ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: It is unknown whether vegetarian diets (VDs) may improve outcomes in people with overweight and obesity. OBJECTIVE: To systematically assess the effects of VDs vs. omnivore diets on anthropometric, metabolic, and blood pressure outcomes in people with overweight and obesity. METHODS: We searched for randomized controlled trials (RCTs) in EMBASE, PubMed, Web of Science, and Scopus until February 2, 2022. Primary outcomes were anthropometric risk factors (weight, body mass index [BMI], waist circumference [WC], hip circumference [HC], and body fat percentage). Secondary outcomes were metabolic risk factors (fasting serum glucose, HbA1c, insulin levels) and blood pressure (systolic blood pressure [SBP], diastolic blood pressure [DBP]). Random-effects meta-analyses were performed and effects were expressed as mean difference (MD) and their 95% confidence intervals (CI). The quality of evidence was assessed using GRADE methods. RESULTS: Nine RCTs (n = 1628) were included. VDs decreased weight (MD -3.60 kg, 95%CI -4.75 to -2.46) and glucose (MD -10.64 mg/dL, 95%CI -15.77 to -5.51), but did not decrease WC (MD -3.00 cm, 95%CI -6.20 to 0.20), BMI (MD -0.87 kg/m2, 95%CI -1.80 to 0.06), or HC (MD: -0.86 cm, 95%CI -3.46 to 1.74). VDs did not decrease HbA1c (MD -0.40%, 95%CI -0.89 to 0.10), insulin (MD -3.83 mU/L, 95%CI -8.06 to 0.40), SBP (MD -0.25 mmHg, 95%CI -2.58 to 2.07), or DBP (MD -1.57 mmHg, 95%CI -3.93 to 0.78). Subgroup analyses by type of VD (four RCTs evaluated lacto-ovo-vegetarian diets and five RCTs vegan diets) showed similar results to the main analyses. QoE was very low for most of the outcomes. CONCLUSIONS: In comparison to an omnivorous diet, VDs may reduce weight and glucose, but not blood pressure or other metabolic or anthropometric outcomes. However, the QoE was mostly very low. Larger RCTs are still needed to evaluate the effects of VD on anthropometric, metabolic factors, and blood pressure in people with overweight and obesity.
Subject(s)
Insulins , Overweight , Humans , Glycated Hemoglobin , Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic , Obesity , Diet, Vegetarian , GlucoseABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Diabetes mellitus is a highly prevalent and growing chronic disease that is associated with increased risk of recurrence among several stroke subtypes. However, evidence on the prognostic role of diabetes in the setting of cryptogenic stroke (CS) remains scarce. METHODS: From April 2019 to November 2021, we recruited prospectively 78 consecutive patients with CS. Patients were classified according to the presence of diabetes. Main outcome was the composite of stroke recurrence and death. Secondary outcome was stroke recurrence. RESULTS: Mean age of the cohort was 78 ± 7.7 years and 18 patients (23%) had diabetes. After a median clinical follow-up of 23 months the incidence of stroke recurrence and mortality [HR 5.8 (95% CI 1.9-19), p = 0.002] and the incidence of stroke recurrence [HR 16.6 (95% CI 1.8-149), p = 0.012], were higher in patients with diabetes. After adjusting for potential confounders diabetes was identified as an independent predictor of stroke recurrence and death in patients with CS [HR 33.8 (95% CI 2.1-551), p = 0.013]. Other independent predictors of stroke recurrence and mortality were hypertension [HR 31.4 (95% CI 1.8-550), p = 0.018], NTproBNP [HR 1.002 (95% CI 1.001-1.004), p = 0.013] and chronic kidney disease (CKD) [HR 27.4 (95% CI 1.4-549) p = 0.03]. Furthermore, diabetes was an independent predictor of stroke recurrence [HR 103 (95% CI 1.3-8261), p = 0.038]. CONCLUSION: Diabetic patients with CS are at higher risk of stroke recurrence and death. Hypertension CKD and NTproBNP are also independent predictors of stroke recurrence and death after CS.
Subject(s)
Diabetes Mellitus , Hypertension , Ischemic Stroke , Renal Insufficiency, Chronic , Stroke , Humans , Aged , Aged, 80 and over , Risk Factors , Stroke/epidemiology , Stroke/etiology , Diabetes Mellitus/epidemiology , Ischemic Stroke/complications , Renal Insufficiency, Chronic/complications , Hypertension/complications , Hypertension/epidemiology , RecurrenceABSTRACT
Allergic diseases are allergen-induced immunological disorders characterized by the development of type 2 immunity and IgE responses. The prevalence of allergic diseases has been on the rise alike cardiovascular disease (CVD), which affects arteries of different organs such as the heart, the kidney and the brain. The underlying cause of CVD is often atherosclerosis, a disease distinguished by endothelial dysfunction, fibrofatty material accumulation in the intima of the artery wall, smooth muscle cell proliferation, and Th1 inflammation. The opposed T-cell identity of allergy and atherosclerosis implies an atheroprotective role for Th2 cells by counteracting Th1 responses. Yet, the clinical association between allergic disease and CVD argues against it. Within, we review different phases of allergic pathology, basic immunological mechanisms of atherosclerosis and the clinical association between allergic diseases (particularly asthma, atopic dermatitis, allergic rhinitis and food allergy) and CVD. Then, we discuss putative atherogenic mechanisms of type 2 immunity and allergic inflammation including acute allergic reactions (IgE, IgG1, mast cells, macrophages and allergic mediators such as vasoactive components, growth factors and those derived from the complement, contact and coagulation systems) and late phase inflammation (Th2 cells, eosinophils, type 2 innate-like lymphoid cells, alarmins, IL-4, IL-5, IL-9, IL-13 and IL-17).
Subject(s)
Atherosclerosis , Rhinitis, Allergic , Humans , Cytokines/metabolism , Th2 Cells , Rhinitis, Allergic/metabolism , Atherosclerosis/etiology , Atherosclerosis/metabolism , Immunoglobulin E , Inflammation/metabolismABSTRACT
In patients admitted for heart failure (HF) with reduced left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) and a concomitant supraventricular tachyarrhythmia (SVT) it is a challenge to predict LVEF recovery and differentiate tachycardia-induced cardiomyopathy (TIC) from dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM). The role of the electrocardiogram (ECG) and cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) and in this acute setting remains unsettled. Forty-three consecutive patients admitted for HF due to SVT and LVEF < 50% undergoing CMR in the acute phase, were retrospectively included. Those who had LVEF > 50% at follow up were classified as TIC and those with LVEF < 50% were classified as DCM. Clinical, CMR and ECG findings were analyzed to predict LVEF recovery. Twenty-five (58%) patients were classified as TIC. Patients with DCM had wider QRS (121.2 ± 26 vs 97.7 ± 17.35 ms; p = 0.003). On CRM the TIC group presented with higher LVEF (33.4 ± 11 vs 26.9 ± 6.4%; p = 0.019) whereas late gadolinium enhancement (LGE) was more frequent in DCM group (61 vs 16%; p = 0.004). On multivariate analysis, QRS duration ≥ 100 ms (p = 0.027), LVEF < 40% on CMR (p = 0.047) and presence of LGE (p = 0.03) were independent predictors of lack of LVEF recovery. Furthermore, during follow-up (median 60 months) DCM patients were admitted more frequently for HF (44 vs 0%; p < 0.001) than TIC patients. In patients with reduced LVEF admitted for HF due to SVT, QRS ≥ 100 ms, LVEF < 40% and LGE are independently associated with lack of LVEF recovery and worse clinical outcome.
Subject(s)
Cardiomyopathies , Cardiomyopathy, Dilated , Heart Failure , Arrhythmias, Cardiac , Cardiomyopathies/complications , Cardiomyopathies/diagnosis , Cardiomyopathy, Dilated/complications , Cardiomyopathy, Dilated/diagnosis , Cardiomyopathy, Dilated/pathology , Contrast Media , Electrocardiography , Gadolinium , Heart Failure/complications , Heart Failure/diagnosis , Humans , Magnetic Resonance Imaging, Cine , Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy , Retrospective Studies , Stroke Volume , Tachycardia , Ventricular Function, LeftABSTRACT
OBJETIVE: Cryptogenic stroke (CS) represents up to 30% of ischemic strokes (IS). Since atrial fibrillation (AF) can be detected in up to 30% of CS, there is a clinical need for estimating the probability of underlying AF in CS to guide the optimal secondary prevention strategy. The aim of the study was to develop the first comprehensive predictive score including clinical conditions, biomarkers, and left atrial strain (LAS), to predict AF detection in this setting. METHODS: Sixty-three consecutive patients with IS or transient ischemic attack with ABCD2 scale ≥ 4 of unknown etiology were prospectively recruited. Clinical, laboratory, and echocardiographic variables were collected. All patients underwent 15 days wearable Holter-ECG monitoring. Main objective was the Decryptoring score creation to predict AF in CS. Score variables were selected by a univariate analysis and, thereafter, score points were derived according to a multivariant analysis. RESULTS: AF was detected in 15 patients (24%). Age > 75 (9 points), hypertension (1 point), Troponin T > 40 ng/L (8.5 points), NTproBNP > 200 pg/ml (0.5 points), LAS reservoir < 25.3% (24.5 points) and LAS conduct < 10.4% (0.5 points) were included in the score. The rate of AF detection was 0% among patients with a score of < 10 and 80% among patients with a score > 35. The comparison of the predictive validity between the proposed score and AF-ESUS score resulted in an AUC of 0.94 for Decryptoring score and of 0.65 for the AF-ESUS score(p < 0.001). CONCLUSION: This novel score offers an accurate AF prediction in patients with CS; however these results will require validation in an independent cohort using this model before they may be translated into clinical practice.
Subject(s)
Atrial Fibrillation , Ischemic Stroke , Models, Statistical , Aged , Atrial Fibrillation/diagnosis , Humans , Ischemic Stroke/epidemiology , Reproducibility of ResultsABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Data are limited on the presence, distribution, and extent of subclinical atherosclerosis in middle-aged populations. METHODS AND RESULTS: The PESA (Progression of Early Subclinical Atherosclerosis) study prospectively enrolled 4184 asymptomatic participants 40 to 54 years of age (mean age, 45.8 years; 63% male) to evaluate the systemic extent of atherosclerosis in the carotid, abdominal aortic, and iliofemoral territories by 2-/3-dimensional ultrasound and coronary artery calcification by computed tomography. The extent of subclinical atherosclerosis, defined as presence of plaque or coronary artery calcification ≥1, was classified as focal (1 site affected), intermediate (2-3 sites), or generalized (4-6 sites) after exploration of each vascular site (right/left carotids, aorta, right/left iliofemorals, and coronary arteries). Subclinical atherosclerosis was present in 63% of participants (71% of men, 48% of women). Intermediate and generalized atherosclerosis was identified in 41%. Plaques were most common in the iliofemorals (44%), followed by the carotids (31%) and aorta (25%), whereas coronary artery calcification was present in 18%. Among participants with low Framingham Heart Study (FHS) 10-year risk, subclinical disease was detected in 58%, with intermediate or generalized disease in 36%. When longer-term risk was assessed (30-year FHS), 83% of participants at high risk had atherosclerosis, with 66% classified as intermediate or generalized. CONCLUSIONS: Subclinical atherosclerosis was highly prevalent in this middle-aged cohort, with nearly half of the participants classified as having intermediate or generalized disease. Most participants at high FHS risk had subclinical disease; however, extensive atherosclerosis was also present in a substantial number of low-risk individuals, suggesting added value of imaging for diagnosis and prevention. CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRATION: URL: http://www.clinicaltrials.gov. Unique identifier: NCT01410318.
Subject(s)
Aortic Diseases/epidemiology , Atherosclerosis/epidemiology , Adult , Age Factors , Ankle Brachial Index , Aorta, Abdominal/diagnostic imaging , Aorta, Abdominal/pathology , Aortic Diseases/diagnostic imaging , Aortic Diseases/pathology , Aortography , Asymptomatic Diseases , Atherosclerosis/diagnostic imaging , Atherosclerosis/pathology , Calcinosis/diagnostic imaging , Calcinosis/epidemiology , Calcinosis/pathology , Carotid Artery Diseases/diagnostic imaging , Carotid Artery Diseases/epidemiology , Carotid Artery Diseases/pathology , Comorbidity , Coronary Angiography , Coronary Artery Disease/diagnostic imaging , Coronary Artery Disease/epidemiology , Coronary Artery Disease/pathology , Disease Progression , Female , Femoral Artery/diagnostic imaging , Femoral Artery/pathology , Follow-Up Studies , Humans , Iliac Artery/diagnostic imaging , Iliac Artery/pathology , Male , Middle Aged , Multidetector Computed Tomography , Plaque, Atherosclerotic/diagnostic imaging , Plaque, Atherosclerotic/epidemiology , Prevalence , Prospective Studies , Risk Factors , Spain/epidemiology , UltrasonographyABSTRACT
Left atrial strain (LAS) has been widely studied as a predictor of atrial fibrillation (AF) after cryptogenic stroke (CS). However, the evidence about its prognostic role in terms of stroke recurrence and death in this setting remains scarce. A total of 92 consecutive patients with ischemic stroke or transient ischemic attack with ABCD2 scale ≥4 of unknown etiology were prospectively recruited. Echocardiography, including LAS was performed during admission. The primary outcome measure was the composite of stroke recurrence or death. The mean age was 77.5 ± 7.7, and 58% of patients were female. After a median follow up of 28 months, the primary outcome measure occurred in 15 patients (16%). The primary outcome was more frequent in patients with diabetes (53% vs 21%, p = 0.02), chronic kidney disease (33% vs 10%, p = 0.034), and a history of heart failure (13% vs 0%, p = 0.025). LAS reservoir (LASr) and LAS conduit (LAScd) were lower in patients developing the primary outcome (21% ± 7% vs 28.8% ± 11%, p = 0.017 and 7.7% ± 3.9% vs 13.7% ± 7%, p = 0.007, respectively). On multivariate analysis, LASr (hazard ratio 0.9, 95% confidence interval 0.85 to 0.99, p = 0.048) and diabetes (hazard ratio 3.3, 95% confidence interval 1.03 to 10.4, p = 0.045) were associated with stroke recurrence or all-cause death after CS. On the log-rank test (using the discriminatory cut-off value of LASr <23%), LASr (p = 0.009) was associated with higher risk of the primary outcome. In conclusion, lower values of the LAS reservoir were associated with a higher risk of stroke recurrence or death after CS. LAS may identify patients at higher risk of thromboembolism and stress conditions.
Subject(s)
Atrial Fibrillation , Diabetes Mellitus , Ischemic Attack, Transient , Ischemic Stroke , Stroke , Humans , Female , Aged , Aged, 80 and over , Male , Stroke/etiology , Stroke/complications , Heart Atria/diagnostic imaging , Atrial Fibrillation/complications , Ischemic Stroke/complications , RecurrenceABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: The presence of subclinical atherosclerosis is a likely predictor of cardiovascular events; however, factors associated with the early stages and progression of atherosclerosis are poorly defined. OBJECTIVE: The PESA study examines the presence of subclinical atherosclerosis by means of noninvasive imaging and prospectively analyzes the determinants associated with its development and progression in a middle-aged population. METHODS: The PESA study is an observational, longitudinal and prospective cohort study in a target population of 4000 healthy subjects (40-54 years old, 35% women) based in Madrid (Spain). Recruitment began in June 2010 and will be completed by the end of 2013. Baseline examination consists of (1) assessment for cardiovascular risk factors (including lifestyle and psychosocial factors); (2) screening for subclinical atherosclerosis using 2D/3D ultrasound in carotid, abdominal aorta and iliofemoral arteries, and coronary artery calcium score (CACS) by computed tomography; and (3) blood sampling for determination of traditional risk factors, advanced "omics" and biobanking. In addition, a subgroup of 1300 participants with evidence of atherosclerosis on 2D/3D ultrasound or CACS will undergo a combined (18)F-fluorodeoxyglucose-positron emission tomography/magnetic resonance imaging ((18)FDG PET/MRI) study of carotid and iliofemoral arteries. Follow-up at 3 and 6 years will include a repetition of baseline measurements, except for the (18)FDG PET/MRI study, which will be repeated at 6 years. CONCLUSIONS: The PESA study is expected to identify new imaging and biological factors associated with the presence and progression of atherosclerosis in asymptomatic people and will help to establish a more personalized management of medical care.
Subject(s)
Asymptomatic Diseases , Atherosclerosis/diagnosis , Adult , Aorta, Abdominal/diagnostic imaging , Arteries/diagnostic imaging , Carotid Arteries/diagnostic imaging , Cohort Studies , Disease Progression , Female , Fluorodeoxyglucose F18 , Humans , Longitudinal Studies , Magnetic Resonance Imaging , Male , Middle Aged , Positron-Emission Tomography , Prospective Studies , Radiopharmaceuticals , Risk Assessment , Spain , Tomography, X-Ray Computed , Ultrasonography , Vascular Calcification/diagnostic imagingABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Atherosclerosis is a systemic disease that frequently begins early in life. However, knowledge about the temporal disease dynamics (ie, progression or regression) of human subclinical atherosclerosis and their determinants is scarce. OBJECTIVES: This study sought to investigate early subclinical atherosclerosis disease dynamics within a cohort of middle-aged, asymptomatic individuals by using multiterritorial 3-dimensional vascular ultrasound (3DVUS) imaging. METHODS: A total of 3,471 participants from the PESA (Progression of Early Subclinical Atherosclerosis) cohort study (baseline age 40-55 years; 36% female) underwent 3 serial 3DVUS imaging assessments of peripheral arteries at 3-year intervals. Subclinical atherosclerosis was quantified as global plaque volume (mm3) (bilateral carotid and femoral plaque burden). Multivariable logistic regression models for progression and regression were developed using stepwise forward variable selection. RESULTS: Baseline to 6-year subclinical atherosclerosis progression occurred in 32.7% of the cohort (17.5% presenting with incident disease and 15.2% progressing from prevalent disease at enrollment). Regression was observed in 8.0% of those patients with baseline disease. The effects of higher low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) and elevated systolic blood pressure (SBP) on 6-year subclinical atherosclerosis progression risk were more pronounced among participants in the youngest age stratum (Pinteraction = 0.04 and 0.02, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: Over 6 years, subclinical atherosclerosis progressed in one-third of middle-age asymptomatic subjects. Atherosclerosis regression is possible in early stages of the disease. The impact of LDL-C and SBP on subclinical atherosclerosis progression was more pronounced in younger participants, a finding suggesting that the prevention of atherosclerosis and its progression could be enhanced by tighter risk factor control at younger ages, with a likely long-term impact on reducing the risk of clinical events. (Progression of Early Subclinical Atherosclerosis [PESA; also PESA-CNIC-Santander]; NCT01410318).
Subject(s)
Atherosclerosis , Plaque, Atherosclerotic , Middle Aged , Humans , Female , Adult , Male , Cohort Studies , Cholesterol, LDL , Disease Progression , Atherosclerosis/diagnostic imaging , Atherosclerosis/epidemiology , Carotid Arteries , Risk FactorsABSTRACT
Objective: We systematically assessed the efficacy of liraglutide in non-diabetic obese adults. Methods: Six databases were searched up to July 2021 for randomized controlled trials (RCTs) assessing liraglutide versus placebo in obese adults. Primary outcomes were body weight and body mass index (BMI). Secondary outcomes were treatment-emergent adverse events (TEAEs), hypoglycemic episodes, HbA1c, and blood pressure. Effect measures were risk ratio (RR) or mean difference (MD) with their confidence interval (95%CI). Random-effects models and inverse variance meta-analyses were used. Quality of evidence was assessed using GRADE. Results: Twelve RCTs (n = 8249) were included. In comparison to placebo, liraglutide reduced body weight (MD −3.35 kg; 95%CI −4.65 to −2.05; p < 0.0001), and BMI (MD −1.45 kg/m2; 95%CI −1.98 to −0.91; p < 0.0001). Liraglutide did not reduce TEAEs (RR 1.08; 95%CI 0.92 to 1.27; p = 0.25), and Hb1Ac (MD −0.76%; 95%CI −2.24 to 0.72; p = 0.31). Furthermore, it did not increase hypoglycemic episodes (RR 2.01; 95%CI 0.37 to 11.02; p = 0.28). Finally, liraglutide reduced systolic blood pressure (MD −3.07 mmHg; 95%CI −3.66 to −2.48; p < 0.0001) and diastolic blood pressure (MD −1.01 mmHg; 95%CI −1.55 to −0.47; p = 0.0003). Seven RCTs had a high risk of bias. Subgroup analyses by length of treatment and doses had effects similar to the overall analyses. Quality of evidence was low or very low for most outcomes. Conclusions: In non-diabetic obese adults, liraglutide reduced body weight, BMI and blood pressure in comparison to placebo. Adverse events, Hb1Ac levels and hypoglycemic episodes were not different than placebo.
ABSTRACT
Cryptogenic stroke (CS) represents 1/3 of ischemic strokes. Atrial fibrillation (AF) can be detected in up to 30% of CS. Therefore, there is a clinical need for predicting AF to guide the optimal secondary prevention strategy. The evidence about the role of advanced echocardiography, including left atrial 3-dimensional (3D) index volume and left atrial strain (LAS) techniques, to predict underlying AF in this setting is lacking. From April 2019 to November 2021, 78 consecutive patients with ischemic stroke or transient ischemic attack with ABCD2 scale ≥4 of unknown etiology were prospectively recruited. Echocardiography was performed during admission. All patients underwent 15 days of wearable Holter monitoring. The primary outcome measure was AF detection during follow-up. Twenty-two patients (28%) developed AF. Patients in the AF group were older (81 ± 6.3 vs 76.5 ± 7.8 years; p = 0.012). Left atrial (LA) diastolic indexed volume was higher in the AF group (37.2 ± 12.8 vs 29.7 ± 11 ml/m2 p = 0.01). Three-D LA indexed volume was also higher in patients with AF (41.4 ± 14 vs 32.2 ± 10 ml/m2 p = 0.009). LAS reservoir, LAS conduct, and LAS contraction (LASct) were significantly lower in patients with AF (19 ± 5.6 vs 32% ± 10.3%; 9 ± 4.5 vs 15 ± 7.6; 10 ± 5.3 vs 17 ± 6.4, respectively, all p <0.001). On multivariate analysis, LASct <13.5% and LA 3D indexed volume >44.5 ml/m2 were independent predictors of AF (odds ratio 10.9 [95% confidence interval 1.09 to 108.2], p = 0.042). In conclusion, LASct <13.5% and LA 3D indexed volume >44.5 ml/m2 are independent predictors of underlying AF in patients with CS. Our results show the usefulness of advanced echocardiography in this challenging clinical setting.
Subject(s)
Atrial Fibrillation , Ischemic Stroke , Stroke , Humans , Atrial Fibrillation/complications , Atrial Fibrillation/diagnosis , Atrial Function, Left , Predictive Value of Tests , Heart Atria/diagnostic imaging , Echocardiography/methods , Stroke/complicationsABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Carotid and femoral plaque burden is a recognized biomarker of cardiovascular disease risk. A new electronic-sweep 3-dimensional (3D)-matrix transducer method can improve the functionality and image quality of vascular ultrasound atherosclerosis imaging. OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to validate this method for plaque volume measurement in early and intermediate-advanced plaques in the carotid and femoral territories. METHODS: Plaque volumes were measured ex vivo in pig carotid and femoral artery specimens by 3-dimensional vascular ultrasound (3DVUS) using a 3D-matrix (electronic-sweep) transducer and its associated 3D plaque quantification software, and were compared with gold-standard histology. To test the clinical feasibility and accuracy of the 3D-matrix transducer, an experiment was conducted in intermediate-high risk individuals with carotid and femoral atherosclerosis. The results were compared with those obtained using the previously validated mechanical-sweep 3D transducer and established 2-dimensional (2D)-based plaque quantification software. RESULTS: In the ex vivo study, the authors assessed 19 atherosclerotic plaques (plaque volume, 0.76 µL-56.30 µL), finding strong agreement between measurements with the 3D-matrix transducer and the histological gold-standard (intraclass correlation coefficient [ICC]: 0.992; [95% CI: 0.978-0.997]). In the clinical analysis of 20 patients (mean age 74.6 ± 4.45 years; 40% men), the authors found 64 (36 carotid and 28 femoral) of 80 scanned territories with atherosclerosis (measured atherosclerotic volume, 10 µL-859 µL). There was strong agreement between measurements made from electronic-sweep and mechanical-sweep 3DVUS transducers (ICC: 0.997 [95% CI: 0.995-0.998]). Agreement was also high between plaque volumes estimated by the 2D and 3D plaque quantification software applications (ICC: 0.999 [95% CI: 0.998-0.999]). Analysis time was significantly shorter with the 3D plaque quantification software than with the 2D multislice approach with a mean time reduction of 46%. CONCLUSIONS: 3DVUS using new matrix transducer technology, together with improved 3D plaque quantification software, simplifies the accurate volume measurement of early (small) and intermediate-advanced plaques located in carotid and femoral arteries.
Subject(s)
Atherosclerosis , Carotid Artery Diseases , Plaque, Atherosclerotic , Animals , Atherosclerosis/diagnostic imaging , Carotid Arteries/diagnostic imaging , Carotid Artery Diseases/diagnostic imaging , Humans , Imaging, Three-Dimensional/methods , Predictive Value of Tests , Reproducibility of Results , Swine , Ultrasonography/methodsABSTRACT
Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HC) is the most common cardiovascular inherited disease, and it is associated with arrhythmic events, heart failure, and death. Strain analysis by tissue tracking (TT) techniques on cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) is a novel noninvasive diagnostic tool. However, the usefulness of CMR-TT to identify patients with HC at risk of adverse outcomes remains unknown. CMR strain parameters by CMR-TT were prospectively measured in a cohort of 136 consecutive patients with HC. Clinical (death or readmission for heart failure) and arrhythmic (any ventricular tachycardia) events during follow-up were prospectively recorded. Global radial systolic strain rate and global radial diastolic strain rate showed the best area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (ROC curve) to predict adverse clinical events. On Cox multivariate regression models, a global radial systolic strain rate value <1.4/s and a global radial diastolic strain rate value ≥ -1.38/s were independently associated with clinical events at follow-up (adjusted hazard ratio 6.57, 95% confidence interval [CI] 2.01 to 21.49, p = 0.002; adjusted hazard ratio 5.96, 95% CI 1.79 to 19.89, p = 0.004, respectively). Regarding arrhythmic events, global radial peak strain <27% showed the best area under the ROC curve and remained independently associated with ventricular tachycardia after adjustment for confounders (odds ratio 7.33, 95% CI 1.07 to 50.41, p = 0.043). CMR strain parameters by TT predict clinical and arrhythmic events in patients with HC.
Subject(s)
Cardiomyopathy, Hypertrophic , Heart Failure , Tachycardia, Ventricular , Arrhythmias, Cardiac , Cardiomyopathy, Hypertrophic/diagnosis , Cardiomyopathy, Hypertrophic/diagnostic imaging , Humans , Magnetic Resonance Imaging, Cine/methods , Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy , Predictive Value of Tests , Tachycardia, Ventricular/epidemiology , Ventricular Function, LeftABSTRACT
Air pollutants increase the risk and mortality of myocardial infarction (MI). The aim of this study was to assess the inflammatory changes in circulating immune cells and microRNAs in MIs related to short-term exposure to air pollutants. We studied 192 patients with acute coronary syndromes and 57 controls with stable angina. For each patient, air pollution exposure in the 24-h before admission, was collected. All patients underwent systematic circulating inflammatory cell analyses. According to PM2.5 exposure, 31 patients were selected for microRNA analyses. STEMI patients exposed to PM2.5 showed a reduction of CD4+ regulatory T cells. Furthermore, in STEMI patients the exposure to PM2.5 was associated with an increase of miR-146a-5p and miR-423-3p. In STEMI and NSTEMI patients PM2.5 exposure was associated with an increase of miR-let-7f-5p. STEMI related to PM2.5 short-term exposure is associated with changes involving regulatory T cells, miR-146a-5p and miR-423-3p.
Subject(s)
Air Pollutants , Air Pollution , MicroRNAs , Myocardial Infarction , Air Pollutants/toxicity , Biomarkers , Humans , MicroRNAs/genetics , Myocardial Infarction/geneticsABSTRACT
AIMS: To evaluate echocardiographic and biomarker changes during chemotherapy, assess their ability to early detect and predict cardiotoxicity and to define the best time for their evaluation. METHODS AND RESULTS: Seventy-two women with breast cancer (52 ± 9.8 years) treated with anthracyclines (26 also with trastuzumab), were evaluated for 14 months (6 echocardiograms/12 laboratory tests). We analysed: high-sensitivity cardiac troponin T, NT-proBNP, global longitudinal strain (GLS), left ventricle end-systolic volume (LVESV), left ventricle end-diastolic volume (LVEDV), and left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF). Cardiotoxicity was defined as a reduction in LVEF>10% compared with baseline with LVEF<53%. High-sensitivity troponin T levels rose gradually reaching a maximum peak at 96 ± 13 days after starting chemotherapy (P < 0.001) and 62.5% of patients presented increased values during treatment. NT-proBNP augmented after each anthracycline cycle (mean pre-cycle levels of 72 ± 68 pg/mL and post-cycle levels of 260 ± 187 pg/mL; P < 0.0001). Cardiotoxicity was detected in 9.7% of patients (mean onset at 5.2 months). In the group with cardiotoxicity, the LVESV was higher compared with those without cardiotoxicity (40 mL vs. 29.5 mL; P = 0.045) at 1 month post-anthracycline treatment and the decline in GLS was more pronounced (-17.6% vs. -21.4%; P = 0.03). Trastuzumab did not alter serum biomarkers, but it was associated with an increase in LVESV and LVEDV (P < 0.05). While baseline LVEF was an independent predictor of later cardiotoxicity (P = 0.039), LVESV and GLS resulted to be early detectors of cardiotoxicity [odds ratio = 1.12 (1.02-1.24), odds ratio = 0.66 (0.44-0.92), P < 0.05] at 1 month post-anthracycline treatment. Neither high-sensitivity troponin T nor NT-proBNP was capable of predicting subsequent cardiotoxicity. CONCLUSIONS: One month after completion of anthracycline treatment is the optimal time to detect cardiotoxicity by means of imaging parameters (LVESV and GSL) and to determine maximal troponin rise. Baseline LVEF was a predictor of later cardiotoxicity. Trastuzumab therapy does not affect troponin values hence imaging techniques are recommended to detect trastuzumab-induced cardiotoxicity.
Subject(s)
Anthracyclines , Ventricular Function, Left , Anthracyclines/adverse effects , Biomarkers , Early Detection of Cancer , Echocardiography/methods , Female , Humans , Stroke Volume , Trastuzumab/adverse effectsABSTRACT
Colchicine demonstrated clinical benefits in the treatment of stable coronary artery disease. Our aim was to evaluate the effects of colchicine on atherosclerotic plaque stabilization. Atherosclerosis was induced in the abdominal aorta of 20 rabbits with high-cholesterol diet and balloon endothelial denudation. Rabbits were randomized to receive either colchicine or placebo. All animals underwent MRI, 18F-FDG PET/CT, optical coherence tomography (OCT), and histology. Similar progression of atherosclerotic burden was observed in the two groups as relative increase of normalized wall index (NWI). Maximum 18F-FDG standardized uptake value (meanSUVmax) decreased after colchicine treatment, while it increased in the placebo group with a trend toward significance. Animals with higher levels of cholesterol showed significant differences in favor to colchicine group, both as NWI at the end of the protocol and as relative increase in meanSUVmax. Colchicine may stabilize atherosclerotic plaque by reducing inflammatory activity and plaque burden, without altering macrophage infiltration or plaque typology.
Subject(s)
Aorta, Abdominal/diagnostic imaging , Aortic Diseases/drug therapy , Colchicine/therapeutic use , Multimodal Imaging/methods , Plaque, Atherosclerotic/drug therapy , Animals , Aorta, Abdominal/drug effects , Aortic Diseases/diagnosis , Disease Models, Animal , Gout Suppressants/therapeutic use , Magnetic Resonance Imaging, Cine/methods , Male , Plaque, Atherosclerotic/diagnosis , Positron-Emission Tomography/methods , Rabbits , Tomography, X-Ray Computed/methodsABSTRACT
Our aim was to analyze its diagnostic and prognostic value in patients with high coronary calcium score (CCS). A total of 113 patients with CCS > 400 were included. Significant coronary artery disease (CAD) was defined as stenosis ≥ 50%. Invasive coronary angiography and major cardiovascular events were recorded. The CCS and heart rate during the acquisition were significantly lower in the diagnostic coronary computed tomography angiography (CCTA) group. The cut-off value of CCS to establish the diagnostic utility of CCTA was 878. The rate of cardiovascular events was 9.3%. The positive predictive value of CCTA to detect significant CAD was 73.5% and the negative predictive value for predicting cardiovascular events was 96%. In patients with high CCS, CCTA is useful to evaluate CAD, especially when the CCS is lower or equal to 878; moreover, the prognostic value of CCTA is better in patients where significant CAD has been ruled out.
Subject(s)
Calcinosis/diagnosis , Computed Tomography Angiography/methods , Coronary Angiography/methods , Coronary Artery Disease/diagnosis , Coronary Vessels/diagnostic imaging , Registries , Aged , Female , Follow-Up Studies , Humans , Male , Prognosis , Retrospective Studies , Risk FactorsABSTRACT
Our aim was to analyse the associations between carotid plaque burden (CPB), cardiovascular risk factors (CVRF), and surrogate markers of CV risk in subjects with metabolic syndrome (MetS). We consecutively included 75 asymptomatic outpatients with MetS components, <60 years old and non-smokers. We determined the presence of CVRF, left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH), carotid intima-media thickness (cIMT), albumin-creatinine ratio (ACR), coronary artery calcium score (CACS) and CPB by 3-dimensional vascular ultrasound (3DVUS) for comparison. A total of 50 (67%) subjects had MetS defined by harmonized criteria. A CPB >0 mm3 and a CACS >0 AU were the risk biomarkers most frequently observed (72% and 77%, respectively), followed by LVH (40%). CPB and CACS revealed association with cardiovascular risk (r = 0.308; p = 0.032 and r = 0.601 p < 0.01, respectively), and CPB also showed association with the burden of CVRF (r = 0.349; p = 0.014). CPB by 3DVUS was a prevalent CV risk marker, directly associated with CVRF and cardiovascular risk in MetS subjects.
Subject(s)
Carotid Artery Diseases/diagnostic imaging , Endosonography/methods , Heart Disease Risk Factors , Imaging, Three-Dimensional , Metabolic Syndrome , Plaque, Atherosclerotic/diagnostic imaging , Asymptomatic Diseases , Biomarkers/blood , Carotid Intima-Media Thickness , Female , Humans , Male , Middle Aged , Prospective Studies , Risk FactorsABSTRACT
INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVES: Hybrid positron emission tomography (PET) and magnetic resonance (MR) imaging is an emerging technology in the diagnosis of cardiovascular disease; however, there have been no reports of its use in the national clinical setting. Our objective was to evaluate the additional value of integrated PET/MR systems compared with MR and PET performed separately in this setting. METHODS: We prospectively included 49 patients, 30 to assess myocardial viability (coronary group) and 19 to assess inflammatory, infectious, and tumoral diseases (noncoronary heart disease group). All patients underwent cardiac 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose PET/MR. PET/MR studies included attenuation correction sequences, followed by simultaneous cardiac PET and cardiac MR acquisition, with protocols adapted to the clinical indication (cine, tissue characterization and/or late enhancement imaging). RESULTS: Most (87.8%) PET/MR studies were initially interpretable. Use of PET/MR improved diagnosis vs PET or MR performed separately in 42.1% of coronary cases and 88.9% of noncoronary cases. PET/MR enabled reclassification of 87.5% of coronary cases initially classified as showing inconclusive results on MR or PET and 70% of noncoronary cases. CONCLUSIONS: In our series, multimodality PET/MR technology provided additional diagnostic value in some patients with cardiovascular disease compared with MR and PET performed separately, especially in cases of noncoronary heart disease and in those with inconclusive results on MR or PET. In our experience, the main benefits of PET/MR include the possibility of simultaneous acquisition, the in vivo integration of anatomical/functional/metabolic aspects, and the interaction of different experts in imaging modalities.
Subject(s)
Cardiovascular Diseases , Cardiovascular Diseases/diagnostic imaging , Fluorodeoxyglucose F18 , Humans , Magnetic Resonance Imaging , Multimodal Imaging , Positron-Emission Tomography , RadiopharmaceuticalsABSTRACT
CONTEXT: The underlying relationship between body mass index (BMI), cardiometabolic disorders, and subclinical atherosclerosis is poorly understood. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the association between body size phenotypes and subclinical atherosclerosis. DESIGN: Cross-sectional. SETTING: Cardiovascular disease-free cohort. PARTICIPANTS: Middle-aged asymptomatic subjects (nâ =â 3909). A total of 6 cardiometabolic body size phenotypes were defined based on the presence of at least 1 cardiometabolic abnormality (blood pressure, fasting blood glucose, triglycerides, low high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, homeostasis model assessment-insulin resistance index, high-sensitivity C-reactive protein) and based on BMI: normal-weight (NW; BMIâ <25), overweight (OW; BMIâ =â 25.0-29.9) or obese (OB; BMIâ >30.0). MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Subclinical atherosclerosis was evaluated by 2D vascular ultrasonography and noncontrast cardiac computed tomography. RESULTS: For metabolically healthy subjects, the presence of subclinical atherosclerosis increased across BMI categories (49.6%, 58.0%, and 67.7% for NW, OW, and OB, respectively), whereas fewer differences were observed for metabolically unhealthy subjects (61.1%, 69.7%, and 70.5%, respectively). When BMI and cardiometabolic abnormalities were assessed separately, the association of body size phenotypes with the extent of subclinical atherosclerosis was mostly driven by the coexistence of cardiometabolic risk factors: adjusted ORâ =â 1.04 (95% confidence interval [CI], 0.90-1.19) for OW and ORâ =â 1.07 (95% CI, 0.88-1.30) for OB in comparison with NW, whereas there was an increasing association between the extent of subclinical atherosclerosis and the number of cardiometabolic abnormalities: adjusted ORâ =â 1.21 (95% CI, 1.05-1.40), 1.60 (95% CI, 1.33-1.93), 1.92 (95% CI, 1.48-2.50), and 2.27 (95% CI, 1.67-3.09) for 1, 2, 3, and >3, respectively, in comparison with noncardiometabolic abnormalities. CONCLUSIONS: The prevalence of subclinical atherosclerosis varies across body size phenotypes. Pharmacologic and lifestyle interventions might modify their cardiovascular risk by facilitating the transition from one phenotype to another.