scholarly journals FAMILIAL HYPERCHOLESTEROLEMIA: DIAGNOSTIC ISSUES AND THERAPEUTIC POSSIBILITIES

2019 ◽  
Vol 26 (1) ◽  
pp. 175-186
Author(s):  
Vitalii K. Zafiraki ◽  
Alim M. Namitokov ◽  
Elena D. Kosmacheva

Familial hypercholesterolemia (FHC) is a common monogenic disease that occurs with a frequency of ~1:250 and is characterised by a high content of low-density lipoprotein (LDL) in the blood. This disease leads to the early development of atherosclerotic cardiovascular diseases (ACVD). Although the screening and diagnostics issues concerned with FHC are well developed and the modern lipid-lowering therapy can significantly improve the prognosis, the detectability of this disease remains extremely low. In recent years, the concept of FHC has undergone significant changes under the influence of large epidemiological studies, including verification of the FHC diagnosis using genetic tests. The article is aimed at discussing the clinical manifestations of FHC, as well as modern medical and extracorporal approaches to its treatment.Conclusion.Until the advent of modern lipid-lowering drugs, FHC had remained to be a disease with a poor prognosis due to early ACVD and the associated premature death. Today, the diseases is amenable to successful treatment, which, though not eliminating the genetic defect, allows almost the same life duration as in the general population to be achieved. However, all the possibilities of modern approaches to the treatment of this serious disease can be realized provided that a state-level screening program for such patients has been implemented.Conflict of interest: the authors declare no conflict of interest.

2018 ◽  
pp. 253-259
Author(s):  
V. К. Zafiraki ◽  
Е. D. Kosmacheva ◽  
I. N. Zakharova ◽  
V. A. Korneva ◽  
A. V. Susekov

Homozygous familial hypercholesterolemia is a rare genetic disease featuring extremely high of low-density lipoprotein blood level, cutaneous and tendon xanthomas and accelerated atherosclerosis with often manifestions in the first 2 decades of life, resulting to premature death due to atherosclerosis-related diseases. Modern combined lipid-lowering therapy is able to increase life duration considerably for these patients.


2021 ◽  
Vol 23 (12) ◽  
Author(s):  
Angela Pirillo ◽  
Alberico L. Catapano ◽  
Giuseppe D. Norata

Abstract Purpose of Review Familial hypercholesterolemia (FH) is a monogenic disorder characterized by high plasma levels of low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) since birth and a high risk of premature cardiovascular disease. The genetic defect is carried in only one allele in heterozygous FH (HeFH) or in both in the most severe homozygous FH (HoFH). Current guidelines recommend to reduce substantially LDL-C levels in these high-risk patients, with the need to use association therapy combining agents with different mechanisms of action. As most cases of FH are attributable to mutations in the gene encoding the low-density lipoprotein receptor (LDLR), statins, even in combination with ezetimibe, are less effective in reducing LDL-C plasma levels in FH patients, who require a more intensive approach with additional lipid-lowering agents. Additional targets playing key roles in regulating LDL-C levels are represented by PCSK9 and ANGPTL3. Recent Findings Two monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) targeting PCSK9, evolocumab and alirocumab, significantly reduce LDL-C levels in HeFH patients. In patients with HoFH, the efficacy of mAbs to PCSK9 is strictly related to the presence of a residual LDLR activity; thus, patients carrying null mutations do not respond to the therapy with these mAbs, whereas some effects can be appreciated in HoFH bearing defective mutations. Conversely, evinacumab, the mAb targeting ANGPTL3, is highly effective in reducing LDL-C levels even in HoFH patients carrying null LDLR mutations, thanks to its LDLR-independent mechanism of action. Summary Monoclonal antibodies inhibiting PCSK9 have shown a robust effect in FH patients presenting a residual LDLR activity, while ANGPTL3 inhibitors appear to be promising even in patients carrying null LDLR mutations.


2020 ◽  
Vol 2020 ◽  
pp. 1-10
Author(s):  
Caroline Conceição da Guarda ◽  
Sètondji Cocou Modeste Alexandre Yahouédéhou ◽  
Rayra Pereira Santiago ◽  
Camila Felix de Lima Fernandes ◽  
Joelma Santana dos Santos Neres ◽  
...  

Introduction. Clinical complications in sickle cell anemia (SCA) are heterogeneous and involve several molecules. It has been suggested that SCA individuals present a dyslipidemic phenotype and that lipid parameters are associated with severe clinical complications, such as pulmonary hypertension. We sought to investigate associations between lipid parameters and clinical manifestations, as well as other laboratory parameters in a population of pediatric SCA patients. Methods. Our cross-sectional evaluation included 126 SCA patients in steady state and who were not undergoing lipid-lowering therapy. Hematological and biochemical parameters were characterized, and previous clinical manifestations were investigated. Results. Total cholesterol and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) levels were increased in patients with a previous history of pneumonia, which also positively correlated with HbS levels. Decreased LDL-C levels were also associated with leg ulcers and anemia. Elevated high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) levels were associated with pain crises, increased viscosity, and decreased hemolysis. Several studies have determined that lipids play a role in the vascular impairment seen in SCA, which was corroborated by our findings. Conclusions. In sum, our results suggest that total cholesterol, HDL-C, and LDL-C levels are associated with hemolysis and anemia markers and, most importantly, with clinical complications related to vasculopathy in SCA.


Kardiologiia ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 59 (3) ◽  
pp. 27-35
Author(s):  
V. A. Korneva ◽  
T. Yu. Kuznetsova ◽  
G. P. Tihova

Aim: to analyze adherence of FH patients with familial hypercholesterolemia (FH) to the statin therapy and reveal factors, which influence it; to assess the degree of target level of low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDLCH) achievement by FH patients on statin therapy. Materials and methods. We included in this study 203 FH patients aged >18 years (mean age 50.0±1.1 years, 82 men). Definite FH was diagnosed in 96 persons, in the other patients FH was considered possible. For evaluating the adherence to therapy with statins we used the Morisky-Green questionnaire. Results. Among patients with definite FH 57 % were adherent to lipid-lowering therapy, 16 % were partially adherent, and 27 % – not adherent. Target LDLCH levels were achieved in 22.6 % and 12.5 % of patients with definite and possible FH, respectively. Smoking and gender were not associated with adherence to statin therapy. Factors associated with higher adherence were age (p=0.000003), arterial hypertension (odds ratio [OR] 1.90, 95 % confidence interval [CI] 1.02 to 3.55], p=0.044), ischemic heart disease (IHD) (OR=2.99, 95 %CI 1.50 to 5.97, p=0.002), history of myocardial infarction (MI) (OR 5.26, 95 %CI 2.03 to 13.60, p=0.0006), history of myocardial revascularization (OR 20.3, 95 %CI 2.64 to 156.11, p=0.004) and the fact of achieving target LDLCH level (OR 19.93, 95 %CI 7.03 to 56.50, p<0.0001). The main reason for the refuse from statin therapy in 87 % of patients was fear of side effects. Main reasons for stopping of ongoing therapy were: myalgia, an increase in transaminases, skin rashes, and high cost in 12, 35, 12, and 6 % of patients, respectively. The decision to withdraw therapy with statins was made by 29 % of patients by themselves. Conclusion. In this study 57 % of patients with definite FH were adherent to statin therapy. Factors associated with increased adherence were age, hypertension, IHD, history of MI, history of myocardial revascularization, achievement of target LDLCH level. Target LDLCH levels were achieved by 22.6 and 12.5 %% of patients with definite and possible FH, respectively.


Circulation ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 142 (Suppl_3) ◽  
Author(s):  
elaine coutinho ◽  
Marcio H Miname ◽  
Viviane Z Rocha ◽  
Marcio S Bittencourt ◽  
Cinthia Jannes ◽  
...  

Introduction: Familial hypercholesterolemia (FH) is associated with early onset of cardiovascular disease (CVD) and mortality. Lipid lowering treatment (LLT) may change the natural history of FH, however there is scant information about elderly individuals (older than 60 years) with FH. This study describes characteristics of elderly FH individuals presenting or not CVD. Hypothesis: Monogenic defects are important markers of CVD risk and initiation and long-term use of lipid lowering therapy (LLT) is relevant to minimize this risk. Methods: Cross-sectional analysis of clinical and laboratory of molecularly proven elderly FH (FH+) and non-affected (FH-) individuals attending a cascade screening program. FH+ were divided in those presenting or not CVD (defined as previous myocardial infarction or ischemic stroke, carotid or coronary revascularization and angina with stenosis ≥50% on angiography). Results: From 4,111 genotyped individuals, 462 (11.2%) elders were included (198 FH+ and 264 FH-). There was predominance of females in either groups, however with more men in FH+ 37.4% vs. 24.2%, p=0.002. No differences were seen between FH+ and FH- regarding age, [median (%25;75%)] 66 (62;71) and 66 (63;71) years, p=0.68; use of LLT 88.5% vs. 91.5%, p=0.29 and high intensity LLT 61.7 % vs. 55.8%, p=0.20, respectively. Despite longer LLT duration in FH+ 11(7;20) vs. 7 (3;13) years, p<0.001, in either groups LLT was started late, at 54 (47;61) and 59 (52;64) years, p <0.001, respectively in FH+ and FH-. FH+ had higher LDL-C at diagnosis, 243 (179;302) vs. 228 (209;251) mg/dL, p=0.013, as well as greater frequencies of previous CVD 40.9% vs. 27.3%, p=0.002, and early CVD 22.2% vs. 9.0%, p<0.001. In FH+, male sex [OR (95%CI)] 5.29 (2.25-12.45), p<0.001, and use of high intensity LLT 2.51 (1.08-5.87), p=0.03, were independently associated with CVD. Conclusions: The genetic diagnosis of FH was associated with higher rates of CVD and early CVD vs. FH- hypercholesterolemics. Elders with FH+ who survived despite late LLT initiation have a worse CVD history than FH- elders, emphasizing the relevance of a monogenic defect as cause of long-lasting hypercholesterolemia and CVD risk, particularly in men.


Circulation ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 142 (Suppl_3) ◽  
Author(s):  
Yexuan Cao ◽  
Ruixia Xu ◽  
Huiwen Zhang ◽  
Jinglu Jin ◽  
Huihui Liu ◽  
...  

Introduction: Visit-to-visit variability in lipid has been suggested as an predictor of major adverse cardiovascular events (MACEs). However, no evidence exists on the prognostic value of lipid variability in patients with familial hypercholesterolemia (FH). Hypothesis: This prospective cohort study aimed to investigate whether lipid variability affects future MACEs in patients with FH receiving standard lipid-lowering therapy. Methods: A total of 254 patients with FH were consecutively enrolled and followed for MACEs. Variability in triglyceride, total cholesterol, high-density lipoprotein-cholesterol (HDL-C), low-density lipoprotein-cholesterol (LDL-C) and lipoprotein (a) [Lp(a)] were evaluated from 3 months after discharge using the standard deviation (SD), coefficient of variation (CV) and variability independent of the mean (VIM). Results: During a mean follow-up of 49 months, 22 (8.7%) events occurred. Visit-to-visit variability in Lp(a) was significantly higher in the MACE group compared to the non-MACE group. In multivariate Cox analysis, only Lp(a) variability parameters were independent predictors for MACEs. The hazard ratios and 95% confidence intervals of each 1-SD increase of SD, CV and VIM of Lp(a) were 1.42 (1.12-1.80), 1.50 (1.11-2.02) and 1.60 (1.16-2.22), respectively. Kaplan-Meier analysis revealed that patients with higher Lp(a) variability presented lower event-free survival (Log-rank p <0.05). The results were consistent in various subgroups. Conclusions: This is the first report to evaluate the prognostic value of lipid variability in real-world patients with FH and showed that Lp(a), but not LDL-C variability, was associated with MACEs, which emphasized the importance of regular lipid monitoring in patients with high risk.


Biomedicines ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 9 (8) ◽  
pp. 1073
Author(s):  
Alessandro Di Minno ◽  
Roberta Clara Orsini ◽  
Mattia Chiesa ◽  
Viviana Cavalca ◽  
Ilenia Calcaterra ◽  
...  

Introduction: Familial hypercholesterolemia (FH) is characterized by extremely high levels of circulating low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) and is caused by mutations of genes involved in LDL-C metabolism, including LDL receptor (LDLR), apolipoprotein B (APOB), or proprotein convertase subtilisin/Kexin type 9 (PCSK9). Accordingly, PCSK9 inhibitors (PCSK9i) are effective in LDL-C reduction. However, no data are available on the pleiotropic effect of PCSK9i. To this end, we performed an untargeted metabolomics approach to gather a global view on changes in metabolic pathways in patients receiving treatment with PCSK9i. Methods: Twenty-five FH patients starting treatment with PCSK-9i were evaluated by an untargeted metabolomics approach at baseline (before PCSK9i treatment) and after 12 weeks of treatment. Results: All the 25 FH subjects enrolled were on maximal tolerated lipid-lowering therapy prior to study entry. After a 12 week treatment with PCSK9i, we observed an expected significant reduction in LDL-cholesterol levels (from 201.0 ± 69.5 mg/dL to 103.0 ± 58.0 mg/dL, p < 0.001). The LDL-C target was achieved in 36% of patients. After peak validation and correction, after 12 weeks of PCSK9i treatment as compared to baseline, we observed increments in creatine (p-value = 0.041), indole (p-value = 0.045), and indoleacrylic acid (p-value= 0.045) concentrations. Conversely, significant decreases in choline (p-value = 0.045) and phosphatidylcholine (p-value < 0.01) together with a reduction in platelet activating factor (p-value = 0.041) were observed. Conclusions: Taking advantage of untargeted metabolomics, we first provided evidence of concomitant reductions in inflammation and platelet activation metabolites in FH patients receiving a 12 week treatment with PCSK9i.


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