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Updated: Nov 15, 2025
Digital PCR for Quantifying Circulating MicroRNAs in Acute Myocardial Infarction and Cardiovascular Disease
Published on: July 3, 2018
Subclinical myocardial injury and cardiovascular mortality: Racial differences in prevalence and risk (from the third
Stephen T Broughton1, Muhammad Ahmad2, Elsayed Z Soliman3,4
1Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Cardiology, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine and Heart & Vascular Institute, University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.
Background:
Subclinical myocardial injury (SCMI) determined from the Electrocardiographic Cardiac Infarction/Injury Score (CIIS) is associated with increased risk of cardiovascular disease and mortality. We hypothesized that SCMI prevalence and association with mortality would differ by race, categorized as non-Hispanic White (White), non-Hispanic Black (Black), and Mexican American.
Methods:
Our analysis included 5,852 participants (age 58.5 ± 13.2 years; 54% women, 52% Whites, 23% Blacks, and 25% Mexican American participants) from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES III, 1988-94) who were free of cardiovascular disease at the time of enrollment. SCMI was defined as the presence of CIIS ≥ 10 score points on the 12-lead ECG. Prevalence of SCMI and its association with cardiovascular mortality were examined in each race/ethnic group in models adjusted for sociodemographics and common cardiovascular risk factors.
Results:
SCMI prevalence was 23.4% in Whites, 21.8% in Blacks, and 18.0% in Mexican Americans. Compared to Whites, Blacks were as likely to have SCMI (odds ratio [OR] 0.95, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.80-1.13), while Mexican Americans were less likely (OR 0.74, 95% CI 0.62-0.88). SCMI was not associated with increased risk of cardiovascular mortality in either Whites (hazard ratio [HR] 1.18, 95% CI 0.95-1.48) or Blacks (HR 1.19, 95% CI 0.79-1.80). In contrast, SCMI in Mexican Americans was associated with increased risk of cardiovascular mortality (HR 1.74, 95% CI 1.13-2.67, p < .05).
Conclusion:
Mexican Americans had a lower prevalence of SCMI, but increased risk of cardiovascular mortality. Screening for SCMI may identify individuals at increased risk and improve targeted prevention efforts.
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