2019 ESC/EAS Guidelines for themanagement of dyslipidaemias: lipid modification to reduce cardiovascular risk

Joint Association of Lipoprotein(a) and a Family History of Coronary Artery Disease with the Cardiovascular Outcomes in Patients with Chronic Coronary Syndrome

AIM

No data are currently available regarding the association between Lp(a) and the cardiovascular outcomes in patients with coronary artery disease (CAD) according to their family history (FHx) of CAD. This study aimed to evaluate the significance of Lp(a) in predicting major adverse cardiovascular events (MACEs) in patients with chronic coronary syndrome (CCS) with or without FHx.

METHODS

A total of 6056 patients with CCS were enrolled. Information on FHx was collected, and the plasma Lp(a) levels were measured. All patients were followed up regularly. The independent and joint associations of Lp(a) and FHx with the risk of MACEs, including cardiovascular death, nonfatal myocardial infarction, and stroke, were analyzed.

RESULTS

With over an average of 50.35±18.58 months follow-up, 378 MACEs were recorded. A Cox regression analysis showed an elevated Lp(a) level to be an independent predictor for MACEs in patients with [hazard ratio (HR): 2.77, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.38-5.54] or without FHx (HR: 1.35, 95% CI: 1.02-1.77). In comparison to subjects with non-elevated Lp(a) and negative FHx, patients with elevated Lp(a) alone were at a nominally higher risk of MACEs (HR: 1.26, 95% CI: 0.96-1.67), while those with both had the highest risk (HR: 1.93, 95% CI: 1.14-3.28). Moreover, adding Lp(a) to the original model increased the C-statistic by 0.048 in subjects with FHx (p=0.004) and by 0.004 in those without FHx (p=0.391).

CONCLUSIONS

The present study is the first to suggest that Lp(a) could be used to predict MACEs in CCS patients with or without FHx; however, its prognostic significance was more noteworthy in patients with FHx.

Chinese expert consensus on blood lipid management in patients with diabetes (2024 edition)

Diabetes is a significant independent risk factor for atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD), with dyslipidemia playing a critical role in the initiation and progression of ASCVD in diabetic patients. In China, the current prevalence of dyslipidemia in diabetes is high, but the control rate remains low. Therefore, to enhance lipid management in patients with diabetes, the Endocrinology and Metabolism Physician Branch of the Chinese Medical Doctor Association, in collaboration with the Experts' Committee of the National Society of Cardiometabolic Medicine, has convened experts to develop a consensus on the management of dyslipidemia in patients with type 1 or type 2 diabetes. The development of this consensus is informed by existing practices in lipid management among Chinese diabetic patients, incorporating contemporary evidence-based findings and guidelines from national and international sources. The consensus encompasses lipid profile characteristics, the current epidemiological status of dyslipidemia, ASCVD risk stratification, and lipid management procedures in diabetic patients. For the first time, both low-density lipoprotein cholesterol and non-high-density lipoprotein cholesterol have been recommended as primary targets for lipid intervention in diabetic patients. The consensus also includes a summary and recommendations for lipid management strategies in special diabetic populations, including children and adolescents, individuals aged 75 years and older, patients with chronic kidney disease, metabolic-associated fatty liver disease, and those who are pregnant. This comprehensive consensus aims to improve cardiovascular outcomes in diabetic patients by contributing to the dissemination of key clinical advancements and guiding clinical practice.

Efficacy and Safety of Pemafibrate, a Novel Selective PPARα Modulator in Chinese Patients with Dyslipidemia: A Double-Masked, Randomized, Placebo- and Active-Controlled Comparison Trial

AIMS

Pemafibrate substantially lowers serum triglyceride (TG) levels and increases high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) levels primarily in Japan, but it has not been evaluated in China. We aimed to confirm the efficacy and safety of pemafibrate in Chinese patients with hypertriglyceridemia and low HDL-C levels by comparing placebo and fenofibrate.

METHODS

A multicenter, double-masked trial was conducted in China involving 344 patients with high TG and low HDL-C levels randomly assigned to one of four groups: pemafibrate 0.2 mg/d, pemafibrate 0.4 mg/d, fenofibrate 200 mg/d, or placebo for 12 weeks. The primary endpoint was the percentage change in fasting TG levels.

RESULTS

The percentage change in TG levels from baseline was -34.1%, -44.0%, -30.5%, and 6.5% in the pemafibrate 0.2 mg/d, pemafibrate 0.4 mg/d, fenofibrate 200 mg/d, and placebo groups, respectively. Pemafibrate 0.4 mg/d significantly reduced TG levels compared with that in both placebo (p＜0.0001) and fenofibrate groups (p=0.0083). Significant improvements in HDL-C, remnant cholesterol, and apolipoprotein A1 levels were also observed with both doses of pemafibrate than with the placebo. Pemafibrate showed significantly smaller changes in alanine aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase, and serum creatinine levels than those with fenofibrate.

CONCLUSIONS

In Chinese patients, pemafibrate exhibited superior efficacy in improving TG levels and enhanced hepatic and renal safety compared to fenofibrate. Thus, pemafibrate may represent a promising therapeutic option for dyslipidemia in Chinese patients.

Low-Density Lipoprotein Cholesterol to Triglyceride Ratio and Clinical Outcomes after Acute Ischaemic Stroke or Transient Ischaemic Attack

AIMS

Studies showed that low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) to triglyceride (TG) ratio could be used as a predictive parameter of low-density lipoprotein oxidation in vivo and the level of small dense LDL-C. However, whether LDL-C/TG ratio is associated with stroke prognosis remains unclear. We investigated the associations of LDL-C/TG ratio with outcomes in patients with acute ischaemic stroke (AIS) or transient ischaemic attacks (TIA) and explored whether it produced more predictive value than LDL-C and TG.

METHODS

Data were derived from the Third China National Stroke Registry (CNSR-III). Multivariable Cox regression for stroke recurrence, composite vascular events and all-cause death and logistic regression for the poor functional outcome (modified Rankin Scale score 3-6) were used.

RESULTS

A total of 14123 patients were included. After adjusting for confounding factors, quartile 4 of LDL-C/TG ratio was associated with an increased risk of recurrent stroke (hazard ratio [HR], 1.27; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.03-1.56), composite vascular events (HR,1.23; 95% CI, 1.00-1.52), death (HR,1.70; 95% CI, 1.13-2.54) and poor functional outcome (odds ratio, 1.34; 95% CI, 1.12-1.61) at 3 months follow-up compared with quartile 1. We also found that quartile 4 of LDL-C and TG was positively and negatively associated with poor functional outcome at 3 months, respectively. LDL-C/TG ratio performed better than LDL-C or TG in predicting clinical outcomes.

CONCLUSIONS

LDL-C/TG ratio was associated with the risk of stroke recurrence, composite vascular events, death and poor functional outcome in patients with AIS or TIA.

Gender-Specific Medicine in the European Society of Cardiology Guidelines from 2018 to 2023: Where Are We Going?

Background/Objectives: Evidence-based medicine (EBM) shapes most clinical guidelines. Although the advent of EBM marked a significant advancement, failure to include sex differences in the study design and analysis of most trials leads to an under-representation of gender-specific medicine (GM) in EBM-directed guidelines. In this review, we evaluated how the topic of GM was developed in the guidelines produced by the European Society of Cardiology (ESC) from 2018 to 2023. Methods: Two independent reviewers evaluated 24 ESC guidelines. Significant mentions of GM were counted and divided between epidemiology, diagnosis, and therapeutics. The qualitative and semi-quantitative analysis of information relating to GM was performed. Data on the number of citations of papers with a title concerning GM and the prevalence and role of women in guidelines' authorship were also analyzed. Results: Less than 50% of guidelines had a section dedicated to GM. Only nine guidelines were led by a woman, and 144/567 authors were female. In the most recent guidelines and in those with at least 30% of female authors, there was an increased mention of GM. On average, guidelines had four significant mentions of GM regarding epidemiology, two regarding diagnosis, and one regarding therapy. Articles with titles concerning GM made up, on average, 1.5% of the total number of citations. Conclusions: Although sex differences play a significant role in most clinical scenarios, ESC guidelines still do not sufficiently account for this. The problem does not seem to solely lie in the guidelines, but in the lack of attention to GM in research needed for their preparation.

Washed Microbiota Transplantation Is Associated With Improved Lipid Profiles: Long-Term Efficacy and Safety in an Observational Cohort From South China

INTRODUCTION

Dyslipidemia is one of the main risk factors of chronic metabolic diseases. Our previous studies have shown that washed microbiota transplantation (WMT) has a significant improvement effect on patients with hyperlipidemia and hypolipemia in the Chinese population. The purpose of this study was to further explore the long-term efficacy and safety of WMT in patients with hyperlipidemia.

METHODS

Clinical data of patients who received WMT for multicourse were collected. Changes of blood lipid indexes before and after WMT, including triglyceride (TG), total cholesterol (TC), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), non-high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (non-HDL-C), lipoprotein A, and Apolipoprotein B.

RESULTS

A total of 124 patients were enrolled, including 56 cases in the hyperlipidemia group and 68 cases with normal lipids. The mean observation time was 787.80 ± 371.45 days, and the longest follow-up time was 1,534 days. TC and non-HDL-C in the hyperlipidemia group with 1-4 courses of WMT were significantly reduced ( P < 0.05); TG decreased significantly after the second course ( P < 0.05); low-density lipoprotein cholesterol also significantly decreased after the fourth course of treatment ( P < 0.05); TG, TC, and non-HDL-C significantly decreased in single course, double course, and multiple course, respectively ( P < 0.05). In terms of time period, over 1 year, the improvement in multicourse treatment was more significant than the single and double-course ones. In terms of comprehensive efficacy, WMT restored 32.14% of patients in the hyperlipidemia group to the normal lipid group ( P < 0.001), of which 30.00% recovered to the normal lipid group within 1 year ( P = 0.004) and 65.38% were reassigned to the normal lipid group over 1 year ( P = 0.003). In addition, over the 1-year treatment period, WMT significantly degraded the high-risk and medium-risk groups of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease risk stratification in hyperlipidemia cases. There were no serious adverse events.

DISCUSSION

WMT had a long-term improvement effect on patients with hyperlipidemia. The effect of multiple courses over 1 year was more significant than that of single/double courses and also had a significant destratification effect on the risk of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease with high safety. Therefore, WMT provides a safe and long-term effective clinical treatment for patients with dyslipidemia.

Risk of Hemorrhagic Stroke among Patients Treated with High-Intensity Statins versus Pitavastatin-Ezetimibe: A Population Based Study

High-intensity statin (HIS) is recommended for high-risk patients in current guidelines. However, the risk of hemorrhagic stroke (HS) with HIS is a concern for Asians. Pitavastatin carries pharmacological differences compared with other statins. We compared the risk of HS in patients treated with pitavastatin-ezetimibe vs. HIS. We conducted a population-based, propensity score-matched cohort study using data from the Taiwan National Health Insurance Research Database. From January 2013 to December 2018, adults (≥ 18 years) who received pitavastatin 2-4 mg/day plus ezetimibe 10 mg/day (combination group, N = 3,767) and those who received atorvastatin 40 mg/day or rosuvastatin 20 mg/day (HIS group, N = 37,670) were enrolled. The primary endpoint was HS. We also assessed the difference of a composite safety endpoint of hepatitis or myopathy requiring hospitalization and new-onset diabetes mellitus. Multivariable Cox proportional hazards model was used to evaluate the relationship between study endpoints and different treatment. After a mean follow-up of 3.05 ± 1.66 years, less HS occurred in combination group (0.74%) than in HIS group (1.35%) [adjusted hazard ratio (aHR) 0.65, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.44-0.95]. In subgroup analysis, the lower risk of HS in combination group was consistent among all pre-specified subgroups. There was no significant difference of the composite safety endpoint between the 2 groups (aHR 0.91, 95% CI 0.81-1.02). In conclusion, pitavastatin-ezetimibe combination treatment had less HS compared with high-intensity atorvastatin and rosuvastatin. Pitavastatin-ezetimibe may be a favorable choice for Asians who need strict lipid control but with concern of HS.

Early, Intensive and Persistent Lipid-Lowering Therapy for Secondary Prevention of Acute Coronary Syndrome

AIM

Early and intensive low-density lipoprotein (LDL-C)-lowering therapy plays important roles in secondary prevention of acute coronary syndrome (ACS), but the treatment period for further clinical benefit remains undefined. This single-center, retrospective study explored LDL-C trajectory after ACS and its associations with subsequent cardiovascular events (CVE).

METHODS

In 831 patients with ACS, we evaluated LDL-C reduction during the first 2 months post-ACS as an index of early intervention and the area over the curve for LDL-C using 70 mg/dl as the threshold in the next 6 months (AOC-70) as a persistent intensity index. Patients were followed for a median of 3.0 (1.1-5.2) years for CVE, defined as the composite of cardiovascular death, non-fatal myocardial infarction, angina pectoris requiring revascularization, cerebral infarction, and coronary bypass grafting.

RESULTS

LDL-C decreased from baseline to 2 months post-ACS (107±38 mg/dl to 78±25 mg/dl, p＜0.001) through high-intensity statin prescription (91.8%), while achieving rates of LDL-C ＜70 mg/dl at 2 months remained only 40.2% with no significant changes thereafter. During the follow-up period, CVE occurred in 200 patients. LDL-C reduction during the first 2 months and AOC-70 in the next 6 months were both associated with subsequent CVE risk (sub-HR [hazard ratio] [95% confidence interval]: 1.48 [1.16-1.89] and 1.22 [1.05-1.44]). Furthermore, early intervention followed by persistently intensive LDL-C-lowering therapy resulted in further CVE risk reduction.

CONCLUSIONS

The present study observed that achieving early and intensive LDL-C reduction within the first two months after ACS and maintaining it for the next six months suppressed subsequent CVE risk, suggesting the importance of early, intensive, and persistent LDL-C-lowering therapy in the secondary prevention of ACS.

Relationships of Fat Mass Index and Fat-Free Mass Index with Low-Density Lipoprotein Cholesterol Levels in the Tohoku Medical Megabank Community-Based Cohort Study

AIMS

Although fat mass (FM) and fat-free mass (FFM) have an impact on lipid metabolism, the relationship between different body composition phenotypes and lipid profiles is still unclear. By dividing the FM and FFM by the square of the height, respectively, the fat mass index (FMI) and fat-free mass index (FFMI) can be used to determine the variations in body composition. This study aimed to investigate the relationship of combined FMI and FFMI with low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) levels.

METHODS

This cross-sectional study comprised 5,116 men and 13,630 women without cardiovascular disease and without treatment for hypertension, and diabetes. Following sex-specific quartile classification, FMI and FFMI were combined into 16 groups. Elevated LDL-C levels were defined as LDL-C ≥ 140 mg/dL and/or dyslipidemia treatment. Multivariable logistic regression models were used to examine the relationships between combined FMI and FFMI and elevated LDL-C levels.

RESULTS

Overall, elevated LDL-C levels were found in 1,538 (30.1%) men and 5,434 (39.9%) women. In all FFMI subgroups, a higher FMI was associated with elevated LDL-C levels. Conversely, FFMI was inversely associated with elevated LDL-C levels in most FMI subgroups. Furthermore, the groups with the highest FMI and lowest FFMI had higher odds ratios for elevated LDL-C levels than those with the lowest FMI and highest FFMI.

CONCLUSIONS

Regardless of FFMI, FMI was positively associated with elevated LDL-C levels. Conversely, in the majority of FMI subgroups, FFMI was inversely associated with elevated LDL-C levels.

The effectiveness of green heart application to manage modifiable risk factors of coronary artery disease in Tehran Heart Center: Study protocol for a randomized controlled trial

The burden of cardiovascular disease (CVD) is diminishing in developed countries. However, in middle- and low-income countries the CVD death rates are growing. CVD is the most common cause of death and disability in Iran and accounts for nearly half of all mortalities in Iranians. Therefore, preventive strategies by risk factor modification are a top priority in the country. Recently, Mobile-Health (mHealth) technology has been the focus of increasing interest in improving the delivery of cardiovascular prevention, targeting a combination of modifiable risk factors. This parallel-group single-blinded randomized controlled trial study has been designed to evaluate the impact of using a mHealth application on risk factors control. Individuals aged between 25 and 75 years who have documented CVD by coronary angiography in Tehran Heart Center and have at least one uncontrolled risk factor from the three including hypertension, dyslipidemia, and current cigarette smoking will be included. We are going to randomize 1544 patients into two study arms as follows: 1- Intervention: usual care + mHealth 2- Control: usual care + paper-based recommendations and educational materials. After 3 and 6 months of follow-up, the status of risk factors will be determined through outpatient visits and face-to-face interviews for both arms. Outcome: Successful risk factor control will be measured after 3 and 6 months. Nowadays, mHealth is becoming increasingly popular, providing a good opportunity for constant monitoring of risk factors and changing health behavior in a target population. Meanwhile, providing evidence for the effectiveness of health intervention delivery using mobile technologies could help health providers encourage their at-risk population to stop smoking, control blood pressure and blood cholesterol, and participate in regular physical activity. While the burden of CVD is growing in developing countries, this type of intervention can be a cost-effective way to reduce it in these countries.

Adipocentric origin of the common cardiometabolic complications of obesity in the young up to the very old: pathophysiology and new therapeutic opportunities

Obesity is a multifactorial chronic disease characterized by an excess of adipose tissue, affecting people of all ages. In the last 40 years, the incidence of overweight and obesity almost tripled worldwide. The accumulation of "visceral" adipose tissue increases with aging, leading to several cardio-metabolic consequences: from increased blood pressure to overt arterial hypertension, from insulin-resistance to overt type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), dyslipidemia, chronic kidney disease (CKD), and obstructive sleep apnea. The increasing use of innovative drugs, namely glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists (GLP1-RA) and sodium-glucose cotransporter-2 inhibitors (SGLT2-i), is changing the management of obesity and its related cardiovascular complications significantly. These drugs, first considered only for T2DM treatment, are now used in overweight patients with visceral adiposity or obese patients, as obesity is no longer just a risk factor but a critical condition at the basis of common metabolic, cardiovascular, and renal diseases. An adipocentric vision and approach should become the cornerstone of visceral overweight and obesity integrated management and treatment, reducing and avoiding the onset of obesity-related multiple risk factors and their clinical complications. According to recent progress in basic and clinical research on adiposity, this narrative review aims to contribute to a novel clinical approach focusing on pathophysiological and therapeutic insights.

Impact of Low-Density Lipoprotein Cholesterol Levels at Acute Coronary Syndrome Admission on Long-Term Clinical Outcomes

AIM

Low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) level reduction is highly effective in preventing the occurrence of a cardiovascular event. Contrariwise, an inverse association exists between LDL-C levels and prognosis in some patients with cardiovascular diseases-the so-called "cholesterol paradox." This study aimed to investigate whether the LDL-C level on admission affects the long-term prognosis in patients who develop acute coronary syndrome (ACS) and to examine factors associated with poor prognosis in patients with low LDL-C levels.

METHODS

We enrolled 410 statin-naïve patients with ACS, whom we divided into low- and high-LDL-C groups based on an admission LDL-C cut-off (obtained from the Youden index) of 122 mg/dL. Endothelial function was assessed using the reactive hyperemia index 1 week after statin initiation. The primary composite endpoint included all-cause death, as well as myocardial infarction and ischemic stroke occurrences.

RESULTS

During a median follow-up period of 6.1 years, 76 patients experienced the primary endpoint. Multivariate Cox regression analysis revealed that patients in the low LDL-C group had a 2.3-fold higher risk of experiencing the primary endpoint than those in the high LDL-C group (hazard ratio, 2.34; 95% confidence interval, 1.29-4.27; p=0.005). In the low LDL-C group, slow gait speed (frailty), elevated chronic-phase high-sensitivity C-reactive protein levels (chronic inflammation), and endothelial dysfunction were significantly associated with the primary endpoint.

CONCLUSIONS

Patients with low LDL-C levels at admission due to ACS had a significantly worse long-term prognosis than those with high LDL-C levels; frailty, chronic inflammation, and endothelial dysfunction were poor prognostic factors.

Role of Small Dense Low-density Lipoprotein Cholesterol in Cardiovascular Events in Patients with Coronary Artery Disease and Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus Receiving Statin Treatment

AIM

There is little information on the relationships of serum small dense low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (sdLDL-C) levels and serum triglyceride (TG) levels with cardiovascular events in patients with coronary artery disease (CAD) and type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM) who are receiving statins. The aim of this study was to evaluate the relationships of serum TG levels and sdLDL-C levels as residual risks for cardiovascular events in patients with CAD and type 2 DM who were being treated with statins.

METHODS

The subjects were divided into four groups based on TG levels and sdLDL-C levels: sdLDL-C of ＜40.0 mg/dL and TG of ＜150 mg/dL, sdLDL-C of ≥ 40.0 mg/dL and TG of ＜150 mg/dL, sdLDL-C of ＜40.0 mg/dL and TG of ≥ 150 mg/dL, and sdLDL-C of ≥ 40.0 mg/dL and TG of ≥ 150 mg/dL. During a median follow-up period of 1419 days, cardiovascular events occurred in 34 patients.

RESULTS

The incidences of cardiovascular events were significantly higher in patients with sdLDL-C of ≥ 40.0 mg/dL and TG of ＜150 mg/dL and in patients with sdLDL-C of ≥ 40.0 mg/dL and TG of ≥ 150 mg/dL, but not in patients with sdLDL-C of ＜40.0 mg/dL and TG of ≥ 150 mg/dL, than in patients with sdLDL-C of ＜40.0 mg/dL and TG of ＜150 mg/dL.

CONCLUSIONS

Under the condition of treatment with statins, patients with CAD and type 2 DM who had sdLDL-C levels of ≥ 40.0 mg/dL had a high risk for cardiovascular events even though serum TG levels were controlled at ＜150 mg/dL.

Acute ischemic stroke in tuberculous meningitis

Background

The underlying mechanism for stroke in patients with tuberculous meningitis (TBM) remains unclear. This study aimed to investigate the predictors of acute ischemic stroke (AIS) in TBM and whether AIS mediates the relationship between inflammation markers and functional disability.

Methods

TBM patients admitted to five hospitals between January 2011 and December 2021 were consecutively observed. Generalized linear mixed model and subgroup analyses were performed to investigate predictors of AIS in patients with and without vascular risk factors (VAFs). Mediation analyses were performed to explore the potential causal chain in which AIS may mediate the relationship between neuroimaging markers of inflammation and 90-day functional outcomes.

Results

A total of 1,353 patients with TBM were included. The percentage rate of AIS within 30 days after admission was 20.4 (95% CI, 18.2-22.6). A multivariate analysis suggested that age ≥35 years (OR = 1.49; 95% CI, 1.06-2.09; P = 0.019), hypertension (OR = 3.56; 95% CI, 2.42-5.24; P < 0.001), diabetes (OR = 1.78; 95% CI, 1.11-2.86; P = 0.016), smoking (OR = 2.88; 95% CI, 1.68-4.95; P < 0.001), definite TBM (OR = 0.19; 95% CI, 0.06-0.42; P < 0.001), disease severity (OR = 2.11; 95% CI, 1.50-2.90; P = 0.056), meningeal enhancement (OR = 1.66; 95% CI, 1.19-2.31; P = 0.002), and hydrocephalus (OR = 2.98; 95% CI, 1.98-4.49; P < 0.001) were associated with AIS. Subgroup analyses indicated that disease severity (P for interaction = 0.003), tuberculoma (P for interaction = 0.008), and meningeal enhancement (P for interaction < 0.001) were significantly different in patients with and without VAFs. Mediation analyses revealed that the proportion of the association between neuroimaging markers of inflammation and functional disability mediated by AIS was 16.98% (95% CI, 7.82-35.12) for meningeal enhancement and 3.39% (95% CI, 1.22-6.91) for hydrocephalus.

Conclusion

Neuroimaging markers of inflammation were predictors of AIS in TBM patients. AIS mediates < 20% of the association between inflammation and the functional outcome at 90 days. More attention should be paid to clinical therapies targeting inflammation and hydrocephalus to directly improve functional outcomes.

Long-term Efficacy and Safety of K-924 Pitavastatin/Ezetimibe Fixed-dose Combination in Patients with Hypercholesterolemia: A Phase III, Multi-center, Open-label Trial

AIM

Ezetimibe administration with ongoing statin therapy is an effective option for further lowering low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) levels. Thus, we investigated the long-term efficacy and safety of fixed-dose combination of pitavastatin/ezetimibe (K-924 LD: 2 mg/10 mg; K-924 HD: 4 mg/10 mg).

METHODS

We conducted a phase III, multicenter, open-label trial involving patients with hypercholesterolemia receiving pitavastatin (2 or 4 mg) who had not achieved their LDL-C management target. Patients were enrolled into the K-924 LD and HD groups based on whether they had received pitavastatin 2 and 4 mg, respectively, and treated for 52 weeks. K-924 was administered orally once daily. The primary objective was to examine the percent change in LDL-C from baseline at week 52 with last observation carried forward imputation (LOCF) in all patients.

RESULTS

Of the 109 patients evaluated, 62 and 47 were assigned to the K-924 LD and HD groups, respectively. In all patients, LDL-C decreased by -30.3±14.3% (p＜0.001) from baseline (134.4±37.9 mg/dL). Consequently, 91.8% and 37.5% of the patients for primary and secondary prevention reached their LDL-C management target, respectively. These results were consistent in both the K-924 LD and HD groups. In the safety analysis, a single adverse drug reaction occurred in a patient in the K-924 HD group.

CONCLUSION

After replacing pitavastatin monotherapy, K-924 was found to be effective and well-tolerated over 52 weeks. Thus, K-924 can contribute to intensifying LDL-C-lowering therapy without increasing the number of medications.

Calculated Small Dense Low-Density Lipoprotein Cholesterol Level is A Predominant Predictor for New Onset of Ischemic Heart Disease

AIM

A high level of directly measured small dense low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (sdLDL-C) is a strong risk factor for ischemic heart disease (IHD). However, it remains unclear whether estimated sdLDL-C level is a predictor for IHD. We investigated the associations of new onset of IHD with levels of total cholesterol (TC), high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), non-HDL-C, triglycerides (TG), LDL-C and calculated sdLDL-C by Sampson's equation.

METHODS

After exclusion of subjects with IHD or those with TG ≥ 800 mg/dL, a total of 18,176 subjects (men/women: 11,712/6,464, mean age: 46 years) were recruited among 28,990 Japanese individuals who received annual health checkups.

RESULTS

During the 10-year follow-up period, 456 men (3.9%) and 121 women (1.9%) newly developed IHD. Multivariable Cox proportional hazard analyses after adjustment of age, sex, obesity, smoking habit, family history of IHD, estimated glomerular filtration rate, hypertension and diabetes mellitus at baseline showed that the hazard ratio (HR) (1.38 [95% confidence interval: 1.03-1.85]) for new onset of IHD in subjects with the 4th quartile (Q4) of sdLDL-C (≥ 42 mg/dL) was significantly higher than that in subjects with the 1st quartile (Q1) (≤ 24 mg/dL) as the reference, though the adjusted HRs in subjects with Q2-Q4 of TC, HDL-C, non-HDL-C, LDL-C and TG were comparable with those in subjects with Q1 of the respective lipid fractions. The adjusted HR with a restricted cubic spline increased with a higher level of calculated sdLDL-C as a continuous value at baseline.

CONCLUSIONS

sdLDL-C level calculated by Sampson's equation is a predominant predictor for the development of IHD in a general Japanese population.

Older Adult Attitudes toward Deprescribing Statins in Primary Cardiovascular Prevention Versus General Medications

Background: There is little evidence for statins for primary cardiovascular prevention in older adults. Consequently, it is important to assess patient attitudes toward the use of statins, which might differ from attitudes toward other medications. We aimed to describe older patient attitudes toward deprescribing statins versus general medications. Methods: We conducted a survey using the revised Patients' Attitudes Toward Deprescribing questionnaire in its original version and adapted to statin use in adults ≥65 years taking a statin for primary prevention. Results: Among the 47 participants (mean age 74.6 years), 42 (89%) were satisfied with their current therapy, but still willing to stop ≥1 of their medications upon their doctor's advice. About 68% (N = 32) were satisfied with their statin therapy, while 83% (N = 39) would accept to consider deprescribing. Twenty-six (55%) participants were concerned about missing future benefits when stopping their general medications and 17 (36%) when stopping their statin. Eight (17%) participants believed they were experiencing side effects of statins and twice as many for general medication (38%, N = 18). Conclusion: Our study provides insight about differences and similarities in patient attitudes toward deprescribing general medications and statins in primary prevention. This information could support patient-centered conversations and shared-decision making about deprescribing.

Gaps in the Care of Subjects with Familial Hypercholesterolemia: Insights from the Thai Familial Hypercholesterolemia Registry

AIMS

Familial hypercholesterolemia (FH) is currently underdiagnosed and undertreated. The establishment of a FH registry could facilitate a deeper understanding of this disease. We described the clinical characteristics of subjects with FH from the Thai FH Registry, compared our data with the regional and global data, and identified gaps in the care of these subjects.

METHODS

A multicenter, nationwide prospective FH registry was established in Thailand. Our data were compared with those of the European Atherosclerosis Society-FH Studies Collaboration. Multiple logistic regression analyses were performed for variables associated with lipid-lowering medication (LLM) use and the attainment of low-density lipoprotein-cholesterol (LDL-C) goal.

RESULTS

The study includes 472 subjects with FH (mean age at FH diagnosis: 46±12 years, 61.4% women). A history of premature coronary artery disease was found in 12%. The percentage of LLM use in subjects with a Dutch Lipid Clinic Network score of ≥ 6 (probable or definite FH) in our registry (64%) was slightly lower than the regional data but higher than the global data. Among those who received statins, 25.2% and 6.4% achieved LDL-C levels of ＜100 mg/dL and ＜70 mg/dL, respectively. Women with FH were less likely to achieve LDL-C ＜70 mg/dL (adjusted odds ratio: 0.22, 95% confidence interval: 0.06-0.71, p=0.012).

CONCLUSIONS

FH in Thailand was diagnosed late, and treatment was inadequate for the majority of subjects. Women with FH were less likely to achieve LDL-C goals. Our insights could potentially help raise awareness and narrow the gap in patient care.

Achievement Rates for Low-Density Lipoprotein Cholesterol Goals in Patients at High Risk of Atherosclerotic Cardiovascular Disease in a Real-World Setting in Japan

AIMS

The study aimed to investigate low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) goal achievement rates in patients receiving LDL-C-lowering therapy using recent real-world data, following the 2017 revision of the Japan Atherosclerosis Society Guidelines for Prevention of Atherosclerotic Cardiovascular Diseases (JAS GL2017).

METHODS

Patients with documented LDL-C test results were extracted from the Medical Data Vision claims database between July 2018 and June 2021 and divided into three groups according to JAS GL2017: primary prevention high risk (Group I, LDL-C goal ＜120 mg/dL), secondary prevention (Group II, LDL-C goal ＜100 mg/dL), and secondary prevention high risk (Group III, LDL-C goal ＜70 mg/dL).

RESULTS

The mean LDL-C value was 108.7 mg/dL (n=125,235), 94.4 mg/dL (n=57,910), and 90.6 mg/dL (n=33,850) in Groups I, II, and III, respectively. Intensive statin monotherapy (pitavastatin, rosuvastatin, or atorvastatin) was the most frequently prescribed lipid-lowering treatment (21.6%, 30.8%, and 42.7% in Groups I, II, and III, respectively), followed by ezetimibe (2.5%, 7.1%, and 8.5% in Groups I, II, and III, respectively). LDL-C goals were achieved by 65.5%, 60.6%, and 25.4% of patients overall in Groups I, II, and III, respectively. Achievement rates were 83.9%, 75.3%, and 29.5% in patients prescribed intensive statin monotherapy and 82.3%, 86.4%, and 46.4% in those prescribed statin and ezetimibe combinations in Groups I, II, and III, respectively. In Group III, the proportion of patients with familial hypercholesterolemia prescribed statin and ezetimibe combinations achieving LDL-C goals was low (32.5%).

CONCLUSIONS

The proportion of patients achieving LDL-C goals for secondary prevention in the high-risk group remains low even with statin and ezetimibe combination therapy.

Lipoproteins, Cholesterol, and Atherosclerotic Cardiovascular Disease in East Asians and Europeans

One fifth of the world population live in East Asia comprising Japan, Korea, and China where ischemic heart disease, a major component of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD), is the second most frequent cause of death. Each of low-density lipoproteins (LDL), remnant lipoproteins, and lipoprotein(a), summarized as non-high-density lipoproteins (non-HDL) or apolipoprotein B (apoB) containing lipoproteins, causes ASCVD. However, a significant proportion of the evidence on lipoproteins and lipoprotein cholesterol with risk of ASCVD came from White people mainly living in Europe and North America and not from people living in East Asia or of East Asian descent. With a unique biological, geohistorical, and social background in this world region, East Asians have distinctive characteristics that might have potential impact on the association of lipoproteins and lipoprotein cholesterol with risk of ASCVD. Considering the movement across national borders in the World, understanding of lipoprotein and lipoprotein cholesterol evidence on ASCVD in East Asia is important for both East Asian and non-East Asian populations wherever they live in the World.In this review, we introduce the biological features of lipoproteins and lipoprotein cholesterol and the evidence for their association with risk of ASCVD in East Asian and European populations. We also provide an overview of guideline recommendations for prevention of ASCVD in these two different world regions. Finally, specific preventive strategies and future perspectives are touched upon.

Performance evaluation of Barozen Lipid Plus for point-of-care testing of lipid profiles: a method comparison study

BACKGROUND

The quick and easy nature of point-of-care (POC) testing devices allows regular monitoring of serum lipid levels to increase efficiency. The purpose of this study was to assess a POC lipid analyzer, Barozen Lipid Plus (MICO Biomed Co., Ltd.), which uses capillary blood to measure total cholesterol (TC), triglycerides (TGs), and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C).

METHODS

Capillary and venous blood samples were collected from 110 participants at a single center in Korea between June 10 and June 26, 2021. TC, TG, and HDL-C measurements using Barozen Lipid Plus were compared with measurements using our reference device, the Roche-Hitachi Cobas 8000 c702 (Hitachi High-Technologies Corporation). This study followed the guidelines of the Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute and the Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendments. We surveyed participants regarding the convenience of the POC device using a questionnaire following the completion of blood collection.

RESULTS

When compared to the reference equipment, the measurements obtained using Barozen Lipid Plus were more than 95% satisfactory within TC±10%, TG±25%, and HDL-C±30%. The coefficient of variation in the repeatability testing was within 5% for TC, 5% for TGs, and 7% for HDL-C. The survey results indicated high levels of satisfaction. No adverse events were reported.

CONCLUSION

These findings suggest that Barozen Lipid Plus is reliable for measuring lipid profiles and can therefore be used to monitor lipid levels at the time and place of patient care.

Comparison of on-Statin Lipid and Lipoprotein Levels for the Prediction of First Cardiovascular Event in Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus

BACKGRUOUND

A substantial cardiovascular disease risk remains even after optimal statin therapy. Comparative predictiveness of major lipid and lipoprotein parameters for cardiovascular events in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) who are treated with statins is not well documented.

METHODS

From the Korean Nationwide Cohort, 11,900 patients with T2DM (≥40 years of age) without a history of cardiovascular disease and receiving moderate- or high-intensity statins were included. The primary outcome was the first occurrence of major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE) including ischemic heart disease, ischemic stroke, and cardiovascular death. The risk of MACE was estimated according to on-statin levels of low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), triglyceride (TG), highdensity lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), and non-HDL-C.

RESULTS

MACE occurred in 712 patients during a median follow-up period of 37.9 months (interquartile range, 21.7 to 54.9). Among patients achieving LDL-C levels less than 100 mg/dL, the hazard ratios for MACE per 1-standard deviation change in ontreatment values were 1.25 (95% confidence interval [CI], 1.07 to 1.47) for LDL-C, 1.31 (95% CI, 1.09 to 1.57) for non-HDL-C, 1.05 (95% CI, 0.91 to 1.21) for TG, and 1.16 (95% CI, 0.98 to 1.37) for HDL-C, after adjusting for potential confounders and lipid parameters mutually. The predictive ability of on-statin LDL-C and non-HDL-C for MACE was prominent in patients at high cardiovascular risk or those with LDL-C ≥70 mg/dL.

CONCLUSION

On-statin LDL-C and non-HDL-C levels are better predictors of the first cardiovascular event than TG or HDL-C in patients with T2DM.

Efficacy and Safety of Pitavastatin/Ezetimibe Fixed-Dose Combination vs. Pitavastatin: Phase III, Double-Blind, Randomized Controlled Trial

AIM

We compared the efficacy and safety of pitavastatin/ezetimibe fixed-dose combination with those of pitavastatin monotherapy in patients with hypercholesterolemia.

METHODS

This trial was a multicenter, randomized, double-blind, active-controlled, parallel-group trial. A total of 293 patients were randomly assigned into four groups receiving 2 mg pitavastatin, 4 mg pitavastatin, 2 mg pitavastatin/10 mg ezetimibe (K-924 LD), and 4 mg pitavastatin/10 mg ezetimibe (K-924 HD) once daily for 12 weeks.

RESULTS

The percentage changes in low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), the primary endpoint, were -39.5% for 2 mg pitavastatin, -45.2% for 4 mg pitavastatin, -51.4% for K-924 LD, and -57.8% for K-924 HD. Compared with pitavastatin monotherapy, the pitavastatin/ezetimibe fixed-dose combination significantly reduced LDL-C, total cholesterol, and non-high-density lipoprotein cholesterol. Meanwhile, the cholesterol synthesis marker, lathosterol, was significantly decreased with pitavastatin monotherapy and the pitavastatin/ezetimibe fixed-dose combination, although the decrease was attenuated in the latter. On the other hand, the cholesterol absorption markers, beta-sitosterol and campesterol, were reduced with the fixed-dose combination but not with pitavastatin monotherapy. The incidence of adverse events and adverse drug reactions was not significantly different between the two groups receiving the fixed-dose combination and monotherapy. The mean values of laboratory tests that are related to liver function and myopathy increased but remained within the reference range in all groups.

CONCLUSIONS

The pitavastatin/ezetimibe fixed-dose combination showed an excellent LDL-C-reducing effect by the complementary pharmacological action of each component, and its safety profile was similar to that of pitavastatin monotherapy (ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT04289649).

Attainment of Low-Density Lipoprotein Cholesterol Targets and Prescribing Pattern of Lipid-Lowering Medications among Patients with Familial Hypercholesterolemia Attending Specialist Clinics

AIMS

Patients with familial hypercholesterolemia (FH) are known to have higher exposure to coronary risk than those without FH with similar low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) level. Lipid-lowering medications (LLMs) are the mainstay treatments to lower the risk of premature coronary artery disease in patients with hypercholesterolemia. However, the LLM prescription pattern and its effectiveness among Malaysian patients with FH are not yet reported. The aim of this study was to report the LLM prescribing pattern and its effectiveness in lowering LDL-C level among Malaysian patients with FH treated in specialist hospitals.

METHODS

Subjects were recruited from lipid and cardiac specialist hospitals. FH was clinically diagnosed using the Dutch Lipid Clinic Network Criteria. Patients' medical history was recorded using a standardized questionnaire. LLM prescription history and baseline LDL-C were acquired from the hospitals' database. Blood samples were acquired for the latest lipid profile assay.

RESULTS

A total of 206 patients with FH were recruited. Almost all of them were on LLMs (97.6%). Only 2.9% and 7.8% of the patients achieved the target LDL-C of ＜1.4 and ＜1.8 mmol/L, respectively. The majority of patients who achieved the target LDL-C were prescribed with statin-ezetimibe combination medications and high-intensity or moderate-intensity statins. All patients who were prescribed with ezetimibe monotherapy did not achieve the target LDL-C.

CONCLUSION

The majority of Malaysian patients with FH received LLMs, but only a small fraction achieved the therapeutic target LDL-C level. Further investigation has to be conducted to identify the cause of the suboptimal treatment target attainment, be it the factors of patients or the prescription practice.

Dyslipidemia Fact Sheet in South Korea, 2022

BACKGRUOUND

This study aimed to investigate the prevalence and status of dyslipidemia management among South Korean adults, as performed by the Korean Society of Lipid and Atherosclerosis under the name Dyslipidemia Fact Sheet 2022.

METHODS

We analyzed the lipid profiles, age-standardized and crude prevalence, management status of hypercholesterolemia and dyslipidemia, and health behaviors among Korean adults aged ≥20 years, using the Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey data between 2007 and 2020.

RESULTS

In South Korea, the crude prevalence of hypercholesterolemia (total cholesterol ≥240 mg/dL or use of a lipid-lowering drug) in 2020 was 24%, and the age-standardized prevalence of hypercholesterolemia more than doubled from 2007 to 2020. The crude treatment rate was 55.2%, and the control rate was 47.7%. The crude prevalence of dyslipidemia-more than one out of three conditions (low-density lipoprotein cholesterol ≥160 or the use of a lipid-lowering drug, triglycerides ≥200, or high-density lipoprotein cholesterol [HDL-C] [men and women] <40 mg/dL)-was 40.2% between 2016 and 2020. However, it increased to 48.2% when the definition of hypo-HDL-cholesterolemia in women changed from <40 to <50 mg/dL.

CONCLUSION

Although the prevalence of hypercholesterolemia and dyslipidemia has steadily increased in South Korea, the treatment rate remains low. Therefore, continuous efforts are needed to manage dyslipidemia through cooperation between the national healthcare system, patients, and healthcare providers.

Dyslipidemia in Patients with Chronic Kidney Disease: An Updated Overview

Dyslipidemia is a potentially modifiable cardiovascular risk factor. Whereas the recommendations for the treatment target of dyslipidemia in the general population are being more and more rigorous, the 2013 Kidney Disease: Improving Global Outcomes clinical practice guideline for lipid management in chronic kidney disease (CKD) presented a relatively conservative approach with respect to the indication of lipid lowering therapy and therapeutic monitoring among the patients with CKD. This may be largely attributed to the lack of high-quality evidence derived from CKD population, among whom the overall feature of dyslipidemia is considerably distinctive to that of general population. In this review article, we cover the characteristic features of dyslipidemia and impact of dyslipidemia on cardiovascular outcomes in patients with CKD. We also review the current evidence on lipid lowering therapy to modify the risk of cardiovascular events in this population. We finally discuss the association between dyslipidemia and CKD progression and the potential strategy to delay the progression of CKD in relation to lipid lowering therapy.

Rosuvastatin effects on the HDL proteome in hyperlipidemic patients

The advancements in proteomics have provided a better understanding of the functionality of apolipoproteins and lipoprotein-associated proteins, with the HDL lipoprotein fraction being the most studied. The focus of this study was to evaluate the HDL proteome in dyslipidemic subjects without an established cardiovascular disease, as well as to test whether rosuvastatin treatment alters the HDL proteome. Patients with primary hypercholesterolemia or mixed dyslipidemia were assigned to 20 mg/day rosuvastatin and blood samples were drawn at study entry and after 12 weeks of treatment. A label-free LC-MS/MS protein profiling was conducted, coupled with bioinformatics analysis. Sixty-nine HDL proteins were identified, belonging to four main biological function clusters: lipid transport and metabolism; platelet activation, degranulation, and aggregation, wound response and wound healing; immune response; inflammatory and acute phase response. Five HDL proteins showed statistically significant differences in the abundance (Anova ≤ 0.05), before and after rosuvastatin treatment. Platelet factor 4 variant (PF4V1), Pregnancy-specific beta-1-glycoprotein 2 (PSG2), Profilin-1 (PFN1) and Keratin type II cytoskeletal 2 epidermal (KRT2) showed decreased expressions, while Integrin alpha-IIb (ITGA2B) showed an increased expression after treatment with rosuvastatin. The ELISA validation of PFN1 segregated the subjects into responders and non-responders, as PFN1 levels after rosuvastatin were shown to mostly depend on the subjects' inflammatory phenotype. Findings from this study introduce novel insights into the HDL proteome and statin pleiotropism.

Real-World Analyses of the Treatment Conditions in Patients Initiating Proprotein Convertase Subtilisin/Kexin Type 9 (PCSK9) Inhibitor in Taiwan

AIMS

Proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9 (PCSK9) inhibitor is a powerful low density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C)-lowering therapy, but this drug is expensive. This study aimed to describe the real-world treatment conditions in patients initiating PCSK9 inhibitor in Taiwan.

METHODS

This was a multicenter, retrospective, and observational study. The clinical characteristics, baseline lipid-lowering therapy, and changes in the lipid profile of patients receiving PCSK9 inhibitor treatment were obtained from 11 major teaching hospitals in Taiwan.

RESULTS

A total of 296 patients (age 57±13 years, male 73%) who received PCSK9 inhibitor treatments (73.3% alirocumab and 26.7% evolocumab) from 2017 to 2021 were included. Among the patients, 62.8% had history of coronary artery disease, and 27.7% had myocardial infarction. High intensity statin (HIS) monotherapy or HIS＋ezetimibe treatment was used in 32.5% when initiating PCSK9 inhibitor treatment. Among alirocumab users, 21.2% received 75 mg every 3 to 4 weeks, whereas among evolocumab users, 8.9% received 140 mg every 3 to 4 weeks. Almost all the non-standard-dosing PCSK9 inhibitors were paid by the patients themselves but were not reimbursed by the Taiwan National Health Insurance. Overall, the LDL-C levels at baseline and 12 weeks after treatment were 147.4±67.4 and 69.7±58.2 mg/dL (p＜0.01), corresponding to a 49.6%±31.8% LDL-C reduction.

CONCLUSIONS

In the real-world practice in Taiwan, the LDL-C reduction efficacy of PCSK9 inhibitors was slightly lower than that reported in the clinical trials. The use of non-standard-dosing PCSK9 inhibitors was not uncommon in Taiwan.

Liver fibrosis in a comorbid patient with metabolicassociated (non-alcoholic) fatty liver disease (MAFLD-NAFLD) and cardiovascular disease

The aim of this review is to systematise the available evidence on the comorbid course of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) and cardiovascular disease, assessing the role of liver fibrosis in patient prognosis. Discussion: the criteria for the diagnosis of metabolic-associated liver disease (MAFLD) in comparison with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) were presented. The results of studies demonstrating the close relationship of NAFLD and NAFLD with the development of cardiovascular diseases were occurred. The underlying factor tending the cardiovascular risk of patients with NAFLD and MAFLD is liver fibrosis. Invasive and non-invasive methods for the diagnosis of liver fibrosis in NAFLD were discussed. The evidence of the expediency and safety of the use of statins in this pathology was presented. Conclusion: according to the pandemic growth of NAFLD and its association with cardiovascular risk, the question of how to properly monitor patients with comorbid cardiovascular diseases and NAFLD in order to reduce the risks is timely and very relevant. One of the main prognostic risk factors for an unfavorable outcome in this category of patients is liver fibrosis. Lipid-lowering therapy seems to be the most optimal and safe treatment strategy for these patients.

Efficacy and Safety of Pemafibrate Versus Bezafibrate to Treat Patients with Hypertriglyceridemia: A Randomized Crossover Study

AIM

Pemafibrate is a highly selective agonist for peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor (PPAR)-α, a key regulator of lipid and glucose metabolism. We compared the efficacy and safety of pemafibrate with those of bezafibrate, a nonselective PPAR-α agonist.

METHODS

In this randomized crossover study, 60 patients with hypertriglyceridemia (fasting triglyceride [TG] ≥ 150 mg/dL) were treated with pemafibrate of 0.2 mg/day or bezafibrate of 400 mg/day for 24 weeks. The primary endpoint was percent change (%Change) from baseline in TG levels, while the secondary endpoints were %Change in high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) and apolipoprotein A-I (Apo A-I) levels.

RESULTS

The %Change in TG and Apo A-I levels was significantly greater with pemafibrate than with bezafibrate (-46.1% vs. -34.7%, p＜0.001; 9.2% vs. 5.7%, p =0.018, respectively). %Change in HDL-C levels was not significantly different between the two treatments. %Change in liver enzyme levels was markedly decreased with pemafibrate than with bezafibrate. Creatinine levels significantly increased in both treatments; however, its %Change was significantly lower with pemafibrate than with bezafibrate (5.72% vs. 15.5%, p＜0.001). The incidence of adverse events (AEs) or serious AEs did not differ between the two treatments; however, the number of patients with elevated creatinine levels (≥ 0.5 mg/dL and/or 25% from baseline) was significantly higher in the bezafibrate group than in the pemafibrate group (14/60 vs. 3/60, p =0.004) [corrected].

CONCLUSION

Compared with bezafibrate, pemafibrate is more effective in decreasing TG levels and increasing Apo A-I levels and is safer regarding liver and renal function.

The complexes of soybean protein isolate and procyanidin B2 have synergistic hypolipidemic activity at the cellular level by activating the AMPKα pathway

The alkali method was used to prepare soybean protein isolate (SPI) and procyanidin B2 (PCB2) complexes, and the interaction between SPI and PCB2 was studied using multi-spectroscopic methods. The human hepatoma (HepG2) cell hyperlipidemia model was used to explore whether SPI-PCB2 has the potential for synergistic hypolipidemia. According to the findings, PCB2 was primarily linked to SPI via C-S and C-N bonds, and the addition of PCB2 reduced the α-helix structure content of SPI by 4.1%. At the cellular level, the optimal SPI-PCB2 ratio for lowering blood lipids was 1:1. Compared with the model group, the TG content and TC content in the 1:1 group were reduced by 28.7% and 26.3%, respectively. Western blot analysis revealed that SPI-PCB2 = 1:1 exerted synergistic hypolipidemic activity mainly by activating adenosine monophosphate-activated protein kinase α (AMPKα) phosphorylation, inhibiting 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl CoA reductase (HMGCR) and fatty acid synthetase (FAS) protein expression, and upregulating carnitine palmitoyl transferase 1A (CPT1A) protein activity.

Cardiovascular Screening Practices and Statin Prescription Habits in Patients with Psoriasis among Dermatologists, Rheumatologists and Primary Care Physicians

Patients with psoriasis have a higher prevalence of cardiovascular risk factors. This study evaluated cardiovascular screening practices and statin prescribing habits among dermatologists, rheumatologists and primary care physicians (PCPs) through an online questionnaire, which was distributed through the Spanish scientific societies of the above-mentioned specialties. A total of 299 physicians (103 dermatologists, 94 rheumatologists and 102 PCPs) responded to the questionnaire. Of these, 74.6% reported screening for smoking, 37.8% for hypertension, 80.3% for dyslipidaemia, and 79.6% for diabetes mellitus. Notably, only 28.4% performed global screening, defined as screening for smoking, hypertension, dyslipidaemia, and diabetes mellitus by the same physician, and 24.4% reported calculating 10-year cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk, probably reflecting a lack of comprehensive cardiovascular risk assessment in these patients. This study also identified unmet needs for awareness of cardiovascular comorbidities in psoriasis and corresponding screening and treatment recommendations among PCPs. Of PCPs, 61.2% reported not being aware of the association between psoriasis and CVD and/or not being aware of its screening recommendations, and 67.6% did not consider psoriasis as a risk-enhancing factor when deciding on statin prescription. Thirteen dermatologists (12.6%) and 35 rheumatologists (37.2%) reported prescribing statins. Among those who do not prescribe, 49.7% would be willing to start their prescription. 

NMR derived changes of lipoprotein particle concentrations related to impaired fasting glucose, impaired glucose tolerance, or manifest type 2 diabetes mellitus

Background

Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2D) and corresponding borderline states, impaired fasting glucose (IFG) and/or glucose tolerance (IGT), are associated with dyslipoproteinemia. It is important to distinguish between factors that cause T2D and that are the direct result of T2D.

Methods

The lipoprotein subclass patterns of blood donors with IFG, IGT, with IFG combined with IGT, and T2D are analyzed by nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy. The development of lipoprotein patterns with time is investigated by using samples retained for an average period of 6 years. In total 595 blood donors are classified by oral glucose tolerance test (oGTT) and their glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c) concentrations. Concentrations of lipoprotein particles of 15 different subclasses are analyzed in the 10,921 NMR spectra recorded under fasting and non-fasting conditions. The subjects are assumed healthy according to the strict regulations for blood donors before performing the oGTT.

Results

Under fasting conditions manifest T2D exhibits a significant concentration increase of the smallest HDL particles (HDL A) combined with a decrease in all other HDL subclasses. In contrast to other studies reviewed in this paper, a general concentration decrease of all LDL particles is observed that is most prominent for the smallest LDL particles (LDL A). Under normal nutritional conditions a large, significant increase of the concentrations of VLDL and chylomicrons is observed for all groups with IFG and/or IGT and most prominently for manifest T2D. As we show it is possible to obtain an estimate of the concentrations of the apolipoproteins Apo-A1, Apo-B100, and Apo-B48 from the NMR data. In the actual study cohort, under fasting conditions the concentrations of the lipoproteins are not increased significantly in T2D, under non-fasting conditions only Apo-B48 increases significantly.

Conclusion

In contrast to other studies, in our cohort of “healthy” blood donors the T2D associated dyslipoproteinemia does not change the total concentrations of the lipoprotein particles produced in the liver under fasting and non-fasting conditions significantly but only their subclass distributions. Compared to the control group, under non-fasting conditions participants with IGT and IFG or T2D show a substantial increase of plasma concentrations of those lipoproteins that are produced in the intestinal tract. The intestinal insulin resistance becomes strongly observable.

Effect of Omega-3 Fatty Acid Supplementation on the Postprandial Metabolism of Apolipoprotein(a) in Familial Hypercholesterolemia

AIM

Lipoprotein(a) (Lp(a)) is a low-density lipoprotein-like particle containing apolipoprotein(a) (apo(a)) that increases the risk of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD) in familial hypercholesterolemia (FH). Postprandial redistribution of apo(a) protein from Lp(a) to triglyceride-rich lipoproteins (TRLs) may also increase the atherogenicity of TRL particles. Omega-3 fatty acid (ω3FA) supplementation improves postprandial TRL metabolism in FH subjects. However, its effect on postprandial apo(a) metabolism has yet to be investigated.

METHODS

We carried out an 8-week open-label, randomized, crossover trial to test the effect of ω3FA supplementation (4 g/day) on postprandial apo(a) responses in FH patients following ingestion of an oral fat load. Postprandial plasma total and TRL-apo(a) concentrations were measured by liquid chromatography with tandem mass spectrometry, and the corresponding areas under the curve (AUCs) (0-10h) were determined using the trapezium rule.

RESULTS

Compared with no ω3FA treatment, ω3FA supplementation significantly lowered the concentrations of postprandial TRL-apo(a) at 0.5 (-17.9%), 1 (-18.7%), 2 (-32.6%), and 3 h (-19.2%) (P＜0.05 for all). Postprandial TRL-apo(a) AUC was significantly reduced with ω3FA by 14.8% (P＜0.05). By contrast, ω3FA had no significant effect on the total AUCs of apo(a), apoC-III, and apoE (P＞0.05 for all). The decrease in postprandial TRL-apo(a) AUC was significantly associated with changes in the AUC of triglycerides (r=0.600; P＜0.01) and apoB-48 (r=0.616; P＜0.01).

CONCLUSIONS

Supplementation with ω3FA reduces postprandial TRL-apo(a) response to a fat meal in FH patients; this novel metabolic effect of ω3FA may have implications on decreasing the risk of ASCVD in patients with FH, especially in those with elevated plasma triglyceride and Lp(a) concentrations. However, the clinical implications of these metabolic findings require further evaluation in outcome or surrogate endpoint trials.

Age-and sex-specific reference intervals of total cholesterol, LDL cholesterol, HDL cholesterol and non-HDL cholesterol. Comparison of two algorithms for the indirect estimation of reference intervals

Objectives

Reference intervals of total cholesterol concentrations in plasma and of their fractions low-density lipoprotein (LDL)-, high-density lipoprotein (HDL)-and non-HDL concentrations are seldom studied with respect to the relevance of age and sex. Therefore, the effect of age and sex on the reference intervals was reinvestigated with 2 indirect procedures.

Methods

As an indirect approach, the truncated minimum chi-square method was applied. All analyses were performed by computer programs available. The script published on the homepage of the German Society of Clinical Chemistry and Laboratory Medicine (DGKL) allows to derive a continuous age dependency of reference intervals together with their confidence and equivalence limits. The results of this approach were compared with those obtained by an indirect method developed more recently, the refineR algorithm.

Results

In the present study, the upper reference limits of total cholesterol varied from 5.1 to 7.8 mmol/L (197–302 mg/dL) depending on various biological variables (as age, sex, inpatients versus outpatients). These upper limits increased with age. Differences between sexes can be neglected except for the age above 80 years. The pattern of reference limits of LDL cholesterol and non-HDL cholesterol paralleled those of total cholesterol. The reference limits of HDL cholesterol were higher in women than in men but were independent of age.

Conclusions

Reference limits for the concentrations of total cholesterol and their fractions LDL-, HDL-and non-HDL concentrations should be stratified for age and sex.

Seguimiento de los pacientes con cardiopatía isquémica en Atención Primaria durante la pandemia por COVID-19

Objetivo: describir el seguimiento de los factores de riesgo cardiovascular modificables (FRCM) de los pacientes con cardiopatía isquémica (CI) en un centro de salud durante el primer año la pandemia por COVID-19. Material y métodos: estudio observacional ambispectivo de un centro de salud de Madrid. Participantes: pacientes diagnosticados de CI antes de 2020, > 45 años (n: 257). Seguimiento: del 13/03/2020 al 13/03/2021. Variables: sociodemográficas, comorbilidades, análisis de sangre (AS), colesterol asociado a lipoproteínas de baja densidad (c-LDL), exploración física (tensión arterial [TA] e índice de masa corporal [IMC]), eventos cardiovasculares (ECV) y fallecimiento en el seguimiento. Se realizó en tres períodos: situación basal: registro previo al inicio de la pandemia; primer período: del 13/03/2020 al 13/09/2020; segundo período: del 14/09/2020 al 13/03/2021. Datos obtenidos de la historia clínica electrónica. Análisis: STATA16. Resultados: se hizo el seguimiento de 257 pacientes (edad: 73,14 ± 0,7; 67,3% hombres) diagnosticados de CI hace 7 años (rango intercuartílico [RIC]: 4-14). AS (al 65,6% de los pacientes se les hizo análisis en el primer período versus al 20,6% en el segundo período del estudio), TA (57,5% versus 18,6%) e IMC (29,5% versus 7,7%). Mejoraron el c-LDL hasta 2,2 mg/dL, y el IMC, 0,6 kg/m2. Empeoró la TA sistólica hasta 6,3 mmHg y la diastólica 2,5 mmHg. Un 7,7% sufrió un ECV en el primer período y un 5,8% en el segundo. Fallecieron 9 pacientes durante el seguimiento. Conclusión: casi dos tercios de los pacientes con CI habían realizado seguimiento de LDL y TA en los 6 primeros meses tras el inicio de la pandemia. El número de seguimientos caía a 1/3 al año. El IMC fue la variable menos evaluada Palabras clave: COVID-19, SARS-CoV-2, isquemia miocárdica, factores de riesgo de enfermedad cardíaca, cuidados posteriores.

Documento de consenso para la determinación e informe del perfil lipídico en laboratorios clínicos españoles

Las enfermedades cardiovasculares (ECV) siguen siendo la principal causa de muerte en nuestro país. El control adecuado de las alteraciones del metabolismo lipídico es un reto clave en prevención cardiovascular que está lejos de alcanzarse en la práctica clínica real. Existe una gran heterogeneidad en los informes del metabolismo lipídico de los laboratorios clínicos españoles, lo que puede contribuir al mal control del mismo. Por ello, un grupo de trabajo de las principales sociedades científicas implicadas en la atención de los pacientes de riesgo vascular, hemos elaborado este documento con una propuesta básica de consenso sobre la determinación del perfil lipídico básico en prevención cardiovascular, recomendaciones para su realización y unificación de criterios para incorporar los objetivos de control lipídico adecuados al riesgo vascular de los pacientes en los informes de laboratorio. Palabras clave: consenso, panel de lípidos, enfermedades cardiovasculares, bioquímica, colesterol, lípidos, triglicéridos, lipoproteína (a).

A urinary peptidomics approach for early stages of cardiovascular disease risk: The African-PREDICT study

Cardiovascular disease (CVD) affects individuals across the lifespan, with multiple cardiovascular (CV) risk factors increasingly present in young populations. The underlying mechanisms in early cardiovascular disease development are complex and still poorly understood. We therefore employed urinary proteomics as a novel approach to gain better insight into early CVD-related molecular pathways based on a CVD risk stratification approach. This study included 964 apparently healthy (no self-reported chronic illnesses, free from clinical symptoms of CVD) black and white men and women (aged 20-30 years old) from the African Prospective study on the Early Detection and Identification of Cardiovascular disease and Hypertension (African-PREDICT) study. Cardiovascular risk factors used for stratification included obesity, physical inactivity, tobacco use, high alcohol intake, hyperglycemia, dyslipidemia and hypertension. Participants were divided into low (0 risk factors), medium (1-2 risk factors) and high (≥3 risk factors) CV risk groups. We analyzed urinary peptidomics by capillary electrophoresis time-of-flight mass spectrometry. After adjusting for ethnicity, sex and age, 65 sequenced urinary peptides were differentially expressed between the CV risk groups (all q-values ≤ 0.01). These peptides included a lower abundance of collagen type I- and III-derived peptides in the high compared to the low CV risk group. With regard to noncollagen peptides, we found a lower abundance of alpha-1-antitrypsin fragments in the high compared to the low CV risk group (all q-values ≤ 0.01). Our findings indicate lower abundances of collagen types I and III in the high compared to the low CV risk group, suggesting potential early alterations in the CV extracellular matrix.

Analysis of lipid-lowering therapy depending on socio-demographic factors in primary health care: data from the ARGO study

Aim. To study the relationship of socio-demographic factors with lipidlowering therapy in primary health care.

Material and methods. This cross-sectional noncomparative study on the prevalence of hypercholesterolemia (ARGO study) included patients aged ≥0 years who visited primary care physicians and cardiologists in the period 2013-2014 with diagnoses of stable coronary artery disease, hypertension, peripheral artery disease, carotid atherosclerosis, aortic aneurysm or having any type of revascularization or ischemic stroke in history. The study, which was conducted in 59 Russian cities, involved 768 doctors from 217 polyclinics.

Results. The analysis included 18273 patients. Of the total number of patients, 7829 (42,9%) people took statins, while 10421 (57,1%) people did not receive it. The maximum percentage of statin use was in the age group of 70-79 years — 52,12%, and the minimum in the age group of 30-39 years — 13,24% (p<0,001). Most often, statins were taken by people with disabilities — 67,67%, and least often, by working people — 32,59% (p<0,001). In terms of marital status, widowed persons were significantly more likely to take statins, 50,36% (p<0,001); least of all in the group, single persons — 32,29%, while in the group of divorced persons, statins were taken by 37,76%, and in the group of married — 43,07%. According to the education level, patients with secondary professional education are the most adherent to statin treatment — 43,75%, while patients with incomplete secondary education were the least likely to take statins — 41,26% (p<0,054).

Conclusion. Taking into account the socio-demographic factors that a person has when prescribing treatment will help develop a strategy for interacting with the patient and will help improve the quality and effectiveness of therapy in this group of patients.

Predictive effect of different blood lipid parameters combined with carotid intima-media thickness on coronary artery disease

Background

Blood lipids disorder and atherosclerosis are closely related to coronary artery disease (CAD). This study aims to compare different blood lipid parameters combined with carotid intima-media thickness (cIMT) in predicting CAD.

Methods

This was a retrospective study including patients who underwent coronary angiography for highly suspected CAD. Blood samples were taken for lipid profile analysis and cIMT was evaluated by carotid ultrasound. Logistic analysis was used to establish different models of different lipid parameters in predicting CAD. The area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC) was used to examine the predictive value. The optimal lipid parameter was also used to explore the relationship with multi-vessel CAD.

Results

Patients were classified into two groups based on whether CAD existed. Compared with non-CAD patients, the CAD group had higher lipoprotein (a) [Lp (a)], apolipoprotein B/apolipoprotein A, total cholesterol/high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), triglyceride/HDL-C and LDL-C/HDL-C. According to the AUCs, Lp (a) combined with cIMT (AUC: 0.713, P < 0.001) had the best performance in predicting CAD compared to other lipid parameters. High level of Lp (a) was also associated with multi-vessel CAD (odds ratio: 1.41, 95% confidence interval: 1.02-1.95, P = 0.036).

Conclusion

For patients with highly suspected CAD, Lp (a) better improved the predictive value of CAD rather than most of blood lipid indices, especially in the absence of high levels of LDL-C. Lp (a) also can be used to predict the multi-vessel CAD.

Lipid Management in Korean People with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus: Korean Diabetes Association and Korean Society of Lipid and Atherosclerosis Consensus Statement

Dyslipidemia in patients with diabetes is an important treatment target as a modifiable risk factor for cardiovascular disease (CVD). Although the primary treatment goal for dyslipidemia is to control low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), achieving this goal remains suboptimal according to recent studies. It is important to set the target goal for LDL-C control based on an accurate risk assessment for CVD. Here, we summarize the latest evidence on lipid management in patients with diabetes and present a consensus of the Korean Diabetes Association and Korean Society of Lipid and Atherosclerosis on the treatment goals of LDL-C according to the duration of diabetes, presence of CVD, target organ damage, or major cardiovascular risk factors. In patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and CVD, an LDL-C goal of <55 mg/dL and a reduction in LDL-C level by 50% or more from the baseline is recommended. For the primary prevention of CVD in patients with T2DM with a duration of diabetes ≥10 years, major cardiovascular risk factors, or target organ damage, an LDL-C goal of <70 mg/dL is recommended. In patients with T2DM with a duration of diabetes <10 years and no major cardiovascular risk factors, an LDL-C goal of <100 mg/dL is recommended.

Elevated Remnant Cholesterol is Associated with Adverse Cardiovascular Outcomes in Patients with Acute Coronary Syndrome

AIMS

This study aimed to investigate the association of elevated RC levels with adverse cardiovascular outcomes in acute coronary syndrome (ACS) patients with and without diabetes.

METHODS

We analyzed data from 1716 patients with ACS undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention. RC was calculated as total cholesterol minus high-density lipoprotein cholesterol minus low-density lipoprotein cholesterol. RC ＞75th percentile of the cohort (＞0.79 mmol/L) was defined as abnormally elevated RC. Cox-regression models and Kaplan-Meier analyses were used to assess the relationship between RC ＞0.79 mmol/L and major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE).

RESULTS

During a median follow-up of 927 days, a total of 354 patients had at least one event. In the overall population, compared with those with RC ≤ 0.79 mmol/L, patients with RC ＞0.79 mmol/L had a significantly higher risk of MACE after adjustment for potential confounders (hazard ratio: 1.572, 95% confidence interval: 1.251-1.975, P＜0.001). In addition, RC ＞0.79 mmol/L was associated with an increased risk of MACE of 66.7% (P=0.001) and 50.1% (P=0.022) in the diabetic and non-diabetic subgroups (P for interaction=0.073), respectively. The addition of RC significantly improved the predictive ability of baseline models for MACE in diabetic patients (all P＜0.05), but not in non-diabetic patients (all P＞0.05).

CONCLUSION

Abnormally elevated RC was significantly associated with worse prognosis in both diabetic and non-diabetic patients with ACS; however, the prognostic value of RC might be superior among diabetic patients.

Predictive nomogram for coronary heart disease in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus

Objective

This study aimed to identify risk factors for coronary heart disease (CHD) in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), build a clinical prediction model, and draw a nomogram.

Study design and methods

Coronary angiography was performed for 1,808 diabetic patients who were recruited at the department of cardiology in The Second Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University from June 2020 to June 2022. After applying exclusion criteria, 560 patients were finally enrolled in this study and randomly divided into training cohorts (n = 392) and validation cohorts (n = 168). The least absolute shrinkage and selection operator (LASSO) is used to filter features in the training dataset. Finally, we use logical regression to establish a prediction model for the selected features and draw a nomogram.

Results

The discrimination, calibration, and clinical usefulness of the prediction model were evaluated using the c-index, receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve, calibration chart, and decision curve. The effects of gender, diabetes duration, non-high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, apolipoprotein A1, lipoprotein (a), homocysteine, atherogenic index of plasma (AIP), nerve conduction velocity, and carotid plaque merit further study. The C-index was 0.803 (0.759-0.847) in the training cohort and 0.775 (0.705-0.845) in the validation cohort. In the ROC curve, the Area Under Curve (AUC) of the training set is 0.802, and the AUC of the validation set is 0.753. The calibration curve showed no overfitting of the model. The decision curve analysis (DCA) demonstrated that the nomogram is effective in clinical practice.

Conclusion

Based on clinical information, we established a prediction model for CHD in patients with T2DM.

Kidney and lipids: novel potential therapeutic targets for dyslipidemia in kidney disease?

INTRODUCTION

Altered lipid distribution and metabolism may lead to the development and/or progression of chronic kidney disease (CKD). Dyslipidemia is a major risk factor for CKD and increases the risk of cardiovascular events and mortality. Therefore, lipid-lowering treatments may decrease cardiovascular risk and prevent death.

AREAS COVERED

Key players involved in regulating lipid accumulation in the kidney; contribution of lipids to CKD progression, lipotoxicity, and mitochondrial dysfunction in kidney disease; recent therapeutic approaches for dyslipidemia.

EXPERT OPINION

The precise mechanisms for regulating lipid metabolism, particularly in kidney disease, are poorly understood. Guidelines for lipid-lowering therapy for CKD are controversial. Several hypolipemic therapies are available, but compared to others, statin therapy is the most common. No clinical trial has evaluated the efficacy of proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9 inhibitors (PCSK9i) in preventing cardiovascular events or improving kidney function among patients with CKD or kidney transplant recipients. Attractive alternatives, such as PCSK9-small interfering RNA (siRNA) molecules or evinacumab are available. Additionally, several promising agents, such as cyclodextrins and the FXR/TGR5 dual agonist, INT-767, can improve renal lipid metabolism disorders and delay CKD progression. Drugs targeting mitochondrial dysfunction could be an option for the treatment of dyslipidemia and lipotoxicity, particularly in renal diseases.

The Contribution of Inflammation to Stroke Recurrence Attenuates at Low LDL-C Levels

AIMS

Residual inflammation risk refers to inflammation that still increases the risk of cardiovascular disease after the level of low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) reached the target (＜70 mg/dL). However, whether inflammation is still an important issue even if very low LDL-C levels have been achieved remains unclear. This study aimed to investigate the contribution of inflammation to stroke recurrence on different LDL-C levels following ischemic stroke (IS) or transient ischemic attack (TIA).

METHODS

A total of 10499 IS/TIA patients whose LDL-C and high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hsCRP) were measured were selected from the Third China National Stroke Registry. The cutoff values were set to 25, 35, 45, 55, 70, and 100 mg/dL for LDL-C, whereas the threshold values of hsCRP and interleukin-6 (IL-6) were 2 mg/L and 1.65 ng/L, respectively. Based on each group of LDL-C, Cox regressions were conducted to investigate the associations between inflammation and recurrent stroke within 1 year.

RESULTS

The associations between baseline hsCRP levels and stroke recurrence were non-significant in groups with LDL-C ＜55 mg/dL (P＞0.05). After stratification by baseline LDL-C of 55 mg/dL, hsCRP ≥ 2 mg/L (10.9% versus 7.5%, P＜0.0001) and IL-6 ≥ 1.65 ng/L (9.8% versus 7.4%, P=0.0002) were found to be related to a high incidence of recurrent IS among patients with LDL-C ≥ 55 mg/dL; however, no associations were observed among patients with LDL-C ＜55 mg/dL. Compared with low inflammation (both hsCRP ＜2 mg/L and IL-6 ＜1.65 ng/L), high inflammation (both hsCRP ≥ 2 mg/L and IL-6 ≥ 1.65 ng/L) was significantly associated with stroke recurrence when LDL-C ≥ 55 mg/dL (adjusted HR 1.38, 95% CI 1.10-1.74), whereas this association was not observed when LDL-C ＜55 mg/dL (adjusted HR, 0.72; 95% CI, 0.41-1.25).

CONCLUSION

For IS/TIA patients, the contribution of inflammation to stroke recurrence seems to be attenuated at a low level of LDL-C.