Atherogenic dyslipidemia in patients with established coronary artery disease.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Patients with stable coronary heart disease (CHD) and atherogenic dyslipidemia (AD) have a high-risk of recurrence and are those who derive most benefit from treatment with lipid-lowering agents. The aim of this study was to examine the prevalence of AD in patients with stable coronary heart disease and to investigate associated factors. METHODS: Cross-sectional study involving 7823 subjects admitted for a coronary event between 6 months and 10 years previously. AD was considered to be the concurrent presence of low HDL-cholesterol (<1.03 mmol/L [40 mg/dL] in males, <1.29 mmol/L [50 mg/dL] in females) and elevated triglycerides (≥1.7 mmol/L [150 mg/dL]). RESULTS: Mean age was 65.3 (10.1) years, 73.6% were males and 80.3% were receiving treatment with statins. Low HDL-cholesterol was observed in 26.3% of the participants, 39.7% had elevated triglyceride concentration and 13.0% had AD. The percentage of AD in patients with criteria for metabolic syndrome was 30.9%. Factors associated directly and independently with the presence of AD in the multivariate analysis were female sex, history of coronary syndrome without ST elevation or coronary revascularization, presence of atrial fibrillation, body mass index, LDL-cholesterol, systolic blood pressure and blood glucose levels, while age and glomerular filtration rate were significantly and inversely associated with AD. CONCLUSION: A significant proportion of patients with coronary disease could benefit from interventions aimed at increasing HDL-cholesterol and reducing triglycerides.

[Prevalence of metabolic syndrome in patients with stable coronary disease: therapeutic objectives and utilization of cardiovascular drugs]. / Prevalencia de síndrome metabólico en pacientes con enfermedad coronaria estable: objetivos terapéuticos y utilización de fármacos cardiovasculares.

OBJECTIVE: The achievement of the therapeutic objectives in patients with ischemic heart disease and metabolic syndrome is unknown. This study has aimed to evaluate whether the prevalence of risk factors, the prescription rate of evidence-based cardiovascular therapies and the attainment of therapeutic goals differ in coronary patients with and without the metabolic syndrome (MS). METHODS: A multicenter, cross-sectional study carried out with the participation of 7,600 patients with stable coronary heart disease (mean age 65.3 years, 82% males, 37.7% with MS) attended in primary care. Data on drug prescription and goal attainment were extracted from clinical records. MS was defined according to the National Cholesterol Education Program (NCEP) criteria. RESULTS: Patients with MS had a higher prevalence of cardiovascular risk factors and cardiovascular disease. They also had a higher prescription rate of blood-pressure lowering drugs, statins and antidiabetic agents, without differences in the rate of use of antithrombotics and beta-blockers. After adjusting for cardiovascular risk factors and co-morbidity, only fibrates and angiotensin II receptor blockers were used more frequently in MS patients. A lower percentage of subjects with MS achieved therapeutic goals of LDL cholesterol (23.4% vs 27.7%, P<.001), blood pressure (29.1% vs 52.2%, P<.001) and, in diabetics, of glycated hemoglobin (54.7% vs 75.9%, P<.001). CONCLUSION: Patients with stable coronary disease and MS do not reach therapeutic objectives as frequently as those without MS, in spite of receiving a higher amount of cardiovascular drugs.

Prevalencia de síndrome metabólico en pacientes con enfermedad coronaria estable: objetivos terapéuticos y utilización de fármacos cardiovasculares / Prevalence of metabolic syndrome in patients with stable coronary disease: therapeutic objectives and utilization of cardiovascular drugs

Objetivo. La consecución de objetivos terapéuticos en pacientes con cardiopatía isquémica crónica y síndrome metabólico (SM) es desconocida. El objetivo del estudio fue analizar en pacientes con enfermedad coronaria estable si la prevalencia de los factores de riesgo, la utilización de fármacos cardiovasculares y la consecución de objetivos terapéuticos eran diferentes en función de la presencia o no del SM. Métodos. Estudio transversal multicéntrico en el que participaron 7.600 sujetos con enfermedad coronaria estable atendidos en Atención Primaria. Para el diagnóstico del SM se utilizaron los criterios del National Colesterol Educational Programm – Adult Treatment Programm III (NCEP-ATP III). Resultados. La edad media fue 65,3 años (hombres, 82%). El 37,7% cumplía criterios de SM. Los pacientes con SM tenían una significativa mayor prevalencia e intensidad de los factores de riesgo, así como una mayor comorbilidad cardiovascular. Además, utilizaban con mayor frecuencia antihipertensivos, hipolipemiantes e hipoglucemiantes, no existiendo diferencias en antitrombóticos y betabloqueantes. Tras ajustar por los factores de riesgo y la comorbilidad solo los fibratos y los antagonistas del receptor de la angiotensina II eran utilizados más frecuentemente por los pacientes con SM. Los objetivos terapéuticos de colesterol-LDL (23,4% versus 27,7%, p<0,001), de presión arterial (29,1% versus 52,2%, p<0,001) y de hemoglobina glucada en diabéticos (54,7% versus 75,9%, p<0,001), se alcanzaron menos frecuentemente en los pacientes con SM. Conclusión. Los pacientes con enfermedad coronaria estable y SM alcanzan unos objetivos terapéuticos con menor frecuencia que los enfermos sin SM, a pesar de recibir una mayor cantidad de fármacos(AU)

Objective. The achievement of the therapeutic objectives in patients with ischemic heart disease and metabolic syndrome is unknown. This study has aimed to evaluate whether the prevalence of risk factors, the prescription rate of evidence-based cardiovascular therapies and the attainment of therapeutic goals differ in coronary patients with and without the metabolic syndrome (MS). Methods. A multicenter, cross-sectional study carried out with the participation of 7,600 patients with stable coronary heart disease (mean age 65.3 years, 82% males, 37.7% with MS) attended in primary care. Data on drug prescription and goal attainment were extracted from clinical records. MS was defined according to the National Cholesterol Education Program (NCEP) criteria. Results. Patients with MS had a higher prevalence of cardiovascular risk factors and cardiovascular disease. They also had a higher prescription rate of blood-pressure lowering drugs, statins and antidiabetic agents, without differences in the rate of use of antithrombotics and beta-blockers. After adjusting for cardiovascular risk factors and co-morbidity, only fibrates and angiotensin II receptor blockers were used more frequently in MS patients. A lower percentage of subjects with MS achieved therapeutic goals of LDL cholesterol (23.4% vs 27.7%, P<.001), blood pressure (29.1% vs 52.2%, P<.001) and, in diabetics, of glycated hemoglobin (54.7% vs 75.9%, P<.001). Conclusion. Patients with stable coronary disease and MS do not reach therapeutic objectives as frequently as those without MS, in spite of receiving a higher amount of cardiovascular drugs(AU)

Prognostic value of the ankle-brachial index in elderly patients with a stable chronic cardiovascular event.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Patients with polyvascular arterial disease have a greater risk of suffering a new atherothrombotic episode than those with involvement of only one vascular territory. We have studied the predictive prognostic value of the detection of non-diagnosed peripheral arterial disease, determined by measuring the ankle-brachial index in a population of elderly patients with stable chronic cardiac or cerebrovascular disease. METHODS: This was a multicenter, prospective cohort study with consecutive inclusion of patients between 65 and 85 years of age with a previous atherothrombotic event, but without previously established peripheral arterial disease. RESULTS: A total of 1096 patients were evaluated during 11.7 (+ or - 2.2) months of follow-up. An ankle-brachial index of < 0.9 was observed in 29.9% and > 1.4 in 6.9%. The detection of an ankle-brachial index < 0.9 was clearly associated with the presence of a combined primary event of cardiovascular death and non-fatal cardiovascular event [HR 1.99 (95% CI, 1.49-2.66; P < 0.001)]. There was also a significant relationship between ankle-brachial index > 1.4 and total (P = 0.001) or cardiovascular (P = 0.020) deaths. The predictive value of both ranges of the ankle-brachial index was maintained after adjusting for age, sex, diabetes mellitus, vascular territory, macroalbuminuria or glomerular filtration rate. CONCLUSIONS: The detection of non-diagnosed peripheral arterial disease in patients with stable coronary or cerebrovascular events identifies a very high risk population that might benefit from more intensive treatment.

Cardiovascular risk factor management is poorer in diabetic patients with undiagnosed peripheral arterial disease than in those with known coronary heart disease or cerebrovascular disease. Results of a nationwide study in tertiary diabetes centres.

AIMS: To assess whether patients with Type 2 diabetes mellitus and unrecognized peripheral arterial disease (PAD), detected by the ankle-brachial index (ABI), have poorer cardiovascular risk factor management (CVRFs) and receive fewer medications than patients previously diagnosed with coronary heart disease (CHD) or cerebrovascular disease (CVD). METHODS: In 31 diabetes centres throughout Spain, 1303 patients with Type 2 diabetes mellitus were screened for PAD using the ABI. Patient history of CHD and CVD and treatment and control of CVRFs were recorded. RESULTS: Forty-one patients had an ABI > 1.30 and were excluded, leaving 1262 patients (age 65.3 +/- 7.7 years) for the study. Of those screened, 790 patients had a normal ABI (ABI > 0.9) and no known history of CHD or CVD (no CHD/CVD/PAD group), 194 had unrecognized PAD (ABI < or = 0.9) with no known history of CHD or CVD (undiagnosed PAD group) and 278 had a known history of CHD and/or CVD (CHD/CVD group). The undiagnosed PAD group had higher low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol (2.9 +/- 0.83 vs. 2.4 +/- 0.84 mmol/l; P < 0.001) and systolic blood pressure (150 +/- 20 vs. 145 +/- 21 mmHg; P < 0.001) compared with the CHD/CVD group. They were less likely to take statins (56.9 vs. 71.6%; P < 0.001), anti-hypertensive agents (75.9 vs. 90.1%, P = 0.001), and anti-platelet agents (aspirin, 28.7 vs. 57.2%; P < 0.001; clopidogrel, 5.6 vs. 20.9%; P < 0.001) and more likely to smoke (21.0 vs. 9.2%; P < 0.001). Higher LDL in the undiagnosed PAD group was associated with the underutilization of statins. CONCLUSIONS: Measurement of ABI detected a significant number of patients with PAD, who did not have CHD or CVD, but whose CVRFs were under treated and poorly controlled compared with subjects with CHD and/or CVD.

Impacto del tratamiento con irbesartán sobre la reducción del riesgo cardiovascular de pacientes hipertensos en España. Estudio KORAL-HTA / Impact of treatment with irbesartan on reduction of cardiovascular risk in hypertensive patients in Spain. Koral-HTA study

Objetivos. Evaluar la eficacia de irbesartán para alcanzar los objetivos de presión arterial (PA) establecidos por las guías y en reducir la microalbuminuria (MAU) en pacientes hipertensos no controlados. Evaluar este efecto tanto en pacientes diabéticos como no diabéticos y en diferentes rangos de índice de masa corporal (IMC). Estudiar el impacto de este tratamiento sobre el riesgo coronario global (RCG) valorado mediante las tablas REGICOR. Métodos. KORAL-HTA es un estudio observacional, prospectivo y abierto de 1 año de seguimiento en pacientes hipertensos no controlados con al menos otro factor de riesgo cardiovascular atendidos en Unidades de Hipertensión en toda España. Resultados. Estudiamos 1.657 pacientes (el 59,5 % de hombres; edad media (desviación estándar [DE]): 60,3 [12,0] años). Un 48,4 % presentaba diabetes mellitus (DM), un 48,2 % dislipemia y MAU un 63,6 %. Un 70 % de los pacientes alcanzó los objetivos de PA (< 140/90 mmHg y < 130/80 mmHg en no DM y DM, respectivamente). La proporción de pacientes con MAU y proteinuria se redujo del 63,6 % al 48,3 % y del 19,4 % al 10,8 %, respectivamente; p < 0,01, en el grupo global, así como en los pacientes con y sin DM, y en los diferentes rangos del IMC. El RCG disminuyó desde (mediana [perc 25-75]) 5,9 (3,0-8,0) y 9,7 (5,0-12,0) basalmente, en no diabéticos y diabéticos, respectivamente, a 4,0 (3,0-5,0) y 5,0 (3,8-7,0), respectivamente, a los 12 meses (p < 0,001). Conclusiones. La reducción de la PA y la MAU con el tratamiento con irbesartán se asocia a una reducción del RCG en los pacientes hipertensos. Este estudio confirma además, en condiciones de práctica clínica, que los beneficios sobre la MAU no se limitan únicamente a los pacientes con DM, sino también a aquellos no diabéticos y son constantes en los diferentes rangos del IMC

Objectives. Evaluate the efficacy of irbesartan to reach the blood pressure objectives established in the guides and reduce microalbuminuria (MAU) in uncontrolled hypertensive patients. Evaluate this effect in both diabetic and non-diabetic patients and in different BMI ranges. Study the impact of this treatment on global coronary risk (GCR) assessed with the REGICOR tables. Methods. KORAL-HTA is an observational, prospective, open-label 1-year follow-up study in uncontrolled hypertensive patients with at least one other cardiovascular risk factor seen in hypertensive units in all Spain. Results. We studied 1,657 patients (59.5 % men; mean age (SD): 60.3 (12.0) years). A total of 48.4 % had DM, 48.2 % dyslipidemia and 63.6 % MAU. Seventy percent of the patients achieved the BP objectives (< 140/90 mmHg and < 130/80 mmHg in non-DM and DM, respectively). The proportion of patients with MAU and proteinuria decreased from 63.6 % to 48.3 % and from 19.4 % to 10.8 %, respectively; p < 0.01, in the global group and in patients with and without DM, and in the different BMI ranges. GCR decreased from (median [perc 25-75]) 5.9 (3.0-8.0) and 9.7 (5.0-12.0) at baseline, in non-diabetics and diabetics, respectively to 4.0 (3.0-5.0) and 5.0 (3.8-7.0), respectively, at 12 months (p < 0.001). Conclusions. BP and MAU decrease with Irbesartan treatment is associated to a decrease in GCR in hypertensive patients. This study also confirms under clinical practice conditions that the benefits on MAU are not only limited to patients with DM but also to the non-diabetics and are constant in the different BMI ranges

Sexual dysfunction in hypertensive patients treated with losartan.

BACKGROUND: Impaired erectile function in men is a component of the dysmetabolic syndrome of high blood pressure as well as a sequela of antihypertensive therapy. This prospective interventional study in men with uncontrolled hypertension (blood pressure > or =140/90 mm Hg) used a survey instrument to assay sexual dysfunction before and after therapy with losartan. METHODS: We evaluated the influence of a 12-week therapy with losartan in 82 hypertensive subjects with (n = 82) and without (n = 82) a diagnosis of erectile dysfunction using a self-administered questionnaire validated in another 60 subjects with hypertension. RESULTS: From an initial sample of 323 hypertensive men and women, 82 men, aged 30 to 65 years, with sexual dysfunction underwent a 12-week regimen of losartan therapy (50-100 mg/day). Losartan treatment improved sexual satisfaction from an initial 7.3 to 58.5% (chi2; P = 0.001). Subjects reporting a high frequency of sexual activity improved from 40.5% initially to 62.3% after drug treatment, whereas the number of patients with low or very low frequency of sexual activity decreased significantly (chi2; P = 0.001). At the completion of the 12-week losartan regimen, only 11.8% of the treated subjects reported in improvement in sexual function. Improvement on quality of life was demonstrated in 73.7% of subjects medicated with losartan, 25.5% reported no changes, and only 0.8% felt worse. In the group without sexual dysfunction, losartan had a nonsignificant effect on sexual function. CONCLUSIONS: Our data suggest that losartan improved erectile function and both satisfaction and frequency of sexual activity. Because side effects are one of the most influential factors in the management of hypertension, an added benefit of losartan therapy may be its positive impact on quality of life.

Prevalencia de la disfunción sexual en una población hipertensa

Objetivo. Conocer la prevalencia de disfunción sexual (DS) y estudiar la actividad y grado de satisfacción sexual en el paciente hipertenso tratado con fármacos en 56 centros de Atención Primaria de la geografía española. Material y métodos. Se realiza un estudio descriptivo transversal en pacientes hipertensos, seleccionados consecutivamente, que contestaron a un cuestionario autocumplimentado validado por los autores (cuestionario 'busca-síntomas'). Mediciones y resultados principales. El grupo de estudio estuvo formado por 126 mujeres (39 por ciento) y 197 varones (61 por ciento), con un rango de edad de 30 a 65 años. La prevalencia global de DS fue del 30,7 por ciento (IC del 95 por ciento: 28,9-32,4). Se detectó DS en 99 pacientes (17 mujeres y 82 varones), lo que supone prevalencias de DS en cada sexo del 13,7 por ciento (IC del 95 por ciento: 8,8-18,5) y del 42,3 por ciento (IC del 95 por ciento: 35,3-49,3), respectivamente. De las características analizadas únicamente se relacionó el sexo y el tipo de tratamiento con la presencia de DS (p < 0,01). El grado de satisfacción sexual alcanzaba el 61,9 por ciento, con una frecuencia de actividad sexual, en el intervalo mayoritario de edad (50 a 59 años), del 30,6 por ciento (relaciones sexuales quincenales). Conclusiones. El grado de satisfacción sexual fue relativamente bajo, con una actividad sexual reducida. Se detecta una prevalencia elevada de DS en los pacientes hipertensos estudiados, sobre todo en el sexo masculino. Los grupos farmacológicos que más parecen influir en la actividad sexual son los -bloqueantes y los diuréticos. Es importante que el médico de Atención Primaria esté formado adecuadamente para detectar DS de cara a optimizar el cumplimiento terapéutico y mejorar la calidad de vida (AU)