Subjects with familial hypercholesterolemia are characterized by an inflammatory phenotype despite long-term intensive cholesterol lowering treatment.

Objective: The atherosclerotic process is driven by elevated Low-density lipoprotein (LDL)-cholesterol in combination with enhanced inflammatory responses. Several mediators participate in this complex inflammatory network including members of the tumour necrosis factor (receptor) superfamily. Familial hypercholesterolemia (FH) is associated with increased risk of developing premature atherosclerosis.

Lipoprotein(a) levels in coronary heart disease-susceptible and -resistant patients with familial hypercholesterolemia.

Objective: Familial hypercholesterolemia (FH) is caused by defects in genes coding for proteins involved in low density lipoprotein (LDL) metabolism, and is associated with increased risk of premature coronary heart disease (CHD). The clinical phenotype of FH exhibits marked variability due to additional metabolic and environmental factors, and further biomarkers are required for appropriate risk assessment. The aim of the present study was to search for risk markers among FH patients.