Lipid management reduces cardiovascular complications in individuals with diabetes and prediabetes.

Patients with type 2 diabetes are known to have an elevated risk of cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. Prior to the development of hyperglycemia and type 2 diabetes, individuals undergo a prolonged prediabetic phase involving hyperglycemia and insulin resistance. This has been associated with increased cardiovascular risk and is considered a cardiovascular risk equivalent. It is well known that dyslipidemia is an important contributor to the development of coronary artery disease. Treating diabetes with lipid-lowering agents reduces patients' cardiovascular risk. Preliminary studies have shown that similar benefits are seen even in persons with prediabetes. Hence, lipid-lowering agents should be considered not only in patients with type 2 diabetes, but also in individuals with prediabetes and with elevated lipid levels.

Left ventricular noncompaction and myocardial fibrosis: a case report.

BACKGROUND: Left ventricular noncompaction (LVNC) is a rare congenital abnormality. It is currently classified as a genetic cardiomyopathy and results from early arrest of endomyocardial morphogenesis. The pathophysiology of left ventricular dysfunction, which becomes apparent beyond the 4th decade of life, is unclear. CASE REPORT: We report a case of 60-year-old woman who presented with shortness of breath and showed noncompacted endocardium on echocardiography. Cardiac catheterization and viral studies were unremarkable. Histology revealed endomyocardial fibrosis without disarray. She was subsequently diagnosed with LVNC and treated with medications. DISCUSSION: Cardiologists and other physicians should be aware of LVNC due to its high likelihood of misdiagnosis and associated high complication rates. Early diagnosis, intervention and screening among family members can decrease the morbidity and mortality associated with LVNC.