C-reactive protein predicts death in patients with non-ischemic cardiomyopathy.

C-reactive protein (CRP) has been associated with atherosclerotic complications, and we hypothesized that CRP levels might also predict death in non-ischemic patients with left ventricular dysfunction. Two hundred and three patients with non-ischemic left ventricular dysfunction undergoing cardiac catheterization were included and were followed for 2.4 +/- 1.4 years to determine the incidence of fatal events. Death occurred in 15% of patients with low CRP (1st and 2nd tertiles) and 30% of patients with high CRP (3rd tertile). After adjustment for 11 covariates, high CRP (p = 0.037, hazard ratio = 2.0) significantly and independently predicted mortality. Even in the absence of coronary artery disease, patients with left ventricular dysfunction are at increased risk of mortality based on their baseline CRP concentrations.

Frequency of elevation of C-reactive protein in atrial fibrillation.

Inflammation has been implicated in the pathogenesis of cardiovascular diseases. C-reactive protein (CRP), a marker of systemic inflammation, predicts the risk of coronary events and stroke. Atrial fibrillation (AF) is associated with atrial structural changes that may have an inflammatory basis. We tested the hypothesis that CRP is a risk factor for AF. Subjects were those included in the database registry of the Intermountain Heart Collaborative Study from 1994 to 2001. Patients who had >or=1 electrocardiogram that demonstrated AF formed the disease group (n = 347), and those who had neither electrocardiographic nor clinical evidence for AF comprised the control group (n = 2,449). Logistic regression assessed the quartile (Q) of CRP and 13 other clinical and angiographic predictors of AF. Average age was 63 +/- 12 years, 33% were women, and 61% had advanced coronary artery disease. Patients who had AF were older (by 7 years) and more frequently had a history of heart failure than did controls (41% vs 9%). CRP was higher in patients who had AF than in controls (p <0.001). Q-CRP was a univariable predictor of AF (odds ratio 1.39/Q, 95% confidence interval 1.25 to 1.55, p <0.001). Adjusting for age and heart failure decreased the predictive value of Q-CRP to 1.20/Q (95% confidence 1.07 to 1.34, p = 0.002), whereas further adjustment for 11 other variables had little additional effect (odds ratio 1.19/Q, 95% confidence interval 1.06 to 1.33, p = 0.003). Thus, high levels of CRP independently predicted an increased risk of AF among a large, prospectively studied patient cohort that was assessed angiographically. Increased CRP is a new risk marker for AF propensity, and testing therapies that target inflammation should be considered.

Effect of fasting glucose levels on mortality rate in patients with and without diabetes mellitus and coronary artery disease undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention.

BACKGROUND: Diabetes mellitus (DM) is predictive of increased mortality for patients with coronary artery disease (CAD). To what extent this risk extends below the diabetic threshold (fasting glucose level [FG] <126 mg/dL) is uncertain. METHODS: The study objective was to determine the risk associated with FG in a prospectively assembled cohort of 1612 patients with CAD who were undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) and had a FG measured or a clinical diagnosis of DM (CDM). Patients were grouped as: CDM; no CDM, but FG > or =126 mg/dL (ADA-DM); impaired FG, 110-125 mg/dL (IFG); or normal FG, <110 mg/dL (NFG). Survival was assessed for 2.8 +/- 1.2 years. RESULTS: The average patient age was 62 +/- 12 years; 74% of the patients were men. Diagnostic frequencies were: CDM, 24%; ADA-DM, 18%; IFG, 19%; and NFG, 39%. Mortality rates were greater for patients in the CDM (44/394 [11.2%], P <.0001), ADA-DM (27/283 [9.5%], P <.001), and IFG (20/305 [6.6%], P =.04) groups than patients in the NFG group(12/630 [1.9%]). Independent receiver operating characteristic analysis chose FG > or =109 mg/dL as the best cutoff for increased risk (sensitivity, 81%; specificity, 51%). After adjustment with Cox regression analysis, CDM (hazard ratio [HR] = 5.0; 95% CI, 2.6-9.6; P <.001), ADA-DM (HR, 4.1; 95% CI, 2.1-8.2; P <.001), and IFG status (HR, 3.2; 95% CI, 1.5-6.5; P =.002) remained independent predictors of mortality. CONCLUSIONS: Prognostically significant abnormalities of FG are much more prevalent (61%) than expected in patients with CAD who are undergoing PCI. Despite revascularization, the associated mortality risk of even mild elevations in FG is substantial, emphasizing the importance of early detection and treatment of glycemia-related risk.

Statin therapy is associated with reduced mortality across all age groups of individuals with significant coronary disease, including very elderly patients.

OBJECTIVES: This study evaluated the effect of statin therapy on mortality in individuals with significant coronary artery disease (CAD) stratified by age. BACKGROUND: Hydroxymethylglutaryl coenzyme A reductase inhibitors (statins) significantly reduce morbidity and mortality in individuals with CAD. Unfortunately, the large statin trials excluded individuals over 80 years old, and it is therefore unknown whether very elderly individuals benefit from statins as do younger individuals. METHODS: A cohort of 7,220 individuals with angiographically defined significant CAD (> or =70%) was included. Statin prescription was determined at hospital discharge. Patients were followed up for 3.3 +/- 1.8 years (maximum 6.8). Patients were grouped by age (<65, 65 to 79, and > or =80 years) to determine whether statin therapy reduced mortality in an age-dependent manner. RESULTS: Average age was 65 +/- 12 years; 74% were male; and 31% had a postmyocardial infarction status. Overall mortality was 16%. Elderly patients were significantly less likely to receive statins than younger patients (> or =80 years: 19.8%; 65 to 79 years: 21.1%; <65 years: 28.0%; p < 0.001). Mortality was decreased among statin recipients in all age groups: > or =80 years: 29.5% among patients not taking a statin versus 8.5% of those taking a statin (adjusted hazard ratio [HR] 0.50, p = 0.036); 65 to 79 years: 18.7% vs. 6.0% (HR 0.56, p < 0.001); and <65 years: 8.9% vs. 3.1% (HR 0.70, p = 0.097). CONCLUSIONS: Statin therapy is associated with reduced mortality in all age groups of individuals with significant CAD, including very elderly individuals. Although older patients were less likely to receive statin therapy, they received a greater absolute risk reduction than younger individuals. More aggressive statin use after CAD diagnosis may be indicated, even in older patients.