Alcohol intake is not associated with subclinical coronary atherosclerosis

Background

The inverse relation between alcohol intake and clinical coronary artery disease (CAD) is well established, although the mechanisms remain speculative. We studied the relation between alcohol intake and subclinical CAD to assess the possible role of alcohol in atherogenesis.

Methods

We conducted a prospective study of 731 consecutive, consenting, active-duty US Army personnel (39 to 45 years of age) without known CAD who were undergoing a routine physical examination. Each participant was surveyed with the validated Block dietary questionnaire, which included detailed information on alcohol intake as wine, beer, or liquor. Subclinical CAD was determined by means of electron beam computed tomography to quantify coronary artery calcification (CAC).

Results

The mean age was 42 (±2); 83% were male, 71% were white, and 82% were college graduates. The prevalence of CAC was 18.6% (mean CAC score = 12 ± 69). Twenty-two percent drank alcohol daily, with an average of 2.4 drinks per day. Systolic blood pressure was correlated with number of drinks per day (r = 0.10, P = .025). Among drinkers, HDL was weakly correlated with daily alcohol consumption (r = 0.10, P = .025). There was no relation between the CAC score and the alcohol intake as measured by drinks per day (OR, 1.02; 95% CI, 0.64 to 1.63; 1.13, 0.59 to 2.15; 1.26, 0.69 to 2.59, for less than 1, 1 to 2, and more than 2 drinks per day, respectively). Stratified analyses based on type of alcohol and multivariate analyses indicated no independent relation between any type or quantity of alcohol intake and the presence or extent of coronary calcification.

Conclusions

Alcohol intake does not appear to be inversely related to subclinical CAC, implying that previous observations of a protective effect of alcohol on clinical CAD may involve factors related to plaque stability rather than atherogenesis.     

Diabetes mellitus and coronary artery disease: therapeutic considerations

Diabetes mellitus affects about 6% of the U.S. population and represents a significant public health challenge, with numbers of those affected increasing every year. The most common cause of death in these patients is macrovascular disease, with coronary disease being the predominant form. The pathophysiology of coronary disease in patients with diabetes is complex and involves elements of hyperglycemia, dyslipidemia, hyperinsulinemia, as well as a procoagulant vascular milieu. First-generation trials looking at revascularization of multivessel disease in patients with diabetes have had long clinical follow-up periods and seem to consistently favor coronary bypass grafting over percutaneous interventions; however, newer trials that include the use of stents and glycoprotein IIb/IIIa inhibitor therapy as part of the latter strategy have raised some interesting questions, so that the issue remains controversial and by no means settled.     

颈动脉粥样硬化与冠心病关系的研究

目的:研究颈动脉粥样硬化与冠心病的关系。方法:对301例冠状动脉造影的患者作双侧颈动脉超声检查,根据冠脉造影结果分为正常组及冠心病组,冠心病组根据冠状动脉病变支数再分为一支病变组,二支病变组,三支病变组3个亚组。测量颈总动脉后壁内中膜厚度(IMT),斑块厚度,计算斑块积分及粥样斑块发生率。结果:(1)冠心病组IMT,斑块积分及斑块发生率明显高于正常对照组(P<0.01)。(2)随冠脉病变支数增加,斑块积分及IMT增加,亚组比较有显著性差异(P<0.01)。(3)以IMT>0.85mm和(或)出现粥样斑块预测冠心病,特异性75.3％,敏感性84.6％,阳性预测率88.4％。结论:通过颈动脉超声检查可为冠心病的诊断提供依据。     

颈动脉粥样硬化与冠心病关系的研究

目的研究颈动脉粥样硬化与冠心病的关系。方法对301例冠状动脉造影的患者作双侧颈动脉超声检查,根据冠脉造影结果分为正常组及冠心病组,冠心病组根据冠状动脉病变支数再分为一支病变组,二支病变组,三支病变组3个亚组。测量颈总动脉后壁内中膜厚度(IMT),斑块厚度,计算斑块积分及粥样斑块发生率。结果(1)冠心病组IMT,斑决积分及斑块发生率明显高于正常对照组(P＜0.01)。(2)随冠脉病变支数增加,斑块积分及IMT增加,亚组比较有显著性差异(P＜0.01)。(3)以IMT＞0.85mm和(或)出现粥样斑块预测冠心病,特异性75.3％,敏感性84.6％,阳性预测率88.4％。结论通过颈动脉超声检查可为冠心痛的诊断提供依据。     

Assessment of aortic atherosclerosis and carotid atherosclerosis in coronary artery disease

The present study investigated the relationship between aortic atherosclerosis and carotid atherosclerosis, and studied the effects of coronary risk factors for these arteries. The subjects consisted of 78 patients with coronary artery disease (CAD) and 69 patients without CAD. All subjects underwent enhanced computed tomography and B-mode ultrasonography within a short time period to determine the extent of aorta and carotid atherosclerosis. Significant correlations between maximal aortic wall thickness (MAWT) and aortic wall volume (AWV) with carotid intima-media thickness (IMT) were demonstrated. MAWT, AWV and IMT were significantly higher in patients with CAD compared with controls (p=0.009, p=0.024, p=0.001, respectively). Furthermore, there were significant differences in MAWT, AWV and IMT among groups classified by the number of coronary artery stenoses, and no significant differences among groups classified by risk factors, but it was shown that MAWT, AWV and IMT increased gradually as the risk factors increased in number. MAWT, AWV and IMT had positive correlations with age, systolic blood pressure and triglyceride, and a negative correlation with high density lipoprotein-cholesterol. This study demonstrated that both aortic atherosclerosis and carotid atherosclerosis are closely correlated with coronary atherosclerosis, and that the atherosclerosis indices are independently associated with age and hyperlipidemia.     

Shared genetic architecture in the relationship between adult stature and subclinical coronary artery atherosclerosis

Background

Short stature is associated with increased risk of coronary heart disease (CHD); although the mechanisms for this relationship are unknown, shared genetic factors have been proposed. Subclinical atherosclerosis, measured by coronary artery calcification (CAC), is associated with CHD events and represents part of the biological continuum to overt CHD. Many molecular mechanisms of CAC development are shared with bone growth. Thus, we examined whether there was evidence of shared genes (pleiotropy) between adult stature and CAC.

Methods

877 Asymptomatic white adults (46% men) from 625 families in a community-based sample had computed tomography measures of CAC. Pleiotropy between height and CAC was determined using maximum-likelihood estimation implemented in SOLAR.

Results

Adult height was significantly and inversely associated with CAC score (P = 0.01). After adjusting for age, sex and CHD risk factors, the estimated genetic correlation between height and CAC score was −0.37 and was significantly different than 0 (P = 0.001) and −1 (P < 0.001). The environmental correlation between height and CAC score was 0.60 and was significantly different than 0 (P = 0.024).

Conclusions

Further studies of shared genetic factors between height and CAC may provide important insight into the complex genetic architecture of CHD, in part through increased understanding of the molecular pathways underlying the process of both normal growth and disease development. Bivariate genetic linkage analysis may provide a powerful mechanism for identifying specific genomic regions associated with both height and CAC.     

Antioxidant vitamin intake and subclinical coronary atherosclerosis

Numerous studies have evaluated the association between antioxidants and coronary atherosclerosis but have been limited by its study among individuals with advanced atherosclerosis. The authors studied 865 consecutive patients, 39-45 years of age, without known coronary artery disease and presenting for a periodic physical examination. Antioxidant intake was assessed with the Block Dietary Questionnaire, and coronary atherosclerosis was identified by measuring coronary artery calcification using electron beam computed tomography. The mean age was 42 (+/-2), 83% were male, and the prevalence of coronary artery calcification was 20%. Vitamin supplements were used by 56% of the participants, and the mean (+/-SD) daily intake (dietary plus supplemental) of vitamins A, C, and E were 1683 mg (+/-1245), 371 mg (+/-375), and 97 mg (+/-165), respectively. There was no significant correlation between coronary artery calcification score and individual vitamin or total antioxidant vitamin intake, even after adjusting for traditional cardiac risk factors. The highest quartile of vitamin E was positively associated with calcification (odds ratio=1.77; 95% confidence interval, 1.02-3.06). Antioxidant vitamin intake is not significantly related to coronary artery calcification, implying that there is no effect on the development of early coronary atherosclerosis. High doses of vitamin E may confer an increased risk of calcified atherosclerosis.     

颈动脉粥样硬化与冠状动脉粥样硬化的关系

目的　探讨颈动脉粥样硬化与冠状动脉粥样硬化的关系。方法　对 94例老年患者进行了冠状动脉造影和颈动脉超声检查。颈动脉粥样硬化斑块积分采用Sutton法。结果　单支组及多支组内膜中膜厚度、斑块积分显著高于正常组 ,多支组显著高于单支组 (P<0 .0 5 )。斑块指数与年龄、吸烟、低密度脂蛋白胆固醇与高密度脂蛋白胆固醇的比值、收缩压以及高血压病程的程度呈正相关。结论　颈动脉粥样硬化与冠状动脉粥样硬化的病变是平行的     

Distribution of coronary atherosclerosis in patients with coronary artery disease

The distribution of coronary atherosclerosis has not been fully clarified. We measured coronary artery calcium score (CACS) in 624 consecutive patients for the right coronary artery (RCA), left main trunk (LMT), left anterior descending coronary artery (LAD), and left circumflex coronary artery (LCx), then calculated total CACS. Coronary artery calcium score was measured using the Agatston method. We divided these patients into four groups: CACS 1–100 (Group A, n = 267), CACS 101–400 (Group B, n = 160), CACS 401–1000 (Group C, n = 110), and CACS >1000 (Group D, n = 87). In Group A, B, and C, the CACS in LAD was significantly higher than in the other three arteries (P < 0.0001). In Group D, the CACS was not significantly different between LAD and RCA (P = 0.6930). In Groups A, B, and C, coronary artery calcium (CAC) was more frequently found in LAD compared with other arteries (P < 0.0001). However, in Group D the prevalence of CAC was not significantly different among the three arteries (P = 0.4435). Coronary artery calcium was found more frequently in LAD than in the other coronary arteries in patients with mild to high CAC, but not in those with very high CAC.     

Diffuse extent of coronary atherosclerosis in fatal coronary artery disease

In 4 subsets of patients with coronary artery disease, the amounts of narrowing of the 4 major epicardial coronary arteries were compared (left main, left anterior descending, left circumflex and right) by atherosclerotic plaques. Among 129 patients studied at necropsy, an average of 2.7 of the 4 arteries were narrowed greater than 75% in cross-sectional area at some point; in control subjects, narrowing was seen in an average of 0.7 arteries. Patients with unstable angina pectoris had a greater incidence of narrowing (3.2 arteries) than did patients with sudden coronary death (2.8), acute myocardial infarction (MI) (2.7) or healed MI (2.3). Each of the 4 major arteries was divided into segments 5 mm in length, and histologic sections were prepared and stained by the Movat method. A total of 6,461 segments were analyzed from the 129 patients and 1,849 from the 40 controls. In the 129 patients, 35% of the 5-mm segments were narrowed 75 to 100% in cross-sectional area (compared with 3% in control subjects). The group with unstable angina had the highest percentage (48%) of severely narrowed segments compared with the groups with sudden coronary death (36%), acute (34%) and healed MI (31%). Only 8% of the 6,461 segments were narrowed less than or equal to 25% in cross-sectional area, and virtually none of the 6,461 segments was normal; thus, 92% of the coronary segments were narrowed greater than 25% in cross-sectional area by atherosclerotic plaque alone. Among patients with fatal coronary artery disease studied at necropsy, therefore, the atherosclerotic process is severe and diffuse in the major epicardial coronary arteries.     

Apolipoprotein E polymorphism is associated with both carotid and coronary atherosclerosis in patients with coronary artery disease

Background and aimsApolipoprotein E (apoE) polymorphism plays a significant role in the development of atherosclerosis and cardiovascular disease. Therefore, the aim of the present study was to examine the association between apoE polymorphism and carotid intima-media thickness (IMT), and severity and extent of coronary artery disease (CAD).Methods and resultsB-mode ultrasound and quantitative coronary angiography (QCA) were used to assess carotid, and coronary artery atherosclerosis in 91 patients with clinically suspected CAD referred for cardiac catheterization. Two apoE phenotype groups were defined: apoE3 (E3/E3) and apoE4 (including E4/E3, E4/E4 phenotypes). Maximum IMT was higher in the apoE4 group than in the apoE3 group (p = 0.022). The global atheroma burden index was similarly higher in the apoE4 group than in the apoE3 group (p = 0.033). ApoE4 subjects had higher levels of apolipoprotein B (apoB) (p = 0.008), triglycerides (p = 0.006), remnant lipoprotein-cholesterol (RLP-C) (p = 0.023), and lipoprotein(a) [(Lp(a)] (p = 0.041) than apoE3 subjects. The mean LDL particle size was smaller in the apoE4 group than in the apoE3 group (p = 0.041).ConclusionsApoE polymorphism was associated with both carotid and coronary atherosclerosis. Patients with the apoE4 isoform had an increased carotid IMT and a more severe and extensive CAD than patients with the apoE3 isoform.     

Aortic atherosclerosis is a marker for significant coronary artery disease

Atherosclerosis is a generalized process that may involve the entire vasculature as well as the coronary arteries. Aortic atherosclerosis (AA) is associated with an increased risk for recurrent ischemic stroke and cardiovascular death and can be diagnosed by transesophageal echocardiography (TEE). We performed TEE in 60 patients (47 men and 13 women; age range 37-78, mean 53.5 +/- 9.9) who underwent coronary angiography, to assess whether atherosclerosis in the thoracic aorta correlates with coronary artery disease (CAD) or may be a marker for it. Significant CAD was defined as either > 50% reduction of internal diameter of the left main coronary artery or > 70% reduction of the internal diameter in the anterior descending, right coronary or circumflex artery. The number of diseased vessels was based on the Coronary Artery Surgery Study criteria. A grading system was used to detect AA. The thoracic aorta was considered to be normal and classified as grade I when the internal surface was smooth and without lumen irregularities or increased echo-intensity. Grade II changes consisted of increased echodensity of the intima without lumen irregularity or thickening. Grade III changes consisted of increased echodensity of intima with well defined atheroma extending < 3 mm in the aorta. Grade IV and V changes consisted of atheroma > 3 mm and protruding mobile plaques, respectively. Grades III-V were considered as AA. Twenty two of the 29 patients (75.9%) with CAD and 10 of the 31 patients (32.3%) without CAD had AA detected by TEE. There was a significant relationship between CAD and AA (r = 0.44, p < 0.001). The sensitivity and specificity of AA in detecting CAD were 75.9% and 67.7%, respectively. Our data suggest that AA is common in patients with significant CAD. Detection of AA by TEE may be a marker for CAD and early detection of aortic atherosclerosis may contribute to diagnostic and therapeutic interventions and thereby improve the prognosis.     

颈动脉粥样硬化与冠心病的关系

目的:探讨颈动脉粥样硬化与冠心病的关系。方法:根据冠状动脉造影结果将101例病人分为冠心病组及对照组,再根据受累血管数将冠心病组又分为一支病变组、二支病变组及三支病变组。应用高频超声测定所有病例双侧颈总动脉的内-中膜厚度(IMT)、颈总动脉内径,进行分析。结果:冠心病组的左颈动脉的平均IMT为(0.91±0.13)mm,平均内中膜横切面面积(IMCSA)为(22.13±3.21)mm2,而对照组的左颈动脉的平均IMT为(0.84±0.06)mm,平均IMCSA为(18.06±1.15)mm2,两组的差异有统计学意义(P<0.01);冠心病组斑块发生率为63.7%,对照组的斑块发生率为34.6%,差异有统计学意义(P<0.01)。以左颈总动脉IMT0.845mm为界限预测冠心病的敏感性为68.8%,特异性为67.3%;以左颈总动脉IMCSA19mm2为界限预测冠心病的敏感性为87.5%,特异性为84.6%。结论:颈动脉粥样硬化可作为冠心病的预测因子,为临床诊断提供依据。     

颈动脉粥样硬化与冠状动脉病变相关性探讨

目的 :探讨颈动脉粥样硬化与冠状动脉病变相关性。方法 :114例冠状动脉造影患者根据病变血管支数分成 4组 :正常组、单支病变组、双支病变组和 3支病变组 ,各组分别进行颈动脉超声检查。结果 :随着冠状动脉病变严重程度的增加 ,颈动脉最大内 中膜的厚度和斑块发生率增加 ,斑块的严重程度也增加。结论 :颈动脉粥样硬化与冠状动脉病变存在较密切的联系 ,颈动脉超声检查能较好地预测冠状动脉粥样硬化的严重程度。     

颈动脉粥样斑块与冠状动脉病变的相关性研究

目的探讨颈动脉粥样硬化斑块与冠状动脉病变的临床相关性。方法选择行冠状动脉造影确诊的冠状动脉病变患者133例。根据冠状动脉造影检查结果,按照病变严重程度,分为轻度狭窄组、中度狭窄组和重度狭窄组;按照冠状动脉病变支数,分为单支病变组、双支病变组和三支病变组;按照SYNTAX积分,分为0～22分组、23～32分组和≥33分组。超声检测入选患者颈总动脉、颈内动脉、颈外动脉及其分叉处有无斑块形成并进行粥样硬化斑块积分（AS积分）,分析各组颈动脉粥样硬化斑块及积分与冠状动脉病变的相关性。结果颈动脉粥样斑块形成例数及粥样硬化斑块积分与冠状动脉病变严重程度呈正相关（r分别为0.632、0.751）;与冠状动脉病变支数呈正相关（r分别为0.597、0.655）;与SYNTAX积分呈正相关（r分别为0.643、0.597）。冠状动脉轻度狭窄组与中度及重度狭窄组比较,单支病变组与双支及三支病变组比较,冠状动脉SYNTAX积分0～22分组与23～32分组及≥33分组比较,颈动脉粥样斑块形成例数及粥样硬化斑块积分差异均具有统计学意义（P〈0.05～0.01）;冠状动脉中度与重度狭窄组比较,双支及三支病变组比较,SYNTAX积分23～32分组比较与≥33分组比较,颈动脉粥样斑块形成例数及粥样硬化斑块积分差异无统计学意义（P均〉0.05）。结论颈动脉粥样斑块检查能够反映冠状动脉病变的情况,适合临床冠心病的普查及随访。