Importance of risk factors in the angiographic progression of coronary artery disease

• Published in: The American journal of cardiology Vol. 57; no. 1; pp. 66 - 70
• Main Authors: Raichlen, Joel S., Healy, Bernadine, Achuff, Stephen C., Pearson, Thomas A.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: New York, NY Elsevier Inc 1986; Elsevier
• Subjects: Adult; Aged; Angiography; Biological and medical sciences; Blood Glucose - analysis; Blood Pressure; Cardiology. Vascular system; Coronary Angiography; Coronary Disease - diagnostic imaging; Coronary heart disease; Diabetes Complications; Evaluation Studies as Topic; Female; Heart; Humans; Hypertension - complications; Male; Medical sciences; Middle Aged; Physical Exertion; Risk; Smoking; Physical exercise; Human; Hypertension; Prognosis; Radiodiagnosis; Diabetes mellitus; Tobacco smoking; Cardiovascular disease; Coronary arteriography; Coronary heart disease; Cigarette; Sequential; Risk factor
• ISSN: 0002-9149; 1879-1913
• DOI: 10.1016/0002-9149(86)90953-7

Although specific risk factors correlate with the development of clinical coronary events, little Is known about their Importance in patients with established coronary artery disease (CAD). A numerical scaring system was used to assess serial coronary anglograms in subjects who had detailed risk factor determinations. Strong linear correlations were demonstrated between the extent of progression of CAD and diastolic blood pressure (BP) (p = 0.002), systolic BP (p = 0.094), the number of cigarette pack-years smoked among current smokers (p = 0.022), fasting blood glucose level (p = 0.017) and low levels of physical activity at leisure (p = 0.097). This analysis of sequential coronary anglograms identifies SP, cigarette smoking, diabetes mellitus and physical activity as important risk factors in the progression of CAD. These variables merit attention in the management of patients with symptomatic CAD and in secondary coronary prevention trials investigating risk factor modification.