Cardiovascular Disease Epidemiology: A Themed Issue in Honor of Dr. Alessandro Menotti on the Occasion of His 90th Birthday

A special issue of Journal of Cardiovascular Development and Disease (ISSN 2308-3425). This special issue belongs to the section "Epidemiology, Lifestyle, and Cardiovascular Health".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (15 March 2024) | Viewed by 4605

Special Issue Editors


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Guest Editor
Department of Cardiovascular Sciences, Sapienza University of Rome, 00185 Rome, Italy
Interests: CV epidemiology; risk factors; outcome; lifestyle and diet; sudden death; mortality prediction

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Guest Editor
Division of Cardiology, Department of Clinical Sciences and Community Health, University of Milan, 20122 Milan, Italy
Interests: hypertension; cardiovascular telemedicine; cardiovascular disease prevention; cardiovascular imaging

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Guest Editor
Department of General Medicine, University of Caen Normandy, 14000 Caen, France
Interests: CV epidemiology; risk factors; white coat effect; pharmacovigilance; primary care

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

The aim of this special issue is to honor Professor Alessandro Menotti on the occasion of his 90th birthdate in 2024. He was the youngest among the first generation of researchers involved in the Seven Countries Study (SCS) under the leadership of late Professor Ancel Keys. After 60 years of continued efforts worldwide he was the eldest of the third generation of SCS researchers and a supervisor of the study along a constant event coder for this reputed international investigation that set the foundation of cardiovascular epidemiology of heart diseases.

Professor Menotti published about almost 400 articles in peer-review international journals and 2 books in English and was the founder of cardiovascular epidemiology in Italy as a discipline and as an autonomous scientific area. MD and General Pathology Boards, Sapienza, University of Rome, I. Cardiology Board, University of Turin, I. Post Doc Certificates in epidemiology and biostatistics, London School of Hygiene, UK. PhD in Health Statistics. He held the following positions: Assistant, Division of Medicine, Government Hospital of Tripoli, Lybia; Research Associate, Laboratory of Physiological Hygiene, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, USA; Assistant, Center for Cardiovascular Diseases, St Camillo Hospital, Rome, I; Research Director for Chronic Disease and Director, Laboratory of Epidemiology, National Institute of Public Health, Rome, I; part-time professor, Division of Epidemiology, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, USA; Scientific Director Association for Cardiac Research, Rome, I; Consultant to the National Institute of Public Health of the Netherlands, Bilthoven, NL.

We encourage all colleagues and friends, but also deeply involved Researchers worldwide who devoted interest in cardiovascular epidemiology and had the opportunity to read and appreciate his important contributions in the field to contribute original scientific contributions and review articles or focused points of view to be grouped and published, after formal review, to form this special issue.

Prof. Dr. Paolo Emilio Puddu
Dr. Stefano Carugo
Dr. Xavier Humbert
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

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Keywords

  • coronary heart disease
  • outcome
  • mortality
  • risk factors
  • prediction
  • models
  • sudden death
  • congestive heart failure
  • heart disease of uncertain etiology
  • electrocardiology
  • R-wave amplitude
  • arrhythmias
  • high blood pressure
  • cholesterol
  • smoke
  • physical fitness

Published Papers (4 papers)

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Research

11 pages, 243 KiB  
Article
Simplified Criteria for Identification of Familial Hypercholesterolemia in Children: Application in Real Life
by Raffaele Buganza, Giulia Massini, Maria Donata Di Taranto, Giovanna Cardiero, Luisa de Sanctis and Ornella Guardamagna
J. Cardiovasc. Dev. Dis. 2024, 11(4), 123; https://doi.org/10.3390/jcdd11040123 - 17 Apr 2024
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Abstract
Background: The diagnosis of familial hypercholesterolemia (FH) in children is primarily based on main criteria including low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) levels, increased in the proband and relatives, and its inheritance. Two other relevant parameters are symptoms, rarely occurring in children, as rare are [...] Read more.
Background: The diagnosis of familial hypercholesterolemia (FH) in children is primarily based on main criteria including low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) levels, increased in the proband and relatives, and its inheritance. Two other relevant parameters are symptoms, rarely occurring in children, as rare are the FH homozygous patients, and the mutation detection of related genes. The latter allows the final diagnosis, although it is not commonly available. Moreover, the application of diagnostic scores, useful in adults, is poorly applied in children. The aim of this study was to compare the reliability of criteria here applied with different scores, apart from genetic analysis, for FH diagnosis. The latter was then confirmed by genetic analysis. Methods: n. 180 hypercholesterolemic children (age 10.2 ± 4.6 years) showing LDL-C levels ≥95th percentile (age- and sex-related), the dominant inheritance pattern of hypercholesterolemia (including LDL-C ≥95th percentile in one parent), were considered potentially affected by FH and included in the study. The molecular analysis of the LDLR, APOB and PCSK9 genes was applied to verify the diagnostic accuracy. Biochemical and family history data were also retrospectively categorized according to European Atherosclerosis Society (EAS), Simon Broome Register (SBR), Pediatric group of the Italian LIPIGEN (LIPIGEN-FH-PED) and Dutch Lipid Clinic Network (DLCN) criteria. Detailed kindred biochemical and clinical assessments were extended to three generations. The lipid profile was detected by standard laboratory kits, and gene analysis was performed by traditional sequencing or Next-Generation Sequencing (NGS). Results: Among 180 hypercholesterolemic subjects, FH suspected based on the above criteria, 164/180 had the diagnosis confirmed, showing causative mutations. The mutation detection rate (MDR) was 91.1%. The scoring criteria proposed by the EAS, SBR and LIPIGEN-FH-PED (resulting in high probable, possible-defined and probable-defined, respectively) showed high sensitivity (~90%), low specificity (~6%) and high MDR (~91%). It is noteworthy that their application, as a discriminant for the execution of the molecular investigation, would lead to a loss of 9.1%, 9.8% and 9.1%, respectively, of FH-affected patients, as confirmed by the genetic analysis. DLCN criteria, for which LDL-C cut-offs are not specific for childhood, would lead to a loss of 53% of patients with mutations. Conclusions: In the pediatric population, the combination of LDL-C ≥95th percentile in the proband and the dominant inheritance pattern of hypercholesterolemia, with LDL-C ≥95th percentile in one parent, is a simple, useful and effective diagnostic criterion, showing high MDR. This pattern is crucial for early FH diagnosis. EAS, SBR and LIPIGEN-FH-PED criteria can underestimate the real number of patients with gene mutations and cannot be considered strictly discriminant for the execution of molecular analysis. Full article
11 pages, 834 KiB  
Article
Instability of Healthy Overweight and Obesity Phenotypes over the Long Term in Young Participants in the HARVEST Study: Influence of Sex
by Paolo Palatini, Francesca Saladini, Lucio Mos, Olga Vriz, Andrea Ermolao, Francesca Battista, Adriano Mazzer, Mattia Canevari and Marcello Rattazzi
J. Cardiovasc. Dev. Dis. 2024, 11(2), 47; https://doi.org/10.3390/jcdd11020047 - 31 Jan 2024
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Abstract
Background: Whether healthy metabolic status is stable or only temporary is still controversial. The aim of the present study was to determine the frequency of the transition from metabolically healthy to metabolically unhealthy status, or vice versa, over the long term. Methods: We [...] Read more.
Background: Whether healthy metabolic status is stable or only temporary is still controversial. The aim of the present study was to determine the frequency of the transition from metabolically healthy to metabolically unhealthy status, or vice versa, over the long term. Methods: We examined 970 individuals of 18 to 45 years of age. The participants’ mean age was 33.1 ± 8.6 years and mean BP was 145.5 ± 10.6/93.5 ± 5.7 mmHg. Participants were classified into four groups according to whether they had normal weight or overweight/obesity (OwOb) and were metabolically healthy or unhealthy. After 7.5 years, 24.3% of men and 41.9% of women in the metabolically healthy normal-weight group remained metabolically healthy (p < 0.0001). Among the metabolically healthy OwOb participants, 31.9% remained metabolically healthy, with a similar frequency in men and women. However, more OwOb women (19.1%) than men (5.7%) achieved normal weight (p < 0.0001). Among the metabolically unhealthy OwOb subjects, 81.8% of men and 69.3% of women remained metabolically unhealthy, 7.4% of men and 12.0% of women transitioned to OwOb healthy status, and 10.7% of men and 18.7% of women achieved normal weight (men versus women, p < 0.0001). Predictors of transition to unhealthy status were high BP, high BMI, and smoking. Male sex was a borderline predictor of progression to unhealthy status in OwOb participants (p = 0.073). Conclusion: These data show that metabolically healthy status is a highly unstable condition in both normal-weight and OwOb individuals. The impairment of metabolic status was more frequent in men than in women. Lifestyle counseling produced beneficial effects in almost one-third of metabolically unhealthy OwOb women and in less than one-fifth of men. Full article
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12 pages, 244 KiB  
Article
Apolipoprotein B and Lipid Profile in Italian Children and Adolescents
by Francesco Martino, Tarcisio Niglio, Eliana Martino, Vincenzo Paravati, Luisa de Sanctis and Ornella Guardamagna
J. Cardiovasc. Dev. Dis. 2024, 11(2), 44; https://doi.org/10.3390/jcdd11020044 - 29 Jan 2024
Viewed by 1393
Abstract
Rationale. The prevention of cardiovascular (CV) disease is mandatory from childhood onwards. Among biochemical markers related to the clinical cardiovascular outcome, LDL cholesterol (LDL-C), non-HDL-C and apolipoprotein B (ApoB) are recognized as main target parameters. Emphasis on ApoB concentrations is growing, as representative [...] Read more.
Rationale. The prevention of cardiovascular (CV) disease is mandatory from childhood onwards. Among biochemical markers related to the clinical cardiovascular outcome, LDL cholesterol (LDL-C), non-HDL-C and apolipoprotein B (ApoB) are recognized as main target parameters. Emphasis on ApoB concentrations is growing, as representative of any class of atherogenic lipoprotein. This consideration allows checking of subjects under 18 years of age when the CV risk occurs. The aim of this study is to evaluate ApoB levels in a sample of Italian hyperlipidemic children and adolescents, and their siblings, to test any relationship with their lipid profile. Methods. A retrospective study, including 1877 children and adolescents (aged 0–18 years), was performed. Clinical and biochemical data were selected from a database, including the lipid profile, ApoB analysis and anthropometric parameters of any proband. Participants had been checked as potentially hyperlipidemia affected, the suspicion raised by familial CV risk or because the dyslipidemia was already known. Data from the first visit at the University Hospitals in Rome and Turin were collected. Patients affected by secondary hyperlipidemia or obesity were excluded. Blood test analysis was performed in fasting conditions by automated commercial kits. Participants were classified according to gender, age (stratified in subgroups: 0–5, 6–10, 11–14, and 15–18 years old) and anthropometric parameters, referred to as weight in Kg and height in cm, and BMI calculated. Lipid profile results were stratified in relation to acceptable, borderline, or increased levels, as indicated by NCEP, and any potential relation with ApoB established. Statistics were performed by Epi-Info 7 programs to evaluate the variance analysis. Either parent could sign the informed consent. Results. Among the whole sample n.1010 and n.867 participants were females and males, respectively. TC values acceptable (≤170 mg/dL), borderline (171–200 mg/dL) and elevated (≥201 mg/dL) were found in 411 (22%), 585 (31%) and 881 (47%) participants, respectively. The LDL-C cut-off considered was 110 mg/dL (90° percentile). Mean ApoB progressively increased from 65 to 110 mg/dL according to TC levels and resulted in significant correlation when any age subgroup and gender was considered. The highest ApoB values, TC and LDL-C related, were found in the youngest subgroup, regardless of gender. Conclusion. ApoB results increase progressively and in parallel with TC and LDL-C and represent a further parameter to distinguish between normal and hyperlipidemic subjects. Serum levels are close to 70 mg/dL and to 100 mg/dL in the former and latter group, respectively. Full article
10 pages, 899 KiB  
Article
Trends in Medical and Device Therapies Following Incident Heart Failure in Denmark during 1996–2019: A Nationwide Register-Based Follow-Up Study
by Asbjørn Ettrup-Christensen, Jawad H. Butt, Mikkel Porsborg Andersen, Maurizio Sessa, Christoffer Polcwiartek, Emil L. Fosbøl, Rasmus Rørth, Søren L. Kristensen, Christian Torp-Pedersen, Lars Køber, Morten Schou, Bhupendar Tayal, Peter Søgaard and Kristian Kragholm
J. Cardiovasc. Dev. Dis. 2023, 10(9), 362; https://doi.org/10.3390/jcdd10090362 - 25 Aug 2023
Viewed by 998
Abstract
Introduction: Data on temporal trends in guideline-based medical and device therapies in real-world chronic heart failure (HF) patients are lacking. Methods: Register-based nationwide follow-ups of temporal trends in characteristics, guideline-recommended therapies, one-year all-cause mortality, and HF rehospitalizations in incident HF patients in Denmark [...] Read more.
Introduction: Data on temporal trends in guideline-based medical and device therapies in real-world chronic heart failure (HF) patients are lacking. Methods: Register-based nationwide follow-ups of temporal trends in characteristics, guideline-recommended therapies, one-year all-cause mortality, and HF rehospitalizations in incident HF patients in Denmark during 1996–2019. Results: Among 291,720 incident HF patients, the age at the onset of HF was stable over time. While initially fairly equal, the sex distribution markedly changed over time with more incidents occurring in men overall. Hypertension and diabetes increased significantly over time, while other comorbidities remained stable. Between 1996 and 2019, significant increases in angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor and angiotensin II-receptor blocker (ACEi/ARB) therapy (38.2% to 69.9%), beta-blocker therapy (15.5% to 70.6%), and mineralocorticoid receptor antagonist (MRA) therapy (11.8% to 34.5%) were seen. Angiotensin receptor-neprilysin inhibitor (ARNI) and sodium-glucose cotransporter-2 inhibitors (SGLT2i) were introduced in the middle of the past decade, with minor increases but overall low uses: ARNI (2015: 0.1% vs. 2019: 3.9%) and SGLT2i (2012: <0.1% vs. 2019: 3.9%). Between 1999 and 2019, implantable cardioverter-defibrillator (ICD) use increased significantly: 0.1% to 3–4%. Cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT) use similarly increased between 2000 and 2019: 0.2% to 2.3%. Between 1996 and 2019, one-year all-cause mortality decreased significantly: 34.6% to 20.9%, as did HF rehospitalizations (6% to 1.3%). Conclusions: Among 291,720 incident HF patients in Denmark during 1996–2019, significant increases in the use of ACEi/ARB, beta-blockers, MRAs, and devices were seen, with concurrent significant decreases in the one-year all-cause mortality and HF rehospitalization rates. The use of CRT, ARNI, and SGLT2i remained low, and MRAs were relatively underutilized, thereby representing future targets to potentially further improve HF prognoses. Full article
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