Adverse Childhood Experiences in Patients With Coronary Artery Disease: a Pilot Randomized Control Trial

ACEs encapsulate a broad spectrum of traumatic and distressing events occurring before the age of 18 that span the domains of abuse, household dysfunction, neglect, amongst others, and that threaten a child's physical, familial or social safety. The landmark ACE Study, published by Felitti and colleagues, was the first study to propose the association between ACEs and the development of chronic physical conditions in adulthood, including cardiovascular disease (CVD). Due to a variety of mechanisms, exposure to an ACE increases predisposition to the development of CVD and its conventional risk factors. ACEs nonetheless remain underrecognized and undermanaged in routine cardiovascular clinical encounters.

Integration of ACE screening into the standardized clinical assessment of CVD may enable cardiologists to better identify patients who might benefit from further post-ACE resiliency interventions and serve as an impactful secondary and tertiary prevention strategy. The ACE screening process itself may be therapeutic as it gives patients the opportunity to discuss their early experiences, reflect on the role of early adversity in their current health problems, and have some sympathetic acknowledgement about this history from a health care professional. This has been termed "ACE insight". Screening for ACEs has been found to be acceptable by patients. Patients may have never had any opportunity to discuss ACEs they have undergone throughout their entire life, enabling their effects to propagate into adulthood. Inquiring about ACE exposure during clinical encounters with all patients may garner insights that can have a beneficial effect in improving cardiovascular health. Additionally, engaging patients in stress-coping therapies, such as mindfulness, and referral for psychological consultation as needed, may also be helpful. Although logical, these strategies still lack adequate evidence and a randomized trial is needed to evaluate their potential in reducing the occurrence of cardiovascular events.

This study aims to assess whether deleterious childhood exposures are associated with an increased prevalence of risk factors for CAD and represent an independent risk factor for CAD. Furthermore, screening for ACEs in patients with CAD may serve as a therapeutic intervention in itself by providing both ACE insight and a platform to unload internal psychological burdens. Screening may result in an enhanced quality of life, as well as improved health behaviours that may benefit their cardiovascular outcomes.