Cardiovascular risk assessment tools: A scoping review

ObjectivesThe objective of this review was to describe cardiovascular risk (CVR) assessment methods and to identify evidence-based practice recommendations when dealing with population at risk of developing cardiovascular diseases.Review methods and data sourcesA literature review following the Arksey and O'Malley scoping review methodology was conducted. By using appropriate key terms, literature searches were conducted in PubMed, SciELO, Cochrane Library, Dialnet, ENFISPO, Medigraphic, ScienceDirect, Cuiden, and Lilacs databases. A complementary search on websites related to the area of interest was conducted. Articles published in English or Spanish in peer-review journals between 2010 and 2017. Critical appraisal for methodological quality was conducted. Data was extracted using ad-hoc tables and qualitatively synthesized.ResultsAfter eliminating duplicates, 55 325 records remained, and 1432 records were selected for screening. Out of these, 88 full-text articles were selected for eligibility criteria, and finally, 67 studies were selected for this review, and 25 studies were selected for evidence synthesis. In total, 23 CVR assessment tools have been identified, pioneered by the Framingham study. Qualitative findings were grouped into four thematic areas: assessment tools and scores, CVR indicators, comparative models, and evidence-based recommendations.ConclusionsIt is necessary to adapt the instruments to the epidemiological reality of the population. The most appropriate way to estimate CVR is to choose the assessment tool that best suits individual conditions, accompanied by a comprehensive assessment of the patient. More research is required to determine a single, adequate, and reliable tool.     

妊娠合并右心感染性心内膜炎的临床特征及母婴结局的文献分析

目的探讨妊娠合并右心感染性心内膜炎的临床特征、处理策略和母婴结局,为疾病的诊断和治疗提供理论依据。方法在中国知网、万方数据库、维普网、中国生物医学文献服务系统、PubMed、OVID、EMbase、ScienceDirect数据库检索相关文献,提取临床资料,分析妊娠合并右心感染性心内膜炎的临床表现、危险因素、赘生物位置、血培养结果、治疗策略和母婴结局等。结果纳入15篇文献,共18例患者。患者年龄为(27.7±4.8)岁,发病孕周为(27.8±6.9)周。发热(14例)、咳嗽(12例)、贫血(8例)、气短或呼吸困难(8例)是最常见的症状。心脏听诊时7例可闻及杂音,其中6例为收缩期杂音,1例未明确杂音类型,5例明确心脏听诊无杂音。9例合并肺栓塞和5例合并心力衰竭。危险因素主要为先天性心脏病(10/18)和静脉药瘾史(6/18)。赘生物附着位置以三尖瓣居多(10/18),其次为肺动脉瓣(4/18)。血培养阳性率高(15/16),主要包括葡萄球菌(9/15)及链球菌(3/15)。处理策略上,多以剖宫产适时终止妊娠,针对心内膜炎方面,在应用足量足疗程抗生素的基础上,11例患者行心脏手术,术式主要包括赘生物清除术、瓣膜修复或置换术以及先天性心脏病的手术等,根据患者的孕周、病情和心肺功能等具体情况决定手术在终止妊娠之前、之后或同期进行。18例患者全部存活,新生儿1例死亡(妊娠28周时行剖宫产分娩,因重度窒息死亡)。产妇随访情况基本良好。结论妊娠合并右心感染性心内膜炎临床少见且病情复杂,需及早诊断并实施个体化治疗方案。给予足量足疗程抗生素、选择合适的手术方案以及终止妊娠的时机,对于母婴结局具有重要意义。     

Could non-HDL-cholesterol be a better marker of atherogenic dyslipidemia in obstructive sleep apnea?

Background/objectiveObstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is independently associated with dyslipidemia, a surrogate marker of atherosclerosis. Low-density lipoprotein (LDL)-cholesterol is accepted as a major independent risk factor for cardiovascular disease. However, non-high-density lipoprotein (HDL)-cholesterol is a better marker of atherogenic dyslipidemia and recommended as a target of lipid lowering therapy. We aimed to assess the prevalence of atherogenic dyslipidemia, and relationship between OSA severity and serum LDL-cholesterol and non-HDL cholesterol levels in OSA patients.MethodsWe retrospectively evaluated treatment naïve 2361 subjects admitted to the sleep laboratory of a university hospital for polysomnography. All subjects’ lipid profile including total cholesterol, LDL-cholesterol, HDL-cholesterol, triglycerides, and non-HDL-cholesterol were measured.ResultsOut of 2361 patients (mean age 49.6 ± 11.9 years; 68.9% male, apnea-hypopnea index 36.6 ± 28.4/h), 185 (7.8%) had no OSA and 2176 (92.2%) had OSA. Atherogenic dyslipidemia prevalence was high (57–66%) in OSA patients, and especially increased in severe OSA compared to other groups (p < 0.05). Though total and LDL-cholesterol did not differ between those with and without OSA, non-HDL-cholesterol (p = 0.020), and triglycerides (p = 0.001) were higher and HDL-cholesterol levels (p = 0.018) were lower in OSA patients than non-OSA. Non-HDL-cholesterol was significantly correlated with OSA severity (p < 0.001) and hypoxia parameters (p < 0.01), whereas LDL-cholesterol showed no correlation.ConclusionsAtherogenic dyslipidemia is highly prevalent and non-HDL-cholesterol levels are significantly increased, predominantly in severe OSA patients. Non-HDL-cholesterol but not LDL-cholesterol, is significantly correlated with OSA severity and hypoxia parameters. Therefore, it could be better to use non-HDL-cholesterol, which is a guideline recommended target of lipid therapy, as a marker of atherosclerotic cardiovascular risk in OSA patients.     

Stress Testing Versus CT Angiography in Patients With Diabetes and Suspected Coronary Artery Disease

Background

The optimal noninvasive test (NIT) for patients with diabetes and stable symptoms of coronary artery disease (CAD) is unknown.

浅谈新型冠状病毒肺炎合并基础病的中医药防治策略＊

2019年12月始，新型冠状病毒肺炎（Corona Virus Disease 2019，COVID-19）以湖北武汉为中心向全国各地蔓延。目前数据显示，COVID-19合并糖尿病、高血压、肿瘤等基础病的患者病情较为严峻，病死率相对较高。该类患者的临床治疗策略有待进一步深入研究。在此次疫情防治过程中，中西医结合治疗手段于COVID-19的防治及患者基础疾病的兼顾治疗方面展现出了一定的特色及优势。本文结合中医“未病先防，既病防变，瘥后防复”思想，拟从COVID-19合并糖尿病、高血压、肿瘤三个方面，探讨COVID-19爆发形势下合并基础病患者的中医药防治策略。