Increased retinal venule diameter as a prognostic indicator for recurrent cerebrovascular events:a prospective observational study

Microvasculature of the retina is considered an alternative marker of cerebral vascular risk in healthy populations.However,the ability of retinal vasculature changes,specifically focusing on retinal vessel diameter,to predict the recurrence of cerebrovascular events in patients with ischemic stroke has not been determined comprehensively.While previous studies have shown a link between retinal vessel diameter and recurrent cerebrovascular events,they have not incorporated this information into a predictive model.Therefore,this study aimed to investigate the relationship between retinal vessel diameter and subsequent cerebrovascular events in patients with acute ischemic stroke.Additionally,we sought to establish a predictive model by combining retinal veessel diameter with traditional risk factors.We performed a prospective observational study of 141 patients with acute ischemic stroke who were admitted to the First Affiliated Hospital of Jinan University.All of these patients underwent digital retinal imaging within 72 hours of admission and were followed up for 3 years.We found that,after adjusting for related risk factors,patients with acute ischemic stroke with mean arteriolar diameter within 0.5-1.0 disc diameters of the disc margin(MAD_(0.5-1.0DD))of≥74.14μm and mean venular diameter within 0.5-1.0 disc diameters of the disc margin(MVD_(0.5-1.0DD))of≥83.91μm tended to experience recurrent cerebrovascular events.We established three multivariate Cox proportional hazard regression models:model 1 included traditional risk factors,model 2 added MAD_(0.5-1.0DD)to model 1,and model 3 added MVD0.5-1.0DD to model 1.Model 3 had the greatest potential to predict subsequent cerebrovascular events,followed by model 2,and finally model 1.These findings indicate that combining retinal venular or arteriolar diameter with traditional risk factors could improve the prediction of recurrent cerebrovascular events in patients with acute ischemic stroke,and that retinal imaging could be a useful and non-invasive method for identifying high-risk patients who require closer monitoring and more aggressive management.

Prediabetes: An overlooked risk factor for major adverse cardiac and cerebrovascular events in atrial fibrillation patients

BACKGROUND Prediabetes is a well-established risk factor for major adverse cardiac and cerebrovascular events(MACCE).However,the relationship between prediabetes and MACCE in atrial fibrillation(AF)patients has not been extensively studied.Therefore,this study aimed to establish a link between prediabetes and MACCE in AF patients.AIM To investigate a link between prediabetes and MACCE in AF patients.METHODS We used the National Inpatient Sample(2019)and relevant ICD-10 CM codes to identify hospitalizations with AF and categorized them into groups with and without prediabetes,excluding diabetics.The primary outcome was MACCE(all-cause inpatient mortality,cardiac arrest including ventricular fibrillation,and stroke)in AF-related hospitalizations.RESULTS Of the 2965875 AF-related hospitalizations for MACCE,47505(1.6%)were among patients with prediabetes.The prediabetes cohort was relatively younger(median 75 vs 78 years),and often consisted of males(56.3%vs 51.4%),blacks(9.8%vs 7.9%),Hispanics(7.3%vs 4.3%),and Asians(4.7%vs 1.6%)than the non-prediabetic cohort(P<0.001).The prediabetes group had significantly higher rates of hypertension,hyperlipidemia,smoking,obesity,drug abuse,prior myocardial infarction,peripheral vascular disease,and hyperthyroidism(all P<0.05).The prediabetes cohort was often discharged routinely(51.1%vs 41.1%),but more frequently required home health care(23.6%vs 21.0%)and had higher costs.After adjusting for baseline characteristics or comorbidities,the prediabetes cohort with AF admissions showed a higher rate and significantly higher odds of MACCE compared to the non-prediabetic cohort[18.6%vs 14.7%,odds ratio(OR)1.34,95%confidence interval 1.26-1.42,P<0.001].On subgroup analyses,males had a stronger association(aOR 1.43)compared to females(aOR 1.22),whereas on the race-wise comparison,Hispanics(aOR 1.43)and Asians(aOR 1.36)had a stronger association with MACCE with prediabetes vs whites(aOR 1.33)and blacks(aOR 1.21).CONCLUSION This population-based study found a significant association between prediabetes and MACCE in AF patients.Therefore,there is a need for further research to actively screen and manage prediabetes in AF to prevent MACCE.

Sex and racial disparities in non-alcoholic fatty liver disease-related cardiovascular events: National inpatient sample analysis (2019)

BACKGROUND Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease(NAFLD)increases cardiovascular disease(CVD)risk irrespective of other risk factors.However,large-scale cardiovascular sex and race differences are poorly understood.AIM To investigate the relationship between NAFLD and major cardiovascular and cerebrovascular events(MACCE)in subgroups using a nationally representative United States inpatient sample.METHODS We examined National Inpatient Sample(2019)to identify adult hospitalizations with NAFLD by age,sex,and race using ICD-10-CM codes.Clinical and demographic characteristics,comorbidities,and MACCE-related mortality,acute myocardial infarction(AMI),cardiac arrest,and stroke were compared in NAFLD cohorts by sex and race.Multivariable regression analyses were adjusted for sociodemographic characteristics,hospitalization features,and comorbidities.RESULTS We examined 409130 hospitalizations[median 55(IQR 43-66)years]with NFALD.NAFLD was more common in females(1.2%),Hispanics(2%),and Native Americans(1.9%)than whites.Females often reported non-elective admissions,Medicare enrolment,the median age of 55(IQR 42-67),and poor income.Females had higher obesity and uncomplicated diabetes but lower hypertension,hyperlipidemia,and complicated diabetes than males.Hispanics had a median age of 48(IQR 37-60),were Medicaid enrollees,and had non-elective admissions.Hispanics had greater diabetes and obesity rates than whites but lower hypertension and hyperlipidemia.MACCE,all-cause mortality,AMI,cardiac arrest,and stroke were all greater in elderly individuals(P<0.001).MACCE,AMI,and cardiac arrest were more common in men(P<0.001).Native Americans(aOR 1.64)and Asian Pacific Islanders(aOR 1.18)had higher all-cause death risks than whites.CONCLUSION Increasing age and male sex link NAFLD with adverse MACCE outcomes;Native Americans and Asian Pacific Islanders face higher mortality,highlighting a need for tailored interventions and care.

Contemporary nationwide trends in major adverse cardiovascular events in young cannabis users without concomitant tobacco,alcohol,cocaine use

BACKGROUND Cannabis use has increased among young individuals in recent years.Although dependent cannabis use disorder(CUD)has been associated with various cardiac events,its effects on young adults without concurrent substance use remain understudied.AIM To examine trends in hospitalizations for major adverse cardiac and cerebrovascular events(MACCE)in this cohort.METHODSWe used the National Inpatient Sample(2016-2019)to identify hospitalized young individuals(18-44 years),excluding those with concurrent substance usage(tobacco,alcohol,and cocaine).They were divided into CUD+and CUD-.Using International Classification of Diseases-10 codes,we examined the trends in MACCE hospitalizations,including all-cause mortality(ACM),acute myocardial infarction(AMI),cardiac arrest(CA),and acuteischemic stroke(AIS).RESULTSOf 27.4 million hospitalizations among young adults without concurrent substance abuse,4.2%(1.1 million)hadco-existent CUD.In CUD+group,hospitalization rates for MACCE(1.71%vs 1.35%),AMI(0.86%vs 0.54%),CA(0.27%vs 0.24%),and AIS(0.49%vs 0.35%)were higher than in CUD-group(P<0.001).However,rate of ACMhospitalizations was lower in CUD+group(0.30%vs 0.44%).From 2016 to 2019,CUD+group experienced arelative rise of 5%in MACCE and 20%in AMI hospitalizations,compared to 22%and 36%increases in CUDgroup(P<0.05).The CUD+group had a 13%relative decrease in ACM hospitalizations,compared to a 10%relative rise in CUD-group(P<0.05).However,when adjusted for confounders,MACCE odds among CUD+cohort remain comparable between 2016 and 2019.CONCLUSIONThe CUD+group had higher rates of MACCE,but the rising trends were more apparent in the CUD-group overtime.Interestingly,the CUD+group had lower ACM rates than the CUD-group.

Incidence of Major Adverse Cardiovascular and Cerebrovascular Events in Chinese Patients Undergoing Percutaneous Coronary Intervention with Iodixanol: An Observational Postauthorization Study

Objective:This study aimed to evaluate the major adverse cardiovascular and cerebrovascular events(MACCEs)and overall safety profile associated with iodixanol in Chinese patients undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention(PCI).Methods:Patients at 30 centers in China registered in the OpenClinic v3.6 database from October 30,2013,to October 7,2015,were included in the study.The primary endpoint was in-hospital MACCEs including target lesion revascularization(TLR),stroke,stent thrombosis,cardiac death,and PCI-related myocardial infarction(MI)within 72 h post-PCI.Secondary endpoints were MACCEs from 72 h to 30 d post-PCI and other safety events within 30 d post-PCI.Results:A total of 3,042 patients were enrolled.The incidence of MACCEs within 72 h post-PCI was 2.33%(n=71),including cardiac death(0.03%,n=1)and PCI-related MI(2.30%,n=70).The incidence of MACCEs from 72 h to 30 d post-PCI was 0.16%(n=5),including cardiac death(0.10%,n=3),PCI-related MI(0.03%,n=1),and TLR for stent thrombosis(0.03%,n=1).The incidence of composite angiographic or procedural complications was 2.86%(n=87);233(7.86%)patients had results suggesting contrast-induced acute kidney injury.Conclusions:These findings indicate that the use of iodixanol in Chinese patients undergoing PCI is associated with a low incidence of MACCEs,confirming its safety in this population.

In-hospital outcomes in COVID-19 patients with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease by severity of obesity:Insights from national inpatient sample 2020

BACKGROUND Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease(NAFLD)increases the risk of cardiovascular diseases independently of other risk factors.However,data on its effect on cardiovascular outcomes in coronavirus disease 2019(COVID-19)hospitalizations with varied obesity levels is scarce.Clinical management and patient care depend on understanding COVID-19 admission results in NAFLD patients with varying obesity levels.AIM To study the in-hospital outcomes in COVID-19 patients with NAFLD by severity of obesity.METHODS COVID-19 hospitalizations with NAFLD were identified using International Classification of Disease-10 CM codes in the 2020 National Inpatient Sample database.Overweight and Obesity Classes Ⅰ,Ⅱ,and Ⅲ(body mass index 30-40)were compared.Major adverse cardiac and cerebrovascular events(MACCE)(all-cause mortality,acute myocardial infarction,cardiac arrest,and stroke)were compared between groups.Multivariable regression analyses adjusted for sociodemographic,hospitalization features,and comorbidities.RESULTS Our analysis comprised 13260 hospitalizations,7.3% of which were overweight,24.3% Class Ⅰ,24.1% Class Ⅱ,and 44.3% Class Ⅲ.Class Ⅲ obesity includes younger patients,blacks,females,diabetics,and hypertensive patients.On multivariable logistic analysis,Class Ⅲ obese patients had higher risks of MACCE,inpatient mortality,and respiratory failure than Class Ⅰ obese patients.Class Ⅱ obesity showed increased risks of MACCE,inpatient mortality,and respiratory failure than Class I,but not significantly.All obesity classes had non-significant risks of MACCE,inpatient mortality,and respiratory failure compared to the overweight group.CONCLUSION Class Ⅲ obese NAFLD COVID-19 patients had a greater risk of adverse outcomes than class Ⅰ.Using the overweight group as the reference,unfavorable outcomes were not significantly different.Morbid obesity had a greater risk of MACCE regardless of the referent group(overweight or Class Ⅰ obese)compared to overweight NAFLD patients admitted with COVID-19.

Atrial fibrillation and prediabetes:A liaison that merits attention!

Atrial fibrillation(AF)and prediabetes share common pathophysiological mechanisms with endothelial dysfunction and inflammation playing a key role.The resultant vicious cycle which sets in culminates in a higher atherogenicity and thermogenicity of the vascular system resulting in increased major adverse cardiac or cerebrovascular event(MACCE)events.However,the same has not convincingly been verified in real-world settings.In the recent retrospective study by Desai et al amongst AF patients being admitted to hospitals following MACCE,prediabetes emerged as an independent risk factor for MACCE after adjusting for all confounding variables.However,certain questions like the role of metformin,quantifying the risk for MACCE amongst prediabetes compared to diabetes,the positive impact of reversion to normoglycemia remain unanswered.We provide our insights and give future directions for dedicated research in this area to clarify the exact relationship between the two.

Clinical Signifi cance of Angiographically Detectable Neovascularity in Patients with Cardiac Myxoma

Background:Myxomas are the most common primary cardiac tumors.Angiographically detectable neovascularity(ADN)of myxoma is increasingly being reported as a result of the use of coronary angiography(CAG)to detect coronary artery disease.However,the clinical signifi cance of these fi ndings is not fully understood.Methods:We enrolled 59 patients with cardiac myxoma who also underwent CAG between January 2013 and October 2018.Patients were followed up for a mean of 28.9 months(range 1-69 months).The clinical features,echocardiography measurements,pathological examination fi ndings,CAG results,and outcomes during follow-up were compared between patients with ADN and patients without ADN.Results:ADN was found in 25 patients(42.4%).The arteries feeding the ADN included the right coronary artery(n=15),the left circumfl ex coronary artery(n=7),and both arteries(n=3).The patients with ADN had a higher proportion of eosinophils(3.2%vs.2.2%,P=0.03)and higher low-density lipoprotein cholesterol level(2.7 mmol/L vs.2.2 mmol/L,P=0.02).Myxoma pedicles were more likely to be located in the interatrial septum in patients with ADN(96%vs.73.5%,P=0.02).No signifi cant correlation was observed between the groups in clinical manifestations,atrial arrhythmia,myxoma size,cardiac chamber size,left ventricular ejection fraction,and the prevalence of complication with coronary artery disease[16%in the ADN group(n=4)vs.20.6%in the non-ADN group(n=7),P=0.66].However,patients with ADN tended to have a lower incidence of major adverse cardiac and cerebrovascular events on long-term follow-up(0%vs.14.7%,P=0.07).Conclusion:CAG-detected ADN in patients with cardiac myxoma is associated with a borderline lower rate of major adverse cardiac and cerebrovascular events.

Association between Contrast Media Volume and 1-Year Clinical Outcomes in Patients Undergoing Coronary Angiography

Background： The excess volume of contrast media （CM） is a marker of a more severe coronary culprit lesion and longer intervention duration in patients undergoing cardiac procedures. However, it is unclear whether the contrast volume is directly correlated with worse clinical outcomes. The aim of this study was to investigate the association between contrast dose and the incidence of 1-year major adverse cardiac and cerebrovascular events （MACCE） and all-cause bleeding events in patients undergoing cardiac catheterization and coronary angiography （CAG）. Methods： We prospectively enrolled 10,961 consecutive patients diagnosed with coronary heart disease expecting CAG from 2012 to 2013. The study population was pursued with a follow-up duration of 1 year. The predictive value of contrast volume, divided into quartiles, for the risk of MACCE and all-cause bleeding events was assessed using logistic regression analysis. Results： The cumulative incidence of 1-year MACCE was 8.65%, which was directly associated with increasing contrast volume. In particular, MACCE was observed in 7.16%, 7.89%, 9.31%, and 11.73% of cases in the contrast volume quartile Q1 （≤100 ml）, Q2 （101-140 m）, Q3 （141-200 ml）, and Q4 （〉200 ml）, respectively （P 〈 0.001）. Moreover, the incidence of 1-year all-cause bleeding events was noted in 4.70%, 5.93%, 7.28%, and 8.21% of patients in Q1, Q2, Q3, and Q4, respectively （P 〈 0.001）. The survival analysis showed that the 1-year MACCE rate was higher in patients using greater CM volume during the CAG. CM volume used 〉140 ml was associated with the occurrence of 1-year MACCE, and the incidence was dramatically elevated in patients exceeding a contrast volume of 200 ml （P = 0.007）. Conclusion： Our data suggested that higher contrast volume was significantly correlated with an increased risk of MACCE and all-cause bleeding events in patients undergoing cardiac catheterization.