Atherosclerosis
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Obesity is a risk factor for coronary artery disease (CAD), but the association between fat distribution, i.e., visceral adipose tissue (VAT) and subcutaneous adipose tissue (SAT), and coronary artery plaque morphology remains unclear. This study explored the association between abdominal fat distribution and coronary artery plaques. ⋯ Higher SAT and lower VAT were inversely correlated with the extent and severity of coronary artery plaques. Fat distribution may be useful for evaluating risk and prognosis of CAD.
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The coronary artery disease-reporting and data system (CAD-RADS) was recently developed to standardize CAD classifications and incorporate clinical management. We aimed to investigate the prognostic value and additional risk stratification benefits of CAD-RADS compared to coronary artery calcium scores (CACS) and CAD extent classifications in ischemic stroke patients without cardiac symptoms. ⋯ In ischemic stroke patients without chest pain, CAD-RADS had prognostic value for future MACEs and better risk discrimination compared with CACS alone.
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Multicenter Study
The association between left main coronary artery calcium and cardiovascular-specific and total mortality: The Coronary Artery Calcium Consortium.
Left main (LM) coronary artery disease is associated with greater myocardial infarction-related mortality, however, coronary artery calcium (CAC) scoring does not account for disease location. We explored whether LM CAC predicts excess mortality in asymptomatic adults. ⋯ The presence and high burden of left main CAC are independently associated with a 20-30% greater hazard for cardiovascular and total mortality in asymptomatic adults, arguing that LM CAC should be routinely noted in CAC score reports when present.
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Leukocyte telomere length (TL) and mitochondrial DNA copy number (mtDNA-CN), as hallmarks of cellular aging, may be involved in the development of coronary artery disease (CAD) by modulating oxidative stress. This study aimed to investigate the effects of leukocyte TL and mtDNA-CN alone or in combination on CAD risk and severity in the Chinese population. ⋯ Our data suggested reductions in both TL and mtDNA-CN as independent risk factors for CAD. The combination of TL and mtDNA-CN might jointly contribute to CAD risk, CAD severity, and oxidative stress.
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Review
Does nonalcoholic fatty liver disease cause cardiovascular disease? Current knowledge and gaps.
Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is highly prevalent and includes a spectrum of abnormalities ranging from steatosis to cirrhosis. In this review, we address recent evidence and limitations of studies that evaluated the association of NAFLD with atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease. NAFLD is considered an ectopic fat deposit associated with metabolic (insulin resistance, hyperglycemia and dyslipidemia), inflammatory, coagulation and blood pressure disturbances. ⋯ Therefore, currently, it is not possible to prove a causal relation between NAFLD and cardiovascular disease. Furthermore, there is presently no evidence that NAFLD diagnosis can be used as a tool to improve cardiovascular risk stratification and modify treatment. Specific treatments for NAFLD are being developed and must be tested prospectively in adequately designed trials to determine the potential of reducing both hepatic and cardiovascular diseases and to prove whether NAFLD is indeed a cause of atherosclerosis.