Treat-to-Target or High-Intensity Statin in Patients With Coronary Artery Disease: A Randomized Clinical Trial.

Importance: In patients with coronary artery disease, some guidelines recommend initial statin treatment with high-intensity statins to achieve at least a 50% reduction in low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C). An alternative approach is to begin with moderate-intensity statins and titrate to a specific LDL-C goal. These alternatives have not been compared head-to-head in a clinical trial involving patients with known coronary artery disease. Objective: To assess whether a treat-to-target strategy is noninferior to a strategy of high-intensity statins for long-term clinical outcomes in patients with coronary artery disease. Design, Setting, and Participants: A randomized, multicenter, noninferiority trial in patients with a coronary disease diagnosis treated at 12 centers in South Korea (enrollment: September 9, 2016, through November 27, 2019; final follow-up: October 26, 2022). Interventions: Patients were randomly assigned to receive either the LDL-C target strategy, with an LDL-C level between 50 and 70 mg/dL as the target, or high-intensity statin treatment, which consisted of rosuvastatin, 20 mg, or atorvastatin, 40 mg. Main Outcomes and Measures: Primary end point was a 3-year composite of death, myocardial infarction, stroke, or coronary revascularization with a noninferiority margin of 3.0 percentage points. Results: Among 4400 patients, 4341 patients (98.7%) completed the trial (mean [SD] age, 65.1 [9.9] years; 1228 females [27.9%]). In the treat-to-target group (n = 2200), which had 6449 person-years of follow-up, moderate-intensity and high-intensity dosing were used in 43% and 54%, respectively. The mean (SD) LDL-C level for 3 years was 69.1 (17.8) mg/dL in the treat-to-target group and 68.4 (20.1) mg/dL in the high-intensity statin group (n = 2200) (P = .21, compared with the treat-to-target group). The primary end point occurred in 177 patients (8.1%) in the treat-to-target group and 190 patients (8.7%) in the high-intensity statin group (absolute difference, -0.6 percentage points [upper boundary of the 1-sided 97.5% CI, 1.1 percentage points]; P < .001 for noninferiority). Conclusions and Relevance: Among patients with coronary artery disease, a treat-to-target LDL-C strategy of 50 to 70 mg/dL as the goal was noninferior to a high-intensity statin therapy for the 3-year composite of death, myocardial infarction, stroke, or coronary revascularization. These findings provide additional evidence supporting the suitability of a treat-to-target strategy that may allow a tailored approach with consideration for individual variability in drug response to statin therapy. Trial Registration: ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT02579499.

The development of lipoprotein apheresis in Saxony in the last years.

METHODS: Three hundred thirty-nine patients (230 men, 109 women) treated with lipoprotein apheresis in Saxony, Germany, in 2018 are described in terms of age, lipid pattern, risk factors, cardiovascular events, medication, and number of new admissions since 2014, and the data are compared with figures from 2010 to 2013. RESULTS: Patients were treated by 45.5 physicians in 16 lipoprotein apheresis centers. With about 10 patients per 100 000 inhabitants, the number of patients treated with lipoprotein apheresis in Saxony is twice as high as in Germany as a whole. The median treatment time was 3 years. Almost all patients had hypertension; type 2 diabetes mellitus was seen significantly more often in patients with low Lipoprotein(a). Cardiovascular events occurred in almost all patients before initiation of lipoprotein apheresis, under apheresis therapy the cardiovascular events rate was very low in this high-risk group. For some cardiovascular regions even no events could be observed. CONCLUSIONS: The importance of lipoprotein apheresis in Saxony had been increasing from 2010 to 2018.

[Genetic diseases of lipid metabolism - Focus familial hypercholesterolemia]. / Genetische Erkrankungen des Lipidstoffwechsels.

Congenital disorders of lipid metabolism are characterised by LDL-C concentrations > 190 mg/dl (4.9 mM) and/or triglycerides > 200 mg/dl (2.3 mM) in young individuals after having excluded a secondary hyperlipoproteinemia. Further characteristics of this primary hyperlipoproteinemia are elevated lipid values or premature myocardial infarctions within families or xantelasms, arcus lipoides, xanthomas and abdominal pain. This overview summarises our current knowledge of etiology and pathogenesis of primary hyperlipoproteinemia.

Effect and significance of hyperlipoproteinemia on stent thrombosis in patients with implanted drug-eluting stents: The 5-year follow up study.

BACKGROUND: Elevated blood lipid level, also known as hyperlipoproteinemia (HLP), is the most common metabolic disorder in the general population. According to US National Heart Institute data, about 36% of adults and 10% of children aged 9 to 12 have elevated cholesterol levels. The risk of ischemic heart disease increases by 2-3% with every 1% increase in total cholesterol levels. Therefore, men aged 55-65 with a 10% increase in total cholesterol have about 38% increased ischemic heart disease mortality. The study's main objective is to determine the occurrence of thrombotic complications in patients in whom first-generation drug-eluting stents are implanted and how these events are influenced by the presence of HLP. METHODS: The study is retrospective, clinical, and non-interventional with a five-year follow-up period for each patient. Initially, 800 patients undergoing index percutaneous coronary angioplasty with sirolimus-eluting and paclitaxel-eluting stent implantation were enrolled. Clinical data collected included cardiac disorders, the presence of diabetes mellitus, hyperlipoproteinemia, and smoking as a risk factor. In the examined group of patients, stent thrombosis was monitored according to Academic Research Consortium (ARC) criteria. RESULTS: The study included 800 patients who underwent percutaneous coronary angioplasty index. At the end of the follow-up period, 701 patients (87.6%) completed the clinical trial and were included in the statistical analysis. Stent thrombosis, determined according to ARC criteria, was reported as 'definitive stent thrombosis' in 22 patients (3.06%), 'probable stent thrombosis' in 1 patient (0.14%), and 'possible stent thrombosis' in 1 patient (0.14%). Of the 404 patients with HLP, 120 patients had a total cholesterol value >300 mg/dL. Twenty patients with definitive stent thrombosis had cholesterol >300 mg/dL. Patients with probable and possible stent thrombosis did not have HLP. A comparison of patients with stent thrombosis, with HLP and without HLP, revealed a statistically significant difference (16.67% vs. 1.35%, p <0.001). Comparing patients with unstable angina pectoris, with cholesterol value >300 mg/dL and without HLP, a statistically significant difference was observed (71.7% vs. 17.2%, p <0.001). CONCLUSIONS: We report on the long-term follow up of patients with stent thrombosis after drug-eluting stent insertion with and without HLP. The results suggest that HLP influences the development of coronary disease, with a significant influence on complications following percutaneous coronary intervention.

[Hyperlipoproteinaemia(a) and stroke. A case report of a family with early-onset severe atherosclerotic disease]. / Hiperlipoproteinemia(a) e ictus. A propósito de una familia con enfermedad ateroesclerótica grave precoz.

TITLE: Hiperlipoproteinemia(a) e ictus. A propósito de una familia con enfermedad ateroesclerótica grave precoz.

High lipoprotein(a) concentrations are associated with lower type 2 diabetes risk in the Chinese Han population: a large retrospective cohort study.

BACKGROUND: Lipoprotein (a) [Lp(a)] is a proven independent risk factor for coronary heart disease. It is also associated with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). However, the correlation between Lp(a) and T2DM has not been clearly elucidated. METHODS: This was a retrospective cohort study involving 9248 T2DM patients and 18,496 control individuals (1:2 matched). Patients were randomly selected from among inpatients in the Second Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University between 2006 and 2017. Clinical characteristics were compared between the two groups. Spearman rank-order correlation coefficients were used to evaluate the strength and direction of monotonic associations of serum Lp(a) with other metabolic risk factors. Binary logistic regression analysis was used to establish the correlation between Lp(a) levels and T2DM risk. RESULTS: The median Lp(a) concentration was lower in T2DM patients than in controls (16.42 vs. 16.88 mg/dL). Based on four quartiles of Lp(a) levels, there was a decrease in T2DM risk from 33.7% (Q1) to 31.96% (Q4) (P for trend < 0.0001). Then, Lp(a) levels > 28.72 mg/dL (Q4) were associated with a significantly lower T2DM risk in the unadjusted model [0.924 (0.861, 0.992), P = 0.030]. Similar results were obtained in adjusted models 1 [Q4, 0.925 (0.862, 0.993), P = 0.031] and 2 [Q4, 0.919 (0.854, 0.990), P = 0.026]. Furthermore, in the stratified analysis, Q4 of Lp(a) was associated with a significantly lower T2DM risk among men [0.813 (0.734, 0.900), P < 0.001] and those age > 60 years [0.819 (0.737, 0.910), P < 0.001]. In contrast, the low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) levels and coronary heart disease (CHD) did not impact these correlations between Lp(a) and diabetes. CONCLUSIONS: There is an inverse association between Lp(a) levels and T2DM risk in the Chinese population. Male patients, especially those aged more than 60 years with Lp(a) > 28.72 mg/dL, are low-risk T2DM individuals, regardless of LDL-C levels and CHD status.

Cardiovascular events in patients with familial hypercholesterolemia and hyperlipoproteinaemia (a): Indications for lipoprotein apheresis in Poland.

BACKGROUND: Lipoprotein apheresis (LA) is a safe method of reducing atherogenic lipoproteins and improving cardiovascular (CV) outcomes. We aimed to assess the reductions in low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) and lipoprotein (a) [Lp(a)] levels in patients undergoing regular LA therapy and to evaluate its influence on the incidence rate of adverse cardiac and vascular events (ACVE) and major adverse cardiac events (MACE). METHODS: A longitudinal study in Poland evaluated the prospective and retrospective observational data of 23 patients with hyperlipoproteinaemia (a) [hyper-Lp(a)] and familial hypercholesterolemia (FH), undergoing 1014 LA sessions between 2013 and 2020. Their pre- and post-apheresis LDL-C and Lp(a) levels were assessed to calculate the acute percent reductions. The time period used to evaluate annual rates of ACVE and MACE before and after initiation of LA was matched in each patient. RESULTS: The pre-apheresis LDL-C and Lp(a) concentrations were 155 (107-228) (mg/dL) (median and interquartile range) and 0.56 (0.14-1.37) (g/L), respectively. LA therapy resulted in a reduction of LDL-C to 50 (30-73.5) (mg/dL) and of Lp(a) to 0.13 (0.05-0.34) (g/L), representing a percent reduction of 70.0% and 72.7% for LDL-C and Lp(a), respectively. We found a significant reduction in the annual rate of ACVE (0.365[0.0-0.585] vs (0.0[0.0-0.265]; P = .047) and MACE (0.365[0.0-0.585] vs 0.0[0.0-0.265]; P = .031). CONCLUSIONS: The findings of our study indicate that LA treatment in patients with hyperlipoproteinaemia (a) and FH on maximally tolerated lipid lowering therapies leads to a substantial reduction in LDL-C and Lp(a) concentrations and lowers CV event rates in Polish patients.

Evaluation of the causal effects of blood lipid levels on gout with summary level GWAS data: two-sample Mendelian randomization and mediation analysis.

Observational studies have identified gout patients are often comorbid with dyslipidemia. However, the relationship between dyslipidemia and gout is still unclear. We first performed Mendelian randomization (MR) to evaluate the causal effect of four lipid traits on gout and serum urate based on publicly available GWAS summary statistics (n ~100,000 for lipid, 69,374 for gout and 110,347 for serum urate). MR showed each standard deviation (SD) (~12.26 mg/dL) increase in HDL resulted in about 25% (95% CI 9.0%-38%, p = 3.31E-3) reduction of gout risk, with 0.09 mg/dL (95% CI: -0.12 to -0.05, p = 7.00E-04) decrease in serum urate, and each SD (~112.33 mg/dL) increase of TG was associated with 0.10 mg/dL (95% CI: 0.06-0.14, p = 9.87E-05) increase in serum urate. Those results were robust against various sensitive analyses. Additionally, independent effects of HDL and TG on gout/serum urate were confirmed with multivariable MR. Finally, mediation analysis demonstrated HDL or TG could also indirectly affect gout via the pathway of serum urate. In conclusion, our study confirmed the causal associations between HDL (and TG) and gout, and further revealed the effect of HDL or TG on gout could also be mediated via serum urate.

The moderating role of underlying predictors of survival in patients with brain stroke: a statistical modeling.

Determining subclinical Brain stroke (BS) risk factors may allow for early and more operative BS prevention measures to find the main risk factors and moderating effects of survival in patients with BS. In this prospective study, a total of 332 patients were recruited from 2004 up to 2018. Cox's proportional hazard regressions were used to analyze the predictors of survival and the moderating effect by introducing the interaction effects. The survival probability 1-, 5- and 10-year death rates were 0.254, 0.053, and 0. 023, respectively. The most important risk factors for predicting BS were age category, sex, history of blood pressure, history of diabetes, history of hyperlipoproteinemia, oral contraceptive pill, hemorrhagic cerebrovascular accident. Interestingly, the age category and education level, smoking and using oral contraceptive pill moderates the relationship between the history of cerebrovascular accident, history of heart disease, and history of blood pressure with the hazard of BS, respectively. Instead of considerable advances in the treatment of the patient with BS, effective BS prevention remains the best means for dropping the BS load regarding the related factors found in this study.

The Prevalence of Elevated Lipoprotein(a) in Patients Presenting With Coronary Artery Disease.

BACKGROUND: Elevated lipoprotein(a) (Lp(a)) is an inherited lipid disorder and an independent risk factor for cardiovascular (CV) disease. Although its prevalence in the general population has been well-documented, the prevalence of elevated Lp(a) in patients with clinical coronary artery disease (CAD) is less clear. In this study, we hypothesised that there is an over-representation of elevated Lp(a) in patients with early-onset CAD compared to the general population. METHODS: Between 6 February and 8 June 2018, we screened consecutive patients aged ≤70 years who presented to the Austin Hospital with any of the following criteria: (1) acute coronary syndrome (ACS); (2) percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI); or (3) coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG). Whilst examining a range of different Lp(a) levels, a dichotomous elevated Lp(a) was defined as concentrations ≥0.5 g/L. Other CV risk factors were documented including hypertension, type 2 diabetes mellitus, and familial hypercholesterolaemia (FH) using the Dutch Lipid Clinic Network Criteria (DLCNC), also incorporating family history and clinical examination. RESULTS: One hundred and fifty-eight (158) patients were screened; 63 (39.9%) were under 60 years of age. Overall, elevated Lp(a) ≥0.5 g/L was identified in 57 patients (36.1%). Of these, nine patients (15.8%) also had probable or definite FH. General population data was obtained from the Copenhagen General Population Study which studied 6,000 men and women and showed that the estimated prevalence of Lp(a) ≥0.5 g/L in the general population was 20%. CONCLUSIONS: Elevated Lp(a) is more prevalent in patients with relatively early-onset CAD compared to the general population and may contribute to previously unappreciated residual cardiovascular risk. Patients who present with early-onset CAD, should be routinely screened for elevated Lp(a).

Actual situation of lipoprotein apheresis in patients with elevated lipoprotein(a) levels.

An elevation of lipoprotein(a) (Lp(a)) is an internationally recognized atherogenic risk factor, documented in epidemiological studies, in studies with Mendelian randomization and in genome-wide association studies (GWAS). At present, no drug is available to effectively reduce its concentration. In Germany, an elevation of Lp(a) associated with progressive cardiovascular diseases is officially recognized as an indication for a lipoprotein apheresis (LA). The number of patients who were treated with LA with this abnormality was steadily increasing in the years 2013-2016 - the official data are reported. In all new patients, who started to be treated at our LA center in 2017 (n = 20) the increased Lp(a) was a main indication for extracorporeal therapy, though some of them also showed clearly elevated LDL cholesterol (LDL-C) concentrations despite being treated with a maximal tolerated lipid-lowering drug therapy. A diabetes mellitus was seen in 5 patients. The higher was the Lp(a) level before the first LA session, the higher was the cardiovascular risk. Lp(a) concentrations measured before LA sessions were usually about 20% lower than those before the start of the LA therapy. Acutely, Lp(a) levels were reduced by about 70%. Following LA sessions the Lp(a) levels increased and in the majority reach pre-session concentrations after one week. Thus a weekly interval is best for the patients, but a few may need two sessions per week to stop the progress of atherosclerosis. The interval mean values were about 39% lower than previous levels. Several papers had been published showing a higher efficiency of LA therapy on the incidence of cardiovascular events in patients with high Lp(a) values when comparing with hypercholesterolemic patients with normal Lp(a) concentrations. Russian specific anti-Lp(a) columns positively affected coronary atherosclerosis. PCSK9 inhibitors reduce Lp(a) concentrations in many patients and in this way have a positive impact on cardiovascular outcomes. In the future, an antisense oligonucleotide against apolipoprotein(a) may be an alternative therapeutic option, provided a clear-cut reduction of cardiovascular events will be demonstrated.

Influence of lipoprotein apheresis on circulating plasma levels of miRNAs in patients with high Lp(a).

BACKGROUND: Lipoprotein apheresis (LA) is a well-established therapy for lowering lipid levels in serious cases of dyslipidaemia, including high levels of lipoprotein(a) [Lp(a)]. This method lowers both LDL cholesterol and Lp(a) by more than 60% in most of patients; however, because randomized clinical studies could be extremely difficult, also other markers of the effect of this procedures on vascular health are of importance. Therefore, in addition to changes in plasma lipids and Lp(a) during LA, we also analysed the response of biomarkers associated with vascular integrity: small non-coding microRNAs (miRNAs). MATERIALS AND METHODS: We analysed the changes in miRNAs in two women (age 70 and 72 years) with clinically manifest extensive and progressive atherosclerotic disease and high levels of Lp(a) and with different clinical course who were treated by LA. In both women we analysed changes of 175 circulating plasma miRNAs using pre-defined serum/plasma focus panels at the beginning of and one year after the therapy. RESULTS: In addition to reduced levels of plasma lipids and Lp(a), circulating plasma levels of miR-193a-5p; -215-5p; -328-3p; -130a-3p; -362-3p; -92b-3p decreased, and levels of miR-125a-5p; -185-5p; -106a-5p; -320b; -19a increased (all P < 0.05) in both women. Moderate differences were found between both women with regard to the different course of atherosclerotic disease. CONCLUSIONS: Long-term LA substantially changes circulating plasma miRNAs associated with vascular integrity reflected different clinical course in both women. If confirmed, this approach could improve the assessment of the effectiveness of this therapy on an individual basis.

Lipoprotein apheresis - Shortening of treatment intervals reduces cardiovascular events: Case reports.

BACKGROUND: Lipoprotein (Lp-) apheresis is a life-long therapy, usually performed in weekly intervals. In some cases, however, atherosclerotic disease progresses despite adequate therapy with weekly Lp-apheresis and maximal lipid lowering medication. In an attempt to improve the effectiveness of therapy, we temporarily shortened treatment intervals of Lp-apheresis in patients with elevated lipoprotein(a) (Lp(a)) and further progression of coronary atherosclerosis despite weekly Lp-apheresis and maximal lipid lowering medication. METHODS: We illustrate three case reports of patients with elevated Lp(a), who underwent regular weekly Lp-apheresis treatment for secondary prevention. The intensified treatment protocol contained three therapies in two weeks (alternating 2 per week and 1 per week). RESULTS: The shortening of treatment intervals achieved a stabilization of atherosclerotic disease in case 1. After a total of 68 therapies in 52 weeks (1.31 sessions/week) the elective coronary angiography revealed excellent long-term results. In case 2, the intensified treatment protocol is still ongoing. The patient reported a decrease in angina pectoris and an increase in exercise capacity since the beginning of more frequent therapy sessions. In some cases, as it is shown in case 3, a fast decision for shortening the treatment intervals is necessary. CONCLUSIONS: The intensified treatment regimen resulted in an improvement in clinical symptoms and no further progression of atherosclerosis. In conclusion, shorter therapeutic Lp-apheresis intervals, at least temporarily, should be considered in patients who suffer from clinical and/or angiographic progression of atherosclerosis, despite maximal lipid lowering medication and weekly Lp-apheresis.

Lipoprotein apheresis in Germany - Still more commonly indicated than implemented. How can patients in need access therapy?

BACKGROUND: Although lipid-lowering drugs, especially statins, and recently also PCSK9 inhibitors can reduce LDL cholesterol (LDL-C) and decrease the risk for cardiovascular disease (CVD) including coronary artery disease (CAD) events most efficiently, only 5-10% of high-risk cardiovascular patients reach the target values recommended by international guidelines. In patients who cannot be treated adequately by drugs it is possible to reduce increased LDL-C and/or lipoprotein(a) (Lp(a)) values by the use of lipoprotein apheresis (LA) with the potential to decrease severe CVD events in the range of 70%->80%. Even in Germany, a country with well-established reimbursement guidelines for LA, knowledge about this life-saving therapy is unsatisfactory in medical disciplines treating patients with CVD. Starting in 1996 our aim was to offer LA treatment following current guidelines for all patients in the entire region of our clinic as standard of care. METHODS: Based on the experience of our large apheresis competence center overlooking now nearly 80,000 LA treatments in the last two decades, we depict the necessary structure for identification of patients, defining indication, referral, implementation and standardisation of therapy as well as for reimbursement. LA is unfamiliar for most patients and even for many practitioners and consultants. Therefore nephrologists performing more than 90% of LA in Germany have to form a network for referral and ongoing medical education, comprising all regional care-givers, general practitioners as well as the respective specialists and insurances or other cost bearing parties for offering a scientifically approved therapeutic regimen and comprehensive care. The German Lipid Association (Lipid-Liga) has implemented the certification of a lipidological competence center as an appropriate way to realize such a network structure. RESULTS: Working as a lipidological and apheresis competence center in a region of 400,000 to 500,000 inhabitants, today we treat 160 patients in the chronic LA program. In spite of the availability of PCSK9 inhibitors since 2015, LA has remained as an indispensable therapeutic option for targeted lipid lowering treatment. An analysis of nearly 37,000 LA treatments in our own center documented a >80% reduction of cardiovascular events in patients treated by regular LA when comparing with the situation before the start of the LA therapy. We have implemented the concept of an apheresis competence center characterised by ongoing medical education with a focus on lipidological and cardiovascular aspects, interdisciplinary networking and referral. CONCLUSIONS: Incidence and prevalence of LA patients in our region demonstrate that based on our ongoing patient-centered approach the access of patients in need to LA is substantially above the German average, thus contributing to an extraordinary reduction of cardiovascular events in the population we in particular feel responsible for.

Lipoprotein apheresis in Austria - Reduction of cardiovascular events by regular lipoprotein apheresis treatment.

BACKGROUND: In Austria, about 12 patients per 1 million inhabitants are treated currently with lipoprotein (LP-) apheresis. In 2016 it has been suggested, that about 5000 patients were treated worldwide with LP-apheresis, more than half of them in Germany. Regular LP-apheresis aims to decrease apolipoprotein B-rich lipoproteins and to reduce cardiovascular events. In this analysis we present the current situation of LP-apheresis in Austria and we evaluated the cardiovascular event rate 2 years before versus 2 years after starting LP-apheresis. METHODS: A retrospective analysis of 30 patients (19 men and 11 women) was performed at Athos Institute, Vienna, Austria. The study period included two years prior versus two years after the beginning of LP-apheresis. Cardiovascular events and interventions were defined as regarding the coronary (MACE) or the non-coronary (peripheral, cerebral or renal) vascular system. RESULTS: The first cardiovascular event before treatment initiation occurred at a mean age of 48.4 years (range 34-73), treatment was started at a mean age of 55.6 years (range 34-73). The mean rate of incidence of cardiovascular events per patient per 2 years before beginning of LP-apheresis (y-2 and y-1) versus 2 years during treatment (y+1 and y+2) was reduced by 77.78% (1.50 versus 0.33 events/patient/2 years, p = 0.003). CONCLUSIONS: The significant reduction in MACE and vascular disease during regular LP-apheresis at weekly intervals is consistent with data from the literature. Difficulties arise in comparing such studies due to different definition of events or interventions and different study durations. However, LP-apheresis is an efficient treatment option and causes significantly prolonged event-free survival for patients at risk.

Lipoprotein(a): An underrecognized genetic risk factor for malignant coronary artery disease in young Indians.

Malignant coronary artery disease (CAD) refers to a severe and extensive atherosclerotic process involving multiple coronary arteries in young individuals (aged <45 years in men and <50 years in women) with a low or no burden of established risk factors. Indians, in general, develop acute myocardial infarction (AMI) about 10 years earlier; AMI rates are threefold to fivefold higher in young Indians than in other populations. Although established CAD risk factors have a predictive value, they do not fully account for the excessive burden of CAD in young Indians. Lipoprotein(a) (Lp(a)) is increasingly recognized as the strongest known genetic risk factor for premature CAD, with high levels observed in Indians with malignant CAD. High Lp(a) levels confer a twofold to threefold risk of CAD-a risk similar to that of established risk factors, including diabetes. South Asians have the second highest Lp(a) levels and the highest risk of AMI from the elevated levels, more than double the risk observed in people of European descent. Approximately 25% of Indians and other South Asians have elevated Lp(a) levels (≥50 mg/dl), rendering Lp(a) a risk factor of great importance, similar to or surpassing diabetes. Lp(a) measurement is ready for clinical use and should be an essential part of all CAD research in Indians.

Lipemia retinalis in a 27 day old neonate: A case report.

Familial combined hyperlipidemia, which presents as hypercholesterolemia or hypertriglyceridemia, is the commonest form of genetic hyperlipidemia and is associated with premature coronary artery disease. This is a rare case report of a 27 day-old neonate born out of a third-degree consanguineous marriage, with grade III lipemia retinalis secondary to familial-combined hyperlipidemia.