Saddle pulmonary embolism and thrombus-in-transit straddling the patent foramen ovale 28 days after COVID symptom onset.

We present a late presentation of saddle pulmonary embolism and thrombus-in-transit straddle the patent foramen on patient who successfully recovered from severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (COVID-19) pneumonia. Seven days postdischarge (ie, 28 days after initial COVID-19 symptom onset), she was readmitted to hospital for severe dyspnea. Computer tomography angiogram and echocardiography confirmed the diagnosis. Severe pro-inflammatory and pro-thrombotic states with endothelial involvement have been reported associated with severe COVID-19 infection. However, the duration of hypercoagulable state has not yet known. This case highlights the risk of thromboembolic phenomena for prolonged periods of times after recovering from COVID-19 pneumonia.

Atrial fibrillation without comorbidities: Prevalence, incidence and prognosis (from the Framingham Heart Study).

BACKGROUND: The epidemiology of atrial fibrillation (AF) without comorbidities, known as 'lone AF', is uncertain. Although it has been considered a benign condition, we hypothesized that it confers a worse prognosis compared with a matched sample without AF. METHODS: We described the proportion of AF without comorbidities (clinical, subclinical cardiovascular disease and triggers) among the entire AF sample in Framingham Heart Study (FHS). We compared AF without comorbidities with typical AF, and age-, sex- and cohort-matched individuals without AF, using Cox proportional hazards analysis in relation to combined cardiovascular events (stroke, heart failure, myocardial infarction), and mortality. RESULTS: Of 10,311 FHS participants, 1,961 were diagnosed with incident AF, among which 173 individuals had AF without comorbidities (47% women, mean age 71±12 years). AF without comorbidities had a prevalence of 1.7% of the entire cohort, and an annual incidence of 0.5 per 1000 person-years. During a median follow-up of 9.7 years after initial AF, 137 individuals with AF without comorbidities (79.2%) died and 141 individuals developed cardiovascular events (81.5%). AF without comorbidities had significantly lower mortality (HR 0.67, 95%CI 0.55-0.81, P < .001) and total cardiovascular events (HR 0.66, 95% CI 0.55-0.80, P < .001) compared with typical AF. However, mortality (HR1.43, 95% CI 1.18-1.75, P < .001) and risk of total cardiovascular events (HR 1.73, 95% CI 1.39-2.16, P < .001) were higher than age-, sex-, and cohort-matched individuals without AF. CONCLUSIONS: The risk of cardiovascular outcomes and mortality among individuals with AF without comorbidities is lower than typical AF, but is significantly elevated compared with matched individuals without AF.

Genome-wide and gene-centric analyses of circulating myeloperoxidase levels in the charge and care consortia.

Increased systemic levels of myeloperoxidase (MPO) are associated with the risk of coronary artery disease (CAD). To identify the genetic factors that are associated with circulating MPO levels, we carried out a genome-wide association study (GWAS) and a gene-centric analysis in subjects of European ancestry and African Americans (AAs). A locus on chromosome 1q31.1 containing the complement factor H (CFH) gene was strongly associated with serum MPO levels in 9305 subjects of European ancestry (lead SNP rs800292; P = 4.89 × 10(-41)) and in 1690 AA subjects (rs505102; P = 1.05 × 10(-8)). Gene-centric analyses in 8335 subjects of European ancestry additionally identified two rare MPO coding sequence variants that were associated with serum MPO levels (rs28730837, P = 5.21 × 10(-12); rs35897051, P = 3.32 × 10(-8)). A GWAS for plasma MPO levels in 9260 European ancestry subjects identified a chromosome 17q22 region near MPO that was significantly associated (lead SNP rs6503905; P = 2.94 × 10(-12)), but the CFH locus did not exhibit evidence of association with plasma MPO levels. Functional analyses revealed that rs800292 was associated with levels of complement proteins in serum. Variants at chromosome 17q22 also had pleiotropic cis effects on gene expression. In a case-control analysis of ∼80 000 subjects from CARDIoGRAM, none of the identified single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) were associated with CAD. These results suggest that distinct genetic factors regulate serum and plasma MPO levels, which may have relevance for various acute and chronic inflammatory disorders. The clinical implications for CAD and a better understanding of the functional basis for the association of CFH and MPO variants with circulating MPO levels require further study.

Predicting stroke through genetic risk functions: the CHARGE Risk Score Project.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Beyond the Framingham Stroke Risk Score, prediction of future stroke may improve with a genetic risk score (GRS) based on single-nucleotide polymorphisms associated with stroke and its risk factors. METHODS: The study includes 4 population-based cohorts with 2047 first incident strokes from 22,720 initially stroke-free European origin participants aged ≥55 years, who were followed for up to 20 years. GRSs were constructed with 324 single-nucleotide polymorphisms implicated in stroke and 9 risk factors. The association of the GRS to first incident stroke was tested using Cox regression; the GRS predictive properties were assessed with area under the curve statistics comparing the GRS with age and sex, Framingham Stroke Risk Score models, and reclassification statistics. These analyses were performed per cohort and in a meta-analysis of pooled data. Replication was sought in a case-control study of ischemic stroke. RESULTS: In the meta-analysis, adding the GRS to the Framingham Stroke Risk Score, age and sex model resulted in a significant improvement in discrimination (all stroke: Δjoint area under the curve=0.016, P=2.3×10(-6); ischemic stroke: Δjoint area under the curve=0.021, P=3.7×10(-7)), although the overall area under the curve remained low. In all the studies, there was a highly significantly improved net reclassification index (P<10(-4)). CONCLUSIONS: The single-nucleotide polymorphisms associated with stroke and its risk factors result only in a small improvement in prediction of future stroke compared with the classical epidemiological risk factors for stroke.

Relation between soluble ST2, growth differentiation factor-15, and high-sensitivity troponin I and incident atrial fibrillation.

BACKGROUND: We investigated whether circulating concentrations of soluble ST2, growth differentiation factor-15 (GDF-15), and high-sensitivity troponin I (hsTnI) are associated with incident atrial fibrillation (AF) and whether these biomarkers improve current risk prediction models including AF risk factors, B-type natriuretic peptide (BNP), and C-reactive protein (CRP). METHODS: We studied the relation between soluble ST2, GDF-15, and hsTnI and development of AF in Framingham Heart Study participants without prevalent AF. We used Cox proportional hazard regression analysis to examine the relation of incident AF during a 10-year follow-up period with each biomarker. We adjusted for standard AF clinical risk factors, BNP, and CRP. RESULTS: The mean age of the 3,217 participants was 59 ± 10 years, and 54% were women. During a 10-year follow-up, 242 participants developed AF. In age- and sex-adjusted models, GDF-15 and hsTnI were associated with risk of incident AF; however, after including the AF risk factors and BNP and CRP, only hsTnI was significantly associated with AF (hazard ratio per 1 SD of loge hsTnI, 1.12, 95% CI 1.00-1.26, P = .045). The c statistic of the base model including AF risk factors, BNP, and CRP was 0.803 (95% CI 0.777-0.830) and did not improve by adding individual or all 3 biomarkers. None of the discrimination and reclassification statistics were significant compared with the base model. CONCLUSION: In a community-based cohort, circulating hsTnI concentrations were associated with incident AF. None of the novel biomarkers evaluated improved AF risk discrimination or reclassification beyond standard clinical AF risk factors and biomarkers.

Multiple inflammatory biomarkers in relation to cardiovascular events and mortality in the community.

OBJECTIVE: Evidence suggests that chronic low-grade inflammation and oxidative stress are related to cardiovascular disease (CVD) and mortality. APPROACH AND RESULTS: We examined 11 established and novel biomarkers representing inflammation and oxidative stress (C-reactive protein, fibrinogen, interleukin-6, intercellular adhesion molecule-1, lipoprotein-associated phospholipase-A2 [mass and activity], monocyte chemoattractant protein-1, myeloperoxidase, CD40 ligand, P-selectin, and tumor necrosis factor receptor II [TNFRII]) in relation to incident major CVD and mortality in the community. We studied 3035 participants (mean age, 61 ± 9 years; 53% women). During follow-up (median, 8.9 years), 253 participants experienced a CVD event and 343 died. C-reactive protein (hazard ratio [HR] reported per SD ln-transformed biomarker, 1.18; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.02-1.35; nominal P=0.02) and TNFRII (HR, 1.15; 95% CI, 1.01-1.32; nominal P=0.04) were retained in multivariable-adjusted models for major CVD, but were not significant after adjustment for multiple testing. The biomarkers related to mortality were TNFRII (HR, 1.33; 95% CI, 1.19-1.49; P<0.0001), ICAM-1 (HR, 1.24; 95% CI, 1.12-1.37; P<0.0001), and interleukin-6 (HR, 1.25; 95% CI, 1.12-1.39; P<0.0001). The addition of these markers to the model, including traditional risk factors, increased discrimination and reclassification for risk of death (P<0.0001), but not for CVD. CONCLUSIONS: Of 11 inflammatory biomarkers tumor necrosis factor receptor II was related to cardiovascular disease and mortality in the Framingham Heart Study. The combination of TNFRII with C-reactive protein in relation to CVD and with interleukin-6 to mortality increased the predictive ability in addition to CVD risk factors for total mortality but not for incident CVD.

B-type natriuretic peptide and C-reactive protein in the prediction of atrial fibrillation risk: the CHARGE-AF Consortium of community-based cohort studies.

AIMS: B-type natriuretic peptide (BNP) and C-reactive protein (CRP) predict atrial fibrillation (AF) risk. However, their risk stratification abilities in the broad community remain uncertain. We sought to improve risk stratification for AF using biomarker information. METHODS AND RESULTS: We ascertained AF incidence in 18 556 Whites and African Americans from the Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities Study (ARIC, n=10 675), Cardiovascular Health Study (CHS, n = 5043), and Framingham Heart Study (FHS, n = 2838), followed for 5 years (prediction horizon). We added BNP (ARIC/CHS: N-terminal pro-B-type natriuretic peptide; FHS: BNP), CRP, or both to a previously reported AF risk score, and assessed model calibration and predictive ability [C-statistic, integrated discrimination improvement (IDI), and net reclassification improvement (NRI)]. We replicated models in two independent European cohorts: Age, Gene/Environment Susceptibility Reykjavik Study (AGES), n = 4467; Rotterdam Study (RS), n = 3203. B-type natriuretic peptide and CRP were significantly associated with AF incidence (n = 1186): hazard ratio per 1-SD ln-transformed biomarker 1.66 [95% confidence interval (CI), 1.56-1.76], P < 0.0001 and 1.18 (95% CI, 1.11-1.25), P < 0.0001, respectively. Model calibration was sufficient (BNP, χ(2) = 17.0; CRP, χ(2) = 10.5; BNP and CRP, χ(2) = 13.1). B-type natriuretic peptide improved the C-statistic from 0.765 to 0.790, yielded an IDI of 0.027 (95% CI, 0.022-0.032), a relative IDI of 41.5%, and a continuous NRI of 0.389 (95% CI, 0.322-0.455). The predictive ability of CRP was limited (C-statistic increment 0.003). B-type natriuretic peptide consistently improved prediction in AGES and RS. CONCLUSION: B-type natriuretic peptide, not CRP, substantially improved AF risk prediction beyond clinical factors in an independently replicated, heterogeneous population. B-type natriuretic peptide may serve as a benchmark to evaluate novel putative AF risk biomarkers.

Outcomes of Medicare beneficiaries undergoing catheter ablation for atrial fibrillation.

BACKGROUND: Atrial fibrillation is common among older persons. Catheter ablation is increasingly used in patients for whom medical therapy has failed. METHODS AND RESULTS: We conducted a retrospective cohort study of all fee-for-service Medicare beneficiaries ≥65 years of age who underwent catheter ablation for atrial fibrillation between July 1, 2007, and December 31, 2009. The main outcome measures were major complications within 30 days and mortality, heart failure, stroke, hospitalization, and repeat ablation within 1 year. A total of 15 423 patients underwent catheter ablation for atrial fibrillation. Mean age was 72 years; 41% were women; and >95% were white. For every 1000 procedures, there were 17 cases of hemopericardium requiring intervention, 8 cases of stroke, and 8 deaths within 30 days. More than 40% of patients required hospitalization within 1 year; however, atrial fibrillation or flutter was the primary discharge diagnosis in only 38.4% of cases. Eleven percent of patients underwent repeat ablation within 1 year. Renal impairment (hazard ratio, 2.07; 95% confidence interval, 1.66-2.58), age ≥80 years (hazard ratio, 3.09; 95% confidence interval, 2.32-4.11), and heart failure (hazard ratio, 2.54; 95% confidence interval, 2.07-3.13) were major risk factors for 1-year mortality. Advanced age was a major risk factor for all adverse outcomes. CONCLUSIONS: Major complications after catheter ablation for atrial fibrillation were associated with advanced age but were fairly infrequent. Few patients underwent repeat ablation. Randomized trials are needed to inform risk-benefit calculations for older persons with drug-refractory, symptomatic atrial fibrillation.

Age of natural menopause and atrial fibrillation: the Framingham Heart Study.

BACKGROUND: Early menopausal age is associated with risk of cardiovascular events including myocardial infraction, stroke, and increased mortality. Relations between menopausal age and atrial fibrillation (AF) have not been investigated. We examined the association between menopausal age and AF. METHODS: Framingham Heart Study women ≥ 60 years old without prevalent AF and natural menopause were followed up for 10 years or until incident AF. Menopausal age was modeled as a continuous variable and by categories (<45, 45-53, and >53 years). We used Cox proportional hazards regression to determine associations between menopausal age and AF risk. RESULTS: In 1,809 Framingham women (2,662 person-examinations, mean baseline age 71.4 ± 7.6 years, menopausal age 49.8 ± 3.6 years), there were 273 unique participants with incident AF. We did not identify a significant association between the SD of menopausal age (3.6 years) and AF (hazard ratio [HR] per SD 0.94, 95% CI 0.83-1.06; P = .29). In a multivariable model with established risk factors for AF, menopausal age was not associated with incident AF (HR per SD 0.97, 95% CI 0.86-1.09; P = .60). Examining categorical menopausal age, earlier menopausal age (<45 years) was not significantly associated with increased AF risk compared with older menopausal age >53 years (HR 1.20, 95% CI 0.74-1.94; P = .52) or menopausal age 45 to 53 years (HR 1.38, 95% CI 0.93-2.04; P = .11). CONCLUSION: In our moderate-sized, community-based sample, we did not identify menopausal age as significantly increasing AF risk. However, future larger studies will need to examine whether there is a small effect of menopausal age on AF risk.

Plasma pyridoxal-5-phosphate is inversely associated with systemic markers of inflammation in a population of U.S. adults.

Low vitamin B-6 status, based on plasma concentrations of pyridoxal-5-phosphate (PLP), has been identified in inflammatory diseases, including cardiovascular disease, rheumatoid arthritis, inflammatory bowel disease, and diabetes. Our objective was to examine the association between plasma PLP and multiple markers of inflammation in a community-based cohort [n = 2229 participants (55% women, mean age 61 ± 9 y)]. We created an overall inflammation score (IS) as the sum of standardized values of 13 individual inflammatory markers. Multivariable-adjusted regression analysis was used to assess the associations between the IS and plasma PLP. Geometric mean plasma PLP concentrations were lower in the highest tertile category of IS relative to the lowest (61 vs. 80 nmol/L; P-trend < 0.0001). Similarly, the prevalence of PLP insufficiency was significantly higher for participants in the highest compared with the lowest tertiles for IS categories. These relationships persisted after accounting for vitamin B-6 intake. Also, there were significant inverse relationships between plasma PLP and 4 IS based on functionally related markers, including acute phase reactants, cytokines, adhesion molecules, and oxidative stress. In addition, secondary analyses revealed that many of the individual inflammatory markers were inversely associated with plasma PLP after adjusting for plasma C-reactive protein concentration. This study, in combination with past findings, further supports our hypothesis that inflammation is associated with a functional deficiency of vitamin B-6. We discuss 2 possible roles for PLP in the inflammatory process, including tryptophan metabolism and serine hydroxymethyltransferase activity.

Fetal Supraventricular Tachycardia: What the Adult Cardiologist Needs to Know.

Fetal supraventricular tachycardia management is challenging, with consequences for both the fetus and the mother. If left untreated, fetal hydrops may ensue, at which point delivery and treatment of the arrhythmia is preferred. However, if the fetus is not at term nor near-term, significant doses of antiarrhythmics may be needed to achieve adequate transplacental bioavailability. Although digoxin has classically been the mainstay of treatment, the use of flecainide or sotalol as monotherapy or in combination with digoxin is being studied. Interdisciplinary team management and shared decision-making between the physician and patient are key to achieving successful outcomes. Adult cardiologists, particularly inpatient consultation services or through burgeoning cardio-obstetrics programs, may, in some practice settings, be asked to evaluate or comanage pregnant women with fetal arrhythmia.

Usefulness of electrocardiographic parameters as compared with computed tomography measures of left atrial volume enlargement: from the ROMICAT trial.

INTRODUCTION: The 12-lead surface electrocardiogram (ECG) is commonly used as a noninvasive modality to assess for left atrial enlargement (LAE), but data comparing ECG against cardiac computed tomography (CT) for LAE is lacking. We aimed to determine the diagnostic performance of 6 ECG criteria for LAE as compared with CT left atrial volume (LAV) and index to body surface area (LAVI) as the reference standard. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In 339 patients (age: mean ± mean, 53 ± 12 years; 63% male), we evaluated the quantitative ECG parameters of P duration, P to PR segment ratio, P wave area, and P terminal force in lead V1. We also assessed qualitatively the morphology of bifid and biphasic P waves. Patients were stratified into top and lowest quartile of LAV and LAVI by CT. RESULTS: Of the 6 ECG criteria, patients with P duration greater than 110 milliseconds had a 2½-fold increase likelihood of being in the top quartile of LAV (adjusted odds ratio [OR], 2.51; P = .01) and LAVI (adjusted OR, 2.74; P = .007) as measured by CT. For this ECG criterion, the sensitivity and specificity were 71% and 55% for CT LAE by LAV and 61% and 55% for LAVI. The remaining ECG parameters of LAE assessed (P to PR segment ratio, P terminal force in lead V1, P wave area, bifid, and biphasic P wave) were not associated with LAE by CT-based LAV or LAVI (all P ≥ .20). DISCUSSION: Only P duration greater than 110 milliseconds was independently associated with LAE based on CT-derived LA volume and index. However, none of the established ECG parameters of LAE have sufficient diagnostic accuracies for predicting volumetric enlargement by CT, thus limiting its clinical utility.

Association between familial atrial fibrillation and risk of new-onset atrial fibrillation.

CONTEXT: Although the heritability of atrial fibrillation (AF) is established, the contribution of familial AF to predicting new-onset AF remains unknown. OBJECTIVE: To determine whether familial occurrence of AF is associated with new-onset AF beyond established risk factors. DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS: The Framingham Heart Study, a prospective community-based cohort study started in 1948. Original and Offspring Cohort participants were aged at least 30 years, were free of AF at the baseline examination, and had at least 1 parent or sibling enrolled in the study. The 4421 participants in this analysis (mean age, 54 [SD, 13] years; 54% women) were followed up through December 31, 2007. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Incremental predictive value of incorporating different features of familial AF (any familial AF, premature familial AF [onset ≤65 years old], number of affected relatives, and youngest age of onset in a relative) into a risk model for new-onset AF. RESULTS: Across 11,971 examinations during the period 1968-2007, 440 participants developed AF. Familial AF occurred among 1185 participants (26.8%) and premature familial AF occurred among 351 participants (7.9%). Atrial fibrillation occurred more frequently among participants with familial AF than without familial AF (unadjusted absolute event rates of 5.8% and 3.1%, respectively). The association was not attenuated by adjustment for AF risk factors (multivariable-adjusted hazard ratio, 1.40; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.13-1.74) or reported AF-related genetic variants. Among the different features of familial AF examined, premature familial AF was associated with improved discrimination beyond traditional risk factors to the greatest extent (traditional risk factors, C statistic, 0.842 [95% CI, 0.826-0.858]; premature familial AF, C statistic, 0.846 [95% CI, 0.831-0.862]; P = .004). Modest changes in integrated discrimination improvement were observed with premature familial AF (2.1%). Net reclassification improvement (assessed using 8-year risk thresholds of <5%, 5%-10%, and >10%) did not change significantly with premature familial AF (index statistic, 0.011; 95% CI, -0.021 to 0.042; P = .51), although categoryless net reclassification was improved (index statistic, 0.127; 95% CI, 0.064-0.189; P = .009). CONCLUSIONS: In this cohort, familial AF was associated with an increased risk of AF that was not attenuated by adjustment for AF risk factors including genetic variants. Assessment of premature familial AF was associated with a very slight increase in predictive accuracy compared with traditional risk factors.

Red blood cell fatty acids and biomarkers of inflammation: a cross-sectional study in a community-based cohort.

INTRODUCTION: Inflammation and inflammatory biomarkers have emerged as integral components and predictors of incident cardiovascular (CV) disease. Omega-3 fatty acids, particularly eicosapentaenoic and docosahexaenoic acids (EPA and DHA) have anti-inflammatory properties, and have been variably associated with lower blood pressure, favorable blood lipid changes, and reduced CV events. METHODS AND RESULTS: We examined the cross-sectional association of red blood cell (RBC) fatty acids, representative of body membrane fatty acid composition, with 10 biomarkers active in multiple inflammatory pathways in 2724 participants (mean age 66 ± 9 years, 54% women, 8% minorities) from the Framingham Offspring and minority Omni Cohorts. After multivariable adjustment, the RBC EPA and DHA content was inversely correlated (all P ≤ 0.001) with 8 biomarkers: urinary isoprostanes (r = -0.16); and soluble interleukin-6 (r = -0.10); C-reactive protein (r = -0.08); tumor necrosis factor receptor 2 (r = -0.08); intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (r = -0.08); P-selectin (r = -0.06); lipoprotein-associated phospholipase-A2 mass (r = -0.11) and activity (r = -0.08). The correlations for monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 was -0.05, P = 0.006 and osteoprotegerin (r = -0.06, P = 0.002) were only nominally significant. CONCLUSION: In our large community-based study, we observed modest inverse associations between several types of inflammatory biomarkers with RBC omega-3 fatty acid levels. Our findings are consistent with the hypothesis that omega-3 fatty acids have anti-inflammatory properties.

Association between inflammatory biomarkers and bone mineral density in a community-based cohort of men and women.

OBJECTIVE: Based upon evidence in animal and in vitro studies, we tested the hypothesis that higher serum concentrations of the cytokines interleukin-6 (IL-6) and tumor necrosis factor α (TNFα) and the inflammatory marker C-reactive protein (CRP) would be inversely associated with bone mineral density (BMD) in a community-based cohort of men and women, with the strongest associations among postmenopausal women not receiving menopause hormonal therapy (MHT). METHODS: We ascertained fasting serum concentrations of IL-6, TNFα, and CRP and measured BMD at the femoral neck, trochanter, total femur, and spine (L2-L4) using dual x-ray absorptiometry in 2,915 members of the Framingham Offspring Study (1996-2001). We used multivariable linear regression to estimate the difference (ß) in BMD at each bone site associated with a 1-unit increase in log-transformed serum concentrations of IL-6, TNFα, and CRP separately for men (n = 1,293), premenopausal women (n = 231), postmenopausal women receiving MHT (n = 498), and postmenopausal women not receiving MHT (n = 893). RESULTS: Inflammatory biomarkers were not associated with BMD in men. Among premenopausal women, there were statistically significant, modest inverse associations between IL-6 and trochanter BMD (ß = -0.030, P < 0.01) and between CRP and femoral neck (ß = -0.015, P = 0.05) and trochanter BMD (ß = -0.014, P = 0.04). TNFα was positively associated with spine BMD (ß = 0.043, P = 0.01). In postmenopausal women receiving MHT, CRP was positively associated with femoral neck BMD (ß = 0.011, P = 0.04). There were no associations among postmenopausal women not receiving MHT. CONCLUSION: The lack of consistency in our results suggests that elevated circulating concentrations of inflammatory biomarkers may not be a risk factor for low BMD.

Clinical correlates of change in inflammatory biomarkers: The Framingham Heart Study.

OBJECTIVES: Traditional clinical risk factors are associated with inflammation cross-sectionally, but associations of longitudinal variation in inflammatory biomarkers with corresponding changes in clinical risk factors are incompletely described. We sought to analyze clinical factors associated with change in inflammation in the community. METHODS: We studied 3013 Framingham Offspring (n = 2735) and Omni Cohort (n = 278) participants (mean age 59 years, 55% women, 9% ethnic/racial minority) who attended two consecutive examination cycles (mean 6.7 years apart). We selected ten inflammatory biomarkers representing distinctive biological functions: C-reactive protein (CRP), intercellular adhesion molecule-1, interleukin-6, isoprostanes, lipoprotein-associated phospholipase-2 (Lp-PLA2) activity, Lp-PLA2-mass, monocyte chemoattractant protein-1, osteoprotegerin, P-selectin, and tumor necrosis factor receptor II (TNFRII). We constructed multivariable-adjusted regression models to assess the relations of baseline, follow-up and change in clinical risk factors with change in biomarker concentrations over time. RESULTS: Baseline, follow-up and change in clinical risk factors explain a moderate amount of the variation in biomarker concentrations across 2 consecutive examinations (ranging from r(2) = 0.28 [TNFRII] up to 0.52 [Lp-PLA2-mass]). In multivariable models, increasing body-mass index, smoking initiation, worsening lipid profile, and increasing waist size were associated with increasing concentrations of several biomarkers. Conversely, hypercholesterolemia therapy and hormone replacement cessation were associated with decreasing concentrations of biomarkers such as CRP, Lp-PLA2-mass and activity. CONCLUSION: Cardiovascular risk factors have different patterns of association with longitudinal change in inflammatory biomarkers and explain modest amounts of variability in biomarker concentrations. Nevertheless, a substantial proportion of longitudinal change in inflammatory markers is not explained by traditional risk factors.

Vascular inflammation and sleep disordered breathing in a community-based cohort.

STUDY OBJECTIVES: Sleep disordered breathing is associated with cardiovascular disease. The pathophysiologic mechanisms remain unclear, but enhanced vascular inflammation is implicated. We sought to evaluate the association of sleep disordered breathing with biomarkers of inflammation. DESIGN: Cross-sectional, observational. SETTING: Community-based. PARTICIPANTS: There were 900 participants from the Framingham Heart Study site of the Sleep Heart Health Study (52% females, mean age 60 y, 23% ethnic minorities). INTERVENTIONS: None. MEASUREMENTS: We assessed circulating levels of nine inflammatory biomarkers in relation to polysomnographically-derived apnea-hypopnea index and hypoxemia index (% sleep time with oxyhemoglobin saturation < 90%). Multivariable models were adjusted for demographics, smoking, cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, and other potential confounders, without and with adjustment for body mass index. RESULTS: With multivariable adjustment not including body mass index, the apnea-hypopnea index was associated with C-reactive protein, inter-leukin-6, fibrinogen, intercellular adhesion molecule-1, and P-selectin levels and hypoxemia index was associated with C-reactive protein, interleukin-6, and fibrinogen levels. After adjustment for body mass index, only the association of interleukin-6 with sleep disordered breathing remained significant: the adjusted mean serum interleukin-6 level was 2.93, 3.14, 3.34, and 4.62 pg/mL, respectively, in participants with apnea-hypopnea index < 5, 5-14.9, 15-29.9, and ≥ 30 events/h (P = 0.01 for trend) and 2.97, 3.01, 3.35, and 4.85 pg/mL, respectively, in participants with hypoxemia index < 0.5, 0.5-4.9, 5-9.9, and ≥ 10% of sleep time (P = 0.02 for trend). CONCLUSIONS: In a community-based sample, sleep disordered breathing is associated with higher levels of interleukin-6, a marker of myocardial infarction risk and mortality. Adiposity may mediate the increased levels of C-reactive protein, fibrinogen, intercellular adhesion molecule-1, and P-selectin observed in sleep disordered breathing.

Atherosclerotic biomarkers and aortic atherosclerosis by cardiovascular magnetic resonance imaging in the Framingham Heart Study.

BACKGROUND: The relations between subclinical atherosclerosis and inflammatory biomarkers have generated intense interest but their significance remains unclear. We sought to determine the association between a panel of biomarkers and subclinical aortic atherosclerosis in a community-based cohort. METHODS AND RESULTS: We evaluated 1547 participants of the Framingham Heart Study Offspring cohort who attended the 7th examination cycle and underwent both cardiovascular magnetic resonance imaging (CMR) and assays for 10 biomarkers associated with atherosclerosis: high-sensitivity C-reactive protein, fibrinogen, intercellular adhesion molecule-1, interleukin-6, interleukin-18, lipoprotein-associated phospholipase-A2 activity and mass, monocyte chemoattractant protein-1, P-selectin, and tumor necrosis factor receptor-2. In logistic regression analysis, we found no significant association between the biomarker panel and the presence of aortic plaque (global P=0.53). Using Tobit regression with aortic plaque as a continuous variable, we noted a modest association between biomarker panel and aortic plaque volume in age- and sex-adjusted analyses (P=0.003). However, this association was attenuated after further adjustment for clinical covariates (P=0.09). CONCLUSIONS: In our community-based cohort, we found no significant association between our multibiomarker panel and aortic plaque. Our results underscore the strengths and limitations of the use of biomarkers for the identification of subclinical atherosclerosis and the importance of traditional risk factors.