Jan Bruthans

EUROASPIRE IV : a European Society of Cardiology survey on the lifestyle, risk factor and therapeutic management of coronary patients from 24 European countries

Aims To determine whether the Joint European Societies guidelines on cardiovascular prevention are being followed in everyday clinical practice of secondary prevention and to describe the lifestyle, risk factor and therapeutic management of coronary patients across Europe. Methods and results EUROASPIRE IV was a cross-sectional study undertaken at 78 centres from 24 European countries. Patients <80 years with coronary disease who had coronary artery bypass graft, percutaneous coronary intervention or an acute coronary syndrome were identified from hospital records and interviewed and examined ≥ 6 months later. A total of 16,426 medical records were reviewed and 7998 patients (24.4% females) interviewed. At interview, 16.0% of patients smoked cigarettes, and 48.6% of those smoking at the time of the event were persistent smokers. Little or no physical activity was reported by 59.9%; 37.6% were obese (BMI ≥ 30 kg/m2) and 58.2% centrally obese (waist circumference ≥ 102 cm in men or ≥88 cm in women); 42.7% had blood pressure ≥ 140/90 mmHg (≥140/80 in people with diabetes); 80.5% had low-density lipoprotein cholesterol ≥ 1.8 mmol/l and 26.8% reported having diabetes. Cardioprotective medication was: anti-platelets 93.8%; beta-blockers 82.6%; angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors/angiotensin receptor blockers 75.1%; and statins 85.7%. Of the patients 50.7% were advised to participate in a cardiac rehabilitation programme and 81.3% of those advised attended at least one-half of the sessions. Conclusion A large majority of coronary patients do not achieve the guideline standards for secondary prevention with high prevalences of persistent smoking, unhealthy diets, physical inactivity and consequently most patients are overweight or obese with a high prevalence of diabetes. Risk factor control is inadequate despite high reported use of medications and there are large variations in secondary prevention practice between centres. Less than one-half of the coronary patients access cardiac prevention and rehabilitation programmes. All coronary and vascular patients require a modern preventive cardiology programme, appropriately adapted to medical and cultural settings in each country, to achieve healthier lifestyles, better risk factor control and adherence with cardioprotective medications.

Longitudinal trends in major cardiovascular risk factors in the Czech population between 1985 and 2007/8. Czech MONICA and Czech post-MONICA.

OBJECTIVE The aim of our study was to assess longitudinal trends in major CV risk factors in a representative population sample of the Czech Republic. METHODS Three cross-sectional surveys of CV risk factors were conducted within the WHO MONICA project in six Czech districts in 1985 (n=2570), 1988 (n=2768), and 1992 (n=2343). In 1997/98, 2000/01, and 2007/08, another three screenings for CV risk factors (a 1% random sample, aged 25-64, mean age 45 years) were conducted in the six original districts (n=1990; 2055; and 2246, respectively). RESULTS Over a period of 22/23 years, there was a significant decrease in the prevalence of smoking in males (from 45.0 to 30.5%; p<0.001) and no change in smoking habits in females. BMI increased in males and did not change in females. Both systolic and diastolic blood pressure decreased significantly in both genders, while the prevalence of hypertension declined only in females. Awareness of hypertension also rose as did the proportion of individuals treated by antihypertensive drugs in both genders. Hypertension control improved in either gender. A remarkable drop in total cholesterol was seen in both sexes (males: from 6.21 + or - 1.29 to 5.29 + or - 1.10 mmol/L; p<0.001; females: from 6.18 + or - 1.26 to 5.30 + or - 1.06 mmol/L; p<0.001). CONCLUSIONS The striking improvement in CV risk factors documented between 1985 and 2007/8 most likely contributed to the decrease in CV mortality in the Czech Republic.

Longitudinal trends in cardiovascular mortality and blood pressure levels, prevalence, awareness, treatment, and control of hypertension in the Czech population from 1985 to 2007/2008

Objectives To assess longitudinal trends in cardiovascular mortality and population mean blood pressure, prevalence, awareness, treatment, and control of hypertension in a representative Czech population sample from 1985 to 2007/2008. Methods Source data on mortality rates were provided by the Czech Statistical Office and further processed by the Institute for Health Information and Statistics of the Czech Republic. Six independent cross-sectional population surveys were conducted in 1985, 1988, 1992, 1997/1998, 2000/2001, and 2007/2008 with randomly selected men and women aged 25–64 years and resident in six districts of the Czech Republic (Praha-východ, Benešov, Pardubice, Chrudim, Cheb, and Jindřichův Hradec). The total number of participants was 13 972. Results Since 1985, there has been a significant continuous, almost linear decline in standardized total, cardiovascular disease, ischemic heart disease, and stroke mortality (P < 0.001). There was a significant downward trend in the population mean SBP (from 133.6 ± 20.2 to 129.5 ± 18.5 mmHg; P < 0.001) and DBP (from 84.1 ± 11.3 to 82.5 ± 10.0 mmHg; P < 0.001) from 1985 to 2007/2008. This was associated with a significant decrease in the prevalence of hypertension only in women (from 42.5 to 37.2%; P < 0.001). Awareness of hypertension increased in both sexes (men, from 41.4 to 68.4%; women, from 58.9 to 71.4%; both P < 0.001) as did the number of individuals on antihypertensive medication (men, from 21.1 to 58.2%, women: from 38.9 to 58.9%; both P < 0.001). Control of hypertension improved significantly (from 3.9 to 24.6%) over the same period. Conclusion The reduction in population blood pressure and improved hypertension control may have contributed substantially to the decrease in cardiovascular disease mortality in the Czech Republic.

Desphospho-uncarboxylated matrix Gla-protein is associated with mortality risk in patients with chronic stable vascular disease

BACKGROUND Vitamin K is the essential co-factor for activation of matrix Gla-protein (MGP), the natural inhibitor of tissue calcification. Biologically inactive, desphospho-uncarboxylated MGP (dp-ucMGP) is a marker of vascular vitamin K status and is described to predict mortality in patients with heart failure and aortic stenosis. We hypothesized that increased dp-ucMGP might be associated with mortality risk in clinically stable patients with chronic vascular disease. MATERIALS AND METHODS We examined 799 patients (mean age 65.1 ± 9.3 years) who suffered from myocardial infarction, coronary revascularization or first ischemic stroke (pooled Czech samples of EUROASPIRE III and EUROASPIRE-stroke surveys), and followed them in a prospective cohort study. To estimate the 5-year all-cause and cardiovascular mortality we ascertained vital status and declared cause of death. Circulating dp-ucMGP and desphospho-carboxylated MGP (dp-cMGP) were measured by ELISA methods (IDS and VitaK). RESULTS During a median follow-up of 2050 days (5.6 years) 159 patients died. In the fully adjusted multivariate Cox proportional hazard model, the patients in the highest quartile of dp-ucMGP (≥ 977 pmol/L) had higher risk of all-cause and cardiovascular 5-year mortality [HRR 1.89 (95% CI, 1.32-2.72) and 1.88 (95% CI, 1.22-2.90)], respectively. Corresponding HRR for dp-cMGP were 1.76 (95% CI, 1.18-2.61) and 1.79 (95% CI, 1.12-2.57). CONCLUSIONS In patients with overt vascular disease, circulating dp-ucMGP and dp-cMGP were independently associated with the risk of all-cause and cardiovascular mortality. Since published results are conflicting regarding the dp-cMGP, we propose only circulating dp-ucMGP as a potential biomarker for assessment of additive cardiovascular risk.

Control of main risk factors after ischaemic stroke across Europe: data from the stroke-specific module of the EUROASPIRE III survey

Background Previous cross-sectional surveys in different European countries within the EUROASPIRE programme demonstrated a high prevalence of modifiable risk factors, unhealthy lifestyles and inadequate drug treatment in coronary heart disease patients. Comparable data for ischaemic stroke patients is lacking. Methods A stroke-specific study module was added to the EUROASPIRE III core survey. This cross-sectional multicentre survey included consecutive patients with first-ever ischaemic stroke from four European countries. Data were obtained from medical records, patient interviews and patient examinations within 6–36 months after the stroke event. Control of modifiable risk factors after stroke was evaluated against contemporary European guidelines. Results A total of 881 patients was recruited. Median age was 66 years, 37.5% were female; average time from the stroke event to interview was 550 days. At the time of the interview, 17.6% of stroke patients smoked cigarettes, 35.5% had a body mass index ≥30 kg/m2, 62.4% showed elevated blood pressure and 75.7% exhibited elevated LDL cholesterol levels. Antiplatelet drugs or oral anticoagulants were used by 87.2%, antihypertensive medication by 84.4% and statins by 56.8% of stroke patients. Among patients using antihypertensive drugs and lipid-lowering medication at the time of the interview, 34.3% and 34.4%, respectively, achieved target blood pressure and total cholesterol values according to current European guidelines. Conclusion The EUROASPIRE III stroke-specific module shows that secondary prevention and risk factor control in patients after ischaemic stroke need to be improved in four European centres at the time of the study since about half of patients are not achieving risk factor targets defined in European guidelines.

Time Trends in Lifestyle, Risk Factor Control, and Use of Evidence-Based Medications in Patients With Coronary Heart Disease in Europe: Results From 3 EUROASPIRE Surveys, 1999-2013.

BACKGROUND The EUROASPIRE (European Action on Secondary and Primary Prevention by Intervention to Reduce Events) cross-sectional surveys describe time trends in lifestyle and risk factor control among coronary patients between 1999 and 2013 in Belgium, Czech Republic, Finland, France, Ireland, the Netherlands, Poland, Slovenia, and the United Kingdom as part of the EuroObservational Research Programme under the auspices of European Society of Cardiology. OBJECTIVES This study sought to describe time trends in lifestyle, risk factor control, and the use of evidence-based medication in coronary patients across Europe. METHODS The EUROASPIRE II (1999 to 2000), III (2006 to 2007), and IV (2012 to 13) surveys were conducted in the same geographical areas and selected hospitals in each country. Consecutive patients (≤70 years) after coronary artery bypass graft, percutaneous coronary intervention, or an acute coronary syndrome identified from hospital records were interviewed and examined ≥6 months later with standardized methods. RESULTS Of 12,775 identified coronary patients, 8,456 (66.2%) were interviewed. Proportion of current smokers was similar across the 3 surveys. Prevalence of obesity increased by 7%. The prevalence of raised blood pressure (≥140/90 mm Hg or ≥140/80 mm Hg with diabetes) dropped by 8% from EUROASPIRE III to IV, and therapeutic control of blood pressure improved with 55% of patients below target in IV. The prevalence of low-density lipoprotein cholesterol ≥2.5 mmol/l decreased by 44%. In EUROASPIRE IV, 75% were above the target low-density lipoprotein cholesterol <1.8 mmol/l. The prevalence of self-reported diabetes increased by 9%. The use of evidence-based medications increased between the EUROASPIRE II and III surveys, but did not change between the III and IV surveys. CONCLUSIONS Lifestyle habits have deteriorated over time with increases in obesity, central obesity, and diabetes and stagnating rates of persistent smoking. Although blood pressure and lipid management improved, they are still not optimally controlled and the use of evidence-based medications appears to have stalled apart from the increased use of high-intensity statins. These results underline the importance of offering coronary patients access to modern preventive cardiology programs.

Explaining the decline in coronary heart disease mortality in the Czech Republic between 1985 and 2007

Background Coronary heart disease (CHD) mortality has declined substantially in the Czech Republic over the last two decades. Design The purpose of this study was to determine what proportion of this CHD mortality decline could be associated with temporal trends in major CHD risk factors and what proportion with advances in medical and surgical treatments. Methods The validated IMPACT mortality model was used to combine and analyse data on uptake and effectiveness of CHD management and risk factor trends in the Czech Republic in adults aged 25–74 years between 1985 and 2007. The main sources were official statistics, national quality of care registries, published trials and meta-analyses, and the Czech MONICA and Czech post-MONICA studies. Results Between 1985 and 2007, age-adjusted CHD mortality rates in the Czech Republic decreased by 66.2% in men and 65.4% in women in the age group 25–74 years, representing 12,080 fewer CHD deaths in 2007. Changes in CHD risk factors explained approximately 52% of the total mortality decrease, and improvements in medical treatments approximately 43%. Increases in body mass index and in diabetes prevalence had a negative impact, increasing CHD mortality by approximately 1% and 5%, respectively. Conclusions More than half of the very substantial fall in CHD mortality in the Czech Republic between 1985 and 2007 was attributable to reduction in major cardiovascular risk factors. Improvement in treatments accounted for approximately 43% of the total mortality decrease. These findings emphasize the value of primary prevention and evidence-based medical treatment.

The gender gap in risk factor control: Effects of age and education on the control of cardiovascular risk factors in male and female coronary patients. The EUROASPIRE IV study by the European Society of Cardiology

OBJECTIVE The aim of this study was to investigate gender related differences in the management and risk factor control of patients with coronary heart disease (CHD), taking into account their age and educational level. METHODS Analyses are based on the EUROASPIRE IV (EUROpean Action on Secondary and Primary Prevention through Intervention to Reduce Events) survey. Males and females between 18 and 80years of age, hospitalized for a first or recurrent coronary event were included in the study. RESULTS Data were available for 7998 patients of which 75.6% were males. Overall, females had a worse risk factor profile compared to males and were more likely to have 3 or more risk factors (29.5% vs. 34.9%; p<0.001) across all age groups. A significant gender by education interaction (p<0.05) and gender by age interaction effect (p<0.05) was found. Furthermore, males were more likely to have a LDL-cholesterol on target (OR=1.50[1.28-1.76]), a HbA1c on target (OR=1.33[1.07-1.64]), to be non-obese (OR=1.45[1.30-1.62]) and perform adequate physical activity (OR=1.71[1.46-2.00]). In contrast males were less likely to be non-smokers (OR=0.71[0.60-0.83]). Furthermore, males were less likely to have made a dietary change (OR=0.78[0.64-0.95]) or a smoking cessation attempt (OR=0.70[0.50-0.96]) and more likely to have received smoking cessation advice if they were smokers (OR=1.52[1.10-2.09]). CONCLUSION Whereas gender differences in CHD treatment are limited, substantial differences were found regarding target achievement. The largest gender difference was seen in less educated and elderly patients. The gender gap declined with decreasing age and higher education.

Lower-extremity arterial stiffness vs . aortic stiffness in the general population

While determinants of aortic pulse wave velocity (aPWV) are well known, much less is known about factors affecting lower-extremity pulse wave velocity (lePWV). Unlike aPWV, increased lePWV does not predict cardiovascular risk, but limits lower-extremity blood flow and is associated with increased left ventricular mass. The aim of this study was to compare the effect of cardiovascular risk factors on aPWV and lePWV. A total of 911 individuals from the Czech post-MONICA study (a randomly selected 1% representative population sample, mean age 54±13.5 years, 47% men) were examined. Pulse wave velocity was measured using the SphygmoCor device. Aging had a large effect on aPWV, but only a small effect on lePWV. After adjustment for covariates, we observed that hypertension, diabetes, chronic kidney disease and dyslipidemia were positively and significantly associated with aPWV. However, only hypertension had a significant effect on lePWV. Increased ankle systolic blood pressure was associated with increased aPWV independently of brachial blood pressure. Ankle systolic blood pressure was more closely related to aPWV than lePWV. Subjects with an ankle-brachial index <1.0 had higher aPWV and lower lePWV compared with individuals with a normal ankle-brachial index. Lower-extremity arterial stiffness is affected by age and cardiovascular risk factors to a lesser extent than aortic stiffness. Increased ankle systolic blood pressure is linked not only to increased lower-extremity arterial stiffness, but also increased aortic stiffness. In subjects with a low ankle-brachial index, lower-extremity arterial stiffness is spuriously decreased.

Educational level and risk profile and risk control in patients with coronary heart disease.

Background The purpose of this study was to ascertain way in which conventional risk factors, readiness to modify behaviour and to comply with recommended medication, and the effect of this medication were associated with education in patients with established coronary heart disease (CHD). Methods The EUROASPIRE IV (EUROpean Action on Secondary Prevention by Intervention to Reduce Events) study was a cross-sectional survey undertaken in 24 European countries to ascertain how recommendations on secondary CHD prevention are being followed in clinical practice. Consecutive patients, men and women ≤80 years of age who had been hospitalized for an acute coronary syndrome or revascularization procedure, were identified retrospectively. Data were collected through an interview with examinations at least six months and no later than three years after hospitalization. Results A total of 7937 patients (1934 (24.37%) women) were evaluated. Patients with primary education were older, with a larger proportion of women. Control of risk factors, as defined by Joint European Societies 4 and 5 guidelines, was significantly better with higher education for current smoking (p = 0.001), overweight and obesity (p = 0.047 and p = 0.029, respectively), low physical activity (p < 0.001) and low high-density lipoprotein (HDL)-cholesterol (p = 0.011) in men, and for obesity (p = 0.005), high blood pressure (p < 0.005 and p < 0.001), low physical activity (p = 0.001), diabetes (p < 0.001) and low HDL-cholesterol (p = 0.023) in women. Patients with primary and secondary education were more often treated with diuretics and antidiabetic drugs. Better control of hypertension was achieved in patients with higher education. Conclusion Particular risk communication and control are needed in secondary CHD prevention for patients with lower educational status.