Search

Aim. To study the frequency of prescriptions of various types of lipid-lowering therapy and their effectiveness in outpatient clinical practice based on the results of a questionnaire of primary care physicians.Material and methods. The study was performed in 2022 in 75 constituent entities of the Russian Federation with the participation of 1117 doctors working in outpatient clinics. Most of the doctors had work experience of 10-20 years or more. Doctors of polyclinics (therapists and cardiologists, etc.) before the start of the study received instructions, questionnaires for filling out, developed by the National Atherosclerosis Society. The frequency of prescriptions by primary care physicians of various types of lipid-lowering therapy and their effectiveness in terms of the frequency of achieving target levels of low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) was studied based on the results of a questionnaire.Results. Monotherapy with statins was prescribed in 55.2% of cases, free combination of rosuvastatin with ezetimibe – in 17.2%, single pill combination of rosuvastatin with ezetimibe – in 23.2%, combination therapy with PCSK9 inhibitors – in 4.1% of cases. Target levels of LDL-C ˂ 1.8 mmol/l and ˂ 1.4 mmol/l were achieved with statin monotherapy in 42.6% and 28.2% of cases, respectively, free combination of rosuvastatin with ezetimibe – in 61.7% and 39 .5%, a fixed combination of rosuvastatin with ezetimibe – in 67.8% and 48.5%, combination therapy with PCSK9 inhibitors – in 96.8% and 92.8% of cases.Conclusion. The single pill combination of rosuvastatin with ezetimibe is more effective in achieving target levels of LDL-C compared with statin monotherapy and therapy with free combination of statin with ezetimibe. Despite the fact that the target values of LDL-C when prescribing a combination with PCSK9 inhibitors were achieved in 96.8% and 92.8% of cases, they were used quite rarely at the outpatient stage of treatment in the Russian Federation.

The existing system of medical care for patients with acute cerebrovascular accident of atherothrombotic genesis, namely lipid metabolism disorders, the modern evidence base for lipid-lowering therapy in this category of patients and the feasibility of interdisciplinary interaction of cardiologists and neurologists were discussed at a meeting of the expert council of cardiologists and neurologists in Moscow on 2021 July 7.

The meeting of the expert council of cardiologists-lipidologists, organized with the support of Novartis and dedicated to the discussion of the existing system of medical care for patients with familial hypercholesterolemia / mixed dyslipidemia, the modern evidence base for lipid-lowering therapy and the practical value of the strategy of early combined lipid-lowering therapy for doctors and these categories of patients was held in Moscow on November 11, 2020.

The Russian Federation is among countries with high cardiovascular risk. Hypercholesterolemia is a leading risk factor for the development of atherosclerotic cardiovascular diseases. To achieve low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) targets, such approaches as lifestyle changes and pharmacological correction, based on the use of statins, are applied. At the same time, a significant proportion of the population has moderate hypercholesterolemia and is characterized by low or moderate cardiovascular risk. Although first-line recommendations should be followed, a healthy lifestyle alone is not enough to achieve target levels of LDL-C, which means that even people with low to moderate risk may end up with the prospect of lifelong therapy with lipid-lowering drugs. These individuals do not have an indication for lipid-lowering therapy, and they are usually recommended a change in diet and supplementation. Innovative nutritional strategies have been developed to manage dyslipidemia. They were based either on changing some “risky” food components or on encouraging the consumption of “healthy” functional foods and/or nutraceuticals. Nutraceuticals (registered as food supplements in Russia) is an innovative way to help control LDL-C at low and moderate risk individuals without lipid-lowering drugs and as nutritive support for the cholesterol-lowering diet. Red yeast rice (RYR) based preparations have been already developed and available at the moment. RYR based preparations can be considered in patients with low and moderate cardiovascular risk, who have not reached the target level of LDL-C and have no indications for statin therapy or have statin intolerance. RYR based preparations contains a statin-like substance monacolin K in a dose of 3 mg. In randomized clinical trials, it was proved that the use of high-quality RYR nutraceutical leads to a decrease in LDL-C by an average of 20% without increasing the risk of side effects like for statins. Evaluation of dietary supplements and functional foods should necessarily include not only evidence of beneficial effects with respect to effects on the lipid profile and atherosclerosis, but also proven good tolerability. The manufacturing standard for these products is also important, guaranteeing component standardization and quality. RYR analogues should guarantee the absence of mycotoxin in their composition. In Russia, programs are needed for the primary prevention of atherosclerotic cardiovascular diseases with effects on hypercholesterolemia at the population level.

Experimental and clinical data indicate a significant contribution of lipoprotein(a) (Lp[a]) to the atherogenesis. However, the pathophysiological mechanisms of this relationship are not fully understood.Aim. To investigate the distribution of Lp(a) in the population of the regions participating in the Study “Epidemiology of Cardiovascular Diseases in the Regions of the Russian Federation” (ESSE-RF) and to evaluate its associations with cardiovascular risk factors.Material and methods. Representative samples of the male and female population of 7 regions of the Russian Federation, aged from 25 to 64 years, enrolled in the multi-center cross-sectional epidemiological study were analyzed. A total of 10332 people were examined, of whom 3732 were men (36.0%) and 6600 were women (64.0%), the average age was equal in both sexes.Results. The mean value of Lp(a) reached 22.4 mg/dl (standard deviation 21.3 mg/dl) and significantly differed from the median (11.1 mg/dl; interquartile range from 3.9 to 20.2 mg/dl), forming the right-skewed distribution in both male and female population. Lp(a) levels were statistically significantly correlated with the level of low-density lipoproteins cholesterol (LDL-C), ароВ/аpoAI and total cholesterol. Notably, the odds ratios were growing by quintiles, and increased along with increasing lipid values (p

The scientific basis of the selection algorithms for the management of patients with hypertension and hypercholesterolemia is presented in article. The advantages and limitations of current recommendations on the management of patients with hypercholesterolemia, which were presented by American and European experts, are discussed. Data on the narrow-mindedness of use of risk assessment scales for the development of cardiovascular complications for primary prevention in a wide population are presented. The question of the ratio of proven facts and expert opinions in clinical recommendations, as well as the validity of a flexible approach to the choice of tactics for a specific patient, considering the most acceptable approaches presented in different clinical recommendations, is being considered. The validity of recommendations for achieving lower concentrations of lowdensity lipoprotein cholesterol in patients with high and very high cardiovascular risk is discussed. The difficult problem of choosing target blood pressure levels in patients with hypertension and with some characteristics or concomitant diseases and/or risk factors is discussed. The evidence base of modern drugs for preventing the development of cardiovascular complications and/or treating patients with such complications is discussed, including new data on the benefits of longer treatment with atorvastatin for the primary prevention of cardiovascular complications in patients with hypertension are discussed. Data on the problems of the choice of drugs used for the primary or secondary prevention of cardiovascular complications in patients with hypertension and hypercholesterolemia are presented.

Tactics for the management of patients with hypertriglyceridemia (HTG) is provided in the conclusion of the Advisory Board. It is demonstrated that HTG is quite prevalent in patients with excessive body weight and is an important component of residual risk. HTG creates additional conditions for the progression of atherosclerosis, and thus it is recommended to test triglyceride in patients with high, very high and extremely high cardiovascular risk. The indication for the pharmacological treatment to reduce the triglycerides concentration is their level more than 2.3 mmol/l. Statins are drugs of choice aimed to decrease the cardiovascular risk in patients with hypercholesterinemia and HTG. Fenofibrate is used to correct HTG; in case of its intolerance or if the triglyceride target level is not reached, ethyl esters of omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acid can be used in the dosage of 2-4 g daily. In patients with triglyceride level higher than 5.6 mmol/l, fenofibrate is the main option of treatment.

The results of the recently completed clinical studies on the efficacy of atorvastatin in high doses are presented. In these studies high dose atorvastatin therapy was used in patients with acute coronary syndrome, chronic coronary heart disease, and percutaneous coronary interventions. Studies completed in Russia and devoted to efficacy of the high dose atorvastatin therapy are discussed specially.

Statin intake is a standard in the treatment of patients with atherosclerosis nowadays. These drugs therapy associates with 30% risk reduction in mortality and coronary events. However , the threat of recurrent events is sufficiently high in large part of patients. This can be related to low level of high density lipoprotein cholesterol as well as elevated levels of triglycerides and lipoprotein(a). Nicotinic acid intake in these patients may be necessary for the normalization of lipid profile, including lipoprotein(a), and will be able to reduce residual cardiovascular risk. Evidence-based medicine data are presented to prove an efficacy of nicotinic acid in high doses in cardiology practice. Nicotinic acid both in monotherapy and in combination with statins contributes to coronary and carotid atherosclerosis regression and reduces an incidence of cardiovascular complications. Long-acting formulation of nicotinic acid, correct receiving regime and blood bio-chemical monitoring contribute to long-term safety of the drug in patients with clinically significant atherosclerosis.

Background. Atherosclerosis is a systemic disease. That is why the damage is not restricted by one vascular area in 18-50% of patients. High serum level of lipoprotein(a) [Lp(a)] is an independent risk factor for coronary, carotid and peripheral atherosclerosis. However the correlation of apoprotein(a) [apo(a)] polymorphism with the multifocal atherosclerosis in coronary heart disease (CHD) is not sufficiently studied.Aim. To study the correlation of apo(a) phenotype with the multifocal atherosclerosis in CHD patients.Material and Methods. 220 patients aged 32- 76 y.o. with the proven coronary and carotid atherosclerosis were split into two groups depending on the presence (n=22) or absence (n=198) of peripheral atherosclerosis. Evaluation of lipid profile, Lp(a) and determination of apo(a) isoforms by SDS electrophoresis in polyacrylamide gel and immunoblotting was performed in all patients.Results. Both groups of patients were comparable by age, sex, classical cardiovascular risk factors, including frequency of hyperlipidemia and diabetes mellitus, lipid profile. The Lp(a) serum level ≥30 mg/dL and low molecular weight (LMW) apo(a) phenotype were found more often in patients with multifocal than coronary and carotid atherosclerosis: 55 and 45% (р=0.372); 73 and 44% (p

Review of large of trials that prove the positive impact of high-dose lipid-lowering therapy on the prognosis in patients with ischemic heart disease (IHD) are presented. The data on the efficacy of the lipid profile correction by lipid apheresis in patients with hypercholesterolemia that is refractory to optimal medical therapy are showed. The results of the large trials (LIPS, ARMYDA, NAPLES II, ARMYDA-RECAPTURE, Post-CABG, TNT) and meta-analyzes on the role of statins, prescribed before and after coronary artery bypass surgery and stenting, in reducing the risk of early and late cardiac events and the need for repeat myocardial revascularization are analyzed. The issue of therapeutic apheresis should be considered in cases of refractory hypercholesterolemia according to ESC/EAS Guidelines for the management of dyslipidaemias (2011). The tendency to reduction in the risk of stent restenosis and vein graft lesions after lipid apheresis is found in very high risk patients with IHD and refractory hypercholesterolemia that underwent coronary stenting or bypass surgery.

Review of large of trials that prove the positive impact of high-dose lipid-lowering therapy on the prognosis in patients with ischemic heart disease (IHD) are presented. The data on the efficacy of the lipid profile correction by lipid apheresis in patients with hypercholesterolemia that is refractory to optimal medical therapy are showed. The results of the large trials (LIPS, ARMYDA, NAPLES II, ARMYDA-RECAPTURE, Post-CABG, TNT) and meta-analyzes on the role of statins, prescribed before and after coronary artery bypass surgery and stenting, in reducing the risk of early and late cardiac events and the need for repeat myocardial revascularization are analyzed. The issue of therapeutic apheresis should be considered in cases of refractory hypercholesterolemia according to ESC/EAS Guidelines for the management of dyslipidaemias (2011). The tendency to reduction in the risk of stent restenosis and vein graft lesions after lipid apheresis is found in very high risk patients with IHD and refractory hypercholesterolemia that underwent coronary stenting or bypass surgery.