Jan 2nd, 2024

In the field of cardiovascular risk, several recent studies have been conducted to assess and predict cardiovascular risks in various patient populations, utilizing different methodologies and tools.

The CARE-BMT Risk Score study, an observational study involving 3,354 adult patients undergoing Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation (HSCT), developed a pre-HSCT cardiovascular risk score. This risk score accurately predicts cardiovascular events post-HSCT, providing a method for guiding referrals and monitoring high-risk HSCT recipients (1).

In the realm of coronary heart disease, a retrospective cohort study involving 169,692 patients, aged 18 to 96 years, developed and validated a Bayesian network-based model for predicting coronary heart disease risk using electronic health records. The model's high AUC and C statistic values indicate its predictive accuracy, demonstrating its effectiveness in risk prediction for coronary heart disease using EHR data (2).

A retrospective cohort analysis focused on cardiovascular disease in cancer patients assessed the use of Computed Tomography Coronary Calcium Score (CACS) in predicting cardiovascular events. This study, involving 10,742 patients, found that high CACS and the overall prevalence of vascular events were more frequent in patients with cancer. This suggests a higher prevalence of cardiovascular disease in cancer patients, independent of traditional risk factors (3).

Exploring the link between lifestyle factors and cardiovascular risk, a cross-sectional study examined the association between toothbrushing and cardiovascular risk factors in 13,761 adults without cardiovascular diseases. It found that frequent toothbrushing is associated with lower ASCVD risk and reduced inflammatory markers, suggesting a link between oral hygiene and reduced cardiovascular risk (4).

Another cross-sectional study involving 4,521 U.S. adults assessed rest-activity rhythms (RARs) and their impact on cardiovascular health. The study found that higher circadian rhythmicity is associated with lower odds of cardiovascular disease, hypertension, obesity, and central adiposity, highlighting the importance of RARs in cardiovascular health (5).

In the context of congenital heart disease complications, a retrospective analysis involving 198 older adults with congenital heart disease (ACHD) hospitalized for coronary artery disease (CAD) analyzed risk factors and pharmacotherapy. The study found that 27.3% of the patients had CAD, with male gender, dyslipidemia, and hypertension being predictors. It emphasized the high prescription rates of antiplatelet/anticoagulant drugs, beta-blockers, and lipid-lowering agents, highlighting the importance of managing modifiable CAD risk factors in ACHD patients (6).

Finally, the ANMCO statement, a scientific statement issued by the Italian Association of Hospital Cardiologists, discusses obesity in adults. It addresses obesity as a chronic disease, its prevalence, mechanisms, health consequences, and the role of cardiologists in managing obesity. The paper emphasizes the need for a multidisciplinary approach and the potential for new pharmacological tools in the future (7).

1. Vasbinder A, Catalan T, Anderson E, Chu C, Kotzin M, Murphy D, et al. Cardiovascular Risk Stratification of Patients Undergoing Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation: The CARE-BMT Risk Score. J Am Heart Assoc. 2024;13(1):e033599.

2. Suo X, Huang X, Zhong L, Luo Q, Ding L, Xue F. Development and Validation of a Bayesian Network-Based Model for Predicting Coronary Heart Disease Risk From Electronic Health Records. J Am Heart Assoc. 2024;13(1):e029400.

3. Patel S, Franco FX, McDonald M, Rivera C, Perez-Villa B, Collier P, et al. Use of computed tomography coronary calcium score for prediction of cardiovascular events in cancer patients: a retrospective cohort analysis. Cardiooncology. 2024;10(1):1.

4. Moon MG, Kang SH, Kim SH, Park SY, Seol YJ, Yoon CH, et al. Association between toothbrushing and cardiovascular risk factors: a cross-sectional study using Korean National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 2015-2017. BMC Oral Health. 2024;24(1):4.

5. Makarem N, German CA, Zhang Z, Diaz KM, Palta P, Duncan DT, et al. Rest-Activity Rhythms Are Associated With Prevalent Cardiovascular Disease, Hypertension, Obesity, and Central Adiposity in a Nationally Representative Sample of US Adults. J Am Heart Assoc. 2024;13(1):e032073.

6. Kowalik E, Kwiatek-Wrzosek A, Kowalski M, Biernacka EK, Hoffman P. Coronary artery disease in older adults with congenital heart defects: risk factors and pharmacotherapy. Pol Arch Intern Med. 2024.

7. Di Fusco SA, Mocini E, Gulizia MM, Gabrielli D, Grimaldi M, Oliva F, et al. ANMCO (Italian Association of Hospital Cardiologists) scientific statement: obesity in adults-an approach for cardiologists. Eat Weight Disord. 2024;29(1):1.