Adriana Saltijeral

Early myocardial deformation changes associated to isolated obesity: a study based on 3D-wall motion tracking analysis.

Obesity is considered as a strong risk factor for cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. 3D‐wall motion tracking echocardiography (3D‐WMT) provides information regarding different parameters of left ventricular (LV) myocardial deformation. Our aim was to assess the presence of early myocardial deformation abnormalities in nonselected obese children free from other cardiovascular risk factors. Thirty consecutive nonselected obese children and 42 healthy volunteer children were enrolled. None of them had any cardiovascular risk factor. Every subject underwent a 2D‐echo examination and a 3D‐WMT study. Mean age was 13.9 ± 2.56 and 13.25 ± 2.68 years in the nonobese and obese groups, respectively (59.7% and 40.3% male). Statistically significant differences were found for: interventricular septum thickness, LV posterior wall thickness, LV end‐diastolic volume, LV end‐systolic volume, left atrium volume, LV mass, and lateral annulus peak velocity. Regarding the results obtained by 3D‐WMT assessment, all the evaluated parameters were statistically significantly different between the two groups. When the influence of obesity on the different echocardiographic variables was evaluated by means of multivariate logistic regression analysis, the strongest relationship with obesity was found for LV average circumferential strain (β‐coefficient: 0.74; r2: 0.55; P: 0.003). Thus, obesity cardiomyopathy is associated not only with structural cardiac changes, but also with myocardial deformation changes. Furthermore, this association occurs as early as in the childhood and it is independent from any other cardiovascular risk factor. The most related parameter to obesity is LV circumferential strain.

Coronary Heart Disease, Peripheral Arterial Disease, and Stroke in Familial Hypercholesterolaemia: Insights From the SAFEHEART Registry (Spanish Familial Hypercholesterolaemia Cohort Study)

Objective—Heterozygous familial hypercholesterolemia (FH) is the most common premature atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD)–related monogenic disorder, and it is associated with ischemic heart disease. There is limited information whether FH increases the risk of peripheral arterial and cerebrovascular disease. Our aim was to analyze ASCVD prevalence and characteristics in different arterial territories in a large FH population, to compare them with an unaffected control population and to determine which factors are associated to ASCVD. Approach and Results—SAFEHEART (Spanish Familial Hypercholesterolaemia Cohort Study) is an ongoing registry of molecularly defined patients with heterozygous FH in Spain. ASCVD in the different arterial territories was analyzed, as well as individual characteristics, genetic variables, and lipid-lowering therapies. The study recruited 4132 subjects (3745 ≥18 years); 2,752 of those enrolled were molecularly diagnosed FH cases. Median age was 44.0 years (45.9% men) and 40 years (46.6% men) in FH patients and unaffected relatives (P<0.001). ASCVD was present in 358 (13.0%) and 47 (4.7%) FH patients and unaffected relatives, respectively (P<0.001). History of premature ASCVD was more prevalent in FH patients (9.4% and 2.4% in FH patients and unaffected relatives, respectively; P<0.001). Coronary artery–related manifestations and peripheral artery disease were more prevalent in FH patients than in controls, but no significant differences were found for cerebrovascular events. Age, body mass index, type 2 diabetes mellitus, high blood pressure, previous use of tobacco, and lipoprotein(a) >50 mg/dL were independently associated with ASCVD. Conclusions—The prevalence of ASCVD is higher, and the involvement of the arterial territories is different in FH patients when compared with their unaffected relatives. Age, male sex, increased body mass index, hypertension, type 2 diabetes mellitus, smoking habit, and lipoprotein(a) >50 mg/dL were independently associated to ASCVD. Clinical Trial Registration—URL: https://www.clinicaltrials.gov. Unique identifier: NCT02693548.

Predicting Cardiovascular Events in Familial Hypercholesterolemia

Background: Although risk factors for atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD) in familial hypercholesterolemia (FH) have been described, models for predicting incident ASCVD have not been reported. Our aim was to use the SAFEHEART registry (Spanish Familial Hypercholesterolemia Cohort Study) to define key risk factors for predicting incident ASCVD in patients with FH. Methods: SAFEHEART is a multicenter, nationwide, long-term prospective cohort study of a molecularly defined population with FH with or without previous ASCVD. Analyses to define risk factors and to build a risk prediction equation were developed, and the risk prediction equation was tested for its ability to discriminate patients who experience incident ASCVD from those who did not over time. Results: We recruited 2404 adult patients with FH who were followed up for a mean of 5.5 years (SD, 3.2 years), during which 12 (0.5%) and 122 (5.1%) suffered fatal and nonfatal incident ASCVD, respectively. Age, male sex, history of previous ASCVD, high blood pressure, increased body mass index, active smoking, and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol and lipoprotein(a) levels were independent predictors of incident ASCVD from which a risk equation with a Harrell C index of 0.85 was derived. The bootstrap resampling (100 randomized samples) of the original set for internal validation showed a degree of overoptimism of 0.003. Individual risk was estimated for each person without an established diagnosis of ASCVD before enrollment in the registry by use of the SAFEHEART risk equation, the modified Framingham risk equation, and the American College of Cardiology/American Heart Association ASCVD Pooled Cohort Risk Equations. The Harrell C index for these models was 0.81, 0.78, and 0.8, respectively, and differences between the SAFEHEART risk equation and the other 2 were significant (P=0.023 and P=0.045). Conclusions: The risk of incident ASCVD may be estimated in patients with FH with simple clinical predictors. This finding may improve risk stratification and could be used to guide therapy in patients with FH. Clinical Trial Registration: URL: http://clinicaltrials.gov. Unique identifier: NCT02693548.

Quantification of left atrial volumes using three-dimensional wall motion tracking echocardiographic technology: comparison with cardiac magnetic resonance

BACKGROUND Left atrium (LA) size assessment is clinically relevant, but the accuracy of two-dimensional echocardiographic (2D-echo) methods is limited. Three-dimensional (3D) echocardiography is an excellent alternative but is far from being used in daily clinical practice. Three-dimensional-wall motion tracking (3D-WMT) allows us to obtain volumes in a very simple and rapid manner. The aims of this study were to evaluate the accuracy of 3D-WMT technology to assess LA volume using cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) as a reference method, to evaluate its reproducibility, and to determine its added clinical value to classify the LA enlargement severity. METHODS AND RESULTS Seventy consecutive patients referred for a CMR study were prospectively enrolled. They underwent LA volume assessment by means of 2D-echo, 3D-WMT, and CMR. Inter-methods agreement was assessed. The mean age was 56 ± 18 years and 42 patients (60%) were males. Average maximal LA volume obtained by 2D-echo, 3D-WMT, and CMR were 63.33 ± 26.82, 79.80 ± 29.0, and 79.80 ± 28.99 mL, respectively. Univariate linear regression analysis showed a good correlation between 3D-WMT and CMR (r = 0.83; P < 0.001). The agreement analysis showed a similar result (ICC = 0.83; 95% CI = 0.74-0.89; P < 0.001). Furthermore, the LA enlargement degree was better evaluated with 3D-WMT than with 2D-echo. CONCLUSION This study validates LA volume measurements obtained using the new and fast 3D-WMT technology, compared with CMR. This method is fast, accurate, and reproducible, and it allows a better classification of left LA enlargement severity compared with 2D-echo.

Predicting Cardiovascular Events in Familial Hypercholesterolemia: The Safeheart Registry (spanish Familial Hypercholesterolemia Cohort Study)

Background: Although risk factors for atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD) in familial hypercholesterolemia (FH) have been described, models for predicting incident ASCVD have not been reported. Our aim was to use the SAFEHEART registry (Spanish Familial Hypercholesterolemia Cohort Study) to define key risk factors for predicting incident ASCVD in patients with FH. Methods: SAFEHEART is a multicenter, nationwide, long-term prospective cohort study of a molecularly defined population with FH with or without previous ASCVD. Analyses to define risk factors and to build a risk prediction equation were developed, and the risk prediction equation was tested for its ability to discriminate patients who experience incident ASCVD from those who did not over time. Results: We recruited 2404 adult patients with FH who were followed up for a mean of 5.5 years (SD, 3.2 years), during which 12 (0.5%) and 122 (5.1%) suffered fatal and nonfatal incident ASCVD, respectively. Age, male sex, history of previous ASCVD, high blood pressure, increased body mass index, active smoking, and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol and lipoprotein(a) levels were independent predictors of incident ASCVD from which a risk equation with a Harrell C index of 0.85 was derived. The bootstrap resampling (100 randomized samples) of the original set for internal validation showed a degree of overoptimism of 0.003. Individual risk was estimated for each person without an established diagnosis of ASCVD before enrollment in the registry by use of the SAFEHEART risk equation, the modified Framingham risk equation, and the American College of Cardiology/American Heart Association ASCVD Pooled Cohort Risk Equations. The Harrell C index for these models was 0.81, 0.78, and 0.8, respectively, and differences between the SAFEHEART risk equation and the other 2 were significant (P=0.023 and P=0.045). Conclusions: The risk of incident ASCVD may be estimated in patients with FH with simple clinical predictors. This finding may improve risk stratification and could be used to guide therapy in patients with FH. Clinical Trial Registration: URL: http://clinicaltrials.gov. Unique identifier: NCT02693548.

Attainment of LDL Cholesterol Treatment Goals in Children and Adolescents With Familial Hypercholesterolemia. The SAFEHEART Follow-up Registry

INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVES Little is known about the characteristics of persons with familial hypercholesterolemia (FH) younger than 18 years, the lipid-lowering therapy used in these patients, and the lipid goals reached in real life. Our aim was to evaluate the achievement of low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) treatment goals in FH patients younger than 18 years enrolled in a large national registry. METHODS We analyzed patients younger than 18 years enrolled in a large ongoing registry of molecularly-defined patients with FH in Spain. The attainment of guideline-recommended plasma LDL-C goals at entry and follow-up was analyzed in relation to the use of lipid-lowering therapy. RESULTS We enrolled 392 individuals younger than 18 years. Of these, 217 were molecularly-diagnosed FH patients and had a complete follow-up. The median follow-up time was 4.69 years (interquartile range, 2.48-6.38 years), 68.2% of FH patients were on statins, and 41.5% patients had LDL-C < 130mg/dL. Statin use was the only predictor of LDL-C goal attainment. CONCLUSIONS This study shows that a high proportion of FH patients younger than 18 years have high LDL-C levels and fail to achieve recommended LDL-C targets. Statin use was the only independent predictor of LDL-C goal achievement. No safety concerns were detected during follow-up. These results indicate that many FH patients are not adequately controlled and that there is still room for treatment improvement.

Predicting Cardiovascular Events in Familial Hypercholesterolemia: The SAFEHEART Registry

Background: Although risk factors for atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD) in familial hypercholesterolemia (FH) have been described, models for predicting incident ASCVD have not been reported. Our aim was to use the SAFEHEART registry (Spanish Familial Hypercholesterolemia Cohort Study) to define key risk factors for predicting incident ASCVD in patients with FH. Methods: SAFEHEART is a multicenter, nationwide, long-term prospective cohort study of a molecularly defined population with FH with or without previous ASCVD. Analyses to define risk factors and to build a risk prediction equation were developed, and the risk prediction equation was tested for its ability to discriminate patients who experience incident ASCVD from those who did not over time. Results: We recruited 2404 adult patients with FH who were followed up for a mean of 5.5 years (SD, 3.2 years), during which 12 (0.5%) and 122 (5.1%) suffered fatal and nonfatal incident ASCVD, respectively. Age, male sex, history of previous ASCVD, high blood pressure, increased body mass index, active smoking, and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol and lipoprotein(a) levels were independent predictors of incident ASCVD from which a risk equation with a Harrell C index of 0.85 was derived. The bootstrap resampling (100 randomized samples) of the original set for internal validation showed a degree of overoptimism of 0.003. Individual risk was estimated for each person without an established diagnosis of ASCVD before enrollment in the registry by use of the SAFEHEART risk equation, the modified Framingham risk equation, and the American College of Cardiology/American Heart Association ASCVD Pooled Cohort Risk Equations. The Harrell C index for these models was 0.81, 0.78, and 0.8, respectively, and differences between the SAFEHEART risk equation and the other 2 were significant (P=0.023 and P=0.045). Conclusions: The risk of incident ASCVD may be estimated in patients with FH with simple clinical predictors. This finding may improve risk stratification and could be used to guide therapy in patients with FH. Clinical Trial Registration: URL: http://clinicaltrials.gov. Unique identifier: NCT02693548.

Comments on the 2017 ESC Guidelines on the Diagnosis and Treatment of Peripheral Arterial Diseases.

Since 2011, the Spanish Society of Cardiology (SEC) has had a policy of endorsing all the clinical practice guidelines published by the European Society of Cardiology (ESC). In an effort to increase awareness of the guidelines, they are translated into Spanish and published in Revista Española de Cardiología along with comments from a group of Spanish experts that highlight the most noteworthy aspects, criticize the limitations, and adapt the recommendations to everyday clinical practice in Spain. This article contains the comments on the recently published ESC guidelines on the diagnosis and treatment of peripheral vascular diseases,1 developed in collaboration with the European Society for Vascular Surgery (ESVS). The Guidelines Committee set up a working group composed of SEC members to comment on the guidelines. These guidelines update the first ESC clinical practice guidelines on peripheral vascular disease (PVD) published in 2011.2 Although PVD may appear to be beyond the scope of cardiology, nothing could be further from the truth. The guidelines stress the importance of increasing cardiologists’, vascular surgeons’ and other physicians’ awareness and knowledge of the common nature of arteriosclerotic disease and the risk factors in the different vascular territories, including extracranial carotid and vertebral disease. For example, they recommend screening for PVD in patients with cardiac or cerebrovascular disease, and vice versa, because these 2 locations are the most common causes of mortality in patients with PVD. The collaboration with the ESVS is also relevant, because vascular surgeons are increasingly more involved in treatment, not only for revascularization, but also epidemiological aspects and the medical treatment of arterial disease. The document contains a table titled “What is new in the 2017 PAD guidelines?” plus some key messages at the start of each chapter, by way of an introduction. Another interesting feature is the “questions and answers” section, only available in the additional online material, which includes 14 short clinical cases that clearly and specifically illustrate the practical application of the guideline recommendations. Below are the comments on the most important aspects, following the same order as the guideline sections.

Selection of the Best of 2017 in Clinical Cardiology. Continuum Healthcare Between Cardiology and Primary Care

Cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of death in our environment. Despite continuous therapeutic advances and a slight improvement in the control of certain risk factors in recent years, the mortality and hospitalization rates of patients with chronic cardiovascular disease remain unacceptably high. Although some of the responsibility rests with patients (eg, lack of treatment adherence, unhealthy lifestyles), the reality is that a major part of the onus lies with health care staff, not because there is insufficient information on the best treatment strategy for each clinical situation (eg, clinical practice guidelines, intervention protocols) or because physicians do not know the best treatments, but because, at the time of implementing these recommendations in clinical practice, there are some potentially important shortfalls, some of which are structural. One of the most notable problems is the lack of efficient continuity of care. In general, and with some exceptions, communication between the different health care levels (primary and specialized) is clearly in need of improvement. Various initiatives have been published in recent years (eg, integration of the consultant cardiologist in the health center, implementation of combined intervention protocols, update sessions, optimized communication systems, shared electronic medical records, and improved clinical forms, both for hospital discharges and consultations) in order to better integrate cardiology and primary care, with positive results for both patients with chronic ischemic heart disease and those with heart failure. In a recent study published in Revista Española de Cardiologı́a, a switch from the classic cardiology clinic model to another one integrated with primary care (one-stop visit, consultant cardiologist, and virtual clinic) reduced in-person visits and delays. Thus, a reorganization of health care activity to enhance health care continuity can improve patient care and the efficient use of resources. Unfortunately, most initiatives have mainly been developed at the local level, that is, involving proposals/interventions between a hospital and the health care centers in its catchment area. It is thus necessary to take actions that transcend the local level. Accordingly, and within the strategic framework of the Spanish Society of Cardiology (SEC), lies SEC-PRIMARIA. The main aim of SEC-PRIMARIA is to reduce morbidity and mortality and improve quality of life in patients with heart disease via the efficient use of available resources (eg, discharge reports, shared intervention protocols, joint training, communication improvements). Patients with heart failure have a very high risk of death and hospitalizations, as well as a marked deterioration in quality of life. In addition, the management of these patients is complicated because they require frequent treatment modifications (dosage adjustments, medication changes), as well as close follow-up. Consequently, the cardiovascular disease most in need of optimal coordination between primary care and cardiology is heart failure. initiative. Through this scheme, various training programs hav been implemented to strengthen the diagnostic and therapeuti skills of primary health care physicians, as well as bolster healt care coordination between the 2 levels. Ultimately, coordination between primary and specialized car is required to enhance care in patients with cardiovascular diseas and improve system effectiveness. For this task, the SEC, as on would expect, is once again at the vanguard within the Spanis National Health System.

Mitral valve navigator. A new diagnostic tool for effective regurgitant orifice quantification in mitral regurgitation

Mitral regurgitation severity assessment is usually carried out using qualitative, semiquantitative, and quantitative parameters. The mitral valve navigation (MVN) tool allows to measure the mitral effective regurgitant orifice (MERO) from 3D echo datasets. Our aim was to validate the MVN as a new tool to quantify MERO. A secondary aim was to assess the intra‐ and interobserver variability.