Harnessing Wearables and Digital Technologies to Decode the Cardiovascular Exposome.

The cardiovascular exposome encompasses the array of external and internal factors affecting cardiovascular health throughout life, inviting comprehensive monitoring and analysis to enhance prevention, diagnosis, and treatment strategies. Wearable and digital technologies have emerged as promising tools in this domain, offering longitudinal, real-time data on physiological parameters such as heart rate, heart rhythm, physical activity, and sleep patterns. This review explores the advancements in wearable sensor technology, the methodologies for data collection and analysis, and the integration of these technologies into clinical practice and research.

Role of apolipoprotein B in the clinical management of cardiovascular risk in adults: An Expert Clinical Consensus from the National Lipid Association.

This National Lipid Association (NLA) Expert Clinical Consensus provides an overview of the physiologic and clinical considerations regarding the role of apolipoprotein B (apoB) measurement to guide clinical care based on the available scientific evidence and expert opinion. ApoB represents the total concentration of atherogenic lipoprotein particles in the circulation and more accurately reflects the atherogenic burden of lipoproteins when compared to low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C). ApoB is a validated clinical measurement that augments the information found in a standard lipoprotein lipid panel; therefore, there is clinical value in using apoB in conjunction with a standard lipoprotein lipid profile when assessing risk and managing lipid-lowering therapy (LLT).

Associations of Adipokine Levels With Levels of Remnant Cholesterol: The Multi-Ethnic Study of Atherosclerosis.

Background: The metabolic syndrome phenotype of individuals with obesity is characterized by elevated levels of triglyceride-rich lipoproteins and remnant particles, which have been shown to be significantly atherogenic. Understanding the association between adipokines, endogenous hormones produced by adipose tissue, and remnant cholesterol (RC) would give insight into the link between obesity and atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease.

Methods And Results: We studied 1791 MESA (Multi-Ethnic Study of Atherosclerosis) participants who took part in an ancillary study on body composition with adipokine levels measured (leptin, adiponectin, and resistin) at either visit 2 or visit 3.

Patterns of Telehealth Visits After the COVID-19 Pandemic Among Individuals With or at Risk for Cardiovascular Disease in the United States.

Background: Prior studies have shown that cardiovascular disease (CVD) can be effectively managed through telehealth. However, there are little national data on the use of telehealth in people with CVD or CVD risk factors. We aimed to determine the prevalence of telehealth visits and visit modality (video versus audio-only) in people with CVD and CVD risk factors.

Overcoming barriers to implementation: Improving incidental coronary calcium reporting on non-EKG gated chest CT scans.

Background: Current guidelines recommend the reporting of incidental coronary artery calcification (CAC) on non-electrocardigram-gated computed tomography (CT) scans of the chest. The finding of incidental moderate or severe CAC on non-cardiac non-contrast chest CT correlates with a CAC score ≥ 100 Agatston units, a guideline-based indication for a clinician-patient discussion regarding the initiation of statin therapy. In contemporary practice, whether the presence and severity of incidental CAC are routinely reported on such CT scans of the chest is unknown.

Expanded genetic testing in familial hypercholesterolemia-A single center's experience.

Objective: Assess the yield of genetic testing for pathogenic variants in and in individuals with personal and family histories suggestive of familial hypercholesterolemia.

Methods: Retrospective review of patients seen in the Advanced Lipid Disorders Clinic at Johns Hopkins.

Results: In the lipid clinic at a single center during the years 2015-2023, 607 patients underwent genetic testing for familial hypercholesterolemia, of which 263 underwent the expanded genetic testing for sitosterolemia.

Prevalence and Disparities in Telehealth Use Among US Adults Following the COVID-19 Pandemic: National Cross-Sectional Survey.

Background: Telemedicine expanded during the COVID-19 pandemic, though use differed by age, sex, race or ethnicity, educational attainment, income, and location. It is unclear if high telehealth use or inequities persisted late into the pandemic.

Objective: This study aims to evaluate the prevalence of, inequities in, and primary reasons for telehealth visits a year after telemedicine expansion.

Digital Health in Diabetes and Cardiovascular Disease.

Background: Digital health technologies are rapidly evolving and transforming the care of diabetes and cardiovascular disease (CVD).

Purpose Of The Review: In this review, we discuss emerging approaches incorporating digital health technologies to improve patient outcomes through a more continuous, accessible, proactive, and patient-centered approach. We discuss various mechanisms of potential benefit ranging from early detection to enhanced physiologic monitoring over time to helping shape important management decisions and engaging patients in their care.

A Technology-Assisted Web Application for Consumer Access to a Nonprescription Statin Medication.

Background: Although statins reduce adverse cardiovascular outcomes, less than one-half of eligible patients receive treatment. A nonprescription statin has the potential to improve access to statins.

Objectives: This study sought to assess concordance between clinician and consumer assessment of eligibility for nonprescription statin treatment using a technology assisted self-selection Web application (Web App) and evaluate effect on low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) levels.

The importance of LDL-C lowering in atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease prevention: Lower for longer is better.

Cumulative exposure to low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) is a key driver of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD) risk. An armamentarium of therapies to achieve robust and sustained reduction in LDL-C can reduce ASCVD risk. The gold standard for LDL-C assessment is ultracentrifugation but in routine clinical practice LDL-C is usually calculated and the most accurate calculation is the Martin/Hopkins equation.