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Published on: January 28, 2020
HbA1c, Coronary atheroma progression and cardiovascular outcomes
Iryna Dykun1,2, Ozgur Bayturan3, Julie Carlo1
1C5Research, Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, Heart, Vascular, and Thoracic Institute, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, OH.
Higher on-treatment hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) levels are linked to increased coronary artery plaque buildup and major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE). This suggests glycemic control directly impacts cardiovascular health, independent of other risk factors.
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Endocrinology
- Metabolic Syndrome
Background:
- Glycemic control is crucial for managing diabetes and preventing complications.
- The direct impact of on-treatment hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) on coronary atheroma progression and major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE) remains an area of investigation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the independent association between on-treatment HbA1c levels and coronary atheroma progression.
- To assess the relationship between on-treatment HbA1c levels and the incidence of MACE.
Main Methods:
- A post-hoc pooled analysis of seven prospective, randomized trials using serial coronary intravascular ultrasonography (IVUS).
- Percent atheroma volume (PAV) was measured to assess plaque burden.
- Multivariable mixed modeling and Cox proportional hazard models were employed to analyze associations.
Main Results:
- In 3,312 patients, higher on-treatment HbA1c levels were independently associated with increased annualized changes in PAV (beta: 0.13 [0.08, 0.19], p < 0.001).
- On-treatment HbA1c levels were also independently associated with a higher incidence of MACE (HR: 1.13 [1.04, 1.23], p = 0.005).
Conclusions:
- Elevated on-treatment HbA1c levels are significantly associated with coronary atheroma progression and adverse cardiovascular outcomes, irrespective of other risk factor control.
- These findings support a direct effect of glycemic control on coronary atheroma and atherosclerotic events, underscoring the rationale for therapies targeting glycemic modulation.
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