Background Cardiovascular disease (CVD) disproportionately affects Black adults. Greater social networks (SNs), or social connectedness, may lower the risk of CVD events. This study determined the association of SNs and incident CVD and tested mediation by depressive symptoms, hypertension control, and diabetes control. Methods and Results We used the Social Network Index at exam 1 (2000-2004) to develop a continuous standardized SN score and binary categories (high versus low) among participants in the Jackson Heart Study (n=4686; mean age, 54.8 years). Surveillance of coronary heart disease, stroke, and heart failure events occurred after exam 1 (2005 for HF) until 2016. Using Cox proportional hazards regression, we estimated the association of SNs and CVD events by sex and tested the mediation of depressive symptoms, hypertension control, and diabetes control. Models adjusted for age, education, health behaviors, CVD comorbidities, and depressive symptoms. Among women, the SN score was associated with a lower hazard of stroke, coronary heart disease, and heart failure after full adjustment (hazard ratio [HR], 0.78 [95% CI, 0.64-0.95]; HR, 0.79 [95% CI, 0.71-0.88]; and HR, 0.78 [95% CI, 0.66-0.92], respectively). SN scores were also associated with a lower hazard of coronary heart disease in men (HR, 0.84 [95% CI, 0.75-0.94]) after full adjustment. High versus low SNs were associated with a lower hazard of coronary heart disease and heart failure among women after full adjustment. There was no evidence of mediation by depressive symptoms, diabetes control, and hypertension control. Conclusions Higher SNs may lower the risk of CVD events, especially in women.

Background Although cardiovascular mortality (CVM) rates in the United States have been declining overall, our study evaluated whether this holds true for areas with increased social deprivation. Methods and Results We used county-level cross-sectional age-adjusted CVM rates (aa-CVM) (2000-2019) linked to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Social Vulnerability Index (SVI-2010). We grouped counties as per SVI (Groups I 0-0.2, II 0.21-0.4, III 0.41-0.6, IV 0.61-0.8, and V 0.81-1) and calculated the relative change in the aa-CVM between 2000 to 2003 and 2016 to 2019. We used adjusted linear regression analyses to explore the association between a higher SVI and temporal aa-CVM improvement; we studied this temporal change in aa-CVM across subgroups of race, sex, and location. The median aa-CVM rate (per 100 000) was 272.6 (interquartile range [IQR]: 237.5-311.7). The aa-CVM was higher in men (315.6 [IQR: 273.4-363.9]) than women (221.3 [IQR: 189.6-256.7]), and in Black residents (347.2 [IQR: 301.1-391.1]; P<0.001) than White residents (258.9 [IQR: 226-299.1]; P<0.001). The aa-CVM for SVI I (233.6 [IQR: 214.8-257.0]) was significantly lower than that of group V (323.6 [IQR: 277.2-359.2]; P<0.001). The relative reduction in CVM was significantly higher for SVI group I (32.2% [IQR: 24.2-38.4]) than group V (27.2% [IQR: 19-34.1]) counties. After multivariable adjustment, a higher SVI index was associated with lower relative improvement in the age-adjusted CVM (model coefficient -3.11 [95% CI, -5.66 to -1.22]; P<0.001). Conclusions Socially deprived counties in the United States had higher aa-CVM rates, and the improvement in aa-CVM over the past 20 years was lower in these counties.

Background Frailty is conceptualized as an accumulation of deficits in multiple areas and is strongly associated with the prognosis of heart failure (HF). However, the social domain of frailty is less well investigated. We prospectively evaluated the clinical characteristics and prognostic impact of social frailty (SF) in elderly patients with HF. Methods and Results FRAGILE-HF (prevalence and prognostic value of physical and social frailty in geriatric patients hospitalized for heart failure) is a multicenter, prospective cohort study focusing on patients hospitalized for HF and aged ≥65 years. We defined SF by Makizako's 5 items, which have been validated as associated with future disability. The primary end point was a composite of all-cause death and rehospitalization because of HF. The impact of SF on all-cause mortality alone was also evaluated. Among 1240 enrolled patients, 825 (66.5%) had SF. During the 1-year observation period after discharge, the rates of the combined end point and all-cause mortality were significantly higher in patients with SF than in those without SF (Log-rank test: both P < 0.05). SF remained as significantly associated with both the combined end point (hazard ratio, 1.30; 95% CI, 1.02-1.66; P = 0.038) and all-cause mortality (hazard ratio, 1.53; 95% CI, 1.01-2.30; P = 0.044), even after adjusting for key clinical risk factors. Furthermore, SF showed significant incremental prognostic value over known risk factors for both the combined end point (net-reclassification improvement: 0.189, 95% CI, 0.063-0.316, P = 0.003) and all-cause mortality (net-reclassification improvement: 0.234, 95% CI, 0.073-0.395, P = 0.004). Conclusions Among hospitalized geriatric patients with HF, two thirds have SF. Evaluating SF provides additive prognostic information in elderly patients with HF. Registration URL: https://upload.umin.ac.jp/. Unique identifier: UMIN000023929.

Background Hypertension is an important modifiable risk factor of serious maternal morbidity and mortality. Social determinants of health (SDoH) influence hypertension outcomes and may contribute to racial and ethnic differences in hypertension control. Our objective was to assess SDoH and blood pressure (BP) control by race and ethnicity in US women of childbearing age with hypertension. Methods and Results We studied women (aged 20-50 years) with hypertension (systolic BP ≥140 mm Hg or diastolic BP ≥90 mm Hg or use of antihypertensive medication) in the National Health and Nutrition Examination Surveys 2001 to 2018. SDoH and BP control (systolic BP <140 mm Hg and diastolic BP <90 mm Hg) were examined by race and ethnicity (White race, Black race, Hispanic ethnicity, and Asian race). Using multivariable logistic regression, odds of uncontrolled BP by race and ethnicity were modeled, adjusting for SDoH, health factors, and modifiable health behaviors. Responses on hunger and affording food determined food insecurity status. Across women of childbearing age with hypertension (N=1293), 59.2% were White race, 23.4% were Black race, 15.8% were Hispanic ethnicity, and 1.7% were Asian race. More Hispanic and Black women experienced food insecurity than White women (32% and 25% versus 13%; both P<0.001). After SDoH, health factor, and modifiable health behavior adjustment, Black women maintained higher odds of uncontrolled BP than White women (odds ratio, 2.31 [95% CI, 1.08-4.92]), whereas Asian and Hispanic women showed no difference. Conclusions We identified racial inequities in uncontrolled BP and food insecurity among women of childbearing age with hypertension. Further exploration beyond the SDoH measured is needed to understand the inequity in hypertension control in Black women.

Background The association between psychosocial stress and coronary heart disease (CHD) may be stronger in women than men and may differ across types of stressors. In this study, we assessed associations of psychosocial stressors, including job strain, stressful life events, and social strain with the incidence of CHD in women. Methods and Results We used longitudinal data from 80 825 WHI-OS (Women's Health Initiative Observational Study) participants with a mean age of 63.4 years (7.3 years) at baseline. Job strain was assessed through linkage of Standard Occupational Classification codes to the Occupational Information Network. Stressful life events and social strain were assessed via validated self-reported questionnaires. Cox proportional hazard models were used to evaluate associations of each stressor with CHD separately and jointly. A total of 3841 (4.8%) women developed CHD during an average of 14.7 years of follow-up. After adjustment for age, other stressors, job tenure, and socioeconomic factors, high stressful life events score was associated with a 12% increased CHD risk, and high social strain was associated with a 9% increased CHD risk. Job strain was not independently associated with CHD risk, but we observed a statistically significant interaction between job strain and social strain (P=0.04), such that among women with high social strain, passive job strain was associated with a 21% increased CHD risk. Conclusions High stressful life events and social strain were each associated with higher CHD risk. Job strain and social strain work synergistically to increase CHD risk.

Background South Asian adults have worse cardiovascular health (CVH) and more coronary artery calcium compared with other race/ethnicities. The impact of the social environment has not been examined as a potential driver of CVH or coronary artery calcium in this population. We evaluated associations of social network characteristics with CVH and coronary artery calcium in South Asian American adults to inform strategies for CVH promotion in this at-risk population. Methods and Results Using data from the MASALA (Mediators of Atherosclerosis in South Asians Living in America) cohort study, multinomial and multivariable logistic regression were used to evaluate associations of participant social network size and density, proportion of network who are kin or South Asian ethnicity and reported health of participant's identified social network members ("alters"), with participant CVH and presence of coronary artery calcium. The 699 MASALA participants included were mean age 59.2 (SD, 9.2) years and 42.9% women. After adjustment, a 1-person larger social network size was associated with 13% higher odds of ideal CVH (odds ratio [OR], 1.13; 95% CI, 1.01-1.27). Reporting an alter with high blood pressure was associated with lower odds of ideal CVH (OR, 0.51; 95% CI, 0.29-0.88), and reporting an alter with high cholesterol was associated with lower odds of ideal CVH (OR, 0.54; 95% CI, 0.30-0.94). Conclusions Social network characteristics are associated with CVH in South Asian American adults. Engaging social networks may help promote CVH in this population.

Background Increased renal resistive index (RRI) has been associated with target organ damage as well as renal and cardiovascular outcomes. Matrix Gla (γ-carboxyglutamate) protein (MGP) is a strong inhibitor of soft tissue calcification. Its inactive form (dephospho-uncarboxylated MGP [dp-ucMGP]) has been associated with vascular stiffness, cardiovascular outcomes, and mortality. In this study, we hypothesized that high levels of dp-ucMGP were associated with increased RRI. Methods and Results We recruited participants via a multicenter family-based cross-sectional study in Switzerland. Levels of dp-ucMGP were measured in plasma by sandwich ELISA. RRI was measured by Doppler ultrasound in 3 segmental arteries in both kidneys. We used mixed regression models to assess the relationship between dp-ucMGP and RRI. We adjusted for common determinants of RRI as well as renal function and cardiovascular risk factors. We included 1006 participants in our analyses: 526 women and 480 men. Mean values were 0.44±0.20 nmol/L for dp-ucMGP and 64±5% for RRI. After multivariable adjustment, dp-ucMGP was positively associated with RRI (P=0.001). In subgroup analysis by age tertiles, this association was not significant in the youngest age group (<38 years; P=0.62), whereas it was significant in older age groups (38-55 and >55 years; P=0.016 and P<0.001, respectively). Conclusions Levels of dp-ucMGP are positively and independently associated with RRI after adjustment for common determinants of RRI, cardiovascular risk factors, and renal function. The stronger association among older adults is probably due, in part, to age-related arterial stiffness. RRI thus seems to reflect the global atherosclerotic burden in a general adult population.

Background Acute myocardial infarction (AMI) is one of the leading causes of mortality worldwide, whereas social support is a known predictor of the prognosis after AMI. As a common factor influencing social support, the impact of marital status on care quality, in-hospital mortality, and long-term prognosis of patients with AMI remains largely unknown. Methods and Results The present study analyzed data from the CAMI (China Acute Myocardial Infarction) registry involving 19 912 patients with AMI admitted at 108 hospitals in China between January 2013 and September 2014 and aimed to evaluate marital status-based differences in acute management, medical therapies, and short-term and long-term outcomes. The primary end point was 2-year all-cause death. The secondary end points included in-hospital death and 2-year major adverse cardiac and cerebrovascular events (a composite of all-cause death, myocardial infarction, or stroke). After multivariable adjustment, 1210 (6.1%) unmarried patients received less reperfusion treatment in patients with both ST-segment-elevation myocardial infarction and non-ST-segment-elevation myocardial infarction (adjusted odds ratio [OR], 0.520 [95% CI, 0.437-0.618]; P<0.0001; adjusted OR, 0.489 [95% CI, 0.364-0.656]; P<0.0001). Being unmarried was not associated with poorer in-hospital outcome but with long-term all-cause mortality and major adverse cardiac and cerebrovascular events in both ST-segment-elevation myocardial infarction (adjusted hazard ratio [HR], 1.225 [95% CI, 1.031-1.456]; P=0.0209; adjusted HR, 1.277 [95% CI, 1.089-1.498]; P=0.0027) and non-ST-segment-elevation myocardial infarction (adjusted HR, 1.302 [95% CI, 1.036-1.638]; P=0.0239; adjusted HR, 1.368 [95% CI, 1.105-1.694]; P=0.0040) populations. Conclusions The present study suggests that being unmarried is independently related to less reperfusion received, but could not explain the higher in-hospital mortality rate after covariate adjustment. Being unmarried is associated with a substantially increased risk of adverse events over at least the first 24 months after AMI. Registration URL: https://www.clinicaltrials.gov; Unique identifier: NCT01874691.

Background The role of fibroblast growth factor 23 (FGF23) in the development of new-onset heart failure (HF) with reduced (HFrEF) or preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF) in the general population is unknown. Therefore, we set out to investigate associations of C-terminal FGF23 with development of new-onset HF and, more specifically, with HFrEF or HFpEF in a large, prospective, population-based cohort. Methods and Results We studied 6830 participants (aged 53.8±12.1 years; 49.7% men; estimated glomerular filtration rate, 93.1±15.7 mL/min per 1.73 m2) in the community-based PREVEND (Prevention of Renal and Vascular End-Stage Disease) study who were free of HF at baseline. Cross-sectional multivariable linear regression analysis showed that ferritin (standardized β, -0.24; P<0.001) and estimated glomerular filtration rate (standardized β, -0.13; P<0.001) were the strongest independent correlates of FGF23. Multivariable Cox proportional hazard regression was used to study the association between baseline FGF23 and incident HF, HFrEF (ejection fraction ≤40%) or HFpEF (ejection fraction ≥50%). After median follow-up of 7.4 [IQR 6.9-7.9] years, 227 individuals (3.3%) developed new-onset HF, of whom 132 had HFrEF and 88 had HFpEF. A higher FGF23 level was associated with an increased risk of incident HF (fully adjusted hazard ratio, 1.29 [95% CI, 1.06-1.57]) and with an increased risk of incident HFrEF (fully adjusted hazard ratio, 1.31 [95% CI, 1.01-1.69]). The association between FGF23 and incident HFpEF lost statistical significance after multivariable adjustment (hazard ratio, 1.22 [95% CI, 0.87-1.71]). Conclusions Higher FGF23 is independently associated with new-onset HFrEF in analyses fully adjusted for cardiovascular risk factors and other potential confounders. The association between FGF23 and incident HFpEF lost statistical significance upon multivariable adjustment.

Background The timing of advanced airway management (AAM) on patient outcomes after out-of-hospital cardiac arrest has not been fully investigated. We evaluated the association between the timing of prehospital AAM and 1-month survival. Methods and Results We conducted a secondary analysis of a prospective, nationwide, population-based out-of-hospital cardiac arrest registry in Japan. We included emergency medical services-treated adult (≥18 years) out-of-hospital cardiac arrests from 2014 through 2017, stratified into initial shockable or nonshockable rhythms. Patients who received AAM at any minute after emergency medical services-initiated cardiopulmonary resuscitation underwent risk-set matching with patients who were at risk of receiving AAM within the same minute using time-dependent propensity scores. Eleven thousand three hundred six patients with AAM in shockable and 163 796 with AAM in nonshockable cohorts, respectively, underwent risk-set matching. For shockable rhythms, the risk ratios (95% CIs) of AAM on 1-month survival were 1.01 (0.89-1.15) between 0 and 5 minutes, 1.06 (0.98-1.15) between 5 and 10 minutes, 0.99 (0.87-1.12) between 10 and 15 minutes, 0.74 (0.59-0.92) between 15 and 20 minutes, 0.61 (0.37-1.00) between 20 and 25 minutes, and 0.73 (0.26-2.07) between 25 and 30 minutes after emergency medical services-initiated cardiopulmonary resuscitation. For nonshockable rhythms, the risk ratios of AAM were 1.12 (1.00-1.27) between 0 and 5 minutes, 1.34 (1.25-1.44) between 5 and 10 minutes, 1.39 (1.26-1.54) between 10 and 15 minutes, 1.20 (0.99-1.45) between 15 and 20 minutes, 1.18 (0.80-1.73) between 20 and 25 minutes, 0.63 (0.29-1.38) between 25 and 30 minutes, and 0.44 (0.11-1.69) after 30 minutes. Conclusions In this observational study, the timing of AAM was not statistically associated with improved 1-month survival for shockable rhythms, but AAM within 15 minutes after emergency medical services-initiated cardiopulmonary resuscitation was associated with improved 1-month survival for nonshockable rhythms.

Background The long-term impact of newly discovered, asymptomatic abnormal ankle-brachial index (ABI) in patients with significant coronary artery disease is limited. Methods and Results Between January 2006 and December 2009, ABI was evaluated in 2424 consecutive patients with no history of claudication or peripheral artery disease who had significant coronary artery disease. We previously reported a 3-year result; therefore, the follow-up period was extended. The primary end point was a composite of all-cause death, myocardial infarction (MI), and stroke over 7 years. Of the 2424 patients with significant coronary artery disease, 385 had an abnormal ABI (ABI ≤0.9 or ≥1.4). During the follow-up period, the rate of the primary outcome was significantly higher in the abnormal ABI group than in the normal ABI group (P<0.001). The abnormal ABI group had a significantly higher risk of composite of all-cause death/MI/stroke than the normal ABI group, after adjustment with multivariable Cox proportional hazards regression analysis (hazard ratio [HR], 2.07; 95% CI, 1.67-2.57; P<0.001) and propensity score-matched analysis (HR, 1.97; 95% CI, 1.49-2.60; P<0.001). In addition, an abnormal ABI was associated with a higher risk of all-cause death, MI, and stroke, but not repeat revascularization. Conclusions Among patients with significant coronary artery disease, asymptomatic abnormal ABI was associated with sustained and increased incidence of composite of all-cause death/MI/stroke, all-cause death, MI, and stroke during extended follow-up over 7 years.

Background Catheter ablation can improve long-term prognosis of patients with atrial fibrillation with systolic impairment. However, atrial tachyarrhythmia (ATA) recurrence increases during long-term follow-up. We aimed to investigate the impact of ATA recurrence on the development of long-term adverse clinical events following catheter ablation for atrial fibrillation and to identify predictors for the development of adverse clinical events. Methods and Results This single-center observational study included 75 patients with systolic impairment (left ventricular ejection fraction <50%) who underwent the first catheter ablation procedure for atrial fibrillation at our institution (median follow-up period: 3.5 [range: 2.4-4.7] years). We compared the cumulative incidence of adverse clinical events (all-cause death, heart failure hospitalization, stroke, or acute myocardial infarction) between the groups with and without ATA recurrence following the first and last procedures. Multivariable analyses were performed to identify predictors for developing adverse clinical events. Twenty-one patients (28%) developed adverse clinical events at a median of 2.2 (range: 0.64-2.8) years following the first procedure. The proportion of freedom from adverse clinical events following the first procedure was significantly lower in the ATA recurrence group than in the nonrecurrence group (41% [n=40] versus 95% [n=35], P<0.0005); the proportion following the last procedure also showed a similar tendency (35% [n=26] versus 57% [n=49], P<0.0001). ATA recurrence emerged as an independent predictor for adverse clinical events following both procedures after multivariable adjustment. Conclusions ATA recurrence following catheter ablation procedure could predict adverse clinical events in patients with atrial fibrillation with systolic impairment.

Background Experimental studies show that high-sodium intake affects the innate immune system, among others with increased circulating granulocytes. Whether this relationship exists on a population level and whether this relates to disease outcomes is unclear. We aimed to test the hypotheses that (1) sodium intake is associated with granulocytes on a population level; (2) granulocytes are associated with the presence of hypertension and both cardiovascular and renal outcomes; and (3) the relation between high-sodium intake and these outcomes is mediated by granulocytes. Methods and Results We performed an analysis in 13 804 participants from the prospective EPIC (European Prospective Investigation into Cancer)-Norfolk cohort, with a mean age of 58 years and median follow-up of 19.3 years. Analyses were carried out using calculated estimated sodium intake and sodium-to-potassium ratios from spot urines at baseline. The main outcomes were hypertension at baseline, and composite cardiovascular (mortality or cardiovascular events) and renal (mortality or renal events) outcomes during follow-up. Sodium intake and urine sodium-to-potassium ratio were positively associated with circulating granulocyte concentrations after adjustment for confounders (β=0.03; P=0.028 and β=0.06; P<0.001, respectively). Granulocytes significantly mediated the associations of, respectively, sodium intake and urine sodium-to-potassium ratio with hypertension at baseline, and cardiovascular and renal outcomes. Conclusions Sodium intake is positively associated with circulating granulocyte concentrations, and higher granulocyte concentrations associate with worse long-term cardiovascular and renal outcomes. Given the recently established immune-modulating effects of sodium and the role of immune cells in both cardiovascular and renal disease, causality for this pathway may need consideration in further studies.

Cardiac surgery-associated acute kidney injury (CSA-AKI) is a common complication with a poor prognosis. In order to identify modifiable perioperative risk factors for AKI, which existing risk scores are insufficient to predict, a dynamic clinical risk score to allow clinicians to estimate the risk of CSA-AKI from preoperative to early postoperative periods is needed.

Background Among older patients with atrial fibrillation, there are limited data examining clinically meaningful changes in quality of life (QoL). We examined the extent of, and factors associated with, clinically meaningful change in QoL over 1-year among older adults with atrial fibrillation. Methods and Results Patients from cardiology, electrophysiology, and primary care clinics in Massachusetts and Georgia were enrolled in a cohort study (2015-2018). The Atrial Fibrillation Effect on Quality-of-Life questionnaire was used to assess overall QoL and across 3 subscales: symptoms, daily activities, and treatment concern. Clinically meaningful change in QoL (ie, difference between 1-year and baseline QoL score) was categorized as either a decline (≤-5.0 points), no clinically meaningful change (-5.0 to +5.0 points), or an increase (≥+5.0 points). Ordinal logistic models were used to examine factors associated with QoL changes. Participants (n=1097) were on average 75 years old, 48% were women, and 87% White. Approximately 40% experienced a clinically meaningful increase in QoL and 1 in every 5 patients experienced a decline in QoL. After multivariable adjustment, women, non-Whites, those who reported depressive and anxiety symptoms, fair/poor self-rated health, low social support, heart failure, or diabetes mellitus experienced clinically meaningful declines in QoL. Conclusions These findings provide insights to the magnitude of, and factors associated with, clinically meaningful change in QoL among older patients with atrial fibrillation. Assessment of comorbidities and psychosocial factors may help identify patients at high risk for declining QoL and those who require additional surveillance to maximize important clinical and patient-centered outcomes.

Background Apolipoprotein B/apolipoprotein A-I (apoB/apoA-I) ratio and lipoprotein(a) (Lp[a]) are associated with aortic valve stenosis (AVS) disease progression. Clinical characteristics such as age, sex, and presence of concomitant coronary artery disease may strongly modify these associations; however, these effects have not been well defined in longitudinal studies. We set out to assess these associations between apoB/apoA-I ratio, Lp(a), and AVS incidence in a large population study. Methods and Results We analyzed data from 17 745 participants (mean age, 59.2±9.1 years; men, 44.9%) in the EPIC-Norfolk (European Prospective Investigation Into Cancer in Norfolk Prospective Population Study) population study in whom apoB/apoA-I and Lp(a) levels were measured. Participants were identified as having incident AVS if they were hospitalized or died with AVS as an underlying cause. After a median follow-up of 19.8 years (17.9-21.0 years) there were 403 (2.2%) incident cases of AVS. The hazard ratio for AVS risk was 1.30 (95% CI, 1.19-1.41; P<0.001) per SD increase in apoB/apoA-I. Adjusting for age, sex, and coronary artery disease, there was no significant association between apoB/apoA-I and AVS incidence (hazard ratio, 1.06; 95% CI, 0.97-1.17 [P=0.215]). Elevated Lp(a) (>50 mg/dL) remained an independent risk factor for AVS after adjustment for age, sex, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, and concomitant coronary artery disease (hazard ratio, 1.70; 95% CI, 1.33-2.19 [P<0.001]). Conclusions In this population study, apoB/apoA-I ratio was associated with risk of AVS incidence, especially in younger and female participants and those without concomitant coronary artery disease. Lp(a) was an independent risk factor for AVS incidence. Interventional trials are needed to investigate whether modulating apoB/apoA-I or lowering Lp(a) can prevent or slow down AVS.

Background Sudden cardiac arrest (SCA) may be caused by an acute and reversible myocardial injury, a chronic and irreversible myocardial damage, or a primary ventricular arrhythmia. Cardiac magnetic resonance imaging may identify myocardial edema (ME), which denotes acute and reversible myocardial damage. We evaluated the arrhythmic outcome of SCA survivors during follow-up and tested the prognostic role of ME. Methods and Results We included a consecutive series of 101 (71% men, median age 47 years) SCA survivors from 9 collaborative centers who underwent early (<1 month) cardiac magnetic resonance imaging and received an implantable cardioverter-defibrillator (ICD). On T2-weighted sequences, ME was found in 18 of 101 (18%) patients. According to cardiac magnetic resonance imaging findings, the arrhythmic SCA was ascribed to acute myocardial injury (either ischemic [n=10] or inflammatory [n=8]), to chronic structural heart diseases (ischemic heart disease [n=11], cardiomyopathy [n=20], or other [n=23]), or to primarily arrhythmic syndrome (n=29). During a follow-up of 47 months (28 to 67 months), 24 of 101 (24%) patients received an appropriate ICD intervention. ME was associated with a significantly higher survival free from both any ICD interventions (log-rank=0.04) and ICD shocks (log-rank=0.03) and remained an independent predictor of better arrhythmic outcome after adjustment for left ventricular ejection fraction and late gadolinium enhancement. The risk of appropriate ICD intervention was unrelated to the type of underlying heart disease. Conclusions ME on early cardiac magnetic resonance imaging, which denotes an acute and transient arrhythmogenic substrate, predicted a favorable long-term arrhythmic outcome of SCA survivors. These findings may have a substantial impact on future guidelines on the management of SCA survivors.

Background The presence of intraventricular hemorrhage (IVH) was extensively investigated and was associated with poor outcome in patients with intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH). However, the effect of the speed of ventricular bleeding on outcomes is unknown. Methods and Results We prospectively included patients with ICH who had baseline computed tomography scans within 6 hours after ictus between January 2016 and October 2021. The clinical characteristics were compared between patients with and without early neurologic deterioration (END). Ultraearly IVH growth (uIVHG) was defined as baseline IVH volume by onset-to-imaging time. The association between uIVHG and outcomes was assessed by using multivariable logistic regression analysis. We established the ultraearly IVH growth (uIVH) score and compared the areas under the receiver operating characteristic curves of the existing scores for predicting END. A total of 299 patients were finally enrolled. Of those, 38 patients (12.7%) experienced END at 24 hours and 89 patients (29.8%) had poor outcomes at 90 days. After adjustment for confounding factors, uIVHG (odds ratio, 1.061 [95% CI, 1.011-1.113]; P=0.016) was independently associated with END in multivariable analysis. A prediction score was developed on the basis of the logistic model. The uIVH score was developed as a sum of individual points (0-6) based on age, hematoma volume, National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale, hematoma expansion, and uIVHG ≥2.5 mL/h. In comparison with the ICH score and modified Emergency Department ICH Scale, the uIVH score exhibited best performance in the prediction of END. Conclusions uIVHG is associated with early neurologic deterioration and poor functional outcome in patients with ICH.

Background Studies of the association of hypertension with incident colorectal cancer (CRC) may have been confounded by including individuals taking antihypertensive medication, at high risk for CRC (ie, colorectal polyps and inflammatory bowel disease), or with shared risk factors (eg, obesity and diabetes). We assessed whether adults with untreated hypertension are at higher risk for incident CRC compared with those with normal blood pressure (BP), and whether any association is evident among individuals without obesity or metabolic abnormalities. Methods and Results Analyses were conducted using a nationwide health claims database collected in the JMDC Claims Database between 2005 and 2018 (n=2 220 112; mean age, 44.1±11.0 years; 58.4% men). Participants who were taking antihypertensive medications or had a history of CRC, colorectal polyps, or inflammatory bowel disease were excluded. Each participant was categorized as having normal BP (systolic BP [SBP]<120 mm Hg and diastolic BP [DBP] <80 mm Hg, n=1 164 807), elevated BP (SBP 120-129 mm Hg and DBP <80 mm Hg, n=341 273), stage 1 hypertension (SBP 130-139 mm Hg or DBP 80-89 mm Hg, n=466 298), or stage 2 hypertension (SBP ≥140 mm Hg or DBP ≥90 mm Hg, n=247 734). Over a mean follow-up of 1112±854 days, 6899 incident CRC diagnoses occurred. After multivariable adjustment, compared with normal BP, hazard ratios for incident CRC were 0.93 (95% CI, 0.85-1.01) for elevated BP, 1.07 (95% CI, 0.99-1.15) for stage 1 hypertension, and 1.17 (95% CI, 1.08-1.28) for stage 2 hypertension. The hazard ratios for incident CRC for each 10-mm Hg-higher SBP or DBP were 1.04 (95% CI, 1.02-1.06) and 1.06 (95% CI, 1.03-1.09), respectively. These associations were present among adults who did not have obesity, high waist circumference, diabetes, or dyslipidemia. Conclusions Higher SBP and DBP, and stage 2 hypertension are associated with a higher risk for incident CRC, even among those without shared risk factors for CRC. BP measurement could identify individuals at increased risk for subsequent CRC.

Background Evidence of the association between serum lipid profiles and intraplaque neovascularization (IPN) is still limited. We aimed to study the value of a novel Doppler method, superb microvascular imaging, in correlating serum lipid profiles and evidence of IPN in a population with a high risk of stroke. Methods and Results A community-based cross-sectional study was conducted in Beijing, China. Residents (aged ≥40 years) underwent questionnaire interviews, physical examinations, and laboratory testing in 2018 and 2019. Subjects with a high risk of stroke were then selected. Standard carotid ultrasound and carotid plaque superb microvascular imaging examinations were then performed on the high-stroke-risk participants. Logistic regression was used to evaluate the relationship between serum lipid profiles and carotid plaque IPN. Overall, a total of 250 individuals (mean age, 67.20±8.12 years; 66.4% men) met the study inclusion criteria. Superb microvascular imaging revealed carotid plaque IPN in 96 subjects (38.4%). Subjects with IPN were more likely to be current smokers (34.0% versus 46.9%, P=0.046), and their identified carotid plaques were much thicker (2.35±0.63 mm versus 2.75±0.80 mm, P=0.001). Serum lipids, including total cholesterol, non-high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol were positively associated with the presence of IPN (4.33±1.00 mmol/L versus 4.79±1.12 mmol/L, P=0.001; 2.96±0.92 mmol/L versus 3.40±1.01 mmol/L, P=0.001; 2.18±0.76 mmol/L versus 2.46±0.80 mmol/L, P=0.005, respectively), and after adjustment for other confounders, the positive relationship remained significant. Furthermore, non-high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (odds ratio, 2.62 [95% CI, 1.35-5.06]) was significantly associated with the presence of carotid plaque IPN even after adjusting for low-density lipoprotein cholesterol. Conclusions Total cholesterol, non-high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol were positively associated with the presence of carotid IPN in a Chinese high-stroke-risk population. Further prospective studies should be conducted to better understand how much finding IPN adds to current stroke prediction tools.