Incidence and healing times of postoperative sternal wound infections: a retrospective observational single-centre study.

Objectives: Analyses of incidence and time required to heal sternal wound infections after heart surgery performed via a median sternotomy between 2020 and 2022. Results: Superficial wound infections (SWI) were five times more common (2.7%) than mediastinitis (0.5%) among 2693 patients. The median time between the operation and diagnosis of SWI was 26 (interquartile range [IQR] 15-33) days vs. 16 (IQR 9-25) days for mediastinitis (p = .12). Gram-negative bacteria caused 44% of the 85 infections. Sternal wound infection correlated to higher body mass index, female sex, smoking, diabetes mellitus, previous myocardial infarction, coronary artery bypass grafting, use of internal mammary graft, and re-entry for postoperative bleeding. Eight of 59 patients (13.6%) with sternal wound infections had bilateral mammary grafts, compared to 102 of 1191 patients (8.6%) without wound infections (p = .28). Negative pressure wound therapy was always used to treat mediastinitis and applied in 63% of patients with SWI. Two of 13 patients with mediastinitis (15%) and none of 72 patients with SWI died within 90 days after the operation. The median time until the wound healed was 1.9 (IQR 1.3-3.7) months after SWI vs. 1.7 (IQR 1.3-5.3) months after mediastinitis (p = .63). Six patients (7%) required longer than one year to treat the infection. Conclusions: Postoperative sternal wound infections usually appeared several weeks after surgery and were associated with factors as high body mass index, diabetes mellitus and coronary artery bypass. SWI were more common than mediastinitis and often required negative pressure wound therapy and similar treatment time as mediastinitis.

PCI or CABG for left main coronary artery disease: the SWEDEHEART registry.

AIMS: An observational nationwide all-comers prospective register study to analyse outcomes after coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) or percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) in unprotected left main coronary artery (LMCA) disease. METHODS AND RESULTS: All patients undergoing coronary angiography in Sweden are registered in the Swedish Web-system for Enhancement and Development of Evidence-based care in Heart disease Evaluated According to Recommended Therapies registry. Between 01/01/2005 and 12/31/2015, 11 137 patients with LMCA disease underwent CABG (n = 9364) or PCI (n = 1773). Patients with previous CABG, ST-elevation myocardial infarction (MI) or cardiac shock were excluded. Death, MI, stroke, and new revascularization during follow-up until 12/31/2015 were identified using national registries. Cox regression with inverse probability weighting (IPW) and an instrumental variable (IV), administrative region, were used. Patients undergoing PCI were older, had higher prevalence of comorbidity but lower prevalence of three-vessel disease. PCI patients had higher mortality than CABG patients after adjustments for known cofounders with IPW analysis (hazard ratio [HR] 2.0 [95% confidence interval (CI) 1.5-2.7]) and known/unknown confounders with IV analysis (HR 1.5 [95% CI 1.1-2.0]). PCI was associated with higher incidence of major adverse cardiovascular and cerebrovascular events (MACCE; death, MI, stroke, or new revascularization) than CABG, with IV analysis (HR 2.8 [95% CI 1.8-4.5]). There was a quantitative interaction for diabetic status regarding mortality (P = 0.014) translating into 3.6 years (95% CI 3.3-4.0) longer median survival time favouring CABG in patients with diabetes. CONCLUSION: In this non-randomized study, CABG in patients with LMCA disease was associated with lower mortality and fewer MACCE compared to PCI after multivariable adjustment for known and unknown confounders.

Effect of COVID-19 on cardiac surgery volumes in Sweden.

Objectives. The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, which commenced in 2020, is known to frequently cause respiratory failure requiring intensive care, with occasional fatal outcomes. In this study, we aimed to conduct a retrospective nationwide observational study on the influence of the pandemic on cardiac surgery volumes in Sweden. Results. In 2020, 9.4% (n = 539) fewer patients underwent open-heart operations in Sweden (n = 5169) than during 2019 (n = 5708), followed by a 5.8% (n = 302) increase during 2021 (n = 5471). The reduction was greater than 15% in three of the eight hospitals in Sweden performing open-heart operations. Compared to 2019, in 2020, the waiting times for surgery were longer, and the patients were slightly younger, had better renal function, and a lower European System for Cardiac Operative Risk Evaluation; moreover, few patients had a history of myocardial infarction. However, more patients had insulin-treated diabetes mellitus, hypertension, peripheral vascular disease, reduced left ventricular function, and elevated pulmonary artery pressure. Urgent procedures were more common, but acute surgery was less common in 2020 than in 2019. Early mortality and postoperative complications were low and did not differ during the three years. Conclusion. The 9.4% decrease in the number of heart surgeries performed in Sweden during the 2020 COVID-19 pandemic, compared to 2019, partially recovered during 2021; however, there was no backlog of patients awaiting heart surgery.

Testing for coronarvirus disease 2019 before cardiac surgery-safe outcome of infected patients.

BACKGROUND: The aim was to analyze routine preoperative testing for coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) performed to avoid infected cardiac surgical patients transmitting virus during the pandemic. METHODS: Every patient scheduled to undergo cardiac surgery from March 2020 through December 2021 had preoperative polymerase-chain-reaction (PCR) test for COVID-19 by nasopharynx swabs. Any history of COVID-19 was recorded. RESULTS: In 15 of 1870 patients (0.8%) with minimal or no airway symptoms unexpected positive PCR tests were detected, and surgery was deferred for two weeks. Totally 38 patients with negative tests had recovered without sequelae from previous COVID-19 a mean of 5 months before the operation. Sixteen patients (0.8%) developed airway symptoms within six weeks after the operation and had positive COVID-19 tests. Body Mass Index was higher and female gender, diabetes mellitus, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and reduced left ventricular ejection fraction were more common in patients with than in those without COVID-19. Early postoperative outcomes did not differ significantly in patients with versus without COVID-19. CONCLUSIONS: An unexpected preoperative positive COVID-19 test was detected in less than one percent of patients admitted for cardiac surgery during the pandemic. These operations were deferred to avoid transmission of virus in the hospital. Additionally, one percent of patients were diagnosed with positive COVID-19 tests within six weeks after the operation. There was no outbreak of COVID-19 among hospital staff or patients. All patients with COVID-19 before the operation were operated on safely and postoperative outcomes did not differ significantly compared with COVID-19 negative patients.

Dismal outcome if delayed cardiac surgery because of coronavirus disease 2019.

The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic was a great burden for health care worldwide. We encountered 21 non-infected adult patients during 2020 who deferred to seek medical treatment since they thought that their difficulties to breathe were due to COVID-19. They were diagnosed late with cardiac disease with the indication for surgery. Deferred surgery for aortic stenosis was the cause of death in 1 patient. Long-standing not-treated endocarditis had caused severe aortic root pathology in 3 patients. Late-diagnosed ST-elevation myocardial infarction in 2 patients had caused papillary muscle and ventricular wall rupture. Eighteen of the patients finally underwent heart surgery at our tertiary care centre with early mortality of 22%. We conclude that late diagnosis of subjects requiring surgical treatment for heart disease was a risk for dismal outcomes during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Long-term risk of a major cardiovascular event by apoB, apoA-1, and the apoB/apoA-1 ratio-Experience from the Swedish AMORIS cohort: A cohort study.

BACKGROUND: Elevated apolipoprotein B (apoB) and elevated apoB/apoA-1 ratio increase the risk of myocardial infarction (MI) and stroke, whereas high apoA-1 is protective. We study how these apolipoproteins are associated with major adverse cardiovascular events (MACEs), whether apoA-1 contributes to this association, and whether abnormal values occur decades before such events develop. METHODS AND FINDINGS: In the Swedish AMORIS (Apolipoprotein-related MOrtality RISk) cohort study, 137,100 men and women aged 25-84 years were followed an average 17.8 years. ApoB, apoA-1, and the apoB/apoA-1 ratio were analysed in relation to MACEs (non-fatal MI, stroke, and cardiovascular [CV] mortality), yielding 22,473 events. Hazard ratios (HRs) were estimated using Cox regression. Kaplan-Meier estimates were used to investigate the relationship of MACEs with increasing quintiles of the apoB/apoA-1 ratio in all age groups for both sexes. In nested case-control analyses, cases were randomly matched to age- and sex-matched controls, yielding population trajectories for apolipoproteins. Increased level of apoB and increased apoB/apoA-1 ratio were associated with risk of MACE and all clinical sub-components in both men and women across all ages (10th versus first decile in both sexes combined: HR 1.7 for MACE and 2.7 for non-fatal MI). Decreased values of apoA-1 potentiated the impact of apoB at all levels of apoB (on average across apoB range: 40% increase in HR for MACE and 72% increase in HR for non-fatal MI), indicating that the apoB/apoA-1 ratio covers a broader range of persons with dyslipidaemia at risk than apoB alone. In both men and women, MACEs occurred earlier on average for each increasing quintile of the apoB/apoA-1 ratio. Individuals with the highest levels of apoB/apoA-1 ratio experienced CV events on average several years earlier than those with lower ratios. Higher apoB/apoA-1 ratio in cases of MACE versus controls was seen already about 20 years before the event. A limitation of this study was that adjustment for tobacco smoking and hypertension was only possible in a small validation study. CONCLUSIONS: An imbalance between apoB and apoA-1 resulting in an increased apoB/apoA-1 ratio is strongly associated with the outcome MACE and its sub-components, in both men and women of all ages. An increased apoB/apoA-1 ratio already 2 decades before events calls for early recognition and primary prevention. Simple evidence-based cut values should be considered in future cardiovascular guidelines.

Late leaflet dehiscence in a bovine bioprosthesis-mimicked COVID-19 infection.

Symptoms mimicking COVID-19 infection, pulmonary emboli, or septicemia delayed diagnosis of aortic bioprosthesis failure. A 71-year-old man was admitted emergently with shortness of breath, fever, cough, and chest pain. Echocardiography performed after 2 days showed diastolic regurgitation in an aortic perimount pericardial bioprosthesis implanted 12 years previously. An urgent reoperation disclosed that one pericardial cusp was torn from the stent of the valve. We have not previously encountered sudden pericardial leaflet dehiscence of an internally mounted pericardial valve that caused heart failure and found no literature report like our finding.

Elevated Apolipoprotein B/A-1 Ratio is Associated With an Increased Risk of Aortic Stenosis: Experience From the AMORIS Cohort.

BACKGROUND: Lipoproteins are associated with acquired aortic valve stenosis (AS). This study investigated whether an elevated apolipoprotein (apo)B/apoA-1 ratio was associated with an increased risk of AS and if this association was influenced by a history of a major adverse cardiovascular event (MACE) defined as stroke, myocardial infarction or revascularisation. METHODS: A study was undertaken of 131,816 individuals, aged ≥30 years, from the Swedish Apolipoprotein MOrtality RISk (AMORIS) cohort, with measurements of apolipoproteins B and A-1 at health examinations during 1985-1996. RESULTS: There were fewer women and the average age was 4 years older in the highest apoB/apoA-1 quintile compared with the lowest. Being overweight, having reduced renal function and diabetes mellitus were more frequent. Low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, triglyceride and apolipoprotein B levels were higher in the top apoB/apoA-1 quintile. During follow-up through 2011, non-rheumatic aortic valve disease was diagnosed in 2,999 individuals (2.3%). Using ICD-10 codes from 1997, AS was identified in 1,887 patients. An elevated apoB/apoA-1 ratio was associated with an increased incidence of aortic valve disease after multivariable adjustment [hazard ratio (HR) (95% CI) for the fifth vs first quintile of 1.28 (1.09-1.50)]. Restricting the analyses to incident AS during 1997-2011 yielded an HR of 1.41 (1.15-1.72). This increased incidence was primarily seen in women and individuals aged ≥65 years. History of MACE did not influence these associations. CONCLUSIONS: An elevated apoB/apoA-1 ratio was associated with an increased incidence of AS, particularly in women and individuals aged ≥65 years, regardless of previous MACE.

Preoperative disturbances of glucose metabolism and mortality after coronary artery bypass grafting.

BACKGROUND: Disturbances of glucose metabolism are important risk factors for coronary artery disease and are associated with an increased mortality risk. The aim was to investigate the association between preoperative disturbances of glucose metabolism and long-term all-cause mortality after coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG). METHODS: Patients undergoing a first isolated CABG in 2005-2013 were included. All patients without previously known diabetes underwent an oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) before surgery. They were categorised as having normal glucose tolerance (NGT), pre-diabetes (impaired glucose tolerance and/or impaired fasting glucose) or newly discovered diabetes. Data were collected from nationwide healthcare registers. Cox regression was used to calculate adjusted HR with 95% CI for death in patients with pre-diabetes and diabetes, using NGT as reference. RESULTS: In total, 497 patients aged 40-86 years were included. According to OGTT, 170 (34%) patients had NGT, 219 (44%) patients with pre-diabetes and 108 (22%) patients had newly discovered diabetes. Baseline characteristics were similar between the groups except for slightly higher age among patients with newly discovered diabetes. There were 133 (27%) deaths during a mean follow-up time of 10 years. The cumulative 10-year survival was 77% (69%-83%), 83% (77%-87%) and 71% (61%-79%) in patients with NGT, pre-diabetes and newly discovered diabetes, respectively. There was no significant difference in all-cause mortality between the groups after multivariable adjustment. CONCLUSION: In this study, patients with pre-diabetes or newly discovered diabetes prior to CABG had similar long-term survival compared with patients with NGT.

Death in low-risk cardiac surgery revisited.

Background: A systematic review of low-risk death has been shown successful in identifying system weaknesses. The aim was to analyse early mortality in low-risk patients undergoing cardiac surgery and to determine the cause of death, classify if they were unavoidable or potentially preventable as a result of technical or system errors. Methods: We included all low-risk patients who underwent cardiac surgery at our institution from 1 September 2009 to 31 August 2019. In patients operated between 2009 and 2011, we defined low risk as an additive European System for Cardiac Operative Risk Evaluation (EuroSCORE) I less than or equal to 3, and from 2012 and onwards as a EuroSCORE II less than or equal to 1.5. The medical records for the patients who died within 30 days of surgery were thoroughly examined and the cause of death was classified as cardiac or non-cardiac. Furthermore, deaths were categorised as not preventable, preventable (technical error) or preventable (system error). Results: During the study period 3103 low-risk patients underwent surgery, and 11 patients died within 30 days of the operation (0.35%). Six of these (55%) were classified as preventable and five non-preventable. Four of the preventable deaths were classified as technical errors and two were due to system errors. Conclusions: A repeated systematic review of deaths in patients with a low preoperative risk showed that a majority of deaths were preventable, and therefore potentially avoidable. Similar to the previous assessment at our unit, mortality was very low and failure to communicate remains a modifiable factor that should be addressed.

Active chest tube clearance after aortic valve surgery did not influence amount residual pericardial fluid after aortic valve replacement in a randomised trial.

Objective. Evaluate if the use of active clearance of chest tubes after aortic valve surgery influenced bleeding and reduced postoperative residual pericardial effusion. Design. Prospective randomised trial comparing PleuraFlow® 32 F chest tube with FlowGlide™ active clearance to a standard Argyle® 32 F chest tube in 100 patients undergoing aortic valve surgery. Chest tube outputs and pericardial effusion measurements assessed by two-dimensional transthoracic echocardiography were recorded before hospital discharge. Results. Postoperative chest tube outputs per hour did not differ between the two groups. The median chest tube output was 400 mL for patients who had a PleuraFlow® chest tube vs. 490 mL for patients with an Argyle® chest tube (p = .08). Pericardial effusions ≥ 2 mm were detected in 76% vs. 68% of the patients (p = .50) and postoperative atrial fibrillation occurred in 42% vs. 34% (p = .54), respectively. Conclusions. Use of active clearance chest tubes, compared to standard chest tubes after aortic valve surgery did not differ significantly regarding postoperative bleeding or degree of pericardial effusion as measured by echocardiography prior to hospital discharge.

Sociodemographic, labour market marginalisation and medical characteristics as risk factors for reinfarction and mortality within 1 year after a first acute myocardial infarction: a register-based cohort study of a working age population in Sweden.

OBJECTIVES: Research covering a wide range of risk factors related to the prognosis during the first year after an acute myocardial infarction (AMI) is insufficient. This study aimed to investigate whether sociodemographic, labour market marginalisation and medical characteristics before/at AMI were associated with subsequent reinfarction and all-cause mortality. DESIGN: Population-based cohort study. PARTICIPANTS: The cohort included 15 069 individuals aged 25-64 years who had a first AMI during 2008-2010. PRIMARY AND SECONDARY OUTCOME MEASURES: The outcome measures consisted of reinfarction and all-cause mortality within 1 year following an AMI, which were estimated by univariate and multivariable HRs and 95% CIs by Cox regression. RESULTS: Sociodemographic characteristics such as lower education showed a 1.1-fold and 1.3-fold higher risk for reinfarction and mortality, respectively. Older age was associated with a higher risk of mortality while being born in non-European countries showed a lower risk of mortality. Labour market marginalisation such as previous long-term work disability was associated with a twofold higher risk of mortality. Regarding medical characteristics, ST-elevation myocardial infarction was predictive for reinfarction (HR: 1.14, 95% CI: 1.07 to 1.21) and all-cause mortality (HR: 3.80, 95% CI: 3.08 to 4.68). Moreover, diabetes mellitus, renal insufficiency, stroke, cancer and mental disorders were associated with a higher risk of mortality (range of HRs: 1.24-2.59). CONCLUSIONS: Sociodemographic and medical risk factors were identified as risk factors for mortality and reinfarction after AMI, including older age, immigration status, somatic and mental comorbidities. Previous long-term work disability and infarction type provide useful information for predicting adverse outcomes after AMI during the first year, particularly for mortality.

Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting in Women 50 Years or Younger.

Background Prior research has shown higher mortality in women with severe coronary artery disease compared with men, particularly in younger patients. It is unknown if this could be attributable to an adverse risk factor profile. Methods and Results In a population-based cohort study, we included all adults ≤50 years of age (932 women and 4514 men) who underwent coronary artery bypass grafting from 1995 to 2013 from the SWEDEHEART (Swedish Web System for Enhancement and Development of Evidence-Based Care in Heart Disease Evaluated According to Recommended Therapies) register. Following inverse probability of treatment weighting, we investigated differences between women and men. Women had a higher prevalence of cardiovascular risk factors compared with men. There was no difference in early mortality between women and men (unadjusted: 1.3% versus 0.9%; hazard ratio, 1.42; 95% CI, 0.75-2.70; weighted sample: 1.1% versus 1.0%; hazard ratio, 1.10; 95% CI, 0.52-2.30). During a median follow-up time of 11.8 years, in the unweighted population, the risk of death was greater in women compared with men (hazard ratio, 1.34; 95% CI, 1.13-1.58). However, in the weighted sample, the risk of death was not significantly different in women compared with men (hazard ratio, 1.02; 95% CI, 0.83-1.26). Conclusions Women ≤50 years of age had a higher unadjusted risk of death after coronary artery bypass grafting compared with men, but this was explained by a clustering of cardiovascular risk factors. Female sex per se was not associated with increased mortality or major adverse cardiovascular events. Early mortality was not increased in women compared with men, even though younger women in our study had an increased burden of risk factors known to affect early risk. Clinical Trial Registration URL: http://www.clinicaltrials.gov. Unique identifier: NCT02276950.

Contribution of Gene Regulatory Networks to Heritability of Coronary Artery Disease.

BACKGROUND: Genetic variants currently known to affect coronary artery disease (CAD) risk explain less than one-quarter of disease heritability. The heritability contribution of gene regulatory networks (GRNs) in CAD, which are modulated by both genetic and environmental factors, is unknown. OBJECTIVES: This study sought to determine the heritability contributions of single nucleotide polymorphisms affecting gene expression (eSNPs) in GRNs causally linked to CAD. METHODS: Seven vascular and metabolic tissues collected in 2 independent genetics-of-gene-expression studies of patients with CAD were used to identify eSNPs and to infer coexpression networks. To construct GRNs with causal relations to CAD, the prior information of eSNPs in the coexpression networks was used in a Bayesian algorithm. Narrow-sense CAD heritability conferred by the GRNs was calculated from individual-level genotype data from 9 European genome-wide association studies (GWAS) (13,612 cases, 13,758 control cases). RESULTS: The authors identified and replicated 28 independent GRNs active in CAD. The genetic variation in these networks contributed to 10.0% of CAD heritability beyond the 22% attributable to risk loci identified by GWAS. GRNs in the atherosclerotic arterial wall (n = 7) and subcutaneous or visceral abdominal fat (n = 9) were most strongly implicated, jointly explaining 8.2% of CAD heritability. In all, these 28 GRNs (each contributing to >0.2% of CAD heritability) comprised 24 to 841 genes, whereof 1 to 28 genes had strong regulatory effects (key disease drivers) and harbored many relevant functions previously associated with CAD. The gene activity in these 28 GRNs also displayed strong associations with genetic and phenotypic cardiometabolic disease variations both in humans and mice, indicative of their pivotal roles as mediators of gene-environmental interactions in CAD. CONCLUSIONS: GRNs capture a major portion of genetic variance and contribute to heritability beyond that of genetic loci currently known to affect CAD risk. These networks provide a framework to identify novel risk genes/pathways and study molecular interactions within and across disease-relevant tissues leading to CAD.

Risk factors for subsequent work disability in patients with acute myocardial infarction.

BACKGROUND: Scientific knowledge on risk factors for work disability in terms of long-term sickness absence (SA) and disability pension (DP) following acute myocardial infarction (AMI) is limited. The study aimed to investigate socio-demographic, work-related and medical characteristics as risk factors for long-term SA (>90 days) and DP in patients with a first AMI. METHODS: This is a population-based cohort study of 8199 individuals aged 19-60 years who had a first AMI during 2008-10 and were alive 30 days after AMI. Univariate and multivariable hazard ratios (HRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) with regard to long-term SA and DP with a 3-year follow-up were estimated by Cox regression. RESULTS: We found a higher risk of long-term SA and DP after AMI in women, those with lower education and previous SA (range of HRs: 1.29-7.34). Older age and being born in non-European countries were associated with a 2- to 3-fold higher risk of DP. Moreover, ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI), musculoskeletal and common mental disorders (CMDs) were risk factors for long-term SA and DP, while diabetes mellitus and stroke were associated with a higher risk of DP (range of HRs: 1.12-2.98). Coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) compared with percutaneous coronary intervention was associated with a 2-fold higher risk of work disability. CONCLUSIONS: Older women, those with lower education and non-European immigrants had a higher risk of work disability after AMI, particularly permanent work disability. STEMI, CABG, diabetes mellitus, stroke, musculoskeletal disorders and CMDs provide important clinical information for work disability after AMI.

Increased platelet reactivity and platelet-leukocyte aggregation after elective coronary bypass surgery.

Inflammatory mechanisms are activated, and thrombotic complications occur during the initial months after coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG). Therefore, changes over time of platelet activation and platelet-leukocyte interactions after CABG are of interest. Whole-blood flow cytometry was performed before, and 4-6 days, one month, and three months after elective CABG in 54 men with stable coronary artery disease treated with acetylsalicylic acid (ASA). Single platelets and platelet-leukocyte aggregates (PLAs) among monocytes (P-Mon), neutrophils (P-Neu), and lymphocytes (P-Lym) were studied without and with stimulation by submaximal concentrations of ADP, thrombin, and the thromboxane analog U46619. White blood cell counts were increased during the initial postoperative course, and platelet counts were increased after one month. Platelet P-selectin expression was significantly enhanced at one month when stimulated by thrombin and U46619 and at three months with ADP and thrombin. All PLAs subtypes were increased at one month without stimulation in vitro. P-Mon and P-Neu stimulated by ADP, thrombin, or U46619 were significantly increased one month after the operation but decreased compared to baseline at three months. Agonist stimulated P-Lyms were increased at one month and remained increased at three months after ADP stimulation. There was significant platelet activation and formation of PLAs unstimulated and after agonist stimulation by ADP, thrombin, and a thromboxane analog after CABG in patients with stable coronary artery disease irrespective of ASA treatment. Changes observed up to three months after CABG support further studies of the clinical implications of protracted increases in platelet activation and platelet-leukocyte interactions.

Cardiovascular events in patients under age fifty with early findings of elevated lipid and glucose levels - The AMORIS study.

BACKGROUND: The long-term trajectories of lipid and glucose levels in subjects who experience a major cardiovascular (CV) event at a young age has not been well studied. Our objective was to investigate lipid, lipoprotein, apolipoprotein (apo), and glucose levels in individuals experiencing a CV event before 50 years of age. METHODS AND FINDINGS: A first CV event [non-fatal myocardial infarction (MI), coronary revascularisation, or CV related death] before age 50 was recorded in 2,939 (cumulative incidence 1.2% in males and 0.3% in females) of 361,353 individuals included in the prospective Swedish AMORIS (Apolipoprotein-related MOrtality RISk) study with health examinations 1985-1996 and follow-up through 2011. In a nested case-control analysis, cases with a CV event were matched to randomly selected controls. Population risk factor trajectories were calculated up to 20 years prior to an event. Total cholesterol (TC), triglyceride (TG), and glucose levels were higher in cases than in controls as early as 20 years prior to the event with differences increasing over time. Low density lipoprotein, apoB, and the apoB/apoA-1 ratio were higher and increased over time, while HDL and apoA-1 were lower in cases compared to controls. The odds ratio was 2.5 (95% confidence interval 1.6-3.7) for TC ≥5 mmol/L and TG ≥1.7 mmol/L in cases versus controls. The adjusted population-attributable fractions including lipids, glucose, diabetes, smoking, hypertension, and obesity indicated that about 50% of CV events before age 50 may be associated with elevated lipid and glucose levels. CONCLUSIONS: Elevated TC, TG, LDL, apoB, and glucose levels and high apoB/apo A-1 ratio documented two decades before a CV event in subjects younger than 50 years may account for about half of CV events before age 50, which calls for early recognition and possibly treatment of modifiable CV risk factors in young individuals.