Effects of icosapent ethyl according to baseline residual risk in patients with atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease: results from REDUCE-IT

BACKGROUND AND AIMS

Icosapent ethyl lowers triglycerides and significantly reduces major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE), though treatment effects may vary between individuals. This study aimed to determine the relative and absolute effects of icosapent ethyl on MACE according to baseline CVD risk in patients with atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD).

METHODS

Participants from REDUCE-IT with ASCVD were included (n = 5,785). The primary outcome was 3-point MACE, i.e. non-fatal myocardial infarction, non-fatal stroke, or cardiovascular death. Baseline 5-year risk of MACE was estimated using the ESC guideline-recommended SMART2 risk score. Modification of the relative treatment effects of icosapent ethyl by baseline risk was assessed using Cox proportional hazards models including a treatment-by-risk interaction. Next, treatment effects were assessed stratified by quartiles of baseline risk.

RESULTS

During a median follow-up of 4.8 years (interquartile range 3.2-5.3), MACE occurred in 361 vs 489 patients in the icosapent ethyl vs placebo group (95% confidence interval [CI]); hazard ratio (HR) 0.72 (0.63-0.82), absolute risk reduction (ARR) 4.4% (2.6-6.2%), number needed to treat (NNT) 23 (16-38), 5-year Kaplan-Meier estimated cumulative incidence reduction (CIR) 5.7% (3.5-7.9%). Icosapent ethyl significantly reduced MACE in all risk quartiles, with an HR (95% CI) of 0.62 (0.43-0.88), 0.66 (0.48-0.92), 0.69 (0.53-0.90), and 0.78 (0.63-0.96) respectively (p for treatment-by-risk interaction = 0.106). The ARR (95% CI) increased across risk quartiles, i.e. was 3.9% (1.0-6.8%), 4.3% (1.2-7.3%), 5.1% (1.4-8.7%), and 5.6% (1.3-10.0%) respectively. This translates to NNTs (95% CI) of 26 (15-98), 24 (14-84), 20 (11-70), and 18 (10-77). The 5-year CIR (95% CI) was 4.8% (1.3-8.2%), 5.0% (1.3-8.7%), 6.1% (1.7-10.5%), and 7.7% (2.3-13.2%) respectively. Consistent results were obtained for 5-point MACE, additionally including coronary revascularization and unstable angina.

CONCLUSIONS

Among patients with ASCVD and elevated triglyceride levels, icosapent ethyl significantly reduces the risk of MACE irrespective of baseline CVD risk, though absolute benefits are largest for patients at the highest risk.

Impact of the 2021 European Society for Cardiology prevention guideline's stepwise approach for cardiovascular risk factor treatment in patients with established atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease

AIMS

This study aimed to evaluate the stepwise approach for cardiovascular (CV) risk factor treatment as outlined by the European Society for Cardiology 2021 guidelines on CV disease (CVD) prevention in patients with established atherosclerotic CVD (ASCVD).

METHODS AND RESULTS

In patients with ASCVD, included in UCC-SMART (n = 8730) and European parts of the REACH registry (n = 18 364), the 10-year CV risk was estimated using SMART2. Treatment effects were derived from meta-analyses and trials. Step 1 recommendations were LDL cholesterol (LDLc) < 1.8 mmol/L, systolic blood pressure (SBP) < 140 mmHg, using any antithrombotic medication, sodium-glucose co-transporter 2 (SGLT2) inhibition, and smoking cessation. Step 2 recommendations were LDLc < 1.4 mmol/L, SBP < 130 mmHg, dual-pathway inhibition (DPI, aspirin plus low-dose rivaroxaban), colchicine, glucagon-like peptide (GLP)-1 receptor agonists, and eicosapentaenoic acid. Step 2 was modelled accounting for Step 1 non-attainment. With current treatment, residual CV risk was 22%, 32%, and 60% in the low, moderate, and pooled (very) high European risk regions, respectively. Step 2 could prevent up to 198, 223 and 245 events per 1000 patients treated, respectively. Intensified LDLc reduction, colchicine, and DPI could be applied to most patients, preventing up to 57, 74, and 59 events per 1000 patients treated, respectively. Following Step 2, the number of patients with a CV risk of <10% could increase from 20%, 6.4%, and 0.5%, following Step 1, to 63%, 48%, and 12%, in the respective risk regions.

CONCLUSION

With current treatment, residual CV risk in patients with ASCVD remains high across all European risk regions. The intensified Step 2 treatment options result in marked further reduction of residual CV risk in patients with established ASCVD.

KEY FINDINGS

Guideline-recommended intensive treatment of patients with cardiovascular disease could prevent additional 198-245 new cardiovascular events for every 1000 patients treated.

Unexplained Residual Risk In Type 2 Diabetes: How Big Is The Problem?

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

What is new? Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is the leading cause of mortality in type 2 diabetes (T2D) individuals. Of the major risk factors for CVD, less than 10% of T2D people meet the American Diabetes Association/American Heart Association recommended goals of therapy. The present review examines how much of the absolute cardiovascular (CV) risk in type 2 diabetes patients can be explained by major CV intervention trials.

RECENT FINDINGS

Multiple long-term cardiovascular (CV) intervention trials have examined the effect of specific target-directed therapies on the MACE endpoint. Only one prospective study, STENO-2, has employed a multifactorial intervention comparing intensified versus conventional treatment of modifiable risk factors in T2D patients, and demonstrated a 20% absolute CV risk reduction. If the absolute CV risk reduction in these trials is added to that in the only prospective multifactorial intervention trial (STENO-2), the unexplained CV risk is 44.1%. What are the clinical implications? Potential explanations for the unaccounted-for reduction in absolute CV risk in type 2 diabetes (T2D) patients are discussed.

HYPOTHESIS

failure to take into account synergistic interactions between major cardiovascular risk factors is responsible for the unexplained CV risk in T2D patients. Simultaneous treatment of all major CV risk factors to recommended AHA/ADA guideline goals is required to achieve the maximum reduction in CV risk.

Residual risk of cardiovascular complications in statin-using patients with type 2 diabetes: the Taiwan Diabetes Registry Study

BACKGROUND

The residual risks of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease in statin-treated patients with diabetes remain unclear. This study was conducted to identify factors associated with these residual risks in patients with no prior vascular event.

METHODS

Data on 683 statin-using patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) from the Taiwan Diabetes Registry were used in this study. Patients aged < 25 or > 65 years at the time of diabetes diagnosis and those with diabetes durations ≥ 20 years were excluded. The United Kingdom Prospective Diabetes Study risk engine (version 2.01; https://www.dtu.ox.ac.uk/riskengine/ ) was used to calculate 10-year residual nonfatal and fatal coronary heart disease (CHD) and stroke risks. Associations of these risks with physical and biochemical variables, including medication use and comorbidity, were examined.

RESULTS

The 10-year risks of nonfatal CHD in oral anti-diabetic drug (OAD), insulin and OAD plus insulin groups were 11.8%, 16.0%, and 16.8%, respectively. The 10-year risks of nonfatal stroke in OAD, insulin and OAD plus insulin groups were 3.0%, 3.4%, and 4.3%, respectively. In the multivariate model, chronic kidney disease (CKD), neuropathy, insulin use, calcium-channel blocker (CCB) use, higher body mass indices (BMI), low-density lipoprotein (LDL), fasting glucose, log-triglyceride (TG), and log-alanine transaminase (ALT) levels were associated with an increased CHD risk. The residual risk of stroke was associated with CKD, neuropathy, CCB use, and lower LDL cholesterol levels, higher BMI and diastolic blood pressure.

CONCLUSION

This study indicated that insulin was probably a residual risk factor of CHD but not stroke, and that there was a possible presence of obesity paradox in patients with T2DM on statin therapy. In addition to lowering TG and normalizing fasting glucose levels, lower LDL cholesterol level is better for reduction of risk of CHD on statin therapy. On the other hand, lower LDL cholesterol level could potentially be related to higher risk of stroke among populations receiving statin therapy. These findings suggest potential therapeutic targets for residual cardiovascular risk reduction in patients with T2DM on statin therapy.

Residual risk of clinically significant copy number variations in fetuses with nasal bone absence or hypoplasia after excluding non-invasive prenatal screening-detectable findings

BACKGROUND

It remains controversial whether prenatal screening or diagnostic testing should be offered to fetuses with nasal bone (NB) absence or hypoplasia, and there are no studies comparing the yield of chromosomal microarray analysis (CMA) to non-invasive prenatal screening (NIPS). The aim of this study was to evaluate the residual risk of clinically significant copy number variations (CNVs) in fetuses with NB absence or hypoplasia after excluding theoretically NIPS-detectable abnormalities, and to assess their clinical outcomes.

METHODS

This prospective study encompassed 400 fetuses with NB absence or hypoplasia undergoing CMA testing between 2015 and 2022. Clinically significant CMA findings were categorized into three subgroups, including three-NIPS-detectable (trisomies 21, 18 and 13), five-NIPS-detectable (trisomies 21, 18 and 13 and sex chromosome aneuploidies) and genome-wide NIPS-detectable (variants over 7 Mb). We calculated the theoretical residual risk and compared it with the results of a control cohort of low-risk pregnancies. We further evaluated their clinical outcomes.

RESULTS

The overall diagnostic yield in our cohort was 7.8% (31/400). The detection rate of clinically significant CMA findings in fetuses with non-isolated NB absence or hypoplasia was significantly higher than that in fetuses with isolated NB absence or hypoplasia (20.0% vs. 6.6%, P =.005). The theoretical residual risks in all NIPS models were significantly higher when compared with the control cohort. The normal infant rate in fetuses with normal CMA results was 97.9% (323/330), and a significant higher incidence was observed in fetuses with isolated NB absence or hypoplasia compared with non-isolated NB absence or hypoplasia (98.4% vs. 91.7%, P =.028).

CONCLUSIONS

The residual risk of clinically significant CNVs in fetuses with NB absence or hypoplasia following the exclusion of theoretically NIPS-detectable findings was higher than that in low-risk pregnancies. This risk should be considered in genetic counseling to make a more comprehensive and precise choice regarding prenatal genetic testing.

Non-HDL cholesterol and residual risk of cardiovascular events in patients with ischemic heart disease and well-controlled LDL cholesterol: a cohort study

Background

Identifying patients at high residual risk of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD) despite statin-treatment is of paramount clinical importance. We aim to investigate if non-high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (non-HDL-C) identifies residual risk of ASCVD and death in statin-treated patients with ischemic heart disease and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) ≤ 1.8 mmol/L.

Methods

Leveraging Danish regional and national registries, we identified statin-treated patients with ischemic heart disease who underwent coronary angiography (CAG) and attained LDL-C ≤ 1.8 mmol/L within a year post-CAG. Outcomes were myocardial infarction (MI), ASCVD (MI or ischemic stroke), and all-cause death occurring from one year after CAG to end of follow-up. Cox regression analyses obtained adjusted hazard ratios (HR).

Findings

Between January 1, 2011, and December 31, 2020, we included 23,641 statin-treated patients with ischemic heart disease and LDL-C ≤ 1.8 mmol/L. During median follow-up of 4.1 years (IQR 2.4-6.1), 893 (3.8%) patients developed MI, 1207 (5.1%) ASCVD, and 3054 (12.9%) patients died. For ASCVD the adjusted HRs (95% confidence interval) for non-HDL-C < 25th percentile (<1.7 mmol/L) versus 25th-74th (1.7-2.1 mmol/L), 75th-94th (2.2-2.6 mmol/L), and ≥95th (≥2.7 mmol/L) percentile were 1.1 (0.9-1.3), 1.4 (1.1-1.7), and 1.8 (1.4-2.4), and for all-cause death 1.0 (0.9-1.1), 1.2 (1.1-1.4), and 1.4 (1.2-1.7), respectively.

Interpretation

In a contemporary secondary prevention cohort of patients with well-managed LDL-C, non-HDL-C emerges as an easily accessible marker to detect patients facing high residual risk of ASCVD and death. These findings are important for preventive strategies extending beyond LDL-C targets.

Funding

Research grant from the Novo Nordisk Foundation.

Association between Non-Lipid Residual Risk Factors and Cardiovascular Events in Patients with Stable Coronary Artery Disease Treated with Pitavastatin: An Observation from the REAL-CAD Study

AIMS

We aimed to investigate the association between non-lipid residual risk factors and cardiovascular events in patients with stable coronary artery disease (CAD) who achieved low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) ＜100 mg/dL from the Randomized Evaluation of Aggressive or Moderate Lipid Lowering Therapy with Pitavastatin in Coronary Artery Disease (REAL-CAD) study.

METHODS

The REAL-CAD study was a prospective, multicenter, open-label trial. As a sub-study, we examined the prognostic impact of non-lipid residual risk factors, including blood pressure, glucose level, and renal function, in patients who achieved LDL-C ＜100 mg/dL at 6 months after pitavastatin therapy. Each risk factor was classified according to severity. The primary outcome was a composite of cardiovascular death, nonfatal myocardial infarction, nonfatal ischemic stroke, and unstable angina requiring emergency hospitalization.

RESULTS

Among 8,743 patients, the mean age was 68±8.2 years, and the mean LDL-C level was 84.4±18 mg/dL. After adjusting for the effects of confounders, an estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) ≤ 60 mL/min/1.73 m2 showed the highest risk of the primary outcome (hazard ratio [HR] 1.92; 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.45-2.53). The combination of eGFR ≤ 60 and hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) ≥ 6.0% also showed the highest risk of all-cause death (HR, 2.42; 95% CI, 1.72-3.41).

CONCLUSIONS

In patients with stable CAD treated with pitavastatin and who achieved guidelines-directed levels of LDL-C, eGFR and HbA1c were independently associated with adverse events, suggesting that renal function and glycemic control could be residual non-lipid therapeutic targets after statin therapy.

Role of Soluble Urokinase-Type Plasminogen Activator Receptor in Cardiovascular Disease

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

Chronic inflammation is a major contributor to cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk. Soluble urokinase plasminogen activator receptor (suPAR) is an immune-derived glycoprotein that is strongly associated with atherosclerotic disease. This review summarizes evidence on suPAR's role in CVD pathogenesis and its potential as a prognostic indicator and therapeutic target.

RECENT FINDINGS

Clinical, genetic, and experimental evidence supports suPAR's role as a pathogenic factor in atherosclerosis. suPAR promotes atherosclerosis through modulation of monocyte activation and function. Clinically, elevated suPAR levels are linked to increased cardiovascular risk across diverse populations. Ongoing clinical trials are evaluating therapies targeting suPAR signaling. Current evidence positions suPAR as a regulator of myeloid cell function that contributes to vascular inflammation and subsequent cardiovascular events. Additional research is needed to determine whether suPAR measurement can improve CVD risk prediction and enable personalized management. Overall, suPAR is a promising immune-derived biomarker and target for reducing inflammation and cardiovascular risk.

Multi-proteomic Biomarker Risk Scores for Predicting Risk and Guiding Therapy in Patients with Coronary Artery Disease

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

Patients with established coronary artery disease (CAD) are at high residual risk for adverse events, despite guideline-based treatments. Herein, we aimed to determine whether risk scores based on multiple circulating biomarkers that represent activation of various pathophysiologically important pathways involved in atherosclerosis and myocardial dysfunction help identify those at greatest residual risk.

RECENT FINDINGS

Numerous circulating proteins, representing dysregulation of the pathways involved in the development and stability of coronary and myocardial diseases, have been identified. When aggregated together, biomarker risk scores (BRS) more accurately stratify patients with established CAD that may help target interventions in those individuals who are at elevated risk. Moreover, intensification of guideline-based therapies has been associated with parallel improvements in both BRS and outcomes, indicating that these risk scores may be employed clinically to target therapy. Multi-protein BRS are predictive of risk, independent of, and in addition to traditional risk factor assessments in patients with CAD. Those with elevated risk may benefit from optimization of therapies, and improvements in the BRS will identify those with improved outcomes.

Residual risks and evolving atherosclerotic plaques

Atherosclerotic disease of the coronary and carotid arteries is the primary global cause of significant mortality and morbidity. The chronic occlusive diseases have changed the epidemiological landscape of health problems both in developed and the developing countries. Despite the enormous benefit of advanced revascularization techniques, use of statins, and successful attempts of targeting modifiable risk factors, like smoking and exercise in the last four decades, there is still a definite "residual risk" in the population, as evidenced by many prevalent and new cases every year. Here, we highlight the burden of the atherosclerotic diseases and provide substantial clinical evidence of the residual risks in these diseases despite advanced management settings, with emphasis on strokes and cardiovascular risks. We critically discussed the concepts and potential underlying mechanisms of the evolving atherosclerotic plaques in the coronary and carotid arteries. This has changed our understanding of the plaque biology, the progression of unstable vs stable plaques, and the evolution of plaque prior to the occurrence of a major adverse atherothrombotic event. This has been facilitated using intravascular ultrasound, optical coherence tomography, and near-infrared spectroscopy in the clinical settings to achieve surrogate end points. These techniques are now providing exquisite information on plaque size, composition, lipid volume, fibrous cap thickness and other features that were previously not possible with conventional angiography.

Application of non-invasive prenatal testing in screening chromosomal aberrations in pregnancies with different nuchal translucency cutoffs

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the efficiency of non-invasive prenatal testing (NIPT) in cases with different cutoffs of nuchal translucency (NT).

METHODS

The study retrospectively analyses pregnancies with NT ≥ 2.5 mm who underwent NIPT. Results of NT, NIPT, chromosomal diagnostic and pregnancy outcomes were collected.

RESULTS

Study group was composed of 1470 single pregnancies, including 864 with NT 2.5-2.9 mm, 350 with NT 3.0-3.4 mm and 256 with NT ≥ 3.5 mm. Non-significant differences were found in the positive predictive value (PPV) of NIPT between different cutoffs of NT. There was one false positive case with NT 4.3 mm, screening for 47,XYY in NIPT showed normal in diagnostic testing. For cases with normal NIPT results, the residual risk is 1:20 (5%, 95%CI: 0.1-10.1%) in fetuses with NT 3.0-3.4 mm and 1:15 (6.5%, 95%CI: 1.4%-11.5%) in fetuses with NT ≥ 3.5 mm. These false negative cases included one trisomy 21, seven pathogenic CNVs, one uniparental disomy and one single gene disorders.

CONCLUSION

Our findings demonstrated that the PPV of NIPT for screening chromosomal aberrations were similarly in different NT cutoffs, while false positive case does exist. After normal in NIPT, risk for chromosomal aberrations remained, especially pathogenic CNV and even common trisomy. Therefore, prenatal diagnosis was recommended and CMA was suggested to apply in pregnancies with NT ≥ 3.0 mm.

Non-HDL-cholesterol in dyslipidemia: Review of the state-of-the-art literature and outlook

Dyslipidemia refers to unhealthy changes in blood lipid composition and is a risk factor for atherosclerotic cardiovascular diseases (ASCVD). Usually, low-density lipoprotein-cholesterol (LDL-C) is the primary goal for dyslipidemia management. However, non-high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (non-HDL-C) has gained attention as an alternative, reliable goal. It encompasses all plasma lipoproteins like LDL, triglyceride-rich lipoproteins (TRL), TRL-remnants, and lipoprotein a [Lp(a)] except high-density lipoproteins (HDL). In addition to LDL-C, several other constituents of non-HDL-C have been reported to be atherogenic, aiding the pathophysiology of atherosclerosis. They are acknowledged as contributors to residual ASCVD risk that exists in patients on statin therapy with controlled LDL-C levels. Therefore, non-HDL-C is now considered an independent risk factor or predictor for CVD. The popularity of non-HDL-C is attributed to its ease of estimation and non-dependency on fasting status. It is also better at predicting ASCVD risk in patients on statin therapy, and/or in those with obesity, diabetes, and metabolic disorders. In addition, large follow-up studies have reported that individuals with higher baseline non-HDL-C at a younger age (<45 years) were more prone to adverse CVD events at an older age, suggesting a predictive ability of non-HDL-C over the long term. Consequently, non-HDL-C is recommended as a secondary goal for dyslipidemia management by most international guidelines. Intriguingly, geographical patterns in recent epidemiological studies showed remarkably high non-HDL-C attributable mortality in high-risk countries. This review highlights the independent role of non-HDL-C in ASCVD pathogenesis and prognosis. In addition, the need for a country-specific approach to dyslipidemia management at the community/population level is discussed. Overall, non-HDL-C can become a co-primary or primary goal in dyslipidemia management.

Residual cardiovascular risk, use of standard care treatments, and achievement of treatment goals in patients with cardiovascular disease

Background

Residual risk management in patients with previous cardiovascular disease (CVD) is a relevant issue. Objectives: 1) to assess the residual risk of patients with CVD using the new scores developed to predict recurrent CVD events (SMART score/SMART-REACH model); 2) to determine the use of therapies with cardiovascular benefit and the achievement of therapeutic goals in patients with very high residual risk.

Methods

A multicenter, descriptive, cross-sectional study was performed. Individuals over 18 years of age with CVD were included consecutively. The 10-year risk of recurrent events was estimated using the SMART score and the SMART-REACH model. A value ≥ 30% was considered "very high risk".

Results

In total, 296 patients (mean age 68.2 ± 9.4 years, 75.7% men) were included. Globally, 32.43% and 64.53% of the population was classified as very high risk by the SMART score and the SMART-REACH model, respectively. Among patients classified as very high risk by the SMART score, 45.7% and 33.3% were treated with high-intensity statins and reached the goal of LDL-C <55 mg/dL, respectively. The results were similar when evaluating very high patients according to the SMART-REACH model (high-intensity statins: 59.7%; LDL-C <55 mg/dL: 43.9%). Few very high-risk patients with diabetes were receiving glucose-lowering drugs with demonstrated cardiovascular benefit.

Conclusion

In this secondary prevention population, the residual risk was considerable. Underutilization of standard care treatments and failure to achieve therapeutic goals were evident even in subjects with very high residual risk.

[Luces y sombras de la Guía Europea esc-2021 de Prevención de la Enfermedad Cardiovascular en la Práctica Clínica.]

General practitioners see in their consultation a a significant number of patients at high vascular risk (VR). The European Guidelines for Cardiovascular Disease Prevention (2021) recommend a new risk classification and intervention strategies on on vascular risk factors (RF), with the aim of providing a shared decision-making recommendations between professionals and patients. In this document we present a critical analysis of these guidelines, offering possible solutions that can be implemented in Primary Care. It should be noted that there are positive aspects (lights) such as that the SCORE2 (from forty to sixty-nine years) and SCORE2-OP models (from seventy to eighty-nine years) are based on more current cohorts and measure cardiovascular risk in a more accurately manner. In addition, it is proposed to differentiate different risk thresholds according to age-groups. For sake of practicality, cardiovascular risk can be estimated using different websites with the new computer models. However, among the negative aspects (shadows), it seems to be add complexity implementing nine subgroups of subjects according to their age or level of risk, with a defined thresholds that could cause a substantial increase in the potential number of subjects susceptible to treatment without a clear evidence that supports it. In addition, two-step RF interventions could delay achievement of therapeutic goals, especially in very high-risk patients, diabetics, or patients with cardiovascular disease. Given these limitations, in this document we propose practical recommendations in order to simplify and facilitate the implementation of the guideline in primary care.

Low-grade inflammation is associated with a heterogeneous lipoprotein subclass profile in an apparently healthy population sample

BACKGROUND AND AIMS

Prevention measures for cardiovascular diseases (CVD) have shifted their focus from lipoproteins to the immune system. However, low-grade inflammation and dyslipidemia are tightly entangled. The objective of this study was to assess the relations between a broad panel of inflammatory biomarkers and lipoprotein subclass parameters.

METHODS

We utilized data from the population-based Study of Health in Pomerania (SHIP-TREND, n = 403). Plasma concentrations of 37 inflammatory markers were measured by a bead-based assay. Furthermore, we employed nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy to measure total cholesterol, total triglycerides, total phospholipids as well as the fractional concentrations of cholesterol, triglycerides, phospholipids, ApoA1, ApoA2 and ApoB in all major lipoprotein subclasses. Associations between inflammatory biomarkers and lipoprotein subclasses were analyzed by adjusted linear regression models.

RESULTS

APRIL, BAFF, TWEAK, sCD30, Pentraxin-3, sTNFR1, sTNFR2, Osteocalcin, Chitinase 3-like 1, IFN-alpha2, IFN-gamma, IL-11, IL-12p40, IL-29, IL-32, IL-35, TSLP, MMP1 and MMP2 were related with lipoprotein subclass components, forming two distinct clusters. APRIL had inverse relations to HDL-C (total and subclasses) and HDL Apo-A1 and Apo-A2 content. MMP-2 was inversely related to VLDL-C (total and subclasses), IDL-C as well as LDL5/6-C and VLDL-TG, IDL-TG, total triglycerides as well as LDL5/5-TG and HDL4-TG. Additionally, we identified a cluster of cytokines linked to the Th1-immune response, which were associated with an atherogenic lipoprotein profile.

CONCLUSION

Our findings expand the existing knowledge of inflammation-lipoprotein interactions, many of which are suggested to be involved in the pathogeneses of chronic non-communicable diseases. The results of our study support the use of immunomodulatory substances for the treatment and possibly prevention of CVD.

History of peripheral artery disease and cardiovascular risk of real-world patients with acute coronary syndrome: Role of inflammation and comorbidities

BACKGROUND

Patients with acute coronary syndromes (ACS) remain at risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD) recurrences. Peripheral artery disease (PAD) may identify a very high risk (VHR) group who may derive greater benefit from intensified secondary prevention.

METHODS

Among ACS-patients enrolled in the prospective multi-center Special Program University Medicine (SPUM), we assessed the impact of PAD on major cardiovascular events (MACE: composite of myocardial infarction, stroke and all-cause death) and major bleeding. Multivariate analysis tested the relation of each significant variable with MACE, as well as biomarkers of inflammation and novel markers of atherogenesis.

RESULTS

Out of 4787 ACS patients, 6.0% (n = 285) had PAD. PAD-patients were older (p < 0.001), with established CVD and signs of increased persistent inflammation (hs-CRP; 23.6 ± 46.5 vs 10.4 ± 27.2 mg/l, p < 0.001 and sFlt-1; 1399.5 ± 1501.3 vs 1047.2 ± 1378.6 ng/l, p = 0.018). In-hospital-death (3.2% vs 1.4%, p = 0.022) and -MACE (5.6% vs 3.0%, p = 0.017) were higher in PAD-patients. MACE at 1 year (18.6% vs 7.9%,p < 0.001) remained increased even after adjustment for confounders (Adj. HR 1.53, 95% CI: 1.14-2.08, p = 0.005). Major bleeding did not differ between groups (Adj. HR 1.18; 95% CI 0.71-1.97, p = 0.512). Although PAD predicted MACE, PAD-patients were prescribed less frequently for secondary prevention at discharge.

CONCLUSIONS

In this real-world ACS patient cohort, concomitant PAD is a marker of VHR and is associated with increased and persistent inflammation, higher risk for MACE without an increased risk of major bleeding. Therefore, a history of PAD may be useful to identify those ACS patients at VHR who require more aggressive secondary prevention.

Effect of dual residual risk of cholesterol and inflammation on all-cause mortality in patients with cardiovascular disease

BACKGROUND

Randomized controlled trials confirm that risks of residual cholesterol and residual inflammation remains in patients with cardiovascular disease (CVD) even after lipid-lowering therapy. This study aims to investigate the association between dual residual risk of cholesterol and inflammation and all-cause mortality in a real-world population with CVD.

METHODS

Patients with a CVD history who first took statins between 1 January 2010 and 31 December 2017 in the Kailuan Study were selected as study participants. According to low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) and hypersensitive C-reactive protein levels, patients were divided into those with no residual risk, residual inflammatory risk (RIR), residual cholesterol risk (RCR), and residual cholesterol and inflammatory risk (RCIR). Cox proportional hazard model was conducted to determine hazard ratio (HR) of all-cause mortality for RIR, RCR, and RCIR. Stratified analysis was conducted according to good medication adherence and 75% of the percentage LDL-C decline, high SMART 2 risk score, and blood pressure and blood glucose at standard levels.

RESULTS

After 6.10 years of follow-up, 377 all-cause deaths occurred in 3509 participants (mean age 63.69 ± 8.41 years, 86.78% men). After adjusting for related risk factors, the HR and (95% confidence interval [CI]) of all-cause mortality in the RIR, RCR, and RCIR was 1.63 (1.05, 2.52), 1.37 (0.98, 1.90), and 1.75 (1.25, 2.46), compared with no residual risk. Similar associations were observed in participants with moderate or low statin compliance, a lower percentage of LDL-C decline, high SMART 2 risk score, uncontrolled blood pressure, and uncontrolled blood glucose, in the RCIR had a 1.66-fold, 2.08-fold, 1.69-fold, 2.04-fold, and 2.05-fold higher risk of all-cause mortality, respectively, than the reference.

CONCLUSION

Risks of residual cholesterol and residual inflammation remain in patients with CVD after receiving statins, and their combined effect significantly increases the risk of all-cause mortality. Here, this increased risk was dependent on statin compliance, LDL-C reduction, SMART 2 risk score, and blood pressure and blood glucose control.

Genetic diversity of the human immunodeficiency virus of type 1 in Gabonese transfusional settings

BACKGROUND

The high endemicity of transfusion-transmissible infections (TTIs) in sub-Saharan Africa is a real public health problem. To reduce the risk of HIV transmission through blood donation, the NBTC of Gabon has launched in recent years a reorganization of its blood transfusion system. This study aims to characterize the molecular strains of HIV-1 circulating in donors and to estimate the risk of viral transmission.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A cross-sectional study was carried out during the period from August 2020 to August 2021 among 381 donors who had agreed to donate blood at the National Blood Transfusion Center (NBTC). Viral load was determined by Abbott Real-Time (Abbott m2000®, Abbott) and sequencing by the Sanger method (ABI 3500 Hitachi®). The phylogenetic tree was constructed by MEGA X software. Data were checked, entered, and analyzed using SPSS version 21.0 software, with p ≤ 0.05 considered statistically significant.

RESULTS

A total of 381 donors were enrolled in the study. Among the 359 seronegative donors, five (5) seronegative donors were detected positive for HIV-1 using Real-Time PCR. The residual risk was 648 per 1,000,000 donations. The prevalence of residual infection was 1.4% [0,01; 0,03]. Sixteen (16) samples were sequenced. The strains obtained were CRF02_AG (50%), subtype A1 (18.8%), subtype G (12.5%), CRF45_cpx (12.5%) and subtype F2 (6.2%). Six sequences clustered with A1, G, CRF02_AG, and CRF45_cpx subtypes.

CONCLUSION

The residual risk of HIV-1 transmission by blood transfusion remains a concern in the Gabonese transfusional settings. A policy based on improving the current screening strategy would involve the implementation of the nucleic acid test (NAT) in order to optimize the safety of the donation by detecting the HIV-1 subtypes in circulation in the donors.

Residual risk of noninvasive prenatal screening in pregnancies with ultrasound anomalies

OBJECTIVES

To discuss the residual risk (RR) of noninvasive prenatal screening (NIPS) for the mothers with fetal ultrasound abnormalities.

METHODS

880 pregnant women with fetal ultrasound abnormalities accepted prenatal diagnosis by chromosomal microarray analysis (CMA) after amniocentesis. Furthermore, the detection efficiency of NIPS was evaluated and calculated based on our previous studies and other literatures. The RR of the chromosome abnormality results was then analyzed.

RESULTS

A total of 103 cases were confirmed as fetal chromosome abnormalities, including 65 (63.1%) of aneuploidies and 38 (36.9%) of clinical significant copy number variations (CNVs). Of which, based on the estimated NIPS efficacy, 87 cases could also be detected by NIPS. The detection rate (DR) was 84.5%, while 16 cases would be missed. The total of RR of NIPS in the fetuses with ultrasound anomalies was 2.0% (16/793), approximately one in 51. The top three RR of fetal ultrasound abnormalities were echogenic bowel (5.9%), multiple systems of structural anomalies (4.5%), and nervous system anomalies (4.2%).

CONCLUSION

The overall residual risk of NIPS in the fetuses with ultrasound anomalies was approximately 2.0%, especially in echogenic bowel, multiple systems of structural anomalies and nervous system anomalies.

High-density lipoprotein subclasses and cardiovascular disease and mortality in type 2 diabetes: analysis from the Hong Kong Diabetes Biobank

OBJECTIVE

High-density lipoproteins (HDL) comprise particles of different size, density and composition and their vasoprotective functions may differ. Diabetes modifies the composition and function of HDL. We assessed associations of HDL size-based subclasses with incident cardiovascular disease (CVD) and mortality and their prognostic utility.

RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS

HDL subclasses by nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy were determined in sera from 1991 fasted adults with type 2 diabetes (T2D) consecutively recruited from March 2014 to February 2015 in Hong Kong. HDL was divided into small, medium, large and very large subclasses. Associations (per SD increment) with outcomes were evaluated using multivariate Cox proportional hazards models. C-statistic, integrated discrimination index (IDI), and categorial and continuous net reclassification improvement (NRI) were used to assess predictive value.

RESULTS

Over median (IQR) 5.2 (5.0-5.4) years, 125 participants developed incident CVD and 90 participants died. Small HDL particles (HDL-P) were inversely associated with incident CVD [hazard ratio (HR) 0.65 (95% CI 0.52, 0.81)] and all-cause mortality [0.47 (0.38, 0.59)] (false discovery rate < 0.05). Very large HDL-P were positively associated with all-cause mortality [1.75 (1.19, 2.58)]. Small HDL-P improved prediction of mortality [C-statistic 0.034 (0.013, 0.055), IDI 0.052 (0.014, 0.103), categorical NRI 0.156 (0.006, 0.252), and continuous NRI 0.571 (0.246, 0.851)] and CVD [IDI 0.017 (0.003, 0.038) and continuous NRI 0.282 (0.088, 0.486)] over the RECODe model.

CONCLUSION

Small HDL-P were inversely associated with incident CVD and all-cause mortality and improved risk stratification for adverse outcomes in people with T2D. HDL-P may be used as markers for residual risk in people with T2D.

Acute LDL-C reduction post ACS: strike early and strike strong: from evidence to clinical practice. A clinical consensus statement of the Association for Acute CardioVascular Care (ACVC), in collaboration with the European Association of Preventive Cardiology (EAPC) and the European Society of Cardiology Working Group on Cardiovascular Pharmacotherapy

After experiencing an acute coronary syndrome (ACS), patients are at a high risk of suffering from recurrent ischaemic cardiovascular events, especially in the very early phase. Low density lipoprotein-cholesterol (LDL-C) is causally involved in atherosclerosis and a clear, monotonic relationship between pharmacologic LDL-C lowering and a reduction in cardiovascular events post-ACS has been shown, a concept termed 'the lower, the better'. Current ESC guidelines suggest an LDL-C guided, step-wise initiation and escalation of lipid-lowering therapy (LLT). Observational studies consistently show low rates of guideline-recommended LLT adaptions and concomitant low rates of LDL-C target goal achievement, leaving patients at residual risk, especially in the vulnerable post-ACS phase. In addition to the well-established 'the lower, the better' approach, a 'strike early and strike strong' approach in the early post-ACS phase with upfront initiation of a combined lipid-lowering approach using high-intensity statins and ezetimibe seems reasonable. We discuss the rationale, clinical trial evidence and experience for such an approach and highlight existing knowledge gaps. In addition, the concept of acute initiation of PCSK9 inhibition in the early phase is reviewed. Ultimately, we focus on hurdles and solutions to provide high-quality, evidence-based follow-up care in post-ACS patients.

Residual stroke risk despite oral anticoagulation in patients with atrial fibrillation

Background

Oral anticoagulation (OAC) reduces the risk of thromboembolic events in patients with atrial fibrillation (AF); however, thromboembolism (TE) still can occur despite OAC. Factors associated with residual risk for stroke, systemic embolism, or transient ischemic attack events despite OAC have not been well described.

Objective

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the residual risk of thromboembolic events in patients with AF despite OAC.

Methods

A total of 18,955 patients were analyzed in the Outcomes Registry for Better Informed Treatment of Atrial Fibrillation (ORBIT-AF I and II) using multivariable Cox proportional hazard modeling. Mean age was 72 ± 10.7, and 42% were women. There were 451 outcome events.

Results

The risk of TE despite OAC increased with CHA₂DS₂-VASc score: 0.76 (95% confidence interval [CI] 0.63-0.92) events per 100 patient-years for CHA₂DS₂-VASc score <4 vs 2.01 (95% CI 1.81-2.24) events per 100-patient years for CHA₂DS₂-VASc score >4. Factors associated with increased risk were previous stroke or transient ischemic attack (hazard ratio [HR] 2.87; 95% CI 2.30-3.59; P <.001), female sex (HR 1.52; 95% CI 1.24-1.86; P <.001), hypertension (HR 1.50; 95% CI 1.09-2.06; P = .01), and permanent AF (HR 1.47; 95% CI 1.12-1.94; P = .001). When transient ischemic attack was excluded, the results were similar, but permanent AF was no longer significantly associated with thromboembolic events.

Conclusion

Patients with AF have a residual risk of TE with increasing CHA₂DS₂-VASc score despite OAC. Key risk markers include previous stroke/transient ischemic attack, female sex, hypertension, and permanent AF.

Does the Naked Emperor Parable Apply to Current Perceptions of the Contribution of Renin Angiotensin System Inhibition in Hypertension?

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

To address contemporary hypertension challenges, a critical reexamination of therapeutic accomplishments using angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors and angiotensin II receptor blockers, and a greater appreciation of evidence-based shortcomings from randomized clinical trials are fundamental in accelerating future progress.

RECENT FINDINGS

Medications targeting angiotensin II mechanism of action are essential for managing primary hypertension, type 2 diabetes, heart failure, and chronic kidney disease. While the ability of angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors and angiotensin II receptor blockers to control blood pressure is undisputed, practitioners, hypertension specialists, and researchers hold low awareness of these drugs' limitations in preventing or reducing the risk of cardiovascular events. Biases in interpreting gained knowledge from data obtained in randomized clinical trials include a pervasive emphasis on using relative risk reduction over absolute risk reduction. Furthermore, recommendations for clinical practice in international hypertension guidelines fail to address the significance of a residual risk several orders of magnitude greater than the benefits. We analyze the limitations of the clinical trials that have led to current recommended treatment guidelines. We define and quantify the magnitude of the residual risk in published hypertension trials and explore how activation of alternate compensatory bioprocessing components within the renin angiotensin system bypass the ability of angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors and angiotensin II receptor blockers to achieve a significant reduction in total and cardiovascular deaths. We complete this presentation by outlining the current incipient but promising potential of immunotherapy to block angiotensin II pathology alone or possibly in combination with other antihypertensive drugs. A full appreciation of the magnitude of the residual risk associated with current renin angiotensin system-based therapies constitutes a vital underpinning for seeking new molecular approaches to halt or even reverse the cardiovascular complications of primary hypertension and encourage investigating a new generation of ACE inhibitors and ARBs with increased capacity to reach the intracellular compartments at which Ang II can be generated.

Is Apo-CIII the new cardiovascular target? An analysis of its current clinical and dietetic therapies

AIMS

Recently, Apolipoprotein CIII (Apo-CIII) has gained remarkable attention since its overexpression has been strongly correlated to cardiovascular disease (CVD) occurrence. The aim of this review was to summarize the latest findings of Apo-CIII as a CVDs and diabetes risk factor, as well as the plausible mechanisms involved in the development of these pathologies, with particular emphasis on current clinical and dietetic therapies.

DATA SYNTHESIS

Apo-CIII is a small protein (∼8.8 kDa) that, among other functions, inhibits lipoprotein lipase, a key enzyme in lipid metabolism. Apo-CIII plays a fundamental role in the physiopathology of atherosclerosis, type-1, and type-2 diabetes. Apo-CIII has become a potential clinical target to tackle these multifactorial diseases. Dietetic (omega-3 fatty acids, stanols, polyphenols, lycopene) and non-dietetic (fibrates, statins, and antisense oligonucleotides) therapies have shown promising results to regulate Apo-CIII and triglyceride levels. However, more information from clinical trials is required to validate it as a new target for atherosclerosis and diabetes types 1 and 2.

CONCLUSIONS

There are still several pathways involving Apo-CIII regulation that might be affected by bioactive compounds that need further research. The mechanisms that trigger metabolic responses following bioactive compounds consumption are mainly related to higher LPL expression and PPARα activation, although the complete pathways are yet to be elucidated.

A spatial causal network approach for multi-stressor risk analysis and mapping for environmental impact assessments

Environmental impact assessment (EIA) relies on rigorous scientific assessment of all potential causal pathways by which large-scale developments may impact on valued assets in a region. Despite their importance to informed decision-making, many EIAs are flawed by incomplete analysis of causal pathways, limited spatial assessment and a lack of transparency about how risks have been evaluated across the region. To address these, we describe an EIA methodology based on network analysis of potential causal pathways in a given region. This network approach is coupled with a systematic evaluation of the likelihood, consequence and mitigation options for each causal pathway from one or more human activities to multiple valued assets. The method includes analysis of the confidence in these evaluations, recognizing where knowledge gaps constrain assessments of risks to particular assets. The causal network approach is complemented by a spatially explicit analysis of the region that allows residual risk (i.e. risk remaining after all feasible mitigations) to be mapped for all valued assets. This identifies which activities could lead to potential impacts of varying concern (rated from 'very low' to 'very high'), their likely pathways, which valued assets are at risk and where these residual risks are greatest. The output maps reveal 'risk hotspots' where more detailed local-scale assessments and monitoring should focus. The method is demonstrated by application to potential impacts on 8 valued assets (aquifers, ecosystems and protected species) due to unconventional gas resource development in the Cooper Basin, central Australia. Results show which activities and causal pathways are of potential concern to different valued assets and where residual risk is greatest for particular species and ecosystems. This spatial causal network provides a systematic, consistent and transparent assessment of potential impacts, improving the quality of decision-making about planned developments and their environmental risks.

Inflammation and ischemic heart disease: The next therapeutic target?

Inflammation plays an important role in several stages of the cardiovascular continuum. In recent decades a plethora of studies have provided new data highlighting the role of inflammation in atherogenesis and atherothrombosis in two-way interactions with various cardiovascular risk factors and further influencing these dynamic processes. The concept of targeting residual inflammatory risk among individuals with ischemic heart disease (IHD) is therefore gaining increasing attention. Recently, several landmark randomized controlled trials have assessed different pharmacological approaches that may mitigate this residual risk. The results of some of these studies, such as CANTOS with canakinumab and COLCOT and LoDoCo2 with colchicine, are promising and have provided data to support this concept. Moreover, though several aspects remain to be clarified, these trials have shown the potential of modulating inflammation as a new target to reduce the risk of cardiovascular events in secondary prevention patients. In the present review, we aim to present a pragmatic overview of the complex interplay between inflammation and IHD, and to critically appraise the current evidence on this issue while presenting future perspectives on this topic of pivotal contemporary interest.

Method for pluvial flood risk assessment in rural settlements characterised by scant information availability

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Hydraulic modelling and satellite imagery enable hazard and exposure mapping.

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Local knowledge enables better understanding of hazards and their impacts.

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Benefit/cost and opportunity analysis support decision-making in risk treatment.

In tropical regions, heavy precipitations may lead to catastrophic flooding due to the degradation of catchments and the expansion of settlements in flood prone zones. In the current situation, where information on rainfall and exposed assets is either scant, or requires significant time to be collected, pluvial flood risk assessments are conducted using participatory tools, without any scientific support. Another option is to use satellite precipitation products, digital terrain models and satellite images at high to moderate-resolution. However, these datasets do not reach the required accuracy at the local scale. Consequently, the potential damages and the evaluation component of risk assessment are often missing. Risk evaluation is pivotal for informed decision-making, with regards to the choice of treating or accepting the risk, implementing more effective measures, and for determining the safest areas for development. We proposed an improved method for assessing the risk of pluvial floods, which merges local and scientific knowledge and is consistent with the ISO 31010 standard. The method was successfully applied in five rural settlements in Niger and can be replicated in areas where information is scarce.

Improvement in Brachial Endothelial Vasomotor Function and Brachial-Ankle Pulse Wave Velocity Reduces the Residual Risk for Cardiovascular Events after Optimal Medical Treatment in Patients with Coronary Artery Disease

Aim: To examine whether improvement in flow-mediated endothelium-dependent dilatation (FMD) of the brachial artery and brachial-ankle pulse wave velocity (baPWV) has an additive effect on achieving optimal goals of traditional risk factors to reduce cardiovascular risk in patients with coronary artery disease (CAD).

Methods: We assessed 323 patients with CAD and impaired vascular function, defined as an impaired FMD of the brachial artery (＜5.5%) and increased baPWV (＞1,440 cm/sec). After FMD and baPWV measurements at 24 weeks of optimal medical treatment (OMT), the study patients were followed up for ＜60 months or until a composite of cardiac death, nonfatal myocardial infarction (MI), unstable angina, or ischemic stroke occurs.

Results: During the median follow-up period of 35 months, cardiovascular events occurred in 72 patients. Multivariate Cox hazards analysis showed that patients with an improvement in FMD and baPWV had the lowest probability of future cardiovascular events. In addition, the improvement in FMD and baPWV had a significant incremental effect on the predictive value of the achievement of optimal goals for blood pressure (BP), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), and hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) using net reclassification improvement (NRI) and integrated discrimination improvement (IDI).

Conclusions: The improvement in FMD and baPWV had additive effects on risk reduction of the achievement of the optimal goals of traditional risk factors in patients with CAD. Thus, serial measurements of FMD and baPWV may be useful for identifying CAD patients at residual risk for adverse cardiovascular events following OMT.

Blood Product (Donor) Noninfectious and Infectious Testing and Modification

Blood transfusion begins with safe donor selection and testing. In the United States, the blood supply and transfusion are highly regulated. Blood transfusion safety is multifaceted, whereby each of the elements of the blood safety value chain, spanning donor recruitment and qualification, to collection, blood processing, testing, transfusion practice, and posttransfusion surveillance, must be optimized to minimize risk. Pathogen inactivation is a promising approach to decrease bacterial contamination of platelets, inactivate parasites and viruses, and decrease risks associated with emerging and unidentified pathogens. This article offers an overview of blood donor infectious and noninfectious testing in the United States.

[Residual risk for transfusion-transmitted hepatitis B virus infection due to occult hepatitis B virus infection in donors living in Yaoundé, Cameroon]

Introduction

l´infection virale au virus de l´hépatite B reste la plus importante transmise par transfusion sanguine. Bien que la recherche de l´antigène de surface (AgHBs) du virus de l´hépatite B (VHB) dans les banques de sang ait considérablement réduit le risque de transmission de l´infection du virus par transfusion, il subsiste un risque résiduel transfusionnel de transmission dû aux donneurs porteurs d´une hépatite B occulte. Les poches de sang contenant l´AcHBc avec ou sans l´AcHBs et l´ADN viral peuvent être infectieuses et représenter une menace pour la sécurité transfusionnelle là où l´AcHBc n´est pas dépisté. L´objectif de cette étude était de déterminer le risque résiduel de la transmission par transfusion du virus de l´hépatite B à l´hôpital central de Yaoundé (HCY) et le Centre Hospitalier Dominicain Saint Martin de Porres (CHDSMP) à Yaoundé au Cameroun.

Méthodes

une étude transversale a été effectuée sur des donneurs de sang de l´Hôpital Central de Yaoundé (HCY) et le Centre Hospitalier Dominicain Saint Martin de Porres (CHDSMP) chez lesquels la recherche de l´AcHBc et/ou AcHBs était faite par immunochromatographie. La recherche de l´ADN du VHB sur les échantillons testés positifs aux AcHBc et/ou AcHBs était faite par PCR en utilisant des amorces spécifiques.

Résultats

sur les 193 donneurs de sang négatifs aux marqueurs sérologiques des infections à VIH, VHB (AgHBs), VHC et tréponème retenus dans cette étude, nous avons obtenu une séroprévalence globale des AcHBc et/ou AcHBs de 9,84% (19/193). Sur les 19 donneurs potentiellement infectieux, l´ADN du virus a été détecté chez 03 individus dont 02 porteurs de l´AcHBc et 01 porteur à la fois de l´AcHBc et de l´AcHBs, soit une prévalence de l´hépatite B occulte de 15,79% (3/19) [IC95% =3,38%-39,58%] et un risque résiduel de transmission par transfusion de l´infection à VHB de 1,55% (3/193) [IC95% = 0,32%-4,48%].

Conclusion

il ressort de cette étude que le risque résiduel de transmission par transfusion sanguine de l´infection du VHB est faible. Toutefois il est recommandé de rechercher les AcHBc et/ou AcHBs lors de la qualification des dons de sang.

Triglyceride-rich lipoproteins and their remnants: metabolic insights, role in atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease, and emerging therapeutic strategies-a consensus statement from the European Atherosclerosis Society

Recent advances in human genetics, together with a large body of epidemiologic, preclinical, and clinical trial results, provide strong support for a causal association between triglycerides (TG), TG-rich lipoproteins (TRL), and TRL remnants, and increased risk of myocardial infarction, ischaemic stroke, and aortic valve stenosis. These data also indicate that TRL and their remnants may contribute significantly to residual cardiovascular risk in patients on optimized low-density lipoprotein (LDL)-lowering therapy. This statement critically appraises current understanding of the structure, function, and metabolism of TRL, and their pathophysiological role in atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD). Key points are (i) a working definition of normo- and hypertriglyceridaemic states and their relation to risk of ASCVD, (ii) a conceptual framework for the generation of remnants due to dysregulation of TRL production, lipolysis, and remodelling, as well as clearance of remnant lipoproteins from the circulation, (iii) the pleiotropic proatherogenic actions of TRL and remnants at the arterial wall, (iv) challenges in defining, quantitating, and assessing the atherogenic properties of remnant particles, and (v) exploration of the relative atherogenicity of TRL and remnants compared to LDL. Assessment of these issues provides a foundation for evaluating approaches to effectively reduce levels of TRL and remnants by targeting either production, lipolysis, or hepatic clearance, or a combination of these mechanisms. This consensus statement updates current understanding in an integrated manner, thereby providing a platform for new therapeutic paradigms targeting TRL and their remnants, with the aim of reducing the risk of ASCVD.

Inflammation and ischemic heart disease: The next therapeutic target?

Inflammation plays an important role in several stages of the cardiovascular continuum. In recent decades a plethora of studies have provided new data highlighting the role of inflammation in atherogenesis and atherothrombosis in two-way interactions with various cardiovascular risk factors and further influencing these dynamic processes. The concept of targeting residual inflammatory risk among individuals with ischemic heart disease (IHD) is therefore gaining increasing attention. Recently, several landmark randomized controlled trials have assessed different pharmacological approaches that may mitigate this residual risk. The results of some of these studies, such as CANTOS with canakinumab and COLCOT and LoDoCo2 with colchicine, are promising and have provided data to support this concept. Moreover, though several aspects remain to be clarified, these trials have shown the potential of modulating inflammation as a new target to reduce the risk of cardiovascular events in secondary prevention patients. In the present review, we aim to present a pragmatic overview of the complex interplay between inflammation and IHD, and to critically appraise the current evidence on this issue while presenting future perspectives on this topic of pivotal contemporary interest.

When does risk become residual? A systematic review of research on flood risk management in West Africa

Flood events in West Africa have devastating impacts on the lives of people. Additionally, developments such as climate change, settlement expansion into flood-prone areas, and modification of rivers are expected to increase flood risk in the future. Policy documents have issued calls for conducting local risk assessments and understanding disaster risk in diverse aspects, leading to an increase in such research. Similarly, in a shift from flood protection to flood risk management, the consideration of various dimensions of flood risk, the necessity of addressing flood risk through an integrated strategy containing structural and non-structural measures, and the presence of residual risk are critical perspectives raised. However, the notion of "residual risk" remains yet to be taken up in flood risk management-related academic literature. This systematic review seeks to approach the notion of residual risk by reviewing information on flood impacts, common measures, and recommendations in academic literature. The review reveals various dimensions of impacts from residual flood risk aside from material damage, in particular, health impacts and economic losses. Infrastructural measures were a dominant category of measures before and after flood events and in recommendations, despite their shortcomings. Also, spatial planning interventions, a more participatory and inclusive governance approach, including local knowledge, sensitisation, and early warning systems, were deemed critical. In the absence of widespread access to insurance schemes, support from social networks after flood events emerged as the most frequent measure. This finding calls for in-depth assessments of those networks and research on potential complementary formal risk transfer mechanisms.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION

The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s10113-021-01826-7.

Re-assessing the risk of undetected HBV, HCV and HIV in deceased tissue and living surgical bone donors in England

Testing of living surgical bone and deceased tissue donors by NHS Blood and Transplant (NHSBT) has included individual donation (ID) nucleic acid testing (NAT) for HBV, HCV and HIV since 2008. Here, the well-established window period methodology was used to estimate residual risk (RR). Prevalence of viral markers was calculated among both tissue donor populations. Incidence was derived by adjusting incidence among new blood donors by the prevalence ratio for tissue and new blood donors. Residual risk (RR) was calculated as the product of incidence and duration of WP for single donor HBV NAT at 0.058 years (21 days), HCV NAT at 0.008 years (3 days) and HIV NAT at 0.014 (5 days). Between 2013 and 2017, 7886 living surgical bone donors were tested, 16 were positive for markers of HBV, HCV and HIV. HCV had the highest prevalence at 114/100,000 donors. Incidence and RR was highest for HBV at 3.55/100,000-person years and 0.32/100,000 donors (95% CI 0.11/100,000-1.42/100,000). Among 9751 deceased tissue donors tested, 22 were positive for viral markers. HBV had highest prevalence at 174/100,000 donors, and the highest incidence and RR at 8.12/100,000 person years and 0.74/100,000 donors (95% CI 0.08/100,000-2.99/100,000). Using ID NAT, RR of not detecting a HBV, HCV and HIV WP donation among tissue donors is less than 1/100,000 donors. These estimates provide a good starting point for discussing potential risks of viral transmission through tissue transplant with patients.

Treatment of mild-to-moderate hypertriglyceridemia

The atherogenic role of triglycerides (TG) as an independent cardiovascular risk factor has been discussed for many years, largely because hypertriglyceridaemia (HTG) is a complex metabolic entity of multiple aetiology involving processes of diverse nature. In this chapter, a discussion will be presented on the current recommendations for the management of mild-moderate hypertriglyceridaemia (150-880mg/dL). The aim of the interventions used is to decrease the LDL-cholesterol (c-LDL) and control the HTG. This entails reducing apoprotein B (ApoB) levels, the number of remaining TG-rich lipoproteins (LRP), non-HDL-cholesterol (c-non-HDL), and increasing HDL-cholesterol (c-HDL). The management strategy includes healthy lifestyle recommendations, and subsequent use of lipid-lowering drugs, including statins, fibrates, n-3 fatty acids and PCSK9 inhibitors.

TRS2P and LDL-C alone or in combination for predicting absolute benefits from additional LDL-C lowering: Analysis from the TNT trial

BACKGROUND AND AIMS

Despite trial evidence, high intensity statins are underutilized in routine clinical practice. This study sought to assess the individual and joint contributions of the TRS2P score as a measure of residual risk and LDL-C levels to benefits from further LDL-C lowering in the TNT trial.

METHODS

A total of 9980 patients were divided into 4 groups based on TRS2P and LDL-C at baseline: <median TRS2P and <median LDL-C (group 1), <median TRS2P and ≥median LDL-C (group 2), ≥median TRS2P and <median LDL-C (group 3), ≥median TRS2P and ≥median LDL-C (group 4). The effect of atorvastatin 80 mg vs. 10 mg on the risk of any cardiovascular event was assessed among the groups.

RESULTS

Percentage reductions in LDL-C with atorvastatin 80 mg were consistent across groups, whereas absolute reductions were approximately 11 mg/dL greater when LDL-C was ≥median. Despite atorvastatin 10 mg, either TRS2P ≥ median or LDL-C ≥ median were associated with more events and highest when both were ≥median (groups 1-4; 21.5%, 28.1%, 36.3%, and 40.5%, respectively; p-trend <0.0001. Although relative benefits were similar, absolute risk reduction from atorvastatin 80 mg was lowest when both scores were <median (1.3%, group 1) and highest when both were >median (7.2%, group 4), NNT 78 vs. 14 (p-interaction <0.0001).

CONCLUSIONS

Measures of residual risk as well LDL-C identify patients who remain at high risk despite statins with the combination identifying those who derive the greatest benefits from even modest additional LDL-C lowering. Attention to residual risk as well as LDL-C may further help to optimize guideline implementation.

Residual risk stratification of Taiwanese breast cancers following curative therapies with the extended concurrent genes signature

INTRODUCTION

The aim of the study was to perform digital RNA counting to validate a gene expression signature for operable breast cancers initially treated with curative intention, and the risk of recurrence, distant metastasis, and mortality was predicted.

METHODS

Candidate genes were initially discovered from the coherent genomic and transcriptional alternations from microarrays, and the extended concurrent genes were used to build a risk stratification model from archived formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded (FFPE) tissues with the NanoString nCounter.

RESULTS

The extended concurrent genes signature was prognostic in 144 Taiwanese breast cancers (5-year relapse-free survival: 89.8 and 69.4% for low- and high-risk group, log-rank test: P = 0.004). Cross-platform comparability was evidenced from significant and positive correlations for most genes as well as equal covariance matrix across 64 patients assayed for both microarray and digital RNA counting.

DISCUSSION

Archived FFPE samples could be successfully assayed by the NanoString nCounter. The purposed signature was prognostic stratifying breast cancer patients into groups with distinct survival patterns, and clinical applicability of the residual risk model was proved.

Atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease in hyperalphalipoproteinemia due to LIPG variants

BACKGROUND

High density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) concentration correlates inversely with atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD) risk and is included in risk calculations. Endothelial lipase (EL) is a phospholipase that remodels HDL. Deficiency of EL due to mutations in its gene, LIPG, is associated with hyperalphalipoproteinemia. The effects of EL on HDL function and ASCVD risk remain poorly understood.

OBJECTIVES

To determine whether hyperalphalipoproteinemia due to EL deficiency is protective against ASCVD.

METHODS

We identified LIPG variants amongst patients with severe hyperalphalipoproteinemia (HDL-C >2.5 mmol/L) attending a referral lipid clinic in the Western Cape Province of South Africa. We analysed the clinical and biochemical phenotypes amongst primary hyperalphalipoproteinemia cases (males HDL-C >1.6 mmol/L; females HDL-C >1.8 mmol/L) due to LIPG variants, and the distribution of variants in normal and hyperalphalipoproteinemia ranges of HDL-C.

RESULTS

1007 patients with HDL-C concentration ranging from 1.2 to 4.5 mmol/L were included. Seventeen females had primary hyperalphalipoproteinemia. Vascular disease was prominent, but not associated with HDL-C concentration, LDL-C concentration or carotid artery intima media thickness. Two novel and three known LIPG variants were identified in severe hyperalphalipoproteinemia. Four additional variants were identified in the extended cohort. Two common variants appeared normally distributed across the HDL-C concentration range, while six less-common variants were found only at higher HDL-C concentrations. One rare variant had a moderate effect.

CONCLUSION

Hyperalphalipoproteinemia due to LIPG variants is commoner in females and may not protect against ASCVD. Use of current risk calculations may be inappropriate in patients with hyperalphalipoproteinemia due to EL deficiency. Our study cautions targeting EL to reduce risk.

Evolocumab Effects on Lipoproteins, Measured by High-Performance Liquid Chromatography

AIMS

Profiling of lipoproteins can predict risk of cardiovascular disease; gel permeation high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) improves prediction accuracy by providing detailed data for specific lipoprotein subclasses. This study applied HPLC to examine the effects of evolocumab, which effectively treats hyperlipidemia and mixed dyslipidemia, on lipoprotein subclasses, specifically the number and size of lipoprotein particles.

METHODS

This post-hoc analysis used patient blood samples from YUKAWA-2, a phase 3 trial evaluating the efficacy of evolocumab in Japanese adult patients with hyperlipidemia or mixed dyslipidemia and at high risk for cardiovascular disease. We used HPLC to assess observed values and percent change from baseline in cholesterol and triglyceride (TG) concentrations, number of particles in lipoprotein subclasses to week 12, and mean observed values and mean percent change from baseline in variables to weeks 10 and 12. HPLC was also compared with conventional methods in assessing low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol (LDL-C) values.

RESULTS

Data for all 404 patients were analyzed. Evolocumab significantly decreased cholesterol and TG concentrations, and total particle count, in very low-density lipoprotein (VLDL) and LDL subclasses. Particle size increased slightly in LDL, high-density lipoprotein (HDL), and VLDL, but data varied widely. At very low LDL-C, HPLC measurements were higher than those from conventional methods.

CONCLUSION

This research used HPLC to assess the effects of evolocumab in 20 lipid subclasses. By lowering lipid content and improving the lipid profile, evolocumab may reduce atherogenicity. This reduction is better quantified by HPLC than by conventional methods in the very low LDL-C range.

Lipoprotein (a) as a residual risk factor for atherosclerotic renal artery stenosis in hypertensive patients: a hospital-based cross-sectional study

Background

Low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-c) has been proven to be a risk factor for atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (CVD), while lipoprotein (a) (Lp(a)) is a residual risk factor for CVD, even though LDL-c is well controlled by statin use. Importantly, the role of Lp(a) in atherosclerotic renal artery stenosis (ARAS) is still unknown.

Methods

For this hospital-based cross-sectional study, patients who simultaneously underwent coronary and renal angiography were examined. ARAS was defined as a 50% reduction in the cross-sectional (two-dimensional plane) area of the renal artery. Data were collected and compared between ARAS and non-ARAS groups, including clinical history and metabolite profiles. Univariate analysis, three tertile LDL-c-based stratified analysis, and multivariate-adjusted logistic analysis were conducted, revealing a correlation between Lp(a) and ARAS.

Results

A total of 170 hypertensive patients were included in this study, 85 with ARAS and 85 with non-RAS. Baseline information indicated comparability between the two groups. In the univariate and multivariate analysis, common risk factors for atherosclerosis were not significantly different. Stratified analysis of LDL-c revealed a significant increase in the incidence of ARAS in patients who had high Lp(a) concentrations at low LDL-c levels (odds ratio (OR): 4.77, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.04–21.79, P = 0.044). Further logistic analysis with adjusted covariates also confirmed the result, indicating that high Lp(a) levels were independently associated with ARAS (adjusted OR (aOR): 6.14, 95%CI: 1.03–36.47, P = 0.046). This relationship increased with increasing Lp(a) concentration based on a curve fitting graph. These results were not present in the low and intermediate LDL-c-level groups.

Conclusion

In hypertensive patients who present low LDL-c, high Lp(a) was significantly associated with atherosclerotic renal artery stenosis and thus is a residual risk factor.

Comparison of calculated remnant lipoprotein cholesterol levels with levels directly measured by nuclear magnetic resonance

BACKGROUND

Remnant cholesterol (RC) can partly explain the residual risk in atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD). A consensus method of measuring RC levels has not been established yet. In clinical practice, RC levels are usually calculated from the standard lipid profile, which are not true RC. Nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) can measure RC levels directly. This study aimed to characterize RC at fasting and non-fasting states in more details and establish the performance of calculated RC and NMR-measured RC.

METHODS

Blood samples at fasting state and at 2 h and 4 h postprandial states were collected in 98 subjects. Lipid parameters including total cholesterol (TC), high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), triglycerides (TG), subfractions 3, 4, and 5 of very low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (VLDL3-C, VLDL4-C, and VLDL5-C, respectively), and intermediate-density lipoprotein cholesterol (IDL-C) were measured by enzymatic method and NMR. RC levels calculated from the standard lipid profile or measured by NMR were referred here as RCe or RCn.

RESULTS

The RCe and RCn levels were different, but both of them increased after a meal (P < 0.05), especially at 4 h postprandial state. Low correlations were found between RCe and RCn in the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd quartiles of TG, but RCn showed great correlation with RCe in the highest quartile regardless of the fasting or non-fasting state (R = 0.611, 0.536, and 0.535 for 0 h, 2 h, and 4 h, respectively). However, across the 2nd and 3rd quartiles, RCe levels were nearly close to RCn levels. RCe levels tended to overestimate RCn levels in the 1st quartile of TGe levels with median differences of 0.23(- 0.13, 0.63) and underestimate RCn levels with median differences of - 0.23(- 0.33, 0.07) in the highest quartile of TGe levels.

CONCLUSIONS

RC calculated from the standard lipid profile as TC minus LDL-C minus HDL-C is different from the NMR-measured RC. According to different TG levels, RC could overestimate or underestimate the actual RC level. Developing a consensus clinical method to measure RC levels is necessary, so that results from different studies and platforms can be more directly compared.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

Chinese Clinical Trial Registry, ChiCTR1900020873. Registered in 21 January 2019 - Retrospectively registered.

Lipoprotein(a) and Cardiovascular Diseases - Revisited

Two decades ago, it was recognized that lipoprotein(a) (Lp(a)) concentrations were elevated in patients with cardiovascular disease (CVD). However, the importance of Lp(a) was not strongly established due to a lack of both Lp(a)-lowering therapy and evidence that reducing Lp(a) levels improves CVD risk. Recent advances in clinical and genetic research have revealed the crucial role of Lp(a) in the pathogenesis of CVD. Mendelian randomization studies have shown that Lp(a) concentrations are causal for different CVDs, including coronary artery disease, calcified aortic valve disease, stroke, and heart failure, despite optimal low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) management. Lp(a) consists of apolipoprotein (apo) B100 covalently bound to apoA. Thus, Lp(a) has atherothrombotic traits of both apoB (from LDL) and apoA (thrombo-inflammatory aspects). Although conventional pharmacological therapies, such as statin, niacin, and cholesteryl ester transfer protein, have failed to significantly reduce Lp(a) levels, emerging new therapeutic strategies using proprotein convertase subtilisin-kexin type 9 inhibitors or antisesnse oligonucleotide technology have shown promising results in effectively lowering Lp(a). In this review we discuss the revisited important role of L(a) and strategies to overcome residual risk in the statin era.

Evaluation and management of residual cardiovascular risk in patients with diabetes

Presence of diabetes (types 1 and 2) increases the risk of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease. Despite adequate metabolic control and treatment of vascular risk factors until the goals recommended by the clinical practice guidelines are achieved, residual cardiovascular risk may be very high in some patients with diabetes. Stratifying the vascular risk for each patient as precisely as possible is therefore necessary. Consolidated strategies to improve patient prognosis include aggressive reduction of LDL cholesterol, blood pressure control, achievement of the best HbA1c control possible without inducing hypoglycemia, use of hypoglycemic drugs shown to have cardiovascular benefits, and use of platelet aggregation inhibitors in patients with greater initial risk. Emerging strategies for patients with very high or extreme risk would include use of drugs intended to decrease triglyceride-rich lipoproteins and inflammation.