Thrombotic Microangiopathy after a 15-year Treatment with Interferon Beta-1b in a Patient with Multiple Sclerosis: A Case Report and Review of Literature

A 54-year-old woman with multiple sclerosis treated with interferon-β (IFN-β)-1b for 15 years presented with sustained hypertension (240/124 mmHg) and retinal bleeding. She had proteinuria, anemia, thrombocytopenia, elevated serum creatinine levels, and haptoglobin depletion. Intravenous nicardipine stabilized her blood pressure, but her renal function and platelet count deteriorated. The initial disintegrin-like metalloprotease with thrombospondin type 1 motifs 13 (ADAMTS13) activity was 28% of normal without its inhibitor. The subsequent peripheral appearance of schistocytes suggested thrombotic microangiopathy (TMA). After IFN-β-1b cessation, the platelet count increased, and the blood pressure stabilized. The ADAMTS13 activity normalized, although the creatinine level did not. TMA may develop after the long-term use of IFN-β without adverse events.

Marchiafava-Bignami disease: Prompt diagnosis made by magnetic resonance brain imaging

Key Clinical Message

Marchiafava-Bignami disease, a rare condition often associated with alcoholism, shows myelin degeneration with tissue necrosis specifically in the corpus callosum. Urgent application of magnetic resonance imaging could lead to prompt diagnosis.

Abstract

A 66-year-old male with habitual alcohol drink complained acute deterioration of left-side muscle weakness as initial presentation. On the arrival, the patient was confused, with stable vital sign and unremarkable pyramidal sign. Although several potential diagnoses could be considered, brain computed tomography did not provide diagnostic information, and subsequently-performed magnetic resonance imaging revealed hyperintense lesions on T2-flair images in corpus callosum, suggesting MBD as clinical diagnosis. Prompt diagnosis enabled us to introduce thiamine administration with subsequent favorable neurological outcome.

Efficacy, Safety, and Pharmacokinetics of Inclisiran in Japanese Patients: Results from ORION-15

AIM

To evaluate the efficacy, safety, and pharmacokinetics (PK) of inclisiran in Japanese patients with high cardiovascular risk and elevated low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C).

METHODS

ORION-15 was a phase 2, double-blind, placebo-controlled randomized trial. Patients with hypercholesterolemia, including heterozygous familial hypercholesterolemia (HeFH), were randomized to inclisiran sodium 100, 200, or 300 mg, or placebo and dosed subcutaneously on Days 1, 90, and 270. T he primary endpoint was the percentage change from baseline to Day 180 to demonstrate the superiority of inclisiran vs. placebo. Patients who consented to the PK substudy had additional study procedures for blood collection and safety assessment.

RESULTS

Overall, 312 patients (mean age, 63.6 years; male, 74.4%; baseline LDL-C, 114.0 mg/dL) were randomized. Baseline characteristics were well balanced among the groups. At Day 180, inclisiran at all doses demonstrated significant LDL-C and proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9 (PCSK9) reductions (p＜0.0001 for both), which showed a dose-response relationship. The greatest reductions (LDL-C, 65.3%; PCSK9, 79.2%) were with inclisiran sodium 300 mg. At Day 180, ＞86% of the patients receiving inclisiran achieved the Japan Atherosclerosis Society 2017 lipid management targets compared to 8.9% for placebo. The mean (SD) plasma half-life for inclisiran was 6.8 (2.0)-7.6 (0.8) h. The incidence of adverse events with inclisiran was similar to that with placebo.

CONCLUSION

Inclisiran sodium 100, 200, and 300 mg demonstrated clinically meaningful and statistically significant LDL-C and PCSK9 reductions at Day 180, which were consistent over 12 months. Inclisiran was effective and well tolerated in Japanese patients with hypercholesterolemia, including HeFH.

A Novel Approach: Investigating the Intracellular Clearance Mechanism of Glyceraldehyde-Derived Advanced Glycation End-Products Using the Artificial Checkpoint Kinase 1 d270KD Mutant as a Substrate Model

Advanced glycation end-products (AGEs), formed through glyceraldehyde (GA) as an intermediate in non-enzymatic reactions with intracellular proteins, are cytotoxic and have been implicated in the pathogenesis of various diseases. Despite their significance, the mechanisms underlying the degradation of GA-derived AGEs (GA-AGEs) remain unclear. In the present study, we found that N-terminal checkpoint kinase 1 cleavage products (CHK1-CPs) and their mimic protein, d270WT, were degraded intracellularly post-GA exposure. Notably, a kinase-dead d270WT variant (d270KD) underwent rapid GA-induced degradation, primarily via the ubiquitin-proteasome pathway. The high-molecular-weight complexes formed by the GA stimulation of d270KD were abundant in the RIPA-insoluble fraction, which also contained high levels of GA-AGEs. Immunoprecipitation experiments indicated that the high-molecular-weight complexes of d270KD were modified by GA-AGEs and that p62/SQSTM1 was one of its components. The knockdown of p62 or treatment with chloroquine reduced the amount of high-molecular-weight complexes in the RIPA-insoluble fraction, indicating its involvement in the formation of GA-AGE aggregates. The present results suggest that the ubiquitin-proteasome pathway and p62 play a role in the degradation and aggregation of intracellular GA-AGEs. This study provides novel insights into the mechanisms underlying GA-AGE metabolism and may lead to the development of novel therapeutic strategies for diseases associated with the accumulation of GA-AGEs.

Glyceraldehyde-derived advanced glycation end-products are associated with left ventricular ejection fraction and brain natriuretic peptide in patients with diabetic adverse cardiac remodeling

Objectives: Glyceraldehyde-derived advanced glycation end-products (Glycer-AGEs) have a strong binding affinity for their cognate receptor and elicit oxidative stress and inflammation. However, it remains unknown whether the levels of Glycer-AGEs correlate with the severity of cardiac function and heart failure in patients with diabetic adverse cardiac remodeling (DbCR). Fourteen heart failure patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM) without other cardiac disorders (DbCR group) were enrolled. Another 14 patients with idiopathic dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) without DM were served as a control (DCM group). All patients were assessed for serum Glycer-AGEs, nitrotyrosine (NT), and tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNFα) and for plasma brain natriuretic peptide (BNP). The left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) was evaluated by echocardiography. Results: The mean serum levels of Glycer-AGEs, NT, and TNFα in the DbCR group were significantly higher than those in the DCM group (for Glycer-AGEs, p = .0073; for NT, p = .005; for TNFα, p < .0001, respectively). In the patients with DbCR, the levels of serum Glycer-AGEs and TNFα were closely associated with LVEF and BNP values. Conclusions: Both Glycer-AGEs and TNFα showed close associations with LVEF and the levels of BNP in patients with DbCR. Glycer-AGEs and TNFα may play a pathological role in the development of DbCR.

Increased plasma glutamate in non-smokers with vasospastic angina pectoris is associated with plasma cystine and antioxidant capacity

Objectives. Endothelial dysfunction caused by oxidative stress plays an important role in the development of vasospastic angina pectoris (VSAP). Glutamate causes endothelial dysfunction by generating oxidative stress, and it inhibits cystine import into endothelial cells via the cystine/glutamate antiporter (X_C^-), which leads to depletion of antioxidant glutathione. However, whether glutamate and cystine are implicated in the pathogenesis of VSAP remains unclear. We investigated plasma glutamate and cystine levels, oxidative stress markers and antioxidant capacity in non-smoker patients with VSAP to determine whether glutamate and cystine are associated with the development of VSAP. We assessed 49 non-smokers assigned to groups with (n = 27) and without (n = 22) VSAP, and also measured plasma glutamate, cystine, nitrotyrosine, reactive oxygen metabolites and biological antioxidant potential. Results. Plasma glutamate and cystine values were significantly higher in the group with, than without VSAP (59.8 ± 25.7 vs. 43.5 ± 18.7 µmol/L, p = .016 and 35.3 ± 14.2 vs. 25.2 ± 9.1 µmol/L, p = .0056, respectively). Plasma glutamate and cystine values were significantly and positively associated (r = 0.32, p = .027). Levels of the oxidative stress markers nitrotyrosine and reactive oxygen metabolites, and biological antioxidant potential of as a measure of antioxidant capacity, did not significantly differ between the two groups. However, glutamate and biological antioxidant potential values were significantly and negatively associated (r = -0.3, p = .036). Conclusion. Plasma glutamate levels were increased in patients with VSAP who did not smoke, and they were positively associated with plasma cystine and negatively associated with the biological antioxidant potential levels.

The circulating furin-cleaved/mature PCSK9 ratio has a potential prognostic significance in statin-naïve patients with acute ST elevation myocardial infarction

Background and aims

Proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9 (PCSK9) circulates as mature and furin-cleaved forms, but their biological functions are uncertain. We investigated whether their levels associate with prognosis in patients with acute ST elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI).

Methods

We enrolled 160 statin-naïve patients with acute STEMI and followed for 3 years. PCSK9 subtype levels were determined by an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay before and at five timepoints up to 48 h after emergent coronary intervention. The occurrence of coronary and cardiac events was compared between subjects stratified by the PCSK9 level.

Results

One hundred and twenty-six patients completed 3 years of follow-up. In the acute phase, both PCSK9 subtype levels decreased, and thereafter increased from 6 to 48 h (mature: from 198 ± 67 to 334 ± 116 ng/mL, furin-cleaved: from 20 ± 7 to 39 ± 16 ng/mL, both p < 0.01). Major cardiac events occurred in 46 patients. The furin-cleaved/mature PCSK9 ratio at 48 h after coronary intervention predicted the likelihood of experiencing of events; patients in the third tertile had lower event-free survival than those in the first and second tetiles in Kaplan-Meier analysis (p = 0.004). Multivariate Cox regression analysis revealed that this ratio had a greater impact (HR: 1.92; 95% CI: 1.06-3.45, p = 0.03) on events than other known atherosclerosis risk factors.

Conclusions

The furin-cleaved/mature PCSK9 ratio was associated with 3-year cardiovascular events in statin-naïve patients with acute STEMI, suggesting a potential link between furin cleavage process of PCSK9 and its effect on prognosis. (249 words).

Response to pre-dilatation with POBA can predict target lesion revascularization after DCB angioplasty for de novo small coronary artery lesions

Objective

To assess the determinants of target lesion revascularization (TLR) after drug-coated balloon (DCB) angioplasty for de novo small coronary artery lesions.

Methods

This retrospective study enrolled consecutive lesions from patients that were in a stable condition and had undergone successful DCB treatment for de novo small coronary artery lesions. The study endpoint was TLR and major adverse cardiac events at 12 months.

Results

A total of 68 patients with 83 lesions were enrolled in the study. Of these, 11 (13.3%) lesions required TLR. Mean ± SD pre-dilatation balloon diameters were similar in the non-TLR (2.33 ± 0.72 mm) and TLR (2.18 ± 0.36 mm) groups. A comparison of the two groups showed that post/pre-lumen area ratio during pre-dilatation (%) by plain old balloon angioplasty (POBA) was significantly and negatively associated with TLR and the optimal cut-off point was 170%. Cox proportional hazard and multivariate regression analyses showed that post/pre-lumen area ratio was the only independent predictor of TLR (hazard ratio 0.9318; 95% confidence interval 0.9001, 0.9645).

Conclusion

Greater pre-dilatation using POBA, assessed as the post/pre-lumen area ratio, may be independently associated with a lower 12-month TLR rate in patients undergoing DCB angioplasty for de novo small coronary lesions.

A Case of Myopericarditis After the Second Dose of mRNA COVID-19 Vaccine in a Patient With a History of Myopericarditis

Vaccination is important for the prevention of coronavirus-induced disease 2019 (COVID-19) caused by SARS-CoV-2 (severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2) and to protect persons with a high risk for complications. There have been reports of myopericarditis following COVID-19 vaccination, especially in adolescent males and young adults. Breakthrough infections, such as the Delta or Omicron variant of SARS-CoV-2, have raised great concern about the necessity for repeated doses of the vaccine. A case of myopericarditis after the second dose of COVID-19 mRNA-1273 (Moderna) vaccine in a 23-year-old man with a prior episode of viral myopericarditis is presented. He received the second dose of the COVID-19 mRNA vaccine, after which he developed persistent midsternal chest pain and he was subsequently transferred to our emergency department. An echocardiogram showed a trivial inferior pericardial effusion with diffuse left ventricular systolic dysfunction. He was treated with colchicine from the first day of hospitalization with a diagnosis of myopericarditis. His chest pain had resolved by the third day, and left ventricular wall motion was dramatically improved by the seventh day of hospitalization. A strong response to the second vaccination in the present case suggests that the prior history of myopericarditis is evidence of strong congenital or acquired immunological features in this individual. Individuals with such a strong immune response may be more likely to develop myopericarditis after mRNA vaccination. Immunization against COVID-19 is currently recommended from a risk-benefit standpoint. We advised the patient to avoid additional COVID-19 mRNA vaccines because of this episode. The risk of COVID-19 weighed against myopericarditis associated with the mRNA vaccination should be considered on a case-by-case basis. This case may help us better understand the mechanism of myopericarditis following COVID-19 mRNA vaccination.

Hokuriku-plus familial hypercholesterolaemia registry study: rationale and study design

INTRODUCTION

Familial hypercholesterolaemia (FH) is an autosomal-dominant inherited genetic disease. It carries an extremely high cardiovascular risk associated with significantly elevated low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol. The diagnostic rate of this disease in some European nations is quite high, due to the presence of multiple prospective registries. On the other hand, few data-and in particular multicentre data-exist regarding this issue among Japanese subjects. Therefore, this study intends to assemble a multicentre registry that aims to comprehensively assess cardiovascular risk among Japanese FH patients while taking into account their genetic backgrounds.

METHODS AND ANALYSIS

The Hokuriku-plus FH registry is a prospective, observational, multicentre cohort study, enrolling consecutive FH patients who fulfil the clinical criteria of FH in Japan from 37 participating hospitals mostly in Hokuriku region of Japan from April 2020 to March 2024. A total of 1000 patients will be enrolled into the study, and we plan to follow-up participants over 5 years. We will collect clinical parameters, including lipids, physical findings, genetic backgrounds and clinical events covering atherosclerotic and other important events, such as malignancies. The primary endpoint of this study is new atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD) events. The secondary endpoints are as follows: LDL cholesterol, secondary ASCVD events and the occurrence of other diseases including hypertension, diabetes and malignancies.

ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION

This study is being conducted in compliance with the Declaration of Helsinki, the Ethical Guidelines for Medical and Health Research Involving Human Subjects, and all other applicable laws and guidelines in Japan. This study protocol has been approved by the Institutional Review Board at Kanazawa University. We will disseminate the final results at international conferences and in a peer-reviewed journal.

TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER

UMIN000038210.

Monitoring the roles of prothrombin activation fragment 1 and 2 (F1 + 2) in patients with atrial fibrillation receiving rivaroxaban and apixaban

Factor Xa (FXa) inhibitors are recommended for use in fixed doses without laboratory monitoring. However, prior studies reported the importance of establishing biomarkers representing anticoagulation intensity related to bleeding or thrombotic events. To test the hypothesis that prothrombin activation fragment 1 and 2 (F1 + 2), a non-specific marker of thrombin generation, could be altered during FXa inhibitor treatment in patients with atrial fibrillation. We conducted the study in two different clinical settings. First, the interrelations among biomarkers representing coagulation/fibrinolysis were investigated in 80 patients in an outpatient clinic. Second, these biomarkers were evaluated in 75 patients who underwent radiofrequency catheter ablation. Plasma concentration of FXa inhibitors was evaluated using an anti-FXa chromogenic assay (C-Xa). In the outpatient study, only F1 + 2 exhibited a significant and negative association with C-Xa (rS =  - 0.315, p = 0.026), and 37% of the variance could be explained by C-Xa levels. F1 + 2 levels above the reference range (> 229 pmol/L) could be considered as a cut-off to identify poor patient compliance or under-dosing. In the peri-ablation study, increased F1 + 2 levels were associated with decline of C-Xa levels after periprocedural discontinuation of FXa inhibitors, which was greater in the rivaroxaban group than in the apixaban group. F1 + 2 showed modest and inverse association with plasma concentration of rivaroxaban and apixaban in patients with atrial fibrillation. Larger study to test the hypothesis that continued thrombin generation despite anticoagulation is associated with a heightened risk of clinical events is required.

P104 Prognostic value of Circulating Amino Acids (AAs) in Patients with Idiopathic Dilated Cardiomyopathy (DCM)

Methods

Consecutive 59 patients with DCM (M/F: 46/13, mean age: 59 years) were enrolled. We measured 25 kinds of plasma AA concentration, derivative of reactive oxygen metabolites (d-ROMs) as marker of oxidative stress, and washout rate of Tc-99m Sestamibi (WOR) as function of mitochondria and LVEF as LV function parameters. The occurrence of rehospitalization for cardiac events or cardiac death were followed during mean 1101 days (13-2626).

Results

Histidine, arginine and Fischer ratio (FR) showed a significant positive association with LVEF (p &lt; 0.05). Threonine and asparagine showed a significant negative association with WOR (P &lt; 0.05). Histidine and arginine showed a significant negative association with levels of d-ROMs (p &lt; 0.05).Rehospitalization for cardiac events and cardiac death were recorded in 16 patients (27%) and 6 patients (10%), respectively. Kaplan-Meier curves analysis showed similar trend of rehospitalization in subjects with lower FR and those with higher values. However, cardiac death in subjects with lower FR was observed more frequently as compared to those with higher values (22.2% vs 5.3% p &lt; 0.05).

ConclusionsThe plasma FR could be a novel prognostic biomarker in DCM patients.

A case of cardiac resynchronization therapy in a patient with coronary sinus ostial atresia and persistent left superior vena cava

Coronary sinus ostial atresia is rare and usually not clinically relevant, but it should be noted in cases of cardiac resynchronization therapy. A rare case of successful left ventricular lead implantation for cardiac resynchronization therapy via the left superior vena cava in a patient with coronary sinus ostial atresia is reported. The persistent left superior vena cava associated with these cases tends to be smaller than usual in its diameter and difficult to identify, since the direction of venous drainage is reversed. Therefore, in the present case, it was useful to use a small-diameter, soft inner catheter as a guiding catheter to perform selective imaging and avoid vascular injury. In addition, it appeared to be important to plan the surgical strategy using prior imaging information, since it would be difficult to obtain the backup needed for lead insertion.

〈

Learning objective: Cardiac resynchronization therapy via the left superior vena cava with coronary sinus ostial atresia is generally possible without problems if prior imaging information is available, such as three-dimensional computed tomography and the venous phase of coronary angiography. It is important to determine whether there is a persistent left superior vena cava before the procedure. Thromboprophylaxis remains controversial in this situation.〉

Evolocumab vs. Ezetimibe in Statin-Intolerant Hyperlipidemic Japanese Patients: Phase 3 GAUSS-4 Trial

Aim: In patients with hyperlipidemia, intolerance to statins presents a challenge in reducing the risk of events associated with cardiovascular disease. This phase 3, randomized, double-blind trial in Japanese patients with statin intolerance aimed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of evolocumab vs. ezetimibe in lowering low-density lipoprotein-cholesterol (LDL-C).

Methods: This study was conducted in a 12-week, double-blind period followed by an open-label extension designed to characterize 1 year of evolocumab treatment. Statin intolerance was defined as failure of two or more statins due to myalgia, myositis, or rhabdomyolysis. Eligible patients were randomized at 2:2:1:1 into four groups: 420 mg evolocumab every 4 weeks (Q4W) + oral placebo daily, 140 mg evolocumab every 2 weeks (Q2W) + oral placebo daily, subcutaneous (SC) placebo Q4W + 10 mg ezetimibe daily, and SC placebo Q2W + 10 mg ezetimibe daily.

Results: Sixty-one patients were randomized to evolocumab (n = 40) or ezetimibe (n = 21). For the co-primary endpoints of percent change from the baseline in mean LDL-C to the mean of weeks 10 and 12 and to week 12, the evolocumab-ezetimibe treatment differences were −39.4% (95% CI, −47.2% to −31.5%) and −40.1% (95% CI, −48.7% to −31.6%), respectively (adjusted p < 0.0001). The most common adverse events were diarrhea (9.5%) and nasopharyngitis (12.5%) in the ezetimibe and evolocumab groups, respectively, during the double-blind period and nasopharyngitis (29%) during the open-label extension.

Conclusion: Evolocumab was superior to ezetimibe in reducing LDL-C during the 12-week double-blind period in this population of Japanese patients with statin intolerance, with efficacy and safety results maintained for 1 year.

Trial registration: ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT02634580

P3648Plasma glutamate are increased in non-smoker patients with vasospastic angina pectoris and associated with plasma cystine and antioxidant capacity

Background

Endothelial dysfunction of the coronary arteries caused by oxidative stress plays an important role in the pathogenesis of vasospastic angina pectoris (VSAP). Glutamate, a non-essential amino acid, exerts endothelial dysfunction by oxidative stress production through N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor activation. Besides oxidative stress, decrease of antioxidant may be responsible for endothelial dysfunction. Glutathione (GSH), an important antioxidant, is synthesized from imported cystine through the cystine/glutamate antiporter system (XC-) in association with the export of glutamate. Glutamate also competitively inhibits cystine import into the endothelial cells through the XC-leading to GSH depletion. Thus the extracellular glutamate and cystine are crucial for the intracellular redox status. However, it remains unclear whether glutamate and/or cystine are implicated in the pathogenesis of VSAP. As smoking induces powerful oxidant stresses in the whole body, we investigated plasma glutamate, cystine, oxidative stress markers and antioxidant capacity in non-smoker patients with VSAP.

Methods and results

Sixty-two consecutive non-smoker patients suspected having VSAP were performed coronary angiograms (CAG). Forty-nine patients who did not show any significant coronary stenosis (<50%) were performed the intracoronary acetylcholine provocation test. Patients were categorized into the VSAP-positive group (n=27) and the VSAP-negative group (n=22) on the basis of test results. Blood samples were collected from the femoral sheath before the CAG. Plasma glutamate, cystine, nitrotyrosine (NT), reactive oxygen metabolites (d-ROMs) and biological antioxidant potential (BAP) were measured. The levels of plasma glutamate and cystine in the VSAP-positive group were significantly higher than those in the VSAP-negative group (59.8±25.7 vs 43.5±18.7 nmol/L, p=0.0054, and 35.3±14.2 nmol/L vs 25.2±9.1 nmol/L, p=0.0018, respectively). The levels of plasma glutamate showed significant and positive association with the levels of plasma cystine (r=0.40, p=0.005). There were no significant differences in the levels of NT and d-ROMs as oxidative stress markers, and BAP as an antioxidant capacity between the two groups, respectively. However, the levels of plasma glutamate showed significant and negative association with BAP values (r=−0.3, p=0.038).

Conclusions

Plasma levels of glutamate were increased in non-smoker patients with VSAP and positively associated with plasma cystine levels and negatively associated with antioxidant capacity, suggesting that plasma glutamate modulate plasma cystine levels and antioxidant capacity through the XC- inhibition, and could be a novel risk factor of VSAP.

Real-World Data to Identify Hypercholesterolemia Patients on Suboptimal Statin Therapy

AIM

Statins are generally well-tolerated but some patients develop adverse events and down-titrate or discontinue statins. It is important to understand the frequency of dyslipidemia patients with the inability to continue statins. The aim of the present study was to identify the frequency of high-risk dyslipidemia patients who are unable to take or not taking statins for any reason using Japanese hospital claims database.

METHODS

2,527,405 dyslipidemia patients with atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease were investigated between April 2008 and September 2017. Definition 1 included statin discontinuation or down-titration with non-statin lipid modifying therapy (LMT) prescription, rhabdomyolysis or muscle-related symptoms with statin down-titration or discontinuation, or prescription for ≥3 statin types. Definition 2 included all components of Definition 1 in addition to statin down-titration or discontinuation for any reason. Patients never given statins but who started non-statin LMT were considered as Definition 3. The achievement rate of the target LDL-C level was investigated.

RESULTS

Among 54,296 patients with statin prescription, 2.32% and 48.38% patients were identified as Definition 1 and 2, respectively. Of eligible patients, 13.16% patients were identified as Definition 3. The achievement rate of target LDL-C level was lower in patients meeting each definition than not satisfying each definition.

CONCLUSIONS

There is a proportion of high-risk dyslipidemia patients unable to take or not taking statins for any reason, and it is associated with lower achievement rates of target LDL-C levels. Suboptimal management of LDL-C is directly associated with residual cardiovascular risk and implementation of alternative therapeutic options in addition to existing LMT is warranted.

Possibly Late-Onset Arrhythmogenic Right Ventricular Cardiomyopathy: Unique Triglyceride Deposition by Analysis of Lipid Contents

We presented an unusual arrhythmogenic right ventricular cardiomyopathy (ARVC) case of a late-60s elderly man's death, due to severe pericardial/pleural effusion and ascites, and arrhythmic events, with unique pathological features. The hypertrophic heart grossly displayed yellowish to yellow-whitish predominantly in the variably thinned wall of the dilated right ventricle. Microscopic findings showed diffuse fatty/fibrofatty replacement in not only the right but left ventricular myocardium, together with an outer lymphoplasmacytic infiltrate. According to the lipid contents analysis, the triglyceride content, but not the cholesterol content, in our patient's right and left ventricular cardiac muscle was much higher than that in the control subject. We propose that this unique triglyceride deposition in our possibly late-onset ARVC case might be one of new clues to understand its enigmatic cause. Further prospective studies are needed to validate the presence and significance of a greater volume of triglyceride deposit, after collecting and investigating a larger number of early and late-onset ARVC cases examined.

Circulating malondialdehyde-modified low-density lipoprotein (MDA-LDL) as a novel predictor of clinical outcome after endovascular therapy in patients with peripheral artery disease (PAD)

BACKGROUND AND AIMS

Despite advances in the treatment of peripheral artery disease (PAD), cardiovascular events and death rates remain high. This study aimed at identifying markers of outcome in patients with PAD undergoing endovascular therapy (EVT).

METHODS

Consecutive patients undergoing EVT were recruited. Markers of oxidative stress (malondialdehyde-modified low-density lipoprotein [MDA-LDL]), inflammation (IL-6; high-sensitivity C-reactive protein [hsCRP]) and fibrinolysis (D-dimer) were measured pre-EVT and at post-EVT time-points to 36 h. Clinical follow-up assessed major cardiovascular and/or limb events.

RESULTS

In the 35 patients enrolled, mean MDA-LDL levels decreased from a baseline level of 106.2 U/L to 72.6 U/L immediately post-EVT (p<0.0001); levels remained significantly reduced at all time-points. IL-6, hsCRP and D-dimer increased and were significantly higher at the 36 h time-point. A significant, negative association was seen between decreased MDA-LDL and pre-EVT hsCRP levels (r = -0.42, p=0.012). Clinical follow-up data were obtained for a mean period of 16 months. MDA-LDL ratios (obtained by comparison of post- and pre-EVT values) allowed assessment of high (≥0.495) and low (<0.495) ratio groups. A significantly higher rate of major adverse events, including limb-related events or death, was seen in the low ratio group (p<0.001). Cox proportional hazard analysis including traditional risk factors indicated that this ratio is a significant predictor of clinical endpoints (HR = 0.4210, p=0.0154). An association with clinical outcome was not observed with the other candidate biomarkers.

CONCLUSIONS

Assessment of pre- and post-EVT MDA-LDL levels is a promising marker of clinical outcome in patients with PAD.

A possible role for HLA-DRB1*04:06 in statin-related myopathy in Japanese patients

Statin-related myopathy (SRM) is a clinically important adverse reaction. Recent pharmacogenetic research, mainly in non-Asian populations, have indicated clinical relevance of some of genetic biomarkers to SRM, but predictive markers for SRM in Asian populations including Japanese has not yet been established. This study was aimed to identify clinically important genetic markers associated with SRM in Japanese patients. Allele frequencies of the three reported candidate markers - SLCO1B1 rs4149056, RYR2 rs2819742, and GATM rs9806699 - and carrier frequencies of HLA types were compared between patients with SRM patients (n = 52) and healthy Japanese subjects (n = 2878 or 86 (for rs9806699) as controls). No significant association of RYR2, SLCO1B1, and GATM variants with SRM were observed in our Japanese patients, but a significant association was detected for HLA-DRB1*04:06 with SRM (odds ratio: 3.19; 95% confidence interval: 1.53-6.66). This study suggested that HLA-DRB1*04:06 might be associated with SRM onset in a Japanese population. Further studies are required to validate these results.

Diurnal glycemic fluctuation is associated with severity of coronary artery disease in prediabetic patients: Possible role of nitrotyrosine and glyceraldehyde-derived advanced glycation end products

BACKGROUND

Glucose fluctuation (GF) is a risk factor for coronary artery disease (CAD). However, it remains unknown whether specific indices of GF are risk factors for CAD. Therefore, we evaluated the relationship between GF, as determined by a continuous glucose monitoring system (CGMS) or the glucose level at 2h after a 75-g oral glucose tolerance test (75g OGTT 120), and the severity of CAD in prediabetic patients. We also evaluated whether nitrotyrosine (NT) and glyceraldehyde-derived advanced glycation end-products (Glycer-AGE) were induced by GF.

METHODS

Twenty-eight prediabetic patients underwent coronary angiography (CAG), and the Gensini score and the SYNTAX score were evaluated as the severity of CAD, while the mean amplitude of glycemic excursions (MAGE) by CGMS and 75g OGTT 120 were evaluated. Serum NT and Glycer-AGE were measured.

RESULTS

The MAGE was closely associated with the Gensini score (r=0.742, p<0.001) and the SYNTAX score (r=0.776, p<0.001), respectively. The 75g OGTT 120 was not associated with the Gensini score (r=0.36, p=0.06), but it was significantly associated with the SYNTAX score (r=0.413, p=0.036). Multiple linear regression analysis showed that the MAGE was the only independent determinant for the severity of CAD. The levels of NT and Glycer-AGE were significantly higher in the high MAGE group than in the low MAGE group.

CONCLUSIONS

Diurnal GF is associated with the severity of CAD, even in prediabetic patients. GF, NT, and Glycer-AGE may play a pathological role in the progression of CAD.

Chronic total occlusions of the right coronary and left anterior descending coronary arteries in a young adult patient with antiphospholipid syndrome

A 36-year-old male appeared to have an old myocardial infarction on electrocardiogram, and coronary angiography (CAG) was performed. The CAG showed total occlusions of the right coronary artery and left anterior descending artery. He was successfully treated with drug-eluting stent implantation for both occluded coronary arteries. Such serious coronary lesions are uncommon for his young age. The patient was diagnosed as having antiphospholipid syndrome (APS) based on elevation of anticardiolipin antibody and anti-β2 glycoprotein I antibody. Two years after stent implantation, the patient was well without ischemia or thrombosis. APS should be considered a potential cause of serious coronary disease in young adults. <Learning objective: Antiphospholipid syndrome (APS) should be considered a potential cause of serious coronary disease in young adults. Although there is a high risk of acute stent thrombosis and restenosis after multiple stents implantation, percutaneous coronary intervention with drug-eluting stent implantation could be an appropriate therapy for chronic total occlusion in APS patients.>.

ABCA1 gene variation and heart disease risk reduction in the elderly during pravastatin treatment

AIMS

Our goals were to examine the relationships of a specific ATP-binding cassette transporter A1 (ABCA1) variant, rs2230806 (R219K), on baseline lipids, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) lowering due to pravastatin, baseline heart disease, and cardiac endpoints on trial.

METHODS AND RESULTS

The ABCA1 R219K variant was assessed in 5414 participants in PROSPER (PROspective Study of Pravastatin in the Elderly at Risk) (mean age 75.3 years), who had been randomized to pravastatin 40 mg/day or placebo and followed for a mean of 3.2 years. Of these subjects 47.6% carried the variant, with 40.0% carrying one allele, and 7.6% carrying both alleles. No effects on baseline LDL-C levels were noted, but mean HDL-C increased modestly according to the number of variant alleles being present (1.27 vs 1.28 vs 1.30 mmol/L, p = 0.024). No relationships between the presence or absence of this variant and statin induced LDL-C lowering response or CHD at baseline were noted. However within trial those with the variant as compared to those without the variant, the overall adjusted hazard ratio for new cardiovascular disease (fatal CHD, non-fatal myocardial infarction, or fatal or non-fatal stroke) was 1.22 (95% CI 1.06-1.40, p = 0.006), while for those in the pravastatin group it was 1.41 (1.15-1.73, p = 0.001), and for those in the placebo group it was 1.08 (0.89-1.30, p = 0.447) (p for interaction 0.058).

CONCLUSION

Our data indicate that subjects with the ABCA1 R219K variant may get significantly less heart disease risk reduction from pravastatin treatment than those without the variant.

Chk1-mediated phosphorylation of receptor-associated late transducer at serine 250 increases its stability by stimulating its interaction with 14-3-3

Receptor-associated late transducer (RALT) acts as a negative feedback inhibitor of ErbB receptor signaling via physical interaction with ErbB. Although RALT contains a 14-3-3 binding motif (247-RSHSGP-252), little is known about the molecular basis and significance of binding to 14-3-3. Here, we report that 14-3-3 interacts with RALT in H9c2 and COS-7 cells in a Ser-250 phosphorylation-dependent manner. An in vitro kinase assay showed that RALT is a substrate for checkpoint kinase 1 (Chk1). Interaction between ectopically expressed RALT and endogenous 14-3-3 was partially suppressed by pretreatment with the Chk1 inhibitor, UCN-01. In addition, expression of constitutively active Chk1 (Chk11-365 ) resulted in increased phosphorylation of the RALT 14-3-3 binding motif and enhanced the interaction between RALT and 14-3-3θ. Furthermore, fluorescence microscopy revealed that rapid trafficking of RALT to endosome-like vesicle structures was decelerated by coexpression of Chk11-365 , whereas this coexpression had no significant impact on trafficking of the RALT S250A mutant. Finally, a cycloheximide chase assay indicated that coexpression of Chk11-365 decelerated the degradation of ectopically expressed RALT, but not that of the S250A mutant. Collectively, these results suggest that Chk1 plays a role in regulating RALT protein stability by facilitating the interaction between 14-3-3 and RALT.

KIF6, LPA, TAS2R50, and VAMP8 genetic variation, low density lipoprotein cholesterol lowering response to pravastatin, and heart disease risk reduction in the elderly

Single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) at the KIF6 (kinesin like protein 6, rs20455 or 719Arg), LPA (lipoprotein(a), rs3798220), TAS2R50 (taste receptor type 2, member 50, rs1376251) and VAMP8 (vesicle-associated membrane protein 8, rs1010) have previously been associated with low density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) lowering response to statins, coronary heart disease (CHD) at baseline, or CHD events on trial. We examined SNPs at the KIF6 (rs20455 or 719Arg), LPA (rs3798220), TAS2R50 (rs1376251) and VAMP8 (rs1010) in 5,411 participants in PROSPER (PROspective Study of Pravastatin in the Elderly at Risk) (mean age 75.3 years), who had been randomized to pravastatin 40 mg/day or placebo and were followed for a mean of 3.2 years. No SNP was related to vascular disease at baseline. Only the KIF6 SNP was related to LDL-C lowering with homozygous Arg 719 subjects being significantly less responsive than other groups (p=0.025, -34.2 vs. -36.1%). With regard to the primary CHD endpoint on trial (fatal or non-fatal myocardial infarction or stroke), we observed a significant relationship for KIF6 719Arg homozygotes (p=0.03, hazards ratio 0.47, 12.8% of the population) in women on pravastatin only, and for TAS2R50 for the AA genotype (p=0.03, hazards ratio 1.76, 8.9% of the population), also only in women on pravastatin. Our data indicate that the assessment of KIF6 rs20455 and TAS2R50 rs1376251 genotypes are not useful for predicting statin induced cardiovascular risk reduction in men, but do predict CHD risk reduction in women in this elderly population. However, these differences are no longer significant after correction for multiple comparisons, and we do not recommend the assessment of any of these SNPs in clinical practice.