Arterial wave reflection is associated with severity of extracoronary atherosclerosis in patients with coronary artery disease.

BACKGROUND: Arterial wave reflection is a major determinant of left ventricular function, coronary perfusion and cardiovascular risk. We investigated whether arterial wave reflection may detect atherosclerosis of peripheral arteries in patients with documented coronary artery disease (CAD). METHODS: Radial artery applanation tonometry and pulse wave analysis was performed in 184 patients with documented CAD at coronary angiography; central blood pressures and augmentation index (AI) were measured. Ankle-brachial (ABI) index and intima-media thickness (IMT) were used as indices of atherosclerosis of the lower limbs and the carotid arteries respectively. RESULTS: Patients with abnormal IMT (> 0.7 mm, first tertile) or ABI (< 0.94, first tertile) had higher AI than patients with lower IMT or higher ABI (24 +/- 17 versus 17 +/- 16% and 23 +/- 18 versus 18 +/- 13%, respectively, P < 0.05). In multivariate analysis, increasing AI was associated with age, female gender, heart rate, mean blood pressure, hyperlipidaemia, and use of statins (regression coefficient (beta) = 0.50, beta = 0.15, beta = -0.60, beta = 0.23, beta = 0.16 and beta = -0.14, respectively, P < 0.05). Increasing AI was associated with an adjusted-odds ratio of 1.035 [95% confidence interval (CI), 1.005-1.066], P = 0.02 for an abnormal IMT and of 1.08 (95% CI, 1.024-1.146), P = 0.005 for ABI after adjustment for age, gender, heart rate, height, blood pressure, atherosclerotic risk factors, obesity and medication. No relation was found between AI and Gensini score or for the number of diseased coronary vessels. CONCLUSION: Augmentation index is a marker of extensive extracoronary atherosclerosis in patients with CAD.     

Atherosclerotic ulcerative disease and associated aneurysms of the coronary arteries.

Abnormal cardiac muscle function has been reported in experimental diabetes mellitus from this laboratory. To examine left ventricular performance in diabetic patients without clinical evidence of myocardial ischemia or other cardiovascular disease, a noninvasive measurement of the systolic time intervals was carried out. Simultaneous recordings of the electrocardiogram, heart sounds, and carotid pulse were made in 25 diabetic subjects, 20 to 56 years of age, and compared with 37 normal subjects. The diabetic subjects had a shorter left ventricular ejection time, longer pre-ejection period, and a higher ratio of pre-ejection period/left ventricular ejection time (P < 0.001). The isovolumic time was prolonged (P < 0.001), while heart rate and arterial pressure were within normal limits. Abnormal function was independent of apparent duration and treatment by diet alone, insulin, or hypoglycemic agents. On the basis of available morphologic data in human and canine diabetes, an alteration of the myocardial interstitium may be the basis for this preclinical abnormality in diabetic patients.     

Angiotensinogen T174M and M235T gene polymorphisms are associated with the extent of coronary atherosclerosis.

BACKGROUND: The relations of the angiotensinogen (AGT) T174M and M235T gene polymorphisms to the risk of coronary heart disease (CHD) have been investigated in only a few studies with conflicting results. RESULTS: Therefore, we analysed the relationship of the AGT gene polymorphisms to the presence and extent of CHD in 2250 male Caucasians whose coronary anatomy was defined by means of coronary angiography. The relative frequencies of the T and M alleles of the T174M and of the M235T gene variation did not significantly differ between patients without or with single-, double- or triple-vessel disease and between subjects without or with myocardial infarction (MI). In contrast the mean CHD score--defined by Gensini--was higher within MM homozygotes of the T174M gene variation than within TT genotypes; TM subjects had intermediate values. In M235T genotypes, mean CHD scores were similar in the total sample and in older individuals (> or = 62 years), whereas in younger individuals (< 62 years) a higher CHD score was found within AGT 235 T allele carriers than within MM homozygotes. In younger individuals with high apoAI plasma levels, the mean CHD score was clearly higher within TT homozygotes of the M235T gene variation than within MM genotypes; MT subjects had intermediate values. An interaction between both angiotensinogen gene polymorphisms on the extent of CHD or on the risk of non-fatal MI were not observed when the M allele of AGT T174M was combined either with the T allele or the TT genotype of M235T. CONCLUSIONS: The present study strengthens the hypothesis of an association of both angiotensinogen gene polymorphisms with the extent of coronary heart disease.     

颈动脉窦粥样硬化与冠状动脉粥样硬化程度相关

目的:探讨颈动脉粥样硬化与冠心病程度的关系。方法:对285例可疑冠心病患者行冠脉造影检查,以B型超声仪检查颈动脉内中膜厚度(IM T)。用冠脉病变支数表示冠心病程度。采静脉血检查血脂水平。结果:颈动脉与冠状动脉粥样硬化有共同的危险因子,如增龄、肥胖、血脂异常。比较各组IM T差别发现,颈动脉窦的F值最大(左,右分别为65.64%,63.24%)。颈动脉窦粥样硬化对诊断冠心病的阳性预告值最大(左、右颈动脉窦分别为89.9%,88.8%)。结论:颈动脉窦IM T与冠心病程度明显相关。颈动脉窦IM T可以作为筛选冠心病的指标。     

Plasma osteopontin levels are associated with the presence and extent of coronary artery disease

Recently, osteopontin (OPN) mRNA was reported to be highly expressed in atherosclerotic plaques, most strikingly in calcified plaques. We examined if plasma OPN levels are associated with coronary stenosis and calcification in patients with coronary artery disease (CAD). We measured plasma OPN levels in 178 patients undergoing coronary angiography. Compared with 71 patients without CAD, 107 with CAD had higher OPN levels (616±308 ng/ml versus 443±237 ng/ml, P<0.001). A stepwise increase in OPN levels was found depending on the number of >50% stenotic coronary vessels: 540±293 ng/ml in 1-vessel, 615±230 ng/ml in 2-vessel, and 758±416 ng/ml in 3-vessel disease. OPN levels also correlated with the numbers of >50% and >25% stenotic segments (r=0.35 and 0.43, respectively, P<0.001). In multivariate analysis, OPN levels were significantly associated with CAD (odds ratio=1.21, 95% CI=1.05–1.39 for a 100 ng/ml increase) independent of traditional risk factors. Coronary calcification was found in 86 patients. OPN levels were higher in patients with calcification than in those without calcification (608±328 ng/ml versus 490±246 ng/ml, P<0.01) and correlated with the number of calcified segment (r=0.26, P<0.001). However, OPN levels were not independently associated with coronary calcification. Thus, plasma OPN levels were found to be associated with the presence and extent of CAD.     

Relation of atherosclerotic changes in retinal arteries to the extent of coronary artery disease

The aim of this study was to explore the relation between atherosclerosis of the retinal arteries and the extent and severity of coronary artery disease (CAD). In 109 patients, aged 40 to 80 years, who underwent coronary angiography for suspected CAD, the degree of retinal arterial atherosclerosis (stages 1 to 4 according to Scheie) was determined. The fundus examination was done using direct ophthalmoscopy by an ophthalmologist blinded to the extent of the CAD. The CAD extent was evaluated by Gensini score, and coronary angiograms were analyzed by 2 expert observers who had no knowledge of the patients' retinal artery status. The extent and severity of retinal vessel atherosclerosis correlated strongly with the extent and severity of CAD. Thus, atherosclerotic changes in the retinal arteries may be a predictor of the extent of CAD.     

Components of the insulin resistance syndrome are associated with progression of atherosclerosis in non-grafted arteries 5 years after coronary artery bypass surgery

Aims Risk factors for progression of atherosclerosis in non-graftedcoronary arteries were examined in a prospective 5-year follow-upstudy of 228 consecutive coronary artery bypass surgery patients,with the main emphasis on insulin resistance syndrome. Methods and Results Serum lipids and lipoproteins were measured pre-operativelyand 1, 2, 3 and 5 years after surgery; and a baseline oral glucosetolerance test with plasma insulin determinations was performedpre-operatively. Progression of atherosclerosis was assessedby means of computer-based quantitative coronary angiography.Compared to subjects without progression, the patients withprogression of atherosclerotic lesions had a higher body massindex both at baseline (P=0·022) and at 5 years (P=0·007),were more often treated for hyper-tension at baseline (P=0·008)and at 5 years (P=0·012), used diuretics more often duringthe follow-up period (P=0·002), had a larger blood glucosearea under the curve (P=0·015) and a lower insulin sensitivityindex (P=0·006) in the baseline oral glucose tolerancetest, had a higher serum total cholesterol concentration atbaseline (P=0·044), and a higher serum triglyceride concentration(P=0·005) during the whole follow-up period. Clusteringof the components of insulin resistance syndrome at baselinewas more frequently found in patients with progression of atheroscleroticlesions than in patients without progression (P=0·025).For example, for patients with 1 component, the risk of progressionwas 17%, while for patients with 5 components the risk was 67%.As compared to the other patients, those with new atheroscleroticlesions had a lower insulin sensitivity index at baseline (P=0·033),and a lower serum high density lipoprotein cholesterol concentrationduring the follow-up period (P=0·033). Conclusion In addition to high serum cholesterol, the components of theinsulin resistance syndrome are associated with progressionof atherosclerosis in non-grafted coronary arteries 5 yearsafter coronary artery bypass surgery     

Estrogen receptor alpha gene polymorphisms are associated with the angiographic extent of coronary artery disease

CONTEXT: Sequence variants in the estrogen receptor alpha gene (ESR1) may alter the atheroprotective effects of estrogens, and be associated with the severity of coronary artery disease (CAD). OBJECTIVE: This study seeks to investigate the association between the ESR1 haplotype created by the c.454-397 T>C and c.454-351 A>G polymorphisms, the length of the (TA)n repeats, and the angiographic extent of CAD. DESIGN: Consecutive subjects with age younger than or equal to 55 yr who had undergone coronary angiography between November 2003 and January 2004 were included in the study. SETTING: The study was conducted in a referral center. PATIENTS: One hundred five subjects with age younger than or equal to 55 yr (87 males, 18 females) participated in the study. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: The angiographic extent of CAD was graded by number of: 1) major coronary vessels with more than 50% narrowing (NMCV); 2) narrowed major coronary vessels and/or their second-order branch (NCV); and 3) coronary segments with any narrowing (NN). Analysis of covariance was used to test the effect of haplotype and (TA)n length on the angiographic extent of CAD with gender and number of CAD risk factors (hyperlipidemia, diabetes, hypertension, obesity, smoking, and family history of CAD) as covariates. RESULTS: The ESR1 haplotype c.454-397C and c.454-351G was associated with NCV and NN (P = 0.008 and 0.02, respectively). Carriers of two copies of haplotype C-G had a higher number of NCV compared with subjects with one or no copies combined (3.5 +/- 2.2 vs. 2.3 +/- 1.9, P = 0.012, respectively). A longer (TA)n repeat was associated with NCV (P = 0.04). CONCLUSIONS: The ESR1 c.454-397C and c.454-351G haplotype and longer (TA)n repeats are associated with the extent of CAD in young subjects, independent of the known CAD risk factors.     

Plasma leptin levels are associated with coronary atherosclerosis in type 2 diabetes

Leptin signaling may promote atherothrombosis and lead to cardiovascular disease. However, whether leptin is associated with human atherosclerosis, distinct from thrombosis, is unknown. We determined the association of plasma leptin levels with coronary artery calcification (CAC), a measure of coronary atherosclerosis, in a cross-sectional study of type 2 diabetes. Leptin levels were associated with CAC after adjusting for established risk factors [odds ratio (95% confidence interval) for 5 ng/ml leptin increase: 1.31 (1.10-1.55); P = 0.002]. Leptin remained associated with CAC after further controlling for body mass index (BMI) [1.29 (1.07-1.55); P = 0.008], waist circumference [1.30 (1.09-1.57); P = 0.003], C-reactive protein (CRP) levels [1.28 (1.07-1.55); P = 0.008], and subclinical vascular disease [1.30 (1.08-1.57); P = 0.006]. Addition of BMI (P = 0.97), waist (P = 0.55), or CRP (P = 0.39) to a model with leptin failed to improve the model's explanatory power, whereas addition of leptin to a model with BMI (P = 0.029), waist (P = 0.006), or CRP (P = 0.005) improved the model significantly. Plasma leptin levels were associated with CAC in type 2 diabetes after controlling adiposity and CRP. Whether leptin signaling promotes atherosclerosis directly or represents a therapeutic target for the prevention of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease remains to be explored.     

Aortic stiffness is associated with atherosclerosis of the coronary arteries in older adults: the Rotterdam Study

OBJECTIVE: Aortic stiffness can lead to low diastolic blood pressure, thereby possibly limiting coronary perfusion. Therefore, the simultaneous occurrence of both aortic stiffness and coronary atherosclerosis can lead to an increased risk of subendocardial ischaemia. The aim of the present study was to investigate the association between aortic stiffness and coronary atherosclerosis. METHODS: The study was performed in 1757 subjects of the Rotterdam Study, a population-based study of elderly individuals. Aortic stiffness was assessed by measuring carotid-femoral pulse wave velocity (PWV). Coronary atherosclerosis was assessed by measuring coronary calcification using electron beam tomography and expressed as a total calcium score. The total calcium score was log-transformed because of its skewed distribution. The association between PWV and coronary calcification was first evaluated after adjustment for age, sex, mean arterial blood pressure and heart rate. RESULTS: Linear regression analyses showed that increased PWV was associated with a higher log total coronary calcium score [beta-regression coefficient 0.11, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.07-0.15]. Compared with the lowest quartile of PWV, multivariate odds ratios and corresponding 95% CI for advanced coronary calcification in the second, third and fourth highest quartiles were 1.17 (0.79-1.74), 1.58 (1.07-2.34) and 2.12 (1.40-3.20), respectively. CONCLUSIONS: In this large population-based study performed in elderly subjects aortic stiffness was strongly and independently associated with coronary atherosclerosis.     

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.     

Ventricular arrhythmias in patients with rest angina: correlation with ST segment changes and extent of coronary atherosclerosis

Major ventricular arrhythmias occurring concurrently with myocardial ischemia are presumed to be the most frequent mechanism for sudden cardiac death. Two hundred eighteen catheterized patients with angina pectoris at rest were reviewed to identify clinical, ECG, and arteriographic features that might correlate with the presence of serious ventricular arrhythmias occurring during episodes of rest pain. Ventricular arrhythmias during episodes of rest pain were significantly more common in patients who manifested transient ST segment elevation in the anterior leads and in patients with marked transient ST segment shifts (greater than 5 mm). Ventricular arrhythmias during episodes of rest pain were not more common in patients with extensive coronary artery disease.     

Gallstones are associated with carotid atherosclerosis

Background/Aims: Gallstone disease (GD) and cardiovascular disease (CD) are common diseases worldwide with considerable economical impact and they are strongly associated. Carotid atherosclerosis is an excellent marker of risk for CD like stroke and myocardial infarction. The aim of this study was to assess the association between gallstones and carotid atherosclerosis. Methods: A cross‐sectional study was conducted. We evaluated subjects with ultrasonographical evidence of GD and asymptomatic subjects without such evidence. Anthropometric, clinical and biochemical variables were collected. The Metabolic syndrome was evaluated using adult treatment panel III criteria. Carotid artery intima–media thickness (CIMT) was determined by a standard ultrasound protocol. Insulin‐like growth factor‐1 (IGF‐1) serum levels were measured in all subjects. Results: We studied 191 subjects: 62 subjects with GD (53.2% males) and 129 asymptomatic subjects without GD (65.9% males). Subjects with GD exhibited a higher body mass index, body fat percent, insulin serum levels and CIMT (P<0.05 for all). The prevalence of GD was higher in subjects with a CIMT>0.75 independently of other factors [odds ratio (OR) 2.12, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.04–4.34; P=0.039], and for every 0.1 mm increase in CIMT the independent probability to be a case of GD increased by a factor of 1.25 (95% CI 1.02–1.53; P=0.027). IGF‐1 levels did not differ among groups. Conclusions: Subjects with GD exhibit greater carotid atherosclerosis, and therefore have a higher risk for stroke and myocardial infarction.     

Type A personality and extent of coronary atherosclerosis

The relation between type A personality and the extent of coronary artery disease was studied in 109 patients who underwent selective coronary angiography. Type A personality as measured with the Jenkins Activity Survey was not correlated with the extent of coronary artery disease as assessed from the number of vessels with 50 percent or greater narrowing of diameter.     

老年患者颈动脉粥样硬化与冠状动脉病变的相关性

目的　评价老年患者颈动脉与冠状动脉粥样硬化的相关性。方法　对 81例接受冠状动脉造影检查的老年患者进行颈动脉超声检测。结果　冠心病患者颈动脉内膜中层厚度 (IMT)值较对照组明显增大。随冠状动脉病变加重 ,斑块的严重程度增加 ,内膜中层厚度呈增厚趋势。颈总动脉IMT与改良Gensini评分呈正相关。结论　老年患者颈动脉与冠脉粥样硬化之间存在较密切的联系     

Adrenergic innervation of the coronary arteries of the human heart and changes in it in atherosclerosis

Luminescent histochemical studies of autopsy specimens (30 cases) representing various markedness of coronary arterial atherosclerosis (segments from the left circumflex and the left anterior interventricular coronary arteries) showed that various portions of the blood channel differed with respect to the density of adrenergic nerve plexuses depending on the extent of atherosclerotic vascular stenosis. Morphometrically, the density of adrenergic fibres in the superficial adventitial layers of the atherosclerotically-affected left circumflex artery was, on the average, 1.4 times, and that of the anterior interventricular artery, 1.8 times as low as the density at similar sites of unstenosed vessels. In deeper layers, the density of adrenergic plexuses in the affected segments of both arteries is reduced twofold, as compared to similar segments of unaffected arteries.