Publications by authors named "Maria Angeliki Dimopoulou"

Proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9 inhibitors (PCSK9i) represent a novel class of hypolipidemic drugs, providing an additional therapeutic option over conventional hypolipidemic treatments. Given the constantly lowering recommended LDL-C goals, low goal achievement rate and low compliance with treatment, new hypolipidemic drug classes may substantially contribute to residual risk reduction for atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD). This review aims to summarize contemporary evidence on the clinical role of PCSK9i in ASCVD prevention.

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Background: The effect of SARS-CoV-2 infection in blood lipids of homozygous familial hypercholesterolemia (HoFH) has not been explored.

Case Summary: We report a case of a 43-year-old male patient with -/-LDLR HoFH with previous history of premature coronary artery disease, coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) and surgical repair of aortic valve stenosis. He presented with an abrupt decrease of his blood lipid levels during acute infection with SARS-CoV2 and subsequently a rebound increase above pre-infection levels, refractory to treatment including LDL-apheresis, statin, ezetimibe and lomitapide up-titration to maximum tolerated doses.

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Article Synopsis
  • The study investigates the effectiveness of high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hsCRP) and carotid ultrasound in determining eligibility for cholesterol-lowering treatments, focusing on differences between men and women.
  • It analyzes data from two Greek cohorts to estimate the risk of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD) using specific tools and identifies where carotid plaque and elevated hsCRP levels influence treatment eligibility.
  • Results show that women initially have lower eligibility for treatment, but when accounting for carotid plaque and hsCRP, their eligibility significantly increases compared to men, highlighting the need for further research on treatment impacts in these populations.
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Background: Accumulating evidence suggests that endothelial dysfunction is implicated in the pathogenesis and severity of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). In this context, vascular impairment in COVID-19 might be associated with clinical manifestations and could refine risk stratification in these patients.

Methods: This systematic review aims to synthesize current evidence on the frequency and the prognostic value of vascular dysfunction during acute and post-recovery COVID-19.

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Aims: The clinical value of carotid atherosclerosis markers for residual risk stratification in high atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD) risk patients is not established. We aimed to derive and validate optimal values of markers of carotid subclinical atherosclerosis improving risk stratification in guidelines-defined high ASCVD risk patients.

Methods And Results: We consecutively analysed high or very high ASCVD risk patients from a cardiovascular (CV) prevention registry (n = 751, derivation cohort) and from the Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities (ARIC) study (n = 2,897, validation cohort).

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