Jolita Badarienė

Lithuanian High Cardiovascular Risk (LitHiR) primary prevention programme - rationale and design

Lithuanian High Cardiovascular Risk (LitHiR) primary prevention programme - rationale and design Objectives: According to the latest WHO data, coronary heart disease deaths in Lithuania reached 38.3% of total deaths. Based on the unfavourable situation with cardiovascular morbidity and mortality in Lithuania the Lithuanian High Cardiovascular Risk (LitHiR) programme aimed at estimation and aggressive managing of cardiovascular risk factors. This paper describes the Lithuanian High Cardiovascular Risk programme protocol. Design and methods: In 2006 the Lithuanian High Cardiovascular Risk programme was started. LitHiR programme recruited men - at the age of 40-54 years and women - 50-64 years without overt cardiovascular disease. The two-level approach - primary health care institutions (PHCI) and specialized cardiovascular prevention units (CVPU) - was applied. The subjects selected were tested for cardiovascular risk and those with high cardiovascular risk were sent to secondary (CVPU) level, for other the plan of preventive measures of risk factor reduction was created. In years 2006-2010 overall 266,391 persons (36.9% from all target population) were examined. Among them 164,657 subjects (61.8%) were tested for the first time, 68,832 (25.8%) were tested repeatedly one time, 32,848 subjects (12.3%) were tested repeatedly for two and more times. Conclusions: The programme aimed at estimation and managing of cardiovascular risk factors striving to reduce acute cardiovascular event related morbidity and mortality, to slow down the progression of sub-clinical atherosclerosis into overt cardiovascular disease, to increase the number of newly identified cases of diabetes, metabolic syndrome and latent course of atherosclerosis related diseases, to decrease hospitalizations for treatment of arterial hypertension and coronary heart disease.

Predictive models for type 2 diabetes onset in middle-aged subjects with the metabolic syndrome

ObjectiveTo investigate the predictive value of different biomarkers for the incidence of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) in subjects with metabolic syndrome.MethodsA prospective study of 525 non-diabetic, middle-aged Lithuanian men and women with metabolic syndrome but without overt atherosclerotic diseases during a follow-up period of two to four years. We used logistic regression to develop predictive models for incident cases and to investigate the association between various markers and the onset of T2DM.ResultsFasting plasma glucose (FPG), body mass index (BMI), and glycosylated haemoglobin can be used to predict diabetes onset with a high level of accuracy and each was shown to have a cumulative predictive value. The estimated area under the receiver-operating characteristic curve (AUC) for this combination was 0.92. The oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) did not show cumulative predictive value. Additionally, progression to diabetes was associated with high values of aortic pulse-wave velocity (aPWV).ConclusionT2DM onset in middle-aged metabolic syndrome subjects can be predicted with remarkable accuracy using the combination of FPG, BMI, and HbA1c, and is related to elevated aPWV measurements.

Association of cardio-ankle vascular index with cardiovascular risk factors and cardiovascular events in metabolic syndrome patients

OBJECTIVES We aimed to investigate the association between arterial stiffness assessed as cardio-ankle vascular index (CAVI) and cardiovascular (CV) risk factors and CV events in the middle-aged metabolic syndrome (MS) patients. MATERIALS AND METHODS A follow-up study was carried out in 2106 middle-aged (53.83±6.17 years old, 62% women) MS subjects without overt atherosclerotic disease. Patients were initially recruited in 2009-2011 as participants of the Lithuanian High Cardiovascular Risk (LitHiR) primary prevention program and followed up for 3.8±1.7 years for CV events. Thorough cardiometabolic risk assessment was carried out at inclusion. RESULTS Subjects with higher CAVI had worse lipid and glucose metabolism profile: elevated total cholesterol (TC) and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), decreased high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), higher fasting and oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) glucose levels (all P<0.001), and lower fasting insulin (P=0.021). Greater age (P<0.001), heart rate (P=0.016), and mean arterial pressure (P<0.001) were also associated with higher CAVI. Over the follow-up period, 93 (4.4%) patients developed a cardiovascular event: 55 (2.6%) patients had myocardial infarction and 38 (1.8%) suffered a cerebrovascular event. Fatal CV events comprised 6.5% (n=6) of all CV events. CAVI was statistically significantly associated with occurrence of myocardial infarction (P=0.027) and total cardiovascular events (P=0.045), but not cerebrovascular events (P=0.65). However, this association was dependent on age and gender. CONCLUSIONS In the middle-aged MS patients, higher CAVI was associated with altered lipid and glucose metabolism, older age, greater heart rate and mean arterial pressure, and worse cardiovascular outcome.

Vitamin D and functional arterial parameters in postmenopausal women with metabolic syndrome

PURPOSE Our cross sectional study aimed to identify the relation between vitamin D level and functional arterial parameters in postmenopausal women with metabolic syndrome. MATERIAL AND METHODS 100 postmenopausal women at age 50-65 with diagnosed metabolic syndrome were included in this study. Laboratory tests were performed to determine lipid profile, serum glucose, creatinine, C-reactive protein, serum levels of 25(OH) D, ionized calcium and urine albumin/creatinine ratio. Also non-invasive assessment of arterial function (arterial stiffness, flow-mediated dilatation and carotid artery ultrasound examinations) was performed. RESULTS The mean vitamin D blood concentration was 47.4±16.9nmol/l. The prevalence of modest insufficiency and deficiency of vitamin D was 62%. Vitamin D concentration in samples assembled from January to March was significantly lower than concentration levels from September to November. No significant relationship was observed between vitamin D and endothelial function, arterial stiffness, carotid intima-media thickness. Week negative correlation was stated between mean arterial pressure and 25(OH) D concentration (p=0.04). A positive correlation was found between high density lipoprotein cholesterol and vitamin 25(OH) D (r=0.3, p<0.05). No significant difference between 25(OH) D and other lipoproteins, calcium ions, glucose, albumin/creatinine ratio and C-reactive protein blood concentrations were found. CONCLUSIONS The prevalence of vitamin D deficiency in postmenopausal women with metabolic syndrome is high. No relation was found between vitamin D levels and parameters that indicate atherosclerotic vascular lesions. Nevertheless our study revealed the relation between concentrations of vitamin D and mean blood pressure and high density lipoprotein cholesterol.

Aortic stiffness is an independent determinant of left ventricular diastolic dysfunction in metabolic syndrome patients.

Abstract Background: We aimed to evaluate the relationship between arterial stiffness and left ventricular diastolic dysfunction (LVDD) in metabolic syndrome (MetS) patients. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted in 1208 subjects without overt atherosclerotic disease. According to the cardiac ultrasound, patients were divided into two groups: with LVDD (LVDD+, n = 1119) and without LVDD (LVDD–, n = 89). Arterial stiffness parameters [carotid–femoral pulse wave velocity (cfPWV) and aortic augmentation index (AIxHR75)] were assessed by applanation tonometry. Results: In comparison to LVDD–, LVDD + patients were older (55 ± 6 vs 51 ± 6 years, p < 0.001), and had higher cfPWV (8.8 ± 1.6 vs 7.9 ± 1.34 m/s, p < 0.001), AIxHR75 (24.7 ± 10.2 vs 19.7 ± 10, p < 0.001), mean arterial pressure (108 ± 12 vs 101 ± 10 mmHg, p < 0.001), heart rate (66 ± 10 vs 61 ± 9 bpm, p < 0.001), left ventricular mass index (LVMI) (109 ± 24 vs 97 ± 22, p < 0.001) and body mass index (BMI) (32 ± 5 vs 30 ± 4 kg/m2, p < 0.001). We found significant correlations between cfPWV, AIxHR75 and the ratio of early to late transmitral velocities (E/A) (rcfPWV = –0.19, rAIxHR75 = –0.15, p < 0.001), early diastolic mitral annular velocity (E′) (rcfPWV = –0.25, rAIxHR75 = –0.18, p < 0.05) and E/E′ ratio (rcfPWV = 0.17, rAIxHR75 = 0.14, p < 0.001). Univariate analysis revealed that the presence of LVDD is associated with age [odds ratio (OR) 1.84], BMI (OR 1.63), waist circumference (WC) (OR 1.52), cfPWV (OR 2.18), AIxHR75 (OR 1.55), mean aortic blood pressure (OR 1.94), aortic pulse pressure (OR 1.78), mean common carotid artery intima–media thickness (OR 1.16), heart rate (OR 1.4) and LVMI (OR 1.79) (all p < 0.05). After performing stepwise multiple logistic regression analysis, only cfPWV and BMI or WC remained significant predictors of the presence of LVDD (p < 0.05). Conclusion: cfPWV is a significant determinant of LVDD in subjects with MetS.

The fact not to ignore: Mean blood pressure is the main predictor of increased arterial stiffness in patients with systemic rheumatic diseases

PURPOSE We aimed to evaluate the association between carotid-radial pulse wave velocity (PWV), augmentation index (AIx), and flow-mediated dilatation (FMD) of the brachial artery and factors potentially influencing them in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA), systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and systemic sclerosis (SSc). MATERIAL AND METHODS 316 patients diagnosed with RA (32%), SLE (20%), SSc (16%) and 156 controls (32%) were included in the study. Parameters of arterial stiffness AIx and PWV were obtained using applanation tonometry. FMD reflecting endothelial function was measured by ultrasound. RESULTS AIx was increased in all three diseases (p<0.0001), but no differences were found between rheumatic diseases. In most of the RA cases PWV values were abnormal (on average by 0.52m/sec higher than in controls), while in SSc patients FMD values were diminished (p=0.006). Mean blood pressure (MBP) was the most consistent predictive factor in all three diseases, influencing both PWV and AIx, although patient age was also important in variation of AIx. The disease activity score (DAS28) was relevant only in RA patients. Furthermore, SLE disease activity index in SLE or Rodnan skin thickness score had no statistical significance in SSc and inflammatory markers. CONCLUSIONS Both, PWV and AIx are dependent on MBP and age DAS28 may affect AIx in RA patients, while other disease or inflammatory markers are unlikely to have any effect. MBP is one of the main cardiovascular risk factors affecting the arterial stiffness in RA, SLE and SSc patients therefore controlling MBP in systemic rheumatic disease patients is mandatory.

Prevalence of high-risk profile in middle-aged subjects with arterial hypertension: A nationwide survey

Abstract Hypertension is the most common non-communicable disease and the leading cause of cardiovascular disease in the world. It presents an important public health challenge in both economically developed and developing countries. In 2006, the Lithuanian High Cardiovascular Risk programme was launched. The programme recruited men aged 40–54 and women aged 50–64 without overt cardiovascular disease. We analysed a group of 23,204 subjects included in the programme at the primary level. Arterial hypertension was present in 57.6% of the subjects: 63.2% in the females and 49.2% in the males. In the hypertensive middle-aged subjects, grade 1 hypertension was present in 53.1%, grade 2 in 22.4%, and grade 3 in merely 5.9% of the subjects. The prevalence of a minimum of three concomitant risk factors among the hypertensive patients was 78.0%, compared with 52.1% in the patients without hypertension (p < 0.001). Blood pressure goals were attained in 20.8% of the hypertensive women and in 14.4% of the hypertensive men. In Lithuania, a high prevalence of hypertension was characteristic of middle-aged subjects. Although the blood pressure elevation had not reached high levels, the presence of at least three risk factors concomitant to hypertension was more expressed in them compared with the non-hypertensive subjects.

Diagnostic value of electrocardiogram stress testing in patients with metabolic syndrome

Summary Objectives:The aim of this study was to assess the diagnostic value of exercise stress testing to detect coronary heart disease (CHD) in the group of patients with metabolic syndrome. Design and methods: 2803 patients without prior diagnosis of CHD and identified metabolic syndrome were investigated. Subjects underwent electrocardiogram (ECG) stress testing and, depending on the results, coronary angiography and/or coronary computed tomography angiography to detect hemodynamically significant stenosis. CHD was confirmed, if lumen narrowing ≥ 50% of coronary arteries was found. Results: Exercise stress testing was interpreted as positive in 12% patients (71.7% women and 28.3% men). CHD was diagnosed in 45 patients (1.6%), 23 of them had positive exercise stress testing. ECG stress testing was more frequently positive in patients, who had typical/atypical anginal chest pain, dyspnea and/or non-anginal chest pain, in comparison to asymptomatic patients (16.6% vs 8.9%, p <0.001). CHD was more often diagnosed in symptomatic patients compared to patients with no symptoms (6.1% vs 0.7%, p < 0.001, women 5.3% vs 0.6%, p < 0.001, men respectively 8% vs 0.8%, p < 0.001). Conclusions: Diagnostic value of exercise stress testing for detecting CHD is limited in population with metabolic syndrome. CHD was more prevalent in patients with chest pain or dyspnea than in asymptomatic patients.

Rationale of screening for early kidney damage in patients with high cardiovascular risk: nephrologist’s point of view

Summary Increased awareness of chronic kidney disease stimulates an interest towards early detection and prevention. The true prevalence of kidney injury varies from 10 to 40%, mostly depending on the methodology of the study and the population enrolled. A screening strategy targeting the highest risk groups, those with diabetes or hypertension, family history of diabetes, hypertension, or kidney disease, is likely to be most efficient and cost effective. Quantification for albuminuria should be performed using laboratorymethods or albumin to creatinine ratio and should be monitored at regular intervals. The most correct equations calculating glomerular filtration rate differ in separate populations, and the most accurate equations in patients with high cardiovascular risk are MDRD and CKD-EPI. Markers of early kidney damage have association with other target organs damage, even in subclinical or preclinical mode. Individuals at stage 4 and 5 chronic kidney disease, with higher levels of proteinuria, proteinuria together with haematuria, rapidly declining glomerular filtration rate, or poorly controlled hypertension should be referred to a nephrologist in order to identify the cause, provide recommendations, slow progression, or treat complications.