Association of metabolic phenotypes with cardiovascular events in primary and secondary prevention
Authors: Steinacher E , Hammer A , Baumer U , Hofer F , Kazem N , Lenz M , Lang I , Hengstenberg C , Sulzgruber P , Koller L , Niessner A , Kammerlander A 
Published: October 2024

Background

Metabolic disorders are established risk factors for the development of coronary artery disease (CAD) and major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE). Although obesity is strongly related with the metabolic health status, its role as a cardiovascular risk modifier in the absence of metabolic disorders remains controversial. Recent implementation of nutrient-stimulated hormone-based therapies (NUSH) including glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonists in the treatment of obesity even in metabolically healthy individuals requires further understanding to ensure optimal patient management.

Purpose

The aim of this study is to investigate the association of metabolic phenotypes with cardiovascular events in primary and secondary prevention of CAD.

Methods

We included patients over 18 years electively evaluated for CAD by invasive coronary angiography (ICA) between 2010 and 2021 in our tertiary referral centre in one of Europe’s largest university hospitals. Metabolic disorder was considered as the presence of diabetes, irrespective of additional risk factors, or hypertension and hyperlipidaemia, and obesity as a BMI of ≥30 kg/m², distinguishing four metabolic phenotypes: metabolically healthy/unhealthy nonobese/obese (MHN, MHO, MUN, MUO). The primary study endpoint MACE was defined as a composite of cardiovascular death, non-fatal myocardial infarction, ischemic stroke, and hospitalization for heart failure.

Results

The total study population included 12 760 patients (68 [58-76] years; 57.3% male), of whom 56.5% presented metabolically healthy (43.3% MHN; 13.1% MHO) and 43.5% unhealthy (28.3% MUN; 15.2% MUO). During a median follow up time of 3.91 (1.75-7.09) years, 2 592 (20.3%) MACE and 3 351 (26.3%) all-cause deaths occurred.

Cox regression analysis adjusted for age, sex, and chronic kidney disease (CKD) showed different risk patterns for distinct metabolic phenotypes (Table 1). While we observed higher event rates in metabolically unhealthy compared to healthy individuals, obesity alone was not associated with increased events (Figure 1). However, metabolically healthy individuals experienced lower event rates with increasing BMI. Among patients without or with nonobstructive CAD, metabolic disease was strongly associated with increased subsequent coronary revascularization regardless of BMI. These patterns were similar across all endpoints irrespective of presence of obstructive or nonobstructive CAD.

Conclusions

Whereas metabolic disorders are strongly associated with adverse clinical events, obesity alone does not reflect the cardiovascular risk profile in patients with or without obstructive CAD. Thus, focusing on obesity alone for primary or secondary prevention appears unjustified. Particularly after the recent implementation of GLP-1 receptor agonists for the treatment of obesity, precise and individual risk stratification is essential to allow for an optimal personalized patient management.Figure 1Table 1