Undertreatment or Overtreatment With Statins: Where Are We?

Statins, in addition to healthy lifestyle interventions, are the cornerstone of lipid-lowering therapy. Other low-density lipoprotein (LDL)-lowering drugs include ezetimibe, bile acid sequestrants, and PCSK9 inhibitors. As new evidence emerges from new clinical trials, therapeutic goals change, leading to renewed clinical guidelines.

A retrospective analysis of incidence and severity of COVID-19 among hypertensive patients: the other side.

Objective: The role of hypertension in COVID-19 has not been clearly elucidated yet. The aim of this study was to evaluate the incidence and severity of COVID-19 in a hypertensive population and assess whether there is a link between blood pressure control and SARS-CoV-2 infection outcomes.

Methods: This was a single-center retrospective observational study that evaluated the incidence and severity of COVID-19 in a chronic hypertensive population (n=1,637) from a specialized consultation of Hypertension and Cardiovascular Risk of Internal Medicine in a tertiary hospital in Madrid (Spain).

Identification of a Plasma Microrna Signature as Biomarker of Subaneurysmal Aortic Dilation in Patients with High Cardiovascular Risk.

Patients with subaneurysmal aortic dilation (SAD; 25-29 mm diameter) are likely to progress to true abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA). Despite these patients having a higher risk of all-cause mortality than subjects with aortic size <24 mm, early diagnostic biomarkers are lacking. MicroRNAs (miRs) are well-recognized potential biomarkers due to their differential expression in different tissues and their stability in blood.

Transient ischaemic attack after spacing the dose of alirocumab: Is it advisable to reduce the doses of PCSK9 inhibitors with very low LDL-cholesterols?

Inhibitors of the protein PCSK9, available since 2015, are capable of reducing the concentration of low density lipoprotein cholesterol by 40 to 70%, thus reducing the cardiovascular risk. The present case reports an adverse cardiovascular event that appeared when spacing out the administration of lipid-lowering treatment. A discussion will be presented on the importance of maintaining low cholesterol levels in order to achieve a greater benefit, according to the latest published clinical studies.

Usefulness of compounds with monacolin K in a case of statins intolerance.

Many patients with familial hypercholesterolaemia (FH) or in secondary prevention situations and with statin intolerance do not achieve LDL-C targets, and require treatment with PCSK9 inhibitors (iPCSK9) and ezetimibe. The case is presented on a patient with FH and total intolerance to statins. Treatment with iPCSK9 and ezetimibe failed to achieve her LDL-C target.

Cholesterol control according to the presence of metabolic syndrome in coronary and diabetic patients. Relationship with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease.

Background And Aims: Metabolic syndrome (MS) is an association of cardiovascular risk factors that increases the risk of coronary disease or type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM2), and has also been associated with the presence of liver steatosis (LS). In this study the relation of MS and LS with cholesterol control was analyzed in very high cardiovascular risk patients (coronary patients and/or DM2).

Methods: A cross-sectional epidemiological study including 6988 patients, from whom information was obtained on their characteristics, lipid profile and treatments.

Diurnal triglyceridemia in relation to alcohol intake in men.

Fasting and postprandial triglyceride concentrations largely depend on dietary and lifestyle factors. Alcohol intake is associated with triglycerides, but the effect of alcohol on diurnal triglyceridemia in a free living situation is unknown. During three days, 139 men (range: 18-80 years) measured their own capillary triglyceride (cTG) concentrations daily on six fixed time-points before and after meals, and the total daily alcohol intake was recorded.

Alcohol and plasma triglycerides.

Purpose Of Review: This study reviews recent developments concerning the effects of alcohol on plasma triglycerides. The focus will be on population, intervention and metabolic studies with respect to alcohol and plasma triglycerides.

Recent Findings: Alcohol consumption and fat ingestion are closely associated and stimulated by each other via hypothalamic signals and by an elevated cephalic response.