Tandem lesions associate with angiographic progression of coronary artery stenoses.

Background: Although the clinical factors associated with progression of coronary artery disease have been well studied, the angiographic predictors are less defined. Objectives: Our objective was to study the clinical and angiographic factors that associate with progression of coronary artery stenoses. Methods: We conducted a retrospective analysis of consecutive patients undergoing multiple, clinically indicated invasive coronary angiograms with an interval greater than 6 months, between January 2013 and December 2016. Lesion segments were analysed using Quantitative Coronary Angiography (QCA) if a stenosis ≥ 20 % was identified on either angiogram. Stenosis progression was defined as an increase ≥ 10 % in stenosis severity, with progressor groups analysed on both patient and lesion levels. Mixed-effects regression analyses were performed to evaluate factors associated with progression of individual stenoses. Results: 199 patients were included with 881 lesions analysed. 108 (54.3 %) patients and 186 (21.1 %) stenoses were classified as progressors. The median age was 65 years (IQR 56-73) and the median interval between angiograms was 2.1 years (IQR 1.2-3.0). On a patient level, age, number of lesions and presence of multivessel disease at baseline were each associated with progressor status. On a lesion level, presence of a stenosis downstream (OR 3.07, 95 % CI 2.04-4.63, p < 0.001) and circumflex artery stenosis location (OR 1.81, 95 % CI 1.21-2.7, p = 0.004) were associated with progressor status. Other lesion characteristics did not significantly impact progressor status or change in stenosis severity. Conclusion: Coronary lesions which have a downstream stenosis may be at increased risk of stenosis progression. Further research into the mechanistic basis of this finding is required, along with its implications for plaque vulnerability and clinical outcomes.

A systematic review and meta-analysis of the diagnosis and surgical management of carcinoid heart disease.

Introduction: Carcinoid heart disease (CHD), a complication of carcinoid syndrome (CS), is a rare condition that can lead to right sided valvular heart disease and has been traditionally associated with a poor prognosis. We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis to explore the accuracy of biomarkers and echocardiography in diagnosing CHD amongst patients who are already known to have neuroendocrine tumours and to assess whether surgical management of CHD leads to a reduction in mortality. Methods: A systematic literature search of MEDLINE, EMBASE, EBM Reviews, Google Scholar, ClinicalTrials.gov was conducted. All studies on patients with carcinoid heart disease (CHD) reporting on biomarkers, echocardiographic and surgical outcomes were included. The National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute quality assessment tool was used to assess the methodological study quality. Data analysis was performed using Stata Statistical Software and R Studio, and individual meta-analyses were performed for biomarkers, echocardiographic findings, and surgical outcomes. Results: A total of 36 articles were included in the systematic review analysis. N terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide (NTproBNP) and 5-hydroxyindole acetate (5-HIAA) levels were higher in patients with CHD compared with those without CHD. 32% of CS patients had echocardiographic evidence of cardiac involvement, of which 79% involved tricuspid valve abnormalities. Moderate-severe tricuspid regurgitation was the most common echocardiographic abnormality (70% of patients). However, these analyses had substantial heterogeneity due to the high variability of cardiac involvement across studies. Pooled surgical mortality for CHD was 11% at 1 month, 31% at 12 months and 56% at 24 months. When assessing surgical outcomes longitudinally, the one-month surgical results showed a trend towards more recent surgeries having lower mortality rates than those reported in earlier years, however this was not statistically significant. Discussion: There is not enough data in current literature to determine a clear cut-off value of NTproBNP and 5-HIAA to help diagnose or determine CHD severity. Surgical management of CHD is yet to show significant mortality benefit, and there are no consistent comparisons to medical treatment in current literature.

Anti-Anginal Efficacy of Zibotentan in the Coronary Slow-Flow Phenomenon.

BACKGROUND: Patients with coronary microvascular disorders often experience recurrent angina for which there are limited evidence-based therapies. These patients have been found to exhibit increased plasma levels of endothelin; thus, selective endothelin-A (Et-A) receptor blockers such as zibotentan may be an effective anti-anginal therapy in these patients. The study evaluated the impact of a 10 mg daily dose of zibotentan on spontaneous angina episodes in patients with the coronary slow-flow phenomenon who had refractory angina (i.e., experiencing angina at least three times/week despite current anti-anginal therapy). METHODS: Using a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, crossover trial design with 4-week treatment periods, 18 patients (63.2 ± 9.9 years, 33% females) were recruited. The primary endpoint was angina frequency as measured by an angina diary, with secondary endpoints including nitrate consumption, angina duration/severity and the Seattle Angina Questionnaire (SAQ) domains. RESULTS: During the 4 weeks of therapy, angina frequency significantly improved with zibotentan therapy (placebo 41.4 (58.5) vs. zibotentan 29.2 (31.6), p < 0.05), and sublingual nitrate consumption significantly reduced (placebo 11.8 (15.2) vs. zibotentan 8.8 (12.9), p < 0.05. CONCLUSIONS: Zibotentan improved the frequency of spontaneous angina episodes and reduced sublingual nitrate consumption in patients unresponsive to standard anti-anginal therapy.

Modifiable and Non-Modifiable Risk Factors for Premature Coronary Heart Disease (PCHD): Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

AIM: We aimed to compare the prevalence of modifiable and non-modifiable coronary heart disease (CHD) risk factors among those with premature CHD and healthy individuals. METHODS: PubMed, CINAHL, Embase, and Web of Science databases were searched (review protocol is registered in PROSPERO CRD42020173216). The quality of studies was assessed using the National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute tool for cross-sectional, cohort and case-control studies. Meta-analyses were performed using Review Manager 5.3. Effect sizes for categorical and continuous variables, odds ratio (OR) and mean differences (MD)/standardised mean differences (SMD) with 95% confidence intervals (CI) were reported. RESULTS: A total of n=208 primary studies were included in this review. Individuals presenting with premature CHD (PCHD, age ≤65 years) had higher mean body mass index (MD 0.54 kg/m2, 95% CI 0.24, 0.83), total cholesterol (SMD 0.27, 95% CI 0.17, 0.38), triglycerides (SMD 0.50, 95% CI 0.41, 0.60) and lower high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (SMD 0.79, 95% CI: -0.91, -0.68) compared with healthy individuals. Individuals presenting with PCHD were more likely to be smokers (OR 2.88, 95% CI 2.51, 3.31), consumed excessive alcohol (OR 1.40, 95% CI 1.05, 1.86), had higher mean lipoprotein (a) levels (SMD 0.41, 95% CI 0.28, 0.54), and had a positive family history of CHD (OR 3.65, 95% CI 2.87, 4.66) compared with healthy individuals. Also, they were more likely to be obese (OR 1.59, 95% CI 1.32, 1.91), and to have had dyslipidaemia (OR 2.74, 95% CI 2.18, 3.45), hypertension (OR 2.80, 95% CI 2.28, 3.45), and type 2 diabetes mellitus (OR 2.93, 95% CI 2.50, 3.45) compared with healthy individuals. CONCLUSION: This meta-analysis confirms current knowledge of risk factors for PCHD, and identifying these early may reduce CHD in young adults.

Influence of Socioeconomic Status on the Association Between Pregnancy Complications and Premature Coronary Artery Disease: Linking Three Cohorts.

Background: We hypothesized that there is an influence of socioeconomic status (SES) on association between pregnancy complications and premature coronary artery disease (PCAD) risk. Materials and Methods: This project involved a data linkage approach merging three databases of South Australian cohorts using retrospective, age-matched case-control study design. Cases (n = 721), that is, women aged <60 years from Coronary Angiogram Database of South Australia (CADOSA) were linked to South Australian Perinatal Statistics Collection (SAPSC) to ascertain prior pregnancy outcomes and SES. Controls (n = 194) were selected from North West Adelaide Health Study (NWAHS), comprising women who were healthy or had health conditions unrelated to CAD, age matched to CADOSA (±5 years), and linked to SAPSC to determine prior pregnancy outcomes and SES. This project performed comparative analysis of SES using socioeconomic indexes for areas-index of relative socioeconomic advantage and disadvantage (SEIFA-IRSAD) scores across three databases. Results: Findings revealed that SEIFA-IRSAD scores at the time of pregnancy (p-value = 0.005) and increase in SEIFA-IRSAD scores over time (p-value = 0.040) were significantly associated with PCAD. In addition, when models were adjusted for SEIFA-IRSAD scores at the time of pregnancy and age, risk factors including placenta-mediated pregnancy complications such as preterm birth (odds ratio [OR] = 4.77, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.74-13.03) and history of a miscarriage (OR = 2.14, 95% CI: 1.02-4.49), and cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk factors including smoking (OR = 8.60, 95% CI: 3.25-22.75) were significantly associated with PCAD. When the model was adjusted for change in SEIFA-IRSAD scores (from CADOSA/NWAHS to SAPSC) and age, pregnancy-mediated pregnancy complications including preterm birth (OR = 4.40, 95% CI: 1.61-12.05) and history of a miscarriage (OR = 2.09, 95% CI: 1.00-4.35), and CVD risk factor smoking (OR = 8.75, 95% CI: 3.32-23.07) were significantly associated with PCAD. Conclusion: SES at the time of pregnancy and change in SES were not associated with PCAD risk.

Angina and Non-Obstructive Coronary Artery (ANOCA) Patients with Coronary Vasomotor Disorders.

Angina and Non-Obstructive Coronary Artery (ANOCA) patients often lack a clear explanation for their symptoms, and are frequently discharged with the label of "unspecified chest pain", despite the availability of functional coronary angiography (provocative spasm and microvascular function testing) to identify potential underlying coronary vasomotor disorders. This study compared the outcomes of ANOCA patients with a coronary vasomotor disorder diagnosis post elective coronary angiography to patients discharged with unspecified chest pain. Using the CADOSA (Coronary Angiogram Database of South Australia) registry, consecutive symptomatic patients (n = 7555) from 2012 to 2018 underwent elective angiography; 30% had ANOCA (stenosis <50%). Of this cohort, 9% had documented coronary vasomotor disorders diagnosed, and 91% had unspecified chest pain. Patients with coronary vasomotor disorders were younger and had a similar female prevalence compared with those with unspecified chest pain. New prescriptions of calcium channel blockers and long-acting nitrates were more common for the coronary vasomotor cohort at discharge. In the 3 years following angiography, both groups had similar all-cause mortality rates. However, those with coronary vasomotor disorders had higher rates of emergency department visits for chest pain (39% vs. 15%, p < 0.001) and readmissions for chest pain (30% vs. 10%, p < 0.001) compared with those with unspecified chest pain. This real-world study emphasizes the importance of identifying high-risk ANOCA patients for personalized management to effectively address their symptoms.

NPS MedicineWise application in supporting medication adherence in chronic heart failure: an acceptability and feasibility pilot study.

Introduction: Heart failure (HF) is an increasing global concern. Despite evidence-based pharmacotherapy, associated morbidity and mortality remain high. This study aimed to assess the acceptability, feasibility, and value of the NPS MedicineWise dose reminder app in a tiered, pharmacist-led intervention to address medication non-adherence in patients with HF. Methods: This prospective, single-blinded, randomised controlled trial recruited 55 patients with HF between September 2019 and October 2020. Participants were randomly assigned to either the intervention or control arms. Intervention participants used the app which prompted medication administration at each dosing interval. Control participants received standard care and remained blinded to the app throughout the study. Treatment non-adherence prompted a tiered, pharmacist-led intervention. Comparison of the Self-Efficacy for Appropriate Medication Use Scale (SEAMS) at baseline and 6-months measured the app's value in supporting medication adherence. Secondary outcome measures included self-reported medication knowledge, health-related quality of life, psychological wellbeing, and signs and symptoms of HF. Data were analysed using standard statistical tests with significance set at α 0.05. Results: Approximately half of respondents reported managing HF and medications better by using the MedicineWise app (Tier 1). Most respondents expressed satisfaction with the in-app messages (Tier 2) and pharmacists' phone calls (Tier 3). The intervention participants demonstrated a significant improvement in the SEAMS between baseline and 6-months follow-up. Discussion: It is feasible and potentially of value to use the MedicineWise app with a tiered, pharmacist-led intervention to support medication adherence in patients with HF. Our findings provide clinicians with "real-world" information on the practicality and potential value of using mobile health to support treatment adherence in patients with HF. Trial registration number: Australian New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry Clinical trial registration number: ACTRN12619000289112p (http://www.ANZCTR.org.au/ACTRN12619000289112p.aspx).

Anxiety and Depression in Early Gestation and the Association with Subsequent Gestational Diabetes Mellitus in a Disadvantaged Population.

OBJECTIVES: Evaluate the association between poor mental health and risk of developing gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) in a cohort of women from a socioeconomically disadvantaged community. METHODS: A total of 1363 nulliparous women with singleton pregnancies recruited to the Screening Tests to Predict Poor Outcomes of Pregnancy study in Adelaide, Australia. Women were assessed for mental health in the first trimester, including likelihood of depression, high functioning anxiety, perceived stress and risk of developing a mental health disorder. GDM was diagnosed based on the International Association of Diabetes in Pregnancy Study Group (IADPSG) criteria. Socioeconomic status was measured using the New Zealand Socioeconomic Index (NZSEI). RESULTS: Complete mental health data was available for 1281 participants. There was no statistically significant difference in SEI, depression, risk of mental health issues, high functioning anxiety and perceived stress between women who developed GDM and those who did not. There was no difference in history of depression nor risk of developing a high mental health disorder in first trimester after adjusting for SEI, BMI in first trimester, smoking status in first trimester and maternal age between women with a GDM pregnancy and those who did not. CONCLUSIONS FOR PRACTICE: There was no difference in markers of poor mental health in early pregnancy between women who subsequently did or did not develop GDM. Cohort participants were socioeconomically disadvantaged, potentially contributing to the lack of apparent differences in depression observed between groups. Socioeconomically disadvantaged women should be targeted in pre-conception planning to reduce risk of GDM.

Pregnancy Complications Are Associated with Premature Coronary Artery Disease: Linking Three Cohorts.

Background: There is increasing evidence that women who experience placenta-mediated pregnancy complications and gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) are at higher risk for the development of coronary artery disease (CAD) later in life. We hypothesized that there is an association between placenta-mediated pregnancy complications, GDM, and risk of premature CAD (PCAD). Methods: This research project involved a data linkage approach merging three databases of South Australian cohorts by using a retrospective, age-matched case-control study design. Cases (n = 721) were ascertained from the Coronary Angiogram Database of South Australia (CADOSA). Women <60 years from CADOSA were linked to South Australian Perinatal Statistics Collection (SAPSC) to ascertain their prior pregnancy outcomes. Controls (n = 194) were selected from North West Adelaide Health Study (NWAHS) and comprised women who were healthy or had other health conditions unrelated to CAD, age-matched to CADOSA (±5 years), and linked to SAPSC to determine their pregnancy outcomes. PCAD was defined as >50% stenosis in one or more coronary arteries at coronary angiography. Results: Compared with women without a history of PCAD, women who were diagnosed with PCAD were more likely to have experienced the placenta-mediated pregnancy complications of preterm birth (adjusted odds ratio [OR] = 2.46, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.21-5.00) or low-birth weight (adjusted OR = 2.44, 95% CI: 1.22-4.88), or have been diagnosed with active asthma during pregnancy (adjusted OR = 3.52, 95% CI: 1.05-11.76). Conclusion: Placenta-mediated pregnancy complications should be recognized as clear risk markers for future PCAD.

Risk Factors for Early-Onset Versus Late-Onset Coronary Heart Disease (CHD): Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

AIM: We aimed to systematically compare literature on prevalence of modifiable and non-modifiable risk factors for early compared to late-onset coronary heart disease (CHD). METHODS: PubMed, CINAHL, Embase, and Web of Science databases were searched (review protocol registered in PROSPERO CRD42020173216). Study quality was assessed using the National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute tool for observational and case-control studies. Review Manager 5.3 was used for meta-analysis. Effect sizes were expressed as odds ratio (OR) and mean differences (MD)/standardised MD (SMD) with 95% confidence intervals (CI) for categorical and continuous variables. RESULTS: Individuals presenting with early-onset CHD (age <65 years) compared to late-onset CHD had higher mean body mass index (MD 1.07 kg/m2; 95% CI 0.31-1.83), total cholesterol (SMD 0.43; 95% CI 0.23-0.62), low-density lipoprotein (SMD 0.26; 95% CI 0.15-0.36) and triglycerides (SMD 0.50; 95% CI 0.22-0.68) with lower high-density lipoprotein-cholesterol (SMD 0.26; 95% CI -0.42--0.11). They were more likely to be smokers (OR 1.76, 95% CI 1.39-2.22) and have a positive family history of CHD (OR 2.08, 95% CI 1.74-2.48). They had lower mean systolic blood pressure (MD 4.07 mmHg; 95% CI -7.36--0.78) and were less likely to have hypertension (OR 0.47, 95% CI 0.39-0.57), diabetes mellitus (OR 0.56, 95% CI 0.51-0.61) or stroke (OR 0.31, 95% CI 0.24-0.42). CONCLUSION: A focus on weight management and smoking cessation and aggressive management of dyslipidaemia in young adults may reduce the risk of early-onset CHD.

The association of breast feeding for at least six months with hemodynamic and metabolic health of women and their children aged three years: an observational cohort study.

BACKGROUND: Breastfeeding is important for both mother and child in reducing risk of future cardiovascular disease. Therefore, it may be an effective method to improve cardio-metabolic health, particularly those who are exposed to pregnancy complications which increase later CVD risk for both mother and child. The aim of this study is to assess differences in cardiometabolic health at three years postpartum in mothers who breastfed for at least six months and their children compared to those who did not. METHODS: Women and children from the Screening Tests to Predict Poor Outcomes of Pregnancy (STOP) study (2015-2017) were invited to attend a health check-up at three years postpartum. Women's breastfeeding status at least six months postpartum was ascertained through their child health record. Anthropometric and hemodynamic measurements were taken from women and their children. A fasting blood sample was taken from women to measure blood glucose and lipids. RESULTS: A total of 160 woman-child dyads were assessed in this study. Women who breastfed for at least six months had significantly lower maternal BMI, systolic blood pressure, diastolic blood pressure, mean arterial pressure, central systolic blood pressure, and central diastolic blood pressure than those who did not and this did not change after adjusting for BMI and socioeconomic index in early pregnancy, prenatal smoking and maternal age in early pregnancy. Subgroup analysis on women who had one or more pregnancy complications during the index pregnancy (i.e. preeclampsia, gestational hypertension, delivery of a small for gestational age infant, delivery of a preterm infant, and/or gestational diabetes mellitus) demonstrated that women who breastfed for at least six months had significantly lower maternal systolic and diastolic blood pressures, serum insulin and triglycerides, and higher HDL cholesterol. There were no differences in child anthropometric or hemodynamic variables at three years of age between those children who had been breastfed for at least six months and those who had not. CONCLUSION: Breastfeeding for at least six months may reduce some maternal; cardiovascular risk factors in women at three years postpartum, in particular, in those who have experienced a complication of pregnancy. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ACTRN12614000985684 (12/09/2014).

Do Chest Pain Characteristics in Patients with Acute Myocardial Infarction Differ between Those with and without Obstructive Coronary Artery Disease?

The universal definition of acute myocardial infarction (MI) requires both evidence of myocardial injury and myocardial ischaemia. In MINOCA (MI with non-obstructive coronary arteries), patients must fulfil this MI criteria, but is their chest pain similar to those who have MI with obstructive CAD (MICAD)? This study compares prospectively collected chest pain features between patients with MINOCA and MICAD. Utilising the Coronary Angiogram Database of South Australia (CADOSA), consecutive MI patients were categorized as MINOCA or MICAD based on angiographic findings. Chest pain data were collected via direct patient interviews by trained staff members. Of 6811 consecutive patients fulfilling a clinical MI diagnosis, 411 (6.0%) were MINOCA, and 5948 MICAD. The MINOCA patients were younger, more often female and had less cardiovascular risk factors than those with MICAD. There were no significant differences in chest pain characteristics between the MINOCA and MICAD cohorts in relation to pain location, quality, associated symptoms, or duration. In conclusion, MINOCA patients have chest pain characteristics that are indistinguishable from MICAD patients, suggesting that their pain is ischaemic in nature. Thus, in the presence of positive myocardial injury markers, ischaemic chest pain fulfils the universal criteria for MI, despite the absence of obstructive coronary artery disease.

Risk Factors for Premature Coronary Heart Disease in Women Compared to Men: Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

Background: We aimed to systematically examine literature on the prevalence of known modifiable and nonmodifiable risk factors for premature coronary heart disease (PCHD) in women compared with men. Materials and Methods: PubMed, CINAHL, Embase, and Web of Science databases were searched. Review protocol is registered in PROSPERO (CRD42020173216). Quality was assessed using the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute tool. Review Manager 5.3 was used for meta-analysis. Effect sizes were expressed as odds ratio (OR) and mean differences/standardized mean differences (SMD) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) for categorical and continuous variables. Results: In this PCHD cohort (age <65 years), the mean age of presentation in women was 3 years older than men. Women had higher total cholesterol (SMD 0.11; 95% CI 0.00 to 0.23) and higher high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (SMD 0.49; 95% CI 0.29 to 0.69). Women were more likely to have hypertension (OR 1.51, 95% CI 1.42 to 1.60), diabetes mellitus (OR 1.78, 95% CI 1.55 to 2.04), obesity (OR 1.33, 95% CI 1.24 to 1.42), metabolic syndrome (OR 3.73, 95% CI 1.60 to 8.69), stroke (OR 1.63, 95% CI 1.51 to 1.77), peripheral vascular disorder (OR 1.67, 95% CI 1.43 to 1.96), and depression (OR 2.29, 95% CI 1.96 to 2.67). Women were less likely to be smokers (OR 0.60, 95% CI 0.55 to 0.66), have reported alcohol intake (OR 0.36, 95% CI 0.33 to 0.40), and reported use of illicit drug (OR 0.32, 95% CI 0.16 to 0.62). Conclusions: Risk factor profile in PCHD has a clear sex difference that supports early, aggressive, holistic, but sex-specific, approach to prevention.

Early pregnancy cardio metabolic risk factors and the prevalence of metabolic syndrome 10 years after the first pregnancy.

BACKGROUND: We aimed to compare risk factors for CVD 10 years postpartum among women who had ≥ 1 compared to no cardio metabolic risk factor in early first pregnancy. METHODS: Women of the SCOPE (Screening fOr Pregnancy Endpoints) study from Adelaide, South Australia were invited to participate in a cardiovascular risk assessment 10 years after the delivery of the first child. Data from 141 women who completed all the assessments are included in the analyses. RESULT: Compared to women who did not have any cardio metabolic risk factor at 15 ± 1 weeks' gestation during the first pregnancy, those who had ≥ 1 risk factor were 5.5 times more likely to have metabolic syndrome 10 years postpartum (aOR = 5.5, 95% CI 1.8-17.3, p = 0.004). Women who had ≥ 1cardio metabolic risk factor during the first pregnancy were more likely to be obese (p = 0.001), have high total cholesterol levels (p <0.001) or have increased insulin resistance (p <0.001) 10 years later compared to women who had no risk factor during the first pregnancy. 63.5% of the women with no cardio metabolic risk factor compared to 39% of women who had ≥ 1 risk factor in first pregnancy, had neither a complicated first pregnancy nor was diagnosed with MetS 10 years postpartum (p = 0.023). CONCLUSION: Cardio metabolic risk factors at the booking visit in the first pregnancy may be useful in identifying young women at risk of future CVD.

The Association of Obstructive Sleep Apnea in Ischemia with No Obstructive Coronary Artery Disease - A Pilot Study.

Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is increasingly recognized to be a risk factor for cardiovascular disease. This pilot study assessed the association of OSA and invasive coronary microvascular function in patients with ischemia with no obstructive coronary artery disease (INOCA). Forty-two patients with angina, were prospectively screened at a single tertiary centre covering the northern metropolitan area of South Australia, from February 2018 to December 2020 (ACTRN12618000149268). Forty patients were invited into to this observational study after coronary angiography demonstrated INOCA and functional coronary vasomotor disorder (n = 40). Twenty one participants subsequently underwent a sleep study for OSA diagnosis while 9 participants had prior formal diagnosis of OSA (ACTRN12618000227291). Of the 30 participants with OSA data, 87% (n = 26) had a diagnosis of OSA. Accordingly, 11 with mild severity, 7 with moderate severity and 8 with severe OSA. No OSA was observed in 4 participants. Participants with OSA were older [61.4±8.7 vs 49.9±9.7, P = 0.002] with similar clinical characteristics for the pattern and severity of angina and other co-morbidities. 73.3% (n = 22) had abnormal functional disorders of the epicardial coronary arteries and/or coronary microcirculation. On multivariate analysis, OSA was the only statistically significant association with functional coronary microvascular disorders [OR 53.95, 1.41 -2065.01, P = 0.032]. This study provided an observation of a significant correlation between INOCA with abnormal coronary vasomotor function and OSA in an Australian cohort. This correlation supports a possible pathophysiological interplay between these two conditions that needs to be further evaluated. The benefit of treatment of OSA in this subset remains unknown.

Asymmetric dimethylarginine and gestational diabetes mellitus: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

PURPOSE: Emerging evidence demonstrates that asymmetric dimethylarginine (ADMA) levels are elevated in patients with or at risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD). Since women with gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) are at high risk of future CVD, we conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis to compare ADMA concentrations between women with and without GDM during pregnancy and postpartum. METHODS: PubMed, Google Scholar, EMBASE, and CINAHL databases were searched. The review protocol is registered in PROSPERO (CRD42021276796). Study selection, data extraction, and data analyses were performed in accordance with PRISMA guidelines. Random-effects model was used to quantify ADMA levels in the study groups. RESULTS: Eleven studies provided data on 1148 women. Mean plasma ADMA concentration was 0.04 µmol/L (95% confidence interval (CI) -0.06-0.15) higher in pregnant women with GDM than those without GDM, but no significant difference was observed. In contrast, our meta-analysis demonstrated a significant increase in postpartum mean ADMA concentration (Mean Difference (MD) 0.11 µmol/L; 95% CI 0.05-0.16) among women with previous GDM compared to women without previous GDM. CONCLUSION: Elevated ADMA levels in GDM may be a CVD risk factor, suggesting that ADMA may be a potential biomarker for early CVD risk prediction in women with GDM.

Women's awareness of cardiovascular disease risk after complications of pregnancy.

BACKGROUND: Certain maternal complications of pregnancy, including hypertensive disorders of pregnancy, gestational diabetes mellitus, birth of a growth restricted infant, idiopathic preterm labour, and placental abruption, are associated with a significantly increased risk of future maternal cardiovascular disease. In Australia, it is relatively unknown how many women with a history of complicated pregnancies are aware of their future cardiovascular disease risk. AIM: The aim of this study was to determine what percentage of women attending a cardiovascular disease prevention clinic in South Australia soon after a complicated pregnancy were aware of their increased risk of cardiovascular disease. METHODS: This prospective observational study included 188 women attending a postpartum prevention clinic between 7th August 2018 and 10th February 2021. These women had experienced a serious maternal complication of pregnancy approximately seven months earlier. Women completed a self-administered health awareness survey immediately prior to their first clinic appointment to assess their awareness of their increased cardiovascular risk. FINDINGS: Over two-thirds (69.1 %) of the women were unaware of the association between pregnancy complications and cardiovascular disease, and 6.4 % of the cohort did not realise they had experienced a complicated pregnancy. Almost 10 % of the cohort did not correctly identify the complication/s they had been diagnosed with during pregnancy. CONCLUSION: Awareness of the association between complications of pregnancy and future cardiovascular disease was low in our cohort of women who had experienced a complication of pregnancy only seven months earlier. This emphasises the need for improved education for and communication with women to assist in implementing preventative care strategies.

A prospective registry analysis of psychosocial and metabolic health between women with and without metabolic syndrome after a complicated pregnancy.

PURPOSE: Pregnancy complications affect over one quarter of Australian pregnancies, and this group of mothers is vulnerable and more likely to experience adverse cardiometabolic health outcomes in the postpartum period. Metabolic syndrome is common in this population and may be associated with postpartum mental health issues. However, this relationship remains poorly understood. To compare the differences in psychosocial parameters and mental health outcomes between women with metabolic syndrome and women without metabolic syndrome 6 months after a complicated pregnancy. METHODS: This study is prospective registry analysis of women attending a postpartum healthy lifestyle clinic 6 months following a complicated pregnancy. Mental health measures included 9-item Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9), 7-item Generalised Anxiety Disorder questionnaire (GAD-7), self-reported diagnosed history of depression, anxiety and/or other psychiatric condition, and current psychotropic medication use. RESULTS: Women with metabolic syndrome reported significantly more subjective mental health concerns, were more likely to have a history of depression and other psychiatric diagnoses and were more likely prescribed psychotropic medications. However, there were no significant differences in PHQ-9 and GAD-7 scores. CONCLUSION: Amongst new mothers who experienced complications of pregnancy, those with metabolic syndrome represent a particularly vulnerable group with regards to psychosocial disadvantage and mental health outcomes. These vulnerabilities may not be apparent when using common standardised cross-sectional mental health screening tools such as PHQ-9 and GAD-7.

Effectiveness of a nurse practitioner-led cardiovascular prevention clinic at reduction of metabolic syndrome following maternal complications of pregnancy: a preliminary analysis.

AIM: Maternal complications of pregnancy, including hypertensive disorders of pregnancy, gestational diabetes mellitus, intrauterine growth restriction, preterm labour, and placental abruption, are associated with increased risk of future cardiometabolic disease. Lifestyle interventions that focus on preventative strategies for this young, high-risk population of women may assist in cardiometabolic disease risk reduction. The aim of this preliminary registry analysis was to observe the change in maternal metabolic syndrome status after receiving a nurse practitioner-led lifestyle intervention delivered soon after a complicated pregnancy. METHOD: This preliminary analysis included 64 eligible women who had attended both baseline (approximately 6 months postpartum) and review (approximately eighteen months postpartum) appointments at the postpartum lifestyle clinic after an index pregnancy complicated by at least one maternal complication of pregnancy. Metabolic syndrome status at both appointments was assessed. RESULTS: At the baseline appointment, 22 (34.4%) women met the criteria for metabolic syndrome. This number reduced at the review appointment to 19 (29.7%). This difference was not statistically significant. There were some modest improvements in the individual cardiometabolic risk factors, as well as marked improvements in the women who had recovered from metabolic syndrome over twelve months. CONCLUSION: There was a high percentage of metabolic syndrome present early in the postpartum period. The results of this preliminary analysis highlight the importance of continuing preventative care and ongoing research for this group of high-risk women.

Gestational diabetes mellitus and cardio-metabolic risk factors in women and children at 3 years postpartum.

INTRODUCTION: Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) is thought to be associated with cardio-metabolic risk factor development in women and their children during the early postpartum period and early childhood. We hypothesized that these women and their children would exhibit increased abnormal cardio-metabolic risk factors three years after pregnancy. METHODS: Women from the Screening Tests to Predict Poor Outcomes of Pregnancy study were invited to attend a follow-up with the child from their index pregnancy at 3 years postpartum. Women and children were assessed for anthropometric measures and haemodynamic function. Fasting blood samples were obtained from women to assess lipid and glucose status. RESULTS: A total of 281 woman-child dyads participated in the 3-year follow-up, with 40 women developing GDM during their index pregnancy. Fasting serum insulin was higher in women with GDM in index pregnancy compared to those with an uncomplicated pregnancy. However, this association was mediated by early pregnancy BMI and socioeconomic index (SEI). The rate of metabolic syndrome was higher in the GDM group than the uncomplicated pregnancy group. Maternal GDM was associated with elevated maternal fasting serum triglycerides at 3 years after adjustment for early pregnancy BMI and SEI. Children exposed to GDM in utero had higher waist circumference compared to children born after an uncomplicated pregnancy, but this is mediated the above covariates. CONCLUSION: Exposure to GDM is associated with elevated serum triglycerides in women at 3 years postpartum but other cardiometabolic outcomes in women and children appear to be mediated by early pregnancy BMI and SEI.