Leslee J. Shaw

Postmenopausal women with a history of irregular menses and elevated androgen measurements at high risk for worsening cardiovascular event-free survival: results from the National Institutes of Health--National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute sponsored Women's Ischemia Syndrome Evaluation.

BACKGROUNDnWomen with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) have a greater clustering of cardiac risk factors. However, the link between PCOS and cardiovascular (CV) disease is incompletely described.nnnOBJECTIVEnThe aim of this analysis was to evaluate the risk of CV events in 390 postmenopausal women enrolled in the National Institutes of Health-National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NIH-NHLBI) sponsored Womens Ischemia Syndrome Evaluation (WISE) study according to clinical features of PCOS.nnnMETHODSnA total of 104 women had clinical features of PCOS defined by a premenopausal history of irregular menses and current biochemical evidence of hyperandrogenemia. Hyperandrogenemia was defined as the top quartile of androstenedione (> or = 701 pg/ml), testosterone (> or = 30.9 ng/dl), or free testosterone (> or = 4.5 pg/ml). Cox proportional hazard model was fit to estimate CV death or myocardial infarction (n = 55).nnnRESULTSnWomen with clinical features of PCOS were more often diabetic (P < 0.0001), obese (P = 0.005), had the metabolic syndrome (P < 0.0001), and had more angiographic coronary artery disease (CAD) (P = 0.04) compared to women without clinical features of PCOS. Cumulative 5-yr CV event-free survival was 78.9% for women with clinical features of PCOS (n = 104) vs. 88.7% for women without clinical features of PCOS (n = 286) (P = 0.006). PCOS remained a significant predictor (P < 0.01) in prognostic models including diabetes, waist circumference, hypertension, and angiographic CAD as covariates.nnnCONCLUSIONnAmong postmenopausal women evaluated for suspected ischemia, clinical features of PCOS are associated with more angiographic CAD and worsening CV event-free survival. Identification of postmenopausal women with clinical features of PCOS may provide an opportunity for risk factor intervention for the prevention of CAD and CV events.

Myocardial perfusion scintigraphy: the evidence.

This review summarises the evidence for the role of myocardial perfusion scintigraphy (MPS) in patients with known or suspected coronary artery disease. It is the product of a consensus conference organised by the British Cardiac Society, the British Nuclear Cardiology Society and the British Nuclear Medicine Society and is endorsed by the Royal College of Physicians of London and the Royal College of Radiologists. It was used to inform the UK National Institute of Clinical Excellence in their appraisal of MPS in patients with chest pain and myocardial infarction. MPS is a well-established, non-invasive imaging technique with a large body of evidence to support its effectiveness in the diagnosis and management of angina and myocardial infarction. It is more accurate than the exercise ECG in detecting myocardial ischaemia and it is the single most powerful technique for predicting future coronary events. The high diagnostic accuracy of MPS allows reliable risk stratification and guides the selection of patients for further interventions, such as revascularisation. This in turn allows more appropriate utilisation of resources, with the potential for both improved clinical outcomes and greater cost-effectiveness. Evidence from modelling and observational studies supports the enhanced cost-effectiveness associated with MPS use. In patients presenting with stable or acute chest pain, strategies of investigation involving MPS are more cost-effective than those not using the technique. MPS also has particular advantages over alternative techniques in the management of a number of patient subgroups, including women, the elderly and those with diabetes, and its use will have a favourable impact on cost-effectiveness in these groups. MPS is already an integral part of many clinical guidelines for the investigation and management of angina and myocardial infarction. However, the technique is underutilised in the UK, as judged by the inappropriately long waiting times and by comparison with the numbers of revascularisations and coronary angiograms performed. Furthermore, MPS activity levels in this country fall far short of those in comparable European countries, with about half as many scans being undertaken per year. Currently, the number of MPS studies performed annually in the UK is 1,200/million population/year. We estimate the real need to be 4,000/million/year. The current average waiting time is 20 weeks and we recommend that clinically appropriate upper limits of waiting time are 6 weeks for routine studies and 1 week for urgent studies.

ACCF/ASE/AHA/ASNC/HFSA/HRS/SCAI/SCCM/SCCT/SCMR 2011 Appropriate Use Criteria for Echocardiography

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1128 Preface . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1128

A meta-analysis of safety and effectiveness of perioperative beta-blocker use for the prevention of cardiac events in different types of noncardiac surgery

ObjectivePerioperative &bgr;-blocker therapy has been proposed to improve outcome. Most of the trials conducted, however, lacked statistical power to evaluate the incidence of hard cardiac events and the relationship to the type of surgery. Therefore, we conducted a meta-analysis of all randomized controlled trials in which &bgr;-blocker therapy was evaluated. MethodsAn electronic search of published reports on Medline was undertaken to identify studies published between January 1980 and November 2004 in English language journals. All studies reported on at least one of three endpoints: perioperative myocardial ischemia, perioperative nonfatal myocardial infarction, and cardiac mortality. Type of surgery, defined as low, intermediate, and high risk according to the American College of Cardiology/American Heart Association guidelines, was noted. ResultsIn total, 15 studies were identified, which enrolled 1077 patient. No significant differences were observed in baseline clinical characteristics between patients randomized to &bgr;-blocker therapy and control/placebo. Beta-blocker therapy was associated with a 65% reduction in perioperative myocardial ischemia (11.0% vs. 25.6%; odds ratio 0.35, 95% confidence interval 0.23–0.54; P<0.001). Furthermore, a 56% reduction in myocardial infarction (0.5% vs. 3.9%, odds ratio 0.44, 95% confidence interval 0.20–0.97; P=0.04) and a 67% reduction (1.1% vs. 6.1%, odds ratio 0.33, 95% confidence interval 0.17–0.67; P=0.002) in the composite endpoint of cardiac death and nonfatal myocardial infarction were observed. No statistical evidence was observed for heterogeneity in the treatment effect in subgroups according to type of surgery (P for heterogeneity 0.2). ConclusionThis meta-analysis shows that &bgr;-blocker use in noncardiac surgical procedures is associated with a significant reduction of perioperative cardiac adverse events.

Prognostic value of global MR myocardial perfusion imaging in women with suspected myocardial ischemia and no obstructive coronary disease: results from the NHLBI-sponsored WISE (Women's Ischemia Syndrome Evaluation) study.

OBJECTIVESnThe purpose of this study was to assess the prognostic value of global magnetic resonance (MR) myocardial perfusion imaging (MPI) in women with suspected myocardial ischemia and no obstructive (stenosis <50%) coronary artery disease (CAD).nnnBACKGROUNDnThe prognostic value of global MR-MPI in women without obstructive CAD remains unknown.nnnMETHODSnWomen (n = 100, mean age 57 ± 11 years, age range 31 to 76 years), with symptoms of myocardial ischemia and with no obstructive CAD, as assessed by coronary angiography, underwent MR-MPI and standard functional assessment. During follow-up (34 ± 16 months), time to first adverse event (death, myocardial infarction, or hospitalization for worsening anginal symptoms) was analyzed using global MPI and left ventricular ejection fraction (EF) data.nnnRESULTSnAdverse events occurred in 23 (23%) women. Using univariable Cox proportional hazards regression modeling, variables found to be predictive of adverse events were global MR-MPI average uptake slope (p < 0.05), the ratio of MR-MPI peak signal amplitude to uptake slope (p < 0.05), and EF (p < 0.05). Two multivariable Cox models were formed, 1 using variables that were performance site dependent: ratio of MR-MPI peak amplitude to uptake slope together with EF (chi square: 13, p < 0.005); and a model using variables that were performance site independent: MR-MPI slope and EF (chi square: 12, p < 0.005). Each of the 2 multivariable models remained predictive of adverse events after adjustment for age, disease history, and Framingham risk score. For each of the Cox models, patients were categorized as high risk if they were in the upper quartile of the model and as not high risk otherwise. Kaplan-Meier analysis of time to event was performed for high risk versus not high risk for site-dependent (log rank: 15.2, p < 0.001) and site-independent (log rank: 13.0, p < 001) models.nnnCONCLUSIONSnAmong women with suspected myocardial ischemia and no obstructive CAD, MR-MPI-determined global measurements of normalized uptake slope and peak signal uptake, together with global functional assessment of EF, appear to predict prognosis.

Optimal medical therapy with or without percutaneous coronary intervention in older patients with stable coronary disease: a pre-specified subset analysis of the COURAGE (Clinical Outcomes Utilizing Revascularization and Aggressive druG Evaluation) trial.

OBJECTIVESnOur aim was to access clinical effectiveness of percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) when added to optimal medical therapy (OMT) in older patients with stable coronary artery disease (CAD).nnnBACKGROUNDnWhile older patients with CAD are at increased risk for cardiac events compared with younger patients, it is unclear whether PCI may mitigate this risk more effectively than OMT alone or, alternatively, may be associated with more complications.nnnMETHODSnWe conducted a pre-specified analysis of outcomes in stable CAD patients stratified by age and randomized to PCI+OMT or OMT alone in the COURAGE (Clinical Outcomes Utilizing Revascularization and Aggressive druG Evaluation) trial.nnnRESULTSnA total of 1,381 patients (60%) were <65 years of age (mean 56+/-6 years) and 904 patients (40%) were >or=65 years of age (mean 72+/-5 years). Achieved treatment targets for blood pressure, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, adherence to diet and exercise, and angina-free status did not differ by age or treatment assignment. Among older patients, there was a 2- to 3-fold higher death rate, but similar rates of myocardial infarction, stroke, and major cardiac events compared with younger patients. The addition of PCI to OMT did not improve or worsen clinical outcomes in patients>or=65 years of age during a median 4.6 year follow-up.nnnCONCLUSIONSnThese data support adherence to American College of Cardiology/American Heart Association clinical practice guidelines that advocate OMT as an appropriate initial management strategy, regardless of age. (Clinical Outcomes Utilizing Revascularization and Aggressive Drug Evaluation [COURAGE]; NCT00007657).

Accuracy of non-invasive techniques for diagnosis of coronary artery disease and prediction of cardiac events in patients with left bundle branch block: a meta-analysis

PurposeNon-invasive evaluation of coronary artery disease (CAD) in patients with left bundle branch block (LBBB) has limitations inherent to different tests, and the relative merits of these tests are unclear. This meta-analysis assessed the accuracy of the frequently used non-invasive techniques, including exercise electrocardiography (ECG), myocardial perfusion imaging (MPI) and stress echocardiography (SE), for detection of CAD and prediction of cardiac events in patients with LBBB.MethodsA review was conducted of all reports on detection of CAD and prediction of cardiac events in patients with LBBB (published between January 1970 and December 2004), and revealed 55 diagnostic and nine prognostic reports with sufficient details to calculate test accuracy. Weighted (by sample size) sensitivity and specificity were calculated. Summary relative risk ratios (95% confidence intervals) were calculated.ResultsOverall sensitivity was higher for exercise ECG and (quantitatively analysed) MPI than for SE (83.4% and 88.5% versus 74.6% respectively, p<0.0001). SE had a higher specificity (88.7%) than MPI (41.2%) and exercise ECG (60.1%) (p<0.0001). Based on analysis of eight reports, the relative risk of cardiac death or myocardial infarction in patients with an abnormal SE and MPI was elevated more than sevenfold, but it did not differ by imaging modality (p=0.9).ConclusionMeta-analysis of non-invasive CAD assessment in LBBB patients revealed that exercise ECG and MPI had the highest sensitivity, while SE had the highest specificity. The prognostic accuracy of MPI and SE appeared similar.

Risk Stratification in Coronary Artery Disease: Implications for Stabilization and Prevention

Noninvasive nuclear imaging techniques, including dual-isotope myocardial perfusion single-photon emission computed tomography (SPECT), have been employed in the development of strategies for diagnosis and risk stratification of patients with suspected or known coronary artery disease. These risk-stratification strategies are based on studies in which known outcome has been linked to diagnostic and prognostic information provided by myocardial perfusion SPECT. This article describes a validated dual-isotope exercise protocol for assessment of perfusion and function and reviews the evidence on which a cost-effective risk management strategy is based.

Prognostic Value of Global MR Myocardial Perfusion Imaging in Women With Suspected Myocardial Ischemia and No Obstructive Coronary Disease

OBJECTIVESnThe purpose of this study was to assess the prognostic value of global magnetic resonance (MR) myocardial perfusion imaging (MPI) in women with suspected myocardial ischemia and no obstructive (stenosis <50%) coronary artery disease (CAD).nnnBACKGROUNDnThe prognostic value of global MR-MPI in women without obstructive CAD remains unknown.nnnMETHODSnWomen (n = 100, mean age 57 ± 11 years, age range 31 to 76 years), with symptoms of myocardial ischemia and with no obstructive CAD, as assessed by coronary angiography, underwent MR-MPI and standard functional assessment. During follow-up (34 ± 16 months), time to first adverse event (death, myocardial infarction, or hospitalization for worsening anginal symptoms) was analyzed using global MPI and left ventricular ejection fraction (EF) data.nnnRESULTSnAdverse events occurred in 23 (23%) women. Using univariable Cox proportional hazards regression modeling, variables found to be predictive of adverse events were global MR-MPI average uptake slope (p < 0.05), the ratio of MR-MPI peak signal amplitude to uptake slope (p < 0.05), and EF (p < 0.05). Two multivariable Cox models were formed, 1 using variables that were performance site dependent: ratio of MR-MPI peak amplitude to uptake slope together with EF (chi square: 13, p < 0.005); and a model using variables that were performance site independent: MR-MPI slope and EF (chi square: 12, p < 0.005). Each of the 2 multivariable models remained predictive of adverse events after adjustment for age, disease history, and Framingham risk score. For each of the Cox models, patients were categorized as high risk if they were in the upper quartile of the model and as not high risk otherwise. Kaplan-Meier analysis of time to event was performed for high risk versus not high risk for site-dependent (log rank: 15.2, p < 0.001) and site-independent (log rank: 13.0, p < 001) models.nnnCONCLUSIONSnAmong women with suspected myocardial ischemia and no obstructive CAD, MR-MPI-determined global measurements of normalized uptake slope and peak signal uptake, together with global functional assessment of EF, appear to predict prognosis.

DEGREE OF LEFT VENTRICULAR SYSTOLIC DYSFUNCTION BY CARDIAC COMPUTED TOMOGRAPHIC ANGIOGRAPHY IMPROVES RISK STRATIFICATION AND DISCRIMINATION OF PATIENTS AT RISK FOR INCIDENT MORTALITY: RESULTS FROM 7907 PATIENTS IN THE PROSPECTIVE MULTICENTER INTERNATIONAL CONFIRM STUDY

Prior studies have evaluated the prognostic utility of left ventricular systolic dysfunction (LVSD) by cardiac CT angiography (CCTA), but have been limited to measures of normal versus abnormal function. Whether the degree of LVSD improves risk stratification and discrimination for mortality