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Arsenault BJ, Loganath K, Girard A, Botezatu S, Zheng KH, Tzolos E, Abdoun K, Tastet L, Capoulade R, Côté N, Craig N, Chan KL, Tam JW, Teo KK, Couture C, Clavel MA, Mathieu P, Thériault S, Stroes ESG, Newby DE, Tsimikas S, Pibarot P, Dweck MR. Lipoprotein(a) and Calcific Aortic Valve Stenosis Progression: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. JAMA Cardiol 2024; 9:835-842. [PMID: 39018080 PMCID: PMC11255972 DOI: 10.1001/jamacardio.2024.1882] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/27/2023] [Accepted: 05/17/2024] [Indexed: 07/18/2024]
Abstract
Importance There are currently no pharmacological treatments available to slow hemodynamic progression of aortic stenosis. Plasma lipoprotein(a) concentrations predict incident aortic stenosis but its association with hemodynamic progression is controversial. Objective To determine the association between plasma lipoprotein(a) concentrations and hemodynamic progression in patients with aortic stenosis. Design, Settings and Participants The study included patients with aortic stenosis from 5 longitudinal clinical studies conducted from March 2001 to March 2023 in Canada and the UK. Of 757 total patients, data on plasma lipoprotein(a) concentrations and rates of hemodynamic progression assessed by echocardiography were available for 710, who were included in this analysis. Data were analyzed from March 2023 to April 2024. Exposure Cohort-specific plasma lipoprotein(a) concentration tertiles. Main Outcomes and Measures Hemodynamic aortic stenosis progression on echocardiography as assessed by annualized change in peak aortic jet velocity, mean transvalvular gradient, and aortic valve area. Results Among the included patients, 497 (70%) were male and 213 (30%) were female. The mean (SD) age was 65.2 (13.1) years. Patients in the top lipoprotein(a) tertile demonstrated 41% (estimate, 1.41; 95% CI, 1.13-1.75) faster progression of peak aortic jet velocity and 57% (estimate, 1.57; 95% CI, 1.18-2.10) faster progression of mean transvalvular gradient than patients in the bottom tertile. There was no evidence of heterogeneity across the individual cohorts. Progression of aortic valve area was comparable between groups (estimate, 1.23; 95% CI, 0.71-2.12). Similar results were observed when plasma lipoprotein(a) concentrations were treated as a continuous variable. Conclusions and Relevance In this study, higher plasma lipoprotein(a) concentrations were associated with faster rates of hemodynamic progression in patients with aortic stenosis. Lowering plasma lipoprotein(a) concentrations warrants further investigation in the prevention and treatment of aortic stenosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Benoit J. Arsenault
- Centre de recherche de l’Institut universitaire de cardiologie et de pneumologie de Québec, Université Laval, Québec, Canada
- Department of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Université Laval, Québec, Québec, Canada
| | - Krithika Loganath
- Centre for Cardiovascular Science, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, United Kingdom
| | - Arnaud Girard
- Centre de recherche de l’Institut universitaire de cardiologie et de pneumologie de Québec, Université Laval, Québec, Canada
| | - Simona Botezatu
- Centre for Cardiovascular Science, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, United Kingdom
- University of Medicine and Pharmacy Carol Davila, Cardiology Department, Euroecolab, Bucharest, Romania
| | - Kang H. Zheng
- Department of Vascular Medicine, Amsterdam University Medical Center, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
- Department of Cardiology, Onze Lieve Vrouwe Gasthuis Hospital, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Evangelos Tzolos
- Centre for Cardiovascular Science, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, United Kingdom
| | - Kathia Abdoun
- Centre de recherche de l’Institut universitaire de cardiologie et de pneumologie de Québec, Université Laval, Québec, Canada
| | - Lionel Tastet
- Centre de recherche de l’Institut universitaire de cardiologie et de pneumologie de Québec, Université Laval, Québec, Canada
| | - Romain Capoulade
- Nantes Université, Centre hospitalier universitaire Nantes, Centre national de recherche scientifique, Institut national de la santé et de la recherche médicale, l’institut du thorax, Nantes, France
| | - Nancy Côté
- Centre de recherche de l’Institut universitaire de cardiologie et de pneumologie de Québec, Université Laval, Québec, Canada
| | - Neil Craig
- Centre for Cardiovascular Science, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, United Kingdom
| | - Kwan L. Chan
- Department of Medicine, University of Ottawa Heart Institute, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
| | - James W. Tam
- Department of Medicine, St Boniface General Hospital, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada
| | - Koon K. Teo
- Department of Medicine (Cardiology), McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
| | - Christian Couture
- Centre de recherche de l’Institut universitaire de cardiologie et de pneumologie de Québec, Université Laval, Québec, Canada
| | - Marie-Annick Clavel
- Centre de recherche de l’Institut universitaire de cardiologie et de pneumologie de Québec, Université Laval, Québec, Canada
- Department of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Université Laval, Québec, Québec, Canada
| | - Patrick Mathieu
- Centre de recherche de l’Institut universitaire de cardiologie et de pneumologie de Québec, Université Laval, Québec, Canada
- Department of Surgery, Faculty of Medicine, Université Laval, Québec, Québec, Canada
| | - Sébastien Thériault
- Centre de recherche de l’Institut universitaire de cardiologie et de pneumologie de Québec, Université Laval, Québec, Canada
- Department of Molecular Biology, Medical Biochemistry and Pathology, Faculty of Medicine, Université Laval, Québec, Québec, Canada
| | - Erik S. G. Stroes
- Department of Vascular Medicine, Amsterdam University Medical Center, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - David E. Newby
- Centre for Cardiovascular Science, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, United Kingdom
| | - Sotirios Tsimikas
- Division of Cardiovascular Diseases, Department of Medicine, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla
| | - Philippe Pibarot
- Centre de recherche de l’Institut universitaire de cardiologie et de pneumologie de Québec, Université Laval, Québec, Canada
- Department of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Université Laval, Québec, Québec, Canada
| | - Marc R. Dweck
- Centre for Cardiovascular Science, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, United Kingdom
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Surma S, Zembala MO, Okopień B, Banach M. Lipoprotein (a) and lipid-lowering treatment from the perspective of a cardiac surgeon. An impact on the prognosis in patients with aortic valve replacement and after heart transplantation. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF CARDIOLOGY. CARDIOVASCULAR RISK AND PREVENTION 2024; 22:200297. [PMID: 38962113 PMCID: PMC11219948 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijcrp.2024.200297] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/27/2024] [Revised: 05/26/2024] [Accepted: 06/04/2024] [Indexed: 07/05/2024]
Abstract
Lipoprotein(a) is a recognized risk factor for ASCVD. There is still no targeted therapy for Lp(a), however, drugs such as pelacarsen, olpasiran, zerlasiran, lepodisiran and muvalaplin are in clinical trials and have been shown to be effective in significantly reducing Lp(a) levels. Moreover, elevated Lp(a) levels significantly affect the prognosis of patients after aortic valve replacement (AVR) and heart transplantation (HTx). Therefore, the assessment of Lp(a) concentration in these patients will allow for a more accurate stratification of their cardiovascular risk, and the possibility of lowering Lp(a) will allow for the optimization of this risk. In this article, we summarized the most important information regarding the role of Lp(a) and lipid-lowering treatment in patients after AVR and HTx.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stanisław Surma
- Department of Internal Medicine and Clinical Pharmacology, Medical University of Silesia, Medyków 18, 40-752, Katowice, Poland
| | - Michał O. Zembala
- Department of Cardiac Surgery and Transplantology, Faculty of Medicine, John Paul II Catholic University in Lublin, Poland
| | - Bogusław Okopień
- Department of Internal Medicine and Clinical Pharmacology, Medical University of Silesia, Medyków 18, 40-752, Katowice, Poland
| | - Maciej Banach
- Department of Preventive Cardiology and Lipidology, Medical University of Lodz (MUL), Rzgowska 281/289, Łódź 93-338, Poland
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Delgado-Lista J, Mostaza JM, Arrobas-Velilla T, Blanco-Vaca F, Masana L, Pedro-Botet J, Perez-Martinez P, Civeira F, Cuende-Melero JI, Gomez-Barrado JJ, Lahoz C, Pintó X, Suarez-Tembra M, Lopez-Miranda J, Guijarro C. Consensus on lipoprotein(a) of the Spanish Society of Arteriosclerosis. Literature review and recommendations for clinical practice. CLINICA E INVESTIGACION EN ARTERIOSCLEROSIS : PUBLICACION OFICIAL DE LA SOCIEDAD ESPANOLA DE ARTERIOSCLEROSIS 2024; 36:243-266. [PMID: 38599943 DOI: 10.1016/j.arteri.2024.03.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/11/2024] [Accepted: 03/13/2024] [Indexed: 04/12/2024]
Abstract
The irruption of lipoprotein(a) (Lp(a)) in the study of cardiovascular risk factors is perhaps, together with the discovery and use of proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9 (iPCSK9) inhibitor drugs, the greatest novelty in the field for decades. Lp(a) concentration (especially very high levels) has an undeniable association with certain cardiovascular complications, such as atherosclerotic vascular disease (AVD) and aortic stenosis. However, there are several current limitations to both establishing epidemiological associations and specific pharmacological treatment. Firstly, the measurement of Lp(a) is highly dependent on the test used, mainly because of the characteristics of the molecule. Secondly, Lp(a) concentration is more than 80% genetically determined, so that, unlike other cardiovascular risk factors, it cannot be regulated by lifestyle changes. Finally, although there are many promising clinical trials with specific drugs to reduce Lp(a), currently only iPCSK9 (limited for use because of its cost) significantly reduces Lp(a). However, and in line with other scientific societies, the SEA considers that, with the aim of increasing knowledge about the contribution of Lp(a) to cardiovascular risk, it is relevant to produce a document containing the current status of the subject, recommendations for the control of global cardiovascular risk in people with elevated Lp(a) and recommendations on the therapeutic approach to patients with elevated Lp(a).
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Affiliation(s)
- Javier Delgado-Lista
- Unidad de Lípidos y Aterosclerosis, Servicio de Medicina Interna, Hospital Universitario Reina Sofía; Departamento de Ciencias Médicas y Quirúrgicas, Universidad de Córdoba; IMIBIC, Córdoba; CIBER Fisiopatología Obesidad y Nutrición (CIBEROBN), Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, España.
| | - Jose M Mostaza
- Unidad de Lípidos y Riesgo Vascular, Servicio de Medicina Interna, Hospital Universitario La Paz, Madrid, España
| | - Teresa Arrobas-Velilla
- Sociedad Española de Medicina de Laboratorio (SEQCML), Laboratorio de Bioquímica Clínica, Hospital Universitario Virgen Macarena, Sevilla, España
| | - Francisco Blanco-Vaca
- Departamento de Bioquímica Clínica, Hospital de la Santa Creu i Sant Pau, Institut d'Investigació Biomèdica Sant Pau (IIB Sant Pau), Barcelona; Departamento de Bioquímica y Biología Molecular, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, 08193 Barcelona; CIBER de Diabetes y Enfermedades Metabólicas Asociadas, Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Diabetes y Enfermedades Metabólicas Asociadas (CIBERDEM), Madrid, España
| | - Luis Masana
- Unidad de Medicina Vascular y Metabolismo, Hospital Universitari Sant Joan, Universitat Rovira i Virgili, IISPV, CIBERDEM, Reus, Tarragona, España
| | - Juan Pedro-Botet
- Unidad de Lípidos y Riesgo Vascular, Servicio de Endocrinología y Nutrición, Hospital del Mar, Barcelona; Departamento de Medicina, Universidad Autónoma de Barcelona, Barcelona, España
| | - Pablo Perez-Martinez
- Unidad de Lípidos y Aterosclerosis, Servicio de Medicina Interna, Hospital Universitario Reina Sofía; Departamento de Ciencias Médicas y Quirúrgicas, Universidad de Córdoba; IMIBIC, Córdoba; CIBER Fisiopatología Obesidad y Nutrición (CIBEROBN), Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, España
| | - Fernando Civeira
- Unidad Clínica y de Investigación en Lípidos y Arteriosclerosis, Servicio de Medicina Interna, Hospital Universitario Miguel Servet, IIS Aragón, Universidad de Zaragoza, Zaragoza; CIBER Enfermedades Cardiovasculares (CIBERCV), Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, España
| | - Jose I Cuende-Melero
- Consulta de Riesgo Vascular, Servicio de Medicina Interna, Complejo Asistencial Universitario de Palencia, Palencia; Departamento de Medicina, Dermatología y Toxicología, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Valladolid, Valladolid, España
| | - Jose J Gomez-Barrado
- Unidad de Cuidados Cardiológicos Agudos y Riesgo Cardiovascular, Servicio de Cardiología, Hospital Universitario San Pedro de Alcántara, Cáceres, España
| | - Carlos Lahoz
- Unidad de Lípidos y Arteriosclerosis, Servicio de Medicina Interna, Hospital La Paz-Carlos III, Madrid, España
| | - Xavier Pintó
- Unidad de Lípidos y Riesgo Vascular, Servicio de Medicina Interna, Hospital Universitario de Bellvitge-Idibell-Universidad de Barcelona-CiberObn, España
| | - Manuel Suarez-Tembra
- Unidad de Lípidos y RCV, Servicio de Medicina Interna, Hospital San Rafael, A Coruña, España
| | - Jose Lopez-Miranda
- Unidad de Lípidos y Aterosclerosis, Servicio de Medicina Interna, Hospital Universitario Reina Sofía; Departamento de Ciencias Médicas y Quirúrgicas, Universidad de Córdoba; IMIBIC, Córdoba; CIBER Fisiopatología Obesidad y Nutrición (CIBEROBN), Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, España.
| | - Carlos Guijarro
- Unidad de Medicina Interna, Hospital Universitario Fundación Alcorcón, Universidad Rey Juan Carlos, Alcorcón, Madrid, España
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Towler DA. Parathyroid hormone-PTH1R signaling in cardiovascular disease and homeostasis. Trends Endocrinol Metab 2024; 35:648-660. [PMID: 38429163 PMCID: PMC11233248 DOI: 10.1016/j.tem.2024.02.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/16/2023] [Revised: 02/03/2024] [Accepted: 02/05/2024] [Indexed: 03/03/2024]
Abstract
Primary hyperparathyroidism (pHPT) afflicts our aging population with an incidence approaching 50 per 100 000 patient-years at a female:male ratio of ~3:1. Decisions surrounding surgical management are currently driven by age, hypercalcemia severity, presence of osteoporosis, renal insufficiency, or hypercalciuria with or without nephrolithiasis. Cardiovascular (CV) disease (CVD) is not systematically considered. This is notable since the parathyroid hormone (PTH) 1 receptor (PTH1R) is biologically active in the vasculature, and adjusted CV mortality risk is increased almost threefold in individuals with pHPT who do not meet contemporary recommendations for surgical cure. We provide an overview of epidemiology, pharmacology, and physiology that highlights the need to: (i) identify biomarkers that establish a healthy 'set point' for CV PTH1R signaling tone; (ii) better understand the pharmacokinetic-pharmacodynamic (PK-PD) relationships of PTH1R ligands in CV homeostasis; and (iii) incorporate CVD risk assessment into the management of hyperparathyroidism.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dwight A Towler
- Department of Internal Medicine - Endocrine Division, Charles and Jane Pak Center for Mineral Metabolism and Clinical Research, UT Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX 75390, USA.
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Zhu Z, Liu Z, Zhang D, Li L, Pei J, Cai L. Models for calcific aortic valve disease in vivo and in vitro. CELL REGENERATION (LONDON, ENGLAND) 2024; 13:6. [PMID: 38424219 PMCID: PMC10904700 DOI: 10.1186/s13619-024-00189-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/07/2023] [Accepted: 02/06/2024] [Indexed: 03/02/2024]
Abstract
Calcific Aortic Valve Disease (CAVD) is prevalent among the elderly as the most common valvular heart disease. Currently, no pharmaceutical interventions can effectively reverse or prevent CAVD, making valve replacement the primary therapeutic recourse. Extensive research spanning decades has contributed to the establishment of animal and in vitro cell models, which facilitates a deeper understanding of the pathophysiological progression and underlying mechanisms of CAVD. In this review, we provide a comprehensive summary and analysis of the strengths and limitations associated with commonly employed models for the study of valve calcification. We specifically emphasize the advancements in three-dimensional culture technologies, which replicate the structural complexity of the valve. Furthermore, we delve into prospective recommendations for advancing in vivo and in vitro model studies of CAVD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zijin Zhu
- State Key Laboratory of Biocatalysis and Enzyme Engineering, School of Life Science, National & Local Joint Engineering Research Center of High-Throughput Drug Screening Technology, Hubei University, Wuhan, 430062, China
| | - Zhirong Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Biocatalysis and Enzyme Engineering, School of Life Science, National & Local Joint Engineering Research Center of High-Throughput Drug Screening Technology, Hubei University, Wuhan, 430062, China
| | - Donghui Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Biocatalysis and Enzyme Engineering, School of Life Science, National & Local Joint Engineering Research Center of High-Throughput Drug Screening Technology, Hubei University, Wuhan, 430062, China
| | - Li Li
- State Key Laboratory of Biocatalysis and Enzyme Engineering, School of Life Science, National & Local Joint Engineering Research Center of High-Throughput Drug Screening Technology, Hubei University, Wuhan, 430062, China.
| | - Jianqiu Pei
- State Key Laboratory of Cardiovascular Disease, Fuwai Hospital, National Center for Cardiovascular Diseases, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China.
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Beijing Key Laboratory of Metabolic Disorders Related Cardiovascular Disease, Capital Medical University, Beijing, 100069, China.
| | - Lin Cai
- State Key Laboratory of Biocatalysis and Enzyme Engineering, School of Life Science, National & Local Joint Engineering Research Center of High-Throughput Drug Screening Technology, Hubei University, Wuhan, 430062, China.
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Abdelkhalek M, Daeian M, Keshavarz-Motamed Z. Regional assessment of aortic valve calcification using topographic maps in contrast-enhanced CT: in-vivo sex and severity-based differences in calcific presentation. Quant Imaging Med Surg 2024; 14:1-19. [PMID: 38223111 PMCID: PMC10784098 DOI: 10.21037/qims-23-778] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/30/2023] [Accepted: 10/10/2023] [Indexed: 01/16/2024]
Abstract
Background Procedural planning for transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) is routinely performed using contrast computed tomography (CT) in patients with severe aortic stenosis (AS). Despite its potential, little investigation has been done into the possibility of aortic valve calcification (AVC) scoring in contrast-enhanced CT. Contrast CT has superior spatial and contrast resolution compared to the non-contrast Agatston score protocol, which would allow for development of better pattern and distribution descriptors of calcific lesions in the aortic valve (AV). Methods We developed a new false positive rate (FPR) based method that can quantify leaflet calcification based on shape overlap metrics. We also introduce a novel regional scheme for quantifying the shape and structure of calcification using topographic maps. The study was designed to: (I) determine the feasibility of using a novel method based on FPR to detect AVC using contrast-enhanced CT images by assessing the volume scores measured using FPR versus non-contrast methods and alternative contrast methods for volume scoring based on fixed or dynamic HU thresholds. (II) Develop a new scheme for assessing calcific geometry and structure and evaluate patterns of calcification in the varied presentation of AS. Results Our results show a very strong correlation with non-contrast volume (r=0.919, P<0.001; n=178) and Agatston scores (r=0.913, P<0.001; n=178) that were evaluated using a standard calcium scoring technique. Finally, we analyzed the differences and similarities in the patterns of calcific deposition with respect to sex and degree of severity. Conclusions The FPR method demonstrates the best overall agreement with non-contrast scores across both low and high ends of calcific density compared to luminal attenuation methods. In addition, we showed that leaflet calcific deposition follows distinctive patterns across the belly of the leaflet, with the rate of calcific progression peaking at the non-coronary cusp (NCC) leaflet and lowest for the right-coronary cusp. Females experience significantly lower calcific deposition compared to males despite showing similar patterns and symptoms. Our findings suggest that precise regional assessment of calcific progression could be an important tool for monitoring AS development as well as predicting peri-procedural complications in TAVR.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - MohammadAli Daeian
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON, Canada
| | - Zahra Keshavarz-Motamed
- School of Biomedical Engineering, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON, Canada
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON, Canada
- School of Computational Science and Engineering, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON, Canada
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Kosmas CE, Bousvarou MD, Papakonstantinou EJ, Tsamoulis D, Koulopoulos A, Echavarria Uceta R, Guzman E, Rallidis LS. Novel Pharmacological Therapies for the Management of Hyperlipoproteinemia(a). Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:13622. [PMID: 37686428 PMCID: PMC10487774 DOI: 10.3390/ijms241713622] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/08/2023] [Revised: 08/29/2023] [Accepted: 09/01/2023] [Indexed: 09/10/2023] Open
Abstract
Lipoprotein(a) [Lp(a)] is a well-established risk factor for cardiovascular disease, predisposing to major cardiovascular events, including coronary heart disease, stroke, aortic valve calcification and abdominal aortic aneurysm. Lp(a) is differentiated from other lipoprotein molecules through apolipoprotein(a), which possesses atherogenic and antithrombolytic properties attributed to its structure. Lp(a) levels are mostly genetically predetermined and influenced by the size of LPA gene variants, with smaller isoforms resulting in a greater synthesis rate of apo(a) and, ultimately, elevated Lp(a) levels. As a result, serum Lp(a) levels may highly vary from extremely low to extremely high. Hyperlipoproteinemia(a) is defined as Lp(a) levels > 30 mg/dL in the US and >50 mg/dL in Europe. Because of its association with CVD, Lp(a) levels should be measured at least once a lifetime in adults. The ultimate goal is to identify individuals with increased risk of CVD and intervene accordingly. Traditional pharmacological interventions like niacin, statins, ezetimibe, aspirin, PCSK-9 inhibitors, mipomersen, estrogens and CETP inhibitors have not yet yielded satisfactory results. The mean Lp(a) reduction, if any, is barely 50% for all agents, with statins increasing Lp(a) levels, whereas a reduction of 80-90% appears to be required to achieve a significant decrease in major cardiovascular events. Novel RNA-interfering agents that specifically target hepatocytes are aimed in this direction. Pelacarsen is an antisense oligonucleotide, while olpasiran, LY3819469 and SLN360 are small interfering RNAs, all conjugated with a N-acetylgalactosamine molecule. Their ultimate objective is to genetically silence LPA, reduce apo(a) production and lower serum Lp(a) levels. Evidence thus so far demonstrates that monthly subcutaneous administration of a single dose yields optimal results with persisting substantial reductions in Lp(a) levels, potentially enhancing CVD risk reduction. The Lp(a) reduction achieved with novel RNA agents may exceed 95%. The results of ongoing and future clinical trials are eagerly anticipated, and it is hoped that guidelines for the tailored management of Lp(a) levels with these novel agents may not be far off.
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Affiliation(s)
- Constantine E. Kosmas
- Division of Cardiology, Department of Medicine, Montefiore Medical Center, Bronx, NY 10467, USA;
- Cardiology Clinic, Cardiology Unlimited, PC, New York, NY 10033, USA;
| | - Maria D. Bousvarou
- School of Medicine, University of Crete, 710 03 Heraklion, Greece; (M.D.B.); (A.K.)
| | | | - Donatos Tsamoulis
- First Department of Internal Medicine, Thriasio General Hospital of Eleusis, 196 00 Athens, Greece;
| | - Andreas Koulopoulos
- School of Medicine, University of Crete, 710 03 Heraklion, Greece; (M.D.B.); (A.K.)
| | | | - Eliscer Guzman
- Division of Cardiology, Department of Medicine, Montefiore Medical Center, Bronx, NY 10467, USA;
- Cardiology Clinic, Cardiology Unlimited, PC, New York, NY 10033, USA;
| | - Loukianos S. Rallidis
- 2nd Department of Cardiology, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, University General Hospital ATTIKON, 124 62 Athens, Greece;
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