Olezarsen for Hypertriglyceridemia in Patients at High Cardiovascular Risk.

BACKGROUND: Reducing the levels of triglycerides and triglyceride-rich lipoproteins remains an unmet clinical need. Olezarsen is an antisense oligonucleotide targeting messenger RNA for apolipoprotein C-III (APOC3), a genetically validated target for triglyceride lowering. METHODS: In this phase 2b, randomized, controlled trial, we assigned adults either with moderate hypertriglyceridemia (triglyceride level, 150 to 499 mg per deciliter) and elevated cardiovascular risk or with severe hypertriglyceridemia (triglyceride level, ≥500 mg per deciliter) in a 1:1 ratio to either a 50-mg or 80-mg cohort. Patients were then assigned in a 3:1 ratio to receive monthly subcutaneous olezarsen or matching placebo within each cohort. The primary outcome was the percent change in the triglyceride level from baseline to 6 months, reported as the difference between each olezarsen group and placebo. Key secondary outcomes were changes in levels of APOC3, apolipoprotein B, non-high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol, and low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol. RESULTS: A total of 154 patients underwent randomization at 24 sites in North America. The median age of the patients was 62 years, and the median triglyceride level was 241.5 mg per deciliter. The 50-mg and 80-mg doses of olezarsen reduced triglyceride levels by 49.3 percentage points and 53.1 percentage points, respectively, as compared with placebo (P<0.001 for both comparisons). As compared with placebo, each dose of olezarsen also significantly reduced the levels of APOC3, apolipoprotein B, and non-HDL cholesterol, with no significant change in the LDL cholesterol level. The risks of adverse events and serious adverse events were similar in the three groups. Clinically meaningful hepatic, renal, or platelet abnormalities were uncommon, with similar risks in the three groups. CONCLUSIONS: In patients with predominantly moderate hypertriglyceridemia at elevated cardiovascular risk, olezarsen significantly reduced levels of triglycerides, apolipoprotein B, and non-HDL cholesterol, with no major safety concerns identified. (Funded by Ionis Pharmaceuticals; Bridge-TIMI 73a ClinicalTrials.gov number, NCT05355402.).

Evolocumab on top of empagliflozin improves endothelial function of individuals with diabetes: randomized active-controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: Sodium-glucose cotransporter 2 inhibitors (SGLT2i) improve endothelial dysfunction and reduce cardiovascular events in individuals with type 2 diabetes (T2D). Proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin 9 (PCSK9i) inhibitors reduce cardiovascular events in high-risk patients. Whether the addition of PCSK9i to SGLT2i treatment adds benefits is not known. OBJECTIVES: To assess the PCSK9-i effect on the endothelial function of T2D individuals under treatment with SGLT2-i. METHODS: Individuals with T2D were randomized in a 1:1 ratio to a 16-week treatment with either empagliflozin (E) or empagliflozin plus evolocumab (EE). The primary endpoint was post-treatment change from baseline in flow-mediated dilation (FMD) at 1-min. Secondary outcomes included changes in plasma levels of nitric oxide metabolites and isoprostane. RESULTS: A total of 110 patients were enrolled, the mean age was 58 years, and 71% were men. The median post-treatment change in FMD at 1-min was 2.7% (interquartile range [IQR]: 0.9%) and 0.4% (IQR: 0.9%) in the EE and E groups, respectively (p < 0.001). There was a greater increase in plasma levels of nitrate [5.9 (16.5) vs. 2.6 (11.8); p = 0.001] and nitrite [0.14 (0.72) vs. 0.02 (0.74); p = 0.025] in the EE group than in the E group, respectively. Isoprostane reduction was more pronounced in the EE group when compared to the E group [-1.7 (5.9) vs. -1.1 (5.3); p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: In individuals with T2D, the addition of evolocumab on top of empagliflozin improves endothelial function.

Dapagliflozin effect on endothelial dysfunction in diabetic patients with atherosclerotic disease: a randomized active-controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: The glucose-lowering independent effect of sodium glucose cotransporter-2 inhibitors (SGLT2i) on arterial wall function has not yet been clarified. This study aims to assess whether SGLT2i treatment can attenuate endothelial dysfunction related to type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2D) compared with glucose-lowering equivalent therapy. METHODS: In a prospective, open-label, single-center, randomized clinical trial, 98 patients with T2DM and carotid intima-media thickness above the 75th percentile were randomized 1:1 to 12 weeks of therapy with dapagliflozin or glibenclamide in addition to metformin in glucose-lowering equivalent regimens. The coprimary endpoints were 1-min flow-mediated dilation (FMD) at rest and 1-min FMD after 15 min of ischemia followed by 15 min of reperfusion time (I/R). RESULTS: Ninety-seven patients (61% males, 57 ± 7 years) completed the study. The median HbA1c decreased by - 0.8 (0.7)% and -0.7 (0.95)% following dapagliflozin and glibenclamide, respectively. The first coprimary endpoint, i.e., rest FMD changed by + 3.3(8.2)% and - 1.2(7.5)% for the dapagliflozin and glibenclamide arms, respectively (p = 0.0001). Differences between study arms in the second coprimary endpoint were not significant. Plasma nitrite 1 min after rest FMD was higher for dapagliflozin [308(220) nmol/L] than for glibenclamide (258[110] nmol/L; p = 0.028). The resistive indices at 1 min [0.90 (0.11) vs. 0.93 (0.07); p = 0.03] and 5 min [0.93 (0.07) vs. 0.95 (0.05); p = 0.02] were higher for the glibenclamide group than for the dapagliflozin group. Plasma biomarkers for inflammation and oxidative stress did not differ between the treatments. CONCLUSIONS: Dapagliflozin improved micro- and macrovascular endothelial function compared to glibenclamide, regardless of glycemic control in patients with T2DM and subclinical carotid atherosclerotic disease.

Role of myocardial strain imaging in surveillance and management of cancer therapeutics-related cardiac dysfunction: A systematic review.

Transthoracic echocardiography is the primary cardiac imaging modality for the detection of Cancer Therapeutics-Related Cardiac Dysfunction (CTRCD) through evaluation of serial changes in left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF). However, LVEF assessment by standard methods including 3D Echo has important limitations including the fact that reduction in LVEF occurs late in the process of CTRCD. In contrast, by detecting early myocardial change, myocardial strain or deformation imaging has evolved to be a preferred parameter for detecting CTRCD. Peak systolic global longitudinal strain (GLS) by speckle-tracking echocardiography (STE) has become an important prechemotherapy parameter that can independently predict subsequent adverse cardiac events as these abnormalities typically precede reduction in LVEF. While an absolute GLS measurement may be informative, a 10%-15% early reduction in GLS by STE appears to be the most useful prognosticator for cardiotoxicity while on therapy. In this paper, we present a current systematic literature review of application of myocardial strain imaging in cancer patients performed following PRISMA guidelines using electronic databases from MEDLINE, Embase, and SCOPUS Library from their inception until June 11th 2020. This review demonstrates the incremental value of myocardial deformation imaging over traditional LVEF in detection and its clinical implication in management of CTRCD.

A current review of COVID-19 for the cardiovascular specialist.

Although coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) predominantly disrupts the respiratory system, there is accumulating experience that the disease, particularly in its more severe manifestations, also affects the cardiovascular system. Cardiovascular risk factors and chronic cardiovascular conditions are prevalent among patients affected by COVID-19 and associated with adverse outcomes. However, whether pre-existing cardiovascular disease is an independent determinant of higher mortality risk with COVID-19 remains uncertain. Acute cardiac injury, manifest by increased blood levels of cardiac troponin, electrocardiographic abnormalities, or myocardial dysfunction, occurs in up to ~60% of hospitalized patients with severe COVID-19. Potential contributors to acute cardiac injury in the setting of COVID-19 include (1) acute changes in myocardial demand and supply due to tachycardia, hypotension, and hypoxemia resulting in type 2 myocardial infarction; (2) acute coronary syndrome due to acute atherothrombosis in a virally induced thrombotic and inflammatory milieu; (3) microvascular dysfunction due to diffuse microthrombi or vascular injury; (4) stress-related cardiomyopathy (Takotsubo syndrome); (5) nonischemic myocardial injury due to a hyperinflammatory cytokine storm; or (6) direct viral cardiomyocyte toxicity and myocarditis. Diffuse thrombosis is emerging as an important contributor to adverse outcomes in patients with COVID-19. Practitioners should be vigilant for cardiovascular complications of COVID-19. Monitoring may include serial cardiac troponin and natriuretic peptides, along with fibrinogen, D-dimer, and inflammatory biomarkers. Management decisions should rely on the clinical assessment for the probability of ongoing myocardial ischemia, as well as alternative nonischemic causes of injury, integrating the level of suspicion for COVID-19.

Reciprocal Multifaceted Interaction Between HDL (High-Density Lipoprotein) and Myocardial Infarction.

Despite decades of therapeutic advances, myocardial infarction remains a leading cause of death worldwide. Recent studies have identified HDLs (high-density lipoproteins) as a potential candidate for mitigating coronary ischemia/reperfusion injury via a broad spectrum of signaling pathways. HDL ligands, such as S1P (sphingosine-1-phosphate), Apo (apolipoprotein) A-I, clusterin, and miRNA, may influence the opening of the mitochondrial channel, insulin sensitivity, and production of vascular autacoids, such as NO, prostacyclin, and endothelin-1. In parallel, antioxidant activity and sequestration of oxidized molecules provided by HDL can attenuate the oxidative stress that triggers ischemia/reperfusion. Nevertheless, during myocardial infarction, oxidation and the capture of oxidized and proinflammatory molecules generate large phenotypic and functional changes in HDL, potentially limiting its beneficial properties. In this review, new findings from cellular and animal models, as well as from clinical studies, will be discussed to describe the cardioprotective benefits of HDL on myocardial infarction. Furthermore, mechanisms by which HDL modulates cardiac function and potential strategies to mitigate postmyocardial infarction risk damage by HDL will be detailed throughout the review.

Excess weight mediates changes in HDL pool that reduce cholesterol efflux capacity and increase antioxidant activity.

BACKGROUND AND AIM: Obesity-related decline in high-density lipoprotein (HDL) functions such as cholesterol efflux capacity (CEC) has supported the notion that this lipoprotein dysfunction may contribute for atherogenesis among obese patients. We investigated if potentially other HDL protective actions may be affected with weight gain and these changes may occur even before the obesity range in a cross-sectional analysis. METHODS AND RESULTS: Lipid profile, body mass index (BMI), biochemical measurements, and carotid intima-media thickness (cIMT) were obtained in this cross-sectional study with 899 asymptomatic individuals. Lipoproteins were separated by ultracentrifugation and HDL physical-chemical characterization, CEC, antioxidant activity, anti-inflammatory activity, HDL-mediated platelet aggregation inhibition were measured in a randomly-selected subgroup (n = 101). Individuals with increased HDL-C had an attenuated increase in cIMT with elevation of BMI (interaction effect ß = -0.054; CI 95% -0.0815, -0.0301). CEC, HDL-C, HDL size and HDL-antioxidant activity were negatively associated with cIMT. BMI was inversely correlated with HDL-mediated inhibition of platelet aggregation (Spearman's rho -0.157, p < 0.03) and CEC (Spearman's rho -0.32, p < 0.001), but surprisingly it was directly correlated with the antioxidant activity (Spearman's rho 0.194, p = 0.052). Thus, even in non-obese, non-diabetic individuals, increased BMI is associated with a wide change in protective functions of HDL, reducing CEC and increasing antioxidant activity. In these subjects, decreased HDL concentration, size or function are related to increased atherosclerotic burden. CONCLUSION: Our findings demonstrate that in non-obese, non-diabetic individuals, the increasing values of BMI are associated with impaired protective functions of HDL and concomitant increase in atherosclerotic burden.

Omega-3 intake is associated with attenuated inflammatory response and cardiac remodeling after myocardial infarction.

BACKGROUND: Myocardial infarction (MI) elicits an intense acute inflammatory response that is essential for cardiac repair. However, an excessive inflammatory response also favors myocardial apoptosis, cardiac remodeling, and cardiovascular mortality. Omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (ω-3) bear anti-inflammatory effects, which may mitigate the inflammatory response during MI. This study investigated whether ω-3 intake is associated with attenuation of the MI-related inflammatory response and cardiac remodeling. METHODS: ST-elevation MI (STEMI) patients (n = 421) underwent clinical, biochemical, nutritional, 3D echocardiogram, Cardiac Magnetic Resonance imaging (CMRi) at 30 days and 3D echocardiogram imaging at six months after the MI. Blood tests were performed at day one (D1) and day five (D5) of hospitalization. Changes in inflammatory markers (ΔD5-D1) were calculated. A validated food frequency questionnaire estimated the nutritional consumption and ω-3 intake in the last 3 months before admission. RESULTS: The intake of ω-3 below the median (< 1.7 g/day) was associated with a short-term increase in hs-C-reactive protein [OR:1.96(1.24-3.10); p = 0.004], Interleukin-2 [OR:2.46(1.20-5.04); p = 0.014], brain-type natriuretic peptide [OR:2.66(1.30-5.44); p = 0.007], left-ventricle end-diastolic volume [OR:5.12(1.11-23.52)]; p = 0.036] and decreases in left-ventricle ejection fraction [OR:2.86(1.47-6.88); p = 0.017] after adjustment for covariates. No differences were observed in the extension of infarcted mass obtained by CMRi. CONCLUSION: These findings suggest that a reduced daily intake of ω-3 may intensify outcome-determining mechanisms after STEMI, such as acute inflammatory response and late left ventricular remodeling. TRIAL REGISTRATION: Clinical Trial Registry number and website: NCT02062554 .

Validation of surrogate indexes of insulin sensitivity in acute phase of myocardial infarction based on euglycemic-hyperinsulinemic clamp.

The decrease in insulin sensitivity (IS) during myocardial infarction (MI) is recognized as a possible contributor to poor patient outcomes. Despite its potential relevance, a standardized and convenient IS assessment tool has yet to be established for said clinical scenarios. This study aimed to validate the accuracy of surrogate indexes in determining IS in acute MI patients by comparison with the gold standard reference method for measuring IS, the euglycemic-hyperinsulinemic clamp (EHC). We performed EHCs in 31 consecutive nondiabetic patients who were admitted within the first 24 h of symptoms of ST-segment elevation MI. Patients with prior diagnosis of diabetes, use of hypoglycemic agents, or a glycosylated hemoglobin ≥6.5% were excluded. EHCs were performed at the second day (D2) and sixth day (D6) post-MI. Basal (12-h fasting) blood samples from D2 and D6 were used to evaluate patient blood glucose and insulin levels. We then calculated the following surrogate indexes: homeostatic model assessment of insulin sensitivity (HOMA2S), homeostatic model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR), and quantitative insulin sensitivity check index (QUICKI). The IS index measured by EHC (ISiclamp) was correlated to HOMA2S, HOMA-IR, and QUICKI at D2 (r = 0.485, P = 0.009; r = -0.384, P = 0.048; r = 0.479, P = 0.01, respectively) and D6 (r = 0.621, P = 0.002; r = -0.576, P = 0.006; r = 0.626, P = 0.002, respectively). Receiver operator characteristic curves made for discrimination of ISiclamp above the median in D2 and D6 depicted areas under the curve of 0.740, 0.734, and 0.760 for HOMA2S, HOMA-IR, and QUICKI, respectively. Bland-Altman plots displayed no apparent systematic error for indexes, but a propensity for proportional error, particularly with HOMA-IR. Thus, based on EHC, these simple surrogate indexes are feasible for assessing IS during MI.

Body Composition, Coronary Microvascular Dysfunction, and Future Risk of Cardiovascular Events Including Heart Failure.

BACKGROUND: Body mass index (BMI) is a controversial marker of cardiovascular prognosis, especially in women. Coronary microvascular dysfunction (CMD) is prevalent in obese patients and a better discriminator of risk than BMI, but its association with body composition is unknown. OBJECTIVES: The authors used a deep learning model for body composition analysis to investigate the relationship between CMD, skeletal muscle (SM), subcutaneous adipose tissue (SAT), and visceral adipose tissue (VAT), and their contribution to adverse outcomes in patients referred for evaluation of coronary artery disease. METHODS: Consecutive patients (n = 400) with normal perfusion and preserved left ventricular ejection fraction on cardiac stress positron emission tomography were followed (median, 6.0 years) for major adverse events, including death and hospitalization for myocardial infarction or heart failure. Coronary flow reserve (CFR) was quantified as stress/rest myocardial blood flow from positron emission tomography. SM, SAT, and VAT cross-sectional areas were extracted from abdominal computed tomography at the third lumbar vertebra using a validated automated algorithm. RESULTS: Median age was 63, 71% were female, 50% non-White, and 50% obese. Compared with the nonobese, patients with obesity (BMI: 30.0-68.4 kg/m2) had higher SAT, VAT, and SM, and lower CFR (all P < 0.001). In adjusted analyses, decreased SM but not increased SAT or VAT was significantly associated with CMD (CFR <2; OR: 1.38; 95% CI: 1.08-1.75 per -10 cm2/m2 SM index; P < 0.01). Both lower CFR and SM, but not higher SAT or VAT, were independently associated with adverse events (HR: 1.83; 95% CI: 1.25-2.68 per -1 U CFR and HR: 1.53; 95% CI: 1.20-1.96 per -10 cm2/m2 SM index, respectively; P < 0.002 for both), especially heart failure hospitalization (HR: 2.36; 95% CI: 1.31-4.24 per -1 U CFR and HR: 1.87; 95% CI: 1.30-2.69 per -10 cm2/m2 SM index; P < 0.004 for both). There was a significant interaction between CFR and SM (adjusted P = 0.026), such that patients with CMD and sarcopenia demonstrated the highest rate of adverse events, especially among young, female, and obese patients (all P < 0.005). CONCLUSIONS: In a predominantly female cohort of patients without flow-limiting coronary artery disease, deficient muscularity, not excess adiposity, was independently associated with CMD and future adverse outcomes, especially heart failure. In patients with suspected ischemia and no obstructive coronary artery disease, characterization of lean body mass and coronary microvascular function may help to distinguish obese phenotypes at risk for cardiovascular events.

Risk Assessment of Kidney Disease Progression and Efficacy of SGLT2 Inhibition in Patients With Type 2 Diabetes.

OBJECTIVE: To develop a risk assessment tool to identify patients with type 2 diabetes (T2D) at higher risk for kidney disease progression and who might benefit more from sodium-glucose cotransporter 2 (SGLT2) inhibition. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS: A total of 41,204 patients with T2D from four Thrombolysis In Myocardial Infarction (TIMI) clinical trials were divided into derivation (70%) and validation cohorts (30%). Candidate predictors of kidney disease progression (composite of sustained ≥40% decline in estimated glomerular filtration rate [eGFR], end-stage kidney disease, or kidney death) were selected with multivariable Cox regression. Efficacy of dapagliflozin was assessed by risk categories (low: <0.5%; intermediate: 0.5 to <2%; high: ≥2%) in Dapagliflozin Effect on Cardiovascular Events (DECLARE)-TIMI 58. RESULTS: There were 695 events over a median follow-up of 2.4 years. The final model comprised eight independent predictors of kidney disease progression: atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease, heart failure, systolic blood pressure, T2D duration, glycated hemoglobin, eGFR, urine albumin-to-creatinine ratio, and hemoglobin. The c-indices were 0.798 (95% CI, 0.774-0.821) and 0.798 (95% CI, 0.765-0.831) in the derivation and validation cohort, respectively. The calibration plot slope (deciles of predicted vs. observed risk) was 0.98 (95% CI, 0.93-1.04) in the validation cohort. Whereas relative risk reductions with dapagliflozin did not differ across risk categories, there was greater absolute risk reduction in patients with higher baseline risk, with a 3.5% absolute risk reduction in kidney disease progression at 4 years in the highest risk group (≥1%/year). Results were similar with the 2022 Chronic Kidney Disease Prognosis Consortium risk prediction model. CONCLUSIONS: Risk models for kidney disease progression can be applied in patients with T2D to stratify risk and identify those who experience a greater magnitude of benefit from SGLT2 inhibition.

Comparative effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of cardioprotective glucose-lowering therapies for type 2 diabetes in Brazil: a Bayesian network model.

BACKGROUND: The escalating prevalence of type 2 diabetes (T2DM) poses an unparalleled economic catastrophe to developing countries. Cardiovascular diseases remain the primary source of costs among individuals with T2DM, incurring expenses for medications, hospitalizations, and surgical interventions. Compelling evidence suggests that the risk of cardiovascular outcomes can be reduced by three classes of glucose-lowering therapies (GLT), including SGLT2i, GLP-1A, and pioglitazone. However, an evidence-based and cost-effective protocol is still unavailable for many countries. The objective of the current study is to compare the effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of GLT in individuals with T2DM in Brazil. METHODS: We employed Bayesian Networks to calculate the incremental cost-effectiveness ratios (ICER), expressed in international dollars (Int$) per disease-adjusted life years [DALYs] averted. To determine the effectiveness of GLT, we conducted a systematic review with network meta-analysis (NMA) to provide insights for our model. Additionally, we obtained cardiovascular outcome incidence data from two real-world cohorts comprising 851 and 1337 patients in primary and secondary prevention, respectively. Our cost analysis took into account the perspective of the Brazilian public health system, and all values were converted to Int$. RESULTS: In the NMA, SGLT2i [HR: 0.81 (95% CI 0.69-0.96)], GLP-1A [HR: 0.79 (95% CI 0.67-0.94)], and pioglitazone [HR: 0.73 (95% CI 0.59-0.91)] demonstrated reduced relative risks of non-fatal cardiovascular events. In the context of primary prevention, pioglitazone yielded 0.2339 DALYs averted, with an ICER of Int$7,082 (95% CI 4,521-10,770) per DALY averted when compared to standard care. SGLT2i and GLP-1A also increased effectiveness, resulting in 0.261 and 0.259 DALYs averted, respectively, but with higher ICERs of Int$12,061 (95% CI: 7,227-18,121) and Int$29,119 (95% CI: 23,811-35,367) per DALY averted. In the secondary prevention scenario, all three classes of treatments were deemed cost-effective at a maximum willingness-to-pay threshold of Int$26,700. Notably, pioglitazone consistently exhibited the highest probability of being cost-effective in both scenarios. CONCLUSIONS: In Brazil, pioglitazone presented a higher probability of being cost-effective both in primary and secondary prevention, followed by SGLT2i and GLP-1A. Our findings support the use of cost-effectiveness models to build optimized and hierarchical therapeutic strategy in the management of T2DM. TRIAL REGISTRATION: CRD42020194415.

Assessment of Atherothrombotic Risk in Patients With Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus.

BACKGROUND: Risk of atherothrombotic events is not uniform in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). Tailored risk assessment may help guide selection of pharmacotherapies for cardiovascular primary and secondary prevention. OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this study was to develop a risk model for atherothrombosis in patients with T2DM. METHODS: We developed and validated a risk model for myocardial infarction (MI) or ischemic stroke (IS) in a pooled cohort of 42,181 patients with T2DM from 4 TIMI (Thrombolysis In Myocardial Infarction) clinical trial cohorts. Candidate variables were assessed with multivariable Cox regression, and independent variables (P < 0.05) were retained in the final model. Discrimination and calibration were assessed. Treatment interactions with dapagliflozin (sodium-glucose cotransporter-2 inhibitor) and evolocumab (proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9 inhibitor) were explored in the DECLARE-TIMI 58 (Dapagliflozin Effect on CardiovascuLAR Events-Thrombolysis In Myocardial Infarction 58) and FOURIER (Further Cardiovascular Outcomes Research with PCSK9 Inhibition in Subjects with Elevated Risk) trials, respectively. RESULTS: Sixteen variables were independent predictors of MI or IS. The model identified a >8-fold gradient of MI or IS rates between the top vs bottom risk quintiles in the validation cohort (3-year Kaplan-Meier rate: 14.9% vs 1.4%; P < 0.0001). C-indexes were 0.704 and 0.706 in the derivation and validation cohorts, respectively. The model was well-calibrated in both primary and secondary prevention. Absolute reduction in the rates of MI or IS tended to be greater in patients with higher baseline predicted risk for both dapagliflozin (absolute risk reduction: 2.1% vs 0.2%) and evolocumab (absolute risk reduction: 3.2% vs 1.0%). CONCLUSIONS: We developed and validated a risk score for atherothrombotic events, leveraging 16 routinely assessed clinical variables in patients with T2DM. The score has the potential to improve risk assessment and inform clinical decision-making.

Defective Allele of the Neuronal Nitric Oxide Synthase Gene Increases Insulin Resistance During Acute Phase of Myocardial Infarction.

BACKGROUND: Glycemic disorders are strong predictors of mortality in ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) patients, and disruption in nitric oxide (NO) production is associated with insulin-resistant states. We evaluated whether a defective allele of the neuronal nitric oxide synthase (nNOS) gene (NOS1) might influence insulin response and blood-glucose balance during the acute phase of STEMI and if post-infarction total plasma-NO levels and vasodilation scores varied across nNOS genotypes. METHODS: Consecutive patients with STEMI (n=354) underwent clinical evaluations and genotyping for the promoter variation rs41279104. In-hospital clinical and blood evaluations were performed at admission and five days after STEMI, with glycemic, insulinemic, and disposition indices assessed at the same times. Flow-mediated dilation (FMD) was assessed by reactive hyperemia on the 30th day. RESULTS: Homozygotes for the defective allele (A) showed lower glycemia and insulin sensitivity on day 1 while showing the highest ß-cell function and no changes in the circulating NO pool, which is compatible with hyperresponsive ß cells counteracting the inherent glucose-resistant state of AA patients. At day 5, glycemic scores had shifted to indicate greater insulin sensitivity among A homozygotes, paralleled by a significant yet poor increase in NO bioavailability compared to that among G carriers. All in all, defective homozygotes showed greater insulin resistance at admission that had reversed by 5 days after STEMI. Even so, A carriers developed lower FMD scores compared to G homozygotes after the acute phase. CONCLUSION: A defective nNOS allele (and due decline in NO production) seemed to elicit a hyperinsulinemia response to compensate for an insulin-resistant state during the acute phase of STEMI and to be associated with poor endothelial function after the acute phase.

Inhibition of the sodium-glucose co-transporter 2 in the elderly: clinical and mechanistic insights into safety and efficacy.

The prevalence of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) in the elderly grew sharply over the last decade. Reduced insulin sensitivity and secretory capacity, weight gain, sarcopenia, and elevated adiposity are all common metabolic and body changes in the aging population that favor an increased risk of hypoglycemia, frailty syndrome, falls, and cognitive dysfunction. First line antidiabetic therapy is frequently not safe in older individuals because of its high risk of hypoglycemia and prevalent co-morbid diseases, such as chronic kidney disease, osteoporosis, cardiovascular disease, and obesity. Sodium-glucose cotransporter 2 inhibitor (SGLT2i) is a new class of antidiabetic therapy that inhibits glucose and sodium reabsorption on renal proximal convoluted tubule. Its effect is well demonstrated in various clinical scenarios in the younger population. This review and metanalysis describe particularities of the SGLT2i on the elderly, with mechanistic insights of the potential benefit and remaining challenges about the use of these drugs in this important age group. Further, we will present a meta-analysis of the main effects of SGLT2i reported in post-hoc studies in which the median age of the subgroups analyzed was over 60 years. Despite the absence of specific clinical trials for this population, our findings suggest that SGLT2i therapy on older individuals is effective to lower glucose and maintain its effect on systolic blood pressure and body weight.

Statin Short-term Inhibition of Insulin Sensitivity and Secretion During Acute Phase of ST-Elevation Myocardial Infarction.

Hyperglycemia during myocardial infarction (MI) has a strong and direct association with mortality. In stable patients and experimental models, statins favor the elevation of glycaemia. The present study investigated whether short-course treatment with statins during MI can influence glucose homeostasis and thus the clinical outcome. In this prospective study, euglycemic hyperinsulinemic clamp (EHC) was performed at second (D2) and sixth (D6) day after MI in patients randomized to simvastatin (S)10 or 80 mg/day during hospitalization (n = 27). In addition, patients (n = 550) were treated without (WS) or with simvastatin (S) at 20, 40 or 80 mg/day had HOMA2S on admission (D1) and fifth (D5) day after MI. According to EHC, insulin sensitivity increased by 20 ± 60% in S10 and decreased by -6 ± 28% in S80 (p = 0.025). Consistently, the changes in HOMA2S between D1 and D5 were 40 ± 145% (WS), 22 ± 117% (S20), 16 ± 61% (S40) and -2% ± 88% (S80) (p = 0.001). In conclusion, statin during the acute phase of MI reduces insulin sensitivity in a dose-dependent manner.

Adverse outcome has a U-shaped relation with acute phase change in insulin sensitivity after ST-Elevation Myocardial Infarction.

BACKGROUND: Although stress hyperglycemia after myocardial infarction (MI) is consistently associated with increased mortality, recent studies suggest that the addition of upstream markers of glucose metabolism may improve risk identification. Hence, our aim was to evaluate the association between insulin sensitivity changes during MI hospitalization and outcomes. METHODS: A prospective cohort of 331 consecutive ST-Elevation MI (STEMI) patients without insulin provision therapy was used for the analyses. Blood samples were collected upon admission (D1) and after 5days (D5) of the inciting event. We measured blood glucose and insulin to estimate insulin sensitivity using the updated Homeostasis Model Assessment (HOMA2S). Patients were assessed for intra-hospital death and major adverse cardiac events (MACE) during follow-up. RESULTS: HOMA2S was 62%±52% on D1 and 86%±57% on D5 (p<0.001). Total follow-up was a median of 2 (0.9-2.8) years and found a U-shaped relation between the change in HOMA2S from D1 to D5 (ΔHOMA2S) and major adverse cardiac events (MACE) (p=0.017). Fully adjusted cox-regression models showed that patients from T1 and T3 were about 2.5 times more prone to suffer from MACE than those in T2. Net Reclassification Index adding ΔHOMA2S as a categorical variable dichotomized as T2 and T1 or T3 to a model of GRACE risk score with glucose D1 yielded a better predictive model (0.184 [95% CI 0.124-0.264]; p=0.032). CONCLUSION: A U-shaped curve describes the relation between insulin sensitivity change and MACE during acute phase STEMI and, thus indicating that acute dysglycemia must be appreciated in light of a time spectrum and insulin levels.

Sarcopenia, but not excess weight or increased caloric intake, is associated with coronary subclinical atherosclerosis in the very elderly.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Excess weight is a widespread condition related to increased risk of coronary heart disease (CHD). Sarcopenia is a catabolic pathway common of the aging process and also associated with CHD. In the elderly, both changes occur concurrently and it remains unclear the relative contribution on CHD risk. We aimed to investigate whether sarcopenia, excess weight, or both are associated with subclinical atherosclerosis and/or endothelial dysfunction in very elderly individuals. METHODS: We performed a cross-sectional study of cohort enrolled individuals, aged 80 years or older (n = 208), who had never manifested cardiovascular diseases. Blood tests, medical and nutritional evaluations, cardiac computed tomography, flow-mediated dilation (FMD) and physical performance tests were obtained at the study admission. Odds ratio (OR) was calculated by multivariate regression models using coronary calcium score (CCS) categories and FMD as dependent variables. Adjustment for potential confounders was done. RESULTS: Muscle mass, but not fatty mass, was inversely associated with CCS categories [OR:2.54(1.06-6.06); p = 0.018]. The lowering of gait speed was negatively related to CCS>100 [OR:2.36 (1.10-5.06); p = 0.028] and skeletal muscle index was directly associated with FMD [OR:5.44 (1.22-24.24); p = 0.026]. Total caloric intake was positively related to fatty mass [OR:2.71 (1.09-6.72); p = 0.031], but was not related to CCS. CONCLUSIONS: This study reveals that sarcopenia - comprised by reduction of muscle mass and its strength - is associated with subclinical atherosclerosis and endothelial dysfunction. Surprisingly, the excess of fatty mass seems not to be related to atherosclerotic burden in very elderly individuals.

ST-elevation myocardial infarction risk in the very elderly.

BACKGROUND: Despite the high incidence and mortality of ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) among the very elderly, risk markers for this condition remain poorly defined. This study was designed to identify independent markers of STEMI among individuals carefully selected for being healthy or manifesting STEMI in < 24 h. METHODS: We enrolled participants aged 80 years or older of whom 50 were STEMI patients and 207 had never manifested cardiovascular diseases. Blood tests, medical and psychological evaluations were obtained at study admission. Odds Ratio (OR) and attributed risk (AR) were obtained by multivariate regression models using STEMI as dependent variable. RESULTS: Low glomerular filtration rate (GFR) [OR:4.41 (1.78-10.95); p = 0.001], reduced levels of HDL-C [OR:10.70 (3.88-29.46); p = 0.001], male gender [OR:12.08 (5.82-25.08); p = 0.001], moderate to severe depressive symptoms [OR:10.00 (2.82-35.50); p = 0.001], prior smoking [OR:2.00 (1.05-3.80); p = 0.034] and current smoking [OR:6.58 (1.99-21.70); p = 0.002] were significantly associated with STEMI. No association was found between STEMI and age, diabetes, hypertension, mild depressive symptoms, triglyceride or LDL-C. CONCLUSIONS: This is the first case-control study carried out with very elderlies to assess STEMI risk. Our findings indicate that reduced HDL-C, GFR, male gender, smoking habits and moderate to severe depressive symptoms are markers of STEMI in this age group. GENERAL SIGNIFICANCE: In Individuals aged 80 or more years, a greater attention must be paid to low HDL-C and GFR at the expense of conventional STEMI risk factors for younger adults such as diabetes mellitus, hypertension and high LDL-C or triglyceride.