Cardiovascular event rates increase after each recurrence and associate with poor statin adherence

2020 ◽  
pp. 204748732090433 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mariann I Lassenius ◽  
Iiro Toppila ◽  
Susanne Bergius ◽  
Julia Perttilä ◽  
KE Juhani Airaksinen ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Cardiovascular Event ◽  
Cardiovascular Events ◽  
Low Density Lipoprotein ◽  
Density Lipoprotein ◽  
Lipoprotein Cholesterol ◽  
Lipid Lowering ◽  
Low Density ◽  
Low Density Lipoprotein Cholesterol ◽  
Increased Risk ◽  
Event Rates

Aims The study evaluated the quality of cardiovascular prevention in real-world clinical practice. The recurrence of up to five cardiovascular events was assessed, as data on recurrence beyond the first event and interindividual variations in event rates past the second event have been sparse. Low-density lipoprotein cholesterol concentrations and lipid-lowering therapy use were investigated. Methods This retrospective register-based study included adult patients with an incident cardiovascular event between 2004 and 2016 treated in the hospital district of southwest Finland. Patients were followed for consecutive cardiovascular events or cardiovascular death, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol and statin purchases. The timing of event recurrence was evaluated, and predictive factors were assessed. Results A wide interindividual variation in cardiovascular event recurrence was observed, each additional event caused an increased risk, the median time of recurrence decreased from 7 to one year for the second and fifth event. Event rates increased correspondingly from 12 to 43/100 patient-years and were most pronounced in the first years following the previous event. The low-density lipoprotein cholesterol goal (<1.8 mmol/l) was reached by 18% in the year after the event and statin underuse was associated with an increased risk of recurrence. Six months after the index event high intensity statins were used by only 22% of the cohort. Conclusion The study provides new perspectives on individual risk assessment showing that event rates are not stable for all patients but increase 1.2–1.9-fold per consecutive event. The underuse of statins and poor adherence support the identification of these patients for intensified multifactorial preventive measures.

scholarly journals Influence of lipid-lowering drugs on inflammation: what is yet to be done?

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sabina Ugovšek ◽  
Janja Zupan ◽  
Andreja Rehberger Likozar ◽  
Miran Sebestjen
Keyword(s):  
Cardiovascular Events ◽  
Low Density Lipoprotein ◽  
Density Lipoprotein ◽  
Lipoprotein Cholesterol ◽  
Lipid Lowering ◽  
Low Density ◽  
C Reactive Protein ◽  
Low Density Lipoprotein Cholesterol ◽  
Reactive Protein ◽  
Lipid Lowering Drugs

Atherosclerosis is a chronic inflammatory disease that is associated with risk of cardiovascular events. The best-characterised and well-standardised clinical indicator of inflammation is C-reactive protein. Current evidence-based drug therapies for prevention and treatment of cardiovascular diseases are mainly focused on reduction of low-density lipoprotein cholesterol. However, these drugs do not provide sufficient protection against recurrent cardiovascular events. One of the possible mechanisms behind this recurrence might be the persistence of residual inflammation. For the most commonly used lipid-lowering drugs, the statins, their reduction of cardiovascular events goes beyond lowering of low-density lipoprotein cholesterol. Here, we review the effects of these lipid-lowering drugs on inflammation, in terms of statins, ezetimibe, fibrates, niacin, proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9 inhibitors, bempedoic acid, ethyl eicosapentaenoic acid and antisense oligonucleotides. We focus in particular on C-reactive protein, and discuss how the effects of the statins might be related to reduced rates of cardiovascular events.

scholarly journals Changes in circulating pro-protein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9 levels – experimental and clinical approaches with lipid-lowering agents

2019 ◽  
Vol 26 (9) ◽  
pp. 930-949 ◽  
Author(s):  
C Macchi ◽  
M Banach ◽  
A Corsini ◽  
CR Sirtori ◽  
N Ferri ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Cardiovascular Risk ◽  
Cardiovascular Events ◽  
Low Density Lipoprotein ◽  
Density Lipoprotein ◽  
Cardiovascular Outcomes ◽  
Lipoprotein Cholesterol ◽  
Lipid Lowering ◽  
Low Density ◽  
Low Density Lipoprotein Cholesterol ◽  
Coronary Syndrome

Regulation of pro-protein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9 (PCSK9) by drugs has led to the development of a still small number of agents with powerful activity on low-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels, associated with a significant reduction of cardiovascular events in patients in secondary prevention. The Further Cardiovascular Outcomes Research with PCSK9 Inhibition in Subjects with Elevated Risk (FOURIER) and Evaluation of Cardiovascular Outcomes After an Acute Coronary Syndrome During Treatment With Alirocumab (ODYSSEY OUTCOMES) studies, with the two available PCSK9 antagonists, i.e. evolocumab and alirocumab, both reported a 15% reduction in major adverse cardiovascular events. Regulation of PCSK9 expression is dependent upon a number of factors, partly genetic and partly associated to a complex transcriptional system, mainly controlled by sterol regulatory element binding proteins. PCSK9 is further regulated by concomitant drug treatments, particularly by statins, enhancing PCSK9 secretion but decreasing its stimulatory phosphorylated form (S688). These complex transcriptional mechanisms lead to variable circulating levels making clinical measurements of plasma PCSK9 for cardiovascular risk assessment a debated matter. Determination of total PCSK9 levels may provide a diagnostic tool for explaining an apparent resistance to PCSK9 inhibitors, thus indicating the need for other approaches. Newer agents targeting PCSK9 are in clinical development with a major interest in those with a longer duration of action, e.g. RNA silencing, allowing optimal patient compliance. Interest has been expanded to areas not only limited to low-density lipoprotein cholesterol reduction but also investigating other non-lipid pathways raising cardiovascular risk, in particular inflammation associated to raised high-sensitivity C-reactive protein levels, not significantly affected by the present PCSK9 antagonists.

scholarly journals Low-density Lipoprotein Cholesterol and Risk of Intracerebral Hemorrhage: A Prospective Study, Systematic Review, and Meta-analysis (P18-029-19)

2019 ◽  
Vol 3 (Supplement_1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Chaoran Ma ◽  
M Edip Gurol ◽  
Zhe Huang ◽  
Alice Lichtenstein ◽  
Xiuyan Wang ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Intracerebral Hemorrhage ◽  
Hemorrhagic Stroke ◽  
Meta Analysis ◽  
Low Density Lipoprotein ◽  
Density Lipoprotein ◽  
Lipoprotein Cholesterol ◽  
Lipid Lowering ◽  
Low Density ◽  
Low Density Lipoprotein Cholesterol ◽  
Increased Risk

Abstract Objectives To prospectively examine the association between low density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) concentrations and intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH) risk, and test the association in a meta-analysis combining the present data with previous studies. Methods The current cohort study included 96,043 participants (mean age 51.3 y), free of stroke, myocardial infarction, and cancer at baseline (2006). Serum LDL-C concentrations were assessed in 2006, 2008, 2010 and 2012. Cumulative average LDL-C concentrations were calculated from all available LDL-C data during that period. Incident ICH was confirmed by review of medical records. Results We identified 753 incident ICH cases during 9 years of follow-up. The ICH risk was similar among participants with LDL concentrations of 70–99 mg/dL and those with LDL-C concentrations ≥100 mg/dL. In contrast, participants with LDL-C concentrations less than 70 mg/dL had a significantly higher risk of developing ICH than those with LDL-C concentrations of 70–99 mg/dL –adjusted HR 1.65 (95%CI, 1.32 to 2.05) for LDL-C concentrations of 50–69 mg/dL and 2.69 (95%CI, 2.03 to 3.57) for LDL-C concentrations of <50 mg/dL. In the meta-analysis of 11 prospective studies, the pooled HRs of hemorrhagic stroke for per 10 mg/dL decrement in LDL-C was 1.03 (95% CI, 1.01 to 1.06). Conclusions We observed a significant association between lower LDL-C and higher risk of ICH when LDL-C concentrations <70 mg/dL, and the risk decreased to a non-significance level and stabilized when LDL-C ≥70 mg/dL. These data can help determination of ideal LDL range in patients who are at increased risk of both atherosclerotic disease and hemorrhagic stroke and also guide planning of future lipid lowering studies. Funding Sources Supported by the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke at the National Institutes of Health. Supporting Tables, Images and/or Graphs

scholarly journals Intensive low-density lipoprotein cholesterol lowering in cardiovascular disease prevention: opportunities and challenges

Heart ◽  
2021 ◽  
pp. heartjnl-2020-318760
Author(s):  
Chris Packard ◽  
M John Chapman ◽  
Mahendra Sibartie ◽  
Ulrich Laufs ◽  
Luis Masana
Keyword(s):  
Low Density Lipoprotein ◽  
Density Lipoprotein ◽  
Evidence Base ◽  
Lipoprotein Cholesterol ◽  
Lipid Lowering ◽  
Low Density ◽  
Low Density Lipoprotein Cholesterol ◽  
Increased Risk ◽  
Intervention Trials ◽  
European Society Of Cardiology

Elevated levels of low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) are associated with increased risk of coronary heart disease and stroke. Guidelines for the management of dyslipidaemia from the European Society of Cardiology (ESC) and the European Atherosclerosis Society (EAS) were updated in late 2019 in light of recent intervention trials involving the use of innovative lipid-lowering agents in combination with statins. The new guidelines advocate achieving very low LDL-C levels in individuals at highest risk, within the paradigm of ‘lower is better’. With the advent of combination therapy using ezetimibe and/or proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9 inhibitors in addition to statins, the routine attainment of extremely low LDL-C levels in the clinic has become a reality. Moreover, clinical trials in this setting have shown that, over the 5–7 years of treatment experience to date, profound LDL-C lowering leads to further reduction in cardiovascular events compared with more moderate lipid lowering, with no associated safety concerns. These reassuring findings are bolstered by genetic studies showing lifelong very low LDL-C levels (<1.4 mmol/L; <55 mg/dL) are associated with lower cardiovascular risk than in the general population, with no known detrimental health effects. Nevertheless, long-term safety studies are required to consolidate the present evidence base. This review summarises key data supporting the ESC/EAS recommendation to reduce markedly LDL-C levels, with aggressive goals for LDL-C in patients at highest risk, and provides expert opinion on its significance for clinical practice.

scholarly journals Predictive value of small dense low-density lipoprotein cholesterol for cardiovascular events in Chinese elder diabetes mellitus patients

2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Li Xu ◽  
Xu Chen ◽  
Jingfen Lu ◽  
Yan Xu ◽  
Honglin Yang ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Predictive Value ◽  
Cardiovascular Events ◽  
Cox Regression ◽  
Low Density Lipoprotein ◽  
Density Lipoprotein ◽  
Lipoprotein Cholesterol ◽  
Low Density ◽  
Low Density Lipoprotein Cholesterol ◽  
Type 2 Dm

Abstract Background As a subcomponent of low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), small dense LDL-C (sdLDL-C) has been suggested to be a better predictor of cardiovascular diseases (CVD). The aim of this research was to evaluate the predictive value of the sdLDL-C in cardiovascular events (CVs) in Chinese elderly patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM). Methods A total of 386 consecutive type 2 DM patients were included into this study during December 2014 to December 2016. The serum sdLDL-C level of each subject was measured by homogeneous method. During a period of 48-month’s follow-up, the occurrence of CVs and associated clinical information were recorded. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves were used to assess the predictive value of serum sdLDL-C to occurrence of major CVs. Results A total of 92 CVs occurred during the study period. The ROC curve analysis manifested that sdLDL-C in the study population had a matchable discriminatory power (AUC for sdLDL-C was 0.7366, P = 0.003). In addition, Kaplan-Meier event-free survival curves displayed an obvious increase of CVs risk for sdLDL‐C ≧ 26 mg/dL (log-rank = 9.10, P = 0.003). This phenomenon had analogous results in patients who received statins at baseline (log rank = 7.336, P = 0.007). Cox regression analysis revealed that the increase in HbA1c, glucose, LDL-C, sdLDL-C, non-high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (non-HDL-C) and apolipoprotein B (ApoB) and the decrease in apolipoprotein AI (ApoAI) were obviously interrelated with heightened CVs risk. Multiple Cox regression demonstrated that the increase of sdLDL-C and hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) was significantly correlated with CVs. The results of the study indicated that high sdLDL-C level (> 10 mg/dL) was a risk factor for CVs in the multivariate model (HR 1.281, 95% CI 1.225–16.032; P < 0.01). Conclusion sdLDL-C level could be an effective predictor in predicting the future CVs for Chinese elderly patients with type 2 DM and dyslipidemia.

scholarly journals U-Shaped Relationship of Low-Density Lipoprotein Cholesterol With Risk of Severe COVID-19 From a Multicenter Pooled Analysis

2021 ◽  
Vol 8 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jiao Gong ◽  
Yaqiong Chen ◽  
Yusheng Jie ◽  
Mingkai Tan ◽  
Zhaofang Jiang ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Low Density Lipoprotein ◽  
Density Lipoprotein ◽  
Lipoprotein Cholesterol ◽  
Lipid Lowering ◽  
Lipid Lowering Therapy ◽  
Low Density ◽  
Low Density Lipoprotein Cholesterol ◽  
Odds Ratios ◽  
Lowering Therapy ◽  
Severe Group

Low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) is a well-known risk factor for coronary heart disease but protects against infection and sepsis. We aimed to disclose the exact association between LDL-C and severe 2019 novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19). Baseline data were retrospectively collected for 601 non-severe COVID-19 patients from two centers in Guangzhou and one center in Shenzhen, and patients on admission were medically observed for at least 15 days to determine the final outcome, including the non-severe group (n = 460) and the severe group (severe and critical cases) (n = 141). Among 601 cases, 76 (12.65%) received lipid-lowering therapy; the proportion of patients taking lipid-lowering drugs in the severe group was higher than that in the non-severe group (22.7 vs. 9.6%). We found a U-shaped association between LDL-C level and risk of severe COVID-19 using restricted cubic splines. Using univariate logistic regression analysis, odds ratios for severe COVID-19 for patients with LDL-C ≤1.6 mmol/L (61.9 mg/dL) and above 3.4 mmol/L (131.4 mg/dL) were 2.29 (95% confidence interval 1.12–4.68; p = 0.023) and 2.02 (1.04–3.94; p = 0.039), respectively, compared to those with LDL-C of 2.81–3.40 mmol/L (108.6–131.4 mg/dL); following multifactorial adjustment, odds ratios were 2.61 (1.07–6.37; p = 0.035) and 2.36 (1.09–5.14; p = 0.030). Similar results were yielded using 0.3 and 0.5 mmol/L categories of LDL-C and sensitivity analyses. Both low and high LDL-C levels were significantly associated with higher risk of severe COVID-19. Although our findings do not necessarily imply causality, they suggest that clinicians should pay more attention to lipid-lowering therapy in COVID-19 patients to improve clinical prognosis.

Abstract P43: Frequency and Predictors of Low-Density Lipoprotein Cholesterol Control and Appropriate Response to Elevated LDL-C Levels in Patients with Cardiovascular Disease

2011 ◽  
Vol 4 (suppl_2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Salim S Virani ◽  
Lechauncy D Woodard ◽  
Supicha Sookanan ◽  
Cassie R Landrum ◽  
Tracy H Urech ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Cardiovascular Disease ◽  
Low Density Lipoprotein ◽  
Medication Possession Ratio ◽  
Density Lipoprotein ◽  
Lipoprotein Cholesterol ◽  
Lipid Lowering ◽  
Low Density ◽  
Low Density Lipoprotein Cholesterol ◽  
To Receive

Background: Although current cholesterol performance measures define good quality as low density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) levels < 100mg/dl in cardiovascular disease (CVD) patients, they provide a snap shot at one time point and do not inform whether an appropriate action was taken to manage elevated LDL-C levels. We assessed frequency and predictors of this appropriate response (AR). Methods: We used administrative data to assess 22,902 CVD patients receiving care in a Veterans Affairs network of 7 hospitals and affiliated clinics. We determined the proportion of CVD patients at LDL-C goal <100 mg/dl, and the proportion of patients with uncontrolled LDL-C levels (>100 mg/dl) who had an AR [defined as the initiation or dosage increase of a lipid lowering medication (LLM), addition of a new LLM, receipt of maximum dosage or >1 LLM, or LDL-C reading <100 mg/dl] at 45 days follow-up. Logistic regression was performed to evaluate facility, provider and patient characteristics associated with AR. Results: LDL-C levels were at goal in 16,350 (71.4%) patients. An additional 2,110 (9.2%) had an AR at 45 days of follow-up. Controlling for clustering between facilities and patient's illness severity, history of diabetes (OR 1.18, 95% CI 1.03-1.35), hypertension (OR 1.21, 95% CI 1.02-1.44), patients showing good medication adherence (medication possession ratio > 0.8) [OR 2.29, 95% CI 1.99-2.64] were associated with AR. Older CVD patients (age >75 years) were less likely to receive AR (OR 0.60, 95% CI 0.52-0.70). Teaching vs. non-teaching facility (p=0.40), physician vs. non-physician provider (p=0.14), specialist vs. non-specialist primary care provider (p=0.12), and patient's race (p=0.12) were not predictors of AR. Conclusion: Among patients with CVD and LDL-C above guideline recommended levels, only one-third receive AR. Diabetic and hypertensive CVD patients are more likely to receive AR, whereas older Veterans with CVD receive AR less often likely reflecting providers' belief of lack of efficacy from treatment intensification in older CVD patients. Our findings are important for quality improvement and policy making initiatives as they provide more actionable information compared with isolated LDL-C goal attainment as a quality indicator.

Comparison of LDL-C calculation by friedewald and martin/hopkins methods in 12,243 adults from the United States of America

2020 ◽  
Vol 41 (Supplement_2) ◽  
Author(s):  
P Penson ◽  
S.S Martin ◽  
N.C Henney ◽  
M Banach
Keyword(s):  
Low Density Lipoprotein ◽  
Density Lipoprotein ◽  
Threshold Value ◽  
The United States ◽  
Lipoprotein Cholesterol ◽  
Lipid Lowering ◽  
Lipid Lowering Therapy ◽  
Low Density ◽  
Strongly Correlated ◽  
Low Density Lipoprotein Cholesterol

Abstract Background Low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) is an established risk factor for cardiovascular disease (CVD), and a target for lipid-lowering therapy. LDL-C is typically not measured directly but is estimated using the Friedewald formula, which assumes a fixed factor for the ratio of triglycerides (TG) to very low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (VLDL-C). However this assumption is sometimes not valid. The Martin/Hopkins (M/H) formula estimates LDL-C using an adjustable factor for the TG:VLDL-C ratio and is expected to improve upon Friedewald when predicting measured LDL-C, and apolipoprotein B (ApoB), one molecule of which is associated with each LDL particle. Purpose We compared values of LDL-C calculated by the Friedewald and M/H methods with respect to their correlation with non-high density lipoprotein cholesterol (non-HDL-C) and ApoB, and their classification of individuals based upon attainment of the threshold value of 70 mg/dl (1.8 mmol/l) of LDL-C. This cut-point is a treatment target for individuals at high risk of CVD in the 2019 ESC guidelines for lipid modification, and a threshold for initiating statin therapy in the 2019 ACC/AHA guidelines. Methods In this analysis we included participants in the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) from 2005–2016, age ≥18, &lt;80 years who had measurements for total cholesterol (TC), TG and HDL-C. LDL-C was calculated using Friedewald and M/H. We correlated LDL-C (calculated using the two methods) with non-HDL-C and ApoB. We identified individuals with LDL-C &lt;70 mg/dl using both methods. When LDL-C (Friedewald) was &lt;70, but LDL-C (M/H) was &gt;70, we classified these participants as discordant. Statistical analyses were performed in IBM SPSS for Windows v26. Results 12,243 individuals were included. 51.8% were female, mean (±SD) age was 45.5±17.4, 15.3% were treated with statins, ApoB was available for 2179 participants. Mean lipid concentrations (mg/dl) were: TC: 191.5±41.0, TG: 120.0±67.0, HDL-C: 54.1±15.7, LDL-C (Friedewald): 113.3±35.4; LDL-C (M/H): 114.9±35.2. In the whole population, LDL-C (M/H) was more strongly correlated than LDL-C (Friedewald) with ApoB (r=0.935 v 0.894) and non-HDL-C (r=0.981 v 0.944). In statin-treated participants, LDL-C (M/H) was also more strongly correlated with ApoB (r=0.951 v 0.914) and non-HDL-C (r=0.979 v 0.928). 1139 participants had LDL-C (Friedewald) &lt;70 mg/dl. Of these, 206 individuals (18.1%) were discordant, having LDL-C (M/H) &gt;70 mg/dl. Amongst statin-treated patients, 22.9% were discordant. Only 5.5% of individuals with LDL-C (M/H) &lt;70 mg/dl showed reverse discordance (LDL-C (Friedewald) &gt;70 mg/dl). Conclusions The M/H method of calculating LDL-C correlates more strongly with non-HDL-C and ApoB than Friedewald. Importantly the discordant results confirm previous observations that Friedewald underestimates LDL-C at low concentrations. This may result in under-use of lipid-lowering therapies. Funding Acknowledgement Type of funding source: None

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