Increased Regional Epicardial Fat Volume Associated with Reversible Myocardial Ischemia in Patients with Suspected Coronary Artery Disease

Epicardial adipose tissue is a source of pro-inflammatory cytokines and has been linked to the development of coronary artery disease. No study has systematically assessed the relationship between local epicardial fat volume (EFV) and myocardial perfusion defects. We analyzed EFV in patients undergoing SPECT myocardial perfusion imaging combined with computed tomography (CT) for attenuation correction. Low-dose CT without contrast was performed in 396 consecutive patients undergoing SPECT imaging for evaluation of coronary artery disease. Regional thickness, cross-sectional areas, and total EFV were assessed. 295 patients had normal myocardial perfusion scans and 101 had abnormal perfusion scans. Mean EFVs in normal, ischemic, and infarcted hearts were 99.8 ± 82.3 cm3, 156.4 ± 121.9 cm3, and 96.3 ± 102.1 cm3, respectively (P < 0.001). Reversible perfusion defects were associated with increased local EFV compared to normal perfusion in the distribution of the right (69.2 ± 51.5 vs 46.6 ± 32.0 cm3; P = 0.03) and left anterior descending coronary artery (87.1 ± 76.4 vs 46.7 ± 40.6 cm3; P = 0.005). Our results demonstrate increased regional epicardial fat in patients with active myocardial ischemia compared to patients with myocardial scar or normal perfusion on nuclear perfusion scans. Our results suggest a potential role for cardiac CT to improve risk stratification in patients with suspected coronary artery disease

Left Atrial End-Diastolic Volume Index as a Predictor of Cardiovascular Outcomes

BackgroundThe left atrial end-systolic volume index (LAESVI) is a predictor of cardiovascular outcomes and is the recommended measurement of left atrial size. The left atrial end-diastolic volume index (LAEDVI), representing the minimum or residual left atrial volume, has not been fully evaluated as a predictor of cardiovascular events. This study evaluated the predictive power of LAEDVI compared with LAESVI for heart failure (HF) hospitalizations, a composite of HF hospitalizations, myocardial infarction, stroke, and heart disease death, and all-cause mortality.MethodsWe measured LAESVI and LAEDVI in subjects without atrial fibrillation or flutter or significant mitral valve disease. Using Cox proportional-hazard models, the association of LAESVI and LAEDVI with the stated outcomes was examined.ResultsAfter a mean of 7.3±2.6 years of follow-up, there were 147 HF hospitalizations, 118 myocardial infarctions, 45 strokes, 96 heart disease deaths, and 351 deaths from all causes in 938 subjects. When comparing the highest and the lowest quartiles of LAEDVI, there was a near 6-fold increase in the hazard ratio (HR) for HF hospitalization (HR, 5.96; P&lt;0.001). This was higher than what was seen with LAESVI (HR, 4.85; P&lt;0.001). Similar associations were noted for the composite cardiovascular outcome (HR for LAEDVI, 2.97; P&lt;0.001) and for all-cause mortality (HR for LAEDVI, 2.08; P&lt;0.001). In adjusted models, LAEDVI demonstrated equal or better predictive power than LAESVI for HF hospitalization and the composite cardiovascular outcome.ConclusionsLAEDVI is a strong predictor of cardiovascular events in ambulatory patients with stable coronary heart disease and may merit routine use

Relationship of Bisphosphonate Therapy and Atrial Fibrillation/Flutter Outcomes of Sleep Disorders in Older Men (MrOS Sleep) Study

BackgroundPrior studies suggested an association between bisphosphonates and atrial fibrillation/flutter (AF) in women. This relationship in men, including those with sleep-disordered breathing (SDB), remains unclear. This study evaluated the relationship between bisphosphonate use and prevalent (nocturnal) and incident (clinically relevant) AF&nbsp;in a population of community-dwelling older men.MethodsA total of 2,911 male participants (mean age, 76 years) of the prospective observational Osteoporotic Fractures in Men Study sleep cohort with overnight in-home polysomnography (PSG) constituted the analytic cohort. Nocturnal AF from ECGs during PSG and incident AF events were centrally adjudicated. The association of bisphosphonate use and AF was examined using multivariable-adjusted logistic regression for prevalent AF and Cox proportional hazards regression for incident AF.ResultsA total of 123 (4.2%) men were current bisphosphonate users. Prevalent nocturnal AF was present in 138 participants (4.6%). After multivariable adjustment, there was a significant association between current bisphosphonate use and prevalent AF (OR, 2.33; 95%&nbsp;CI, 1.13-4.79). In the subset of men with moderate to severe SDB, this association was even more pronounced (OR, 3.22; 95%&nbsp;CI, 1.29-8.03). However, the multivariable-adjusted relationship between bisphosphonate use and incident AF did not reach statistical significance (adjusted hazard ratio, 1.53; 95%&nbsp;CI, 0.96-2.45).ConclusionsThese results support an association between bisphosphonate use and prevalent nocturnal AF in community-dwelling older men. The data further suggest that those with moderate to severe SDB may be a particularly vulnerable group susceptible to bisphosphonate-related AF. Similar associations were not seen for bisphosphonate use and clinically relevant incident AF

Relationship of Bisphosphonate Therapy and Atrial Fibrillation/Flutter

BackgroundPrior studies suggested an association between bisphosphonates and atrial fibrillation/flutter (AF) in women. This relationship in men, including those with sleep-disordered breathing (SDB), remains unclear. This study evaluated the relationship between bisphosphonate use and prevalent (nocturnal) and incident (clinically relevant) AF&nbsp;in a population of community-dwelling older men.MethodsA total of 2,911 male participants (mean age, 76 years) of the prospective observational Osteoporotic Fractures in Men Study sleep cohort with overnight in-home polysomnography (PSG) constituted the analytic cohort. Nocturnal AF from ECGs during PSG and incident AF events were centrally adjudicated. The association of bisphosphonate use and AF was examined using multivariable-adjusted logistic regression for prevalent AF and Cox proportional hazards regression for incident AF.ResultsA total of 123 (4.2%) men were current bisphosphonate users. Prevalent nocturnal AF was present in 138 participants (4.6%). After multivariable adjustment, there was a significant association between current bisphosphonate use and prevalent AF (OR, 2.33; 95%&nbsp;CI, 1.13-4.79). In the subset of men with moderate to severe SDB, this association was even more pronounced (OR, 3.22; 95%&nbsp;CI, 1.29-8.03). However, the multivariable-adjusted relationship between bisphosphonate use and incident AF did not reach statistical significance (adjusted hazard ratio, 1.53; 95%&nbsp;CI, 0.96-2.45).ConclusionsThese results support an association between bisphosphonate use and prevalent nocturnal AF in community-dwelling older men. The data further suggest that those with moderate to severe SDB may be a particularly vulnerable group susceptible to bisphosphonate-related AF. Similar associations were not seen for bisphosphonate use and clinically relevant incident AF