Mediterranean diet in secondary prevention of CHD

AbstractObjectiveTo summarise our present knowledge on the Mediterranean diet in secondary prevention of CHD.DesignReview of literature.SettingAdult coronary patients.SubjectsCHD patients at high risk of cardiac death.ResultsThe two main causes of death in these patients are sudden cardiac death (SCD) and chronic heart failure (CHF). The main mechanism underlying recurrent cardiac events is coronary thrombosis resulting from atherosclerotic plaque erosion or ulceration. The occurrence of thrombosis is usually associated with plaque weakness in relation to high lipid content of the lesion where cholesterol only represents a very small part compared with other lipids (i.e. fatty acids). Thus, the three main aims of the preventive strategy are to prevent coronary thrombosis, malignant ventricular arrhythmia and the development of left ventricular dysfunction (and CHF) and finally to minimise the risk of plaque erosion and ulceration. There is now a consensus about recommending the Mediterranean diet pattern for the secondary prevention of CHD because no other dietary pattern has been successfully tested so far in these patients. The most important aspect, in contrast with the pharmacological prevention of CHD (including cholesterol lowering), is that the Mediterranean diet results in a striking effect on survival.ConclusionsThe traditional Mediterranean diet is effective in reducing both coronary atherosclerosis/thrombosis and the risk of fatal complications such as SCD and heart failure.

Download Full-text

Implications of multiple late gadolinium enhancement lesions on the frequency of left ventricular reverse remodeling and prognosis in patients with non‐ischemic cardiomyopathy

Journal of Cardiovascular Magnetic Resonance ◽

10.1186/s12968-021-00734-3 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 23 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Shingo Ota ◽

Makoto Orii ◽

Tsuyoshi Nishiguchi ◽

Mao Yokoyama ◽

Ryoko Matsushita ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Heart Failure ◽

Late Gadolinium Enhancement ◽

Ischemic Cardiomyopathy ◽

Left Ventricular ◽

Reverse Remodeling ◽

Cardiac Events ◽

Gadolinium Enhancement ◽

Systolic Volume ◽

Linear Pattern ◽

Multiple Lesions

Abstract Background Non-ischemic cardiomyopathy (NICM) is a heterogeneous disease, and its prognosis varies. Although late gadolinium enhancement (LGE)-cardiovascular magnetic resonance (CMR) demonstrates a linear pattern in the mid-wall of the septum or multiple LGE lesions in patients with NICM, the therapeutic response and prognosis of multiple LGE lesions have not been elucidated. This study aimed to investigate the frequency of left ventricular (LV) reverse remodeling (LVRR) and prognosis in patients with NICM who have multiple LGE lesions. Methods This single-center retrospective study included 101 consecutive patients with NICM who were divided into 3 groups according to LGE-CMR results: patients without LGE (no LGE group = 48 patients), patients with a typical mid-wall LGE pattern (n = 29 patients), and patients with multiple LGE lesions (n = 24 patients). LVRR was defined as an increase in LV ejection fraction (LVEF) ≥ 10 % and a final value of LVEF > 35 %, which was accompanied by a decrease in LV end-systolic volume ≥ 15 % at 12-month follow-up using echocardiography. The frequency of composite cardiac events, defined as sudden cardiac death (SCD), aborted SCD (non-fatal ventricular fibrillation, sustained ventricular tachycardia, or adequate implantable cardioverter-defibrillator therapies), and heart failure death or hospitalization for worsening heart failure, were summarized and compared between the groups. Results Among the 3 groups, the frequency of LVRR was significantly lower in the multiple lesions group than in the no LGE and mid-wall groups (no LGE vs. mid-wall vs. multiple lesions: 49 % vs. 52 % vs. 19 %, p = 0.03). There were 24 composite cardiac events among the patients: 2 in patients without LGE (hospitalization for worsening heart failure; 2), 7 in patients of the mid-wall group (SCD; 1, aborted SCD; 1 and hospitalization for worsening heart failure; 5), and 15 in patients of the multiple lesions group (SCD; 1, aborted SCD; 8 and hospitalization for worsening heart failure; 6). The multiple LGE lesions was an independent predictor of composite cardiac events (hazard ratio: 11.40 [95 % confidence intervals: 1.49−92.01], p = 0.020). Conclusions Patients with multiple LGE lesions have a higher risk of cardiac events and poorer LVRR. The LGE pattern may be useful for an improved risk stratification in patients with NICM.

Download Full-text

The Mediterranean Diet Benefit on Cardiovascular Hemodynamics and Erectile Function in Chronic Heart Failure Male Patients by Decoding Central and Peripheral Vessel Rheology

Nutrients ◽

10.3390/nu13010108 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 13 (1) ◽

pp. 108

Author(s):

Athanasios Angelis ◽

Christina Chrysohoou ◽

Evangelia Tzorovili ◽

Aggeliki Laina ◽

Panagiotis Xydis ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Heart Failure ◽

Chronic Heart Failure ◽

Left Ventricle ◽

Ejection Fraction ◽

Mediterranean Diet ◽

Serum Prolactin ◽

Doppler Velocity ◽

Heart Failure Patients ◽

Cardiovascular Hemodynamics ◽

The Mediterranean

Background: Mediterranean diet was evaluated on erectile performance and cardiovascular hemodynamics, in chronic heart failure patients. Methods: 150 male stable heart failure patients were enrolled in the study (62 ± 10 years, New York Heart Association (NYHA) classes I–II, ejection fraction ≤40%). A detailed echocardiographic evaluation including estimation of the global longitudinal strain of the left ventricle and the systolic tissue doppler velocity of the tricuspid annulus was performed. Erectile dysfunction severity was assessed by the Sexual Health Inventory for Men-5 (SHIM-5) score. Adherence to the Mediterranean diet was evaluated by the MedDietScore. Results: The SHIM-5 score was positively correlated with the MedDietScore (p = 0.006) and augmentation index (p = 0.031) and inversely correlated with age (p = 0.002). MedDietScore was negatively associated with intima-media-thickness (p < 0.001) and serum prolactin levels (p = 0.05). Multi-adjusted analysis revealed that the inverse relation of SHIM-5 and prolactin levels remained significant only among patients with low adherence to the Mediterranean diet (p = 0.012). Conclusion: Consumption of Mediterranean diet benefits cardiovascular hemodynamics, while suppressing serum prolactin levels. Such physiology may enhance erectile ability independently of the of the left ventricle ejection fraction.

Download Full-text

Novel Approach to Cardiovascular Outcome Prediction in Haemodialysis Patients

American Journal of Nephrology ◽

10.1159/000444924 ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 43 (3) ◽

pp. 143-152 ◽

Cited By ~ 8

Author(s):

Diana Chiu ◽

Nik Abidin ◽

Laura Johnstone ◽

Michelle Chong ◽

Vaidehi Kataria ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Arterial Stiffness ◽

Cardiac Death ◽

Cox Regression ◽

Global Longitudinal Strain ◽

Left Ventricular ◽

Survival Models ◽

Cardiac Events ◽

Combined Model ◽

Factors Associated ◽

All Cause Mortality

Background: Cardiovascular mortality is high in haemodialysis (HD) patients. Arterial stiffness and global longitudinal strain (GLS) are important non-atheromatous cardiovascular risk predictors. No study has encompassed both parameters in a combined model for prediction of outcomes in HD patients. This is important because left ventricular (LV) dysfunction can result from fibrotic remodelling secondary to increased arterial stiffness. Methods: Two hundred and nineteen HD patients had pulse wave velocity (PWV) and echocardiography (including GLS) assessments. Patients were followed-up until death, transplantation or November 16, 2015, whichever happened first. Pearson's correlation coefficient was used to determine factors associated with PWV and GLS. A multivariable Cox regression model investigated factors associated with all-cause, cardiac death and events. Results: One hundred and ninety eight HD patients had full datasets (median age 64.2, 68.7% males) with a mean LV ejection fraction (LVEF) of 61.7 ± 10.1% and GLS -13.5 ± 3.3%; 51% had LV hypertrophy. Forty eight deaths (15 cardiac) and 44 major cardiac events occurred during a median follow-up of 27.6 (25th-75th percentile, 17.3-32.7) months. In separate survival models, PWV and GLS were independently associated with all-cause mortality; however, in a combined model, LV mass indexed to height2.7 (LVMI/HT2.7; adjusted hazard ratio (HR) 1.02, 95% CI 1.00-1.04) and PWV (adjusted HR 1.23, 95% CI 1.03-1.47) were significant. PWV was neither associated with cardiac death nor associated with related cardiac events. However, GLS was associated with cardiac death (adjusted HR 1.24, 95% CI 1.00-1.54) and cardiac events (adjusted HR 1.13, 95% CI 1.03-1.25). Conclusions: PWV and LVMI/HT2.7 were superior to GLS in prediction of all-cause mortality. However, GLS was associated with cardiac death and events even when accounting for LVEF and LVMI/HT2.7.

Download Full-text

Prognostic Value of Combination of Cardiac Troponin T and B-Type Natriuretic Peptide after Initiation of Treatment in Patients with Chronic Heart Failure

Clinical Chemistry ◽

10.1373/clinchem.2003.021311 ◽

2003 ◽

Vol 49 (12) ◽

pp. 2020-2026 ◽

Cited By ~ 66

Author(s):

Junnichi Ishii ◽

Wei Cui ◽

Fumihiko Kitagawa ◽

Takahiro Kuno ◽

Yuu Nakamura ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Heart Failure ◽

Chronic Heart Failure ◽

Cardiac Troponin ◽

Troponin T ◽

Myocardial Damage ◽

Left Ventricular ◽

Functional Class ◽

Cardiac Troponin T ◽

Cardiac Events ◽

Nyha Functional Class

Abstract Background: Recent studies have suggested that cardiac troponin T (cTnT) and troponin I may detect ongoing myocardial damage involved in the progression of chronic heart failure (CHF). This study was prospectively designed to examine whether the combination of cTnT, a marker for ongoing myocardial damage, and B-type natriuretic peptide (BNP), a marker for left ventricular overload, would effectively stratify patients with CHF after initiation of treatment. Methods: We measured serum cTnT, plasma BNP, and left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) on admission for worsening CHF [New York Heart Association (NYHA) functional class III to IV] and 2 months after initiation of treatment to stabilize CHF (n = 100; mean age, 68 years). Results: Mean (SD) concentrations of cTnT [0.023 (0.066) vs 0.063 (0.20) μg/L] and BNP [249 (276) vs 753 (598) ng/L], percentage increased cTnT (>0.01 μg/L; 35% vs 60%), NYHA functional class [2.5 (0.6) vs 3.5 (5)], and LVEF [43 (13)% vs 36 (12)%] were significantly (P <0.01) improved 2 months after treatment compared with admission. During a mean follow-up of 391 days, there were 44 cardiac events, including 12 cardiac deaths and 32 readmissions for worsening CHF. On a stepwise Cox regression analysis, increased cTnT and BNP were independent predictors of cardiac events (P <0.001). cTnT >0.01 μg/L and/or BNP >160 ng/L 2 months after initiation of treatment were associated with increased cardiac mortality and morbidity rates. Conclusion: The combination of cTnT and BNP measurements after initiation of treatment may be highly effective for risk stratification in patients with CHF.

Download Full-text

Predicting mortality for patients with heart failure beyond oxygen consumption: a prognostic risk score

Journal of Applied Physiology ◽

10.1152/japplphysiol.00326.2021 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Hanaa Shafiek ◽

Andres Grau ◽

Jaume Pons ◽

Pere Pericas ◽

Xavier Rossello ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Heart Failure ◽

Chronic Heart Failure ◽

Risk Score ◽

Cardiac Transplantation ◽

Left Ventricular ◽

Left Ventricular Ejection ◽

Functional Evaluation ◽

Cardiac Events ◽

Ventricular Ejection Fraction

Background: Cardiopulmonary exercise test (CPET) is a crucial tool for the functional evaluation of cardiac patients. We hypothesized that VO2 max and VE/VCO2 slope are not the only parameters of CPET able to predict major cardiac events (mortality or cardiac transplantation urgently or elective). Objectives: We aimed to identify the best CPET predictors of major cardiac events in patients with severe chronic heart failure and to propose an integrated score that could be applied for their prognostic evaluation. Methods: We evaluated 140 patients with chronic heart failure who underwent CPET between 2011 and 2019. Major cardiac events were evaluated during follow-up. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression analysis were applied to study the predictive value of different clinical, echocardiographic and CPET parameters in relation to the major cardiac events. A score was generated and c-statistic was used for the comparisons. Results: Thirty-nine patients (27.9%) died or underwent cardiac transplantation over a median follow-up of 48 months. Five parameters (maximal workload, breathing reserve, left ventricular ejection fraction, diastolic dysfunction and non-idiopathic cardiomyopathy) were used to generate a risk score that had better risk discrimination than NYHA dyspnea scale, VO2 max, VE/VCO2 slope > 35 alone, and combined VO2 max and VE/VCO2 slope (p= 0.009, 0.004, < 0.001 and 0.005 respectively) in predicting major cardiac events. Conclusions: A composite score of CPET and clinical/echocardiographic data is more reliable than the single use of VO2max or combined with VE/VCO2 slope to predict major cardiac events.

Download Full-text

The role of Mediterranean diet in the course of subjective cognitive decline in the elderly population of Greece: results from a prospective cohort study

British Journal Of Nutrition ◽

10.1017/s0007114521005109 ◽

2021 ◽

pp. 1-29

Author(s):

George S. Vlachos ◽

Mary Yannakoulia ◽

Costas A. Anastasiou ◽

Mary H. Kosmidis ◽

Efthimios Dardiotis ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Cognitive Decline ◽

Mediterranean Diet ◽

The Elderly ◽

Protective Role ◽

Subjective Cognitive Decline ◽

Preventive Strategy ◽

Food Groups ◽

Medical Disorders ◽

The Mediterranean

Abstract Very few data are available regarding the association of adherence to the Mediterranean Diet (MeDi) with Subjective Cognitive Decline (SCD) evolution over time. A cohort of 939 cognitively normal individuals reporting self-experienced, persistent cognitive decline not attributed to neurological, psychiatric or medical disorders from the Hellenic Epidemiological Longitudinal Investigation of Aging and Diet (HELIAD study) was followed-up for a mean period of 3.10 years. We defined our SCD score as the number of reported SCD domains (memory, language, visuoperceptual and executive), ranging from 0 to 4. Dietary intake at baseline was assessed through a food frequency questionnaire; adherence to the MeDi pattern was evaluated through the Mediterranean Diet Score (MDS) that ranged from 0 to 55, with higher values indicating greater adherence to the MeDi. The mean SCD score in our cohort increased by 0.20 cognitive domains during follow-up. After adjustment for multiple potential confounders, we showed that an MDS higher by 10 points was associated with a 7% reduction in the progression of SCD within one year. In terms of food groups, every additional vegetable serving consumption per day was associated with a 2.3% reduction in SCD progression per year. Our results provide support to the notion that MeDi may have a protective role against the whole continuum of cognitive decline, starting at the first subjective complaints. This finding may strengthen the role of the MeDi as a population-wide, cost-effective preventive strategy targeting the modifiable risk factors for cognitive decline.

Download Full-text

Secondary prevention of sudden cardiac death in ischaemic cardiomyopathy

ESC CardioMed ◽

10.1093/med/9780198784906.003.0553_update_001 ◽

2018 ◽

pp. 2337-2341

Author(s):

Jens Cosedis Nielsen ◽

Jens Kristensen

Keyword(s):

Heart Failure ◽

Cardiac Arrest ◽

Heart Disease ◽

High Risk ◽

Sudden Cardiac Death ◽

Secondary Prevention ◽

Cardiac Death ◽

Cardioverter Defibrillator ◽

Ischaemic Cardiomyopathy ◽

Life Threatening

The most common reason for sudden cardiac death is ischaemic heart disease. Patients who survive cardiac arrest are at particularly high risk of recurrent ventricular arrhythmia and sudden cardiac death, and are candidates for secondary prevention defined as ‘therapies to reduce the risk of sudden cardiac death in patients who have already experienced an aborted cardiac arrest or life-threatening arrhythmias’. The mainstay therapy for secondary prevention of sudden cardiac death is implantation of an implantable cardioverter defibrillator. Furthermore, revascularization and optimal medical therapy for heart failure and concurrent cardiovascular diseases should be ensured.

Download Full-text

Diabetes and arrhythmias

ESC CardioMed ◽

10.1093/med/9780198784906.003.0221 ◽

2018 ◽

pp. 941-944

Author(s):

Heikki Huikuri ◽

Lars Rydén

Keyword(s):

Heart Failure ◽

Ventricular Tachycardia ◽

Sudden Cardiac Death ◽

Vitamin K ◽

Cardiac Death ◽

Vitamin K Antagonists ◽

Left Ventricular ◽

Sustained Ventricular Tachycardia ◽

Patients With Diabetes ◽

Diagnostic Work

Cardiac arrhythmias are more common in subjects with diabetes mellitus (DM) than in their counterparts without diabetes. Atrial fibrillation (AF) is present in 10–20% of the DM patients, but the association between DM and AF is mostly due to co-morbidities of DM patients increasing the vulnerability to AF. When type 2 DM and AF coexist, there is a substantially higher risk of cardiovascular mortality, stroke, and heart failure, which indicates screening of AF in selected patients with DM. Anticoagulant therapy either with vitamin K antagonists or non-vitamin K antagonist oral anticoagulants is recommended for DM patients with either paroxysmal or permanent AF, if not contraindicated. Palpitations, premature ventricular beats, and non-sustained ventricular tachycardia are common in patients with DM. The diagnostic work-up and treatment of these arrhythmias does not differ between the patients with or without DM. The diagnosis and treatment of sustained ventricular tachycardia, either monomorphic or polymorphic ventricular tachycardia, or resuscitated ventricular fibrillation is also similar between the patients with or without DM. The risk of sudden cardiac death is higher in DM patients with or without a diagnosed structural heart disease. Patients with diabetes and a left ventricular ejection fraction less than 30–35% should be treated with a prophylactic implantable cardioverter defibrillator according to current guidelines. Beta-blocking therapy is recommended for DM patients with left ventricular dysfunction or heart failure to prevent sudden cardiac death due to arrhythmia.

Download Full-text

P1386 A change in left ventricular global longitudinal strain is a prognostic indicator in congestive heart failure patients with preserved ejection fraction

European Heart Journal - Cardiovascular Imaging ◽

10.1093/ehjci/jez319.819 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 21 (Supplement_1) ◽

Author(s):

E Sakaguchi ◽

A Yamada ◽

M Hoshino ◽

K Takada ◽

N Hoshino ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Heart Failure ◽

Congestive Heart Failure ◽

Ejection Fraction ◽

Longitudinal Strain ◽

Global Longitudinal Strain ◽

Stable Condition ◽

Left Ventricular ◽

Operating Characteristics ◽

Cardiac Events

Abstract Purposes We examined how changes in left ventricular (LV) global longitudinal strain (GLS) were associated with prognosis in patients with preserved LV ejection fraction (LVEF) after congestive heart failure (HF) admission. Methods We studied 123 consecutive patients (age 70 ± 15 years, 55% male) who had been hospitalized due to congestive HF with preserved LVEF (> 50%). The exclusion criteria were atrial fibrillation and inadequate echo image quality for strain analyses. The patients underwent speckle-tracking echocardiography and measurement of plasma NT-ProBNP levels on the same day at the time of hospital admission as well as in the stable condition after discharge. Differences in GLS, LVEF and NT-ProBNP (delta GLS, LVEF and NT-ProBNP ; 2nd – 1st measurements) were calculated. The study end points were all-cause mortality and cardiac events. Results Mean periods of echo performance after hospitalization were 2 ±１days (1st echo) and 240 ± 289 days (2nd echo), respectively. During the follow-up (974 ± 626 days), 12 patients died and 25 patients were hospitalized because of HF worsening. In multivariate analysis, delta GLS and follow-up GLS were prognostic factors, whereas baseline and follow-up LVEF, NT-ProBNP, changes in LVEF and NT-ProBNP could not predict cardiac events. Delta GLS (p = 0.002) turned out to be the best independent prognosticator. Receiver operating characteristics analysis revealed that -0.6% of delta GLS was the optimal cut-off value to predict cardiac events and mortality (sensitivity 76%, specificity 67%, AUC 0.75). Kaplan-Meier analysis showed that patients with delta GLS more than -0.6% experienced significantly less cardiac events during the follow-up period (p < 0.0001, log-rank). Conclusion A change in LV GLS after congestive HF admission was a predictor of the prognosis in patients with preserved LVEF. It would be useful to check the changes in GLS in those with preserved LVEF after discharge.

Download Full-text