Updates in Small Interfering RNA for the Treatment of Dyslipidemias

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

Atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD) is still the leading cause of death worldwide. Despite excellent pharmacological approaches, clinical registries consistently show that many people with dyslipidemia do not achieve optimal management, and many of them are treated with low-intensity lipid-lowering therapies. Beyond the well-known association between low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) and cardiovascular prevention, the atherogenicity of lipoprotein(a) and the impact of triglyceride (TG)-rich lipoproteins cannot be overlooked. Within this landscape, the use of RNA-based therapies can help the treatment of difficult to target lipid disorders.

RECENT FINDINGS

The safety and efficacy of LDL-C lowering with the siRNA inclisiran has been documented in the open-label ORION-3 trial, with a follow-up of 4 years. While the outcome trial is pending, a pooled analysis of ORION-9, ORION-10, and ORION-11 has shown the potential of inclisiran to reduce composite major adverse cardiovascular events. Concerning lipoprotein(a), data of OCEAN(a)-DOSE trial with olpasiran show a dose-dependent drop in lipoprotein(a) levels with an optimal pharmacodynamic profile when administered every 12 weeks. Concerning TG lowering, although ARO-APOC3 and ARO-ANG3 are effective to lower apolipoprotein(apo)C-III and angiopoietin-like 3 (ANGPTL3) levels, these drugs are still in their infancy. In the era moving toward a personalized risk management, the use of siRNA represents a blossoming armamentarium to tackle dyslipidaemias for ASCVD risk reduction.

Role of Cardiovascular Imaging in Risk Assessment: Recent Advances, Gaps in Evidence, and Future Directions

Optimal risk assessment for primary prevention remains highly challenging. Recent registries have highlighted major discrepancies between guidelines and daily practice. Although guidelines have improved over time and provide updated risk scores, they still fail to identify a significant proportion of at-risk individuals, who then miss out on effective prevention measures until their initial ischemic events. Cardiovascular imaging is progressively assuming an increasingly pivotal role, playing a crucial part in enhancing the meticulous categorization of individuals according to their risk profiles, thus enabling the customization of precise therapeutic strategies for patients with increased cardiovascular risks. For the most part, the current approach to patients with atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD) is homogeneous. However, data from registries (e.g., REACH, CORONOR) and randomized clinical trials (e.g., COMPASS, FOURIER, and ODYSSEY outcomes) highlight heterogeneity in the risks of recurrent ischemic events, which are especially higher in patients with poly-vascular disease and/or multivessel coronary disease. This indicates the need for a more individualized strategy and further research to improve definitions of individual residual risk, with a view of intensifying treatments in the subgroups with very high residual risk. In this narrative review, we discuss advances in cardiovascular imaging, its current place in the guidelines, the gaps in evidence, and perspectives for primary and secondary prevention to improve risk assessment and therapeutic strategies using cardiovascular imaging.

Clinical characteristics of adult and paediatric patients with familial hypercholesterolemia: A real-life cross-sectional study from the Turkish National Database

BACKGROUND AND AIMS

Familial hypercholesterolemia (FH) is the most common cause of premature atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD). Türkiye is among the countries with the highest rate of ASCVD. However, no population-based study has been published so far on the prevalence of FH, demographic and clinical characteristics, burden of ASCVD, treatment compliance, and attainment of low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) targets.

METHODS

We performed a study using the Turkish Ministry of Health's national electronic health records involving 83,063,515 citizens as of December 2021 dating back 2016. Adults fulfilling the diagnostic criteria of definite or probable FH according to the Dutch Lipid Network Criteria (DLNC), and children and adolescents fulfilling the criteria of probable FH according to the European Atherosclerosis Society (EAS) Consensus Panel report formed the study population (n = 157,790). The primary endpoint was the prevalence of FH.

RESULTS

Probable or definite FH was detected in 0.63% (1 in 158) of the adults and 0.61% (1 in 164) of the total population. The proportion of adults with LDL-C levels >4.9 mmol/L (190 mg/dL) was 4.56% (1 in 22). The prevalence of FH among children and adolescents was 0.37% (1 in 270). Less than one-third of the children and adolescents, and two-thirds of young adults (aged 18-29) with FH were already diagnosed with dyslipidaemia. The proportion of adults and children and adolescents on lipid-lowering treatment (LLT) was 32.1% and 1.5%, respectively. The overall discontinuation rate of LLT was 65.8% among adults and 77.9% among children and adolescents. Almost no subjects on LLT were found to attain the target LDL-C levels.

CONCLUSIONS

This nationwide study showed a very high prevalence of FH in Türkiye. Patients with FH are diagnosed late and treated sub-optimally. Whether these findings may explain the high rates of premature ASCVD in Türkiye needs further investigation. These results denote the urgent need for country-wide initiatives for early diagnosis and effective management of FH patients.

Current Treatment Options in Homozygous Familial Hypercholesterolemia

Homozygous familial hypercholesterolemia (HoFH) is the rare form of familial hypercholesterolemia causing extremely high low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) levels, leading to atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD) in the first decades of life, if left untreated. Early diagnosis and effective lipid lowering therapy (LLT) are crucial for the prevention of early ASCVD in patients with HoFH. On-treatment LDL-C levels are the best predictor of survival. However, due to the absent or defective LDL-receptor activity, most individuals with HoFH are resistant to conventional LLT, that leads to LDL-C clearance by upregulating LDL-receptors. We are at the dawn of a new era of effective pharmacotherapies for HoFH patients, with new agents providing an LDL-receptor independent cholesterol reduction. In this context, the present review provides a summary of the currently available therapies and emerging therapeutic agents for the management of patients with HoFH, in light of recent evidence and guideline recommendations.

Comparison of Current International Guidelines for the Management of Dyslipidemia

The dyslipidemia guidelines of the three major societies have been revised recently in light of new evidence. LDL-C is the primary target in the ESC, AHA/ACC/Multisociety and Canadian Cardiovascular Society (CCS) guidelines. These guidelines uniformly recommend intensifying lipid-lowering treatment with increased risk; however, the risk estimation systems are different across the guidelines. The ESC guidelines have LDL-C goals which have become more stringent over the years and advocate the use of statin and, if necessary, non-statin therapies to obtain these goals. AHA/ACC/Multisociety guidelines have LDL-C thresholds and advocate combination therapy less liberally and for selected patients. All three guidelines acknowledge the importance of shared decision making. Despite some divergent approaches and recommendations, the main principles and messages are the same across the guidelines. To combat the epidemic of cardiovascular disease, our focus should be not on the differences but on implementing the guidelines in our region.

Lipid Modification to Reduce Cardiovascular Risk in Secondary Prevention Patients with Special Emphasis on PCSK9 Inhibitor Requirement: An Analysis Based on Delphi Panel Approach

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this study is to analyze the low-density lipoprotein cholesterol-lowering therapies in secondary prevention patients by analyzing their plasma low-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels, current treatment, considering their inadequate response to medications (as defined in current guidelines), and the requirement for a protein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9 inhibitor.

METHODS

Delphi panel is used to seek expert consensus of experienced 12 cardiologists. A questionnaire consisting of 6 main questions is used to reflect the opinion of the expert panelists on the practices of low-density lipoprotein cholesterol-lowering therapies of patients with high and very high cardiovascular risk. Patients with atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease are covered in this present analysis.

RESULTS

According to expert opinion data, 18.6% of the patient population with atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease is estimated to have experienced recurrent vascular events. The current treatment of the patient population is 39.7% on high dose, 36.9% on low/moderate dose of statin, 13.1% on maximum tolerated dose statin+ezetimibe, and 1.2% on maximum tolerated dose statin+ezetimibe+protein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9 inhibitor. The percentage of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease patients with inadequate treatment response is estimated to be 20.2% in those using "maximum tolerated dose statin+ezetimibe." The proportion of patients who will need to be treated with a protein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9 inhibitor increases as their low-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels rises from 9.1% in 70-99 mg/dL to 50.8% in ≥160 mg/dL for these patients.

CONCLUSION

According to expert opinion, although a substantial proportion of patients with secondary prevention have not achieved low-density lipoprotein cholesterol goals, the use of protein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9 inhibitors is very low. Since the questionnaire subject to panel discussion did not include any question elaborating the issue, the discrepancy between the recommendation of the related guidelines and Turkish practice needs further studies for the explanation.

Epidemiology and impact of frailty in patients with atrial fibrillation in Europe

BACKGROUND

Frailty is a medical syndrome characterised by reduced physiological reserve and increased vulnerability to stressors. Data regarding the relationship between frailty and atrial fibrillation (AF) are still inconsistent.

OBJECTIVES

We aim to perform a comprehensive evaluation of frailty in a large European cohort of AF patients.

METHODS

A 40-item frailty index (FI) was built according to the accumulation of deficits model in the AF patients enrolled in the ESC-EHRA EORP-AF General Long-Term Registry. Association of baseline characteristics, clinical management, quality of life, healthcare resources use and risk of outcomes with frailty was examined.

RESULTS

Among 10,177 patients [mean age (standard deviation) 69.0 (11.4) years, 4,103 (40.3%) females], 6,066 (59.6%) were pre-frail and 2,172 (21.3%) were frail, whereas only 1,939 (19.1%) were considered robust. Baseline thromboembolic and bleeding risks were independently associated with increasing FI. Frail patients with AF were less likely to be treated with oral anticoagulants (OACs) (odds ratio 0.70, 95% confidence interval 0.55-0.89), especially with non-vitamin K antagonist OACs and managed with a rhythm control strategy, compared with robust patients. Increasing frailty was associated with a higher risk for all outcomes examined, with a non-linear exponential relationship. The use of OAC was associated with a lower risk of outcomes, except in patients with very/extremely high frailty.

CONCLUSIONS

In this large cohort of AF patients, there was a high burden of frailty, influencing clinical management and risk of adverse outcomes. The clinical benefit of OAC is maintained in patients with high frailty, but not in very high/extremely frail ones.

The spoils of war and the long-term spoiling of health conditions of entire nations

The healthcare system of Ukraine was already suffering from several shortfalls before February 2022, but the war of aggression started by the Russian leadership is poised to inflict a further severe blow that will have long-lasting consequences for the health of all Ukrainians. In pre-war Ukraine, noncommunicable diseases (NCDs) contributed to 91% of deaths, especially cardiovascular diseases (67%). Ukrainians have a high prevalence of risk factors for NCDs ranking among the highest levels reported by the World Health Organization (WHO) in the European (EU) Region. Cardiovascular disease is one of the key health risks for the conflict-affected Ukrainian population due to significant limitations in access to health care and interruptions in the supply of medicines and resources. The excess mortality observed during the COVID-19 pandemic, due to a combination of viral illness and chronic disease states, is bound to increase exponentially from poorly treated NCDs. In this report, we discuss the impact of the war on the public health of Ukraine and potential interventions to provide remote health assistance to the Ukrainian population.

Health related behaviours and physical activity level of hypertensive individuals during COVID-19 pandemic

During the COVID-19 pandemic, all countries implemented lockdown to prevent transmission of coronavirus. The prolonged stay-at-home process created some unfavourable effects like unhealthy lifestyle, physical inactivity and sedentary behaviour especially in patients with cardiovascular risk. Hypertensive individuals are also affected in the pandemic because of limited access to healthcare services, screening, and altered lifestyles. We aimed to investigate physical activity (PA) level, sedentary behaviour, mental health and healthy lifestyle behaviours in patients with hypertension and compare these parameters with healthy controls. This prospective, cross-sectional study included 40 hypertensive and 40 age-sex matched healthy controls. We assessed PA with the International Physical Activity Questionnaire long-form, quality of life with Short-Form 36 (SF-36) questionnaire, anxiety and depression with Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) and lifestyle behaviours with Health-Promoting Lifestyle Profile Scale-II (HPLP-II). Moderate and vigorous PA levels of hypertensives' were statistically lower than healthy controls (P = 0.001; P = 0.003, respectively). Hypertensive patients exhibited lower SF-36 physical function (P = 0.001), energy/vitality (P = 0.042), body pain scores than those of healthy controls (P = 0.007). Although HADS-anxiety, depression scores were similar (P > 0.05), the depression ratio (45%) was more common in the hypertensive group during the lockdown. The main findings are that hypertensive patients have lower PA levels and worse quality of life than healthy controls during the pandemic. In addition, the presence of depression is more common among hypertensive patients. Considering unhealthy lifestyles, governments, and health professionals should take some precautions and plan interventions against physical inactivity. As known, providing regular physical activity is a keystone to fighting against cardiovascular disease.

Physical activity and psychological status of hypertensive and healthy individuals: in the era of COVID-19

Funding Acknowledgements

Type of funding sources: None.

Background/Introduction

Hypertension is an important and common reason of cardiovascular diseases. Hypertension can prevent, delay and/or manage with lifestyle modifications like regular physical activity participiation, stress management. During COVID-19 pandemic physical inactivity, increased stress and anxiety levels impair disease management of hypertensive individuals and becomes a serious risk factor for healthy individuals.

Purpose

We aimed to investigate and compare physical activity, anxiety and depression level of hypertensive and healthy individuals.

Methods

Forty hypertensive and forty healthy individuals were included in the study (Mean age: 51,15±6,96 years and 49,75±8,41 years, respectively). Patients informed about the study and invited during their cardiology visit and called by a physiotherapist in lockdown periods. In phone call, working status, quarantina compliance, sociodemographic status were asked. Physical activity levels were assessed with International Physical Activity Questionnnaire-Long Version (IPAQ), anxiety and depression levels were examined with Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HAD). Patients categorized as inactive, minimally active and active according to METs results of IPAQ and classified as increased depression and/or anxiety according to HAD results.

Results

Working status, quarantina compliance and gender were similar between groups (p>0,05). Anxiety and depression scores were similar but number of people who had increased depression were higher in hypertensive group. Considering physical activity, transport, vigorous domestic activities, leisure time vigorous activities and total physical activity levels were statistically different between groups (p<0,01, p=0,002, p=0,002,respectively) and hypertensive individuals were less active. When we compared physical activity categorization, in hypertensive group 12,5% were active, 47,5% were minimally active and 40% were sedentary and in healthy group 32,5% were active, 50% were minimally active and 17,5% were sedentary and physical activity status were statistically significant (p=0,029).

Conclusion(s)

According to our results, hypertensives were more inactive and deprressed than healthy controls. Quarantine periods become very inactive periods for all populations but this is very crucial for especially risky populations. To prevent upcoming cardiovascular diseases and complications of hypertension physical activity and psychosocial support can implement by healthcare providers.

The validity and reliability of the 6 minute stepper test in patients with systemic hypertension

Funding Acknowledgements

Type of funding sources: None.

Introduction and Background

6 Minute Stepper Test (6MST) is a valid, reliable and practical field test that evaluates exercise capacity in chronic conditions. There is a need for evaluating the validity and reliability of 6MST in for using evaluation during cardiac rehabilitation.

Purpose

The aim of this study was to evaluate the validity and reliability of 6MST test in patients with systemic hypertension.

Methods

Forty hypertensive individuals (mean age: 47.55 ± 6.55 years, female/male: 24/16) were included in the study. Demographic and clinical characteristics of patients were recorded and echocardiography was conducted. Functional exercise capacity was evaluated with 6MST and step number during 6MST was recorded. Exercise capacity was tested with the six minutes walk test (6MWT) and used for validity.

Results

Clinical and demographic status of patients were presented in Table-1. According to the test-retest ICC (Intraclass correlation coefficient) analysis for the reliability of 6MST test in hypertensive patients; 6MST test score has very good reliability for single measurements (ICC value = 0.896, p <0.001) and mean measurements (ICC value = 0.945, p <0.001). According to the results of pearson correlation analysis to evaluate the criterion validity of 6MST test; 6MST test score showed a high relationship with 6MWT distance as the criterion test (r = 0.689, p<0.001) in patients with systemic hypertension.

Conclusions

6MST can be used as a valid and reliable test to evaluate exercise capacity in patients with hypertension. Because it is practical, tolerable and safe so it may be a new valid field test in cardiac rehabilitation.

The year in cardiovascular medicine 2021: dyslipidaemia

The past year was an exciting time for clinical lipidology when we learnt more about existing therapies as well as therapies targeting novel pathways discovered through genetic studies. LDL cholesterol remained the main target and a variety of drugs to lower LDL cholesterol through different mechanisms were explored. Emerging evidence on the atherogenity of triglyceride-rich lipoproteins led to renewed interest in lowering them with new treatments. Lp(a) was back in focus with evidence on causality and new targeted therapeutics which dramatically lower Lp(a) levels. We will be able to personalise lipid lowering therapy further with this enriched armamentarium once we have the results of the cardiovascular outcome studies with some of these new agents.

PCSK9 Inhibition and Risk of Diabetes: Should We Worry?

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

Since the clinical benefit of proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9 (PCSK9) inhibitors occurs in a setting of reducing low-density lipoprotein-cholesterol (LDL-C) to unprecedentedly low levels, it becomes of interest to investigate possible adverse effects pertaining to the risk of new-onset diabetes (NOD).

RECENT FINDINGS

While safety results reported in either meta-analyses or cardiovascular outcome trials FOURIER (with evolocumab) and ODYSSEY (with alirocumab) did not rise the incidence of NOD, Mendelian randomization analyses were almost concordant in showing an increased risk of NOD. This evidence was in line with post-marketing safety reports highlighting that evolocumab and alirocumab were primarily related to mild hyperglycaemia rather than diabetes, with most of the hyperglycaemic events occurring during the first 6 months of treatment. Considering the different nature of genetic studies and of randomized controlled trials, with careful monitoring of patients, particularly in the earlier phases of treatment, and the identification of those more susceptible to develop NOD, treatment with PCSK9 inhibitors should be of minimal concern.

Diet, Lifestyle, Smoking

Cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of death globally The past few decades have shown that especially low- and middle-income countries have undergone rapid industrialization, urbanization, economic development and market globalization. Although these developments led to many positive changes in health outcomes and increased life expectancies, they all also caused inappropriate dietary patterns, physical inactivity and obesity. Evidence shows that a large proportion of the cardiovascular disease burden can be explained by behavioural factors such as low physical activity, unhealthy diet and smoking. Controlling these risk factors from early ages is important for maintaining cardiovascular health. Even in patients with genetic susceptibility to cardiovascular disease, risk factor modification is beneficial.Despite the tremendous advances in the medical treatment of cardiovascular risk factors to reduce overall cardiovascular risk, the modern lifestyle which has led to greater sedentary time, lower participation in active transport and time spent in leisure or purposeful physical activity, unhealthy diets and increased exposure to stress, noise and pollution have diminished the beneficial effects of contemporary medical cardiovascular prevention strategies. Therefore attenuating or eliminating these health risk behaviours and risk factors is imperative in the prevention of cardiovascular diseases.

The functional and structural evaluation of small fibers in asymptomatic carriers of p.Val50Met (Val30Met) mutation

Therapeutic advances in hereditary amyloid transthyretin (ATTRv) amyloidosis with polyneuropathy extended life expectancy and delayed symptom progression especially in patients with early disease. Thus, detection and monitoring of asymptomatic carriers gained importance. However, there is still limited consensus on genetic screening of ATTRv-PN patients' family members and diagnostic tests that must be done in the follow-up. In this study, we followed prospectively five asymptomatic carriers of a family with ATTRV30M (p.Val50Met) mutation by different diagnostic tests for three years. The carriers were followed by neurological examination, nerve conduction studies, sympathetic skin response test, heart rate variability, SFN-SIQ and DN4 questionnaires, quantitative sensory testing (QST), skin biopsy and in vivo corneal confocal microscopy. Nerve conduction studies, sympathetic skin response test and heart rate variability were normal in all for three years. Baseline QST and SFN-SIQ were normal but became abnormal during follow-up of two individuals who developed small fiber neuropathy symptoms. Baseline intraepidermal nerve fiber density was low in three carriers and decreased to below normative values in all during follow-up, while corneal sub-basal nerve density was low in all carriers compared to controls during the entire follow-up. Thus, our study showed that SFN-SIQ and QST are useful diagnostic tools to detect the transition to symptomatic ATTRv-polyneuropathy.

Global perspective of familial hypercholesterolaemia: a cross-sectional study from the EAS Familial Hypercholesterolaemia Studies Collaboration (FHSC)

BACKGROUND

The European Atherosclerosis Society Familial Hypercholesterolaemia Studies Collaboration (FHSC) global registry provides a platform for the global surveillance of familial hypercholesterolaemia through harmonisation and pooling of multinational data. In this study, we aimed to characterise the adult population with heterozygous familial hypercholesterolaemia and described how it is detected and managed globally.

METHODS

Using FHSC global registry data, we did a cross-sectional assessment of adults (aged 18 years or older) with a clinical or genetic diagnosis of probable or definite heterozygous familial hypercholesterolaemia at the time they were entered into the registries. Data were assessed overall and by WHO regions, sex, and index versus non-index cases.

FINDINGS

Of the 61 612 individuals in the registry, 42 167 adults (21 999 [53·6%] women) from 56 countries were included in the study. Of these, 31 798 (75·4%) were diagnosed with the Dutch Lipid Clinic Network criteria, and 35 490 (84·2%) were from the WHO region of Europe. Median age of participants at entry in the registry was 46·2 years (IQR 34·3-58·0); median age at diagnosis of familial hypercholesterolaemia was 44·4 years (32·5-56·5), with 40·2% of participants younger than 40 years when diagnosed. Prevalence of cardiovascular risk factors increased progressively with age and varied by WHO region. Prevalence of coronary disease was 17·4% (2·1% for stroke and 5·2% for peripheral artery disease), increasing with concentrations of untreated LDL cholesterol, and was about two times lower in women than in men. Among patients receiving lipid-lowering medications, 16 803 (81·1%) were receiving statins and 3691 (21·2%) were on combination therapy, with greater use of more potent lipid-lowering medication in men than in women. Median LDL cholesterol was 5·43 mmol/L (IQR 4·32-6·72) among patients not taking lipid-lowering medications and 4·23 mmol/L (3·20-5·66) among those taking them. Among patients taking lipid-lowering medications, 2·7% had LDL cholesterol lower than 1·8 mmol/L; the use of combination therapy, particularly with three drugs and with proprotein convertase subtilisin-kexin type 9 inhibitors, was associated with a higher proportion and greater odds of having LDL cholesterol lower than 1·8 mmol/L. Compared with index cases, patients who were non-index cases were younger, with lower LDL cholesterol and lower prevalence of cardiovascular risk factors and cardiovascular diseases (all p<0·001).

INTERPRETATION

Familial hypercholesterolaemia is diagnosed late. Guideline-recommended LDL cholesterol concentrations are infrequently achieved with single-drug therapy. Cardiovascular risk factors and presence of coronary disease were lower among non-index cases, who were diagnosed earlier. Earlier detection and greater use of combination therapies are required to reduce the global burden of familial hypercholesterolaemia.

FUNDING

Pfizer, Amgen, Merck Sharp & Dohme, Sanofi-Aventis, Daiichi Sankyo, and Regeneron.

In-hospital statin initiation characteristics and one-year statin adherence rates in patients hospitalised for acute coronary syndrome

INTRODUCTION

In the present study, we aimed to evaluate compliance to lipid lowering guidelines regarding statin prescription on discharge and statin adherence rates during a follow-up period of one year in patients hospitalised with a diagnosis of acute coronary syndrome (ACS).

METHODS

In-hospital records of 3506 ACS patients, of which 771 had experienced an ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) and 2735 had experienced a non-STEMI, were collected. We calculated medication possession ratios (MPRs) for each subject. We designated patients with ≥9 statin refills/year (MPR ≥ 0.75) as the statin-adherent group and patients with <9 statin refills/year (MPR < 0.75) as the statin-non-adherent group.

RESULTS

During a 12-month follow-up period, 234 patients in the STEMI group (30.3%) and 391 patients in the non-STEMI group (14.3%) had 12 refills of statin. Thus, only 17.8% of the total study population had complete adherence to statin therapy with an MPR of 1. When patients with ≥9 statin prescriptions were categorised as the statin-adherent group, only 1575 patients (44.9%) were found to be adherent to statin treatment. In multivariate analysis, patients with a non-STEMI diagnosis and high intensity statin treatment had higher rates of non-adherence (OR:1.685, 95%CI:1.412-2.012, p < .01 and OR:1.344, 95% CI: 1.147-1.574, p < .01, respectively). Patients with prior statin treatment had lower rates of non-adherence(OR:0.437, 95%CI: 0.346-0.553, p < .01).

CONCLUSION

The present study shows that compliance with guidelines regarding statin initiation during hospitalisation and statin adherence rates during a one-year follow-up period are low for patients treated for ACS. Considering the overwhelming clinical benefits of high-intensity statins in patients with ACS, every effort should be made to increase the rate of optimal use of statins in secondary prevention.

Familial Hypercholesterolemia: Global Burden and Approaches

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

Familial hypercholesterolemia (FH) is the most common genetic metabolic disorder characterized by markedly elevated LDL-C levels from birth leading to atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD) and premature deaths. The purpose of this review is to share the current knowledge in the diagnosis, risk estimation, and management of patients with FH in the light of recent evidence and guideline recommendations.

RECENT FINDINGS

Recent registries underscored the prevalence of FH as 1/200-250 translating to an almost 1500 million subjects suffering from FH worldwide. However, only a minority of FH patients are identified early and effectively treated. In most cases, mutations in the LDL-receptor (LDLR) gene and to a lesser degree in the apolipoprotein B-100 (APOB), proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9 (PCSK9), and the LDL-receptor adaptor protein 1 (LDLRAP1) genes cause FH. Diagnostic scores such as Dutch Lipid Clinic Network criteria using clinical manifestations are helpful in identifying FH. Traditional risk factors and high lipoprotein(a) affect the course of the disease. Vascular ultrasound imaging and coronary calcium scoring are helpful for further risk estimation of these patients. Getting to LDL-C goals is possible with currently available treatments including statins, ezetimibe, and PCSK9 inhibitors, as well as lipoprotein apheresis, lomitapide, and mipomersen in more severe phenotypes. Additionally, novel agents bempedoic acid, inclisiran, and evinacumab expanded the treatment choices for some patients with FH. Early diagnosis and initiation of LDL-C lowering are still required to achieve the greatest reduction in ASCVD morbidity and mortality in patients with FH. FH is a common genetic disorder characterized by markedly elevated LDL-C levels from birth onward, resulting in significantly increased risk for ASCVD. Despite major advances in our understanding of the disease and effective therapies, FH is still underdiagnosed and undertreated. Early initiation of LDL-C lowering by increased awareness of FH among the healthcare professionals, patients, and the public is necessary to achieve meaningful reduction in ASCVD morbidity and mortality in these patients.

Cholesterol efflux promoting function of high-density lipoproteins in calcific aortic valve stenosis

Background and aims

Cholesterol efflux capacity is a functional property of high-density lipoproteins (HDL) reflecting the efficiency of the atheroprotective reverse cholesterol transport process in humans. Its relationship with calcific aortic valve stenosis (CAVS) has not been fully assessed yet.

Methods

We evaluated HDL-CEC in a patient population with varying degrees of aortic valvular calcific disease, assessed using echocardiography and cardiac computed tomography. Measurement of biomarkers that reflect osteogenic and tissue remodeling, along with dietary and gut microbiota-derived metabolites were performed.

Results

Patients with moderate-severe CAVS had significantly lower HDL-CEC compared to both control and aortic sclerosis subjects (mean: 6.09%, 7.32% and 7.26%, respectively). HDL-CEC displayed negative correlations with peak aortic jet velocity and aortic valve calcium score, indexes of CAVS severity (ρ = -0.298, p = 0.002 and ρ = -0.358, p = 0.005, respectively). In multivariable regression model, HDL-CEC had independent association with aortic valve calcium score (B: -0.053, SE: 0.014, p < 0.001), GFR (B: -0.034, SE: 0.012, p = 0.007), as well as with levels of total cholesterol (B: 0.018, SE: 0.005, p = 0.002).

Conclusion

These results indicate an impairment of HDL-CEC in moderate-severe CAVS and may contribute to identify potential novel targets for CAVS management.

Association of dietary and gut microbiota-related metabolites with calcific aortic stenosis

BACKGROUND

Histopathological changes in calcific aortic stenosis (CAS) resemble changes in coronary atherosclerosis. Concerning recent evidence on dietary and gut microbiota-related metabolites representing players in atherosclerosis, we aimed to investigate the link between dietary and gut microbiota-derived metabolites and CAS.

METHODS

We consecutively recruited eligible subjects with moderate-severe CAS (n = 60), aortic sclerosis (ASc) (n = 49) and age and gender-matched control subjects (n = 48) in May 2016-December 2016. Plasma dietary and gut microbiota-related metabolite levels, namely choline, betaine, and trimethylamine N-oxide (TMAO), were measured using ultra-performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectroscopy method. Histopathological examinations were performed in patients that underwent aortic valve surgery.

RESULTS

Prevalence of traditional cardiovascular risk factors or co-morbidities did not differ among groups (all p > 0.05). CAS patients had higher plasma choline levels compared to both control (p < 0.001) and ASc (p = 0.006). Plasma betaine and TMAO levels were similar (both p > 0.05). Compared to the lowest quartile choline levels (<11.15 μM), patients with the highest quartile choline levels (≥14.98 μM) had higher aortic valvular (p < 0.001) and mitral annular (p = 0.013) calcification scores. Plasma choline levels were independently associated with aortic peak flow velocity (B ± SE:0.165 ± 0.060, p = 0.009). Choline levels were elevated in subjects who had aortic valves with denser lymphocyte infiltration (p < 0.001), neovascularization (p = 0.011), osseous metaplasia (p = 0.004), more severe tissue remodelling (p = 0.002) and calcification (p = 0.002).

CONCLUSION

We found a significant association between choline levels and CAS presence and severity depicted on imaging modalities and histopathological examinations. Our study may open new horizons for prevention of CAS.

Low-density lipoproteins cause atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease: pathophysiological, genetic, and therapeutic insights: a consensus statement from the European Atherosclerosis Society Consensus Panel

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The landscape of preventive cardiology in Turkey: Challenges and successes

Turkey, like many countries, is facing a growing burden of non-communicable disease (NCD)s and is among the countries with high cardiovascular mortality in Europe. Moreover, Turkey currently has the highest rate of premature cardiovascular disease (CVD) in Europe. During the last decades, Turkey made fundamental reforms in the health system to improve the treatment of risk factors to prevent CVD. The most outstanding success was in the area of tobacco control (13.4% decrease in smoking prevalence) and decreasing the salt consumption of the population (from 18 to 9.9 g/day) leading to a significant decrease in CVD mortality from 45% to 36.8% of all deaths. However, obesity and diabetes are increasing rapidly as a result of urbanization, low physical activity and unhealthy eating and the new generation is starting to take up smoking. The increase in cardiometabolic risk factors and aging of the population are expected to increase the number of CVD deaths. All CVD risk factors except smoking are significantly more prevalent in women. In addition, rare disease is a country specific problem with a significant contribution to the high rates of premature CVD in Turkey. Despite major improvements in management in acute coronary syndromes, sustained achievement in guideline recommended goals is suboptimal. In patients with a previous cardiovascular event smoking rate is 25.5%, 80.9% of these patients are overweight (BMI ≥25 kg/m²), 30% obese (BMI ≥30 kg/m²), and LDL‐cholesterol targets of 70 mg/dL are attained in only 18%. Herein, we scrutinize the achievements and challenges of Turkey in establishing a ‘National Heart Health Policy’ aiming to decrease the burden of CVD and its risk factors.

Current perceptions and practices in lipid management: results of a European Society of Cardiology/European Atherosclerosis Society Survey

AIMS

We sought to evaluate physicians' opinions and practices in lipid management.

METHODS AND RESULTS

A web-based survey by the European Society of Cardiology (ESC) and European Atherosclerosis Society (EAS) was distributed to 70 696 individuals at two time points, before and after publication of the 2019 ESC/EAS dyslipidaemia guidelines. Respondents (1271 in the first and 1056 in the second part) were most commonly cardiologists in Europe. More than 90% of participants reported that they regularly measure lipid levels and discuss lipid-lowering treatment with patients. More than 87% found the use of LDL-C goals useful or potentially useful, although it was acknowledged that recommended goals are frequently not achieved. Regarding the LDL-C goal according to the 2019 guidelines (<1.4 mmol/L for very high-risk patients), more than 70% of respondents felt that it is based on solid scientific evidence, but 31% noted that implementation should also consider available local resources and patient preferences. Statin intolerance was perceived as infrequent, affecting 1-5% of patients according to most respondents but was the main reason for not prescribing a statin to secondary-prevention patients, followed by patient non-adherence. Although most respondents reported that 11-20% of secondary-prevention patients have an indication to add a non-statin medication, fewer patients (<10% according to most respondents) receive these medications.

CONCLUSIONS

This survey shows a high level of acceptance of the LDL-C treatment goals recommended by current ESC/EAS guidelines. Although patient-related factors were the main reported reasons for suboptimal lipid-lowering therapy, physician inertia to intensify treatment cannot be excluded as an additional contributing factor.

Should We Target Global Risk or Risk Factors?

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

Recent evidence has shaped the new guidelines for the management of dyslipidemia. The importance of accurate risk estimation, subclinical disease detection, and contemporary dyslipidemia management approaches are discussed in this review.

RECENT FINDINGS

Risk prediction helps determine the intensity of management strategies and identify high-risk patients. To overcome the pitfalls of the current risk prediction systems, incorporating genetic scores, biomarkers, and imaging is being explored. Key initiating event in atherogenesis is low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) retention in the arterial wall. Recent dyslipidemia guidelines agree that LDL-C is the primary target, but management approaches vary. Guidelines are shaped by new studies that show the benefits of high-intensity lipid lowering, especially for patients at very high-risk. Global risk assessment should be performed in all individuals for cardiovascular disease prevention. Main target should be the causal risk factors, particularly LDL-C which is one of the most important modifiable causal factors. Lower LDL-C goals will help prevent further events in very high-risk patients.

Impact of the COVID-19 pandemic in patients with a previous history of premature myocardial infarction

Objectives

The coronavirus-disease-2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has led to the restructuring of health-services to prioritize the treatment of COVID-19. The severe restrictions on daily life affected the management of chronic diseases. Patients with a previous history of premature myocardial infarction (MI) are a vulnerable group requiring frequent and continued medical attention both in the pandemic and non-pandemic era. The present study was conducted to provide insight into the impact of COVID-19 outbreak on heart-healthy lifestyle and management of patients with a history of premature MI.

Methods

This cross-sectional study included 170 consecutive patients with a history of premature MI who were already in regular follow-up in a tertiary out-patient prevention clinic before the pandemic. Inclusion criteria included age ≥18 years and being on regular follow up with the diagnosis of premature MI (documented MI before the age of 55 years) at least for one year. All patients were contacted by phone-call and replied to a 23-item questionnaire measuring the impact of the pandemic on the management, healthy lifestyle habits, and anxiety level.

Results

One patient died due to COVID-19 infection; therefore the analyses were conducted in 169 patients (age: 47.67 ​± ​11.84 years, 21.3% women). The median age at first MI was 39 (IQR 10) years and the median time elapsed since the first MI was 7 years (IQR 10). The study population was highly compliant with the follow-up visits (78.1%) and pharmacological therapy (97%) before the pandemic according to the medical files. The majority (82.2%) of the patients were aware that having a history of premature MI would increase the risk and harm of COVID-19. Anxiety level increased in 62.7% of the study patients. Overall, 65.7% of the patient group reported a disruption at least in ≥1 component(s) of healthy life-behaviors (non-compliance with the heart-healthy diet, an increase in alcohol intake, an increase in smoking, and/or reduced physical activity) since the emergence of the outbreak. The anxiety level (p ​= ​0.001) and the prevalence of appetite change (p ​< ​0.0001) and weight gain (p ​< ​0.0001) was lower in the lifestyle compliant group than the non-compliant group. Avoidance of seeking medical care was reported in 33.7% of the patients. Statin use was 99.4% before the pandemic and decreased to 89.9% (p ​< ​0.0001) ​despite the fact that medications were reimbursed and widely available.

Conclusions

The COVID-19 pandemic significantly affected the heart-healthy lifestyle and anxiety levels of patients with a history of premature MI who were already in regular follow-up in a tertiary prevention clinic and led to significant avoidance of medical care. More rigorous follow-up, education, and reassurance of these patients with telemedicine are necessary for the prevention of further increase in their risk.

Transatlantic Lipid Guideline Divergence: Same Data But Different Interpretations

Despite consensus that excessive circulating concentrations of apoB‐lipoproteins is a key driver for the atherosclerotic process and that treatments that low‐density lipoprotein cholesterol lowering by up‐regulation of low‐density lipoprotein cholesterol receptor expression reduces that risk, divergent viewpoints on interpretation of study data have resulted in substantial differences in European and American lipid guideline recommendations. This article explores those differences and highlights the importance of understanding guideline‐based lipid management to improve patient care and reduce the risk of clinical atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease.

Risk factor management in coronary patients: results from the EUROASPIRE V survey

Background

Previously, there has been a misperception that cardiovascular disease (CVD) mainly affects males. Although lately, there is increasing awareness about the risk of CVD in women, evidence suggests that the management of women with CVD is suboptimal.

Purpose

The aim of this study is to look at gender differences in treatment and risk factor control after a coronary event across countries with varying income levels.

Methods

Analyses were based on the ESC-EORP EUROASPIRE V survey, including patient information from 27 European countries. Patients included (18–80 years), were hospitalised for an ischaemic coronary event. Information on medical treatment, risk factors and behavioural changes were obtained during patient interviews (6 months to 2 years after hospitalization). Findings on treatment and risk factor control were compared with the European guidelines on CVD prevention (2016). Country classification by income level (low/medium income vs. high income) was done according to the World Bank Atlas method. Logistic regression analyses adjusted for sex, age, education level, country income, surgical intervention, stroke, heart failure and diabetes were performed.

Results

Data from 8261 coronary patients, of which 25.8% women, were included in the analyses. Mean (SD) age at the interview was 62.95 (9.72) years for men and 65.36 (9.21) years for women. First, when looking at the evidence based medication intake, no gender differences were seen in the prescription of antiplatelets/aspirin, whereas statins were more often prescribed in men (82.8% vs. 77.7%; p=0.002). A closer look by country income revealed that this difference is entirely due to the higher statin use among men from low/medium income countries (79.6% vs. 72.3%; p=0.004). Second, the risk factor profile differed substantially between genders. Overall, a worse risk factor profile was seen in women. Although, men were more likely to smoke (20.7% vs. 12.8%; p&lt;0.001), women were less physically active (63.2% vs. 72.5%; p&lt;0.001), had more obesity (34.9% vs. 45.7%; p&lt;0.001) and central obesity (51.8% vs. 78.0%; p&lt;0.001), and had a worse lipid control (65.9% vs. 74.3%; p&lt;0.001). Overall, no gender differences were seen in diabetes prevalence and blood pressure control. A closer look at country income level showed that the gender difference in smoking prevalence dissolved in high income countries. In addition, women in low income countries were more likely to suffer from diabetes (26.7% vs. 38.9%; p&lt;0.001).

Conclusion

These findings suggest a worse risk factor profile in women despite little to no gender differences in medical treatment. Further research is needed to understand the gender-differential in risk factor control.

Funding Acknowledgement

Type of funding source: Public Institution(s). Main funding source(s): Fonds voor hartchirurgie - Fonds pour la Chirurgie Cardiaque

Negative impact of COVID-19 pandemic on the lifestyle and management of patients with homozygous familial hypercholesterolemia

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Patients with homozygous familial hypercholesterolemia (HoFH) have increased cardiovascular risk.

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Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic affected healthy life behaviors and anxiety of patients with HoFH.

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Fear of COVID-19 leads to avoidance of seeking medical care.

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As a hospital-based treatment, lipid apheresis is disrupted during the pandemic.

Evaluation of internal medicine physicians' attitudes toward the treatment of dyslipidemia

Objectives: Dyslipidemia is one of the risk factors for atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease. Cardiovascular events decrease with decreasing LDL-C levels and all guidelines emphasize the importance of LDL-C lowering. However, implementation in real life is suboptimal. This study aimed to evaluate the treatment approaches to the dyslipidemia of physicians. Methods: This study was conducted as an online survey for internal medicine specialists and residents. The survey included questions on the physicians' demographics, their attitudes toward dyslipidemia management in three different case scenarios and questions. The physicians were asked to indicate their treatment and guideline preferences in the three cases. Results: Among the 366 participants 67.5% were internal medicine specialists and 18.9% were internal medicine residents. Fourteen percent of physicians did not use guidelines in clinical practice. Five percent of specialists and 10.1% of residents doubted the necessity of dyslipidemia treatment, 30% of both specialists and residents were affected by the patient's reluctance. The specialists were more likely to state that reaching the target LDL-C should be a priority compared to the residents (p = 0.003). Most physicians (58.7%) treated the patients according to the guideline recommendations if the patients were at high risk. They were less likely to get to guideline recommendation goals if the patients were at low risk (29.8%). Conclusion: Despite overwhelming evidence, some physicians did not use guidelines and some physicians doubted the necessity of dyslipidemia treatment. A significant proportion of physicians were affected by the patient's reluctance. There is a clear need to educate physicians about the importance of guidelines.

Anti-inflammatory therapy in atherosclerosis

Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is the leading cause of death. Although once considered merely as a lipid storage disease, studies indicate the role of inflammation in initiation and progression of atherosclerotic CVD, as well as the development of thrombotic complications. Despite significant advances in treatment of atherosclerosis, there still exists a residual risk for CVD-related morbidity and mortality. Even with optimal treatment, the rate of a new event after an index acute coronary syndrome event, such as myocardial ischemia or infarction, in the first three years has been reported to be as high as 20%. In the last decades, inflammation due to apoB-lipoproteins and other traditional risk factors, such as hypertension, diabetes and smoking, is accepted as a new target for CVD prevention. Up to now, several anti-inflammatory drugs have been tested for use in atherosclerosis. This review focuses on the current status of anti-inflammatory drug therapy for atherosclerotic CVD in humans.