Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting in Octogenarians—Risks,Outcomes, and Trends in 1283 Consecutive Patients

ObjectiveTo describe the risks, outcomes, and trends in patients older than 80 years undergoing coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG).MethodsWe retrospectively studied 1283 consecutive patients who were older than 80 years and underwent primary isolated CABG from January 1, 1993, to October 31, 2019, in our clinic. Kaplan-Meier survival probability and quartile estimates were used to analyze patients’ survival. Logistic regression models were used for analyzing temporal trends in CABG cases and outcomes. A multivariable Cox proportional hazards regression model was developed to study risk factors for mortality.ResultsOperative mortality was overall 4% (n=51) but showed a significant decrease during the study period (P=.015). Median follow-up was 16.7 (interquartile range, 10.3-21.1) years, and Kaplan-Meier estimated survival rates at 1 year, 5 years, 10 years, and 15 years were 90.2%, 67.9%, 31.1%, and 8.2%, respectively. Median survival time was 7.6 years compared with 6.0 years for age- and sex-matched octogenarians in the general US population (P<.001). Multivariable Cox regression analysis identified older age (P<.001), recent atrial fibrillation or flutter (P<.001), diabetes mellitus (P<.001), smoking history (P=.006), cerebrovascular disease (P=.04), immunosuppressive status (P=.01), extreme levels of creatinine (P<.001), chronic lung disease (P=.02), peripheral vascular disease (P=.02), decreased ejection fraction (P=.03) and increased Society of Thoracic Surgeons predicted risk score (P=.01) as significant risk factors of mortality.ConclusionAlthough CABG in octogenarians carries a higher surgical risk, it may be associated with favorable outcomes and increase in long-term survival. Further studies are warranted to define subgroups benefiting more from surgical revascularization.     

Prediction of Mortality in Coronary Artery Disease: Role of Machine Learning and Maximal Exercise Capacity

ObjectiveTo develop a prediction model for survival of patients with coronary artery disease (CAD) using health conditions beyond cardiovascular risk factors, including maximal exercise capacity, through the application of machine learning (ML) techniques.MethodsAnalysis of data from a retrospective cohort linking clinical, administrative, and vital status databases from 1995 to 2016 was performed. Inclusion criteria were age 18 years or older, diagnosis of CAD, referral to a cardiac rehabilitation program, and available baseline exercise test results. Primary outcome was death from any cause. Feature selection was performed using supervised and unsupervised ML techniques. The final prognostic model used the survival tree (ST) algorithm.ResultsFrom the cohort of 13,362 patients (60±11 years; 2400 [18%] women), 1577 died during a median follow-up of 8 years (interquartile range, 4 to 13 years), with an estimated survival of 67% up to 21 years. Feature selection revealed age and peak metabolic equivalents (METs) as the features with the greatest importance for mortality prediction. Using these 2 features, the ST generated a long-term prediction with a C-index of 0.729 by splitting patients in 8 clusters with different survival probabilities (P<.001). The ST root node was split by peak METs of 6.15 or less or more than 6.15, and each patient’s subgroup was further split by age or other peak METs cut points.ConclusionApplying ML techniques, age and maximal exercise capacity accurately predict mortality in patients with CAD and outperform variables commonly used for decision-making in clinical practice. A novel and simple prognostic model was established, and maximal exercise capacity was further suggested to be one of the most powerful predictors of mortality in CAD.     

Age-Related 2-Year Mortality After Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement: the YOUNG TAVR Registry

ObjectiveTo comparatively assess the natural history of patients of different ages undergoing transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR).Patients and MethodsFor this study, we used the YOUNG TAVR, an international, multicenter registry investigating mortality trends up to 2 years in patients with aortic valve stenosis treated by TAVR, classified according to 3 prespecified age groups: 75 years or younger (n=179), 76 to 86 years (n=602), and older than 86 years (n=221). A total of 1002 patients undergoing TAVR were included. Demographic, clinical, and outcome data in the youngest group were compared with those of patients 76 to 86 years and older than 86 years. Patients were followed up for up to 2 years.ResultsCompared with patients 75 years or younger (reference group), patients aged 76 to 86 years and older than 86 years had nonsignificantly different 30-day mortality (odds ratio, 0.76; 95% CI, 0.41-1.38; P=.37 and odds ratio, 1.27; 95% CI, 0.62-2.60; P=.51, respectively) and 1-year mortality (hazard ratio (HR), 0.72; 95% CI, 0.48-1.09; P=.12 and HR, 1.11; 95% CI, 0.88-1.40; P=.34, respectively). Mortality at 2 years was significantly lower among patients aged 76 to 86 years (HR, 0.62; 95% CI, 0.42-0.90; P=.01) but not among the older group (HR, 1.06; 95% CI, 0.68-1.67; P=.79). The Society of Thoracic Surgeons 30-day mortality score was lower in younger patients who, however, had a significantly higher prevalence of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (P=.005 vs the intermediate group and P=.02 vs the older group) and bicuspid aortic valves (P=.02 vs both older groups), larger left ventricles, and lower ejection fractions.ConclusionIn the present registry, mortality at 2 years after TAVR among patients 75 years or younger was higher compared with that of patients aged 75 to 86 years and was not markedly different from that of patients older than 86 years. The findings are attributable at least in part to a greater burden of comorbidities in the younger age group that are not entirely captured by current risk assessment tools.     

Survival in 222 Patients With Severe CSCI: An 8-Year Epidemiologic Survey in Western China

ObjectiveTo assess the survival and the predictors of mortality in patients with severe cervical spinal cord injuries (CSCI).DesignRetrospective study.ParticipantsFrom January 1, 2010, to May 31, 2018, patients who suffered from severe CSCIs in Western China were enrolled in this study (N=222).InterventionsNot applicable.Main Outcome MeasuresSurvival rates and mortality risk factors. Measures were calculated by the product-limit method (Kaplan-Meier) and the Cox model.ResultsThe overall 1-year, 3-year, 5-year, and 8-year postoperative mortalities were 24.4%, 30.6%, 33.3%, 36.2%, and 39.0%, respectively. Most deaths occurred within 36 months after the injury. According to the Cox proportional hazards model, the significant predictors of survival were as follows: (1) age; (2) neurologic level; (3) treatment options (surgical or conservative); (4) ventilator support (P<.05). The 8-year mortality for older patients (>50y) was 50.2%, which was significantly higher than that for younger patients (32.4%, <50y). The risk of death was 2.053 times higher in higher levels of injury (C1-C4) than in lower levels of injury (C5-C8) (P<.05). Compared with conservative treatment, patients who received surgical treatment (either anterior or posterior decompression) had a lower risk of death (P<.05). No significant difference was detected in the risk of death between early surgery (<3d) and mid-term surgery (3-7d) (P>.05). However, patients who received late-term surgery (>7d) had a higher mortality risk (P<.05). The overall 8-year mortality risk of patients who needed ventilator support was much higher than those who did not need ventilator support (P<.05).ConclusionsAge, neurologic level, ventilator dependence, treatment options, and timing to surgery were main risk factors for mortality in patients with severe CSCIs. Better understanding of the predictors for survival could possibly contribute to the improvement of survival rates.     

Nonlinear Associations Between Cumulative Dietary Risk Factors and Cardiovascular Diseases,Cancer, and All-Cause Mortality: A Prospective Cohort Study From UK Biobank

ObjectiveTo develop a score from cumulative dietary risk factors and examine its nonlinear associations with cardiovascular disease (CVD) and cancer incidence and mortality, as well as all-cause mortality.Patients and MethodsThere were 422,702 participants from UK Biobank included in this prospective study. Cumulative dietary risk factors were represented using a score ranging from 0 (healthiest) to 9 (least healthy). This was derived from 9 food items based on current UK guidelines using baseline data. Associations between the cumulative score and health outcomes were investigated using nonlinear penalized cubic splines fitted in Cox proportional hazard models. Follow-up was conducted until June 2020 for mortality, and for incidence, up to June 2020 in England and March 2017 in Wales and Scotland.ResultsThe median follow-up period was 9.0 years for incidence outcomes and 9.3 years for mortality outcomes. Each 1-point increment in the cumulative dietary risk factors score was associated with higher risk for incidence and mortality of the outcomes studied. The highest risks were identified for mortality due to heart failure (8.0% higher), CVD, and ischemic heart disease (both 7.0% higher). In addition, a higher diet score accounted for 18.8% of all deaths, 4.47% of incident cases of CVD, 25.5% of CVD deaths, 7.7% of incident cancers, and 18.2% of all cancer deaths.ConclusionOur findings show that dietary risk factors contributed to a large proportion of CVD and cancer events, as well as deaths, among those who did not meet most dietary recommendations.     

Prevalence and Natural History of Mitral Annulus Calcification and Related Valve Dysfunction

ObjectiveTo evaluate the prevalence and natural history of mitral annulus calcification (MAC) and associated mitral valve dysfunction (MVD) in patients undergoing clinically indicated echocardiography.MethodsA retrospective review was conducted of all adults who underwent echocardiography in 2015. Mitral valve dysfunction was defined as mitral regurgitation or mitral stenosis (MS) of moderate or greater severity. All-cause mortality during 3.0 (0.4 to 4.2) years of follow-up was compared between groups stratified according to the presence of MAC or MVD.ResultsOf 24,414 evaluated patients, 5502 (23%) had MAC. Patients with MAC were older (75±10 years vs 60±16 years; P<.001) and more frequently had MVD (MS: 6.6% vs 0.5% [P<.001]; mitral regurgitation without MS: 9.5% vs 6.1% [P<.001]). Associated with MS in patients with MAC were aortic valve dysfunction, female sex, chest irradiation, renal dysfunction, and coronary artery disease. Kaplan-Meier 1-year survival was 76% in MAC+/MVD+, 87% in MAC+/MVD?, 86% in MAC?/MVD+, and 92% in MAC?/MVD?. Adjusted for age, diabetes, renal dysfunction, cancer, chest irradiation, ejection fraction below 50%, aortic stenosis, tricuspid regurgitation, and pulmonary hypertension, MAC was associated with higher mortality during follow-up (adjusted hazard ratio, 1.40; 95% CI, 1.31 to 1.49; P<.001); MVD was associated with even higher mortality in patients with MAC (adjusted hazard ratio, 1.79; 95% CI, 1.58 to 2.01; P<.001). There was no significant interaction between MAC and MVD for mortality (P=.10).ConclusionIn a large cohort of adults undergoing echocardiography, the prevalence of MAC was 23%. Mitral valve dysfunction was more than twice as prevalent in patients with MAC. Adjusted mortality was increased in patients with MAC and worse with both MAC and MVD.     

Sex Differences in Outcomes of Patients With Chronic Aortic Regurgitation: Closing the Mortality Gap

ObjectiveTo examine contemporary clinical differences between men and women with hemodynamically significant chronic aortic regurgitation (AR).Patients and MethodsWe retrospectively identified 1072 consecutive patients with moderate to severe or severe AR diagnosed between February 21, 2004, and April 29, 2019. Echocardiographic data, aortic valve surgical intervention (AVS), and all-cause death were analyzed.ResultsAt baseline, the 189 women in the study group were older than the 883 men (mean ± SD age, 64±18 years vs 58±17 years), had more advanced symptoms, and had larger left ventricular end-systolic dimension index (LVESDi) (all P<.001) despite similar AR severity. An LVESDi of greater than 20 mm/m² was noted in 60 of 92 asymptomatic women (65%) vs 225 of 559 asymptomatic men (40%) (P<.001). Median follow-up was 5.6 years (interquartile range, 2.5 to 10.0 years). Female sex was associated with less AVS (P=.009), and overall 10-year survival was better in men (76%±2%) than in women (64%±5%) (P=.004). However, 10-year post-AVS survival was similar between the sexes (P=.86), and women had better left ventricular reverse remodeling than men regarding end-diastolic dimension (P=.02). Multivariable independent predictors of death were age, advanced symptoms, LVESDi, ejection fraction, and AVS (all P≤.03) but not female sex. When compared with the age-matched US population, women exhibited a 1.3-fold increased relative risk of death (P=.0383) while men had similar survival (P=.11).ConclusionIn contemporary practice, women with AR continue to exhibit an overall survival penalty not related to female sex but to late referral markers, including more advanced symptoms, larger LVESDi, and less AVS. Nonetheless, women in our study exhibited outstanding post-AVS left ventricular remodeling and had good post-AVS survival, a step forward toward closing the sex-related mortality gap. The high percentage of LVESDi of 20 mm/m² or greater in asymptomatic women represents a window of opportunity for advanced-symptom prevention and timely AR surgical correction that may close the mortality gap.     

Plant-Based Diets and All-cause and Cardiovascular Mortality in a Nationwide Cohort in Spain: The ENRICA Study

ObjectiveTo investigate the associations of a healthful plant-based diet index (hPDI) and an unhealthful plant-based diet index (uPDI) with all-cause and cardiovascular disease (CVD) mortality in Spanish adults.Patients and MethodsWe analyzed data from 11,825 individuals 18 years of age or older, representative of the Spanish population, recruited between 2008 and 2010 and followed-up to 2020. Food consumption was collected at baseline using a validated dietary history, which served to calculate two plant-based diet indices based on 18 major food groups (range, 18-90 points). For (1) hPDI only the consumption of healthy plant foods (whole grains, fruits, vegetables, nuts, legumes, vegetable oils, and tea/coffee) received positive scores; whereas for (2) uPDI, only the consumption of less healthy plant foods (fruit juices, sugar-sweetened beverages, refined grains, potatoes, and sweets/desserts) received positive scores. Multivariable-adjusted Cox models were used to estimate HRs and their 95% CIs.ResultsAfter a median follow-up of 10.9 and 9.8 years, 699 all-cause and 157 CVD deaths were ascertained, respectively. Each 10-point increase in hPDI was associated with 14% lower risk of all-cause death (HR, 0.86; 95% CI, 0.74 to 0.99), and 37% lower risk of CVD death (HR, 0.63; 95% CI, 0.46 to 0.85). No significant associations were found for uPDI.ConclusionHigher adherence to an hPDI diet, but not to a uPDI, was associated with lower all-cause and CVD mortality. This suggests that the quality of the plant food consumed is paramount to achieve diet-related benefits in mortality.Trial registrationclinicaltrials.gov Identifier: NCT02804672     

Association of Combined Healthy Lifestyles With Cardiovascular Disease and Mortality of Patients With Diabetes: An International Multicohort Study

ObjectiveTo prospectively examine the associations of combined lifestyle factors with incident cardiovascular disease (CVD) and mortality in patients with diabetes.Patients and MethodsPatients with prevalent diabetes were included from 5 prospective, population-based cohorts in China (Dongfeng-Tongji cohort and Kailuan study), the United Kingdom (UK Biobank study), and the United States (National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey and National Institutes of Health–AARP Diet and Health Study). Healthy lifestyle scores were constructed according to non–current smoking, low to moderate alcohol drinking, regular physical activity, healthy diet, and optimal body weight; the healthy level of each lifestyle factor was assigned 1 point, or 0 for otherwise, and the range of the score was 0 to 5. Cox proportional hazards models were used to estimate hazard ratios for incident CVD, CVD mortality, and all-cause mortality adjusting for sociodemographic, medical, and diabetes-related factors, and outcomes were obtained by linkage to medical records and death registries. Data were collected from October 18, 1988, to September 30, 2020.ResultsA total of 6945 incident CVD cases were documented in 41,350 participants without CVD at baseline from the 2 Chinese cohorts and the UK Biobank during 389,330 person-years of follow-up, and 40,353 deaths were documented in 101,219 participants from all 5 cohorts during 1,238,391 person-years of follow-up. Adjusted hazard ratios (95% CIs) comparing patients with 4 or 5 vs 0 or 1 healthy lifestyle factors were 0.67 (0.60 to 0.74) for incident CVD, 0.58 (0.50 to 0.68) for CVD mortality, and 0.60 (0.53 to 0.68) for all-cause mortality. Findings remained consistent across different cohorts, subgroups, and sensitivity analyses.ConclusionThe international analyses document that adherence to multicomponent healthy lifestyles is associated with lower risk of CVD and premature death of patients with diabetes.     

Examining Disparities and Excess Cardiovascular Mortality Before and During the COVID-19 Pandemic

ObjectiveTo investigate the patterns and demographic features of cardiovascular disease (CVD) death and subtypes myocardial infarction (MI), stroke, and heart failure in the pre–COVID-19 era (2018-2019) vs during the COVID-19 pandemic (2020-2021) in the United States.MethodsIn this cross-sectional study, we used the US Multiple Cause of Death files for 2018 to 2021 to examine the trend of excess cause-specific deaths using International Classification of Diseases, Tenth Revision codes for CVD (I00 to I99), MI (I21 and I22), stroke (I60 to I69), and heart failure (I42 and I50). Our primary outcome was excess mortality from CVD and its 3 subtypes (MI, stroke, and heart failure) between prepandemic (2018-2019) and pandemic (2020-2021) years. We performed a subgroup analysis on race and month-to-month and year-to-year variation using χ² analysis to test statistical significance.ResultsOverall, 3,598,352 CVD deaths were analyzed during the study period. There was a 6.7% excess CVD mortality, 2.5% MI mortality, and 8.5% stroke mortality during the COVID-19 pandemic (2020-2021) compared with the prepandemic era (2018-2019). Black individuals had higher excess CVD mortality (13.8%) than White individuals (5.1%; P<.001). This remained consistent across subtypes of CVD, including MI (9.6% vs 1.0%; P<.001), stroke (14.5% vs 6.9%; P<.001), and heart failure (5.1% vs ?1.2%; P<.001).ConclusionThere has been a significant rise in CVD and subtype-specific mortality during the COVID-19 pandemic that has been persistent despite 2 years since the onset of the pandemic. Excess CVD mortality has disproportionately affected Black compared with White individuals. Further studies targeting and eliminating health care disparities are necessary.     

Sleep Disordered Breathing and Mortality in Patients With Hypertrophic Obstructive Cardiomyopathy Undergoing Septal Myectomy

ObjectiveTo determine the impact of sleep-disordered breathing (SDB) on survival in patients with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) following septal myectomy.Patients and MethodsPatients with obstructive HCM undergoing septal myectomy from 2007 to 2016 were reviewed. Those who had an overnight oximetry test within 6 months before myectomy were included in analysis. Oxygen desaturation index was examined continuously and also categorically (SDB [>5/h] and severe SDB [>15/h]).ResultsA total of 619 of 1500 patients undergoing septal myectomy had overnight oximetry tests. Sleep-disordered breathing (oxygen desaturation index >5/h) was identified in 338 (54.6%) patients, and among those patients, 117 (18.9%) were classified as severe. Patients with SDB were older, had greater body mass index and body surface area, were more likely to have arterial hypertension and atrial fibrillation, and had an increased E/e’ ratio on Doppler echocardiography. Notably, there was no difference in preoperative resting left ventricular outflow tract pressure gradient between patients with SDB and those with normal overnight oximetry (55 (interquartile range: 25 to 86) mm Hg versus 52 (interquartile range: 21 to 85) mm Hg; P=.29). There was no difference in age-adjusted survival among patients with normal oximetry compared with those with mild SDB (hazard ratio: 0.98; 95% CI: 0.45 to 2.17), and severe SDB (hazard ratio: 1.06, 95% CI 0.42 - 2.71).ConclusionSleep-disordered breathing is present in more than half of patients with obstructive HCM in whom septal myectomy is indicated, and is mainly associated with aging, overweight, and male sex. However, SDB does not alter survival following septal myectomy.     

The Association of Sleep Apnea and Cardiorespiratory Fitness With Long-Term Major Cardiovascular Events

ObjectiveTo determine the risk of long-term major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE) when sleep-disordered breathing (SDB) and decreased cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF) co-occur.MethodsWe included consecutive patients who underwent symptom-limited cardiopulmonary exercise tests between January 1, 2005, and January 1, 2010, followed by first-time diagnostic polysomnography within 6 months. Patients were stratified based on the presence of moderate-to-severe SDB (apnea/hypopnea index ≥15 per hour) and decreased CRF defined as <70% predicted peak oxygen consumption (VO₂). Long-term MACE was a composite outcome of myocardial infarction (MI), coronary artery bypass graft (CABG), percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI), stroke or transient ischemic attack (TIA), and death, assessed until May 21, 2018. Cox-proportional hazard models were adjusted for factors known to influence CRF and MACE.ResultsOf 498 included patients (60±13 years, 28.1% female), 175 (35%) had MACE (MI=17, PCI=14, CABG=13, stroke=20, TIA=12, deaths=99) at a median follow-up of 8.7 years (interquartile range=6.5 to 10.3 years). After adjusting for age, sex, beta blockers, systemic hypertension, diabetes mellitus, coronary artery disease, cardiac arrhythmia, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, smoking, and use of positive airway pressure (PAP), decreased CRF alone (hazard ratio [HR]=1.91, 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.15 to 3.18; P=.01), but not SDB alone (HR=1.26, 95% CI, 0.75 to 2.13, P=.39) was associated with increased risk of MACE. Those with SDB and decreased CRF had greater risk of MACE compared with patients with decreased CRF alone (HR=1.85; 95% CI, 1.21 to 2.84; P<.005) after accounting for these confounders. The risk of MACE was attenuated in those with reduced CRF alone after additionally adjusting for adequate adherence to PAP (HR=1.59; 95% CI, 0.77 to 3.31; P=.21).ConclusionThe incidence of MACE, especially mortality, was high in this sample. Moderate-to-severe SDB with concurrent decreased CRF was associated with higher risk of MACE than decreased CRF alone. These results highlight the importance of possibly including CRF in the risk assessment of patients with SDB and, conversely, that of screening for SDB in patients with low peak VO₂.     

Long-term Cardiovascular Risk in Astronauts: Comparing NASA Mission Astronauts With a Healthy Cohort From the Cooper Center Longitudinal Study

ObjectiveTo determine the long-term cardiovascular disease risk of astronauts with spaceflight exposure compared with a well-matched cohort.MethodsNational Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) astronauts are selected into their profession based upon education, unique skills, and health and are exposed to cardiovascular disease risk factors during spaceflight. The Cooper Center Longitudinal Study (CCLS) is a generally healthy cohort from a preventive medicine clinic in Dallas, Texas. Using a matched cohort design, astronauts who were selected beginning April 1, 1959, (and each subsequent selection class through 2009) and exposed to spaceflight were matched to CCLS participants who met astronaut selection criteria; 1514 CCLS participants matched to 303 astronauts in a 5-to-1 ratio on sex, date of birth, and age. The outcome of cardiovascular mortality through December 31, 2016, was determined by death certificate or National Death Index.ResultsThere were 11 deaths caused by cardiovascular disease (CVD) among astronauts and 46 among CCLS participants. There was no evidence of increased mortality risk in astronauts (hazard ratio [HR]=1.10; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.50 to 2.45) with adjustment for baseline cardiovascular covariates. However, the secondary outcome of CVD events showed an increased adjusted risk in astronauts (HR=2.41; 95% CI, 1.26 to 4.63).ConclusionNo increased risk of CVD mortality was observed in astronauts with spaceflight exposure compared with a well-matched cohort, but there was evidence of increased total CVD events. Given that the duration of spaceflight will increase, particularly on missions to Mars, continued surveillance and mitigation of CVD risk is needed to ensure the safety of those who venture into space.     

Association of Changes in Physical Activity and Adiposity With Mortality and Incidence of Cardiovascular Disease: Longitudinal Findings From the UK Biobank

ObjectiveTo examine the association of changes in physical activity and adiposity with all-cause mortality and incident cardiovascular disease (CVD).MethodsPhysical activity, body mass index (BMI), body fat percentage, waist circumference, and waist to hip ratio changes were categorized on the basis of public health and clinical guidelines. Among 29,610 participants (mean ± SD follow-up, 5.1±2.1 years), 545 deaths and 2970 CVD events occurred. Participants were observed from baseline (March 13, 2006, to October 10, 2010) and follow-up (August 1, 2012 to November 9, 2018) assessment through March 31, 2021.ResultsCompared with stable-insufficient physical activity, increasing physical activity to meet guidelines at follow-up was associated with lower all-cause mortality (hazard ratio, 0.64 [0.49 to 0.85]) and CVD (0.83 [0.72 to 0.96]) risk. This risk was similar to that of those who achieved physical activity guidelines at both time points (all-cause mortality, 0.74 [0.60 to 0.92]; CVD, 0.88 [0.79 to 0.99]). For obese and overweight participants, decreasing BMI category was associated with a lower CVD risk (0.70 [0.47 to 1.04]) similar to the risk of those who had a healthy weight at both time points (0.85 [0.76 to 0.96]). In the joint analyses, the only combination that lowered all-cause mortality and CVD risk was physical activity increase and adiposity decrease over time (eg, CVD risk: BMI, 0.64 [0.42 to 0.96]; body fat percentage, 0.76 [0.55 to 0.97]; waist circumference, 0.66 [0.48 to 0.89]; waist to hip ratio, 0.78 [0.62 to 0.97]) compared with the reference group (stable physical activity and adiposity).ConclusionIncreases in physical activity to meet guidelines lowered all-cause mortality and CVD risk equal to that of those who continually met guidelines. The risk was effectively eliminated in those who had concurrent adiposity decrease.     

Association of Cardiovascular Disease Risk Factors With Sociodemographic Characteristics and Health Beliefs Among a Community-Based Sample of African American Adults in Minnesota

ObjectiveTo assess cardiovascular disease (CVD) and CVD risk factors and their association with sociodemographic characteristics and health beliefs among African American (AA) adults in Minnesota.MethodsA cross-sectional analysis was conducted of a community-based sample of AA adults enrolled in the Minnesota Heart Health Program Ask About Aspirin study from May 2019 to September 2019. Sociodemographic characteristics, health beliefs, and self-reported CVD and CVD risk factors were collected. Prevalence ratio (PR) estimates were calculated using Poisson regression modeling to assess the association between participants’ characteristics and age- and sex-adjusted CVD risk factors.ResultsThe sample included 644 individuals (64% [412] women) with a mean age of 61 years. Risk factors for CVD were common: hypertension (67% [434]), hyperlipidemia (47% [301]), diabetes (34% [219]), and current cigarette smoking (25% [163]); 19% (119) had CVD. Those with greater perceived CVD risk had a higher likelihood of prevalent hyperlipidemia (PR, 1.34; 95% CI, 1.14 to 1.57), diabetes (PR, 1.61; 95% CI, 1.30 to 1.98), and CVD (PR 1.61; 95% CI, 1.16 to 2.23) compared with those with lower perceived risk. Trust in health care provider was high (83% [535]) but was not associated with CVD or CVD risk factors.ConclusionIn this community sample of AAs in Minnesota, CVD risk factors were high, as was trust in health care providers. Those with greater CVD risk perceptions had higher CVD prevalence. Consideration of sociodemographic and psychosocial influences on CVD and CVD risk factors could inform development of effective cardiovascular health promotion interventions in the AA Minnesota community.     

Right Ventricular Enlargement and Dysfunction Are Associated With Increased All-Cause Mortality in Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy

ObjectiveTo assess whether right ventricular enlargement (RVE) and right ventricular dysfunction (RVD) adversely affect prognosis in hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM).Patients and MethodsData were retrieved from Mayo Clinic’s prospectively collected HCM registry between January 1, 2000, and September 30, 2012. Right ventricle (RV) size and function were semiquantitatively categorized via echocardiography as normal (RV-Norm) versus abnormal (RV-Abn) (RVE or RVD). All-cause mortality was the primary endpoint.ResultsOf 1878 HCM patients studied (mean age 53±15 years; 41.6% female), only 71 (3.8%) had RV-Abn (24 RVE, 28 RVD, 19 combined RVE and RVD). Compared with HCM patients with RV-Norm, RV-Abn patients were older (57±14 vs 53±15 years, P=.02), more symptomatic (New York Heart Association functional class III-IV in 62.0% vs 48.6%, P=.03), had more atrial fibrillation (53.5% vs 17.3%, P<.001), and more prior implantable cardioverter-defibrillator implantation (23.9% vs 11.3%, P=.02). Median follow-up was 9.4 years with 311 deaths. Patients who were RV-Abn had higher all-cause mortality compared with RV-Norm (log-rank P<.001); 24.1% (95% CI, 15.5% to 35.3%) vs 6.1% (95% CI, 5.1% to 7.3%) at 5 years. In multivariable Cox modeling, RV-Abn (hazard ratio, 1.89; 95% CI, 1.18 to 3.03; P=.008) was associated independently with all-cause mortality after adjusting for age, female sex, New York Heart Association functional class, atrial fibrillation, hypertension, coronary artery disease, implantable cardioverter-defibrillator implantation, beta blocker use, prior septal reduction therapy, resting LV outflow tract gradient, maximal LV wall thickness, and moderate or greater tricuspid regurgitation.ConclusionAlthough perturbations in RV size and function were observed in fewer than 5% of patients with HCM, they were associated with nearly two-fold higher all-cause mortality at long-term follow-up.     

Physical Activity,Cardiorespiratory Fitness,and Population-Attributable Risk

ObjectiveTo determine population-attributable risk (PAR) and exposure impact number (EIN) for mortality associated with impaired cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF), physical inactivity, and other risk markers among veteran subjects.MethodsThe sample included 5890 male subjects (mean age 58±15) who underwent a maximal exercise test for clinical reasons between January 1, 1992, and December 31, 2014. All-cause mortality was the end point. Cox multivariable hazard models were performed to determine clinical, demographic, and exercise-test determinants of mortality. Population-attributable risks and EIN for the lowest quartile of CRF and for inactive behavior were analyzed, accounting for competing events.ResultsThere were 2728 deaths during a mean ± standard deviation follow-up period of 9.9±5.8 years. Having low CRF (<5.0 metabolic equivalents [METs]) was associated with an approximate 3-fold higher risk of mortality and a PAR of 12.9%. Each higher MET achieved on the treadmill was associated with a 15% reduction in mortality (hazard ratio [HR]=0.85; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.83 to 0.88; P<.001). Nearly half the sample was inactive, and these subjects had a 23% higher mortality risk and a PAR of 8.8%. The least fit quartile (<5.0 METs) had relative risks of ≈6.0 compared with the most-fit group (HR=5.99; 95% CI, 4.9 to 7.3). The least-active tertile had ≈2-fold higher risks of mortality vs the most active subjects (HR=1.9; 95% CI, 0.91 to 4.1). The lowest EIN was observed for low fitness (3.8; 95% CI, 3.4 to 4.3, P<.001), followed by diabetes, smoking, hypertension, and physical inactivity (all P<.001 except for diabetes, P=.008).ConclusionBoth higher CRF and physical activity provide protection against all-cause mortality in subjects referred for exercise testing for clinical reasons. Encouraging physical activity with the aim of increasing CRF would have a significant impact on reducing mortality.     

Association Between Personal Activity Intelligence and Mortality: Population-Based China Kadoorie Biobank Study

ObjectiveTo prospectively investigate the association between personal activity intelligence (PAI) — a novel metabolic metric which translates heart rate during physical activity into a simple weekly score — and mortality in relatively healthy participants in China whose levels and patterns of physical activity in addition to other lifestyle factors are different from those in high-income countries.Patients and MethodsFrom the population-based China Kadoorie Biobank study, 443,792 healthy adults were recruited between June 2004 and July 2008. Participant’s weekly PAI score was estimated and divided into four groups (PAI scores of 0, ≤50, 51–99, or ≥100). Using Cox proportional hazard analyses, we calculated adjusted hazard ratios (AHRs) for cardiovascular disease (CVD) and all-cause mortality related to PAI scores.ResultsDuring a median follow-up of 8.2 (interquartile range, 7.3 to 9.1) years, there were 21,901 deaths, including 9466 CVD deaths. Compared with the inactive group (0 PAI score), a baseline weekly PAI score greater than or equal to 100 was associated with a lower risk of CVD mortality, an AHR of 0.87 (95% CI, 0.81 to 0.94) in men, and an AHR of 0.84 (95% CI, 0.78 to 0.92) in women, after adjusting for multiple confounders. Participants with a weekly PAI score greater than or equal to 100 also had a lower risk of all-cause mortality (AHR, 0.93; 95% CI, 0.89 to 0.97 in men, and AHR, 0.93; 95%, 0.88 to 0.98 in women). Moreover, this subgroup gained 2.7 (95% CI, 2.4 to 3.0) years of life, compared with the inactive cohort.ConclusionAmong relatively healthy Chinese adults, the PAI metric was inversely associated with CVD and all-cause mortality, highlighting the generalizability of the score in different races, ethnicities, and socioeconomic strata.