ICYMI: Highlights From ASPC Congress 2023

Our top coverage of the American Society for Preventive Cardiology Congress on Cardiovascular Disease (CVD) Prevention included interviews with Stephen Nicholls, PhD, MBBS, about the SURPASS-CVOT study on tirzepatide, and with Emelia J. Benjamin, MD, ScM, where she emphasized the importance of preventing atrial fibrillation (AFib). Top coverage also included studies on racial differences in left ventricular (LV) mass among female patients with obesity, higher in-hospital mortality rates among women than men who developed mechanical complications (MC) following acute myocardial infarction (AMI), and a mobile app that positively influenced self-care and potentially survival outcomes among patients with heart failure (HF).

Here are the ASPC Congress on CVD Prevention 2023 highlights. Click here to catch up on all of our coverage from the conference.

5. How SURPASS-CVOT Spotlights Tirzepatide for Cardiovascular Outcomes: Dr Stephen Nicholls

In an interview, Stephen Nicholls, PhD, MBBS, Monash University and Victorian Heart Hospital, described the patient characteristics in the SURPASS-CVOT trial; patients had type 2 diabetes, a body mass index greater than 25 kg/m², were at high cardiovascular risk, and had clinically manifested atherosclerotic CVD. COVID-19 did present challenges, but recruitment continued successfully, possibly reflecting excitement about tirzepatide. The trial, comparing tirzepatide to dulaglutide, faced COVID-19–related difficulties, including ensuring patient visits and addressing the potential impact of COVID-19 on clinical events. Nicholls explained that investigators addressed these challenges by closely working with sites, emphasizing the importance of health advice, promoting up-to-date vaccine status, and leveraging the closer relationship between patients and site clinicians in clinical trials.

Watch the interview here.

4. More Black vs White Patients Have Risk Factors for LV Hypertrophy

A study analyzed cardiovascular risk factors and LV mass index (LVMI) in Black and White young adult female patients classified as obese, using data from the National Growth and Health Study. The analysis of 553 patients revealed significant differences between Black and White cohorts in various cardiovascular risk variables, including weight, body mass index, waist circumference, hip circumference, insulin levels, glucose levels, blood pressure, and more. The study suggested potential racial differences in cardiovascular risk factors among young adults, emphasizing the need for future research to explore social determinants of health and various adiposities to address disparities in cardiovascular outcomes. The study's limitations include a population of only Black and White female patients and the use of less accurate echocardiogram for LVMI measurement compared with cardiac MRI.

Read the full article here.

3. In-Hospital Mortality Elevated Among Female Patients Who Had AMI and MC

Research presented at the ASPC Congress on CVD Prevention revealed higher in-hospital mortality rates among female patients compared to male patients who developed MC following AMI. The data covered the period from January 2012 through December 2020 using the National In-Patient Sample and found that female patients with AMI and MC had a 39% higher rate of in-hospital mortality than male patients. Additionally, female patients without MC showed reduced rates of vasopressor use, acute kidney injury, percutaneous coronary intervention, coronary artery bypass graft, circulatory support, and mechanical ventilation compared with those with MC.

Read the full article here.

2. App Effectively Maintains, Manages HF Self-Care Following Discharge

The Heart Failure Health Storylines (HFHS) mobile health app, which is designed for post-discharge self-care in patients with HF, positively impacted patients’ ability to maintain and manage recommended care regimens, potentially influencing survival outcomes. According to research, the app users demonstrated increased confidence in behaviors such as medication adherence, exercise, low-sodium diet, obtaining health information, and recognizing health changes compared with those using only discharge instructions. The findings suggest that incorporating mobile health apps in post-discharge care strategies could optimize patient education, adherence to self-care, and reduce HF-related readmissions and health care costs. The study emphasized the importance of supplementing discharge instructions with mobile app use for improved self-care confidence among patients with HF.

Read the full article here.

1. The Importance of Examining and Preventing Atrial Fibrillation

Emelia J. Benjamin, MD, ScM, recipient of the Honorary Fellow of the American Society for Preventive Cardiology (ASPC) award, delivered a lecture on the prevention of AFib at the ASPC Congress on CVD Prevention. In an interview, Benjamin discussed various aspects of AFib, including risk factors, prevention strategies, connections between AFib and noncardiovascular health conditions, and long-term data on stroke. She emphasized the imperative to focus on preventing AFib and shared insights on the importance of early intervention and managing risk factors to reduce the burden of AFib.

Listen to the podcast here.