A new approach to managing the 'statin-intolerant' patient?

Adaptation of 2016 European Society of Cardiology/European Atherosclerosis Society guideline for lipid management to Indian patients - A consensus document

In the year 2016, European Society of Cardiology/European Atherosclerosis Society (ESC/EAS) guidelines provided recommendations on dyslipidemia management. The recommendation from these guidelines are restricted to European subcontinent. To adapt the updated recommendations for Indian subset of dyslipidemia, a panel of experts in management of dyslipidemia provided their expert opinions. This document provides expert consensus on adapting 2016 ESC dyslipidemia guidelines recommendations in Indian setting. The document also discussed India-specific relevant literature to support the consensus opinions provided in management of dyslipidemia.

Signaling Pathways and Gene Regulatory Networks in Cardiomyocyte Differentiation

Strategies for harnessing stem cells as a source to treat cell loss in heart disease are the subject of intense research. Human pluripotent stem cells (hPSCs) can be expanded extensively in vitro and therefore can potentially provide sufficient quantities of patient-specific differentiated cardiomyocytes. Although multiple stimuli direct heart development, the differentiation process is driven in large part by signaling activity. The engineering of hPSCs to heart cell progeny has extensively relied on establishing proper combinations of soluble signals, which target genetic programs thereby inducing cardiomyocyte specification. Pertinent differentiation strategies have relied as a template on the development of embryonic heart in multiple model organisms. Here, information on the regulation of cardiomyocyte development from in vivo genetic and embryological studies is critically reviewed. A fresh interpretation is provided of in vivo and in vitro data on signaling pathways and gene regulatory networks (GRNs) underlying cardiopoiesis. The state-of-the-art understanding of signaling pathways and GRNs presented here can inform the design and optimization of methods for the engineering of tissues for heart therapies.

Low-density lipoprotein lowering in 2013 by nonstatin agents: the discovery and development of promising novel targeted therapies

Dyslipidemia is a major risk factor for the development of coronary artery disease, a leading cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide. Lowering low-density lipoprotein (LDL) has significantly reduced the risk of death and other major cardiovascular events, and statins remain the therapy of choice. However, as some patients are limited by the side effects of statins, cannot achieve their target LDL on statin therapy, or have other abnormalities in their lipid profile, alternative agents are being developed. In this review, we highlight the major classes of novel nonstatin LDL-lowering agents that are currently in various stages of development. Although many hold great promise, the results of large Phase III trials will be needed to definitely establish the efficacy, safety, and clinical utility of these agents in the general population.