Metabolic syndrome is an independent predictor of cardiovascular events in high-risk patients with occlusive and aneurysmatic peripheral arterial disease

Objective: Metabolic syndrome (MetSyn) is a well-known risk factor for cardiovascular (CV) disease in the general population; however, the additional predictive value for CV events in high-risk patients with peripheral arterial disease (PAD) is unknown. The aims of the current study were to assess and compare: (1) prevalence of MetSyn, and (2) predictive value of MetSyn for CV events, in patients with either occlusive or aneurysmatic PAD. Methods: We screened 2069 patients scheduled for lower occlusive arterial revascularization (n=1031) or abdominal aortic aneurysm repair (n=1038) for the presence of MetSyn. Adult Treatment Panel III report (ATP III) was used for defining MetSyn. Central obesity was defined as body-mass-index >30kg/m2. Main outcomes were the occurrence of CV events and CV mortality during a median follow-up of 6 years (IQR 2-9 years). Results: Metabolic syndrome was diagnosed in 421 (41%) and 432 (42%) patients with occlusive and aneurysmatic PAD, respectively (p= 0.72). Patients with occlusive or aneurysmatic PAD and MetSyn had an increased risk for the development of CV events, when compared to patients without MetSyn (27% vs. 18% and 27% vs. 19%, p<. 0.001, respectively). In occlusive and aneurysmatic PAD, MetSyn was independently associated with an increased risk of CV events (HR = 1.6; 95%CI 1.2-2.1 and HR = 1.4; 95%CI 1.1-1.8). No significant association between the presence of MetSyn and CV mortality was observed. Conclusions: Metabolic syndrome is highly prevalent in high-risk PAD patients. In occlusive and aneurysmatic PAD patients, MetSyn is an independent predictor of long-term CV events.

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