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Rallidis LS, Rizos CV, Papathanasiou KA, Liamis G, Skoumas I, Garoufi A, Kolovou G, Tziomalos K, Skalidis E, Kotsis V, Sfikas G, Doumas M, Anagnostis P, Lambadiari V, Giannakopoulou V, Kiouri E, Anastasiou G, Petkou E, Koutagiar I, Attilakos A, Kolovou V, Zacharis E, Antza C, Koumaras C, Boutari C, Liberopoulos E. Physical signs and atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease in familial hypercholesterolemia: the HELLAS-FH Registry. J Cardiovasc Med (Hagerstown) 2024; 25:370-378. [PMID: 38526957 DOI: 10.2459/jcm.0000000000001612] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/27/2024]
Abstract
AIMS Three physical signs, namely tendon xanthomas, corneal arcus and xanthelasma, have been associated with heterozygous familial hypercholesterolemia (heFH). The prevalence and clinical significance of these signs are not well established among contemporary heFH individuals. This study explored the frequency as well as the association of these physical signs with prevalent atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD) in heFH individuals. METHODS Data from the Hellenic Familial Hypercholesterolemia Registry were applied for this analysis. The diagnosis of heFH was based on the Dutch Lipid Clinic Network Score. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was conducted to examine the association of heFH-related physical signs with prevalent ASCVD. RESULTS Adult patients ( n = 2156, mean age 50 ± 15 years, 47.7% women) were included in this analysis. Among them, 14.5% had at least one heFH-related physical sign present. The prevalence of corneal arcus before the age of 45 years was 6.6%, tendon xanthomas 5.3%, and xanthelasmas 5.8%. Among physical signs, only the presence of corneal arcus before the age of 45 years was independently associated with the presence of premature coronary artery disease (CAD). No association of any physical sign with total CAD, stroke or peripheral artery disease was found. Patients with physical signs were more likely to receive higher intensity statin therapy and dual lipid-lowering therapy, but only a minority reached optimal lipid targets. CONCLUSION The prevalence of physical signs is relatively low in contemporary heFH patients. The presence of corneal arcus before the age of 45 years is independently associated with premature CAD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Loukianos S Rallidis
- Department of Cardiology, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Attikon University General Hospital, Athens
| | - Christos V Rizos
- Department of Internal Medicine, Medical School, University of Ioannina, Ioannina
| | - Konstantinos A Papathanasiou
- Department of Cardiology, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Attikon University General Hospital, Athens
| | - George Liamis
- Department of Internal Medicine, Medical School, University of Ioannina, Ioannina
| | - Ioannis Skoumas
- 1 Cardiology Department of Athens Medical School, University of Athens, Hippokration Hospital, Athens
| | - Anastasia Garoufi
- Second Department of Pediatrics, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, General Children's Hospital 'P. & A. Kyriakou', Athens
| | - Genovefa Kolovou
- Cardiometabolic Center, Lipid Clinic, LA apheresis Unit, Metropolitan Hospital, Athens
| | - Konstantinos Tziomalos
- 1 Propaedeutic Department of Internal Medicine, Medical School, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, AHEPA Hospital, Thessaloniki
| | | | - Vasileios Kotsis
- 3 Department of Internal Medicine, Medical School, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Papageorgiou General Hospital, Thessaloniki
| | - George Sfikas
- Department of Internal Medicine, 424 General Military Training Hospital, Thessaloniki
| | - Michalis Doumas
- Department of Internal Medicine, Medical School, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Hippokration General Hospital, Thessaloniki
| | | | - Vaia Lambadiari
- 2 Propaedeutic Internal Medicine Department and Diabetes Research Unit, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Attikon University General Hospital, Athens
| | | | - Estela Kiouri
- Department of Cardiology, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Attikon University General Hospital, Athens
| | - Georgia Anastasiou
- Department of Internal Medicine, Medical School, University of Ioannina, Ioannina
| | - Ermioni Petkou
- Department of Internal Medicine, Medical School, University of Ioannina, Ioannina
| | - Iosif Koutagiar
- 1 Cardiology Department of Athens Medical School, University of Athens, Hippokration Hospital, Athens
| | - Achilleas Attilakos
- Department of Pediatrics, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, C' Pediatrics Clinic, Attikon University General Hospital, Athens
| | - Vana Kolovou
- Cardiometabolic Center, Lipid Clinic, LA apheresis Unit, Metropolitan Hospital, Athens
| | | | - Christina Antza
- 3 Department of Internal Medicine, Medical School, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Papageorgiou General Hospital, Thessaloniki
| | - Charalambos Koumaras
- Department of Internal Medicine, 424 General Military Training Hospital, Thessaloniki
| | - Chrysoula Boutari
- Department of Internal Medicine, Medical School, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Hippokration General Hospital, Thessaloniki
| | - Evangelos Liberopoulos
- 1 Propaedeutic Department of Medicine, School of Medicine, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Laiko Hospital, Athens, Greece
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Fularski P, Hajdys J, Majchrowicz G, Stabrawa M, Młynarska E, Rysz J, Franczyk B. Unveiling Familial Hypercholesterolemia-Review, Cardiovascular Complications, Lipid-Lowering Treatment and Its Efficacy. Int J Mol Sci 2024; 25:1637. [PMID: 38338916 PMCID: PMC10855128 DOI: 10.3390/ijms25031637] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/30/2023] [Revised: 01/19/2024] [Accepted: 01/26/2024] [Indexed: 02/12/2024] Open
Abstract
Familial hypercholesterolemia (FH) is a genetic disorder primarily transmitted in an autosomal-dominant manner. We distinguish two main forms of FH, which differ in the severity of the disease, namely homozygous familial hypercholesterolemia (HoFH) and heterozygous familial hypercholesterolemia (HeFH). The characteristic feature of this disease is a high concentration of low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) in the blood. However, the level may significantly vary between the two mentioned types of FH, and it is decidedly higher in HoFH. A chronically elevated concentration of LDL-C in the plasma leads to the occurrence of certain abnormalities, such as xanthomas in the tendons and skin, as well as corneal arcus. Nevertheless, a significantly more severe phenomenon is leading to the premature onset of cardiovascular disease (CVD) and its clinical implications, such as cardiac events, stroke or vascular dementia, even at a relatively young age. Due to the danger posed by this medical condition, we have investigated how both non-pharmacological and selected pharmacological treatment impact the course of FH, thereby reducing or postponing the risk of clinical manifestations of CVD. The primary objective of this review is to provide a comprehensive summary of the current understanding of FH, the effectiveness of lipid-lowering therapy in FH and to explain the anatomopathological correlation between FH and premature CVD development, with its complications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Piotr Fularski
- Department of Nephrocardiology, Medical University of Lodz, ul. Zeromskiego 113, 90-549 Lodz, Poland
| | - Joanna Hajdys
- Department of Nephrocardiology, Medical University of Lodz, ul. Zeromskiego 113, 90-549 Lodz, Poland
| | - Gabriela Majchrowicz
- Department of Nephrocardiology, Medical University of Lodz, ul. Zeromskiego 113, 90-549 Lodz, Poland
| | - Magdalena Stabrawa
- Department of Nephrocardiology, Medical University of Lodz, ul. Zeromskiego 113, 90-549 Lodz, Poland
| | - Ewelina Młynarska
- Department of Nephrocardiology, Medical University of Lodz, ul. Zeromskiego 113, 90-549 Lodz, Poland
| | - Jacek Rysz
- Department of Nephrology, Hypertension and Family Medicine, Medical University of Lodz, ul. Zeromskiego 113, 90-549 Lodz, Poland
| | - Beata Franczyk
- Department of Nephrocardiology, Medical University of Lodz, ul. Zeromskiego 113, 90-549 Lodz, Poland
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Vavuranakis MA, Jones SR, Cardoso R, Gerstenblith G, Leucker TM. The role of Lipoprotein(a) in cardiovascular disease: Current concepts and future perspectives. Hellenic J Cardiol 2020; 61:398-403. [PMID: 33039574 DOI: 10.1016/j.hjc.2020.09.016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/05/2020] [Revised: 09/15/2020] [Accepted: 09/24/2020] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
High lipoprotein(a) [Lp(a)] levels are associated with the development of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD) and with calcific aortic valve stenosis (CAVS) both observationally and causally from human genetic studies. The mechanisms are not well characterized but likely involve its role as a carrier of oxidized phospholipids (OxPLs), which are known to be increased in pro-inflammatory states, to induce pro-inflammatory changes in monocytes leading to plaque instability, and to impair vascular endothelial cell function, a driver of acute and recurrent ischemic events. In addition, Lp(a) itself has prothrombotic activity. Current lipid-lowering strategies do not sufficiently lower Lp(a) serum levels. Lp(a)-specific-lowering drugs, targeting apolipoprotein(a) synthesis, lower Lp(a) by up to 90% and are being evaluated in ongoing clinical outcome trials. This review summarizes the current knowledge on the associations of Lp(a) with ASCVD and CAVS, the current role of Lp(a) assessment in the clinical setting, and emerging Lp(a)-specific-lowering therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael A Vavuranakis
- Division of Cardiology, Department of Medicine, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA.
| | - Steven R Jones
- Division of Cardiology, Department of Medicine, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Rhanderson Cardoso
- Division of Cardiology, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Gary Gerstenblith
- Division of Cardiology, Department of Medicine, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Thorsten M Leucker
- Division of Cardiology, Department of Medicine, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
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