Determinants of high-density lipoprotein (HDL) functions beyond proteome in Asian Indians: exploring the fatty acid profile of HDL phospholipids.

Impaired high-density lipoprotein (HDL) functions are associated with development of coronary artery disease. In this study, we explored the quantitative differences in HDL (i.e. HDL proteome and fatty acid profile of HDL phospholipids) underlying the functional deficits associated with acute coronary syndrome (ACS). The relationship between HDL function and composition was assessed in 65 consecutive ACS patients and 40 healthy controls. Cholesterol efflux capacity (CEC) of HDL and lecithin cholesterol acyl transferase (LCAT) activity were significantly lower in patients with ACS compared to controls. In HDL proteome analysis, HDL isolated from ACS individuals was enriched in apolipoprotein C2 (inhibitor of LCAT), apolipoprotein C4 and serum amyloid A proteins and was deficient in apolipoprotein A-I and A-II. The fatty acid profile of HDL phospholipids analyzed using gas chromatography showed significantly lower percentages of stearic acid (17.4 ± 2.4 vs 15.8 ± 2.8, p = 0.004) and omega-3 fatty acids [eicosapentaenoic acid (1.0 (0.6-1.4) vs 0.7 (0.4-1.0), p = 0.009) and docosahexaenoic acid (1.5 ± 0.7 vs 1.3 ± 0.5, p = 0.03)] in ACS patients compared to controls. Lower percentages of these fatty acids in HDL were associated with higher odds of developing ACS. Our results suggest that distinct phospholipid fatty acid profiles found in HDL from ACS patients could be one of the contributing factors to the deranged HDL functions in these patients apart from the protein content and the inflammatory conditions.

Non-specific pain and 30-day readmission in acute coronary syndromes: findings from the TRACE-CORE prospective cohort.

BACKGROUND: Patients with acute coronary syndromes often experience non-specific (generic) pain after hospital discharge. However, evidence about the association between post-discharge non-specific pain and rehospitalization remains limited. METHODS: We analyzed data from the Transitions, Risks, and Actions in Coronary Events Center for Outcomes Research and Education (TRACE-CORE) prospective cohort. TRACE-CORE followed patients with acute coronary syndromes for 24 months post-discharge from the index hospitalization, collected patient-reported generic pain (using SF-36) and chest pain (using the Seattle Angina Questionnaire) and rehospitalization events. We assessed the association between generic pain and 30-day rehospitalization using multivariable logistic regression (N = 787). We also examined the associations among patient-reported pain, pain documentation identified by natural language processing (NLP) from electronic health record (EHR) notes, and the outcome. RESULTS: Patients were 62 years old (SD = 11.4), with 5.1% Black or Hispanic individuals and 29.9% women. Within 30 days post-discharge, 87 (11.1%) patients were re-hospitalized. Patient-reported mild-to-moderate pain, without EHR documentation, was associated with 30-day rehospitalization (odds ratio [OR]: 2.03, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.14-3.62, reference: no pain) after adjusting for baseline characteristics; while patient-reported mild-to-moderate pain with EHR documentation (presumably addressed) was not (OR: 1.23, 95% CI: 0.52-2.90). Severe pain was also associated with 30-day rehospitalization (OR: 3.16, 95% CI: 1.32-7.54), even after further adjusting for chest pain (OR: 2.59, 95% CI: 1.06-6.35). CONCLUSIONS: Patient-reported post-discharge generic pain was positively associated with 30-day rehospitalization. Future studies should further disentangle the impact of cardiac and non-cardiac pain on rehospitalization and develop strategies to support the timely management of post-discharge pain by healthcare providers.

Association between cytochrome P450 2C19 polymorphism and clinical outcomes in clopidogrel-treated Uygur population with acute coronary syndrome: a retrospective study.

BACKGROUND: Acute coronary syndrome (ACS) has become a vital disease with high mortality in the Uygur populations. Clopidogrel plays an important role in reducing the risk of recurrent cardiovascular events after ACS; however, it is a prodrug that requires biotransformation by cytochrome P450 (CYP450). OBJECTIVES: To determine the effect of genetic polymorphisms in CYP2C19*2, *3, and *17, and along with clinical, demographic factors, on variation in response to clinical outcomes in Uygur patients. METHODS: A total of 351 patients with ACS were treated with clopidogrel and aspirin for at least 12 months; we recorded major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE) or bleeding within 1 year. Multivariable logistic regression analyses were carried out to identify factors associated with MACE or bleeding. RESULTS: We analyze risk factors include age, BMI (body mass index), smoking, alcohol intake, NSTEMI (non-ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction), hypertension, dyslipidemia, concomitant medication, CYP2C19*2 carriers, CYP2C19*17 carriers and metabolizer phenotype. CYP2C19*2 carriers had an odds of having MACE of 2.51 (95% CI: 1.534-4.09) compared with noncarriers (P < .001). However, no factors were significantly associated with bleeding (P > 0.05). CONCLUSION: The CYP2C19*2 gene polymorphism contributes to the risk of MACE in dual clopidogrel-treated Uygur population with ACS with or without PCI (percutaneous coronary intervention). These data may provide valuable insights into the genetic polymorphisms affecting clopidogrel metabolism among minority groups in China.

Evaluation of remnant cholesterol levels and Monocyte-to-HDL-cholesterol ratio in South Asian patients with acute coronary syndrome.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: In the present study, we aimed to compare the clinical and coronary angiography features between South Asian and Caucasian patients with Acute Coronary Syndrome (ACS). In particular, we focused our analysis on the evaluation of recent cardiovascular risk markers, such as remnant cholesterol, corresponding to all plasma cholesterol minus HDL-C (high-density lipoprotein cholesterol) and LDL-C (low-density lipoprotein cholesterol), and the Monocyte-to-HDL-cholesterol ratio. We also compared values of several lipoprotein ratios and the Platelet-to-lymphocyte ratio, accurate predictors of coronary events and coronary artery disease. METHODS AND RESULTS: We recruited 40 South Asian and 40 Caucasian patients admitted for ACS. Data were collected by consulting patients' medical records. We used Chi-square test and Student's t-test to analyse qualitative and quantitative variables, respectively. South Asian patients, compared to Caucasians, showed higher mean values of the parameters analysed: remnant cholesterol (32.6 ± 17 vs 26.5 ± 9.6), Monocyte-to-HDL-cholesterol ratio (26.4 ± 48.7 vs 16.5 ± 8.3), Platelet-to-lymphocyte ratio (124.7 ± 130.7 vs 120.5 ± 58.8). Moreover, higher mean values of several lipoprotein ratios were also found in South Asian patients compared to the control group. However, statistical significance was not reached for any of these differences observed. CONCLUSIONS: The evaluation of the parameters analysed in this study might provide accurate information regarding the cardio-metabolic risk in South Asian patients. However, further studies with larger samples are needed to obtain more significant results.

Clinically Significant Bleeding With Ticagrelor Versus Clopidogrel in Korean Patients With Acute Coronary Syndromes Intended for Invasive Management: A Randomized Clinical Trial.

BACKGROUND: Owing to the differential propensity for bleeding and ischemic events with response to antiplatelet therapy, the safety and effectiveness of potent P2Y12 inhibitor ticagrelor in East Asian populations remain uncertain. METHODS: In this multicenter trial, 800 Korean patients hospitalized for acute coronary syndromes with or without ST elevation and intended for invasive management were randomly assigned to receive, in a 1:1 ratio, ticagrelor (180 mg loading dose, 90 mg twice daily thereafter) or clopidogrel (600 mg loading dose, 75 mg daily thereafter). The primary safety outcome was clinically significant bleeding (a composite of major bleeding or minor bleeding according to PLATO (Platelet Inhibition and Patient Outcomes) criteria at 12 months. RESULTS: At 12 months, the incidence of clinically significant bleeding was significantly higher in the ticagrelor group than in the clopidogrel group (11.7% [45/400] vs 5.3% [21/400]; hazard ratio [HR], 2.26; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.34 to 3.79; P=0.002). The incidences of major bleeding (7.5% [29/400] vs 4.1% [16/400], P=0.04) and fatal bleeding (1% [4/400] vs 0%, P=0.04) were also higher in the ticagrelor group. The incidence of death from cardiovascular causes, myocardial infarction, or stroke was not significantly different between the ticagrelor group and the clopidogrel group (9.2% [36/400] vs 5.8% [23/400]; HR, 1.62; 95% CI, 0.96 to 2.74; P=0.07). Overall safety and effectiveness findings were similar with the use of several different analytic methods and in multiple subgroups. CONCLUSIONS: In Korean acute coronary syndrome patients intended to receive early invasive management, standard-dose ticagrelor as compared with clopidogrel was associated with a higher incidence of clinically significant bleeding. The numerically higher incidence of ischemic events should be interpreted with caution, given the present trial was underpowered to draw any conclusion regarding efficacy. CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRATION: URL: https://www.clinicaltrials.gov. Unique identifier: NCT02094963.

The role of MTHFR C677T and ALDH2 Glu504Lys polymorphism in acute coronary syndrome in a Hakka population in southern China.

BACKGROUND: Acute coronary syndrome (ACS) is the most serious type of coronary heart disease and is a global medical burden. The pathogenesis of ACS is very complex and still poorly understood. Epidemiologic studies have revealed that the manifestation of ACS are the results of the interactions between multiple environmental and genetic factors. The present study aimed to investigate the role of polymorphisms of MTHFR C677T and ALDH2 Glu504Lys as risk factors for ACS in a Hakka population in southern China. METHODS: Between September 1, 2015 and October 31, 2017, a total of 1957 individuals, including 860 ACS patients and 1097 controls were recruited. Blood samples were collected and genotypes were determined by DNA microarray chip method and direct sequencing method. RESULTS: For the MTHFR C677T polymorphism, frequencies of CC, CT, and TT genotypes were 53.60% versus 55.33, 39.53% versus 38.65 and 6.86% versus 6.02% in patients with ACS versus controls, respectively(p > 0.05). The differences in genotype frequencies between the ACS patients and controls in the three genetic model were not statistically significant. For the ALDH2 Glu504Lys polymorphism, the frequencies of ALDH2*1*1, ALDH2*1*2, and ALDH2*2*2 genotypes were 48.72, 42.67 and 8.6% in the ACS patients, respectively, while these were 53.33, 39.11 and 7.57% in the controls, respectively, showing no significant difference in the distribution of the ALDH2 genotype between the groups. Using the wild genotype ALDH2*1*1 as reference, relative risk analysis revealed a slightly increased risk for ACS in individuals with the ALDH2*1*2 plus ALDH2*2*2 genotypes (odds ratio (OR) = 1.203, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 1.006-1.438, p = 0.043). In a multivariate logistic regression model, even after adjusting for potential covariates, the association between ALDH2 *2 allele and ACS remained significant (OR = 1.242, 95% CI = 1.045-1.561, p = 0.038). CONCLUSIONS: We present findings regarding the possible clinical impact of the ALDH2*2 variant on ACS patients in a Hakka population in southern China and our findings might help to stratify the high-risk ACS patients and implement appropriate strategies for this genetic subpopulation to ultimately guide the precision preventive procedures in the future.

Income level and inequality as complement to geographical differences in cardiovascular trials.

BACKGROUND: Analyses of country or regional differences in cardiovascular (CV) trials are based on geographical subgroup analyses. However, apart from map location and related racial, ethnic, and genetic variations, identified differences may also depend on social structure and provision and access to health care, for which country income and income inequality are indicators. The aim of the study was to examine the association between country per capita income and income inequality and prognosis in patients with heart failure or an acute coronary syndrome in 3 international trials (EMPHASIS-HF, EPHESUS, and EXAMINE). METHODS: Countries were classified into high income or low-middle income (LMICs) and into low, middle, or high inequality using the Gini index. The main outcome measures were all-cause and CV death. RESULTS: Patients from LMICs and countries with higher inequality were younger, were less often white, had fewer comorbid conditions, and were less often treated with guideline-recommended therapies, including devices. These patients had higher adjusted mortality rates (+15% to +70%) compared with patients from high-income countries and countries with less inequality. Patients from countries with the combination of greater inequality and low-middle income had particularly high mortality rates (+80% to +190%) compared with those that did not have both characteristics. Living in a country that is poor and has inequality had more impact on death rates than any comorbidity. These findings were reproduced in 3 trials. CONCLUSIONS: Patients from LMICs and countries with greater inequality had the highest mortality rates. The prognostic impact of income and inequality is substantial and should be considered when looking into subgroup differences in CV trials.

Use of prasugrel and clinical outcomes in African-American patients treated with percutaneous coronary intervention for acute coronary syndromes.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the use of prasugrel after percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) in African American (AA) patients presenting with acute coronary syndrome (ACS). BACKGROUND: AA patients are at higher risk for adverse cardiovascular outcomes after PCI and may derive greater benefit from the use of potent antiplatelet therapy. METHODS: Using the multicenter PROMETHEUS observational registry of ACS patients treated with PCI, we grouped patients by self-reported AA or other races. Clinical outcomes at 90-day and 1-year included non-fatal myocardial infarction (MI), major adverse cardiac events (composite of death, MI, stroke, or unplanned revascularization) and major bleeding. RESULTS: The study population included 2,125 (11%) AA and 17,707 (89%) non-AA patients. AA patients were younger, more often female (46% vs. 30%) with a higher prevalence of diabetes mellitus, chronic kidney disease, and prior coronary intervention than non-AA patients. Although AA patients more often presented with troponin (+) ACS, prasugrel use was much less common in AA vs. non-AA (11.9% vs. 21.4%, respectively, P = 0.001). In addition, the use of prasugrel increased with the severity of presentation in non-AA but not in AA patients. Multivariable logistic regression showed AA race was an independent predictor of reduced use of prasugrel (0.42 [0.37-0.49], P < 0.0001). AA race was independently associated with a significantly higher risk of MI at 90-days and 1 year after PCI. CONCLUSIONS: Despite higher risk clinical presentation and worse 1-year ischemic outcomes, AA race was an independent predictor of lower prasugrel prescription in a contemporary population of ACS patients undergoing PCI.

Tobacco Cessation Among Acute Coronary Syndrome Patients in Kerala, India: Patient and Provider Perspectives.

Tobacco cessation is an important intervention to reduce mortality from ischemic heart disease, the leading cause of death in India. In this study, we explored facilitators, barriers, and cultural context to tobacco cessation among acute coronary syndrome (ACS, or heart attack) patients and providers in a tertiary care institution in the south Indian state of Kerala, with a focus on patient trajectories. Patients who quit tobacco after ACS expressed greater understanding about the link between tobacco and ACS, exerted more willpower at the time of discharge, and held less fatalistic beliefs about their health compared to those who continued tobacco use. The former were motivated by the fear of recurrent ACS, strong advice to quit from providers, and determination to survive and financially provide for their families. Systemic barriers included inadequate training, infrequent prescription of cessation pharmacotherapy, lack of ancillary staff to deliver counseling, and stigma against mental health services.

Association between the EPHX2 p.Lys55Arg polymorphism and prognosis following an acute coronary syndrome.

Inhibition of soluble epoxide hydrolase (sEH, EPHX2) elicits potent cardiovascular protective effects in preclinical models of ischemic cardiovascular disease (CVD), and genetic polymorphisms in EPHX2 have been associated with developing ischemic CVD in humans. However, it remains unknown whether EPHX2 variants are associated with prognosis following an ischemic CVD event. We evaluated the association between EPHX2 p.Lys55Arg and p.Arg287Gln genotype with survival in 667 acute coronary syndrome (ACS) patients. No association with p.Arg287Gln genotype was observed (P = 0.598). Caucasian EPHX2 Arg55 carriers (Lys/Arg or Arg/Arg) had a significantly higher risk of 5-year mortality (adjusted hazard ratio [HR] 1.61, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.01-2.55, P = 0.045). In an independent population of 2712 ACS patients, this association was not replicated (adjusted HR 0.92, 95% CI 0.70-1.21, P = 0.559). In a secondary analysis, Caucasian homozygous Arg55 allele carriers (Arg/Arg) appeared to exhibit a higher risk of cardiovascular mortality (adjusted HR 2.60, 95% CI 1.09-6.17). These results demonstrate that EPHX2 p.Lys55Arg and p.Arg287Gln polymorphisms do not significantly modify survival after an ACS event. Investigation of other sEH metabolism biomarkers in ischemic CVD appears warranted.

Effect of Race on Outcomes Following Early Coronary Computed Tomographic Angiography or Standard Emergency Department Evaluation for Acute Chest Pain.

Objective: To examine racial differences in outcomes with coronary computed tomographic angiography (CCTA) vs standard emergency department (ED) evaluation for chest pain. Design: Retrospective analysis of the prospective, randomized, multicenter Rule Out Myocardial Ischemia/Infarction by Computer Assisted Tomography (ROMICAT-II) trial. Setting: ED at nine hospitals in the United States. Participants: 940 patients who were Caucasian or African American (AA) presenting to the ED with chest pain. Interventions: CCTA or standard ED evaluation. Main Outcome Measures: Length of stay, hospital admission, direct ED discharge, downstream testing and repeat ED visit or hospitalization for recurrent chest pain at 28 days. Safety end points: missed acute coronary syndrome (ACS) and cumulative radiation exposure during the index visit and follow-up period. Results: 659 (66%) patients self-identified as Caucasian and 281 (28%) self-identified as AA. AA were younger and more often female compared with Caucasians, had a higher prevalence of hypertension (64% vs 49%, P<.001) and diabetes (23% vs 14%, P<.001) and a lower prevalence of hyperlipidemia (28% vs 51%, P<.001). ACS was more frequent among Caucasians (10% vs 2%, P<.001). Randomization to CCTA resulted in a reduction in median LOS for Caucasians (7.4 vs 24.7 hours, P<.001) and AA (8.9 vs. 26.3, P<.001; P-interaction=.88). Both AA and Caucasian patients experienced greater radiation exposure and more downstream testing with CCTA compared with standard evaluation. Conclusions: Early CCTA reduced median LOS for both AA and Caucasian patients presenting to the ED with chest pain by approximately 17 hours compared with standard evaluation.

Gender, race and the presentation of acute coronary syndrome and serious cardiopulmonary diagnoses in ED patients with chest pain.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the relationship between reported chest pain symptoms and a diagnosis of acute coronary syndrome (ACS) and serious cardiopulmonary diagnoses (SCPD) in black males, white males, black females and white females. METHODS: This was a secondary analysis of a prospective cohort study of 4162 ED patients with chest pain enrolled between 1999 and 2008. We used logistic regression, adjusting for age and cardiovascular comorbidities to test the association between 24 chest pain symptoms and 30-day ACS for the primary outcome and SCPD as the secondary outcome. RESULT: In black males, diaphoresis was associated with ACS (OR 1.47; 95% CI 1.02 to 2.13), while in white males, left arm radiation, pressure/tightness and substernal pain were associated with ACS (OR 1.73, 95% CI 1.16 to 2.59; OR 1.65, 95% CI 1.16 to 2.59; OR 1.51, 95% CI 1.07 to 2.11, respectively). In black females, diaphoresis, palpitations and left arm radiation were associated with ACS (OR 1.66, 95% CI 1.17 to 2.35; 1.66, 95% CI 1.13 to 2.45; 1.44, 95% CI 1.02 to 2.03, respectively) while pleuritic pain, and left anterior chest pain lowered ACS risk (OR 0.69, 95% CI 0.5 to 0.96; 0.54, 95% CI 0.35 to 0.84). No symptoms predicted ACS or SCPD in white females. Fewer but similar symptoms predicted SCPD in white males and black females. No symptoms predicted SCPD in black males. CONCLUSION: Chest pain symptoms are important predictors of ACS and SCPD in certain combinations of race and gender but less so in others. These differences might explain difficulties using symptoms to identify patients at higher or lower risk of ACS and SCPD in practice.

Effects of Ethnicity on the Prevalence of Obstructive Sleep Apnoea in Patients with Acute Coronary Syndrome: A Pooled Analysis of the ISAACC Trial and Sleep and Stent Study.

BACKGROUND: Obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA) is an emerging risk factor for acute coronary syndrome (ACS). We sought to determine the effects of ethnicity on the prevalence of OSA in patients presenting with ACS who participated in an overnight sleep study. METHODS: A pooled analysis using patient-level data from the ISAACC Trial and Sleep and Stent Study was performed. Using the same portable diagnostic device, OSA was defined as an apnoea-hypopnoea index of ≥15 events per hour. RESULTS: A total of 1961 patients were analysed, including Spanish (53.6%, n=1050), Chinese (25.5%, n=500), Indian (12.0%, n=235), Malay (6.1%, n=119), Brazilian (1.7%, n=34) and Burmese (1.2%, n=23) populations. Significant differences in body mass index (BMI) were found among the various ethnic groups, averaging from 25.3kg/m2 for Indians and 25.4kg/m2 for Chinese to 28.6kg/m2 for Spaniards. The prevalence of OSA was highest in the Spanish (63.1%), followed by the Chinese (50.2%), Malay (47.9%), Burmese (43.5%), Brazilian (41.2%), and Indian (36.1%) patients. The estimated odds ratio of BMI on OSA was highest in the Chinese population (1.17; 95% confidence interval: 1.10-1.24), but was not significant in the Spanish, Burmese or Brazilian populations. The area under the curve (AUC) for the Asian patients (ranging from 0.6365 to 0.6692) was higher than that for the Spanish patients (0.5161). CONCLUSION: There was significant ethnic variation in the prevalence of OSA in patients with ACS. The magnitude of the effect of BMI on OSA was greater in the Chinese population than in the Spanish patients.

Disparities in acute in-hospital cardiovascular care for Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal South Australians.

OBJECTIVES: To assess differences in the rates of angiography and subsequent revascularisation for Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal South Australians who presented with an acute coronary syndrome (ACS); to explore the reasons for any observed differences. DESIGN: Analysis of administrative data with logistic regression modelling to assess the relationship between Aboriginal status and the decision to undertake diagnostic angiography. A detailed medical record review of Aboriginal admissions was subsequently undertaken. SETTING: Emergency ACS admissions to SA cardiac catheterisation hospitals, 2007-2012. PARTICIPANTS: 13 701 admissions of patients with an ACS, including 274 Aboriginal patients (2.1%). MAJOR OUTCOME MEASURES: Rates of coronary angiography and revascularisation; documentation of justification for non-invasive management. RESULTS: After adjustment for age, comorbidities and remoteness, Aboriginal patients presenting with an ACS were significantly less likely than non-Aboriginal patients to undergo angiography (odds ratio [OR], 0.4; 95% CI, 0.3-0.5; P < 0.001). There was no significant difference in the rates of revascularisation for Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal patients who had undergone angiography. Reasons for Aboriginal patients not undergoing angiography included symptoms being deemed non-cardiac (16%), non-invasive test performed (8%), and discharge against medical advice (11%); the reasons were unclear for 36% of Aboriginal patients. CONCLUSIONS: After controlling for age and other factors, the rate of coronary angiography was lower among Aboriginal patients with an ACS in SA. The reasons for this disparity are complex, including patient-related factors and their preferences, as well as the appropriateness of the intervention. Improved consideration of the hospital experience of Aboriginal patients must be a priority for reducing health care disparities.

Management of Indigenous patients presenting with non ST-segment elevation acute coronary syndrome in South Australia: a retrospective cohort study.

AIM: Using Australian guidelines for management of acute coronary syndromes, we assessed the probability of an Indigenous patient receiving interventional and therapeutic care after presenting in two metropolitan hospitals. METHODS: A retrospective case note review of patients admitted through two Adelaide public tertiary hospital emergency departments from December 2007 to December 2009. The study cohort was 488 patients with high-risk clinical features without ST-segment elevation. RESULTS: Indigenous patients were significantly younger, present later in the disease process and have a higher burden of cardiovascular risk factors when compared with non-Indigenous patients. Indigenous patients were 54% more likely to receive angiography (Risk ratios (RR) = 1.54; 95% CI 1.31; 1.81) than non-Indigenous patients, however, this difference disappeared after adjustment for age, sex and propensity score. Indigenous patients were 20% more likely to receive the recommended medications (RR = 1.19, 95% CI 1.01; 1.40) compared with non-Indigenous patients. Patients over 65 years were 53% less likely to receive an angiogram (RR = 0.47, 95% CI 0.38; 0.56) and were 35% less likely to receive the recommended medications (RR = 0.65, 95% CI 0.54; 0.78) than a patient at the ages of 18-49. Women were almost 20% less likely to receive an angiogram (RR = 0.81, 95% CI 0.66; 0.99) and 20% less likely to receive the recommended medications (RR = 0.80, 95% CI 0.71; 0.91) when compared with men. The likelihood of receiving medications on discharge was significantly influenced by age, gender, ethnicity, comorbid burden and revascularisation. CONCLUSIONS: The younger age and significantly higher-risk profile of Indigenous adults presenting to SA hospitals with acute coronary syndromes appears to lead to different management decisions, which may well be led by patient factors. Many of these risk conditions can be better managed in the primary care setting.

Ethnic Differences in Coronary Revascularisation following an Acute Coronary Syndrome in New Zealand: A National Data-linkage Study (ANZACS-QI 12).

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to describe ethnic differences in angiography and revascularisation rates following an acute coronary syndrome (ACS) in New Zealand. METHODS: National hospitalisation and mortality data were anonymously linked to determine receipt of angiography and revascularisation for 30-84 year-olds hospitalised with ACS between 2007 and 2012. Multilevel Cox regression, accounting for individual factors and admitting hospital, was used to estimate adjusted procedural rates within 30 days of admission. RESULTS: Of the 50,324 ACS patients included, 10% were Maori, 4% Pacific, 3% Indian and 83% New Zealand European or Other ethnicities (NZEO). A larger proportion of Maori (48%) than NZEO (36%), Pacific (19%) and Indian (14%) patients were admitted to hospitals without catheterisation facilities. More Maori and Pacific (22-24%) than NZEO and Indian patients (12-13%) had severe comorbidities. Maori and Pacific were less likely than NZEO patients to receive angiography (adjusted HRs 0.94 [0.91-0.98] and 0.93 [0.87-0.98] respectively) and revascularisation (adjusted HRs 0.79 [0.75-0.83] and 0.77 [0.71-0.83]), even after adjusting for important demographic and clinical factors. CONCLUSIONS: A higher comorbidity burden in Maori and Pacific patients and reduced access to catheterisation facilities for non-urban Maori contributed to lower procedure rates after ACS admission. Ethnic differences remained after adjustment for these factors and require further investigation.

Association of Polymorphisms (rs 1799782, rs25489 and rs25487) in XRCC1 and (rs 13181) XPD genes with Acute Coronary Artery Syndrome in Subjects from Multan, Pakistan.

Acute coronary artery syndrome (ACS) is the major cause of mortality in Pakistan with genetic and environmental influence on the incidence of the disease. This case-control study was designed to find out if a correlation is existing between ACS and single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in DNA repair genes XPD [at codon 751, rs 13181 (Lys to Gln)] and XRCC1 [at codon 399, rs25487 (Arg to Gln); 280, rs25489 (Arg to His) and 194, rs 1799782 (Arg to Trp)] either individually or in various combination with each other (haplotype analysis). The objective of this study was to find out the association of various studied risk factors and serum lipid profile of the subjects with the disease, if any. PCR-RFLP method was used to determine genotype at specific codon in 221 subjects (115 ACS patients and 106 healthy controls) from Southern Punjab population. Genotypic and allelic frequency distribution among the cases and controls revealed that all the studied SNPs were not individually associated with the ACS. Haplotype analysis revealed that subjects having wild type combination of all three XRCC1 SNPs had greater susceptibility to ACS than any other studied genotypic combinations. Analysis of risk factors revealed that hypertension (P<0.001), age (P=0.05), education (P<0.001), gender (P<0.001), family history (P=0.005), smoking habit (P=0.002) and diabetes (P<0.001) were significantly associated with the incidence of ACS. Serum lipid profile analysis indicated that cholesterol level was significantly higher (P=0.048) in patients (161.5mg/dL) than controls (142.1mg/dL) while triglyceride remained unaffected (P=0.87) when compared between the two treatments.

[THE FIRST RESULTS OF THE PREVALENCE OF CYP2C19 GENEPOLYMORPHISM IN PATIENTS WITH ACUTE CORONARY SYNDROME IN THE AKTYUBINSK POPULATION].

To study the prevalence of polymorphic variants of CYP2C19 in residents of the Aktyubinsk region, in patients with acute coronary syndrome after percutaneous coronary intervention. We studied included 100 patients with documented acute coronary syndrome, whom stent has been implanted and double antiplatelet therapy (aspirin and clopidogrel) was administered (average age was 49.2). The control group was formed of 255 volunteers without clinical and electrocardiographic manifestations of ischemia, and cardiovascular disease (CVD). In groups of patients and volunteers, most of them were ethnic Kazakhs 67% and 72% respectively. Thus, about 30% of patients CYP2C19*1/*2 acute coronary syndrome who live in Aktobe (Aktobe residents) are under the threat of a possible occurrence of new cardiovascular events due to low sensitivity to clopidogrel. Our study confirms that CYP2C19 G (681A) genotype has impact on antiplatelet effect of clopidogrel. The peculiarity of our work lies in the fact that we were the first who conducted pharmacogenetic study in patients treated with clopidogrel with ACS/PCI in the region inhabited by persons of mixed Slavic and Kazakh nationality.

Ticagrelor versus clopidogrel in Asian patients with acute coronary syndrome: A retrospective analysis from the Platelet Inhibition and Patient Outcomes (PLATO) Trial.

BACKGROUND: In the PLATO trial, ticagrelor was superior to clopidogrel in reducing cardiovascular events among patients with acute coronary syndrome (ACS) at the expense of increased nonfatal bleeding. Because Asian patients, when compared with non-Asian patients, are believed to be more susceptible to bleeding, we evaluated the effects of ticagrelor compared with clopidogrel in Asian (n=1,106) and non-Asian (n=17,515) patients with acute coronary syndrome enrolled in the PLATO study. METHODS AND RESULTS: Interaction between Asian/non-Asian and primary efficacy end point (a composite of vascular death, myocardial infarction, and stroke) and net clinical benefit (composite of primary efficacy end point and coronary artery bypass graft [CABG] surgery or non-CABG-related major bleeding) were evaluated with a Cox proportional hazards model. Baseline demographics and comorbidities were different between Asians and non-Asians. The overall cardiovascular event rates were higher in Asians, but bleeding rates were similar. Despite these observed differences, the effects of ticagrelor versus clopidogrel were not significantly different between Asians and non-Asians with respect to the primary efficacy outcome (hazard ratio for Asians vs non-Asians, 0.84 [95% CI 0.61-1.17] vs 0.85 [95% CI 0.77-0.93], P=.974), net clinical benefit (0.85 [95% CI 0.65-1.11] vs 0.93 [95% CI 0.86-0.99], P=.521), or individual efficacy end points. There was no significant interaction for bleeding (PLATO major bleeding, 1.02 [95% CI 0.70-1.49] vs 1.04 [95% CI 0.95-1.14], P=.938) and other related adverse events with ticagrelor compared with clopidogrel between Asians and non-Asians. CONCLUSIONS: We observed consistency of effects in Asian patients receiving ticagrelor and clopidogrel in the PLATO study. The relatively modest number of Asian patients in this analysis supports further investigation of larger cohorts to confirm our observations.

Ticagrelor vs. clopidogrel in Japanese, Korean and Taiwanese patients with acute coronary syndrome -- randomized, double-blind, phase III PHILO study.

BACKGROUND: Few data on the relative efficacy and safety of new P2Y12inhibitors such as prasugrel and ticagrelor in Japanese, Taiwanese and South Korean patients with acute coronary syndromes (ACS) exist. METHODS AND RESULTS: The multicenter, double-blind, randomized PHILO trial compared the safety and efficacy of ticagrelor vs. clopidogrel in 801 patients with ACS (Japanese, n=721; Taiwanese, n=35; South Korean, n=44; unknown ethnicity, n=1). All were planned to undergo percutaneous coronary intervention and randomized within 24 h of symptom onset. Primary safety and efficacy endpoints were time to first occurrence of any major bleeding event and to any event from the composite of myocardial infarction, stroke or death from vascular causes, respectively.At 12 months, overall major bleeding occurred in 10.3% of ticagrelor-treated patients and in 6.8% of clopidogrel-treated patients (hazard ratio (HR), 1.54; 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.94-2.53); the composite primary efficacy endpoint occurred in 9.0% and in 6.3% of ticagrelor- and clopidogrel-treated patients, respectively (HR, 1.47; 95% CI: 0.88-2.44). For both analyses, the difference between groups was not statistically significant. CONCLUSIONS: In ACS patients from Japan, Taiwan and South Korea, event rates of primary safety and efficacy endpoints were higher, albeit not significantly, in ticagrelor-treated patients compared with clopidogrel-treated patients. This observation could be explained by the small sample size, imbalance in clinical characteristics and low number of events in the PHILO population.