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Erythritol, Erythronate, and Cardiovascular Outcomes in Older Adults in the ARIC Study.

BACKGROUND: Circulating erythritol, an endogenously produced metabolite and an artificial sweetener, is associated with cardiovascular outcomes. OBJECTIVES: The authors assessed associations of erythritol and its downstream metabolite, erythronate, with cardiovascular risk factors and events in older adults in the ARIC (Atherosclerosis Risk In Communities) study (visit 5, 2011-2013). METHODS: We included 4,006 participants without prevalent cardiovascular disease and with metabolomic profiling. Erythritol and erythronate were measured by mass spectrometry. We analyzed associations of log-transformed erythritol and erythronate with cardiovascular risk factors and events using Cox proportional hazard models. RESULTS: Participants in the highest tertiles of erythritol or erythronate were older, more likely to have diabetes, hypertension, hyperlipidemia, or microalbuminuria, and had higher body mass index and cardiac biomarkers and lower estimated glomerular filtration rate (P&#xa0;<&#xa0;0.001). Over median follow-up of 8.41 (7.62, 8.93) years, higher erythritol and erythronate concentrations were significantly associated with heart failure (HF) hospitalization, HF with preserved ejection fraction, cardiovascular death, and total mortality after adjustment for demographics and traditional cardiovascular risk factors. Erythronate was additionally significantly associated with coronary heart disease (HR: 1.30 [95% CI: 1.04-1.61], P&#xa0;=&#xa0;0.02), stroke (1.40 [95% CI: 1.08-1.83], P&#xa0;=&#xa0;0.012), and HF with reduced ejection fraction (1.38 [95% CI: 1.09-1.74], P&#xa0;=&#xa0;0.007). Diabetes status did not modify any of these associations (P for interaction >0.20). CONCLUSIONS: Circulating erythritol and erythronate levels are markers of cardiometabolic health and cardiovascular outcomes in an older adult population. In particular, erythronate is associated with all cardiovascular outcomes assessed. Future studies should assess the role of erythronate and its related pathways in cardiovascular disease.

artificial sweetener

Adherence to the Mediterranean diet and incident cardiovascular outcomes among older adults.

AIM: The present study examined the prospective associations between adherence to the Mediterranean (MED) diet, its individual components, and incident cardiovascular disease (CVD) among community-dwelling older adults. METHODS: Data were obtained from the English Longitudinal Study of Ageing (ELSA). Participants aged &#x2265;65 years without hypertension at baseline (Wave 9, 2018-2019) were followed through Wave 11 (2023-2024). Adherence to the MED diet was assessed using the Medi-Lite score. Incident hypertension, myocardial infarction, and stroke were identified through self-reported physician diagnoses. Logistic regression analyses were performed to examine the prospective associations between MED diet adherence, individual dietary components, and cardiovascular outcomes, adjusting for age, sex, and caloric intake. RESULTS: A total of 338 participants (74.6 &#xb1; 6.2 years; 56.6% women) were included. During follow-up, the incidence of hypertension, myocardial infarction, and stroke was 12.4%, 2.6%, and 2.6%, respectively. No statistically significant associations were detected between overall MED diet adherence and incident hypertension (OR = 0.992, 95% CI = 0.586-1.679), myocardial infarction (OR = 1.422, 95% CI = 0.381-5.302), or stroke (OR = 0.808, 95% CI = 0.360-1.811). Likewise, none of the individual MED diet components was significantly associated with incident CVD outcomes. CONCLUSION: In conclusion, no statistically significant associations were detected between adherence to the MED diet and incident CVD among community-dwelling older adults in England. However, given the relatively low number of cardiovascular events, particularly myocardial infarction and stroke, these findings should be interpreted with caution. Further studies with longer follow-up periods and larger numbers of CVD events are warranted to provide more precise estimates and further clarify these associations.

diet pattern

Proteomics-Based Soluble Urokinase Plasminogen Activator Receptor Levels Are Associated With Adverse Cardiovascular Outcomes in the General Population: Insights From the UK Biobank.

BACKGROUND: Elevated soluble urokinase plasminogen activator receptor (suPAR) levels are associated with inflammation, immune activation, and major adverse cardiovascular events in coronary artery disease. Encoded by the PLAUR gene, suPAR levels are influenced by the rs4760 genetic variant. Whether proteomics-based suPAR levels predict adverse outcomes in the general population remains unknown. METHODS: Proteomics-based suPAR levels were measured using the Olink Immunoassay in 33&#x2009;963 UK Biobank participants without known coronary artery disease. Fine-Gray and Cox proportional hazards models assessed associations between suPAR and major adverse cardiovascular events (primary outcome: cardiovascular mortality, nonfatal myocardial infarction, or stroke), cardiovascular mortality, and all-cause mortality (secondary outcomes), after adjustment for demographic and clinical risk factors, hs-CRP (high-sensitivity C-reactive protein), and the rs4760 variant. Incremental discrimination was evaluated using C-statistics. RESULTS: Participants were aged 56.4 (SD, 8.2) years; 45% were men, and 93.4% were White. Over a median follow-up of 14&#x2009;years (476&#x2009;177 person-years), 10.7% experienced major adverse cardiovascular events, 2.6% experienced cardiovascular mortality, and 9.4% experienced all-cause mortality. Each 1-SD increment in proteomics-based suPAR was associated with significantly higher risk of major adverse cardiovascular events (hazard ratio [HR], 3.2 [95% CI, 2.9-4.5]), cardiovascular mortality (HR, 5.9 [95% CI, 5.1-6.9]), and all-cause mortality (HR, 5.0 [95% CI, 4.6-5.5]), independent of clinical risk factors and hs-CRP. Additional adjustment for rs4760 did not attenuate these associations. Proteomics-based suPAR significantly improved discrimination beyond clinical risk factors (C-statistic: 0.719 versus 0.732; P<0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Proteomics-based suPAR independently predicts adverse cardiovascular outcomes in the general population, beyond conventional risk factors, hs-CRP, and genetic predisposition to elevated suPAR levels.

Humans

High-Dose vs Standard-Dose Influenza Vaccine and Cardiovascular Outcomes in Older Adults: A Prespecified Secondary Analysis of the DANFLU-2 Randomized Clinical Trial.

IMPORTANCE: The high-dose inactivated influenza vaccine (HD-IIV) has demonstrated superior protection against laboratory-confirmed influenza infection vs standard-dose IIV (SD-IIV); however, data regarding its effectiveness against cardiovascular (CV) outcomes are mainly from observational studies or specific high-risk groups. OBJECTIVE: To investigate the relative vaccine effectiveness (rVE) of HD-IIV vs SD-IIV against CV outcomes in the general older adult population in Denmark. DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS: This was a prespecified secondary analysis of DANFLU-2, a pragmatic, open-label, individually randomized clinical trial (RCT) using nationwide administrative health registries in Denmark during the 2022/2023 to 2024/2025 influenza seasons. Older adults (age &#x2265;65 years) were eligible for inclusion regardless of comorbidity. The trial design specified that if the primary end point was neutral, no hypothesis testing would be performed for secondary or exploratory end points. Data were analyzed from June 29 to August 12, 2025. INTERVENTIONS: Individual-level 1:1 randomization to HD-IIV or SD-IIV. Participants re-enrolling in additional seasons were rerandomized. MAIN OUTCOMES AND MEASURES: Severe CV outcomes were prespecified secondary and exploratory end points in the trial, occurring from 14 days after vaccination through May 31 the following year. RESULTS: A total of 332&#x202f;438 participants (170&#x202f;900 [51.4%] male; mean [SD] age, 73.7 [5.8] years) were randomized (166&#x202f;218 to HD-IIV and 166&#x202f;220 to SD-IIV), of whom 91&#x202f;026 (27.4%) had a history of CV disease. HD-IIV did not significantly reduce the trial's primary end point of hospitalization for influenza or pneumonia. The incidence of hospitalization for any cardiorespiratory disease was lower in the HD-IIV group than the SD-IIV group (rVE, 5.7% [95% CI, 1.4% to 9.9%]; absolute difference, -0.13 [95% CI, -0.24 to -0.03] percentage points), and rVE did not differ by history of CV disease compared with no CV disease at baseline. Hospitalization for any CV disease occurred in fewer participants in the HD-IIV group than the SD-IIV group (rVE, 7.5% [95% CI, 1.5% to 12.5%]; absolute difference, -0.10 [95% CI, -0.18 to -0.02] percentage points) as did hospitalization for heart failure (rVE, 19.5% [95% CI, 3.3% to 33.1%]; absolute difference, -0.03 [95% CI, -0.06 to -0.01] percentage points). CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE: This study found reduced incidence of cardiorespiratory hospitalization among those who received HD-IIV vs SD-IIV, driven by a lower incidence of CV hospitalizations, and particularly heart failure hospitalizations. These differences should be interpreted as exploratory findings in the setting of a large RCT with a neutral primary outcome. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT05517174.

Aged

Physical Activity and Cardiovascular Outcomes in Phenotype-Negative Cardiomyopathy Variant Carriers.

IMPORTANCE: Exercise may lead to disease progression and higher risk of sudden death in individuals with genetic cardiomyopathies, but the effects of exercise among individuals carrying a cardiomyopathy-associated variant without clinical manifestations (G+P-) are unclear. OBJECTIVE: To examine whether the effects of moderate to vigorous physical activity (MVPA) on cardiovascular (CV) outcomes, cardiac structure and function, and risk of developing overt cardiomyopathy and malignant ventricular arrhythmias (VAs) vary by G+P- status. DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS: UK Biobank participants with whole-genome sequencing providing 1 week of accelerometer-based physical activity data and without prevalent heart failure (HF), atrial fibrillation (AF), cardiomyopathy, VAs, or implantable cardioverter-defibrillators were included in this cohort study. The study was conducted at 22 assessment centers throughout the UK from February 2013 to December 2015 with a median follow-up of 8 years. Data were analyzed from March 2024 to June 2025. EXPOSURE: Accelerometer-measured MVPA (minutes/week). MAIN OUTCOMES AND MEASURES: Associations were analyzed between MVPA volume and future incidence of adverse CV outcomes (AF, HF, myocardial infarction [MI], and stroke), cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR)-based measures of cardiac remodeling, and surrogates for clinical cardiomyopathy onset (cardiomyopathy and VA). Associations were compared between G+P- carriers and noncarriers. RESULTS: Among 84&#x202f;699 individuals (mean [SD] age, 62 [8] years; 48&#x202f;353 [57%] women; 3979 G+P- carriers), greater MVPA was associated with a lower risk of adverse CV outcomes over a median (IQR) 8.0 (7.5-8.5) years, irrespective of genotype. In multivariable models, higher MVPA was broadly associated with lower risk of incident CV disease in G+P- carriers (hazard ratio [HR] at optimal MVPA level vs zero [95% CI], AF: 0.68 [0.58-0.79]; HF: 0.58 [0.47-0.71]; MI: 0.49, [0.24-1.00]; stroke: 0.35 [0.12-0.99]). For G+P- carriers, MVPA in the range of 100 to 400 minutes per week was generally associated with lowest risk. Among individuals with CMR imaging, MVPA was associated with a similar pattern and extent of cardiac remodeling (eg, left ventricular dilation and left ventricular hypertrophy) in G+P- carriers vs noncarriers. Among G+P- carriers, higher MVPA was associated with lower risk of incident cardiomyopathy (HR at optimal MVPA vs 0, 0.03; 95% CI, 0.00-0.98) with no increase in risk of VA (eg, HR at 400 minutes of MVPA vs 0, 0.98; 95% CI, 0.83-1.14). Findings were generally consistent across variants associated with dilated cardiomyopathy, hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, or arrhythmogenic right ventricular cardiomyopathy, although precision of estimates for arrhythmogenic right ventricular cardiomyopathy were limited. CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE: In this cohort study, MVPA within the general range of guideline-based recommendations was associated with lower risk of adverse CV outcomes and similar degrees of cardiac remodeling for G+P- carriers compared to noncarriers. Findings support the appropriateness of guideline-based MVPA recommendations for G+P- carriers.

Humans

Impact of subthreshold troponin levels and temporal trends on short term adverse cardiovascular outcomes in patients discharged from the emergency department: a RACE-IT trial substudy.

BACKGROUND: High-sensitivity cardiac troponin I assays enable early exclusion of myocardial infarction in the emergency department. However, the clinical implications of detectable troponin values below the 99th percentile upper reference limit (4-18 ng/L) remain unclear. OBJECTIVE: To assess the association between subthreshold troponin levels and 30-day outcomes in patients from the RACE-IT trial, using exact troponin values when available. METHODS: This post-hoc analysis of the RACE-IT stepped-wedge randomized controlled trial included patients with troponin&#x2009;&#x2264;&#x2009;18 ng/L across nine EDs. Patients were stratified by initial troponin, peak value, absolute change, and percent change. The primary outcome was a 30-day composite of all-cause death, acute MI, percutaneous coronary intervention, and coronary artery bypass grafting. Logistic regression analysis after adjusting for age, sex, race, and coronary artery disease was performed. RESULTS: Among 19,194 patients with troponin&#x2009;&#x2264;&#x2009;18 ng/L, 117 (0.6%) experienced the composite outcome. Higher troponin levels were associated with increased event rates in unadjusted analyses. Adjusted analyses showed no independent associations overall, though patients whose highest troponin values fell within the&#x2009;&#x2265;&#x2009;11-&#x2009;&#x2264;&#x2009;18 ng/L range continued to demonstrate significantly worse outcomes than those with lower peak levels. Elevated troponin values correlated with older age, male sex, and greater comorbidity burden. CONCLUSION: In this post-hoc analysis of patients with troponin values below the 99th percentile URL, absolute levels and temporal changes were not independently associated with 30-day adverse outcomes. These findings support the use of subthreshold troponin values in rapid rule-out protocols, emphasizing the need to consider clinical context and comorbidities in risk assessment.

Humans

Plasma proteomics and coronary artery calcium score: synergistic, concordant and contrasting predictions of cardiovascular outcomes in The Multi-Ethnic Study of Atherosclerosis.

BACKGROUND: Coronary artery calcium (CAC) scores inform subclinical atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD) burden, helping guide preventative treatments. However, prediction of cardiovascular (CV) events by CAC is largely limited to ASCVD outcomes. This study investigated whether a previously validated proteomic test for predicting a broad composite of four-year CV events could enhance the prognostic utility of CAC. METHODS: We used a 27-protein CV risk score (Prot-CVR), derived from ~5,000 SomaScan&#x2122; Assay plasma protein measurements, to predict four-year risk of a composite CV and mortality outcome (myocardial infarction, stroke/TIA, heart failure hospitalization, death) in 2,122 participants with &#x2265;1 CV risk factors from the Multi-Ethnic Study of Atherosclerosis (MESA) observational cohort at exam 5 and compared predictions to CAC Agatston scores. Discriminatory performance was assessed using C-Index and 4-year area under the curve (AUC). Cox Proportional Hazard (CoxPH) ratios were calculated for the composite outcome, ASCVD outcome (myocardial infarction, resuscitated cardiac arrest, stroke, coronary heart disease death), and individual events. Changes in Prot-CVR and CAC scores from baseline to MESA exam 5 (+10-years) in CV event versus event-free participants were assessed using 2-tailed paired t-tests. CoxPH regression models of CV event status distributed by Prot-CVR, CAC, and relevant co-variates were evaluated for performance relative to individual models. RESULTS: Individual Prot-CVR and CAC models predicting the composite outcome had comparable 4-year AUCs, but Prot-CVR had a higher C-index (0.68 (0.65-0.70) versus 0.63 (0.60-0.65), p=0.001) and greater hazard ratios for the composite outcome (p<0.001), death (p<0.001), and heart failure (p=0.015). A combined CoxPH model of Prot-CVR + CAC + Age had a higher 4-year AUC (0.72, p<0.05) and C-Index (0.71, p<0.05) than Prot-CVR or CAC alone. Both Prot-CVR and CAC scores detected an increase in risk prior to an approaching CV event in ~10-year sensitivity-to-change analysis. For 49.6% of MESA population with CAC=0 at baseline, Prot-CVR was greater in composite event versus event free participants at 4 years (0.23 versus 0.15, p=0.006) and full follow-up (0.18 versus 0.13, p<0.001). CONCLUSION: Protein testing complements CAC for CV risk assessment although the improvement is modest. Prot-CVR may resolve which patients with CAC=0 are at heightened CV risk.

Journal Article

Finerenone and Cardiovascular Outcomes According to Baseline Kidney Function in Patients With Heart Failure: The FINEARTS-HF Trial.

BACKGROUND: Finerenone is known to reduce the risk of worsening heart failure (HF) events and cardiovascular (CV) death in patients with HF with mildly reduced or preserved ejection fraction. OBJECTIVES: The authors explored whether the benefit of finerenone among patients with HF with mildly reduced or preserved ejection fraction differs according to baseline measures of kidney function. METHODS: FINEARTS-HF (Finerenone Trial to Investigate Efficacy and Safety Superior to Placebo in Patients With Heart Failure) was a global, randomized clinical trial of finerenone vs placebo among patients with HF with mildly reduced or preserved ejection fraction. Finerenone was titrated to 20 mg/d if the estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) was &#x2264;60 mL/min/1.73 m2 or 40 mg/d if eGFR was >60 mL/min/1.73 m2. The authors used a semiparametric proportional rates method, stratified by left ventricular ejection fraction (<60%; &#x2265;60%) and region, to assess for differential treatment effects on the composite of total HF events and CV death according to the baseline eGFR (continuous and categories [&#x2265;60 mL/min/1.73 m2, 45 to <60 mL/min/1.73 m2, <45 mL/min/1.73 m2] and urine albumin-creatinine ratio (UACR) (<30 mg/g, 30 to <300 mg/g, &#x2265;300 mg/g). RESULTS: The effect of finerenone to reduce the primary endpoint of total HF events and CV death did not significantly differ according to baseline eGFR (Pinteraction = 0.14 and 0.07 for continuous and categorical eGFR, respectively) with rate ratio 0.72 (95% CI: 0.59-0.88) for eGFR &#x2265;60 mL/min/1.73 m2, 0.83 (95% CI: 0.65-1.06) for eGFR 45 to <60 mL/min/1.73 m2, and 1.02 (95% CI: 0.83-1.26) for eGFR <45 mL/min/1.73 m2. The corresponding absolute event rates were 9.2 vs 12.5, 16.5 vs 19.9, and 28.0 vs 28.0 per 100 patient-years for finerenone vs placebo, respectively. Similar results were noted for total worsening HF events. Finerenone lowered the risk of the composite CV outcome similarly across baseline categories of UACR (Pinteraction = 0.48). CONCLUSIONS: In the FINEARTS-HF trial (where the target dose of finerenone was determined by baseline kidney function), the effect of finerenone to reduce the composite of cardiovascular death and total HF events did not significantly differ across a range of baseline eGFR and UACR.

Humans

Spectrum of Primary Aldosteronism and Risk of Cardiovascular Outcomes: The Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities Study.

IMPORTANCE: Mounting evidence suggests that renin-independent aldosteronism is common and often underrecognized. Yet, whether aldosteronism across this broader spectrum is associated with incident cardiovascular disease (CVD) has not, to the authors' knowledge, been comprehensively evaluated. OBJECTIVE: To determine whether aldosterone measures are associated with incident CVD events in community-dwelling older adults. DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS: This prospective cohort analysis included participants from the Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities (ARIC) study with serum aldosterone and renin levels measured in 2011 to 2013. Longitudinal analyses were conducted in March to September 2025 using Cox regression to assess associations between aldosterone parameters and incident CVD among participants free of heart failure (HF), myocardial infarction (MI), stroke, and potassium-sparing diuretic use at ARIC visit 5 (2011-2013). EXPOSURES: Serum aldosterone level and aldosterone-renin ratio (ARR). MAIN OUTCOMES AND MEASURES: Incident HF hospitalization, atrial fibrillation (AF), ischemic stroke, MI, and a composite of these events plus all-cause death. RESULTS: Among 3477 individuals free of baseline CVD (mean [SD] age, 74.8&#x2009;[4.9] years; 2139 female [61.5%]), the median (IQR) aldosterone level was 5.1 (3.0-8.3) ng/dL (to convert to picomoles per liter, multiply by 27.74), renin activity was 0.78 (0.41-1.90) ng/mL per hour, and ARR was 5.9 (2.2-12.3) ng/dL per ng/mL/h. Over 9 years of follow-up, higher ARR was associated with the composite outcome (adjusted hazard ratio [aHR], 1.04; 95% CI, 1.01-1.08 per doubling), stroke (aHR, 1.13; 95% CI, 1.02-1.26), and AF (aHR, 1.10; 95% CI, 1.05-1.15) but not with incident HF hospitalization (aHR, 1.02; 95% CI, 0.96-1.07) or MI (aHR, 1.01; 95% CI, 0.92-1.12). CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE: The findings of this cohort study underscore a spectrum of primary aldosteronism, in which higher ARR was independently associated with increased risks of AF and ischemic stroke among older adults, supporting the aldosterone pathway as a potential target for CVD prevention.

Humans

Cardiovascular prognostic impact of missense vs nonmissense lamin A/C variants: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: Variants in the LMNA gene, responsible for laminopathies, are associated with severe cardiovascular outcomes, including arrhythmias and heart failure (HF). However, the differential prognostic impact of missense vs nonmissense variants remains unclear. OBJECTIVE: The primary end point of this systematic review and meta-analysis was to compare the cardiovascular outcome defined as combined malignant ventricular arrhythmias (MVAs) and HF among patients with missense vs nonmissense variants in the LMNA gene. Secondary outcomes included a comparison of MVAs and HF-related events analyzed separately. METHODS: A systematic search of PubMed, Ovid MEDLINE, and Cochrane Library was conducted according to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines. Meta-analyses were performed using fixed or random effects models, depending on heterogeneity. PROSPERO identifier: CRD42024584721. RESULTS: 12 studies comprising 1818 participants were included. Of these, 969 had missense variants, and 849 had nonmissense variants. The nonmissense group showed a significantly higher rate of cardiovascular events (30.5% vs 21.3%; odds ratio [OR] 2.22; P < .001). MVAs were more frequent in nonmissense carriers (25.5% vs 18.9%; OR 2.37; P < .001). Although limited by the small number of studies (n = 5) and single-study bias, the incidence of HF-related severe events seemed similar between the groups (18.2% vs 23.9%; OR 0.956; P = .801). CONCLUSION: Nonmissense LMNA variants are associated with worse cardiovascular outcomes, particularly arrhythmic events, whereas HF-related events seem comparable between nonmissense and missense variants.

Humans

Spironolactone, early acute eGFR changes, and clinical outcomes in patients with heart failure with preserved ejection fraction: insights from TOPCAT Americas.

AIMS: Early acute changes in estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) have been well described with renin-angiotensin system inhibitors and sodium-glucose cotransporter-2 inhibitors, but less is known about the frequency, prognostic relevance, and implications of these changes after mineralocorticoid receptor antagonist (MRA) initiation in patients with heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF). METHODS: We performed a post-hoc analysis of 1648 patients enrolled in the TOPCAT trial (Americas regional subgroup), defining an early eGFR dip as a &#x2265;15% decrease in eGFR between baseline and week 4. Landmark analyses assessed the association of eGFR changes, treatment, and the primary composite endpoint (cardiovascular death, HF hospitalization, or aborted cardiac arrest). RESULTS: Within 4 weeks of treatment initiation, 431 (26%) patients experienced acute eGFR decrease with a higher proportion of patients assigned to spironolactone [269 (33%)] compared with placebo [162 (20%)] (odds ratio 1.97; 95% confidence interval 1.58-2.47). An acute eGFR decrease was independently associated with higher risk of subsequent cardiovascular outcomes, irrespective of treatment arm. However, treatment with spironolactone appeared beneficial in reducing the primary cardiovascular outcome irrespective of the presence [hazard ratio 0.75 (0.53-1.08)] or absence [0.80 (0.64-1.00)] of early eGFR decrease (Pinteraction = .81). At any given magnitude of eGFR decline, risk of the primary endpoint was consistently lower with spironolactone compared with placebo (Pinteraction = .64). CONCLUSIONS: Early acute eGFR changes were common and adversely prognostic in patients with HFpEF. Spironolactone treatment was beneficial in improving cardiovascular outcomes, despite a modest increase in the likelihood of acute eGFR decrease. An acute eGFR decrease early after MRA initiation should not automatically prompt treatment discontinuation. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov NCT00094302.

Humans

Prediction of Atrial Fibrillation From the ECG in the Community Using Deep Learning: A Multinational Study.

BACKGROUND: We aimed to refine and validate a deep neural network model from the ECG to predict atrial fibrillation (AF) risk, using samples from diverse backgrounds: the Framingham Heart Study (FHS), UK Biobank, and Estudo Longitudinal da Sa&#xfa;de do Adulto (ELSA-Brasil). We compared the model's performance to the clinical Cohorts for Heart and Aging Research in Genomic Epidemiology consortium (CHARGE-AF) risk score and evaluated the association with other cardiovascular outcomes. METHODS: The ECG-derived deep-learning prediction of AF (ECG-AF) model was refined using 60% of FHS samples free of AF. Its performance was then tested in the remaining FHS samples, UK Biobank, and ELSA-Brasil, with discrimination assessed by the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve. The association of ECG-AF with cardiovascular outcomes was assessed using Cox proportional hazards models. RESULTS: The study sample included 10&#x2009;097 FHS participants (mean age 53&#xb1;12 years; 54.9% women), 49&#x2009;280 participants from the UK Biobank (mean age 64&#xb1;8 years, 47.9% women), and 12&#x2009;284 participants from ELSA-Brasil (mean age 53&#xb1;8 years, 54.7% women). The ECG-AF model showed moderate discrimination for incident AF (area under the curve, 0.82 [95% CI, 0.80-0.84]) in the FHS, comparable to the CHARGE-AF score (area under the curve, 0.83 [95% CI, 0.81-0.85]), and incremental when combined (area under the curve, 0.85 [95% CI, 0.83-0.87]). In UK Biobank and ELSA-Brasil, combining ECG-AF and CHARGE also improved prediction. Higher ECG-AF scores were associated with increased risks of heart failure, myocardial infarction, stroke, and all-cause mortality in all 3 cohorts. CONCLUSIONS: In multinational cohort studies, the single-input ECG-AF deep neural network model demonstrated good performance in predicting AF and other cardiovascular outcomes, comparable to a multivariable clinical risk score, with improved performance when combined.

Humans

Imaging&#x2011;based models for predicting cerebrovascular complications of carotid stenosis.

This is a protocol for a Cochrane review (prognosis). The objectives are as follows: Primary objective To systematically review and critically appraise multivariable prognostic models developed for adults (&#x2265;&#x202f;18&#x202f;years) with carotid stenosis in which imaging biomarkers (e.g. plaque characteristics derived from magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), computed tomography (CT), or ultrasound) constitute the core predictors. The primary focus is to evaluate the predictive performance of these models for cerebrovascular complications - specifically ipsilateral ischaemic stroke and transient ischaemic attack (TIA) - which are the clinical outcomes to be predicted. Where feasible, we will summarise and compare the models' discrimination (C&#x2011;statistic/area under the curve (AUC)) and calibration (calibration&#x2011;in&#x2011;the&#x2011;large, calibration slope, observed&#x2011;to&#x2011;expected ratio) across studies, and assess their potential for clinical application and external validation. For the purpose of defining symptomatic carotid stenosis as an eligibility criterion and subgroup variable, we will include studies that also considered retinal ischaemia (e.g. retinal embolism, amaurosis fugax) as a qualifying event. Secondary objectives To describe the combinations of imaging markers, modelling techniques, sample sizes, and variable&#x2011;selection strategies used in the development of the included models To evaluate the performance of these models for additional secondary clinical outcomes: plaque progression or regression, incident high&#x2011;risk imaging features, and the transition from asymptomatic to symptomatic disease To explore whether predictive performance differs according to imaging modality (MRI versus CT versus contrast&#x2011;enhanced ultrasound (CEUS)) or technical protocol (e.g. 3&#x202f;T versus 1.5&#x202f;T, spectral CT versus conventional CT) For studies that report both cerebrovascular and broader cardiovascular outcomes (major adverse cardiovascular events, myocardial infarction, etc.), we will only extract the performance metrics relating to cerebrovascular events for the primary analysis. Performance metrics for cardiovascular outcomes will be considered exploratory and will not form part of the main synthesis.

Humans

Bivalent RSV Prefusion F Protein-Based Vaccine for Preventing Cardiovascular Hospitalizations in Older Adults: A Prespecified Analysis of the DAN-RSV Trial.

IMPORTANCE: Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) infection is linked to elevated cardiovascular risk, particularly in individuals with preexisting cardiovascular disease (CVD). A bivalent RSV prefusion F protein (RSVpreF) vaccine was recently approved for preventing RSV-related lower respiratory tract illness, but its effectiveness against cardiovascular outcomes has not been evaluated in a randomized trial. OBJECTIVE: To investigate the vaccine effectiveness of RSVpreF compared with no vaccine against cardiovascular outcomes among adults aged 60 years or older. DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS: Prespecified secondary analysis of the DAN-RSV trial, a pragmatic, open-label, individually randomized clinical trial conducted in Denmark during the 2024-2025 winter season. The first participant was enrolled on November 18, 2024. Adults aged 60 years or older were eligible for inclusion regardless of comorbidity status. INTERVENTIONS: Participants were randomized 1:1 to receive RSVpreF (n&#x2009;=&#x2009;65&#x202f;642) or no vaccine (n&#x2009;=&#x2009;65&#x202f;634). MAIN OUTCOMES AND MEASURES: Hospitalization for any cardiorespiratory disease was a prespecified secondary outcome, and hospitalizations for any CVD, heart failure, myocardial infarction, stroke, and atrial fibrillation were prespecified exploratory outcomes. Outcomes were assessed from 14 days after booked study visit through May 31, 2025. Vaccine effectiveness was calculated as 1 - incidence rate ratio, expressed as a percentage. RESULTS: Of 131&#x202f;276 participants included (mean age, 69.4 [SD, 6.5] years; 50.3% male), 28&#x202f;662 (21.8%) had preexisting CVD. All-cause cardiorespiratory hospitalization incidence was lower in the RSVpreF group compared with the control group (26.3 vs 29.2 events per 1000 participant-years [PY]; absolute rate reduction, 2.90 [95% CI, 0.10-5.71] per 1000 PY; vaccine effectiveness, 9.9% [95% CI, 0.3%-18.7%]; P&#x2009;=&#x2009;.04). There was no significant interaction by baseline CVD status (CVD at baseline: vaccine effectiveness, 5.0% [95% CI, -11.2% to 16.7%]; no CVD at baseline: vaccine effectiveness, 15.2% [95% CI, 2.2%-27.1%]; P&#x2009;=&#x2009;.27 for interaction). For the RSVpreF group vs control group, respectively, incidence rates of all-cause cardiovascular hospitalization were 16.4 vs 17.7 events per 1000 PY (vaccine effectiveness, 7.4% [95% CI, -5.5% to 18.8%]; P&#x2009;=&#x2009;.24), and incidence rates of stroke were 3.0 vs 3.8 events per 1000 PY (vaccine effectiveness, 19.4% [95% CI, -8.6% to 40.4%]; P&#x2009;=&#x2009;.14). There were also no statistically significant between-group differences for myocardial infarction, heart failure hospitalization, and atrial fibrillation. CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE: In adults aged 60 years or older, all-cause cardiorespiratory hospitalization was significantly lower with RSVpreF than with no vaccine. The findings suggest potential downstream cardiorespiratory benefits of RSV immunization, although the effect on all-cause cardiovascular hospitalization was not statistically significant. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT06684743.

Aged

Comparison of Performance of Publicly Available Polygenic Risk Scores to Predict Clinically Actionable Coronary Artery Calcium Scores: The BioHEART-CT Cohort.

AIM: Coronary artery disease (CAD) remains the leading cause of morbidity and mortality globally. Polygenic Risk Scores (PRS) have been trained against major adverse cardiovascular outcomes (MACE) in large cohorts. Few studies have examined the effectiveness of these CAD MACE PRS tools in detecting individuals with subclinical coronary calcification. An association would provide an opportunity for clinical translation and targeting of CT imaging to new patients at risk for subclinical disease. METHODS: An analysis of 53 publicly available CAD PRS tools was completed in participants of the BioHEART-CT Discovery 1000 cohort presenting for clinically referred CT coronary angiography (CCTA). Associations between PRS and two binary CACS outcomes reflecting clinically significant coronary calcification were assessed: a) Absolute CACS (CACS &#x2265;100 Agatston units [AU]; and b) Percentile CACS (CACS &#x2265;75th age-/sex-adjusted percentile). Models were adjusted for genetic principal components, modifiable cardiovascular risk factors, and age/sex (in Absolute CACS). A subgroup analysis was performed using Framingham Risk Score (FRS) at baseline. RESULTS: Among 803 BioHEART-CT Discovery 1000 participants, 487 (60.6%) had any detectable coronary calcium. Most PRS tools demonstrated significant association with CACS outcomes, particularly evident when PRS was modelled as a continuous predictor. For Percentile CACS, 94.3% of PRS tools were significantly associated after full adjustment (median OR per PRS SD 1.41 (IQR 1.23-1.60). Quintile-based analysis revealed that individuals in the Top Quintile PRS had up to 7.99-fold increased odds of Percentile CACS &#x2265;75th compared to those in the Bottom Quintile. Analysis by FRS group revealed positive performance, especially in individuals of Low FRS wherein incorporating a PRS increased pre-test probability from 14% to 26%. CONCLUSION: Whilst most CAD PRS tools have been developed against clinical events, we show their ability to predict clinically relevant coronary calcification. Utility appears strongest in individuals traditionally considered lower risk, presenting an opportunity for clinical translation for improved diagnosis in the primary prevention setting, with the potential to triage individuals into a CACS screening pathway.

coronary artery disease

Endothelial function in relation to low-level chronic residential air pollution in a general population: a cohort study.

BACKGROUND: Given the recently updated clean-air targets, this population study assessed endothelial function at low exposure to particulate matter with an aerodynamic diameter of &#x2264;10&#xa0;&#xb5;m (PM10) and &#x2264;2.5&#x2009;&#xb5;m (PM2.5), nitrogen dioxide (NO2) and black carbon (BC). METHODS: In 453 Flemish participants (47.7% women; mean age, 52.8&#x2009;years), endothelial function was assessed by finger photoplethysmography after 5&#x2009;min of ischaemia. The outcome measures were the maximal ischaemic-to-control ratio (Rmax) and the maximal difference (Dmax) in pulse amplitude between the test and control fingers. The air pollutants were related to Rmax and Dmax using mixed models accounting for coresidence, to cardiovascular endpoints by proportional hazards regression, and to residential address by high-resolution spatiotemporal interpolation. RESULTS: From 2010 to 2015, PM10, PM2.5, NO2 and BC decreased (p&#x2009;<&#x2009;0.0001) with 6-year levels averaging 15.9, 12.8, 14.3 and 1.04&#xa0;&#xb5;g/m3. Irrespective of adjustment for risk factors, Dmax was inversely correlated with PM2.5, while associations of Rmax with PM2.5 and associations of both Dmax and Rmax with other pollutants were weaker (p values <0.10), but consistently inverse. Association sizes of Rmax and Dmax with PM10 and PM2.5 weakened over 6&#xa0;years, paralleling the decreasing air pollutants (p&#x2009;&#x2264;&#x2009;0.044). In adjusted analyses, the risk of a composite cardiovascular endpoint decreased (p&#x2009;&#x2264;&#x2009;0.043) with higher Rmax and Dmax with hazard ratios ranging from 0.31 to 0.49. Finally, in the geographical analysis, endothelial dysfunction followed the spatial gradients in PM2.5. CONCLUSIONS: Long-term low-level air pollution is associated with subclinical endothelial dysfunction, the initial and critical step leading to adverse cardiovascular outcomes.

Humans

Proteomic pathways mediating low socioeconomic status and cardiovascular events in older adults in CHS and ARIC.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Many studies have linked socioeconomic status (SES) and cardiovascular outcomes, yet the biologic mechanisms mediating these associations are only partially understood. The objective of this study was to identify molecular mediators of the association of low SES with coronary heart disease (CHD) and stroke. METHODS: This research was conducted in 2942 Black and White adults in the Cardiovascular Health Study (mean age 76.2 years) and 10,689 Black and White adults in the Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities Study (mean age 60.0 years). We used factor analysis to create a composite measure of low educational attainment, low-income, and blue-collar occupation. Approximately 5000 proteins were measured with an aptamer-based method, and CHD and stroke events were adjudicated. Results were stratified by race, which was conceptualized as a social factor. RESULTS: Low SES was associated with 44 and 262 proteins, in Black and White adults, respectively. No protein met the Bonferroni adjusted threshold for statistically significantly mediation among Black participants. Among White participants, 23 proteins mediated the association between SES adversity and CHD and 5 mediated the association between SES adversity and stroke. The strongest mediating associations for CHD included PTPRS, SCG3, and MMP12. The strongest mediating associations for stroke included NCAN, FAM20B, and APLP1. SPARCL1 and CDCP1 remained the strongest mediators of the association between SES adversity and CHD, after adjusting for potential confounders and traditional cardiovascular risk factors. CONCLUSION: We identified several biomarkers that characterize the biologic risk of SES adversity on CHD and stroke.

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