Rita F. Redberg

Primary Prevention of Cardiovascular Diseases in People With Diabetes Mellitus A Scientific Statement From the American Heart Association and the American Diabetes Association

The American Heart Association (AHA) and the American Diabetes Association (ADA) have each published guidelines for cardiovascular disease prevention: The ADA has issued separate recommendations for each of the cardiovascular risk factors in patients with diabetes, and the AHA has shaped primary and secondary guidelines that extend to patients with diabetes. This statement will attempt to harmonize the recommendations of both organizations where possible but will recognize areas in which AHA and ADA recommendations differ.

Meta-analysis of exercise testing to detect coronary artery disease in women.

To determine the accuracy of the exercise electrocardiogram (ECG), exercise thallium, and exercise echocardiogram (echo) for the diagnosis of coronary artery disease in women, English language studies published between 1966 and 1995 were identified through a MEDLINE search. Studies that contained data on at least 50 women who underwent both an exercise test and coronary angiography were examined. Studies were reviewed for sensitivity, specificity, and methodologic characteristics by 2 independent reviewers. Nineteen studies met the inclusion criteria for exercise electrocardiography, 5 studies for exercise thallium, and 3 studies for exercise echo. The exercise ECG had a weighted mean sensitivity, specificity, and a likelihood ratio (LR) of 0.61 (95% confidence intervals 0.54 to 0.68), 0.70 (0.64 to 0.75), (+) LR 2.25 (1.84 to 2.66), (-) LR 0.55 (0.47 to 0.62), respectively. The exercise thallium had a weighted mean sensitivity, specificity, and LRs of 0.78 (0.72 to 0.83), 0.64 (0.51 to 0.77), (+) LR 2.87 (1.0 to 4.96), (-) LR 0.36 (0.27 to 0.45). The exercise echo had a weighted mean sensitivity, specificity, and LRs of 0.86 (0.75 to 0.96), 0.79 (0.72 to 0.86), (+) LR 4.29 (2.93 to 5.65), (-) LR 0.18 (0.05 to 0.31). Thallium subset analysis revealed that studies using planar imaging were more specific than those using tomographic imaging. Thus, currently available exercise tests are only moderately sensitive and specific for the diagnosis of coronary artery disease in women.

Guide to preventive cardiology for women

Coronary heart disease (CHD) is the single leading cause of death and a significant cause of morbidity among American women.1 Risk factors for CHD in women are well documented.2 Compelling data from epidemiological studies and randomized clinical trials show that CHD is largely preventable. Assessment and management of several risk factors for CHD are cost-effective.3 Despite these facts, there are alarming trends in the prevalence and management of risk factors in women.2 Smoking rates are declining less for women than for men. The prevalence of obesity is increasing, and ≈25% of women report no regular sustained physical activity.4 Approximately 52% of women >45 years old have elevated blood pressure, and ≈40% of women >55 years old have elevated serum cholesterol.5 The purpose of this statement is to highlight risk factor management strategies that are appropriate for women with a broad range of CHD risk. A more detailed description, including the scientific basis for these recommendations, is available in the 1997 American Heart Association scientific statement “Cardiovascular Disease in Women.”2 Recently, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention National Ambulatory Medical Care Survey6 showed clinicians are missing opportunities to prevent CHD. In this study of 29 273 routine office visits, women were counseled less often than men about exercise, nutrition, and weight reduction. In the multicenter Heart and Estrogen/progestin Replacement Study (HERS),7 only 10% of women enrolled with documented CHD had baseline LDL-cholesterol levels below a National Cholesterol Education Program (NCEP) target of 100 mg/dL. A recent national survey showed that women were significantly less likely than men to enroll in cardiac rehabilitation after an acute …

Primary prevention of cardiovascular diseases in people with diabetes mellitus: A scientific statement from the American Heart Association and the American Diabetes Association

The American Heart Association (AHA) and the American Diabetes Association (ADA) have each published guidelines for cardiovascular disease prevention: the ADA has issued separate recommendations for each of the cardiovascular risk factors in patients with diabetes, and the AHA has shaped primary and secondary guidelines that extend to patients with diabetes. This statement will attempt to harmonize the recommendations of both organizations where possible but will recognize areas in which AHA and ADA recommendations differ.

Transesophageal echocardiographically detected atherosclerotic aortic plaque is a marker for coronary artery disease.

OBJECTIVES The aim of this study was to test the hypothesis that atherosclerotic plaque in the thoracic aorta detected by transesophageal echocardiography is a marker for coronary artery disease. BACKGROUND Previous pathologic and roentgenographic studies have suggested a relation between aortic plaque and coronary artery disease but have lacked clinical utility. METHODS We performed transesophageal echocardiography on 61 patients (30 women and 31 men aged 22 to 83 years [mean 60 +/- 14]) who had previously undergone cardiac catheterization with coronary angiography. The clinical indications for angiography were angina (n = 26), valvular heart disease (n = 17), positive noninvasive evaluation for ischemia without angina (n = 6), postmyocardial infarction (n = 5), familial hypercholesterolemia (n = 4), coronary cameral fistula (n = 1), atrial myxoma (n = 1) and suspected aortic dissection (n = 1). All patients underwent transesophageal echocardiography with imaging of the thoracic aorta. The criteria used to diagnose atherosclerotic plaque on transesophageal echocardiography were the presence of linear or focal increased echo-density with lumen irregularity and thickening or calcification of the aortic intima. RESULTS In 41 of the 61 patients, obstructive coronary artery disease was detected by angiography in at least one vessel (> 50% left main coronary artery stenosis or > 70% stenosis in the left anterior descending, right coronary or left circumflex artery distribution). In 37 of the 41, atherosclerotic plaque was detected in the thoracic aorta by transesophageal echocardiography. Twenty of the 61 patients had normal coronary angiographic findings or nonobstructive lumen irregularities. In 2 of these 20 patients, plaque was detected in the thoracic aorta on transesophageal echocardiography. The presence of aortic plaque on transesophageal study had a sensitivity of 90% and a specificity of 90% for angiographically proved obstructive coronary artery disease. The positive predictive value of aortic plaque for obstructive coronary artery disease was 95% and the negative predictive value was 82%. CONCLUSIONS The detection of atherosclerotic plaque in the thoracic aorta by transesophageal echocardiography appears to be a marker for the identification of obstructive coronary artery disease and deserves further investigation.

Sex Differences in Major Bleeding With Glycoprotein IIb/IIIa Inhibitors Results From the CRUSADE (Can Rapid Risk Stratification of Unstable Angina Patients Suppress Adverse Outcomes With Early Implementation of the ACC/AHA Guidelines) Initiative

Background— Glycoprotein (GP) IIb/IIIa inhibitors are beneficial in patients with non–ST-segment elevation acute coronary syndromes (NSTE ACS); their safe use in women, however, remains a concern. The contribution of dosing to the observed sex-related differences in bleeding is unknown. Methods and Results— We explored the relationship between patient sex, GP IIb/IIIa inhibitor use, dose, and bleeding in 32 601 patients with NSTE ACS across 400 CRUSADE (Can Rapid risk stratification of Unstable angina patients Suppress ADverse outcomes with Early implementation of the ACC/AHA guidelines) hospitals, of whom 18 436 were treated. GP IIb/IIIa inhibitor dose was defined as excessive if not reduced when creatinine clearance was <50 mL/min for eptifibatide or <30 mL/min for tirofiban. Major bleeding was defined as a hematocrit drop ≥0.12, need for transfusion, or intracranial bleeding. Major bleeding was adjusted for clinical factors and antithrombotic dose. The risk for bleeding attributable to excess GP IIb/IIIa dose was determined by sex using prevalence and adjusted odds ratios (ORs). Women had higher rates of major bleeding than men among those treated with GP IIb/IIIa inhibitors (15.7% versus 7.3%, P<0.0001) and among those not treated (8.5% versus 5.4%, P<0.0001). Despite similar serum creatinine levels, creatinine clearance averaged 20 points lower among treated women than men. Treated women were also more likely to receive excess GP IIb/IIIa doses than men (46.4% versus 17.2%, P<0.0001; adjusted OR 3.81, 95% confidence interval [CI] 3.39 to 4.27). Excess dosing was associated with increased risk of bleeding in women (OR 1.72, 95% CI 1.30 to 2.28) and men (OR 1.27, 95% CI 0.97 to 1.66); however, bleeding risk attributable to dosing was much higher in women (25.0% versus 4.4%). Conclusions— Women experience more bleeding than men whether or not they are treated with GP IIb/IIIa inhibitors; however, because of frequent excessive dosing in women, up to one fourth of this sex-related risk difference in bleeding is avoidable. Appropriate dosing will improve care of all patients with NSTE ACS, with a particular benefit for women.

Frequency of Stress Testing to Document Ischemia Prior to Elective Percutaneous Coronary Intervention

CONTEXT Guidelines call for documenting ischemia in patients with stable coronary artery disease prior to elective percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). OBJECTIVE To determine the frequency and predictors of stress testing prior to elective PCI in a Medicare population. DESIGN, SETTING, AND PATIENTS Retrospective, observational cohort study using claims data from a 20% random sample of 2004 Medicare fee-for-service beneficiaries aged 65 years or older who had an elective PCI (N = 23 887). MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES Percentage of patients who underwent stress testing within 90 days prior to elective PCI; variation in stress testing prior to PCI across 306 hospital referral regions; patient, physician, and hospital characteristics that predicted the appropriate use of stress testing prior to elective PCI. RESULTS In the United States, 44.5% (n = 10 629) of patients underwent stress testing within the 90 days prior to elective PCI. There was wide regional variation among the hospital referral regions with stress test rates ranging from 22.1% to 70.6% (national mean, 44.5%; interquartile range, 39.0%-50.9%). Female sex (adjusted odds ratio [AOR], 0.91; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.86-0.97), age of 85 years or older (AOR, 0.83; 95% CI, 0.72-0.95), a history of congestive heart failure (AOR, 0.85; 95% CI, 0.79-0.92), and prior cardiac catheterization (AOR, 0.45; 95% CI, 0.38-0.54) were associated with a decreased likelihood of prior stress testing. A history of chest pain (AOR, 1.28; 95% CI, 1.09-1.54) and black race (AOR, 1.26; 95% CI, 1.09-1.46) increased the likelihood of stress testing prior to PCI. Patients treated by physicians performing 150 or more PCIs per year were less likely to have stress testing prior to PCI (AOR, 0.84; 95% CI, 0.77-0.93). No hospital characteristics were associated with receipt of stress testing. CONCLUSION The majority of Medicare patients with stable coronary artery disease do not have documentation of ischemia by noninvasive testing prior to elective PCI.

Patterns and Intensity of Medical Therapy in Patients Undergoing Percutaneous Coronary Intervention

CONTEXT The Clinical Outcomes Utilizing Revascularization and Aggressive Drug Evaluation (COURAGE) study, which provided optimal medical therapy (OMT) to all patients and demonstrated no incremental advantage of percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) on outcomes other than angina-related quality of life in stable coronary artery disease (CAD), suggests that a trial of OMT is warranted before PCI. It is unknown to what degree OMT is applied before PCI in routine practice or whether its use increased after the COURAGE trial. OBJECTIVE To examine the use of OMT in patients with stable angina undergoing PCI before and after the publication of the COURAGE trial. DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS An observational study of patients with stable CAD undergoing PCI in the National Cardiovascular Data Registry between September 1, 2005, and June 30, 2009. Analysis compared use of OMT, both before PCI and at the time of discharge, before and after the publication of the COURAGE trial. Optimal medical therapy was defined as either being prescribed or having a documented contraindication to all medicines (antiplatelet agent, β-blocker, and statin). MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES Rates of OMT before PCI and at discharge (following PCI) between the 2 study periods. RESULTS Among all 467,211 patients (173,416 before [37.1%] and 293,795 after [62.9%] the COURAGE trial) meeting study criteria, OMT was used in 206,569 patients (44.2%; 95% confidence interval [CI], 44.1%-44.4%) before PCI and in 303,864 patients (65.0%; 95% CI, 64.9%-65.2%) at discharge following PCI (P < .001). Before PCI, OMT was applied in 75,381 patients (43.5%; 95% CI, 43.2%-43.7%) before the COURAGE trial and in 131,188 patients (44.7%; 95% CI, 44.5%-44.8%) after the COURAGE trial (P < .001). The use of OMT at discharge following PCI before and after the COURAGE trial was 63.5% (95% CI, 63.3%-63.7%) and 66.0% (95% CI, 65.8%-66.1%), respectively (P < .001). CONCLUSION Among patients with stable CAD undergoing PCI, less than half were receiving OMT before PCI and approximately two-thirds were receiving OMT at discharge following PCI, with relatively little change in these practice patterns after publication of the COURAGE trial.

Transesophageal echocardiography predicts mortality in critically III patients with unexplained hypotension

OBJECTIVES This study sought to determine the prognostic yield and utility of transesophageal echocardiography in critically ill patients with unexplained hypotension. BACKGROUND Transesophageal echocardiography is increasingly utilized in the intensive care setting and is particularly suited for the evaluation of hypotension; however, the prognostic yield of transesophageal echocardiography in these patients is unknown. METHODS We prospectively studied 61 adult patients in the intensive care unit with sustained (> 60 min) unexplained hypotension. Both transthoracic and transesophageal echocardiography were performed, and results were immediately disclosed to the primary physician, who reported any resulting changes in management. Patients were classified on the basis of transesophageal echocardiographic findings into one of three prognostic groups: 1) nonventricular (valvular, pericardial) cardiac limitation to cardiac output; 2) ventricular failure; and 3) noncardiac systemic disease (hypovolemia or low systemic vascular resistance, or both). Primary end points were death or discharge from the intensive care unit. RESULTS A transesophageal echocardiographic diagnosis of nonventricular limitation to cardiac output was associated with improved survival to discharge from the intensive care unit (81%) versus a diagnosis of ventricular disease (41%) or hypovolemia/low systemic vascular resistance (44%, p = 0.03). Twenty-nine (64%) of 45 transthoracic echocardiographic studies were inadequate compared with 2 (3%) of 61 transesophageal echocardiographic studies (p < 0.001). Transesophageal echocardiography contributed new clinically significant diagnoses (not seen with transthoracic echocardiography) in 17 patients (28%), leading to operation in 12 (20%). CONCLUSIONS Transesophageal echocardiography makes a clinically important contribution to the diagnosis and management of unexplained hypotension and predicts prognosis in the critical care setting.

Lack of Association of C-Reactive Protein and Coronary Calcium by Electron Beam Computed Tomography in Postmenopausal Women: Implications for Coronary Artery Disease Screening

OBJECTIVES We sought to test the hypothesis that C-reactive protein, a marker of inflammation, would correlate positively with coronary calcium, a marker of atherosclerosis, in postmenopausal women. BACKGROUND High sensitivity testing for C-reactive protein (hsCRP) has recently been shown in large population studies to predict cardiac events in asymptomatic postmenopausal women. Coronary calcification determined by electron beam computerized tomography (EBCT) has also been suggested to be predictive of cardiac events in women. METHODS We performed hsCRP testing and determined calcium scores by EBCT in 172 asymptomatic postmenopausal women (mean age: 64.5 +/- 7.9 years) at risk for cardiac disease. Risk factors were determined by history, physical, electrocardiogram, exercise testing, and lipoprotein profiles. RESULTS Calcium scores ranged from 0 to 2,618. For analysis, calcium scores were divided into three groups; none (0 to 10), minimal (>10 to 50), and significant (>50). Overall, there was no significant positive relationship between hsCRP level and calcium score. Specifically, the hsCRP levels (mg/dl) were 0.24 +/- 0.43, 0.33 +/- 0.47 and 0.17 +/- 0.32 (medians 0.11, 0.15, and 0.06) for women with none, minimal, and significant coronary calcification, respectively. In subgroup analysis, a similar lack of positive association was observed after stratification by smoking status and by hormone replacement therapy use, two factors known to increase hsCRP. CONCLUSIONS In contrast to our a priori hypothesis, we found no evidence of a positive association between hsCRP and calcium score by EBCT. These data thus raise the possibility that hsCRP and EBCT calcium score reflect different pathologic processes, an issue with implications for coronary artery disease screening.