Coconut Oil and Cardiovascular Disease Risk
AbstractPurpose of ReviewThis narrative review summarizes the current peer-reviewed literature and mechanisms surrounding the cardiovascular health impact of coconut oil.Recent FindingsNo randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and/or prospective cohort studies have investigated the effect or association of coconut oil with cardiovascular disease. Evidence from RCTs indicated that coconut oil seems to have less detrimental effects on total and LDL-cholesterol compared to butter, but not compared tocis-unsaturated vegetable oils, such as safflower, sunflower, or canola oil. The isocaloric replacement (by 1% of energy intake) of...
Source: Current Atherosclerosis Reports - March 27, 2023 Category: Cardiology Source Type: research
Brief Review: Racial and Ethnic Disparities in Cardiovascular Care with a Focus on Congenital Heart Disease and Precision Medicine
AbstractPurpose of ReviewThis is a brief review about racial and ethnic disparities in healthcare with focused attention to less frequently covered areas in the literature such as adult congenital heart disease, artificial intelligence, and precision medicine. Although diverse racial and ethnic populations such as Black and Hispanic groups are at an increased risk for CHD and have worse related outcomes, they are woefully underrepresented in large clinical trials. Additionally, although artificial intelligence and its application to precision medicine are touted as a means to individualize cardiovascular treatment and elim...
Source: Current Atherosclerosis Reports - March 25, 2023 Category: Cardiology Source Type: research
New CRISPR Technology for Creating Cell Models of Lipoprotein Assembly and Secretion
AbstractPurpose of ReviewThis review is aimed at providing an overview of new developments in gene editing technology, including examples of how this technology has been used to develop cell models for studying the effects of gene ablation or missense mutations on lipoprotein assembly and secretion.Recent FindingsCRISPR/Cas9-mediated gene editing is superior to other technologies because of its ease, sensitivity, and low off-target effects. This technology has been used to study the importance of microsomal triglyceride transfer protein in the assembly and secretion of apolipoprotein B-containing lipoproteins, as well as t...
Source: Current Atherosclerosis Reports - March 13, 2023 Category: Cardiology Source Type: research
Update on Sitosterolemia and Atherosclerosis
AbstractPurpose of ReviewThe purpose of this review was to summarize important and updated information on sitosterolemia. Sitosterolemia is an inherited lipid disorder consisting of high levels of plasma plant sterols. This sterol storage condition is caused by biallelic loss-of-function genetic variants in eitherABCG5 orABCG8, leading to increased intestinal absorption and decreased hepatic excretion of plant sterols. Clinically, patients with sitosterolemia usually exhibit xanthomatosis, high levels of plasma cholesterol, and premature atherosclerotic disease, but presentation can be highly heterogeneous. Therefore, reco...
Source: Current Atherosclerosis Reports - March 10, 2023 Category: Cardiology Source Type: research
Structure-based mechanism and inhibition of cholesteryl ester transfer protein
This article reviews recent research on CETP structure, lipid transfer mechanism, and its inhibition.Recent FindingsGenetic deficiency in CETP is associated with a low plasma level of low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) and a profoundly elevated plasma level of high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), which correlates with a lower risk of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD). However, a very high concentration of HDL-C also correlates with increased ASCVD mortality. Considering that the elevated CETP activity is a major determinant of the atherogenic dyslipidemia, i.e., pro-atherogenic reductions in ...
Source: Current Atherosclerosis Reports - March 7, 2023 Category: Cardiology Source Type: research
Genetic Testing in Familial Hypercholesterolemia: Is It for Everyone?
AbstractPurpose of ReviewLipid measurements and genetic testing are the main diagnostic tools for FH screening that are available in many countries. A lipid profile is widely accessible, and genetic testing, although available worldwide, in some countries is only performed in a research context. Still FH is diagnosed late, showing lack of early screening programs worldwide.Recent FindingsPediatric screening of FH was recently recognized by the European Commission Public Health Best Practice Portal as one on the best practices in non-communicable disease prevention. The early diagnosis of FH and the lowering of LDL-C values...
Source: Current Atherosclerosis Reports - March 2, 2023 Category: Cardiology Source Type: research
The Cardiovascular Risks Associated with Aromatase Inhibitors, Tamoxifen, and GnRH Agonists in Women with Breast Cancer
AbstractPurpose of ReviewCardiovascular disease accounts for up to 10% of all-cause mortality in women with a diagnosis of breast cancer, and the causes for this are multifaceted. Many women at risk of or with a diagnosis of breast cancer are on endocrine-modulating therapies. It is therefore important to understand the effect of hormone therapies on cardiovascular outcomes in breast cancer patients to mitigate against any adverse effects and to identify those most at risk so that they can be proactively managed. Here we discuss the pathophysiology of these agents, their effect on the cardiovascular system, and the latest ...
Source: Current Atherosclerosis Reports - February 27, 2023 Category: Cardiology Source Type: research
Is There a Role for Imaging Youth at Risk of Atherosclerosis?
AbstractPurpose of ReviewCardiovascular (CV) risk factors such as dyslipidemia, hypertension, diabetes, and obesity are associated with an increased risk for CV events in adults. Noninvasive measures of vascular health are associated with these CV events and can potentially help risk stratify children with CV risk factors. The purpose of this review is to summarize recent literature regarding vascular health in children with cardiovascular risk factors.Recent FindingsAdverse changes in pulse wave velocity, pulse wave analysis, arterial distensibility, and carotid intima-media thickness are seen in children with CV risk fac...
Source: Current Atherosclerosis Reports - February 27, 2023 Category: Cardiology Source Type: research
Does Coronary Plaque Morphology Matter Beyond Plaque Burden?
AbstractPurpose of ReviewImaging of adverse coronary plaque features by coronary computed tomography angiography (CCTA) has advanced greatly and at a fast pace. We aim to describe the evolution, present and future in plaque analysis, and its value in comparison to plaque burden.Recent FindingsRecently, it has been demonstrated that in addition to plaque burden, quantitative and qualitative assessment of coronary plaque by CCTA can improve the prediction of future major adverse cardiovascular events in diverse coronary artery disease scenarios. The detection of high-risk non-obstructive coronary plaque can lead to higher us...
Source: Current Atherosclerosis Reports - February 21, 2023 Category: Cardiology Source Type: research
How Can Implementation Science Improve the Care of Familial Hypercholesterolaemia?
AbstractPurpose of ReviewDescribe the application of implementation science to improve the detection and management of familial hypercholesterolaemia.Recent FindingsGaps between evidence and practice, such as underutilization of genetic testing, family cascade testing, failure to achieve LDL-cholesterol goals and low levels of knowledge and awareness, have been identified through clinical registry analyses and clinician surveys. Implementation science theories, models and frameworks have been applied to assess barriers and enablers in the literature specific to local contextual factors (e.g. stages of life). The effect of ...
Source: Current Atherosclerosis Reports - February 20, 2023 Category: Cardiology Source Type: research
Clonal Hematopoiesis: Connecting Aging and Inflammation in Atherosclerosis
AbstractPurpose of ReviewClonal hematopoiesis (CH) is a prevalent condition that results from the acquisition of somatic mutations in hematopoietic stem cells. When these mutations occur in “driver” genes, they can potentially confer fitness advantages to the cell, leading to a clonal expansion. While most clonal expansions of mutant cells are generally considered to be asymptomatic since they do not impact overall blood cell numbers, CH carriers display long-term risks of all-caus e mortality and age-associated diseases including cardiovascular disease (CVD). This review summarizes recent findings in CH related to agi...
Source: Current Atherosclerosis Reports - February 18, 2023 Category: Cardiology Source Type: research
Benefit of Combination Ezetimibe/Simvastatin Among High-Risk Populations: Lessons from the IMPROVE-IT Trial
AbstractPurpose of ReviewThe Improved Reduction of Outcomes: Vytorin Efficacy International Trial (IMPROVE-IT) demonstrated the clinical benefit of the combination of ezetimibe-simvastatin compared to placebo-simvastatin following acute coronary syndrome (ACS). This review highlights key findings from this study with particular attention to the practice-changing impact on guidelines for low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) reduction after ACS, especially among high-risk populations.Recent FindingsConsistent reductions in LDL-C have been reported with newer lipid-lowering therapies (proprotein convertase subtilisin/k...
Source: Current Atherosclerosis Reports - February 10, 2023 Category: Cardiology Source Type: research
Health Literacy is Essential to ASCVD Prevention in Youth
AbstractPurpose of ReviewHealth literacy is fundamental to primary and primordial prevention of atherosclerotic vascular disease (ASCVD) in children and adolescents. Here we summarize essential components of interventions which address health literacy challenges to reduce ASCVD risk in youth.Recent FindingsThere is a global pandemic of suboptimal health behaviors among youth that may contribute to the increasing rates of ASCVD worldwide. Deficiencies in youth cardiovascular health have promoted increased attention to health education that incorporates health literacy. Studies conducted in both the child (0 to 9 years) an...
Source: Current Atherosclerosis Reports - February 9, 2023 Category: Cardiology Source Type: research
Apheresis: What Should a Clinician Know?
This article reviews recent apheresis research progresses, including apheresis for elevated LDL-cholesterol and elevated lipoprotein(a).Recent FindingsWhile the role of apheresis in treating more common forms of LDL-hypercholesterolemia has been reduced due to the development of new, very potent LDL-lowering drugs, it still plays an important role in treating patients with homozygous familial hypercholesterolemia and patients with severe lipoprotein(a) elevation. One apheresis session can decrease LDL-cholesterol, apoB, and lipoprotein(a) by approximately 65%, which results in a time averaged reduction of 30 –50%. Althou...
Source: Current Atherosclerosis Reports - January 26, 2023 Category: Cardiology Source Type: research
APOC-III: a Gatekeeper in Controlling Triglyceride Metabolism
AbstractPurpose of ReviewApolipoprotein C-III (ApoC-III) is a widely known player in triglyceride metabolism, and it has been recently recognized as a polyhedric factor which may regulate several pathways beyond lipid metabolism by influencing cardiovascular, metabolic, and neurological disease risk. This review summarizes the different functions of ApoC-III and underlines the recent findings related to its multifaceted pathophysiological role.Recent FindingsThe role of ApoC-III has been implicated in HDL metabolism and in the development of atherosclerosis, inflammation, and ER stress in endothelial cells. ApoC-III has be...
Source: Current Atherosclerosis Reports - January 23, 2023 Category: Cardiology Source Type: research
