Challenges in coronary heart disease prevention - experiences from a long-term follow-up study in Norway.

Objective. To determine longitudinal changes in lifestyle behaviour and lipid management in a chronic coronary heart disease (CHD) population. Design. A multi-centre cohort study consecutively included 1127 patients at baseline in 2014-2015, on average 16 months after a CHD event. Data were collected from hospital records, a questionnaire and clinical examination. Seven hundred and seven of 1021 eligible patients participated in a questionnaire-based follow-up in 2019. Data were analysed with univariate statistics. Results. After a mean follow-up of 4.7 years (SD 0.4) from baseline, the percentage of current smokers (15% versus 16%), obesity (23% versus 25%) and clinically significant symptoms of anxiety (21% versus 17%) and depression (13% versus 14%) remained unchanged, whereas the proportion with low physical activity increased from 53% to 58% (p < .001). The proportions with reduced physical activity level were similar in patients over and under 70 years of age. Most patients were still taking statins (94% versus 92%) and more patients used high-intensity statin (49% versus 54%, p < .001) and ezetimibe (5% versus 15%, p < .001) at follow-up. 73% reported ≥1 primary-care consultation(s) for CHD during the last year while 27% reported no such follow-up. There were more smokers among participants not attending primary-care consultations compared to those attending (19% versus 14%, p = .026). No differences were found for other risk factors. Conclusions. We found persistent suboptimal risk factor control in coronary outpatients during long-term follow-up. Closer follow-up and intensified risk management including lifestyle and psychological health are needed to improved secondary prevention and outcome of CHD. Trial registration: Registered at ClinicalTrials.gov: NCT02309255.Registered at 5 December 2014, registered retrospectively.

Preventable clinical and psychosocial factors predicted two out of three recurrent cardiovascular events in a coronary population.

BACKGROUND: The relative importance of lifestyle, medical and psychosocial factors on the risk of recurrent major cardiovascular (CV) events (MACE) in coronary patients' needs to be identified. The main objective of this study is to estimate the association between potentially preventable factors on MACE in an outpatient coronary population from routine clinical practice. METHODS: This prospective follow-up study of recurrent MACE, determine the predictive impact of risk factors and a wide range of relevant co-factors recorded at baseline. The baseline study included 1127 consecutive patients 2-36 months after myocardial infarction (MI) and/or revascularization procedure. The primary composite endpoint of recurrent MACE defined as CV death, hospitalization due to MI, revascularization, stroke/transitory ischemic attacks or heart failure was obtained from hospital records. Data were analysed using cox proportional hazard regression, stratified by prior coronary events before the index event. RESULTS: During a mean follow-up of 4.2 years from study inclusion (mean time from index event to end of study 5.7 years), 364 MACE occurred in 240 patients (21, 95% confidence interval: 19 to 24%), of which 39 were CV deaths. In multi-adjusted analyses, the strongest predictor of MACE was not taking statins (Relative risk [RR] 2.13), succeeded by physical inactivity (RR 1.73), peripheral artery disease (RR 1.73), chronic kidney failure (RR 1.52), former smoking (RR 1.46) and higher Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale-Depression subscale score (RR 1.04 per unit increase). Preventable and potentially modifiable factors addressed accounted for 66% (95% confidence interval: 49 to 77%) of the risk for recurrent events. The major contributions were smoking, low physical activity, not taking statins, not participating in cardiac rehabilitation and diabetes. CONCLUSIONS: Coronary patients were at high risk of recurrent MACE. Potentially preventable clinical and psychosocial factors predicted two out of three MACE, which is why these factors should be targeted in coronary populations. TRIAL REGISTRATION: Registered at ClinicalTrials.gov: NCT02309255. Registered at December 5th, 2014, registered retrospectively.

Everolimus Initiation With Early Calcineurin Inhibitor Withdrawal in De Novo Heart Transplant Recipients: Three-Year Results From the Randomized SCHEDULE Study.

In a randomized, open-label trial, de novo heart transplant recipients were randomized to everolimus (3-6 ng/mL) with reduced-exposure calcineurin inhibitor (CNI; cyclosporine) to weeks 7-11 after transplant, followed by increased everolimus exposure (target 6-10 ng/mL) with cyclosporine withdrawal or standard-exposure cyclosporine. All patients received mycophenolate mofetil and corticosteroids. A total of 110 of 115 patients completed the 12-month study, and 102 attended a follow-up visit at month 36. Mean measured GFR (mGFR) at month 36 was 77.4 mL/min (standard deviation [SD] 20.2 mL/min) versus 59.2 mL/min (SD 17.4 mL/min) in the everolimus and CNI groups, respectively, a difference of 18.3 mL/min (95% CI 11.1-25.6 mL/min; p < 0.001) in the intention to treat population. Multivariate analysis showed treatment to be an independent determinant of mGFR at month 36. Coronary intravascular ultrasound at 36 months revealed significantly reduced progression of allograft vasculopathy in the everolimus group compared with the CNI group. Biopsy-proven acute rejection grade ≥2R occurred in 10.2% and 5.9% of everolimus- and CNI-treated patients, respectively, during months 12-36. Serious adverse events occurred in 37.3% and 19.6% of everolimus- and CNI-treated patients, respectively (p = 0.078). These results suggest that early CNI withdrawal after heart transplantation supported by everolimus, mycophenolic acid and steroids with lymphocyte-depleting induction is safe at intermediate follow-up. This regimen, used selectively, may offer adequate immunosuppressive potency with a sustained renal advantage.

Circulating annexin A5 predicts mortality in patients with heart failure.

BACKGROUND: Natriuretic peptides are currently used to predict mortality in patients with heart failure (HF). However, novel independent biomarkers are needed to improve risk stratification in these patients. We hypothesized that annexin A5 (anxA5) would be highly expressed by organs which are generally affected by HF and that circulating anxA5 levels would predict mortality in HF patients. METHODS: We prospectively determined the diagnostic value of anxA5, N-terminal pro-B-type natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP), C-reactive protein (CRP) and estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) to predict mortality in 180 HF patients during a median follow-up of 3.6 years. Studies were conducted with anxA5(-/-) mice to investigate the underlying mechanisms. RESULTS: AnxA5 levels were significantly elevated in HF patients compared to healthy control subjects. Cox regression analysis demonstrated that anxA5, NT-proBNP and eGFR all predict mortality independently. AnxA5 significantly improved the diagnostic efficiency of NT-proBNP alone (improvement of c-statistic from 0.662 to 0.705, P < 0.001) and also combined with eGFR and CRP (improvement of c-statistic from 0.675 to 0.738, P < 0.001) to predict mortality in the Cox regression model. Receiver operating characteristic curve analysis showed that anxA5 predicted 3-year survival (area under curve 0.708) with an optimal cut-off value of 2.24 ng mL(-1) . Using anxA5(-/-) mice, we demonstrated that anxA5 is highly expressed in organs that are often affected by HF including lung, kidney, liver and spleen. Lysis of these organs in vitro resulted in a marked and significant increase in anxA5 concentrations. CONCLUSION: AnxA5 improves the diagnostic efficiency of conventional biomarkers to predict mortality in HF patients. Whereas natriuretic peptides originate from the myocardium, high circulating anxA5 levels in patients with HF are likely to reflect peripheral organ damage secondary to HF.

The Effect of Everolimus Initiation and Calcineurin Inhibitor Elimination on Cardiac Allograft Vasculopathy in De Novo Recipients: One-Year Results of a Scandinavian Randomized Trial.

Early initiation of everolimus with calcineurin inhibitor therapy has been shown to reduce the progression of cardiac allograft vasculopathy (CAV) in de novo heart transplant recipients. The effect of de novo everolimus therapy and early total elimination of calcineurin inhibitor therapy has, however, not been investigated and is relevant given the morbidity and lack of efficacy of current protocols in preventing CAV. This 12-month multicenter Scandinavian trial randomized 115 de novo heart transplant recipients to everolimus with complete calcineurin inhibitor elimination 7-11 weeks after HTx or standard cyclosporine immunosuppression. Ninety-five (83%) patients had matched intravascular ultrasound examinations at baseline and 12 months. Mean (± SD) recipient age was 49.9 ± 13.1 years. The everolimus group (n = 47) demonstrated significantly reduced CAV progression as compared to the calcineurin inhibitor group (n = 48) (ΔMaximal Intimal Thickness 0.03 ± 0.06 and 0.08 ± 0.12 mm, ΔPercent Atheroma Volume 1.3 ± 2.3 and 4.2 ± 5.0%, ΔTotal Atheroma Volume 1.1 ± 19.2 mm(3) and 13.8 ± 28.0 mm(3) [all p-values ≤ 0.01]). Everolimus patients also had a significantly greater decline in levels of soluble tumor necrosis factor receptor-1 as compared to the calcineurin inhibitor group (p = 0.02). These preliminary results suggest that an everolimus-based CNI-free can potentially be considered in suitable de novo HTx recipients.

Microbiota-dependent metabolite trimethylamine-N-oxide is associated with disease severity and survival of patients with chronic heart failure.

OBJECTIVES: Recent metabolomic, experimental and clinical studies have demonstrated that trimethylamine-N-oxide (TMAO), a microbiota-dependent metabolite from dietary phosphatidylcholine and carnitine, is a strong predictor of coronary artery disease (CAD). This finding suggests a link between the gut microbiota and atherosclerosis. The potential impact of TMAO in chronic heart failure (HF) is unknown. We hypothesized that TMAO levels would provide prognostic information about adverse outcomes in chronic HF. DESIGN: Prospective, observational study including 155 consecutive patients with chronic HF. In addition, 100 patients with stable CAD without HF and 33 matched healthy individuals were included as controls. Plasma levels of TMAO and its precursors choline and betaine were measured, and associations with symptoms, aetiology and transplant-free survival in the patients with HF were explored. RESULTS: Plasma levels of TMAO (P = 0.01), choline (P < 0.001) and betaine (P < 0.001) were elevated in patients with chronic HF compared to control subjects, with the highest levels in patients with New York Heart Association (NYHA) classes III and IV. Furthermore, TMAO levels were highest in individuals with ischaemic HF, followed by those with stable CAD and nonischaemic HF. TMAO, but not choline or betaine, was associated with reduced transplant-free survival: approximately 50% of patients in the upper tertile of TMAO levels died or received a heart transplant during 5.2 years of follow-up (unadjusted Cox-regression: hazard ratio 2.24, 95% confidence interval 1.28-3.92, P = 0.005). CONCLUSIONS: TMAO levels were elevated in patients with HF and associated with NYHA class, ischaemic aetiology and adverse outcomes. Future studies should focus on gut microbiota, dietary composition and intestinal dysfunction in relation to TMAO levels and clinical outcome in HF.

Everolimus initiation and early calcineurin inhibitor withdrawal in heart transplant recipients: a randomized trial.

In a randomized, open-label trial, everolimus was compared to cyclosporine in 115 de novo heart transplant recipients. Patients were assigned within 5 days posttransplant to low-exposure everolimus (3­6 ng/mL) with reduced-exposure cyclosporine (n = 56), or standard-exposure cyclosporine (n = 59), with both mycophenolate mofetil and corticosteroids. In the everolimus group, cyclosporine was withdrawn after 7­11 weeks and everolimus exposure increased (6­10 ng/mL). The primary efficacy end point, measured GFR at 12 months posttransplant, was significantly higher with everolimus versus cyclosporine (mean ± SD: 79.8 ± 17.7 mL/min/1.73 m2 vs. 61.5 ± 19.6 mL/min/1.73 m2; p < 0.001). Coronary intravascular ultrasound showed that the mean increase in maximal intimal thickness was smaller (0.03 mm [95% CI 0.01, 0.05 mm] vs. 0.08 mm [95% CI 0.05, 0.12 mm], p = 0.03), and the incidence of cardiac allograft vasculopathy (CAV) was lower (50.0% vs. 64.6%, p = 0.003), with everolimus versus cyclosporine at month 12. Biopsy-proven acute rejection after weeks 7­11 was more frequent with everolimus (p = 0.03). Left ventricular function was not inferior with everolimus versus cyclosporine. Cytomegalovirus infection was less common with everolimus (5.4% vs. 30.5%, p < 0.001); the incidence of bacterial infection was similar. In conclusion, everolimus-based immunosuppression with early elimination of cyclosporine markedly improved renal function after heart transplantation. Since postoperative safety was not jeopardized and development of CAV was attenuated, this strategy may benefit long-term outcome.

The cardiokine secreted Frizzled-related protein 3, a modulator of Wnt signalling, in clinical and experimental heart failure.

OBJECTIVES: Experimental studies have shown involvement of Wnt signalling in heart failure (HF). We hypothesized that secreted frizzled-related protein 3 (sFRP3), a modulator of Wnt signalling, is related to the progression of HF. DESIGN: Circulating sFRP3 was measured in 153 HF patients and compared with 25 healthy controls. The association of sFRP3 with mortality was evaluated in 1202 patients (GISSI-HF trial). sFRP3 mRNA expression was assessed in failing human and murine left ventricles (LV), and cellular localization was determined after fractioning of myocardial tissue. In vitro studies were carried out in cardiac fibroblasts subjected to cyclic mechanical stretch. RESULTS: (i) Heart failure patients had significantly raised serum sFRP3 levels compared with controls, (ii) during a median follow-up of 47 months, 315 patients died in the GISSI-HF substudy. In univariable Cox regression, tertiles of baseline sFRP3 concentration were significantly associated with all-cause and cardiovascular mortality. After adjustment for demographic and clinical variables, but not for CRP and NT-proBNP, the associations with mortality remained significant for the third tertile (all-cause, HR 1.45, P = 0.011; cardiovascular, HR 1.66, P = 0.003), (iii) sFRP3 mRNA expression was increased in failing human LV, with a decline following LV assist device therapy. LV from post-MI mice showed an increased sFRP3 mRNA level, particularly in cardiac fibroblasts, and (iv) mechanical stretch enhanced sFRP3 expression and release in myocardial fibroblasts. CONCLUSION: There is an association between increased sFRP3 expression and adverse outcome in HF, suggesting that the failing myocardium itself contributes to an increase in circulating sFRP3.

Plasma concentration of atorvastatin metabolites correlates with low-density lipoprotein cholesterol reduction in patients with coronary heart disease.

In this exploratory study from a randomized double-blinded crossover trial including 70 patients with coronary heart disease and self-perceived muscular side effects of statins, we aimed to determine the relationship between low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) reduction and atorvastatin metabolite plasma concentrations. All patients underwent a 7 weeks treatment period with atorvastatin 40 mg/day and a 7 weeks placebo period in random order. Nonlinear regression with a three-parameter equation explored the relationship between percentage LDL-C reduction (statin vs. placebo) and the pharmacokinetic variables. Mean LDL-C reduction was 49% (range 12% to 71%). The sum of 4-OH-atorvastatin acid and lactone correlated moderately with the LDL-C response (Spearman ρ 0.27, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.03 to 0.48). Accordingly, nonlinear regression showed R2 of 0.14 (95% CI: 0.03 to 0.37, R2 adjusted equaled 0.11). Even a perfect underlying correlation of 1.0 showed R2 = 0.32 by simulation, using historical intra-individual LDL-C variation (8.5%). The 90% inhibitory concentration was 2.1 nmol/L, and the 4-OH-metabolite sum exceeded this threshold in 34% of the patients. In conclusion, trough plasma concentrations of 4-OH-atorvastatin metabolites correlated moderately to the LDL-C reduction. A plateau LDL-C response was observed above a pharmacokinetic threshold, below which the response was highly variable. The usefulness of monitoring concentrations of atorvastatin metabolites to optimize the individual dosage have limitations, but its supportive potential may be pursued in relevant patient subsets to achieve adequate efficacy at the lowest possible dose. The results add knowledge to the overall understanding of the variable LDL-C response mediated by atorvastatin.

Virtual histology assessment of cardiac allograft vasculopathy following introduction of everolimus--results of a multicenter trial.

In this 12-month multicenter Scandinavian study, 78 maintenance heart transplant (HTx) recipients randomized to everolimus with reduced calcineurin inhibitor (CNI) exposure or continued standard CNI-therapy underwent matched virtual histology (VH) examination to evaluate morphological progression of cardiac allograft vasculopathy (CAV). Parallel measurement of a range of inflammatory markers was also performed. A similar rate of quantitative CAV progression was observed in the everolimus (n = 30) and standard CNI group (n = 48) (plaque index 1.9 ± 3.8% and 1.6 ± 3.9%, respectively; p = 0.65). However, VH analysis revealed a significant increase in calcified (2.4 ± 4.0 vs. 0.3 ± 3.1%; p = 0.02) and necrotic component (6.5 ± 8.5 vs. 1.1 ± 8.6%; p = 0.01) among everolimus patients compared to controls. The increase in necrotic and calcified components was most prominent in everolimus patients with time since HTx >5.1 years and was accompanied by a significant increase in levels of von Willebrand (vWF) factor (p = 0.04) and vascular cell adhesion molecule (VCAM) (p = 0.03). Conversion to everolimus and reduced CNI is associated with a significant increase in calcified and necrotic intimal components and is more prominent in patients with a longer time since HTx. A significant increase in vWF and VCAM accompanied these qualitative changes and the prognostic implication of these findings requires further investigation.

High-intensity interval training improves peak oxygen uptake and muscular exercise capacity in heart transplant recipients.

Heart transplant (HTx) recipients usually have reduced exercise capacity with reported VO(2peak) levels of 50-70% predicted value. Our hypothesis was that high-intensity interval training (HIIT) is an applicable and safe form of exercise in HTx recipients and that it would markedly improve VO(2peak.) Secondarily, we wanted to evaluate central and peripheral mechanisms behind a potential VO(2peak) increase. Forty-eight clinically stable HTx recipients >18 years old and 1-8 years after HTx underwent maximal exercise testing on a treadmill and were randomized to either exercise group (a 1-year HIIT-program) or control group (usual care). The mean ± SD age was 51 ± 16 years, 71% were male and time from HTx was 4.1 ± 2.2 years. The mean VO(2peak) difference between groups at follow-up was 3.6 [2.0, 5.2] mL/kg/min (p < 0.001). The exercise group had 89.0 ± 17.5% of predicted VO(2peak) versus 82.5 ± 20.0 in the control group (p < 0.001). There were no changes in cardiac function measured by echocardiography. We have demonstrated that a long-term, partly supervised and community-based HIIT-program is an applicable, effective and safe way to improve VO(2peak) , muscular exercise capacity and general health in HTx recipients. The results indicate that HIIT should be more frequently used among stable HTx recipients in the future.

The association between neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin and clinical outcome in chronic heart failure: results from CORONA*.

OBJECTIVE: To study the prognostic value of neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin (NGAL) in chronic heart failure (HF) of ischaemic aetiology. BACKGROUND: Neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin is a marker of kidney injury as well as matrix degradation and inflammation and has previously been shown to be increased in HF. We investigated whether serum NGAL levels could provide prognostic information in chronic HF. METHODS: We assessed NGAL as a predictor of primary outcomes (cardiovascular death, nonfatal stroke and nonfatal myocardial infarction, n = 307) and all-cause mortality (n = 321), cardiovascular mortality (n = 259) and hospitalization (n = 647) as well as the number of hospitalizations during follow-up for all (n = 1934) and CV causes (n = 1204) in 1415 patients with chronic HF (≥60 years, New York Heart Association class II-IV, ischaemic systolic HF) in the CORONA population, randomly assigned to 10 mg rosuvastatin or placebo. Results. Multivariate analysis revealed that NGAL added significant information when adjusting for clinical variables, but was no longer significant when further adjusting for apolipoprotein A-1 (ApoA-1), glomerular filtration rate (GFR), C-reactive protein (CRP) and N-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP). However, belonging to the highest NGAL tertile was associated with more frequent hospitalization, even after adjusting for clinical variables, GFR and ApoA-1, but not after adjusting for CRP and NT-proBNP. There was no interaction between rosuvastatin treatment and NGAL. Conclusion. Neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin added no significant information to NT-proBNP and GFR in a multivariate model for primary and secondary end-points.

Fatty acid composition in chronic heart failure: low circulating levels of eicosatetraenoic acid and high levels of vaccenic acid are associated with disease severity and mortality.

OBJECTIVES: Free fatty acids (FFAs) are the major energy sources of the heart, and fatty acids (FAs) are active components of biological membranes. Data indicate that levels of FAs and their composition may influence myocardial function and inflammation. The aim of this study was to investigate whether total levels and composition of FAs and FFAs in plasma are altered in clinical heart failure (HF) and whether any alterations in these parameters are correlated with the severity of HF. SUBJECTS: Plasma from 183 patients with stable HF was compared with plasma from 44 healthy control subjects. RESULTS: Our main findings are as follows: (i) patients with HF had decreased levels of several lipid parameters and increased levels of FFAs in plasma, compared with controls, which were significantly correlated with clinical disease severity. (ii) Patients with HF also had a decreased proportion in the plasma of several n-3 polyunsaturated FAs, an increased proportion of several monounsaturated FAs, and a decreased proportion of some readily oxidized long-chain saturated FAs. (iii) These changes in FA composition were significantly associated with functional class, impaired cardiac function (i.e., decreased cardiac index and increased plasma N-terminal pro-B-type natriuretic peptide levels) and enhanced systemic inflammation (i.e., increased high-sensitivity C-reactive protein levels). (iv) Low levels of C20:4n-3 (eicosatetraenoic acid) and in particular high levels of C18:1n-7 (vaccenic acid) were significantly associated with total mortality in this HF population. CONCLUSIONS: Our data demonstrate that patients with HF are characterized by a certain FA phenotype and may support a link between disturbed FA composition and the progression of HF.

Osteoprotegerin levels predict mortality in patients with symptomatic aortic stenosis.

OBJECTIVES: To examine the prognostic value of osteoprotegerin (OPG) levels in relation to all-cause mortality in patients with symptomatic severe aortic stenosis (AS). DESIGN: We measured plasma OPG levels in 136 patients with symptomatic severe AS and investigated associations with transvalvular gradients, valve area, valve calcification (using ultrasonic backscatter analysis as an estimate) and measures of heart failure. Then, we assessed the prognostic value of elevated plasma OPG in determining all-cause mortality (n = 29) in these patients. RESULTS: Elevated OPG was poorly correlated with the degree of AS but was associated with increased backscatter measurements and impaired cardiac function. Furthermore, OPG was associated with all-cause mortality in patients with symptomatic AS, even after adjustment for conventional risk markers. The strongest association was obtained by using a combination of high levels of both OPG and N-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP), suggesting that these markers may reflect distinct pathways in the development and progression of AS. CONCLUSION: The level of circulating OPG is significantly associated with all-cause mortality alone and in combination with NT-proBNP in patients with severe symptomatic AS.

Systemic markers of inflammation are associated with cardiac allograft vasculopathy and an increased intimal inflammatory component.

We evaluated an extensive profile of clinical variables and immune markers to assess the inflammatory milieu associated with cardiac allograft vasculopathy (CAV) assessed by intravascular ultrasound (IVUS) and virtual histology (VH). In total, 101 heart transplant (HTx) recipients were included and underwent IVUS/VH examination and measurement of plasma C-reactive protein (CRP), soluble tumor necrosis factor receptor-1, interleukin-6, osteoprotegerin, soluble gp130, von Willebrand factor, vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 (VCAM-1) and neopterin. Mean Maximal Intimal Thickness (MIT) was 0.61 +/- 0.19 mm and mean fibrotic, fibrofatty, dense calcified and necrotic core components were 55 +/- 15, 14 +/- 10, 15 +/- 13 and 17 +/- 9%, respectively. In multivariate analysis, CRP > 1.5 mg/L (OR 4.6, p < 0.01), VCAM-1 > 391 ng/mL (adjusted OR 3.2, p = 0.04) and neopterin > 7.7 nmol/L (OR 3.8, p = 0.02) were independently associated with MIT > 0.5 mm. Similarly, CRP > 1.5 mg/L (OR 3.7, p < 0.01) and VCAM-1 > 391 (OR 2.7, p = 0.04) were independently associated with an increased intimal inflammatory component (dense calcified/necrotic core component > 30%). Advanced CAV is associated with elevated CRP, VCAM-1 and neopterin and the two former biomarkers are also associated with an increased intimal inflammatory component. Forthcoming studies should clarify if routine measurements of these markers can accurately identify HTx recipients at risk of developing advanced CAV and vulnerable lesions.

Undercarboxylated matrix Gla protein is associated with indices of heart failure and mortality in symptomatic aortic stenosis.

OBJECTIVE: Matrix Gla protein (MGP) is a calcification inhibitor and alterations in circulating MGP have been observed in different populations characterized by vascular calcification. We hypothesized that patients with calcific valvular aortic stenosis (AS) would have dysregulated circulating MGP levels. DESIGN AND SUBJECTS: We examined plasma levels of nonphosphorylated carboxylated and undercarboxylated MGP (dp-cMGP and dp-ucMGP, respectively) in 147 patients with symptomatic severe AS and in matched healthy controls. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: We further investigated the relationship between MGP levels and aortic pressure gradients and valve area by echocardiography and measures of heart failure. Finally, we assessed the prognostic value of elevated plasma dp-ucMGP level in relation to all-cause mortality in patients with AS. RESULTS: We found markedly enhanced plasma levels of dp-cMGP and in particular of dp-ucMGP in patients with symptomatic AS. Although only weak correlations were found with the degree of AS, circulating dp-ucMGP was associated with cardiac function and long-term mortality in multivariate analysis. CONCLUSIONS: A dysregulated MGP system may have a role in the development of left ventricular dysfunction in patients with symptomatic AS.

Osteoprotegerin concentrations and prognosis in acute ischaemic stroke.

AIM: Concentrations of osteoprotegerin (OPG) have been associated with the presence of vascular and cardiovascular diseases, but the knowledge of this marker in the setting of ischaemic stroke is limited. METHODS AND RESULTS: In 244 patients with acute ischaemic stroke (age: 69 +/- 13 years), samples of OPG were obtained serially from presentation to day 5. Patients with overt ischaemic heart disease and atrial fibrillation were excluded. The patients were followed for 47 months, with all-cause mortality as the sole end-point. Multivariable predictors of OPG values at presentation included haemoglobin (T = -2.82; P = 0.005), creatinine (T = 4.56; P < 0.001), age (T = 9.66; P < 0.001), active smoking (T = 2.25; P = 0.025) and pulse rate (T = 3.23; P = 0.001). At follow-up 72 patients (29%) had died. Patients with OPG < or =2945 pg mL(-1) at baseline had a significantly improved survival rate on univariate analysis (P < 0.0001); other time-points did not add further prognostic information. In multivariate analysis, after adjustment for age, stroke severity, C-reactive protein levels, troponin T levels, heart and renal failure concentrations of OPG independently predicted long-term mortality after stroke (adjusted hazard ratio, 2.3; 95% CI: 1.1 to 4.9; P = 0.024). CONCLUSION: Osteoprotegerin concentrations measured at admission of acute ischaemic stroke are associated with long-term mortality.

Prevalence, risk factors, and type of sleep apnea in patients with paroxysmal atrial fibrillation.

BACKGROUND: Recent studies have suggested an association between sleep apnea (SA) and atrial fibrillation (AF). We aimed to study the prevalence, characteristics, risk factors and type of sleep apnea (SA) in ablation candidates with paroxysmal AF. METHODS/RESULTS: We prospectively studied 579 patients with paroxysmal AF, including 157 women (27.1%) and 422 men (72.9%). Mean age was 59.9 ± 9.6 years and mean body mass index (BMI) 28.5 ± 4.5 kg/m2. SA was diagnosed using polygraphy for two nights at home. The Epworth Sleepiness Scale (ESS), STOP-Bang Questionnaire, and Berlin Questionnaire (BQ) assessed the degree of SA symptoms. A total of 479 (82.7%) patients had an apnea-hypopnea index (AHI) ≥ 5, whereas moderate-severe SA (AHI ≥ 15) was diagnosed in 244 patients (42.1%). The type of SA was predominantly obstructive, with a median AHI of 12.1 (6.7-20.6) (range 0.4-85.8). The median central apnea index was 0.3 (0.1-0.7). AHI increased with age, BMI, waist and neck circumference, body and visceral fat. Using the Atrial Fibrillation Severity Scale and the SF-36, patients with more severe SA had a higher AF burden, severity and symptom score and a lower Physical-Component Summary score. Age, male gender, BMI, duration of AF, and habitual snoring were independent risk factors in multivariate analysis (AHI ≥ 15). We found no association between ESS and AHI (R2 = 0.003, p = 0.367). CONCLUSIONS: In our AF population, SA was highly prevalent and predominantly obstructive. The high prevalence of SA detected in this study may indicate that SA is under-recognized in patients with AF. None of the screening questionnaires predicted SA reliably.

Clopidogrel increases expression of chemokines in peripheral blood mononuclear cells in patients with coronary artery disease: results of a double-blind placebo-controlled study.

BACKGROUND: Chemokines and platelet activation are both important in atherogenesis. Platelet inhibitors are widely used in coronary artery disease (CAD), and we hypothesized that the platelet inhibitor clopidogrel could modify chemokines in CAD patients. OBJECTIVES: We sought to investigate the effect of clopidogrel on the expression of chemokines and chemokine receptors in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) in CAD patients. PATIENTS/METHODS: Thirty-seven patients with stable angina were randomized to clopidogrel (n = 18) or placebo (n = 19). PBMC, blood platelets and plasma were collected at baseline and after 7-10 days in the patients, and in 10 healthy controls. mRNA levels of chemokines and chemokine receptors in PBMC were analyzed by ribonuclease protection assays and real-time reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction. Platelet activation was studied by flow cytometry. RESULTS: (i) At baseline, the gene expression of the regulated on activation normally T-cell expressed and secreted (RANTES) chemokines and macrophage inflammatory peptide (MIP)-1beta in PBMC, the expression of CD62P and CD63 on platelets and the levels of platelet-derived microparticles (PMP) were elevated in angina patients comparing healthy controls; (ii) markers of platelet activation were either reduced (CD63) or unchanged (CD62P, PMP, beta-thromboglobulin) during clopidogrel therapy; (iii) in contrast, clopidogrel significantly up-regulated the gene expression of RANTES and MIP-1beta in PBMC, while no changes were found in the placebo group; (iv) a stable adenosine 5'-diphosphate metabolite attenuated the release of MIP-1beta, but not of RANTES, from activated PBMC in vitro. CONCLUSIONS: Even if we do not argue against a beneficial role for clopidogrel in CAD, our findings may suggest potential inflammatory effects of clopidogrel in CAD.