How can we improve the management of vascular risk in type 2 diabetes: insights from FIELD.

PURPOSE: Intensive multifactorial risk factor intervention, targeting blood glucose, blood pressure and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, is central to therapeutic management of type 2 diabetes. This strategy reduces, but does not eliminate the risk for cardiovascular complications, and microvascular complications such as diabetic retinopathy and nephropathy still continue to develop or progress. Fibrates have been shown to be effective in managing mixed dyslipidemia characterized by elevated triglycerides and low high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), typically associated with type 2 diabetes. METHODS: Data were reviewed from the largest fibrate study to date, the Fenofibrate Intervention and Event Lowering in Diabetes (FIELD) study which evaluated the effect of fenofibrate treatment in 9,795 patients with type 2 diabetes (about 80% without prior cardiovascular disease or microvascular complications). RESULTS: Although FIELD did not show a significant benefit with fenofibrate for major coronary events (the primary outcome), there was significant reduction in total cardiovascular events (relative risk reduction [RRR] 11%, p = 0.035 vs. placebo). The clinical benefits of fenofibrate treatment were greater in patients with marked mixed dyslipidemia (elevated triglycerides >or=200 mg/dL and low plasma levels of HDL-C), features of the metabolic syndrome commonly observed in patients with type 2 diabetes, with a RRR of 27%, p = 0.005. These data are consistent with evidence from other fibrate trials showing increased treatment benefits in patients with metabolic syndrome or type 2 diabetes and mixed dyslipidemia. The FIELD study also provided promising data for microvascular benefits with fenofibrate, specifically on the need for laser treatment for diabetic retinopathy, progression of albuminuria, and prevention of diabetes-related lower-limb amputation. CONCLUSIONS: Adding fenofibrate to primary statin therapy might be a useful strategy to address residual macrovascular and microvascular risk in type 2 diabetes.

Human Bone Marrow Endothelial Progenitor Cell Transplantation into Symptomatic ALS Mice Delays Disease Progression and Increases Motor Neuron Survival by Repairing Blood-Spinal Cord Barrier.

Convincing evidence demonstrated impairment of the blood-spinal cord barrier (BSCB) in Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS), mainly by endothelial cell (EC) alterations. Replacing damaged ECs by cell transplantation is a potential barrier repair strategy. Recently, we showed that intravenous (iv) administration of human bone marrow CD34+ (hBM34+) cells into symptomatic ALS mice benefits BSCB restoration and postpones disease progression. However, delayed effect on motor function and some severely damaged capillaries were noted. We hypothesized that hematopoietic cells from a restricted lineage would be more effective. This study aimed to establish the effects of human bone marrow-derived endothelial progenitor cells (hBMEPCs) systemically transplanted into G93A mice at symptomatic disease stage. Results showed that transplanted hBMEPCs significantly improved behavioral disease outcomes, engrafted widely into capillaries of the gray/white matter spinal cord and brain motor cortex/brainstem, substantially restored capillary ultrastructure, significantly decreased EB extravasation into spinal cord parenchyma, meaningfully re-established perivascular astrocyte end-feet, and enhanced spinal cord motor neuron survival. These results provide novel evidence that transplantation of hBMEPCs effectively repairs the BSCB, potentially preventing entry of detrimental peripheral factors, including immune/inflammatory cells, which contribute to motor neuron dysfunction. Transplanting EC progenitor cells may be a promising strategy for barrier repair therapy in this disease.

Reduction of microhemorrhages in the spinal cord of symptomatic ALS mice after intravenous human bone marrow stem cell transplantation accompanies repair of the blood-spinal cord barrier.

Blood-spinal cord barrier (BSCB) alterations, including capillary rupture, have been demonstrated in animal models of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) and ALS patients. To date, treatment to restore BSCB in ALS is underexplored. Here, we evaluated whether intravenous transplantation of human bone marrow CD34+ (hBM34+) cells into symptomatic ALS mice leads to restoration of capillary integrity in the spinal cord as determined by detection of microhemorrhages. Three different doses of hBM34+ cells (5 × 104, 5 × 105 or 1 × 106) or media were intravenously injected into symptomatic G93A SOD1 mice at 13 weeks of age. Microhemorrhages were determined in the cervical and lumbar spinal cords of mice at 4 weeks post-treatment, as revealed by Perls' Prussian blue staining for ferric iron. Numerous microhemorrhages were observed in the gray and white matter of the spinal cords in media-treated mice, with a greater number of capillary ruptures within the ventral horn of both segments. In cell-treated mice, microhemorrhage numbers in the cervical and lumbar spinal cords were inversely related to administered cell doses. In particular, the pervasive microvascular ruptures determined in the spinal cords in late symptomatic ALS mice were significantly decreased by the highest cell dose, suggestive of BSCB repair by grafted hBM34+ cells. The study results provide translational outcomes supporting transplantation of hBM34+ cells at an optimal dose as a potential therapeutic strategy for BSCB repair in ALS patients.

Atherosclerosis in type 2 diabetes: a role for fibrate therapy?

Vascular complications associated with type 2 diabetes confer significant morbidity and mortality. Atherosclerosis develops much earlier and progresses more rapidly than in subjects without diabetes. The clustering of cardiovascular risk factors associated with type 2 diabetes is mainly responsible for accelerated atherosclerotic disease. While statins remain the primary lipid-modifying therapy, the pharmacological profile of the fibrates suggests potential as an alternative or additional treatment for reducing the risk of atherosclerotic vascular complications in type 2 diabetes.

Endothelial and Astrocytic Support by Human Bone Marrow Stem Cell Grafts into Symptomatic ALS Mice towards Blood-Spinal Cord Barrier Repair.

Vascular pathology, including blood-CNS barrier (B-CNS-B) damage via endothelial cell (EC) degeneration, is a recently recognized hallmark of Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) pathogenesis. B-CNS-B repair may be a new therapeutic approach for ALS. This study aimed to determine effects of transplanted unmodified human bone marrow CD34+ (hBM34+) cells into symptomatic G93A mice towards blood-spinal cord barrier (BSCB) repair. Thirteen weeks old G93A mice intravenously received one of three different doses of hBM34+ cells. Cell-treated, media-treated, and control mice were euthanized at 17 weeks of age. Immunohistochemical (anti-human vWF, CD45, GFAP, and Iba-1) and motor neuron histological analyses were performed in cervical and lumbar spinal cords. EB levels in spinal cord parenchyma determined capillary permeability. Transplanted hBM34+ cells improved behavioral disease outcomes and enhanced motor neuron survival, mainly in high-cell-dose mice. Transplanted cells differentiated into ECs and engrafted within numerous capillaries. Reduced astrogliosis, microgliosis, and enhanced perivascular end-feet astrocytes were also determined in spinal cords, mostly in high-cell-dose mice. These mice also showed significantly decreased parenchymal EB levels. EC differentiation, capillary engraftment, reduced capillary permeability, and re-established perivascular end-feet astrocytes in symptomatic ALS mice may represent BSCB repair processes, supporting hBM34+ cell transplantation as a future therapeutic strategy for ALS patients.

Statement of the problem.

The Bypass Angioplasty Revascularization Investigation 2 Diabetes (BARI 2D) study poses 2 questions. Of the options in treating the hyperglycemia of type 2 diabetes mellitus, which, if either, would be best for decreasing the likelihood of death or a serious cardiovascular disease event such as a heart attack: correcting the relative insulin deficiency or reducing insulin resistance? Do individuals with diabetes whose coronary disease can be managed medically have a better outcome with initial medical or interventional (percutaneous intervention or coronary artery bypass grafting) treatment? This article outlines the reasons for asking these questions.

Fenofibrate, HDL, and cardiovascular disease in Type-2 diabetes: The DAIS trial.

BACKGROUND: There are conflicting reports on the role of fibrates in CVD-risk. Several studies indicate beneficial effects of fibrates on CVD risk in type-2 diabetic patients. We tested how fenofibrate changes lipoprotein subfractions and glucose homeostasis in type-2 diabetic patients. STUDY DESIGN: Selected markers of lipid and glucose homeostasis and inflammation were measured in 204 diabetic patients who participated in the Diabetes Atherosclerosis Intervention Study (DAIS) and were randomly assigned to 200 mg fenofibrate or placebo. Percent changes from baseline until a minimum of 3 years (average 39.6 months) on therapy (end of study) were calculated for all study parameters. RESULTS: The concentrations of total LDL-C and small dense LDL-C (sdLDL-C) did not change on fenofibrate compared to placebo. Compared to placebo, fenofibrate significantly decreased concentrations of triglyceride and remnant-like particle cholesterol (RLP-C) and activity of lipoprotein-associated phospholipase A2 (Lp-PLA2), while significantly increased concentrations of HDL-C. In contrast to other lipid-modifying drugs (e.g. statins) which increase HDL-C by increasing large (α-1) HDL particles, fenofibrate increased HDL-C by increasing the smaller, less antiatherogenic HDL-C particles, α-3 and α-4. Furthermore, despite lowering TG levels by 20%, fenofibrate failed to decrease pre-ß1 levels. On fenofibrate, glycated serum-protein levels increased moderately, while insulin and adiponectin levels did not change. CONCLUSION: On fenofibrate, lipid homeostasis improved and Lp-PLA2 activity decreased while there was no improvement in glucose homeostasis. Despite increasing HDL-C and decreasing triglyceride levels, fenofibrate failed to improve the antiatherogenic properties of the HDL subpopulation profile.

Relationships between low-density lipoprotein particle size, plasma lipoproteins, and progression of coronary artery disease: the Diabetes Atherosclerosis Intervention Study (DAIS).

BACKGROUND: The Diabetes Atherosclerosis Intervention Study showed that treatment with fenofibrate decreases progression of coronary atherosclerosis in subjects with type 2 diabetes. We determined whether on-treatment plasma lipid concentrations and LDL particle size contribute to the favorable effect of fenofibrate on the progression of coronary artery disease (CAD). METHODS AND RESULTS: A total of 418 subjects with type 2 diabetes were randomly assigned to 200 mg micronized fenofibrate daily or placebo. The mean follow-up time was 39.6 months. LDL peak particle diameter (LDL size) was determined by polyacrylamide gradient gel electrophoresis from 405 subjects at baseline and at the end of the study. Progression of CAD was measured with quantitative coronary angiography. LDL size increased significantly more in the fenofibrate group than in the placebo group (0.98+/-1.04 versus 0.32+/-0.92 nm, P<0.001). In the combined group, small LDL size was significantly associated with progression of CAD measured as the increase of percentage diameter stenosis (r=-0.16, P=0.002) and decreases in minimum (r=-0.11, P=0.030) and mean (r=-0.10, P=0.045) lumen diameter. High on-treatment LDL cholesterol, apolipoprotein B, and triglyceride concentrations were also associated with the progression of CAD. In regression analyses, small LDL size added to the effect of LDL cholesterol and apolipoprotein B on the progression of CAD. Similar associations were observed in the fenofibrate group, whereas in the placebo group, lipoprotein variables were not significantly correlated with the progression of CAD. CONCLUSIONS: Changes in LDL size and plasma lipid levels account for part of the antiatherogenic effect of fenofibrate in type 2 diabetes.

Fibrates and coronary risk reduction.

Many medications are currently available to correct lipoprotein abnormalities when lifestyle measures alone are not sufficient. No single agent or class of agents is able to correct all of the lipoprotein abnormalities. This paper reviews the role of one class, the fibrates, in the management of lipid disorders and summarizes the clinical trial information relating to their impact on coronary artery disease.

Fenofibrate reduces progression to microalbuminuria over 3 years in a placebo-controlled study in type 2 diabetes: results from the Diabetes Atherosclerosis Intervention Study (DAIS).

BACKGROUND: Microalbuminuria is an early marker of diabetic nephropathy and an independent risk factor for cardiovascular disease. In the Diabetes Atherosclerosis Intervention Study (DAIS), treatment of people with type 2 diabetes with micronized fenofibrate for an average of 38 months reduced the progression of angiographically evaluated coronary artery disease and improved lipoprotein level abnormalities compared with placebo. The aim of this analysis is to study the influence of the treatment on changes in urinary albumin excretion. METHODS: Microalbuminuria was measured on 2 to 3 occasions by using timed overnight samples at baseline and yearly thereafter in 314 DAIS participants (77 women, 237 men; average age, 56 years); all except 3 participants had either a normal albumin excretion rate (<20 microg/min; n = 214) or microalbuminuria (albumin, 20 to 200 microg/min; n = 97) before randomization. Tabulated shifts (between normal, microalbuminuria, and macroalbuminuria) from baseline to last observed values were compared between treatment groups by means of chi-square or Fisher's exact test. RESULTS: Fenofibrate significantly reduced the worsening of albumin excretion (fenofibrate, 8% versus placebo, 18%; P < 0.05). This effect was caused mostly by reduced progression from normal albumin excretion to microalbuminuria: 3 of 101 participants in the fenofibrate group versus 20 of 113 participants in the placebo group (P < 0.001). Overall, changes in albumin excretion were independent of age or changes in lipid or creatinine levels, weight, or blood pressure. CONCLUSION: Improvement in lipid profiles with fenofibrate in patients with type 2 diabetes was associated with reduced progression from normal albumin excretion to microalbuminuria.

Progression of atherosclerosis is associated with variation in the alpha1-antitrypsin gene.

OBJECTIVE: Alpha1-Antitrypsin (AAT) protects elastic tissue and may play a role in atherogenesis. The association of atherosclerosis progression with common AAT variants was considered in 2 clinical trials. METHODS AND RESULTS: We examined the association of AAT V213A, S and Z deficiency alleles, and the functional 3' UTR 11478G>A with change in minimal luminal diameter, a measure of focal disease, in the Lopid Coronary Angiography Trial gemfibrozil study of post-bypass men. S or Z carriers (n=14) showed strong progression of disease on placebo (11.5%) but responded well to treatment (3% regression). 11478A carriers treated with placebo or gemfibrozil showed significantly more disease progression (n=8, -14.5% and n=16, -4.0%, respectively) than 11478GG men (n=107, -7.0% and n=108, -1.4%, respectively; overall, P=0.003). VV213 men treated with gemfibrozil (n=68) showed -4.8% progression, whereas A213 carriers (n=55) showed +1.4% regression of disease (P=0.001). No V213A effect was seen on placebo (P=0.11). In the Diabetes Atherosclerosis Intervention Study fenofibrate trial of angiographic progression in type 2 diabetes, the association of 11478A with increased disease progression was confirmed in the treatment group, but not the gemfibrozil-treated A213 association with regression, suggesting a pharmacogenetic difference. CONCLUSIONS: Disease progression is associated with variation in AAT, and low AAT levels promote atherogenesis.

A new perspective in the treatment of dyslipidemia : can fenofibrate offer unique benefits in the treatment of type 2 diabetes mellitus?

Patients with diabetes mellitus are at higher risk for cardiovascular events than those without diabetes. Furthermore, patients with diabetes have a characteristic 'lipid triad' of low high-density lipoprotein-cholesterol (HDL-C) levels, high triglyceride levels, and normal or slightly raised low-density lipoprotein-cholesterol (LDL-C) levels, with a preponderance of small, dense LDL-C particles. Current guidelines on preventing cardiovascular disease recognize the need not only to reduce LDL-C levels, but also to increase HDL-C and decrease triglyceride levels in diabetic patients. Some clinical trials of HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors (statins) have included large populations of diabetic patients. In some of these trials (such as 4S [Scandinavian Simvastatin Survival Study], CARE [Cholesterol and Recurrent Events] trial, and the HPS [Heart Protection Study]), HMG-CoA reductase inhibitor treatment significantly reduced cardiovascular events in diabetic patients, whereas in other trials (ALLHAT-LLT [Antihypertensive and Lipid-Lowering Treatment to Prevent Heart Attack Trial], ASCOT [Anglo-Scandinavian Cardiac Outcomes Trial]) the reductions were not significant. In CARDS (Collaborative Atorvastatin Diabetes Study), the first large HMG-CoA reductase inhibitor study to enroll only patients with type 2 diabetes, atorvastatin reduced cardiovascular events by 37% (p=0.001) compared with placebo. Fibric acid derivatives (fibrates), which are agonists of peroxisome proliferator-activated alpha receptors, exert their effects by altering the transcription of genes encoding proteins that control lipoprotein metabolism. Fibric acid derivatives are a valuable tool in the treatment of dyslipidemia in patients with diabetes, as they reduce plasma triglyceride levels by 30--50%, increase HDL-C levels by 10--15%, and shift the distribution of LDL subfractions towards larger, less atherogenic particles. The DAIS (Diabetes Atherosclerosis Intervention Study), which was conducted exclusively in patients with type 2 diabetes, found that fenofibrate reduces the progression of angiographic coronary artery disease. The VA-HIT (Veterans Affairs Cooperative Studies Program HDL-C Intervention Trial) showed that gemfibrozil reduced cardiovascular events in subgroups of diabetic patients. A large clinical event study, FIELD (Fenofibrate Intervention and Event Lowering in Diabetes), which is currently being completed, will provide further information on the value of fenofibrate for the reduction of cardiovascular risk in patients with diabetes.

Rate of production of plasma and very-low-density lipoprotein (VLDL) apolipoprotein C-III is strongly related to the concentration and level of production of VLDL triglyceride in male subjects with different body weights and levels of insulin sensitivity.

Overweight individuals with reduced insulin sensitivity often have mild to moderate hypertriglyceridemia. To investigate the role of apolipoprotein (apo)C-III metabolism in the etiology of hypertriglyceridemia in these individuals, we investigated 10 male subjects with different body weights (body mass index, 24-34 kg/m(2)) and insulin sensitivity (homeostasis model assessment, 4.7-35.0). Total plasma and very-low-density lipoprotein (VLDL) apoC-III kinetics, as well as VLDL triglyceride (TG) and VLDL apoB kinetics, were measured with iv injected stable isotopes. The apoC-III, TG, and apoB levels in VLDL ranged from 2.9-18.2 mg/dl, 0.49-2.89 mmol/liter, and 6.7-29.3 mg/dl, respectively. Mean production rates (PRs) were: VLDL apoC-III, 20.2 +/- 4.1 micromol/d (range, 8.0-44.8); VLDL TG, 26.9 +/- 4.6 mmol/d (range, 10.2-51.1); and VLDL apoB, 4.4 +/- 0.8 micromol/d (range, 1.5-9.1). VLDL apoC-III PRs were significantly correlated with body mass index, homeostasis model assessment, and plasma TG (r = 0.66, P < 0.05; r = 0.80, P < 0.01; r = 0.95, P < 0.001, respectively). Similar correlations were found for plasma apoC-III PRs (r = 0.70, P < 0.05; r = 0.67, P < 0.05; r = 0.80, P < 0.01, respectively). Fractional catabolic rates (FCRs) were not significantly related to metabolic variables. VLDL TG levels were strongly related to VLDL apoC-III levels (r = 0.99, P < 0.001) and VLDL apoC-III PRs (r = 0.94, P < 0.001). VLDL apoC-III levels were more strongly correlated with VLDL TG PRs (r = 0.81, P < 0.01) than with VLDL TG FCRs or VLDL apoB FCRs (r = -0.53, P = 0.12; r = -0.37, P = 0.29). These results suggest that increased hepatic production of VLDL apoC-III is characteristic of subjects with higher body weights and lower levels of insulin sensitivity and is strongly related to the plasma concentration and level of production of VLDL TG.

Response to micronized fenofibrate treatment is associated with the peroxisome-proliferator-activated receptors alpha G/C intron7 polymorphism in subjects with type 2 diabetes.

OBJECTIVE: The association between polymorphisms in candidate genes related to lipoprotein metabolism and the reduction in plasma triglyceride (TG) in response to fenofibrate treatment was evaluated in subjects with type 2 diabetes treated with micronized fenofibrate (200 mg/day) for at least 3 years in the Diabetes Atherosclerosis Intervention Study. METHODS: The cholesteryl ester transfer protein Taq1B, LPL S447X, hepatic lipase -514 C-->T, peroxisome-proliferator-activated receptors alpha (PPARA) L162V and G/C intron 7 polymorphisms and the apolipoprotein E2/E3/E4 alleles were genotyped using PCR and restriction enzyme digestion. Subjects were divided into high TG-responders (with > 30% TG relative reduction after treatment) and low TG-responders. RESULTS: The frequency of the PPARA intron 7 G/G genotype was higher in high TG-responders than in low TG-responders (85% vs. 69%, P < 0.05). There was no significant difference between the percentage of high TG-responders and low TG-responders for any of the other genetic polymorphisms examined. In stepwise logistic regression, baseline TG and only the PPARA intron 7 polymorphism among the others were selected in the model as significant predictors of TG-response (odds ratio: 3.10, 95% CI: 1.28-7.52, P = 0.012 for PPARA polymorphism). With age, gender, body mass index, smoking status and HbA1c as additional factors, baseline TG (P< 0.0001), intron 7 (P = 0.013), body mass index (P = 0.040) and LPL-S447X (P = 0.084) were significant predictors of TG-response. CONCLUSION: These results indicate that elevated baseline TG levels and PPARA gene intron 7 G/G genotype were associated with TG reduction > 30% after fenofibrate treatment in patients with type 2 diabetes.

Increased apoC-III production is a characteristic feature of patients with hypertriglyceridemia.

Apolipoprotein (apo) C-III plays an important role in regulating plasma triglyceride (TG) metabolism. In order to further investigate the plasma metabolism of apoC-III in hypertriglyceridemic subjects, we have studied the plasma kinetics of VLDL apoC-III, HDL apoC-III and total plasma apoC-III with a primed constant intravenous infusion of deuterated leucine in a group of male patients with mixed hyperlipidemia (type IIb hyperlipoproteinemia, HLP, n=6) and in a group with type III HLP (n=6). Compared to normolipidemic control subjects (n=5), patients with type IIb and type III HLP had significantly higher levels of plasma TG (0.89 +/- 0.15 mmol/l vs 2.56 +/- 0.40 mmol/l vs 8.76 +/- 1.39 mmol/l, respectively, P <0.01), plasma apoC-III (9.5 +/- 0.8 mg/dl vs 20.8 +/- 2.5 mg/dl vs 41.7 +/- 5.6 mg/dl, P <0.01) and VLDL apoC-III (3.6 +/- 0.8 mg/dl vs 14.6 +/- 2.2 mg/dl vs 35.4 +/- 5.1 mg/dl, P <0.01). VLDL apoC-III production rates were significantly elevated in type IIb and type III patients (1.35 +/- 0.23 mg kg(-1) day(-1) vs 3.53 +/- 0.43 mg kg(-1) day(-1) vs 5.60 +/- 0.78 mg kg(-1) day(-1), P <0.01), as were total plasma apoC-III production rates (1.80 +/- 0.22 mg kg(-1) day(-1) vs 4.16 +/- 0.44 mg kg(-1) day(-1) vs 7.26 +/- 0.74 mg kg(-1) day(-1), P <0.01). VLDL apoC-III but not total plasma apoC-III fractional catabolic rates were reduced in type IIb and type III patients. Together with our previous results showing an increase of apoC-III production in patients with type IV HLP, and in overweight subjects with reduced insulin sensitivity, our data suggest that increased apoC-III production is a characteristic feature of patients with hypertriglyceridemia.

Fibrates in the metabolic syndrome and in diabetes.

There is increasing evidence that fibrates can reduce coronary artery disease. This finding seems to be particularly the case inpatients with the metabolic syndrome or with diabetes. Their beneficial effects can be explained partly by their effects on lipoproteins,but these effects may also result from some of their nonlipid pleotropic effects. Clinical trials are still needed to determine the potential role played by such pleotropic actions.

Effect of fenofibrate-mediated increase in plasma homocysteine on the progression of coronary artery disease in type 2 diabetes mellitus.

The Diabetes Atherosclerosis Intervention Study (DAIS) examined the effects of fenofibrate or placebo on the progression of coronary artery disease (CAD) in 418 type 2 diabetic subjects with dyslipidemia. Fenofibrate use was associated with a 6% increase in high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, a 28% decrease in triglycerides, a 5% decrease in low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, and a 55% increase in plasma homocysteine (tHcy). The purpose of the present study was to determine whether this increase in tHcy in the fenofibrate group was associated with CAD progression or with clinical events. The increase in tHcy with fenofibrate (n = 207) was not related to changes in factors known to modulate tHcy levels (serum levels of Vitamin B(12), folate, or renal function). CAD was quantified by angiography at baseline and after a minimum of 3 years of therapy with fenofibrate or placebo. The primary end point was change in mean segment diameter (MSD), minimal lumen diameter, and percent stenosis. Baseline tHcy level was correlated with percent diameter stenosis (r = 0.111, p = 0.028). Baseline, but not end-of-study elevated tHcy levels, decreased the beneficial effect of fenofibrate. Unexpectedly, the final tHcy levels correlated negatively with CAD progression (r = -0.111, p = 0.031) in the overall group. In the fenofibrate group, there was no significant correlation between tHcy and minimal lumen diameter (r = -0.135, p = 0.069), or percent stenosis. An increase in tHcy levels was not correlated with adverse clinical events in the fenofibrate group. This analysis of the the DAIS reveals that the fenofibrate-mediated increase in tHcy levels does not attenuate the beneficial effects of fenofibrate on CAD progression or clinical events.

Appropriate revascularization in stable angina: lessons from the BARI 2D trial.

BACKGROUND: The 2012 Guidelines for Diagnosis and Management of Patients with Stable Ischemic Heart Disease recommend intensive antianginal and risk factor treatment (optimal medical management [OMT]) before considering revascularization to relieve symptoms. The Bypass Angioplasty Revascularization Investigation 2 Diabetes (BARI 2D) trial randomized patients with ischemic heart disease and anatomy suitable to revascularization to (1) initial OMT with revascularization if needed or (2) initial revascularization plus OMT and found no difference in major cardiovascular events. Ultimately, however, 37.9% of the OMT group was revascularized during the 5-year follow-up period. METHODS: Data from the 1192 patients randomized to OMT were analyzed to identify subgroups in which the incidence of revascularization was so high that direct revascularization without a trial period could be justified. Multivariate logistic analysis, Cox regression models of baseline data, and a landmark analysis of participants who did not undergo revascularization at 6 months were constructed. RESULTS: The models that used only data available at the time of study entry had limited predictive value for revascularization by 6 months or by 5 years; however, the model incorporating severity of angina during the first 6 months could better predict revascularization (C statistic = 0.789). CONCLUSIONS: With the possible exception of patients with severe angina and proximal left anterior descending artery disease, this analysis supports the recommendation of the 2012 guidelines for a trial of OMT before revascularization. Patients could not be identified at the time of catheterization, but a short period of close follow-up during OMT identified the nearly 40% of patients who underwent revascularization.