Statins Therapy Improves Acute Ischemic Stroke in Patients with Cardio-metabolic Disorders Measured by Lipoprotein-Associated Phospholipase A2 (Lp-PLA2): New Focal Point

BACKGROUND

Acute ischemic stroke (AIS) leads to neuronal and endothelial damage that activate the release of proinflammatory mediators such as lipoprotein-associated phospholipase A2 (Lp-PLA2), which lead to the development of brain edema injury. Most of statins produce differential effects on Lp-PLA2 activity and mass with a comparable reduction in low-density lipoprotein (LDL) serum levels.

AIMS

The aim of this study is to evaluate the differential effect of different statins on the mass of level of Lp-PLA2 in patients with AIS.

METHODS

A total of 69 patients with AIS aged 40-70 years compared with matched 39 healthy controls were involved in this case-control study. The AIS patients were divided according to the statins therapy into 39 patients on statins therapy (statins on), and 30 patients were not on the statins therapy (statins off). Anthropometric variables including weight, height, body mass index (BMI), and blood pressure profile were estimated. Besides, biochemical variables including lipid profile[total cholesterol (TC), triglyceride (TG), LDL, very low-density lipoprotein (VLDL), high-density lipoprotein (HDL)], Lp-PLA2 mass levels, high-sensitive C-reactive protein (Hs-CRP) were estimated.

RESULTS

Patients with AIS had high Lp-PLA2 mass levels (P < 0.01) that positively correlated with high Hs-CRP, blood pressure, BMI, TC, TG, VLDL, LDL, and negatively correlated with HDL as compared with healthy controls. As well, statins on patients had lower Lp-PLA2 mass levels (9.82 ± 3.19 IU/mL) compared with statins off patients (16.55 ± 4.72 IU/mL), (P = 0.0001). Regarding the gender differences in the Lp-PLA2 mass level, it was higher in men patients with AIS compared with comparable females (P = 0.03).

CONCLUSIONS

Lp-PLA2 mass level was higher in patients with AIS and linked with underlying poor cardio-metabolic disorders. Therefore, the Lp-PLA2 mass level is observed to be a surrogate biomarker of AIS mainly in patients with poor cardio-metabolic disorders. Statin therapy improves the Lp-PLA2 mass level and the poor cardio-metabolic profile in patients with AIS.

Relationship between Lp-PLA2 and in-stent restenosis after coronary stenting: a 3-year follow-up study

BACKGROUND AND AIMS

Coronary in-stent restenosis (ISR) is an important complication of percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). However, the relationship between lipoprotein associated phospholipase A2 (Lp-PLA2) level and ISR after PCI is rarely reported. This study aims to explore the relationship between Lp-PLA2 and the occurrence of ISR at post-PCI and its predictive value for ISR.

METHODS AND RESULTS

Plasma Lp-PLA2 mass were measured in 847 patients planting 1262 stents and evaluated along with known risk indicators. One-year angiographic follow-up showed that baseline elevated Lp-PLA2 mass was strongly associated with early restenosis (95% CI = 1.062-3.050, P < 0.05). Beyond the first year, the occurrence of late restenosis (95% CI = 1.043-3.214, P < 0.05) was significantly larger in the elevated Lp-PLA2 group. Kaplan-Meier analysis after three-year clinical follow up suggested that Lp-PLA2 mass did add the positive effect on the occurrence of major adverse cardiovascular events (MACEs).

CONCLUSION

In conclusion, increased baseline plasma Lp-PLA2 predicts increased risks of re-stenosis and MACEs, which may be a novel biomarker for predicting ISR and MACEs.

The "Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy" of Endothelial Dysfunction Markers in Human Fertility

Endothelial dysfunction is an early event in the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis and represents the first step in the pathogenesis of cardiovascular diseases. The evaluation of endothelial health is fundamental in clinical practice and several direct and indirect markers have been suggested so far to identify any alterations in endothelial homeostasis. Alongside the known endothelial role on vascular health, several pieces of evidence have demonstrated that proper endothelial functioning plays a key role in human fertility and reproduction. Therefore, this state-of-the-art review updates the endothelial health markers discriminating between those available for clinical practice or for research purposes and their application in human fertility. Moreover, new molecules potentially helpful to clarify the link between endothelial and reproductive health are evaluated herein.

Lipoprotein-Associated Phospholipase A2 is Linked with Poor Cardio-Metabolic Profile in Patients with Ischemic Stroke: A Study of Effects of Statins

Objectives

The objective of the study is to investigate the effects of statins on the lipoprotein-associated phospholipase A2 (Lp-PLA2) mass in patients with ischemic stroke.

Materials and Methods

A total number of 59 patient ages 43-69 years with cerebral stroke compared to 39 healthy controls that matching the age and body weight. The patients were divided into 32 patients on statins therapy assigned as statins users and 27 patients, not on statins therapy assigned as nonstatins users. Anthropometric and biochemical measurements were done including lipid profile and inflammatory biomarkers.

Results

Stroke patients on statins therapy showed a comparable low of Lp-PLA (29.82 ± 3.19 IU/mL) to nonstatins user stroke patients (15.58 ± 5.73 IU/mL). Lp-PLA2 mass levels were positively correlated with body mass index, blood pressure changes, total cholesterol, triglyceride, and very low-density lipoprotein and stroke risk (SR) percentage.

Conclusions

Patients on statins with ischemic stroke had low levels of Lp-PLA2 mass levels compared to nonstatins user with ischemic stroke. Lp-PLA2 mass levels were higher in men than women and correlated with lipid profile and SR in patients with ischemic stroke.

Relationship of fibroblast growth factor 21 with subclinical atherosclerosis and cardiovascular events: Multi-Ethnic Study of Atherosclerosis

BACKGROUND AND AIMS

Fibroblast growth factor 21 (FGF21) has been suggested as a novel biomarker for cardiovascular disease (CVD), especially in people with high CVD risk. However, it is not known whether FGF21 is a CVD biomarker in an initially healthy cohort. We therefore investigated the relationship of plasma FGF21 levels with measures of subclinical atherosclerosis and cardiovascular events in Multi-Ethnic Study of Atherosclerosis participants without known CVD at baseline.

METHODS

A total of 5788 participants had plasma FGF21 levels measured at the baseline exam (2000-2002). Carotid intima-media thickness (IMT), ankle-brachial index (ABI) and coronary artery calcification (CAC) were measured at baseline. Participants were followed up for incident CVD events over a median period of 14 years.

RESULTS

In cross-sectional analyses adjusting for socio-demographic variables, participants with higher FGF21 levels had higher carotid IMT, lower ABI, and higher prevalence of CAC (p < 0.001). However, these associations were not significant after simultaneously adjusting for demographic, socioeconomic and lifestyle factors, traditional CVD risk factors, and biomarkers of inflammation and hemostasis. Among 5768 patients with follow-up data, 820 developed incident CVD endpoints. Higher baseline FGF21 levels were not associated with the risk for incident CVD endpoints after adjusting for multiple confounding factors (odds ratio 1.03; 95% confidence interval, 0.94-1.12, per SD increase in ln-transformed FGF21 levels).

CONCLUSIONS

Although FGF21 has been suggested as a CVD biomarker for people with high CVD risk, our findings do not support a role of FGF21 as a CVD biomarker in those without a history of CVD.

Long-term darapladib use does not affect coronary plaque composition assessed using multimodality intravascular imaging modalities: a randomized-controlled study

BACKGROUND

Lipoprotein-associated phospholipase A2 (Lp-PLA2) may play a role in plaque progression and vulnerability. We aimed to define plaque characteristics on multimodality intravascular imaging in patients with coronary endothelial dysfunction in response to long-term inhibition of Lp-PLA2 by darapladib.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

This is a double-blinded, randomized study screening 70 patients, and enrolling 54 patients with suspected ischemia, without obstructive disease on angiography and with coronary endothelial dysfunction by invasive assessment. Patients were randomized to receive darapladib or placebo for 6 months. Forty patients underwent multimodality intravascular imaging at baseline and after 6 months of therapy. Several parameters of plaque vulnerability were measured, including maximum value of lipid core burden index for any of the 4-mm segment (maxLCBI4 mm) by near-infrared spectroscopy. Microchannels and macrophages were assessed using optical coherence tomography and necrotic core volume by virtual histology intravascular ultrasound.

RESULTS

There was no significant difference in maxLCBI4 mm [64.56 (7.74, 128.56) vs. 22.43 (0, 75.63), P=0.522] or in macrophage images angle [-9.5° (-25.53°, 12.68°) vs. -16.7° (-28.6°, -4.8°), P=0.489] between groups. There was a trend toward shorter microchannel length in the darapladib arm [0, (-4.4, 0.2) mm vs. 0.8 (-0.15, 1.9) mm, P=0.08]. Percentage of necrotic core volume was not significantly different.

CONCLUSION

Thus, long-term inhibition of endogenous Lp-PLA2 activity with darapladib was not associated with a change in plaque progression and vulnerability indices after 6 months of therapy, and the endogenous Lp-PLA2 pathway may not play a direct role in the progression of early atherosclerosis in humans.

Lp-PLA2, scavenger receptor class B type I gene (SCARB1) rs10846744 variant, and cardiovascular disease

BACKGROUND

We previously reported association of SCARB1 SNP rs10846744 with common carotid IMT (cIMT) and cardiovascular disease (CVD) events. Since rs10846744 has been reported in association with Lp-PLA2 mass and activity, we hypothesized that inflammatory pathways might mediate the association of rs10846744 with atherosclerosis.

METHODS

We first examined association of rs10846744 in CVD in multiple large-scale consortium-based genome-wide association studies. We further examined 27 parameters of interest, including Lp-PLA2 mass and activity, inflammatory markers, and plasma phospholipid fatty acids, and fatty acid ratios in participants from the Multi-Ethnic Study of Atherosclerosis (MESA), as potential mediators in the pathway linking rs10846744 with cIMT and incident CVD. Finally, we examined the association of rs10846744 with Lp-PLA2 activity, cardiovascular outcomes, and interaction with the Lp-PLA2 inhibitor, darapladib, in the Stabilization of Atherosclerotic Plaque by Initiation of Darapladib Therapy (STABILITY) and Stabilization of Plaque using Darapladib-Thrombolysis in Myocardial Infarction 52 (SOLID-TIMI 52) studies.

RESULTS

SCARB1 rs10846744 was associated with coronary artery disease events in CARDIoGRAMplusC4D (odds ratio 1.05; 95% CI [1.02, 1.07]; P = 1.4x10-4). In combined analysis across race/ethnic groups in MESA, rs10846744 was associated with Lp-PLA2 mass (P = 0.04) and activity (P = 0.001), homocysteine (P = 0.03), LDL particle number (P = 0.01), docosahexaenoic acid [DHA] (P = 0.01), docosapentaenoic acid [DPA] (P = 0.04), DPA/ eicosapentaenoic acid [EPA] ratio (P = 0.002), and DHA/EPA ratio (P = 0.008). Lp-PLA2 activity was identified as a mediator of rs10846744 with cIMT in a basic model (P = 8x10-5), but not after adjustment for CVD risk factors. There was no interaction or modifier effect of the Lp-PLA2 inhibitor darapladib assignment on the relationship between rs10846744 and major CVD events in either STABILITY or SOLID-TIMI 52.

SUMMARY

SCARB1 rs10846744 is significantly associated with Lp-PLA2 activity, atherosclerosis, and CVD events, but Lp-PLA2 activity is not a mediator in the association of rs10846744 with cIMT in MESA.

Effects and potential mechanism of atorvastatin treatment on Lp-PLA2 in rats with dyslipidemia

INTRODUCTION

The effects of statins on lipoprotein-associated phospholipase A2 (Lp-PLA2) are controversial, and the present study aimed to investigate whether atorvastatin could reduce Lp-PLA2 in rats with dyslipidemia.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

A high-fat and high-cholesterol diet was prescribed to produce a dyslipidemia model. Thereafter, low-dose atorvastatin (5 mg/kg/day), high-dose atorvastatin (20 mg/kg/day) or saline (without-treatment group) was prescribed for 14 days. At 6 weeks after dyslipidemia model establishment and 14 days of atorvastatin treatment, fasting venous blood was drawn for biochemical analysis. Between-group differences and Pearson correlation analysis were conducted.

RESULTS

Compared to the normal-control group, fasting plasma total cholesterol (TC) and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) levels were significantly increased in dyslipidemia groups, while plasma nitric oxide (NO) levels were significantly decreased with attendant elevation of plasma C-reactive protein (CRP) and rho-associated kinase 1 (ROCK1) levels (p < 0.05). At 14 days of atorvastatin treatment, compared to the without-treatment group, plasma levels of TC and LDL-C in the high-dose group were significantly reduced (p < 0.05); and compared to low-dose and without-treatment groups, NO up-regulation (1.8 ±1.1 μmol/l), and CRP (-0.8 ±0.4 ng/ml), ROCK1 (-124 ±65 mmol/l) and Lp-PLA2 (-3.8 ±1.2 ng/ml) reduction were more significant in the high-dose group (p < 0.05). Pearson correlation analysis showed that TC (r = 0.365), LDL-C (r = 0.472), CRP (r = 0.501) and ROCK1 (r = 0.675) were positively correlated with Lp-PLA2, while NO (r = -0.378) and atorvastatin (r = -0.511) were negatively correlated with Lp-PLA2.

CONCLUSIONS

Atorvastatin treatment is beneficial for reducing the Lp-PLA2 level in rats with dyslipidemia, which may be related to reduced ROCK1 expression in a dose-dependent manner.

Endothelial Dysfunction in Children With Obstructive Sleep Apnea Is Associated With Elevated Lipoprotein-Associated Phospholipase A2 Plasma Activity Levels

BACKGROUND

Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is a highly prevalent condition, especially in obese children, and has been associated with increased risk for endothelial dysfunction and dislipidemia, which are precursors of atherosclerosis. Lipoprotein-associated phospholipase A2 (Lp-PLA2) is recognized as an independent risk factor for cardiovascular risk and atheromatous plaque activity. We hypothesized that Lp-PLA2 levels would be elevated in children with OSA, particularly among obese children who also manifest evidence of endothelial dysfunction.

METHODS AND RESULTS

One hundred sixty children (mean age 7.1±2.3 years), either nonobese with (n=40) and without OSA (n=40) or obese with (n=40) and without OSA (n=40) underwent overnight polysomnographic and postocclusive reperfusion evaluation and a fasting blood draw the morning after the sleep study. In addition to lipid profile, Lp-PLA2 plasma activity was assessed using a commercial kit. Obese children and OSA children had significantly elevated plasma Lp-PLA2 activity levels compared to controls. Furthermore, when both obesity and OSA were concurrently present or when endothelial function was present, Lp-PLA2 activity was higher. Treatment of OSA by adenotonsillectomy resulted in reductions of Lp-PLA2 activity (n=37; P<0.001).

CONCLUSIONS

Lp-PLA2 plasma activity is increased in pediatric OSA and obesity, particularly when endothelial dysfunction is present, and exhibits decreases on OSA treatment. The short-term and long-term significance of these findings in relation to cardiovascular risk remain undefined.

Is Lipoprotein-Associated Phospholipase A2 a Link between Inflammation and Subclinical Atherosclerosis in Rheumatoid Arthritis?

Objective. Lipoprotein-associated phospholipase A2 (Lp-PLA2), a marker of vascular inflammation, is associated with cardiovascular disease. This prospective study of an inception cohort aimed to investigate whether the level of Lp-PLA2 is associated with subclinical atherosclerosis in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Methods. Patients from northern Sweden diagnosed with early RA were consecutively recruited into an ongoing prospective study. From these, all patients ≤60 years (n = 71) were included for measurements of subclinical atherosclerosis at inclusion (T0) and five years later (T5). Forty age- and sex-matched controls were included. The patients were clinically assessed, SCORE, Reynolds Risk Score, and Larsen score were calculated, and blood samples were drawn from all individuals at T0 and T5. Results. There was no significant difference in the level of Lp-PLA2 between patients with RA and controls (p > 0.05). In simple linear regression models among patients with RA, Lp-PLA2 at T0 was significantly associated with intima media thickness (IMT) at T0 and T5, flow mediated dilation (FMD) at T0 and T5, ever smoking, male sex, HDL-cholesterol (inversely), non-HDL-cholesterol, SCORE, Reynolds Risk Score, and Larsen score (p < 0.05). Conclusion. In this cohort of patients with early RA, the concentration of Lp-PLA2 was associated with both subclinical atherosclerosis and disease severity.

Treating coronary disease and the impact of endothelial dysfunction

Ischemic heart disease is the leading cause of morbidity and mortality throughout the world. Many clinical trials have suggested that lifestyle and pharmacologic interventions are effective in attenuating atherosclerotic disease progression and events development. However, an individualized approach with careful consideration to comprehensive vascular health is necessary to perform successful intervention strategies. Endothelial dysfunction plays a pivotal role in the early stage of atherosclerosis and is also associated with plaque progression and occurrence of atherosclerotic complications. The assessment of endothelial function provides us with important information about individual patient risk, progress and vulnerability of disease, and guidance of therapy. Thus, the application of endothelial function assessment might enable clinicians to innovate ideal individualized medicine. In this review, we summarize the current knowledge on the impact of pharmacological therapies for atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease on endothelial dysfunction, and argue for the utility of non-invasive assessment of endothelial function aiming at individualized medicine.

Lipoprotein-associated phospholipase A2 levels are associated with erectile dysfunction in patients without known coronary artery disease

Endothelial dysfunction and microvascular damage play a crucial role in the pathogenesis of erectile dysfunction (ED). Lp-PLA2 is a calcium-independent member of the phospholipase A2 family and hydrolyses oxidised phospholipids on low-density lipoprotein (LDL) particles that plays a pivotal role in ox-LDL-induced endothelial dysfunction. The purpose of the current study was to determine the association between Lp-PLA2 levels and ED in patients without known coronary artery disease (CAD). All patients were evaluated for ED and divided into two groups: 88 patients suffering from ED for >1 year were enrolled as an experimental group and 88 patients without ED were enrolled as a control group in this study. Diagnosis of ED was based on the International Index of Erectile Function Score-5. Levels of Lp-PLA2 were measured in serum by colorimetric assay. The relationship between Lp-PLA2 levels and ED in patients was evaluated statistically. The mean age of patients with ED group was 59.4 ± 11.32 and 55.8 ± 9.67 in the control group. Plasma Lp-PLA2 levels were significantly higher in ED than in the control group (220.3 ± 66.90 and 174.8 ± 58.83 pg ml(-1) , respectively, P < 0.001). The Lp-PLA2 levels were negatively correlated with score of ED (r = -0.482, P < 0.05). In logistic regression analysis, enhanced plasma Lp-PLA2 levels result in approximately 1.2-fold increase in ED [1.22 (1.25-2.76)]. In this study, serum Lp-PLA2 levels were found to be associated with endothelial dysfunction predictive of ED. Serum Lp-PLA2 level appears to be a specific predictor of ED, and it may be used in early prediction of ED in the male population.

Baseline elevated Lp-PLA2 is associated with increased risk for re-stenosis after stent placement

Background

Lipoprotein associated phospholipase A2 (Lp-PLA2) is a novel biomarker for cardiovascular risk prediction. Whether increased Lp-PLA2 level is associated with re-stenosis after stent-placement is unclear.

Methods

Totally 326 participants eligible for stent-placement were enrolled and divided into two groups according to baseline Lp-PLA2 levels (named normal and elevated groups). Baseline characteristics and clinical outcomes were compared between normal and elevated groups. The relationships between Lp-PLA2 and other risk factors with re-stenosis were evaluated.

Results

Only the between-group difference of Lp-PLA2 was significant (123.2 ± 33.6 ng/mL vs 336.8 ± 85.4 ng/mL, P < 0.001) while other demographic and clinical characteristics between these two groups were comparable. Approximately 55.1% and 58.5% of participants in normal and elevated groups presented with acute coronary syndrome, and the percentage of tri-vessels stenoses was significantly higher in elevated group (40.8% vs 32.1%, P = 0.016). Nearly 96.0% and 94.0% of participants in normal and elevated Lp-PLA2 groups were placed with drug-eluting stents, and the others were with bare-metal stents. After 1 year’s follow-up, the incidence of clinical end-points was comparable (13.3% vs 15.4%, P = 0.172). Nevertheless, the incidence of re-stenosis was marginally higher in elevated Lp-PLA2 group (8.5% versus 4.6%, P = 0.047). With multivariate analysis, after adjustment for other risk factors, Lp-PLA2 remained an independent predictor for re-stenosis with a hazard ratio of 1.140. No synergistic effect between Lp-PLA2 and other risk factors for re-stenosis was found.

Conclusion

Increased Lp-PLA2 level is associated with an increased risk of re-stenosis. Lp-PLA2 assessment may be useful in predicting subjects who are at increased risk for re-stenosis.

Association of Lp-PLA2 with digital reactive hyperemia, coronary flow reserve, carotid atherosclerosis and arterial stiffness in coronary artery disease

BACKGROUND

Lipoprotein-associated Phospholipase A2 (Lp-PLA2), has a powerful inflammatory and atherogenic action in the vascular wall and is an independent marker of poor prognosis in coronary artery disease (CAD). We investigate the association of Lp-PLA2 with markers of vascular dysfunction and atherosclerosis with proven prognostic value in CAD.

METHODS

In 111 patients with angiographically documented chronic CAD, we measured 1) carotid intima-media thickness (CIMT), 2) reactive hyperemia using fingertip peripheral arterial tonometry (RH-PAT), 3) coronary flow reserve (CFR), by Doppler echocardiography 4) pulse wave velocity (PWV) and 5) blood levels of Lp-PLA2.

RESULTS

Patients with Lp-PLA2 concentration >234.5 ng/ml (50th percentile) had higher CIMT (1.44 ± 0.07 vs. 1.06 ± 0.06 mm), PWV (11.0 ± 2.36 vs. 9.7 ± 2.38 m/s) and lower RH-PAT(1.24 ± 0.25 vs. 1.51 ± 0.53) and CFR (2.39 ± 0.75 vs. 2.9 ± 0.86) compared to those with lower Lp-PLA (p < 0.05 for all comparisons). Lp-PLA2 was positively associated with CIMT (regression coefficient b: 0.30 per unit of Lp-PLA2, p = 0.02), PWV (b:0.201, p = 0.04) and inversely with RHI-PAT (b: -0.371, p < 0.001) and CFR (b:-0.32, p = 0.002). In multivariate analysis, Lp-PLA2 was an independent determinant of RHI-PAT, CFR, CIMT and PWV in a model including age, sex, smoking, diabetes, dyslipidemia and hypertension (p < 0.05 for all vascular markers). Lp-PLA2, RHI-PAT and CFR were independent predictors of cardiac events during a 3-year follow-up.

CONCLUSIONS

Elevated Lp-PLA2 concentration is related with endothelial dysfunction, carotid atherosclerosis, impaired coronary flow reserve and increased arterial stiffness and adverse outcome in CAD patients. These findings suggest that the prognostic role of Lp-PLA2 in chronic CAD may be explained by a generalized detrimental effect of this lipase on endothelial function and arterial wall properties.

Emerging families of biomarkers for coronary artery disease: inflammatory mediators

Introduction

Inflammation has been implicated in the development of atherosclerosis in patients with acute coronary syndrome. C-reactive protein is an established nonspecific prognostic inflammatory biomarker for patients with acute coronary syndrome in the medical literature. This has led to a concerted effort to identify circulating inflammatory biomarkers to facilitate predicting the risk for and diagnosing coronary artery disease in at-risk subjects. The objective of this study was to search after novel inflammatory biomarkers reported as useful for diagnosing coronary artery disease.

Methods

The PubMed database was searched for reports published from January 1, 2000 to June 30, 2012 of novel circulating biomarkers for coronary artery disease in addition to the established biomarker, C-reactive protein. The search terms used were “infarction”, “biomarkers”, and “markers”, and only original articles describing clinical trials that were written in English were included. All published articles were separately examined carefully after novel inflammatory markers for acute coronary syndrome. All irrelevant publications without content pertaining to inflammatory biomarkers for acute coronary syndrome were excluded from this study. Our results reflect all articles concerning biomarkers in humans.

Results

The PubMed search yielded 4,415 research articles. After further analysis, all relevant published original articles examining 53 biomarkers were included in this review, which identified 46 inflammation biomarkers useful for detecting coronary artery disease.

Conclusion

The emergence of diverse novel biomarkers for coronary artery disease has provided insight into the varied pathophysiology of this disease. Inflammatory biomarkers have tremendous potential in aiding the prediction of acute coronary syndrome and recurrent ischemic episodes, and will eventually help improve patient care and management.