Impact of self-reported fasting duration on lipid profile variability, cardiovascular risk stratification and metabolic syndrome diagnosis.

Objective: We sought to investigate the impact of self-reported fasting duration times on the lipid profile results and its impact on the cardiovascular risk stratification and metabolic syndrome diagnosis.

Subjects And Methods: We analyzed data from all consecutive individuals evaluated in a comprehensive health examination at the Hospital Israelita Albert Einstein from January to December 2015. We divided these patients in three groups, according to the fasting duration recalled (< 8h, 8-12h and > 12h).

Obstructive sleep apnea and effects of continuous positive airway pressure on triglyceride-rich lipoprotein metabolism.

This study aimed to explore lipoprotein metabolism in obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) and the effects of continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP). We studied 15 men with severe OSA [apnea-hypopnea index (AHI) ≥30 events/hour] and 12 age-, BMI-, and waist circumference-matched volunteers without OSA (AHI <5 events/hour). Carotid intima-media thickness (CIMT) was determined by a blind examiner.

Posterior fossa metastasis of lung carcinoid tumor: case report.

Carcinoid tumors are generally indolent neoplasms. Brain metastases are rare and when present, yield a poor prognosis. We present the case of a 76-year old female surgically treated for an atypical bronchial carcinoid, staged as T2aN0M0G2.

Statin Eligibility in Primary Prevention: From a Risk-Based Strategy to a Personalized Approach Based on the Predicted Benefit.

Guidelines have recommended statin initiation based on the absolute cardiovascular risk. We tested the hypothesis that a strategy based on the predicted cardiovascular benefit, compared with the risk-based approach, modifies statin eligibility and the estimated benefit in a population in primary cardiovascular prevention. The study included 16,008 subjects (48 ± 6 years, 73% men) with low-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels of 70 to <190 mg/dl, not on lipid-lowering drugs, who underwent a routine health screening in a single center.

Health literacy in familial hypercholesterolemia: A cross-national study.

Background High rates of inadequate health literacy are associated with maladaptive health outcomes in chronic disease including increased mortality and morbidity rates, poor treatment adherence and poor health. Adequate health literacy may be an important factor in the effective treatment and management of familial hypercholesterolemia, and may also be implicated in genetic screening for familial hypercholesterolemia among index cases. The present study examined the prevalence and predictors of health literacy in familial hypercholesterolemia patients attending clinics in seven countries.

Low-density lipoprotein-cholesterol lowering in individuals at intermediate cardiovascular risk: Percent reduction or target level?

Background: Recommendations for blood cholesterol management differ across different guidelines.

Hypothesis: Lipid-lowering strategies based on low-density lipoprotein-cholesterol (LDL-c) percent reduction or target concentration may have different effects on the expected cardiovascular benefit in intermediate-risk individuals.

Methods: We selected individuals between 40 and 75 years of age with 10-year risk for atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD) between 5.

Prevalence, management, and outcomes of familial hypercholesterolemia in patients with acute coronary syndromes in the Arabian Gulf.

Background: Information on the epidemiology of familial hypercholesterolemia (FH) in the Arabian Gulf region, which has an elevated rate of consanguinity and type II diabetes, is scarce.

Objectives: To assess the prevalence of FH, its management, and impact on atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD) outcomes in a multicenter cohort of Arabian Gulf patients with acute coronary syndrome (ACS).

Methods: Patients (N = 3224) hospitalized with ACS were studied.

Self-initiated physical activity is associated with high sensitivity C-reactive protein: A longitudinal study in 5,030 adults.

Background And Aims: Structured regular exercise programs decrease high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hsCRP), a marker of low-grade inflammation in adults. Longitudinal effects of self-initiated physical activity levels (PAL) on hsCRP are less clear. This study evaluated the association of longitudinal changes in hsCRP in relation to modifications in PAL, over time, in a large sample of adults.

Sex disparity in the management and outcomes of dyslipidemia of diabetic patients in the Arabian Gulf: findings from the CEPHEUS study.

Background: Little is known about sex gap in the management and outcomes of dyslipidemia among diabetics in the Arabian Gulf. The aim if this study was to determine sex differences in the management and outcomes of dyslipidemia in diabetic patients in the Arabian Gulf.

Methods: This study was derived from the Centralized Pan-Middle-East Survey on the management of hypercholesterolemia.

Association between clinical factors and self-underestimation of cardiovascular risk in subjects submitted to a routine health evaluation.

Background: The perception of cardiovascular (CV) risk is essential for adoption of healthy behaviors. However, subjects underestimate their own risk.

Hypothesis: Clinical characteristics might be associated with self-underestimation of CV risk.

NHLBI Working Group Recommendations to Reduce Lipoprotein(a)-Mediated Risk of Cardiovascular Disease and Aortic Stenosis.

Pathophysiological, epidemiological, and genetic studies provide strong evidence that lipoprotein(a) [Lp(a)] is a causal mediator of cardiovascular disease (CVD) and calcific aortic valve disease (CAVD). Specific therapies to address Lp(a)-mediated CVD and CAVD are in clinical development. Due to knowledge gaps, the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute organized a working group that identified challenges in fully understanding the role of Lp(a) in CVD/CAVD.

Safety and Efficacy of Combination ACTHar Gel and Tacrolimus in Treatment-Resistant Focal Segmental Glomerulosclerosis and Membranous Glomerulopathy.

Introduction: H.P. ACTHar gel is a preparation of melanocortin peptides that has been used to treat resistant forms of nephrotic syndrome.

Metabolic syndrome, diabetes and inadequate lifestyle in first-degree relatives of acute myocardial infarction survivors younger than 45 years old.

Background: A premature myocardial infarction (PMI) is usually associated with a familial component. This study evaluated cardiovascular risk factors in first-degree relatives (FDR) of patients with PMI not presenting the familial hypercholesterolemia phenotype.

Methods: A cross-sectional study comprising FDR of non-familial hypercholesterolemia patients who suffered a myocardial infarction <45-years age matched for age and sex with individuals without family history of cardiovascular disease.

Physical activity levels and hepatic steatosis: A longitudinal follow-up study in adults.

Background And Aim: This study aimed to evaluate the impact of physical activity (PA) on the course of hepatic steatosis (HS) in adults.

Methods: Hepatic steatosis status (ultrasonography) and PA levels were evaluated in 5860 subjects at baseline and after approximately 2.5 years (range: 19-50 months).

Association of subclinical inflammation, glycated hemoglobin and risk for obstructive sleep apnea syndrome.

Objective: To investigate the inter-relation between high sensitivity C-reactive protein and glycated hemoglobin in prediction of risk of obstructive sleep apnea.

Methods: We included all individuals participating in a check-up program at the Preventive Medicine Center of Hospital Israelita Albert Einstein in 2014. The Berlin questionnaire for risk of obstructive sleep apnea was used, and the high sensitivity C-reactive protein and glycated hemoglobin levels were evaluated.

World Heart Federation Cholesterol Roadmap.

Background: The World Heart Federation has undertaken an initiative to develop a series of Roadmaps.

Objectives: The aim of these is to promote development of national policies and health systems approaches and identify potential roadblocks on the road to effective prevention, detection and management of cardiovascular disease (CVD) in low-and middle-income countries (LMIC), and strategies for overcoming these. This Roadmap focuses on elevated blood cholesterol, a leading risk factor for myocardial infarction, stroke, and peripheral arterial disease.

Brazilian guidelines on prevention of cardiovascular disease in patients with diabetes: a position statement from the Brazilian Diabetes Society (SBD), the Brazilian Cardiology Society (SBC) and the Brazilian Endocrinology and Metabolism Society (SBEM).

Background: Since the first position statement on diabetes and cardiovascular prevention published in 2014 by the Brazilian Diabetes Society, the current view on primary and secondary prevention in diabetes has evolved as a result of new approaches on cardiovascular risk stratification, new cholesterol lowering drugs, and new anti-hyperglycemic drugs. Importantly, a pattern of risk heterogeneity has emerged, showing that not all diabetic patients are at high or very high risk. In fact, most younger patients who have no overt cardiovascular risk factors may be more adequately classified as being at intermediate or even low cardiovascular risk.

The Expected Cardiovascular Benefit of Plasma Cholesterol Lowering with or Without LDL-C Targets in Healthy Individuals at Higher Cardiovascular Risk.

Background:: There is controversy whether management of blood cholesterol should be based or not on LDL-cholesterol (LDL-c) target concentrations.

Objectives:: To compare the estimated impact of different lipid-lowering strategies, based or not on LDL-c targets, on the risk of major cardiovascular events in a population with higher cardiovascular risk.

Methods:: We included consecutive individuals undergoing a routine health screening in a single center who had a 10-year risk for atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD) ≥ 7.