Lipid Management Guidelines from the Departments of Veteran Affairs and Defense: A Critique.

In December 2014, the US Department of Veterans Affairs and Department of Defense (VA/DoD) published an independent clinical practice guideline for the management of dyslipidemia and cardiovascular disease risk, adding to the myriad of recently published guidelines on this topic. The VA/DoD guidelines differ from major US guidelines published by the American College of Cardiology/American Heart Association in 2013 in the following ways: recommending moderate-intensity statins for the majority of patients with statin indications regardless of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease risk; advocating for limited on-treatment lipid monitoring; and deemphasizing ancillary data, such as coronary artery calcium testing, to improve atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease risk estimation. In the context of manifold treatment recommendations from numerous guideline committees, the VA/DoD recommendations may generate further confusion and mixed messages among healthcare providers about the optimal treatment of dyslipidemia.

Remnant Lipoprotein Cholesterol and Incident Coronary Heart Disease: The Jackson Heart and Framingham Offspring Cohort Studies.

Background: Remnant lipoproteins (RLPs), the triglyceride-enriched precursors to low-density lipoprotein, are an emerging risk factor for coronary heart disease (CHD). We sought to determine the association of RLP cholesterol (RLP-C) levels with incident CHD in 2 diverse, prospective, longitudinal observational US cohorts.

Methods And Results: We analyzed cholesterol levels from serum lipoprotein samples separated via density gradient ultracentrifugation in 4114 US black participants (mean age 53.

Shared Decision-Making and Patient Empowerment in Preventive Cardiology.

Shared decision-making, central to evidence-based medicine and good patient care, begins and ends with the patient. It is the process by which a clinician and a patient jointly make a health decision after discussing options, potential benefits and harms, and considering the patient's values and preferences. Patient empowerment is crucial to shared decision-making and occurs when a patient accepts responsibility for his or her health.

Serum homocysteine is not independently associated with an atherogenic lipid profile: The Very Large Database of Lipids (VLDL-21) study.

Background And Aims: Hyperhomocysteinemia is an independent risk factor for cardiovascular disease, but the mechanism for this risk remains unclear. While reducing serum total homocysteine (tHcy) has been shown to decrease strokes, there is no evidence for an effect on myocardial infarctions in randomized controlled trials. This study aims to examine the relationship between tHcy and several lipid measures.

Does vitamin D supplementation alter plasma adipokines concentrations? A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.

We aimed to elucidate the role of vitamin D supplementation on adipokines through a systematic review and a meta-analysis of randomized placebo-controlled trials (RCTs). The search included PUBMED, Scopus, Web of Science and Google Scholar through July 1st, 2015. Finally we identified 9 RCTs and 484 participants.

Dyslipidemia management in primary prevention of cardiovascular disease: Current guidelines and strategies.

Cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of death in the United States. In 2010, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimated that $444 billion was spent on cardiovascular diseases alone, about $1 of every $6 spent on health care. As life expectancy continues to increase, this annual cost will also increase, making cost-effective primary prevention of cardiovascular disease highly desirable.

Lipoprotein(a) Levels in Patients With Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm.

Circulating markers relevant to the development of abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) are currently required. Lipoprotein(a), Lp(a), is considered a candidate marker associated with the presence of AAA. The present meta-analysis aimed to evaluate the association between circulating Lp(a) levels and the presence of AAA.

Approach to Statin Use in 2016: an Update.

Statin therapy is the pharmacologic foundation of cholesterol treatment and the most common class of medication prescribed in the USA. The clinical benefits of statins and their favorable side effect profile have been well established for atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease prevention. With new guidelines on the treatment of dyslipidemia being published in the last several years, a greater percentage of the population now appears eligible for statin therapy.

Fasting or Nonfasting Lipid Measurements: It Depends on the Question.

In the 2013 American College of Cardiology (ACC)/American Heart Association Guideline (AHA) on the Treatment of Blood Cholesterol to Reduce Atherosclerotic Cardiovascular Risk in Adults, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol treatment thresholds have been replaced with a focus on global risk. In this context, we re-examine the need for fasting lipid measurements in various clinical scenarios including estimating initial risk for atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease in a primary prevention patient; screening for familial lipid disorders in a patient with a strong family history of premature atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease or genetic dyslipidemia; clarifying a diagnosis of metabolic syndrome so it can be used to make lifestyle counseling more effective; assessing residual risk in a treated patient; diagnosing and treating patients with suspected hypertriglyceridemic pancreatitis; or diagnosing hypertriglyceridemia in patients who require therapy for other conditions that may further elevate triglycerides. Posing a specific question can aid the clinician in understanding when fasting lipids are needed and when nonfasting lipids are adequate.

D-methionine (D-met) significantly reduces kanamycin-induced ototoxicity in pigmented guinea pigs.

Objective: Test D-methionine (D-met) as an otoprotectant from kanamycin-induced ototoxicity and determine the lowest maximally protective D-met dose.

Design: Auditory brainstem responses (ABR) were measured at 4, 8, 14, and 20 kHz at baseline and two, four, and six weeks after kanamycin and D-met administration initiation. ABR threshold shifts assessed auditory function.

The Wild Wild West: A Framework to Integrate mHealth Software Applications and Wearables to Support Physical Activity Assessment, Counseling and Interventions for Cardiovascular Disease Risk Reduction.

Physical activity (PA) interventions constitute a critical component of cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk reduction programs. Objective mobile health (mHealth) software applications (apps) and wearable activity monitors (WAMs) can advance both assessment and integration of PA counseling in clinical settings and support community-based PA interventions. The use of mHealth technology for CVD risk reduction is promising, but integration into routine clinical care and population health management has proven challenging.

Pitavastatin 4 mg Provides Significantly Greater Reduction in Remnant Lipoprotein Cholesterol Compared With Pravastatin 40 mg: Results from the Short-term Phase IV PREVAIL US Trial in Patients With Primary Hyperlipidemia or Mixed Dyslipidemia.

Purpose: Remnants are partially hydrolyzed, triglyceride-rich lipoproteins that are implicated in atherosclerosis. We assessed the adequacy of pitavastatin 4 mg and pravastatin 40 mg in reducing atherogenic lipid parameters beyond LDL-C, in particular remnant lipoprotein cholesterol (RLP-C).

Methods: From the Phase IV, multicenter, randomized, double-blind PREVAIL US (A Study of Pitavastatin 4 mg Vs.

PCSK9 inhibitors and their role in high-risk patients in reducing LDL cholesterol levels: alirocumab.

In this review, we examine alirocumab (Praluent(®)), a monoclonal antibody to PCSK9 and its role in reducing LDL-C levels. By comparing the results of various studies and trials we discuss the efficacy and safety of alirocumab. We aim to guide clinicians of the role of alirocumab in clinical practice.

PCSK9 inhibitors and their role in high-risk patients in reducing LDL cholesterol levels: evolocumab.

Patients with familial hypercholesterolemia or statin intolerance are especially challenging to manage since LDL cholesterol levels often remain considerably elevated despite clinicians' best efforts. With statins regarded as first-line pharmacologic therapy by the current American College of Cardiology/American Heart Association guidelines to reduce LDL cholesterol and cardiovascular risk, there is now a critical need to determine when other agents will play a role beyond maximally tolerated statin therapy and lifestyle changes. In this review, we take a closer look at evolocumab (Repatha(®)), one of the new injectable human monoclonal antibodies to PCSK9 and its efficacy and safety properties from the results of various trials.

Deficient serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D is associated with an atherogenic lipid profile: The Very Large Database of Lipids (VLDL-3) study.

Background: Cross-sectional studies have found an association between deficiencies in serum vitamin D, as measured by 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25[OH]D), and an atherogenic lipid profile. These studies have focused on a limited panel of lipid values including low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), and triglycerides (TG).

Objective: Our study examines the relationship between serum 25(OH)D and an extended lipid panel (Vertical Auto Profile) while controlling for age, gender, glycemic status, and kidney function.

Effect of alirocumab on specific lipoprotein non-high-density lipoprotein cholesterol and subfractions as measured by the vertical auto profile method: analysis of 3 randomized trials versus placebo.

Background: The effect of alirocumab on potentially atherogenic lipoprotein subfractions was assessed in a post hoc analysis using the vertical auto profile (VAP) method.

Methods: Patients from three Phase II studies with low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) ≥ 2.59 mmol/L (100 mg/dL) at baseline on stable statin therapy were randomised to receive subcutaneous alirocumab 50-150 mg every 2 weeks (Q2W) or 150-300 mg every 4 weeks (according to study) or placebo for 8-12 weeks.

Triglycerides to high-density lipoprotein-cholesterol ratio, glycemic control and cardiovascular risk in obese patients with type 2 diabetes.

Purpose Of Review: This article provides an update on the role of the triglyceride to high-density lipoprotein-cholesterol (triglyceride/HDL-C) ratio in the setting of obesity-related insulin resistance and type 2 diabetes mellitus.

Recent Findings: Insulin resistance and type 2 diabetes mellitus are well-established risk factors for cardiovascular diseases, and are commonly associated with metabolic abnormalities such as hypertriglyceridemia, low HDL-C and presence of small, dense low-dense lipoprotein (LDL) particles. Mounting evidence suggests that the triglyceride/HDL-C ratio is a marker of insulin resistance, although this relationship might vary as a function of ethnicity and sex.

Impact of L-carnitine on plasma lipoprotein(a) concentrations: A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.

We aimed to assess the impact of L-carnitine on plasma Lp(a) concentrations through systematic review and meta-analysis of available RCTs. The literature search included selected databases up to 31(st) January 2015. Meta-analysis was performed using fixed-effects or random-effect model according to I(2) statistic.

Clinical phenotype in relation to the distance-to-index-patient in familial hypercholesterolemia.

Background And Aim: We evaluated whether the severity of the familial hypercholesterolemia (FH) phenotype, i.e. increased levels of low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) and cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk, decreases in more distantly related patients within one family.

Obesity, Exercise, Obstructive Sleep Apnea, and Modifiable Atherosclerotic Cardiovascular Disease Risk Factors in Atrial Fibrillation.

Classically, the 3 pillars of atrial fibrillation (AF) management have included anticoagulation for prevention of thromboembolism, rhythm control, and rate control. In both prevention and management of AF, a growing body of evidence supports an increased role for comprehensive cardiac risk factor modification (RFM), herein defined as management of traditional modifiable cardiac risk factors, weight loss, and exercise. In this narrative review, we summarize the evidence demonstrating the importance of each facet of RFM in AF prevention and therapy.

Relationship Between Sedentary Behavior and Cardiovascular Risk.

The majority of adults do not meet current guideline recommendations for moderate to vigorous physical activity. Recent research has linked a high amount of sedentary behavior with an increased risk of obesity, diabetes, the metabolic syndrome, cardiovascular disease, and death. This correlation with sedentary behavior even extends to individuals who meet recommended physical activity goals during the remainder of their day, which implies that sedentary behavior may represent a distinct cardiovascular risk factor that is independent of the overall amount of physical activity.

Head-to-head comparison of statins versus fibrates in reducing plasma fibrinogen concentrations: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

Background: Several studies suggest differences between fibrates and statins in lowering plasma fibrinogen (Fib) concentrations, but the evidence is not definitive. Therefore, the aim of this meta-analysis of head-to-head randomized trials was to compare the efficacy of statins and fibrates on plasma Fib concentrations.

Methods: The literature search included Medline, Scopus, and Web of Science up to February 1st, 2015, to identify head-to-head comparative randomized trials investigating the efficacy of fibrates vs statins on plasma Fib concentrations.