Tratamiento y control de los factores de riesgo según el riesgo coronario en la población española del estudio DARIOS

Introduction and objectives

The treatment and control of cardiovascular risk factors both play key roles in primary prevention. The aim of the present study is to analyze the proportion of primary prevention patients aged 35-74 years being treated and controlled in relation to their level of coronary risk.

Methods

Pooled analysis with individual data from 11 studies conducted in the first decade of the 21st century. We used standardized questionnaires and blood pressure measures, glycohemoglobin and lipid profiles. We defined optimal risk factor control as blood pressure <140/90 mmHg and glycohemoglobin <7%. In hypercholesterolemia, we applied both the European Societies and Health Prevention and Promotion Activities Programme criteria.

Results

We enrolled 27 903 participants (54% women). Drug treatments were being administered to 68% of men and 73% of women with a history of hypertension (P < .001), 66% and 69% respectively, of patients with diabetes (P = .03), and 39% and 42% respectively, of those with hypercholesterolemia (P < .001). Control was good in 34% of men and 42% of women with hypertension (P < .001); 65% and 63% respectively, of those with diabetes (P = .626); 2% and 3% respectively, of patients with hypercholesterolemia according to European Societies criteria (P = .092) and 46% and 52% respectively, of those with hypercholesterolemia according to Health Prevention and Promotion Activities Programme criteria (P < .001). The proportion of uncontrolled participants increased with coronary risk (P < .001), except in men with diabetes. Lipid-lowering treatments were more often administered to women with ≥10% coronary risk than to men (59% vs. 50%, P = .024).

Conclusions

The proportion of well-controlled participants was 65% at best. The European Societies criteria for hypercholesterolemia were vaguely reached. Lipid-lowering treatment is not prioritized in patients at high coronary risk.Full English text available from: www.revespcardiol.org     

Impacto de la utilización de las diferentes tablas SCORE en el cálculo del riesgo cardiovascular

Introduction and objectives

In Spain, various SCORE tables are available to estimate cardiovascular risk: tables for low-risk countries, tables calibrated for the Spanish population, and tables that include high-density lipoprotein values. The aim of this study is to assess the impact of using one or another SCORE table in clinical practice.

Methods

In a cross-sectional study carried out in two primary health care centers, individuals aged 40 to 65 years in whom blood pressure and total cholesterol levels were recorded between March 2010 and March 2012 were selected. Patients with diabetes or a history of cardiovascular disease were excluded. Cardiovascular risk was calculated using SCORE for low-risk countries, SCORE with high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, and the calibrated SCORE.

Results

Cardiovascular risk was estimated in 3716 patients. The percentage of patients at high or very high risk was 1.24% with SCORE with high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, 4.73% with the low-risk SCORE, and 15.44% with the calibrated SCORE (P<.01). Treatment with lipid-lowering drugs would be recommended in 10.23% of patients using the calibrated SCORE, 3.12% of patients using the low-risk SCORE, and 0.67% of patients using SCORE with high-density lipoprotein cholesterol.

Conclusions

The calibrated SCORE table classifies a larger number of patients at high or very high risk than the SCORE for low-risk countries or the SCORE with high-density lipoprotein cholesterol. Therefore, its use would imply treating more patients with lipid-lowering medication. Validation studies are needed to assess the most appropriate SCORE table for use in our setting.Full English text available from:www.revespcardiol.org/en     

Consenso de expertos sobre propuestas para la mejora del manejo de la dislipemia aterogénica

Introduction and objectives

Although atherogenic dyslipidemia is a recognized cardiovascular risk factor, it is often underassessed and thus undertreated and poorly controlled in clinical practice. The objective of this study was to reach a multidisciplinary consensus for the establishment of a set of clinical recommendations on atherogenic dyslipidemia to optimize its prevention, early detection, diagnostic evaluation, therapeutic approach, and follow-up.

Methods

After a review of the scientific evidence, a scientific committee formulated 87 recommendations related to atherogenic dyslipidemia, which were grouped into 5 subject areas: general concepts (10 items), impact and epidemiology (4 items), cardiovascular risk (32 items), detection and diagnosis (19 items), and treatment (22 items). A 2-round modified Delphi method was conducted to compare the opinions of a panel of 65 specialists in cardiology (23%), endocrinology (24.6%), family medicine (27.7%), and internal medicine (24.6%) on these issues.

Results

After the first round, the panel reached consensus on 65 of the 87 items discussed, and agreed on 76 items by the end of the second round. Insufficient consensus was reached on 3 items related to the detection and diagnosis of atherogenic dyslipidemia and 3 items related to the therapeutic goals to be achieved in these patients.

Conclusions

The external assessment conducted by experts on atherogenic dyslipidemia showed a high level of professional agreement with the proposed clinical recommendations. These recommendations represent a useful tool for improving the clinical management of patients with atherogenic dyslipidemia. A detailed analysis of the current scientific evidence is required for those statements that eluded consensus.Full English text available from:www.revespcardiol.org/en     

Manejo de la hipertensión resistente en una unidad multidisciplinaria de denervación renal: protocolo y resultados

Introduction and objectives

Resistant hypertension is a clinical problem because of its difficult management and increased morbidity and mortality. Catheter-based renal denervation has been demonstrated to improve control in these patients. The results of establishing a multidisciplinary unit for the implementation of renal denervation in the management of resistant hypertension are described.

Methods

A team of nephrologists and cardiologists created a protocol for patient selection, intervention, and follow-up. One hundred and ninety-seven patients with poorly controlled essential hypertension, despite taking 3 or more drugs, were included. The ablation technique previously described was supported by a navigator based on rotational angiography. Blood pressure at baseline and after follow-up was compared using the Wilcoxon test for paired samples.

Results

One hundred and eight patients (55%) with pseudo-resistant hypertension were excluded. The other 89 were given antialdosteronic drugs, to which 60 patients (30%) responded. The remaining 29 patients (15%) were candidates for denervation. Eleven patients, with blood pressure 164/99 mmHg and taking 4.4 antihypertensive drugs, were ablated. After 72 days of follow-up, systolic and diastolic blood pressure fell by 25 mmHg (P=.02) and 10 mmHg (P=.06), respectively. In 10 patients (91%) at least 1 drug was discontinued.

Conclusions

Renal denervation performed by a multidisciplinary team led to an improvement in blood pressure similar to previous studies, with a greater reduction of antihypertensive drugs.Full English text available from:www.revespcardiol.org/en.     

Grosor íntima-media carotídeo en población española: valores de referencia y asociación con los factores de riesgo cardiovascular

Introduction and objectives

Carotid intima-media thickness as measured with ultrasonography is an inexpensive and noninvasive predictor of cardiovascular events. The objectives of this study were to determine the population reference ranges of carotid intima-media thickness for individuals aged 35-84 years in Spain and to analyze the association of carotid intima-media thickness with cardiovascular risk factors (age, smoking, diabetes, pulse pressure, lipid profile, and body mass index).

Methods

Population-based cross-sectional study conducted in Gerona (Spain). We described the mean and maximal values of carotid intima-media thickness of the carotid artery and of its 3 segments (common carotid, carotid bulb and internal carotid). We assessed cardiovascular risk factors and analyzed their association with carotid intima-media thickness using adjusted linear regression models.

Results

A total of 3161 individuals (54% women) were included, with mean age 58 years. Men showed significantly higher mean common carotid intima-media thickness than did women (0.71 vs 0.67 mm). The strongest predictors of this measure were age (coefficients for 10-year increase: 0.65 and 0.58 for women and men, respectively), smoking in men (coefficient: 0.26), high-density lipoprotein cholesterol in women (coefficient for 10 mg/dL, increase: −0.08) and pulse pressure in both sexes (coefficients for 10 mmHg increase: 0.08 and 0.23 for women and men, respectively). The results were similar for the mean carotid intima-media thickness of all the segments.

Conclusions

This population-based study presents the reference ranges for carotid intima-media thickness in the Spanish population. The main determinants of carotid intima-media thickness were age and pulse pressure in both sexes.Full English text available from:www.revespcardiol.org     

Asociación entre presión arterial y mortalidad en una cohorte de individuos de edad igual o superior a 65 años de España: un modelo dinámico

Introduction and objectives

Few studies have used time-dependent correction to analyze the relationship between blood pressure and all-cause mortality, and to our knowledge none has been performed in older people from the Mediterranean area. This study aimed to estimate the relationship between baseline blood pressure and blood pressure as a time-dependent covariate with the risk of all-cause mortality in a population cohort of persons aged 65 or older in Spain.

Methods

Data were taken from the population-based study «Aging in Leganés» with 17 years of follow-up, launched in 1993 in a random sample (n=1560) of persons aged ≥65 years. Mortality was assessed in 2010. Cox proportional hazards models were fitted to examine the effects on mortality of blood pressure at baseline and of blood pressure as a time-dependent covariate.

Results

The lowest mortality was observed at baseline systolic blood pressure of 136 mmHg and time-dependent covariate value of 147 mmHg. The highest risk of mortality for time-dependent covariates occurred with systolic blood pressure<115 mmHg and >93 mmHg and diastolic blood pressure<80 mmHg. Diastolic blood pressure over 85 mmHg did not increase the risk of death.

Conclusions

Based on the dynamic association between blood pressure and mortality, a U-shaped relationship was found for systolic blood pressure and a negative relationship for diastolic blood pressure and all-cause mortality. The lowest mortality corresponded to a systolic blood pressure level slightly over the diagnostic hypertension value and suggests that a value of 140 mmHg is not adequate as a diagnostic and therapeutic threshold in an elderly population.Full English text available from:www.revespcardiol.org/en.     

Validez y aplicabilidad de un nuevo método de registro para la hipertensión arterial

Introduction and objectives

Blood pressure measurement methods and conditions are determinants of hypertension diagnosis. A recent British guideline recommends systematic 24-h ambulatory blood pressure monitoring. However, these devices are not available at all health centers and they can only be used by 1 patient per day. The aim of this study was to test a new blood pressure recording method to see if it gave the same diagnostic results as 24-h blood pressure monitoring.

Methods

One-hour blood pressure monitoring under routine clinical practice conditions was compared with standard method of day time recording by analyzing the coefficient of correlation and Bland-Altman plots. The Kappa index was used to calculate degree of agreement. Method sensitivity and specificity were also analyzed.

Results

Of the 102 participants, 89 (87.3%) obtained the same diagnosis regardless of method, with high between-method agreement (κ= 0.81; 95% confidence interval, 0.71-0.91). We observed robust correlations between diastolic (r = 0.85) and systolic blood pressure (r = 0.76) readings. Sensitivity and specificity for the new method for diagnosing white coat hypertension were 85.2% (95% confidence interval 67.5%-94.1%) and 92% (95% confidence interval, 83.6%-96.3%), respectively.

Conclusions

One-hour blood pressure monitoring is a valid and reliable method for diagnosing hypertension and for classifying hypertension subpopulations, especially in white coat hypertension and refractory hypertension. This also leads to a more productive use of monitoring instruments.Full English text available from:www.revespcardiol.org/en     

Relación entre la presión arterial central y periférica con la masa ventricular izquierda en hipertensos

Introduction and objectives

The purpose of the present study was to assess the relationship of central and peripheral blood pressure to left ventricular mass.

Methods

Cross-sectional study that included 392 never treated hypertensive individuals. Measurement of office, 24-h ambulatory, and central blood pressure (obtained using applanation tonometry) and determination of left ventricular mass by echocardiography were performed in all patients.

Results

In a multiple regression analysis, with adjustment for age, gender and metabolic syndrome, 24-h blood pressure was more closely related to ventricular mass than the respective office and central blood pressures. Systolic blood pressures always exhibited a higher correlation than diastolic blood pressures in all 3 determinations. The correlation between left ventricular mass index and 24-h systolic blood pressure was higher than that of office (P<.002) or central systolic blood pressures (P<.002). Changes in 24-h systolic blood pressure caused the greatest variations in left ventricular mass index (P<.001).

Conclusions

In our population of untreated middle-aged hypertensive patients, left ventricular mass index is more closely related to 24-h ambulatory blood pressure than to office or central blood pressure. Central blood pressure does not enable us to better identify patients with left ventricular hypertrophy.Full English text available from:www.revespcardiol.org     

Variación del perfil cardiometabólico en pacientes diabéticos obesos intervenidos de cirugía bariátrica. Cambios en el riesgo cardiovascular

Introduction and objectives

Bariatric surgery is a valuable tool for metabolic control in obese diabetic patients. The aim of this study was to determine changes in weight and carbohydrate and lipid metabolism in obese diabetic patients during the first 4 years after bariatric surgery.

Methods

A retrospective study was performed in 104 patients (71 women; mean age, 53.0 [0.9] years; mean body mass index, 46.8 [0.7]) with type 2 diabetes mellitus (median duration, 3 years) who underwent laparoscopic proximal gastric bypass.

Results

Blood glucose levels and glycated hemoglobin concentrations decreased during the first 1-3 postoperative months. Values stabilized for the rest of the study period, allowing hypoglycemic treatment to be discontinued in 80% of the patients. No significant differences were observed as a function of the body mass index, diabetes mellitus duration, or previous antidiabetic treatment. Weight decreased during the first 15-24 months and slightly increased afterward. Levels of total cholesterol, triglycerides, and low-density lipoprotein significantly decreased, and target values were reached after 12 months in 80% of the patients. No correlation was found between these reductions and weight loss. Similarly, high-density lipoprotein concentrations decreased until 12 months after surgery. Although concentrations showed a subsequent slight increase, target or lower high-density lipoprotein values were achieved at 24 months postintervention in 85% of the patients.

Conclusions

Bariatric surgery is effective for the treatment of obese diabetic patients, contributing to their metabolic control and reducing their cardiovascular risk.Full English text available from:www.revespcardiol.org/en     

Los polimorfismos del gen LRP1 se asocian al riesgo prematuro de enfermedad cardiovascular en pacientes con hipercolesterolemia familiar

Introduction and objectives

LRP1 gene overexpression in atherosclerotic plaque is associated with increased lipid uptake through the vascular wall. The aim of the study was to analyze whether LRP1 modulates the genetic risk of developing premature cardiovascular disease in familial hypercholesterolemia, using single nucleotide polymorphism association analysis.

Methods

Ten polymorphisms of the LRP1 gene (rs715948, rs1799986, rs1800127, rs7968719, rs1800176, rs1800194, rs1800181, rs1140648, rs1800164, and rs35282763) were genotyped in 339 patients (77 with premature cardiovascular disease and 262 without) in the SAFEHEART study.

Results

The c.677C>T (rs1799986) polymorphism showed a significant association with premature cardiovascular disease after adjusting by sex, age, body mass index, and the effect of the low-density lipoprotein receptor mutation in the dominant model (CT+TT vs CC: odds ratio=1.94; 95% confidence interval, 1.08-3.48; P=.029). Similar results were observed after increasing the sample to 648 subjects (133 with premature cardiovascular disease vs 515 without [odds ratio=1.83; 95% confidence interval, 1.16-2.88; P=.011]).

Conclusions

The c.677C>T polymorphism is associated with increased rates of premature cardiovascular disease in familial hypercholesterolemia. Although we were unable to show that this polymorphism was involved in the alteration of normal mRNA splicing patterns, the possibility that it is in strong linkage disequilibrium with another functional polymorphism cannot be ruled out and would explain the cause-effect relationship with cardiovascular disease risk in this population. Further studies are needed to replicate the results and to localize the putative genetic variants associated with this polymorphism.Full English text available from:www.revespcardiol.org     

Actualización en insuficiencia cardiaca,trasplante cardiaco,cardiopatías congénitas y cardiología clínica

In the year 2012, 3 scientific sections—heart failure and transplant, congenital heart disease, and clinical cardiology—are presented together in the same article. The most relevant development in the area of heart failure and transplantation is the 2012 publication of the European guidelines for heart failure. These describe new possibilities for some drugs (eplerenone and ivabradine); expand the criteria for resynchronization, ventricular assist, and peritoneal dialysis; and cover possibilities of percutaneous repair of the mitral valve (MitraClip^®). The survival of children with hypoplastic left heart syndrome in congenital heart diseases has improved significantly. Instructions for percutaneous techniques and devices have been revised and modified for the treatment of atrial septal defects, ostium secundum, and ventricular septal defects. Hybrid procedures for addressing structural congenital heart defects have become more widespread. In the area of clinical cardiology studies have demonstrated that percutaneous prosthesis implantation has lower mortality than surgical implantation. Use of the CHA₂DS₂-VASc criteria and of new anticoagulants (dabigatran, rivaroxaban and apixaban) is also recommended. In addition, the development of new sequencing techniques has enabled the analysis of multiple genes.     

Magnitude and characteristics of residual lipid risk in patients with a history of coronary revascularization: the ICP-bypass study

Introduction and objectives

Residual lipid risk has been defined as the excess of cardiovascular events observed in patients with adequate control of low-density lipoprotein cholesterol and has been mainly attributed to high-density lipoprotein cholesterol and triglycerides. The aim of our study was to describe the clinical features and the magnitude and characteristics associated with residual lipid risk in patients with a history of coronary revascularization.

Methods

Multicenter, observational, cross-sectional study of patients with a history of coronary revascularization. Residual lipid risk was defined as the presence of high-density lipoprotein cholesterol <40 mg/dL and/or triglycerides >150 mg/dL in patients with low-density lipoprotein cholesterol <100 mg/dL.

Results

We included 2292 patients with a mean age of 65.5 (12.4) years; 94.1% were receiving no statin therapy and 4.8% no lipid therapy. Statin-only therapy (74%) was the most common strategy, followed by combination with ezetimibe (17%). The prevalence of high-density lipoprotein cholesterol <40 mg/dL was 35.8%, hypertriglyceridemia 38.9%, and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol >100 mg/dL 44.9%; the residual lipid risk group included 29.9% of all patients. This patient group had a similar clinical profile except for slightly lower mean age, higher incidence of diabetes, and higher proportion of men. Multivariate analysis identified positive associations of diabetes and male sex with residual lipid risk; current smoking, male sex, and fibrate therapy were associated with high-density lipoprotein cholesterol <40 mg/dL; current smoking, abdominal obesity, and fibrate therapy were associated with hypertriglyceridemia.

Conclusions

In daily clinical practice, almost one-third of patients with a history of coronary revascularization have low-density lipoprotein cholesterol <100 mg/dL plus low high-density lipoprotein cholesterol and/or hypertriglyceridemia, a concept known as residual lipid risk.Full English text available from: www.revespcardiol.org     

Asociación entre adiposidad corporal y presión arterial entre los 6 y los 16 años. Análisis en una población escolar madrileña

Introduction and objectives

The increase in the incidence of hypertension in children can be attributed to the rising prevalence of obesity. The objective is to analyze the impact of overweight and the degree or distribution of adiposity on blood pressure levels in a population of Spanish schoolchildren.

Methods

A cross-sectional study was carried out in 1511 schoolchildren between 6 years and 16 years of age. We measured weight, height, waist circumference, subcutaneous skinfolds, and blood pressure. Nutritional categories were established on the basis of body mass index, waist-to-height ratio, and percent body fat. According to the National High Blood Pressure Education Program Working Group, subjects whose blood pressure was above the 90th percentile of the standard normal distribution were considered to have high blood pressure.

Results

In all, 3.17% of the boys and 3.05% of the girls had high blood pressure. According to odds ratio analysis, the risk of high blood pressure increased in individuals with a body mass index indicative of obesity (7.87-fold in boys, 12.32-fold in girls), with a percent body fat>97th percentile (6.98-fold in boys, 18.51-fold in girls), or with a waist-to-height ratio≥0.5 (10.56-fold in boys, 7.82-fold in girls).

Conclusions

Overweight and obesity increase the risk of high blood pressure in children between 6 years and 16 years of age, although the risk level varies depending on the amount and distribution of adipose tissue. Anthropometric indicators of relative adiposity and fat distribution are especially useful in the identification of children and adolescents with high blood pressure.Full English text available from:www.revespcardiol.org/en     

Prevalence and characteristics of lipid abnormalities in patients treated with statins in primary and secondary prevention in Spain. DYSIS-Spain Study

Introduction and objectives

Patients at high risk of suffering cardiovascular events require medical treatment to optimize their lipid profile. The present analysis evaluates the lipid profiles among Spanish patients receiving statin therapy in the international DYSIS study.

Methods

DYSIS is a multinational cross-sectional study carried out in Canada and Europe (n = 22,063). In Spain, 3710 patients treated with statin therapy for at least 3 months were included. We compared data relating to demographic parameters and cardiovascular risk profile.

Results

Complete lipid profiles of 3617 patients were recorded. Regarding the high cardiovascular risk patients with complete lipid profiles (n = 2273), 78.9% had a disorder in at least one of the three main lipid parameters: low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDLc), high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDLc) and/or triglycerides. LDLc was not within target levels in 61.4% of these high risk patients; HDLc was abnormal in 25.3%, and triglycerides were elevated in 37.8%. Overall, LDLc was outside the target range in 63.1%, and 20.7% (n = 668) of those treated with statins were normal for all parameters.

Conclusions

Most patients in this study who received statin therapy, particularly those at high cardiovascular risk, were not at the normal lipid parameter levels according to cardiovascular guidelines. Although it is necessary to wait for the final results of current studies on the use of combined lipid-modifying treatments, the management of lipid levels in Spain still has potential for improvement.Full English text available from: www.revespcardiol.org     

Novedades en arritmias y estimulación cardiaca en 2013

This report discusses a selection of the most relevant articles on cardiac arrhythmias and pacing published in 2013. The first section discusses arrhythmias, classified as regular paroxysmal supraventricular tachyarrhythmias, atrial fibrillation, and ventricular arrhythmias, together with their treatment by means of an implantable cardioverter defibrillator. The next section reviews cardiac pacing, subdivided into resynchronization therapy, remote monitoring of implantable devices, and pacemakers. The final section discusses syncope.