Safety and Efficacy of BioMime Sirolimus-Eluting Stent System in All-Comers Real-World Population With Coronary Artery Stenosis: MILES Global Registry.

Background: This study evaluated the safety and efficacy of BioMime sirolimus-eluting stent (SES) system, with an ultra-low strut thickness (65 µm), in real-world all-comers population with coronary artery stenosis (CAD).

Methods: This was a post-marketing, multicenter, single-arm, observational clinical registry among patients undergoing intervention for CAD. Patients were clinically followed up at 1, 9, 12, and 24 months after the index percutaneous coronary intervention.

Evinacumab for Pediatric Patients With Homozygous Familial Hypercholesterolemia.

Background: Homozygous familial hypercholesterolemia (HoFH) is a rare genetic disorder characterized by severely elevated low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) levels due to profoundly defective LDL receptor (LDLR) function. Given that severely elevated LDL-C starts in utero, atherosclerosis often presents during childhood or adolescence, creating a largely unmet need for aggressive LDLR-independent lipid-lowering therapies in young patients with HoFH. Here we present the first evaluation of the efficacy and safety of evinacumab, a novel LDLR-independent lipid-lowering therapy, in pediatric patients with HoFH from parts A and B of a 3-part study.

2023 Taiwan Society of Cardiology (TSOC) and Taiwan College of Rheumatology (TCR) Joint Consensus on Connective Tissue Disease-Associated Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension.

Background: Pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH), defined as the presence of a mean pulmonary artery pressure > 20 mmHg, pulmonary artery wedge pressure ≤ 15 mmHg, and pulmonary vascular resistance (PVR) > 2 Wood units based on expert consensus, is characterized by a progressive and sustained increase in PVR, which may lead to right heart failure and death. PAH is a well-known complication of connective tissue diseases (CTDs), such as systemic sclerosis, systemic lupus erythematosus, Sjogren's syndrome, and other autoimmune conditions. In the past few years, tremendous progress in the understanding of PAH pathogenesis has been made, with various novel diagnostic and screening methods for the early detection of PAH proposed worldwide.

Real-World Analyses of the Treatment Conditions in Patients Initiating Proprotein Convertase Subtilisin/Kexin Type 9 (PCSK9) Inhibitor in Taiwan.

Aims: Proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9 (PCSK9) inhibitor is a powerful low density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C)-lowering therapy, but this drug is expensive. This study aimed to describe the real-world treatment conditions in patients initiating PCSK9 inhibitor in Taiwan.

Methods: This was a multicenter, retrospective, and observational study.

Efficacy and Safety of Alirocumab in Children and Adolescents With Homozygous Familial Hypercholesterolemia: Phase 3, Multinational Open-Label Study.

Background: Despite progress in treating homozygous familial hypercholesterolemia, most patients do not achieve low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) targets. This study examined efficacy and safety of the PCSK9 (proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9) inhibitor, alirocumab, in pediatric patients (aged 8-17 years) with inadequately controlled homozygous familial hypercholesterolemia.

Methods: In this open-label, single-arm, multinational, Phase 3 study, patients (n=18) received alirocumab 75 mg or 150 mg (bodyweight <50 kg/≥50 kg) every 2 weeks as an adjunct to background treatment.

Association between visit-to-visit blood pressure variability and adverse events in coronary artery disease patients after coronary intervention.

Blood pressure variability (BPV) is independently associated with higher cardiovascular risks. However, whether BPV is associated with poor outcomes for coronary artery disease (CAD) patients after percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) remained undetermined. We aimed to investigate the relationship between BPV and the outcomes of CAD patients undergoing PCI.

Association between phosphate and long-term outcome in CAD patients underwent coronary intervention.

Phosphate has been linked to higher cardiovascular (CV) risk. However, whether phosphate is associated with poor outcomes for patients with coronary artery disease (CAD) after percutaneous coronary interventions (PCIs) remained undetermined. 2,894 CAD patients (2,220 male, aged 71.

Optimal blood pressure for patients with end-stage renal disease following coronary interventions.

Hypertension is a frequent manifestation of chronic kidney disease but the ideal blood pressure (BP) target in patients with coronary artery disease (CAD) with end-stage renal disease (ESRD) (eGFR < 15 ml/min/1.73m ) still unclear. The authors aimed to investigate the ideal achieved BP in ESRD patients with CAD after coronary intervention.

Genetic Analysis in a Taiwanese Cohort of 750 Index Patients with Clinically Diagnosed Familial Hypercholesterolemia.

Aim: Familial hypercholesterolemia (FH) is underdiagnosed in most countries. The genetic heterogeneity of FH requires an algorithm to efficiently integrate genetic testing into clinical practice. We aimed to report the spectrum of genetic mutations from patients with clinically diagnosed FH in Taiwan.

Efficacy and Safety of Long-Term Evolocumab Use Among Asian Subjects - A Subgroup Analysis of the Further Cardiovascular Outcomes Research With PCSK9 Inhibition in Subjects With Elevated Risk (FOURIER) Trial.

Background: There are concerns that Asian patients respond differently to some medications. This study evaluated the efficacy and safety of evolocumab among Asian vs. other subjects in the FOURIER trial, which randomized stable atherosclerosis patients to receive either evolocumab or placebo.

Genetic Diagnosis of Familial Hypercholesterolemia in Asia.

Familial hypercholesterolemia (FH) is a common genetic disease with an incidence of about 1 in 200-500 individuals. Genetic mutations markedly elevate low-density lipoprotein cholesterol and atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD) in FH patients. With advances in clinical diagnosis and genetic testing, more genetic mutations have been detected, including those in low-density lipoprotein receptor (), apolipoprotein B (), proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9 (), and so on.

Efficacy and Safety of Alirocumab in Adults With Homozygous Familial Hypercholesterolemia: The ODYSSEY HoFH Trial.

Background: Homozygous familial hypercholesterolemia (HoFH) is characterized by extremely elevated low-density lipoprotein-cholesterol (LDL-C) levels and early onset atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease despite treatment with conventional lipid-lowering treatment.

Objectives: This study was designed to assess LDL-C reduction with the proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9 inhibitor alirocumab in adult patients with HoFH.

Methods: This randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, parallel-group, phase 3 study evaluated efficacy and safety of alirocumab 150 mg every 2 weeks.

Association between Preoperative Nutritional Status and Clinical Outcomes of Patients with Coronary Artery Disease Undergoing Percutaneous Coronary Intervention.

Background: Malnutrition is associated with poor outcomes in patients with cancer, heart failure and chronic kidney disease. This study aimed to investigate the predictive value of the Controlling Nutritional Status (CONUT) score in coronary artery disease (CAD) patients.

Methods: We recruited a cohort of 3118 patients with CAD undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) from 2005 to 2015.

Systemic immune-inflammation index (SII) predicted clinical outcome in patients with coronary artery disease.

Background: This study examines the predictive value of a novel systemic immune-inflammation index (SII, platelet × neutrophil/lymphocyte ratio) in coronary artery disease (CAD) patients.

Methods: A total of 5602 CAD patients who had undergone a percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) were enrolled. They were divided into two groups by baseline SII score (high SII vs low SII) to analyse the relationship between SII groups and the long-term outcome.

Association of variability in uric acid and future clinical outcomes of patient with coronary artery disease undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention.

Background And Aims: Hyperuricemia is independently associated with cardiovascular disease (CVD) and is considered to be one of the major risk factors for CVD. However, the impact of inter-visit uric acid (UA) variability on cardiovascular risk remains undetermined.

Methods: We enrolled 3202 patients with coronary artery disease (CAD), who received successful coronary intervention, in a cohort from Taipei Veterans General Hospital from 2006 to 2015.

Clinical Evaluation Of Evolocumab For The Treatment Of Homozygous Familial Hypercholesterolemia In Chinese Patients.

Evolocumab, which can lower low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol levels by approximately 60% and prevent cardiovascular events in patients with cardiovascular disease, is a monoclonal antibody that inhibits proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9 (PCSK9). Some studies have investigated its efficacy and safety in the treatment of the homozygous form of familial hypercholesterolemia (HoFH), and others have focused on its efficacy and safety in Asians with high cardiovascular risk. Although no direct evolocumab clinical trials have been conducted in Chinese HoFH patients, its efficacy and safety in the Chinese population should be similar to those in other ethnic groups.

Comparative aspects of the care of familial hypercholesterolemia in the "Ten Countries Study".

Background: There is a lack of information on the health care of familial hypercholesterolemia (FH).

Objective: The objective of this study was to compare the health care of FH in countries of the Asia-Pacific region and Southern Hemisphere.

Methods: A series of questionnaires were completed by key opinion leaders from selected specialist centers in 12 countries concerning aspects of the care of FH, including screening, diagnosis, risk assessment, treatment, teaching/training, and research; the United Kingdom (UK) was used as the international benchmark.

Comparison of the 2017 Taiwan lipid guidelines and the Western lipid guidelines for high risk patients.

Dyslipidemia is a major contributor in initiation, development and progression of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD). Most lipid guidelines are from Europe and America and centered on the reduction of atherogenic lipids levels through lifestyle intervention and pharmacotherapy. Recently, the 2017 Taiwan lipid guidelines for high risk patients was published to facilitate the control of dyslipidemia in patients that are highly susceptible to ASCVD, including patients with preexisting ASCVD, diabetes, chronic kidney disease and familial hypercholesterolemia.

Efficacy of Rosuvastatin in Children With Homozygous Familial Hypercholesterolemia and Association With Underlying Genetic Mutations.

Background: Homozygous familial hypercholesterolemia (HoFH), a rare genetic disorder, is characterized by extremely elevated levels of low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) and accelerated atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease. Statin treatment starts at diagnosis, but no statin has been formally evaluated in, or approved for, HoFH children.

Objectives: The authors sought to assess the LDL-C efficacy of rosuvastatin versus placebo in HoFH children, and the relationship with underlying genetic mutations.

Detection of common sequence variations of familial hypercholesterolemia in Taiwan using DNA mass spectrometry.

Background: Familial hypercholesterolemia (FH) is a heterogeneous autosomal dominant disease. The genetic heterogeneity of FH requires low-cost, high-throughput, and rapid mutation detection technology to efficiently integrate genetic screening into clinical practice.

Objectives: The aims of the study were to customize the MassARRAY assay to (1) establish an FH mutation assay panel, comprising known point mutations located on FH-causing genes and (2) test the feasibility of the assay for screening FH patients residing in Taiwan who fit the clinical criteria of FH diagnosis.

2017 Taiwan lipid guidelines for high risk patients.

In Taiwan, the prevalence of hyperlipidemia increased due to lifestyle and dietary habit changes. Low density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) and non-high density lipoprotein cholesterol (non-HDL-C) are all significant predicting factors of coronary artery disease in Taiwan. We recognized that lipid control is especially important in patients with existed atherosclerotic cardiovascular diseases (ASCVD), including coronary artery disease (CAD), ischemic stroke and peripheral arterial disease (PAD).

A Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Clinical Trial to Assess the Efficacy and Safety of Ethyl-Ester Omega-3 Fatty Acid in Taiwanese Hypertriglyceridemic Patients.

Aim: Information regarding the effects of omega-3 fatty acid on hypertriglyceridemic patients in Chinese is still limited. This study aimed to investigate the efficacy and safety of Omacor, a prescription ethyl-ester omega-3 fatty acid for the treatment of hypertriglyceridemia, administered at doses of 2 g/day and 4 g/day to Taiwanese hypertriglyceridemic patients.

Methods: A multicenter, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, parallel study in adults with hypertriglyceridemia was conducted.