with FH. These recommendations have been informed by an exponential growth in published works and new evidence over the last 5 years and are compatible with a contemporary global call to action on FH. Recommendations are given on the detection, diagnosis, assessment and management of FH in adults and children. Recommendations are also made on genetic testing and risk notification of biological relatives who should undergo cascade testing for FH. Guidance on management is based on the concepts of risk re-stratification, adherence to heart healthy lifestyles, treatment of non-cholesterol risk factors, and safe and appropriate use of LDL-cholesterol lowering therapies, including statins, ezetimibe, proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9 inhibitors and lipoprotein apheresis. Broad recommendations are also provided for the organisation and development of health care services. Recommendations on best practice need to be underpinned by good clinical judgment and shared decision making with patients and families. Models of care for FH need to be adapted to local and regional health care needs and available resources. A comprehensive and realistic implementation strategy, informed by further research, including assessments of cost-benefit, will be required to ensure that this new guidance benefits all Australian families with or at risk of FH.

Gaps in the Care of Familial Hypercholesterolaemia in Australia: First Report From the National Registry.

BACKGROUND: Familial hypercholesterolaemia (FH) is under-diagnosed and under-treated worldwide, including Australia. National registries play a key role in identifying patients with FH, understanding gaps in care and advancing the science of FH to improve care for these patients. METHODS: The FH Australasia Network has established a national web-based registry to raise awareness of the condition, facilitate service planning and inform best practice and care services in Australia. We conducted a cross-sectional analysis of 1,528 FH adults enrolled in the registry from 28 lipid clinics. RESULTS: The mean age at enrolment was 53.4±15.1 years, 50.5% were male and 54.3% had undergone FH genetic testing, of which 61.8% had a pathogenic FH-causing gene variant. Only 14.0% of the cohort were family members identified through cascade testing. Coronary artery disease (CAD) was reported in 28.0% of patients (age of onset 49.0±10.5 years) and 64.9% had at least one modifiable cardiovascular risk factor. The mean untreated LDL-cholesterol was 7.4±2.5 mmol/L. 80.8% of patients were on lipid-lowering therapy with a mean treated LDL-cholesterol of 3.3±1.7 mmol/L. Among patients receiving lipid-lowering therapies, 25.6% achieved an LDL-cholesterol target of <2.5 mmol/L without CAD or <1.8 mmol/L with CAD. CONCLUSION: Patients in the national FH registry are detected later in life, have a high burden of CAD and risk factors, and do not achieve guideline-recommended LDL-cholesterol targets. Genetic and cascade testing are under-utilised. These deficiencies in care need to be addressed as a public health priority.

Mapping the Minnesota Living with Heart Failure Questionnaire (MLHFQ) onto the Assessment of Quality of Life 8D (AQoL-8D) utility scores.

PURPOSE: The Minnesota Living with Heart Failure Questionnaire (MLHFQ) is a widely used condition-specific measure of quality of life (QoL) in patients with heart failure. To use information from the MLHFQ in an economic evaluation, the MLHFQ must be mapped onto a preference-based measure of QoL. This study aims to develop a mapping algorithm between the MLHFQ and the Assessment of Quality of Life (AQoL) 8D utility instrument in patients with dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM). METHODS: MLHFQ and AQoL-8D data were collected on 61 Australian adults with idiopathic DCM or other non-hypertrophic cardiomyopathies. Three statistical methods were used as follows: ordinary least squares (OLS) regression, the robust MM estimator, and the generalised linear models (GLM). Each included a range of explanatory variables. Model performance was assessed using key goodness-of-fit measures, the mean absolute error (MAE), and the root-mean-square error (RMSE). RESULTS: The MLHFQ summary score and AQoL-8D utility scores were strongly correlated (r = - 0.83, p < 0.0001) and the two subscales of the MLHFQ were correlated with the eight dimensions of the AQoL-8D. Utility scores were predicted with acceptable precision based on responses to the MLHFQ physical, emotional, social, and other subscales. OLS and GLM performed similarly with MAE and RMSE ranging 0.086-0.106 and 0.114-0.130, respectively. CONCLUSION: The mapping algorithm developed in this study allows the derivation of AQoL-8D utilities from MLHFQ scores for use in cost-effectiveness analyses and most importantly, enables the economic evaluation of alternative heart failure therapy options when only the MLHFQ has been collected.

QUality improvement in primary care to prevent hospitalisations and improve Effectiveness and efficiency of care for people Living with coronary heart disease (QUEL): protocol for a 24-month cluster randomised controlled trial in primary care.

BACKGROUND: Cardiovascular disease (CVD), including coronary heart disease (CHD) and stroke, is the leading cause of death and disability globally. A large proportion of mortality occurs in people with prior CHD and effective and scalable strategies are needed to prevent associated deaths and hospitalisations. The aim of this study is to determine if a practice-level collaborative quality improvement program, focused on patients with CHD, reduces the rate of unplanned CVD hospitalisations and major adverse cardiovascular events, and increases the proportion of patients achieving risk factor targets at 24 months. METHODS: Cluster randomised controlled trial (cRCT) to evaluate the effectiveness of a primary care quality improvement program in 50 primary care practices (n~ 10,000 patients) with 24-month follow-up. Eligible practices will be randomised (1:1) to participate in either the intervention (collaborative quality improvement program) or control (standard care) regimens. Outcomes will be assessed based on randomised allocation, according to intention-to-treat. The primary outcome is the proportion of patients with unplanned CVD hospitalisations at 2 years. Secondary outcomes are proportion of patients with major adverse cardiovascular events, proportion of patients who received prescriptions for guideline-recommended medicines, proportion of patients achieving national risk factor targets and proportion with a chronic disease management plan or review. Differences in the proportion of patients who are hospitalised (as well as binary secondary outcomes) will be analysed using log-binomial regression or robust Poisson regression, if necessary. DISCUSSION: Despite extensive research with surrogate outcomes, to the authors' knowledge, this is the first randomised controlled trial to evaluate the effectiveness of a data-driven collaborative quality improvement intervention on hospitalisations, CVD events and cardiovascular risk amongst patients with CHD in the primary care setting. The use of data linkage for collection of outcomes will enable evaluation of this potentially efficient strategy for improving management of risk and outcomes for people with heart disease. TRIAL REGISTRATION: Australian New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry (ANZCTR) number ACTRN12619001790134 (dated 20th December 2019).

Association of Radial Artery Graft vs Saphenous Vein Graft With Long-term Cardiovascular Outcomes Among Patients Undergoing Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis.

Importance: Observational studies have suggested that the use of radial artery grafts for coronary artery bypass grafting may improve clinical outcomes compared with the use of saphenous vein grafts, but this has not been confirmed in randomized trials. Objective: To compare clinical outcomes between patients receiving radial artery vs saphenous vein grafts for coronary artery bypass grafting after long-term follow-up. Design, Setting, and Participants: Patient-level pooled analysis comparing radial artery vs saphenous vein graft in adult patients undergoing isolated coronary artery bypass grafting from 5 countries (Australia, Italy, Serbia, South Korea, and the United Kingdom), with enrollment from 1997 to 2009 and follow-up completed in 2019. Interventions: Patients were randomized to undergo either radial artery (n = 534) or saphenous vein (n = 502) grafts for coronary artery bypass grafting. Main Outcomes and Measures: The primary outcome was a composite of death, myocardial infarction, or repeat revascularization and the secondary outcome was a composite of death or myocardial infarction. Results: A total of 1036 patients were randomized (mean age, 66.6 years in the radial artery group vs 67.1 years in the saphenous vein group; 376 [70.4%] men in the radial artery group vs 351 [69.9%] in the saphenous vein group); 942 (90.9%) of the originally randomized patients completed 10 years of follow-up (510 in the radial artery group). At a median (interquartile range) follow-up of 10 (10-11) years, the use of the radial artery, compared with the saphenous vein, in coronary artery bypass grafting was associated with a statistically significant reduction in the incidence of the composite outcome of death, myocardial infarction, or repeat revascularization (220 vs 237 total events; 41 vs 47 events per 1000 patient-years; hazard ratio, 0.73 [95% CI, 0.61-0.88]; P < .001) and of the composite of death or myocardial infarction (188 vs 193 total events; 35 vs 38 events per 1000 patient-years; hazard ratio, 0.77 [95% CI, 0.63-0.94]; P = .01). Conclusions and Relevance: In this individual participant data meta-analysis with a median follow-up of 10 years, among patients undergoing coronary artery bypass grafting, the use of the radial artery compared with the saphenous vein was associated with a lower risk of a composite of cardiovascular outcomes.

The Prevalence of Elevated Lipoprotein(a) in Patients Presenting With Coronary Artery Disease.

BACKGROUND: Elevated lipoprotein(a) (Lp(a)) is an inherited lipid disorder and an independent risk factor for cardiovascular (CV) disease. Although its prevalence in the general population has been well-documented, the prevalence of elevated Lp(a) in patients with clinical coronary artery disease (CAD) is less clear. In this study, we hypothesised that there is an over-representation of elevated Lp(a) in patients with early-onset CAD compared to the general population. METHODS: Between 6 February and 8 June 2018, we screened consecutive patients aged ≤70 years who presented to the Austin Hospital with any of the following criteria: (1) acute coronary syndrome (ACS); (2) percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI); or (3) coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG). Whilst examining a range of different Lp(a) levels, a dichotomous elevated Lp(a) was defined as concentrations ≥0.5 g/L. Other CV risk factors were documented including hypertension, type 2 diabetes mellitus, and familial hypercholesterolaemia (FH) using the Dutch Lipid Clinic Network Criteria (DLCNC), also incorporating family history and clinical examination. RESULTS: One hundred and fifty-eight (158) patients were screened; 63 (39.9%) were under 60 years of age. Overall, elevated Lp(a) ≥0.5 g/L was identified in 57 patients (36.1%). Of these, nine patients (15.8%) also had probable or definite FH. General population data was obtained from the Copenhagen General Population Study which studied 6,000 men and women and showed that the estimated prevalence of Lp(a) ≥0.5 g/L in the general population was 20%. CONCLUSIONS: Elevated Lp(a) is more prevalent in patients with relatively early-onset CAD compared to the general population and may contribute to previously unappreciated residual cardiovascular risk. Patients who present with early-onset CAD, should be routinely screened for elevated Lp(a).