Perceptions of the Cardiologists and Oncologists: Initial Step for Establishing Cardio-Oncology Service

Background: Over the last years, there was no established cardio-oncology service in Iraq and no firm data about the incidence of cardiovascular disease (CVD) among patients with cancer. As an initial step, we decided to conduct a national cardio-oncology online survey for cardiologists, oncologists, and their residents which would help us to understand the expected prevalence, problems, and readiness for collaboration between the two specialties.Objectives: For evaluating the current national practice in the cardiology and oncology specialty fields and to identify the hidden gaps associated with the development or worsening of CVD among patients with cancer.Methods: An online survey including 19-question for cardiologists/cardiology residents (CCRs) and 30-question for oncologists/oncology residents (OORs) about cardio-oncology service was sent to them including all Iraqi cities using Google document form during December 2020.Results: The total number of responses was 164, mainly 62.2% from CCRs while 37.8% from OORs. Hypertension was the main baseline risk factor (71%). A 77.5% of CCRs prescribe cardiovascular drugs vs. 35.5% by OORs. About 76.5% of CCRs and 79% of OORs are facing difficulties in the management of patients with cancer with established CVD. CVD was the leading cause of both hospitalization (30.7%) and mortality (48.4%). About 62.8% of CCRs and 64.5% of OORs have an interest to work in cardio-oncology service.Conclusion: Based on the perception of cardiologists and oncologists, CVD is the main cause of hospitalization and mortality among patients with cancer. High interest among CCRs and OORs to work in cardio-oncology service. Positive initiatives are available to take the action plan in this emerging field.

Abstract TP123: Baseline Differences in Risk Factor Control Between CREST-2 and SAMMPRIS

Baseline Differences in Risk Factor Control and Medication Use Between 2 Trials Employing Intensive Medical Management (SAMMPRIS & CREST2) Background: The CREST2 trial Intensive Medical Management (IMM) protocol was adapted from the SAMMPRIS trial. However, since the 2011 publication of initial results of SAMMPRIS, there has been a greater appreciation for the importance of risk factor control in patients at risk of stroke associated with atherosclerosis. Therefore, we sought to determine differences in baseline risk factor control and medication use between SAMMPRIS and CREST2. Methods: Baseline risk factor and medication use data from 451 patients enrolled in SAMMPRIS (2008-2011) with severe symptomatic intracranial atherosclerosis and 1473 patients enrolled in CREST2 (2014-2019) with severe asymptomatic carotid stenosis were compared using the Chi-square test and t-test. Results: The Table shows baseline risk factor values and medications. SAMMPRIS patients were younger but had significantly worse risk factor control than CREST2 patients for all measures. There was no significant difference in statin use at baseline, but the mean SAMMPRIS subjects’ LDL was 16.1 mg/dL higher than in CREST2. CREST2 patients had higher rates of use of angiotensin receptor blockers (ARB), calcium channel blockers (CCB), and thiazides, but lower rates of use of angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors. Conclusions: Despite being older, CREST2 patients have significantly better baseline risk factor profiles than SAMMPRIS patients. This could be due to greater appreciation of the importance of risk factor control and healthy lifestyle habits for stroke prevention or more aggressive treatment targets in guideline recommendations. Although risk factor control appears to be improving since SAMMPRIS, many CREST2 patients are still not meeting recommended risk factor goals at baseline and may benefit from IMM protocols.

4112Risk factors and clinical outcomes in chronic CAD and PAD: an analysis of the randomized, double-blind COMPASS trial

Background Patients with coronary artery disease (CAD) and peripheral artery disease (PAD) are at high risk for cardiovascular death and ischemic events. Secondary prevention requires both optimal control of modifiable cardiovascular risk factors and antithrombotic therapy. The COMPASS study showed a reduction in ischemic events in patients treated with the combination of low-dose rivaroxaban and aspirin, compared with aspirin alone. However, the impact of intensifying antithrombotic therapy by baseline risk factor control is not well studied. Objective To study the association between baseline risk factor status and outcomes, and the effects of treatment with low-dose rivaroxaban and aspirin compared with aspirin alone according to baseline risk factors, in a large contemporary population of patients with CAD or PAD. Methods We studied ischemic events (cardiovascular death, stroke, or MI) in participants from the randomised, double blind COMPASS trial in relation to baseline blood pressure, smoking status, cholesterol level, presence of diabetes, body mass index, and level of physical activity, as well as by the number of cardiovascular risk factors (0–1, 2, 3, 4, or 5–6). Within each risk factor category, we compared rates and hazard ratios of patients treated with rivaroxaban plus aspirin vs aspirin alone and tested for interaction between the treatment effect of rivaroxaban and risk factor status. Results Baseline information on all six risk factors was available in 27,117 (99%) patients. Each risk factor was associated with increased risk of ischemic events (Figure 1, panel A). Patients with 5 or 6 risk factors had more than 2-fold higher rates of ischemic events (HR 2.36; 95% CI: 1.80–3.10) and of cardiovascular death (HR 2.22; 1.48–3.33) compared with patients with 0 or 1 risk factor. The addition of low-dose rivaroxaban on top of aspirin reduced event rates independently of number of risk factors (p for interaction 0.93) (Figure 1, panel B). The largest absolute benefit of low-dose rivaroxaban was seen in patients with the greatest number of risk factors. Figure 1 Conclusion More favourable baseline risk factor status and the use of low-dose rivaroxaban were both independently associated with lower risk of ischemic events. Patients at highest risk, based on number of baseline risk factors, derive the largest absolute benefit of the combination of rivaroxaban and aspirin. Acknowledgement/Funding The COMPASS trial was sponsored by Bayer AG. The sponsor did not influence the analysis plan, drafting of abstract, or the decision to submit

Risk of recurrent venous thromboembolism according to baseline risk factor profiles

Key Points The risk of recurrence in patients with VTE provoked by minor transient or persistent risk factors is uncertain. The risk of recurrence with VTE provoked by minor transient or persistent risk factors is similar to that with unprovoked VTE.