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One fifth of the world population live in East Asia comprising Japan, Korea, and China where ischemic heart disease, a major component of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD), is the second most frequent cause of death. Each of low-density lipoproteins (LDL), remnant lipoproteins, and lipoprotein(a), summarized as non-high-density lipoproteins (non-HDL) or apolipoprotein B (apoB) containing lipoproteins, causes ASCVD. However, a significant proportion of the evidence on lipoproteins and lipoprotein cholesterol with risk of ASCVD came from White people mainly living in Europe and North America and not from people living in East Asia or of East Asian descent. With a unique biological, geohistorical, and social background in this world region, East Asians have distinctive characteristics that might have potential impact on the association of lipoproteins and lipoprotein cholesterol with risk of ASCVD. Considering the movement across national borders in the World, understanding of lipoprotein and lipoprotein cholesterol evidence on ASCVD in East Asia is important for both East Asian and non-East Asian populations wherever they live in the World.In this review, we introduce the biological features of lipoproteins and lipoprotein cholesterol and the evidence for their association with risk of ASCVD in East Asian and European populations. We also provide an overview of guideline recommendations for prevention of ASCVD in these two different world regions. Finally, specific preventive strategies and future perspectives are touched upon.

Objective: Mendelian randomization studies revealed a causal role for remnant cholesterol in cardiovascular disease. Remnant particles accumulate in the arterial wall, potentially propagating local and systemic inflammation. We evaluated the impact of remnant cholesterol on arterial wall inflammation, circulating monocytes, and bone marrow in patients with familial dysbetalipoproteinemia (FD)., Approach and Results: Arterial wall inflammation and bone marrow activity were measured using 18 F-FDG PET/CT. Monocyte phenotype was assessed with flow cytometry. The correlation between remnant levels and hematopoietic activity was validated in the CGPS (Copenhagen General Population Study). We found a 1.2-fold increase of 18 F-FDG uptake in the arterial wall in patients with FD (n=17, age 60±8 years, remnant cholesterol: 3.26 [2.07-5.71]) compared with controls (n=17, age 61±8 years, remnant cholesterol 0.29 [0.27-0.40]; P <0.001). Monocytes from patients with FD showed increased lipid accumulation (lipid-positive monocytes: Patients with FD 92% [86-95], controls 76% [66-81], P =0.001, with an increase in lipid droplets per monocyte), and a higher expression of surface integrins (CD11b, CD11c, and CD18). Patients with FD also exhibited monocytosis and leukocytosis, accompanied by a 1.2-fold increase of 18 F-FDG uptake in bone marrow. In addition, we found a strong correlation between remnant levels and leukocyte counts in the CGPS (n=103 953, P for trend 5×10-276). In vitro experiments substantiated that remnant cholesterol accumulates in human hematopoietic stem and progenitor cells coinciding with myeloid skewing., Conclusions: Patients with FD have increased arterial wall and cellular inflammation. These findings imply an important inflammatory component to the atherogenicity of remnant cholesterol, contributing to the increased cardiovascular disease risk in patients with FD., (© 2017 American Heart Association, Inc.)

Scientific interest in triglyceride-rich lipoproteins has fluctuated over the past many years, ranging from beliefs that these lipoproteins cause atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD) to being innocent bystanders. Correspondingly, clinical recommendations have fluctuated from a need to reduce levels to no advice on treatment. New insight in epidemiology now suggests that these lipoproteins, marked by high triglycerides, are strong and independent predictors of ASCVD and all-cause mortality, and that their cholesterol content or remnant cholesterol likewise are strong predictors of ASCVD. Of all adults, 27% have triglycerides >2 mmol/L (176 mg/dL), and 21% have remnant cholesterol >1 mmol/L (39 mg/dL). For individuals in the general population with nonfasting triglycerides of 6.6 mmol/L (580 mg/dL) compared with individuals with levels of 0.8 mmol/L (70 mg/dL), the risks were 5.1-fold for myocardial infarction, 3.2-fold for ischemic heart disease, 3.2-fold for ischemic stroke, and 2.2-fold for all-cause mortality. Also, genetic studies using the Mendelian randomization design, an approach that minimizes problems with confounding and reverse causation, now demonstrate that triglyceride-rich lipoproteins are causally associated with ASCVD and all-cause mortality. Finally, genetic evidence also demonstrates that high concentrations of triglyceride-rich lipoproteins are causally associated with low-grade inflammation. This suggests that an important part of inflammation in atherosclerosis and ASCVD is because of triglyceride-rich lipoprotein degradation and uptake into macrophage foam cells in the arterial intima. Taken together, new insights now strongly suggest that elevated triglyceride-rich lipoproteins represent causal risk factors for low-grade inflammation, ASCVD, and all-cause mortality., (© 2016 American Heart Association, Inc.)

Background and Purpose: We tested the hypothesis that observationally and genetically elevated YKL-40 is associated with elevated lipids and lipoproteins and with increased risk of ischemic vascular disease., Methods: We conducted cohort and Mendelian randomization studies in 96 110 individuals from the Danish general population, with measured plasma levels of YKL-40 (n=21 647), plasma lipids and lipoproteins (n=94 461), and CHI3L1 rs4950928 genotype (n=94 579)., Results: From 1977 to 2013, 3256 individuals developed ischemic stroke, 5629 ischemic cerebrovascular disease, 4183 myocardial infarction, and 10 271 developed ischemic heart disease. The 91% to 100% versus 0% to 33% YKL-40 percentile category was associated with a 34% increase in triglycerides, but only with minor changes in other lipids and lipoproteins. For these categories, the multifactorially adjusted hazard ratio was 1.99 (95% confidence interval, 1.49-2.67) for ischemic stroke, 1.85 (1.44-2.37) for ischemic cerebrovascular disease, 1.28 (0.95-1.73) for myocardial infarction, and 1.23 (1.01-1.51) for ischemic heart disease. When compared with rs4950928 CC homozygosity, the presence of G-allele was associated with a doubling (GC) or tripling (GG) in YKL-40 levels, but not with triglyceride levels or with risk of ischemic vascular disease. A doubling in YKL-40 was associated with a multifactorially adjusted observational hazard ratio for ischemic stroke of 1.18 (1.11-1.27), and a genetic odds ratio of 1.04 (0.95-1.15). Corresponding risk estimates were 1.15 (1.09-1.22) observationally and 1.06 (0.99-1.14) genetically for ischemic cerebrovascular disease, 1.08 (1.00-1.15) observationally and 1.04 (0.96-1.13) genetically for myocardial infarction, and 1.07 (1.02-1.12) observationally and 1.01 (0.96-1.07) genetically for ischemic heart disease., Conclusions: Elevated YKL-40 was associated with a 34% increase in triglyceride levels and with a 2-fold increased risk of ischemic stroke, whereas genetically elevated YKL-40 were not., (© 2015 American Heart Association, Inc.)

Objectives: The study sought to test the hypothesis that genetic variation in ABCG5/8, the transporter responsible for intestinal and hepatobiliary cholesterol efflux, may simultaneously influence plasma and biliary cholesterol levels, and hence risk of myocardial infarction (MI) and gallstone disease in opposite directions., Background: High plasma levels of low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol are a causal risk factor for MI, whereas high levels of biliary cholesterol promote gallstone formation., Methods: A total of 60,239 subjects from Copenhagen were included, including 5,647 with MI and 3,174 with symptomatic gallstone disease. Subjects were genotyped for 6 common, nonsynonymous and functional variants in ABCG5/8, and a combined weighted genotype score was calculated., Results: Combined, weighted genotype scores were associated with stepwise decreases in LDL cholesterol of up to 5.9% (0.20 mmol/l) for individuals with a score ≥8.0 (prevalence = 11%) versus <2.0 (prevalence = 9%; p for trend across 5 groups = 2 × 10E-35). The cumulative incidences of MI and gallstone disease as a function of age and increasing genotype score were decreased and increased (log-rank ps for trend: 6 × 10E-4 and 9 × 10E-45), respectively. The multifactorially adjusted odds ratios were 0.83 (95% confidence interval: 0.73 to 0.94) for MI and 2.85 (95% confidence interval: 2.39 to 3.39) for symptomatic gallstone disease for individuals with a genotype score ≥8.0 versus <2.0., Conclusions: Genetic variation in ABCG5/8, which associates with decreased levels of plasma LDL cholesterol protects against MI, but increases the risk of symptomatic gallstone disease. These results suggest that MI and gallstones, 2 seemingly unrelated diseases, are intrinsically linked via the function of the ABCG5/8 cholesterol transporter., (Copyright © 2014 American College of Cardiology Foundation. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Background: Elevated nonfasting remnant cholesterol and low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol are causally associated with ischemic heart disease (IHD), but whether elevated nonfasting remnant cholesterol and LDL cholesterol both cause low-grade inflammation is currently unknown., Methods and Results: We studied 60 608 individuals from the Copenhagen General Population Study, the Copenhagen City Heart Study, and the Copenhagen Ischemic Heart Disease study, of whom 10 668 had IHD diagnosed between 1977 and 2011. We genotyped for variants affecting levels of nonfasting remnant cholesterol, LDL cholesterol, C-reactive protein by CRP alleles, and C-reactive protein by IL6R alleles. Using a multidirectional mendelian randomization design, we investigated possible causal associations between the lipoproteins and C-reactive protein and between the lipoproteins and IHD. A 1-mmol/L(39 mg/dL) higher level of nonfasting remnant cholesterol was associated observationally with a 37% (95% confidence interval, 35-39) higher C-reactive protein level and causally with a 28% (95% confidence interval, 10-48) higher level. For LDL cholesterol, a 1-mmol/L (39-mg/dL) higher level was associated observationally with a 7% (95% confidence interval, 6-7) higher C-reactive protein level, but we found no causal association. Likewise, higher levels of C-reactive protein did not associate causally with elevated nonfasting remnant cholesterol or LDL cholesterol. Finally, the causal risk ratio for IHD for a 1-mmol/L (39-mg/dL) higher level was 3.3 (95% confidence interval, 2.1-5.2) for nonfasting remnant cholesterol and 1.8 (95% confidence interval, 1.5-2.2) for LDL cholesterol. The causal associations for remnant cholesterol were present even in those without diabetes mellitus and obesity., Conclusions: Elevated nonfasting remnant cholesterol is causally associated with low-grade inflammation and with IHD, whereas elevated LDL cholesterol is associated causally with IHD without inflammation.

Even at low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) goal, patients with cardiometabolic abnormalities remain at high risk of cardiovascular events. This paper aims (i) to critically appraise evidence for elevated levels of triglyceride-rich lipoproteins (TRLs) and low levels of high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) as cardiovascular risk factors, and (ii) to advise on therapeutic strategies for management. Current evidence supports a causal association between elevated TRL and their remnants, low HDL-C, and cardiovascular risk. This interpretation is based on mechanistic and genetic studies for TRL and remnants, together with the epidemiological data suggestive of the association for circulating triglycerides and cardiovascular disease. For HDL, epidemiological, mechanistic, and clinical intervention data are consistent with the view that low HDL-C contributes to elevated cardiovascular risk; genetic evidence is unclear however, potentially reflecting the complexity of HDL metabolism. The Panel believes that therapeutic targeting of elevated triglycerides (≥ 1.7 mmol/L or 150 mg/dL), a marker of TRL and their remnants, and/or low HDL-C (<1.0 mmol/L or 40 mg/dL) may provide further benefit. The first step should be lifestyle interventions together with consideration of compliance with pharmacotherapy and secondary causes of dyslipidaemia. If inadequately corrected, adding niacin or a fibrate, or intensifying LDL-C lowering therapy may be considered. Treatment decisions regarding statin combination therapy should take into account relevant safety concerns, i.e. the risk of elevation of blood glucose, uric acid or liver enzymes with niacin, and myopathy, increased serum creatinine and cholelithiasis with fibrates. These recommendations will facilitate reduction in the substantial cardiovascular risk that persists in patients with cardiometabolic abnormalities at LDL-C goal.

Background: We tested whether fasting and postprandial triglyceride-rich lipoprotein elevations are gender specific (1) in patients with carotid artery stenosis >or=50% vs controls, and (2) in patients with echolucent, rupture-prone plaques compared with controls., Methods and Results: We studied 66 controls and 323 patients with carotid artery stenosis >or=50%, of which 160 had echolucent plaques. Participants underwent a fat-tolerance test and carotid artery plaque evaluation with use of high-resolution B-mode ultrasound and computerized image analysis. By comparison, female cases with carotid stenosis >or=50% had higher fasting and postprandial triglyceride levels than did controls; however, this difference was not observed between male cases and controls. Fasting and postprandial very-low-density lipoprotein (VLDL) and intermediate density liprotein (IDL) cholesterol levels were elevated; low density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol level was unchanged, and high density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol level was reduced in both female and male cases vs controls. Fasting and postprandial triglyceride levels were elevated in women with echolucent plaques vs controls, but not in women with echo-rich plaques, or in men with echolucent or echo-rich plaques. Fasting and postprandial VLDL and IDL cholesterol levels were elevated, LDL cholesterol level was unchanged, and HDL cholesterol level was reduced in both female and male patients with echolucent plaques vs controls., Conclusions: Fasting and postprandial triglyceride-rich lipoproteins (but not LDLs) are elevated in patients with carotid artery stenosis of >or=50% compared with controls, and particularly identify echolucent, rupture-prone carotid plaques. These observations are more pronounced in women than in men.

AimsTo appraise the clinical and genetic evidence that low-density lipoproteins (LDLs) cause atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD).Methods and resultsWe assessed whether the association between LDL and ASCVD fulfils the criteria for causality by evaluating the totality of evidence from genetic studies, prospective epidemiologic cohort studies, Mendelian randomization studies, and randomized trials of LDL-lowering therapies. In clinical studies, plasma LDL burden is usually estimated by determination of plasma LDL cholesterol level (LDL-C). Rare genetic mutations that cause reduced LDL receptor function lead to markedly higher LDL-C and a dose-dependent increase in the risk of ASCVD, whereas rare variants leading to lower LDL-C are associated with a correspondingly lower risk of ASCVD. Separate meta-analyses of over 200 prospective cohort studies, Mendelian randomization studies, and randomized trials including more than 2 million participants with over 20 million person-years of follow-up and over 150 000 cardiovascular events demonstrate a remarkably consistent dose-dependent log-linear association between the absolute magnitude of exposure of the vasculature to LDL-C and the risk of ASCVD; and this effect appears to increase with increasing duration of exposure to LDL-C. Both the naturally randomized genetic studies and the randomized intervention trials consistently demonstrate that any mechanism of lowering plasma LDL particle concentration should reduce the risk of ASCVD events proportional to the absolute reduction in LDL-C and the cumulative duration of exposure to lower LDL-C, provided that the achieved reduction in LDL-C is concordant with the reduction in LDL particle number and that there are no competing deleterious off-target effects.ConclusionConsistent evidence from numerous and multiple different types of clinical and genetic studies unequivocally establishes that LDL causes ASCVD.

Previous interest in high-density lipoproteins (HDLs) focused on their possible protective role in atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD). Evidence from genetic studies and randomized trials, however, questioned that the inverse association of HDL-cholesterol (HDL-C) is causal. This review aims to provide an update on the role of HDL in health and disease, also beyond ASCVD. Through evolution from invertebrates, HDLs are the principal lipoproteins, while apolipoprotein B-containing lipoproteins first developed in vertebrates. HDLs transport cholesterol and other lipids between different cells like a reusable ferry, but serve many other functions including communication with cells and the inactivation of biohazards like bacterial lipopolysaccharides. These functions are exerted by entire HDL particles or distinct proteins or lipids carried by HDL rather than by its cholesterol cargo measured as HDL-C. Neither does HDL-C measurement reflect the efficiency of reverse cholesterol transport. Recent studies indicate that functional measures of HDL, notably cholesterol efflux capacity, numbers of HDL particles, or distinct HDL proteins are better predictors of ASCVD events than HDL-C. Low HDL-C levels are related observationally, but also genetically, to increased risks of infectious diseases, death during sepsis, diabetes mellitus, and chronic kidney disease. Additional, but only observational, data indicate associations of low HDL-C with various autoimmune diseases, and cancers, as well as all-cause mortality. Conversely, extremely high HDL-C levels are associated with an increased risk of age-related macular degeneration (also genetically), infectious disease, and all-cause mortality. HDL encompasses dynamic multimolecular and multifunctional lipoproteins that likely emerged during evolution to serve several physiological roles and prevent or heal pathologies beyond ASCVD. For any clinical exploitation of HDL, the indirect marker HDL-C must be replaced by direct biomarkers reflecting the causal role of HDL in the respective disease. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aims Low levels of HDL cholesterol have been associated with increased risk of infectious disease morbidity and mortality. Nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy permits the measurement of HDL particle count and allows further subclassification according to particle size. We tested the hypothesis that low number of different HDL subfractions is associated with increased infectious disease morbidity and mortality. Methods and results HDL particle counts were measured using NMR spectroscopy in 30 195 individuals aged 22–99 years from the Copenhagen General Population Study. Using multiple-event Cox regression and cause-specific hazard models, we assessed risk of hospitalizations due to infection and infectious disease-related death, from 2003 through 2018. During follow-up, 9303 individuals had one or more infectious disease events, and 1558 experienced infectious disease-related death. In multifactorial adjusted analyses, low number of small and medium HDL particles was associated with increased risk of any infection and infectious disease-related death, whereas low number of large and extra-large HDL particles was not. A very high number of small and medium HDL particles was also associated with increased risk of any infection, but not with infectious disease-related death. For small and medium HDL particles and compared to individuals in the 91–95th percentile, hazard ratios (HRs) in individuals in the lowest percentile were 2.31 (95% confidence interval: 1.75, 3.05) for any infection and 3.23 (2.08, 5.02) for infectious disease-related death. For the highest percentile, corresponding HRs were 1.36 (1.07, 1.74) and 1.06 (0.57, 1.98), respectively. Individuals in the lowest percentile had increased risk of pneumonia (HR: 1.86; 95% confidence interval: 1.30, 2.65), sepsis (2.17; 1.37, 3.35), urinary tract infection (1.76; 1.17, 2.63), skin infection (1.87; 1.24, 2.81), gastroenteritis (1.78; 1.01, 3.16), and other infections (2.57; 1.28, 5.16). Conclusion Low number of the small HDL particles was associated with increased infectious disease morbidity and mortality. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and Objective: High lipoprotein(a) is a genetically determined causal risk factor for cardiovascular disease, and 20% of the adult population has high levels (ie, >42 mg/dL, >88 nmol/L). We investigated whether early life lipoprotein(a) levels measured in cord blood may serve as a proxy for neonatal venous blood levels, whether lipoprotein(a) birth levels (ie, cord or venous) predict levels later in life, and whether early life and parental levels correlate. Methods: The Compare study is a prospective cohort study of newborns (N = 450) from Copenhagen, Denmark, including blood sampling of parents. Plasma lipoprotein(a) was measured in cord blood (N = 402), neonatal venous blood (N = 356), and at 2 (N = 320) and 15 months follow-up (N = 148) of infants, and in parents (N = 705). Results: Mean lipoprotein(a) levels were 2.2 (95% CI, 1.9-2.5), 2.4 (2.0-2.7), 4.1 (3.4-4.9), and 14.6 (11.4-17.9) mg/dL in cord, neonatal venous, and 2- and 15-month venous samples, respectively. Lipoprotein(a) levels in cord blood correlated strongly with neonatal venous blood levels (R² = 0.95, P < 0.001) and neonatal levels correlated moderately with 2- and 15-month levels (R² = 0.68 and 0.67, both P < 0.001). Birth levels ≥ 90th percentile predicted lipoprotein(a) > 42 mg/dL at 15 months with positive predictive values of 89% and 85% for neonatal venous and cord blood. Neonatal and infant levels correlated weakly with parental levels, most pronounced at 15 months (R² = 0.22, P < 0.001). Conclusions: Lipoprotein(a) levels are low in early life, cord blood may serve as a proxy for neonatal venous blood, and birth levels ≥ 90th percentile can identify newborns at risk of developing high levels. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Recent advances in human genetics, together with a large body of epidemiologic, preclinical, and clinical trial results, provide strong support for a causal association between triglycerides (TG), TG-rich lipoproteins (TRL), and TRL remnants, and increased risk of myocardial infarction, ischaemic stroke, and aortic valve stenosis. These data also indicate that TRL and their remnants may contribute significantly to residual cardiovascular risk in patients on optimized low-density lipoprotein (LDL)-lowering therapy. This statement critically appraises current understanding of the structure, function, and metabolism of TRL, and their pathophysiological role in atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD). Key points are (i) a working definition of normo- and hypertriglyceridaemic states and their relation to risk of ASCVD, (ii) a conceptual framework for the generation of remnants due to dysregulation of TRL production, lipolysis, and remodelling, as well as clearance of remnant lipoproteins from the circulation, (iii) the pleiotropic proatherogenic actions of TRL and remnants at the arterial wall, (iv) challenges in defining, quantitating, and assessing the atherogenic properties of remnant particles, and (v) exploration of the relative atherogenicity of TRL and remnants compared to LDL. Assessment of these issues provides a foundation for evaluating approaches to effectively reduce levels of TRL and remnants by targeting either production, lipolysis, or hepatic clearance, or a combination of these mechanisms. This consensus statement updates current understanding in an integrated manner, thereby providing a platform for new therapeutic paradigms targeting TRL and their remnants, with the aim of reducing the risk of ASCVD. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aims We tested the hypothesis that the contrasting results for the effect of high-dose, purified omega-3 fatty acids on the prevention of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD) in two randomized trials, Reduction of Cardiovascular Events with Icosapent Ethyl-Intervention Trial (REDUCE-IT) vs. Long-Term Outcomes Study to Assess Statin Residual Risk with Epanova in High Cardiovascular Risk Patients with Hypertriglyceridaemia (STRENGTH), can be explained by differences in the effect of active and comparator oils on lipid traits and C-reactive protein. Methods and results In the Copenhagen General Population Study (CGPS) with 106 088 individuals, to mimic trial designs we analysed those who met key inclusion criteria in REDUCE-IT (n  = 5684; ASCVD = 852) and STRENGTH (n  = 6862; ASCVD = 697). Atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease incidence was followed for the median durations of REDUCE-IT and STRENGTH (4.9 and 3.5 years), respectively. When combining changes in plasma triglycerides, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, and C-reactive protein observed in the active oil groups of the original studies, estimated hazard ratios for ASCVD in the CGPS were 0.96 [95% confidence interval 0.93–0.99] mimicking REDUCE-IT and 0.94 (0.91–0.98) mimicking STRENGTH. In the comparator oil groups, corresponding hazard ratios were 1.07 (1.04–1.10) and 0.99 (0.98–0.99). Combining these results, the active oil vs. comparator oil hazard ratio was 0.88 (0.84–0.93) in the CGPS mimicking REDUCE-IT compared to 0.75 (0.68–0.83) in the REDUCE-IT. The corresponding hazard ratio was 0.96 (0.93–0.99) in the CGPS mimicking STRENGTH compared to 0.99 (0.90–1.09) in STRENGTH. Conclusion The contrasting results of REDUCE-IT vs. STRENGTH can partly be explained by a difference in the effect of comparator oils (mineral vs. corn), but not of active oils [eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) vs. EPA + docosahexaenoic acid], on lipid traits and C-reactive protein. The unexplained additional 13% risk reduction in REDUCE-IT likely is through other effects of EPA or mineral oil. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aims  We tested the hypothesis that high directly measured remnant cholesterol is associated with increased risk of ischaemic heart disease (IHD) and myocardial infarction (MI) in the general population. We also explored whether directly measured vs. calculated remnant cholesterol is superior in identifying individuals at increased risk. Methods and results  Overall, 16 207 individuals from the Copenhagen General Population Study with both directly measured and calculated remnant cholesterol, both representing cholesterol content in triglyceride-rich lipoproteins, were followed up for 14 years to analyse the risk for IHD and MI. For directly measured and calculated remnant cholesterol, hazard ratios for individuals with concentrations ≥95th percentile vs. <40th percentile were 1.75 (95% confidence interval 1.42–2.15) and 1.76 (1.42–2.17) for IHD and 2.05 (1.50–2.80) and 1.93 (1.40–2.66) for MI. Compared to individuals with both directly measured and calculated remnant cholesterol <80th percentile (75% of the whole population), those with only directly measured remnant cholesterol ≥80th percentile (5%) had hazard ratios of 1.42 (1.15–1.75) for IHD and 1.83 (1.35–2.47) for MI. Corresponding hazard ratios for individuals with only calculated remnant cholesterol ≥80th percentile (5%) were 1.14 (0.91–1.44) and 1.14 (0.80–1.62), respectively, and corresponding hazard ratios for individuals with both directly measured and calculated remnant cholesterol ≥80th percentiles (15%) were 1.48 (1.30–1.68) and 1.67 (1.38–2.01), respectively. In individuals with high directly measured or high calculated remnant cholesterol, the median directly measured remnant cholesterol was 1.9 and 1.5 mmol/L, the median plasma triglycerides were 2.0 and 2.7 mmol/L, and the median plasma apolipoprotein B was 132 and 142 mg/dL, respectively. Conclusions  Directly measured vs. calculated remnant cholesterol identifies 5% overlooked individuals in the general population with cholesterol-rich, triglyceride-poor remnants and 1.8-fold increased risk of MI. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aims With the current focus on lipoprotein(a) as a likely causal risk factor for cardiovascular disease and new drugs potentially on the market to lower lipoprotein(a) levels, the safety of lowering lipoprotein(a) to low levels becomes increasingly important. We tested whether low levels of lipoprotein(a) and corresponding LPA genotypes associate with major disease groups including cancers and infectious disease. Methods and results We included 109 440 individuals from the Copenhagen General Population Study. For main World Health Organization International Classification of Diseases 10th edition chapter diseases, the only concordant association of low levels of lipoprotein(a) plasma levels and corresponding LPA genotypes with risk of disease was with low risk of diseases of the circulatory system. Furthermore, no concordant association of low levels of lipoprotein(a) plasma levels and corresponding LPA genotypes with the risk of any cancer (i.e. cancer subtypes combined) or infectious disease was seen. The hazard ratio for the risk of any cancer was 1.06 [95% confidence interval (CI): 0.97–1.15] for the first vs. the fourth quartile of lipoprotein(a), 1.02 (0.97–1.07) for the fourth vs. the first quartile of KIV-2 number of repeats, and 1.01 (0.96–1.07) for rs10455872 non-carriers vs. carriers. The corresponding hazard ratios for the risk of hospitalization for infection were 1.05 (95% CI: 0.99–1.10), 1.02 (0.98–1.07), and 0.97 (0.93–1.03), respectively. Conclusion In a large, contemporary, general population cohort, apart from the well-established association with cardiovascular disease, low levels of lipoprotein(a) and corresponding LPA genotypes did not concordantly associate with any major disease groups including cancers and infections. There is no safety signal from our results to indicate that low levels of lipoprotein(a) are harmful. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aims We tested the hypothesis that higher levels of plasma triglycerides and remnant cholesterol are observationally and genetically associated with increased risk of aortic valve stenosis. Methods and results We included 108 559 individuals from the Copenhagen General Population Study. Plasma triglycerides, remnant cholesterol (total cholesterol minus low-density lipoprotein and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol), and 16 genetic variants causing such increased or decreased levels were determined. Incident aortic valve stenosis occurred in 1593 individuals. Observationally compared to individuals with triglycerides <1 mmol/L (<89 mg/dL), the multifactorially adjusted hazard ratio for aortic valve stenosis was 1.02 [95% confidence interval (CI) 0.87–1.19] for individuals with triglycerides of 1.0–1.9 mmol/L (89–176 mg/dL), 1.22 (1.02–1.46) for 2.0–2.9 mmol/L (177–265 mg/dL), 1.40 (1.11–1.77) for 3.0–3.9 mmol/L (266–353 mg/dL), 1.29 (0.88–1.90) for 4.0–4.9 mmol/L (354–442 mg/dL), and 1.52 (1.02–2.27) for individuals with triglycerides ≥5 mmol/L (≥443 mg/dL). By age 85, the cumulative incidence of aortic valve stenosis was 5.1% for individuals with plasma triglycerides <2.0 mmol/L (77 mg/dL), 6.5% at 2.0–4.9 mmol/L (177–442 mg/dL), and 8.2% for individuals with plasma triglycerides ≥5.0 mmol/L (443 mg/dL). The corresponding values for remnant cholesterol categories were 4.8% for <0.5 mmol/L (19 mg/dL), 5.6% for 0.5–1.4 mmol/L (19–57 mg/dL), and 7.4% for ≥1.5 mmol/L (58 mg/dL). Genetically, compared to individuals with allele score 13–16, odds ratios for aortic valve stenosis were 1.30 (95% CI 1.20–1.42; Δtriglycerides +12%; Δremnant cholesterol +11%) for allele score 17–18, 1.41 (1.31–1.52; +25%; +22%) for allele score 19–20, and 1.51 (1.22–1.86; +51%; +44%) for individuals with allele score 21–23. Conclusion Higher triglycerides and remnant cholesterol were observationally and genetically associated with increased risk of aortic valve stenosis. Open in new tab Download slide Open in new tab Download slide [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aims Several lipoprotein(a)-lowering therapies are currently being developed with the long-term goal of reducing cardiovascular disease and mortality; however, the relationship between lipoprotein(a) and mortality is unclear. We tested the hypothesis that lipoprotein(a) levels are associated with risk of mortality. Methods and results We studied individuals from two prospective studies of the Danish general population, of which 69 764 had information on lipoprotein(a) concentrations, 98 810 on LPA kringle-IV type 2 (KIV-2) number of repeats, and 119 094 on LPA rs10455872 genotype. Observationally, lipoprotein(a) >93 mg/dL (199 nmol/L; 96th–100th percentiles) vs. <10 mg/dL (18 nmol/L; 1st–50th percentiles) were associated with a hazard ratio of 1.50 (95% confidence interval 1.28–1.76) for cardiovascular mortality and of 1.20 (1.10–1.30) for all-cause mortality. The median survival for individuals with lipoprotein(a) >93 mg/dL (199 nmol/L; 96th–100th percentiles) and ≤93 mg/dL (199 nmol/L; 1st–95th percentiles) were 83.9 and 85.1 years (log rank P  = 0.005). For cardiovascular mortality, a 50 mg/dL (105 nmol/L) increase in lipoprotein(a) levels was associated observationally with a hazard ratio of 1.16 (1.09–1.23), and genetically with risk ratios of 1.23 (1.08–1.41) based on LPA KIV2 and of 0.98 (0.88–1.09) based on LPA rs10455872. For all-cause mortality, corresponding values were 1.05 (1.01–1.09), 1.10 (1.04–1.18), and 0.97 (0.92–1.02), respectively. Finally, for a similar cholesterol content increase, lipoprotein(a) was more strongly associated with cardiovascular and all-cause mortality than low-density lipoprotein, implying that the mortality effect of high lipoprotein(a) is above that explained by its cholesterol content. Conclusion High levels of lipoprotein(a), through corresponding low LPA KIV-2 number of repeats rather than through high cholesterol content were associated with high risk of mortality. These findings are novel. Open in new tab Download slide Open in new tab Download slide [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: High lipoprotein(a) is associated with increased risk of myocardial infarction and aortic valve stenosis. Previous studies have examined the association of lipoprotein(a) and risk of stroke; however, the results are conflicting.Objectives: The purpose of this study was to test if high lipoprotein(a) is associated with high risk of ischemic stroke observationally and causally from human genetics.Methods: The study included 49,699 individuals from the Copenhagen General Population Study and 10,813 individuals from the Copenhagen City Heart Study with measurements of plasma lipoprotein(a), LPA kringle-IV type 2 number of repeats, and LPA rs10455872. The endpoint of ischemic stroke was ascertained from Danish national health registries and validated by medical doctors.Results: Compared with individuals with lipoprotein(a) levels <10 mg/dl (<18 nmol/l: first to 50th percentile), the multivariable-adjusted hazard ratio for ischemic stroke was 1.60 (95% confidence interval [CI]:1.24 to 2.05) for individuals with lipoprotein(a) levels >93mg/dl (>199 nmol/L: 96th to 100th percentile). In observational analyses for a 50 mg/dl (105 nmol/l) higher lipoprotein(a) level the age- and sex-adjusted hazard ratio for ischemic stroke was 1.20 (95% CI: 1.13 to 1.28), while the corresponding age- and sex-adjusted genetic causal risk ratio for KIV-2 number of repeats was 1.20 (95% CI: 1.02 to 1.43) and for rs10455872 was 1.27 (95% CI: 1.06 to 1.51). The highest absolute 10-year risk of ischemic stroke was 17% in active smoking individuals >70 years of age with hypertension and lipoprotein(a) levels >93 mg/dl (>199 nmol/l: 96th to 100th percentile). In the Copenhagen City Heart Study, risk estimates for high levels of lipoprotein(a) were in the same direction but did not reach statistical significance.Conclusions: In a large contemporary general population study, high plasma levels of lipoprotein(a) were associated with increased risk of ischemic stroke both observationally and causally from human genetics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Mendelian randomization approach is an epidemiological study design incorporating genetic information into traditional epidemiological studies to infer causality of biomarkers, risk factors, or lifestyle factors on disease risk. Mendelian randomization studies often draw on novel information generated in genome-wide association studies on causal associations between genetic variants and a risk factor or lifestyle factor. Such information can then be used in a largely unconfounded study design free of reverse causation to understand if and how risk factors and lifestyle factors cause cardiovascular disease. If causation is demonstrated, an opportunity for prevention of disease is identified; importantly however, before prevention or treatment can be implemented, randomized intervention trials altering risk factor levels or improving deleterious lifestyle factors needs to document reductions in cardiovascular disease in a safe and side-effect sparse manner. Documentation of causality can also inform on potential drug targets, more likely to be successful than prior approaches often relying on animal or cell studies mainly. The present review summarizes the history and background of Mendelian randomization, the study design, assumptions for using the design, and the most common caveats, followed by a discussion on advantages and disadvantages of different types of Mendelian randomization studies using one or more samples and different levels of information on study participants. The review also provides an overview of results on many of the risk factors and lifestyle factors for cardiovascular disease examined to date using the Mendelian randomization study design. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aims Preclinical evidence has indicated that HDL may play an important role in the immune system; however, very little is known about the role of HDL in the immune system in humans. We tested the hypothesis that low and high concentrations of HDL cholesterol are associated with risk of infectious disease in the general population. Methods and results We included 97 166 individuals from the Copenhagen General Population Study and 9387 from the Copenhagen City Heart Study with measurements of HDL cholesterol at baseline. The primary endpoint was any infectious disease requiring hospital admission, ascertained in the Danish health registries from baseline in 2003-13 or 1991-94 through 2014; 9% and 31% of individuals in the two studies experienced one or more infectious disease events. Using restricted cubic splines, there was a U-shaped association between concentrations of HDL cholesterol and risk of any infection. Following multifactorial adjustment, individuals with HDL cholesterol below 0.8mmol/L (31mg/dL) and above 2.6mmol/L (100mg/dL) had hazard ratios for any infection of 1.75 (95% confidence interval 1.31-2.34) and 1.43 (1.16-1.76), compared to those with HDL cholesterol of 2.2-2.3mmol/L (85-95mg/dL). In the Copenhagen City Heart Study, corresponding hazard ratios for any infection were 2.00 (1.16-3.43) and 1.13 (0.80-1.60). Conclusion Low and high HDL cholesterol concentrations found in 21% and 8% of individuals were associated with higher risk of infectious disease in the general population. These findings do not necessarily indicate causality. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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Fasting for >8 h, as previously required for lipid profiles, normally only occurs a few hours before breakfast. By contrast, the nonfasting state predominates most of a 24-h cycle and better captures atherogenic lipoprotein levels. Plasma contains atherogenic lipoproteins of hepatic origin in the fasting state and additionally those of intestinal origin in the nonfasting state. Maximal mean changes for random, nonfasting versus fasting levels are +26 mg/dl for triglycerides, -8 mg/dl for total cholesterol, -8 mg/dl for low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, +8 mg/dl for remnant cholesterol, and -8 mg/dl for non-high-density lipoprotein cholesterol; lipoprotein(a), apolipoprotein B, and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol are largely unaffected. For patients, laboratories, and clinicians alike, nonfasting lipid profiles represent a simplification without negative implications for prognostic, diagnostic, and therapeutic options for cardiovascular disease prevention. Several societies' guidelines and statements in Denmark, the United Kingdom, Europe, Canada, Brazil, and the United States endorse nonfasting lipid profiles. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aims: High-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol concentrations are inversely associated with cardiovascular disease and mortality across a range of concentrations, but genetic evidence suggest that extreme high concentrations may paradoxically lead to more cardiovascular disease. We tested the hypothesis that extreme high concentrations of HDL cholesterol are associated with high all-cause mortality in men and women. Methods and results: A total of 52 268 men and 64 240 women were included from the two prospective population-based studies, the Copenhagen City Heart Study and the Copenhagen General Population Study. During 745 452 person-years of followup, number of deaths from any cause were 5619 (mortality rate, 17.1/1000 person-years (95% confidence interval (CI): 16.7-17.6)) in men and 5059 (mortality rate, 12.1/1000 person-years (11.8-12.4)) in women. The association between HDL cholesterol concentrations and all-cause mortality was U-shaped for both men and women, with both extreme high and low concentrations being associated with high all-cause mortality risk. The concentration of HDL cholesterol associated with the lowest all-cause mortality was 1.9mmol/L (95% CI: 1.4-2.0) (73 mg/dL (54-77)) in men and 2.4mmol/L (1.8-2.5) (93mg/dL (69-97)) in women. When compared with the groups with the lowest risk, the multifactorially adjusted hazard ratios for all-cause mortality were 1.36 (95% CI: 1.09-1.70) for men with HDL cholesterol of 2.5-2.99mmol/L (97-115 mg/dL) and 2.06 (1.44-2.95) for men with HDL cholesterol ≥3.0 mmol/L (116 mg/dL). For women, corresponding hazard ratios were 1.10 (0.83-1.46) for HDL cholesterol of 3.0-3.49mmol/L (116-134mg/dL) and 1.68 (1.09-2.58) for HDL cholesterol >_3.5 mmol/L (135 mg/dL). Conclusion: Men and women in the general population with extreme high HDL cholesterol paradoxically have high all-cause mortality. These findings need confirmation in other studies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim We compared the 2013 American College of Cardiology/American Heart Association (ACC/AHA) and the 2016 European Society of Cardiology/European Atherosclerosis Society (ESC/EAS) guidelines on prevention of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD) using different risk prediction models [US Pooled Cohort Equations (US-PCE for any ASCVD) and European Systematic COronary Risk Evaluation system (European-SCORE for fatal ASCVD)] and different statin eligibility criteria. Methods and results We examined 44 889 individuals aged 40–75 recruited in 2003–09 in the Copenhagen General Population Study, all free of ASCVD, diabetes, and statin use at baseline. We detected 2217 any ASCVD events and 199 fatal ASCVD events through 2014. The predicted-to-observed event ratio was 1.2 using US-PCE for any ASCVD and 5.0 using European-SCORE for fatal ASCVD. The US-PCE, but not the European-SCORE, was well-calibrated around decision thresholds for statin therapy. For a Class I recommendation, 42% of individuals qualified for statins using the ACC/AHA guidelines vs. 6% with the ESC/EAS guidelines. Using ACC/AHA- vs. ESC/EAS-defined statin eligibility led to a substantial gain in sensitivity (+62% for any ASCVD and +76% for fatal ASCVD) with a smaller loss in specificity (−35% for any ASCVD and −36% for fatal ASCVD). Similar differences between the ACC/AHA and ESC/EAS guidelines were found for men and women separately, and for Class IIa recommendations. The sensitivity and specificity of a US-PCE risk of 5% were similar to those of a European-SCORE risk of 1.4%, whereas a US-PCE risk of 7.5% was similar to a European-SCORE risk of 2.4%. Conclusions The ACC/AHA guidelines were superior to the ESC/EAS guidelines for primary prevention of ASCVD, that is, for accurately assigning statin therapy to those who would benefit. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aims To critically evaluate the clinical implications of the use of non-fasting rather than fasting lipid profiles and to provide guidance for the laboratory reporting of abnormal non-fasting or fasting lipid profiles. Methods and results Extensive observational data, in which random non-fasting lipid profiles have been compared with those determined under fasting conditions, indicate that the maximal mean changes at 1-6 h after habitual meals are not clinically significant [+0.3 mmol/L (26 mg/dL) for triglycerides; 20.2 mmol/L (8 mg/dL) for total cholesterol; 20.2 mmol/L (8 mg/dL) for LDL cholesterol; +0.2 mmol/L (8 mg/dL) for calculated remnant cholesterol; 20.2 mmol/L (8 mg/dL) for calculated non-HDL cholesterol]; concentrations of HDL cholesterol, apolipoprotein A1, apolipoprotein B, and lipoprotein(a) are not affected by fasting/non-fasting status. In addition, non-fasting and fasting concentrations vary similarly over time and are comparable in the prediction of cardiovascular disease. To improve patient compliance with lipid testing, we therefore recommend the routine use of non-fasting lipid profiles, while fasting sampling may be considered when non-fasting triglycerides .5 mmol/L (440 mg/dL). For non-fasting samples, laboratory reports should flag abnormal concentrations as triglycerides ≥2 mmol/L (175 mg/dL), total cholesterol ≥5 mmol/L (190 mg/dL), LDL cholesterol ≥3 mmol/L (115 mg/dL), calculated remnant cholesterol ≥0.9 mmol/L (35 mg/dL), calculated non-HDL cholesterol ≥3.9 mmol/L (150 mg/dL), HDL cholesterol ≤1 mmol/L (40 mg/dL), apolipoprotein A1 ≤1.25 g/L (125 mg/dL), apolipoprotein B ≥1.0 g/L (100 mg/dL), and lipoprotein(a) ≥50 mg/dL (80th percentile); for fasting samples, abnormal concentrations correspond to triglycerides ≥1.7 mmol/L (150 mg/dL). Life-threatening concentrations require separate referral when triglycerides .10 mmol/L (880 mg/dL) for the risk of pancreatitis, LDL cholesterol .13 mmol/L (500 mg/dL) for homozygous familial hypercholesterolaemia, LDL cholesterol .5 mmol/L (190 mg/dL) for heterozygous familial hypercholesterolaemia, and lipoprotein(a) .150 mg/dL (99th percentile) for very high cardiovascular risk. Conclusion We recommend that non-fasting blood samples be routinely used for the assessment of plasma lipid profiles. Laboratory reports should flag abnormal values on the basis of desirable concentration cut-points. Non-fasting and fasting measurements should be complementary but not mutually exclusive. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aims Elevated non-fasting triglycerides mark elevated levels of remnant cholesterol. Using a Mendelian randomization approach, we tested whether genetically increased remnant cholesterol in hypertriglyceridaemia due to genetic variation in the apolipoprotein A5 gene (APOA5) associates with an increased risk of myocardial infarction (MI). Methods and results We resequenced the core promoter and coding regions of APOA5 in individuals with the lowest 1% (n = 95) and highest 2% (n = 190) triglyceride levels in the Copenhagen City Heart Study (CCHS, n = 10 391). Genetic variants which differed in frequency between the two extreme triglyceride groups (c.-1131T > C, S19W, and c.*31C > T; P-value: 0.06 to <0.001), thus suggesting an effect on triglyceride levels, were genotyped in the Copenhagen General Population Study (CGPS), the CCHS, and the Copenhagen Ischemic Heart Disease Study (CIHDS), comprising a total of 5705 MI cases and 54 408 controls. Genotype combinations of these common variants associated with increases in non-fasting triglycerides and calculated remnant cholesterol of, respectively, up to 68% (1.10 mmol/L) and 56% (0.40 mmol/L) (P < 0.001), and with a corresponding odds ratio for MI of 1.87 (95% confidence interval: 1.25–2.81). Using APOA5 genotypes in instrumental variable analysis, the observational hazard ratio for a doubling in non-fasting triglycerides was 1.57 (1.32–2.68) compared with a causal genetic odds ratio of 1.94 (1.40–1.85) (P for comparison = 0.28). For calculated remnant cholesterol, the corresponding values were 1.67(1.38–2.02) observational and 2.23(1.48–3.35) causal (P for comparison = 0.21). Conclusion These data are consistent with a causal association between elevated levels of remnant cholesterol in hypertriglyceridaemia and an increased risk of MI. Limitations include that remnants were not measured directly, and that APOA5 genetic variants may influence other lipoprotein parameters. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Background: Guidelines recommend initiating primary prevention for atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD) with statins based on absolute ASCVD risk assessment. Recently, alternative trial-based and hybrid approaches were suggested for statin treatment eligibility.Objectives: This study compared these approaches in a direct head-to-head fashion in a contemporary population.Methods: The study used the CGPS (Copenhagen General Population Study) with 37,892 subjects aged 40 to 75 years recruited in 2003 to 2008, all free of ASCVD, diabetes, and statin use at baseline.Results: Among the population studied, 42% were eligible for statin therapy according to the 2013 American College of Cardiology/American Heart Association (ACC/AHA) risk assessment and cholesterol treatment guidelines approach, versus 56% with the trial-based approach and 21% with the hybrid approach. Among these statin-eligible subjects, the ASCVD event rate per 1,000 person-years was 9.8, 6.8, and 11.2, respectively. The ACC/AHA-recommended absolute risk score was well calibrated around the 7.5% 10-year ASCVD risk treatment threshold and discriminated better than the trial-based or hybrid approaches. Compared with the ACC/AHA risk-based approach, the net reclassification index for eligibility for statin therapy among 40- to 75-year-old subjects from the CGPS was -0.21 for the trial-based approach and -0.13 for the hybrid approach.Conclusions: The clinical performance of the ACC/AHA risk-based approach for primary prevention of ASCVD with statins was superior to the trial-based and hybrid approaches. Our results indicate that the ACC/AHA guidelines will prevent more ASCVD events than the trial-based and hybrid approaches, while treating fewer people compared with the trial-based approach. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: The purpose of this study was to determine whether elevated lipoprotein(a) levels and corresponding LPA risk genotypes (rs10455872, rs3798220, kringle IV type 2 repeat polymorphism) prospectively associate with increased risk of aortic valve stenosis (AVS). Background: The etiologic basis of AVS is unclear. Recent data implicate an LPA genetic variant (rs10455872), associated with Lp(a) levels, in calcific AVS. Methods: We combined data from 2 prospective general population studies, the Copenhagen City Heart Study (1991 to 2011; n = 10,803) and the Copenhagen General Population Study (2003 to 2011; n = 66,877), following up 77,680 Danish participants for as long as 20 years, during which time 454 were diagnosed with AVS. We conducted observational and genetic instrumental variable analyses in a Mendelian randomization study design. Results: Elevated Lp(a) levels were associated with multivariable adjusted hazard ratios for AVS of 1.2 (95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.8 to 1.7) for 22nd to 66th percentile levels (5 to 19 mg/dl), 1.6 (95% CI: 1.1 to 2.4) for 67th to 89th percentile levels (20 to 64 mg/dl), 2.0 (95% CI: 1.2 to 3.4) for 90th to 95th percentile levels (65 to 90 mg/dl), and 2.9 (95% CI: 1.8 to 4.9) for levels greater than 95th percentile (>90 mg/dl), versus levels less than the 22nd percentile (<5 mg/dl; trend, p < 0.001). Lp(a) levels were elevated among carriers of rs10455872 and rs3798220 minor alleles, and of low number of KIV-2 repeats (trend, all p < 0.001). Combining all genotypes, instrumental variable analysis yielded a genetic relative risk for AVS of 1.6 (95% CI: 1.2 to 2.1) for a 10-fold Lp(a) increase, comparable to the observational hazard ratio of 1.4 (95% CI: 1.2 to 1.7) for a 10-fold increase in Lp(a) plasma levels. Conclusions: Elevated Lp(a) levels and corresponding genotypes were associated with increased risk of AVS in the general population, with levels >90 mg/dl predicting a threefold increased risk. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Objectives The study tested whether extreme lipoprotein(a) levels and/or corresponding LPA risk genotypes improve myocardial infarction (MI) and coronary heart disease (CHD) risk prediction beyond conventional risk factors. Background Elevated lipoprotein(a) levels cause MI and CHD. Levels are primarily determined by variation in the LPA gene. Methods We followed 8,720 Danish participants in a general population study from 1991 to 1994 through 2011 without losses to follow-up. During this period, 730 and 1,683 first-time MI and CHD events occurred. Using predefined cutpoints for extreme lipoprotein(a) levels and/or corresponding LPA risk genotypes (kringle IV type 2 [KIV-2]) repeat polymorphism, rs3798220, and rs10455872 single nucleotide polymorphisms), we calculated net reclassification indices from <10% to 10% to 19.9% to ≥20% absolute 10-year MI and CHD risk. Results For individuals with lipoprotein(a) levels ≥80th percentile (≥47 mg/dl), 23% (p < 0.001) of MI events and 12% (p < 0.001) of CHD events were reclassified correctly, while no events were reclassified incorrectly for either endpoint. As some incorrect reclassification of individuals with no events occurred, addition of lipoprotein(a) levels ≥80th percentile overall yielded net reclassification indices of +16% (95% confidence interval: 8% to 24%) and +3% (−1% to 8%) for MI and CHD, respectively. Corresponding net reclassification indices for number of KIV-2 repeats ≤21st percentile were +12% (5% to 19%) and +4% (0% to 8%), for rs3798220 carrier status +15% (−14% to 44%) and +10% (−10% to 30%), and for rs10455872 carrier status +16% (6% to 26%) and +2% (−1% to 6%). Considering only individuals at 10% to 19.9% absolute 10-year MI and CHD risk, addition of extreme lipoprotein(a) levels or corresponding LPA risk genotypes improved risk prediction even further. Conclusions Extreme lipoprotein(a) levels or corresponding LPA KIV-2/rs10455872 risk genotypes substantially improved MI and CHD risk prediction. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Plasma apolipoprotein B (apoB) is a composite measure of all apoB-containing lipoproteins causing atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease; however, it is unclear which fraction of risk is explained by cholesterol and triglycerides, respectively, in very low-density lipoproteins (VLDLs).Objectives: The authors tested the hypothesis that VLDL cholesterol and triglycerides each explain part of the myocardial infarction risk from apoB-containing lipoproteins.Methods: Nested within 109,751 individuals from the Copenhagen General Population Study, the authors examined 25,480 subjects free of lipid-lowering therapy and myocardial infarction at study entry. All had measurements of plasma apoB (quantitating number of apoB-containing lipoproteins) and cholesterol and triglyceride content of VLDL, intermediate-density lipoproteins (IDLs), and low-density lipoproteins (LDLs).Results: During a median 11 years of follow-up, 1,816 were diagnosed with myocardial infarction. Per 1-mmol/l higher levels, multivariable-adjusted hazard ratios for myocardial infarction were 2.07 (95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.81 to 2.36) for VLDL cholesterol, 1.19 (95% CI: 1.14 to 1.25) for VLDL triglycerides, 5.38 (95% CI: 3.73 to 7.75) for IDL cholesterol, and 1.86 (95% CI: 1.62 to 2.14) for LDL cholesterol. Per 1-g/l higher plasma apoB, the corresponding value was 2.21 (95% CI: 1.90 to 2.58). In a step-up Cox regression, risk factors for myocardial infarction entered by importance as VLDL cholesterol, systolic blood pressure, smoking, and IDL + LDL cholesterol, whereas VLDL triglycerides did not enter the model. VLDL cholesterol explained 50% and IDL + LDL cholesterol 29% of the risk of myocardial infarction from apoB-containing lipoproteins, whereas VLDL triglycerides did not explain risk.Conclusions: VLDL cholesterol explained one-half of the myocardial infarction risk from elevated apoB-containing lipoproteins, whereas VLDL triglycerides did not explain risk. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: The aim of this study was to test the hypothesis that elevated nonfasting remnant cholesterol is a causal risk factor for ischemic heart disease independent of reduced high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol. Background: Elevated remnant cholesterol is associated with elevated levels of triglyceride-rich lipoproteins and with reduced HDL cholesterol, and all are associated with ischemic heart disease. Methods: A total of 73,513 subjects from Copenhagen were genotyped, of whom 11,984 had ischemic heart disease diagnosed between 1976 and 2010. Fifteen genetic variants were selected, affecting: 1) nonfasting remnant cholesterol alone; 2) nonfasting remnant cholesterol and HDL cholesterol combined; 3) HDL cholesterol alone; or 4) low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol alone as a positive control. The variants were used in a Mendelian randomization design. Results: The causal odds ratio for a 1 mmol/l (39 mg/dl) genetic increase of nonfasting remnant cholesterol was 2.8 (95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.9 to 4.2), with a corresponding observational hazard ratio of 1.4 (95% CI: 1.3 to 1.5). For the ratio of nonfasting remnant cholesterol to HDL cholesterol, corresponding values were 2.9 (95% CI: 1.9 to 4.6) causal and 1.2 (95% CI 1.2 to 1.3) observational for a 1-U increase. However, for HDL cholesterol, corresponding values were 0.7 (95% CI: 0.4 to 1.4) causal and 1.6 (95% CI: 1.4 to 1.7) observational for a 1 mmol/l (39 mg/dl) decrease. Finally, for LDL cholesterol, corresponding values were 1.5 (95% CI: 1.3 to 1.6) causal and 1.1 (95% CI: 1.1 to 1.2) observational for a 1 mmol/l (39 mg/dl) increase. Conclusions: A nonfasting remnant cholesterol increase of 1 mmol/l (39 mg/dl) is associated with a 2.8-fold causal risk for ischemic heart disease, independent of reduced HDL cholesterol. This implies that elevated cholesterol content of triglyceride-rich lipoprotein particles causes ischemic heart disease. However, because pleiotropic effects of the genetic variants studied cannot be totally excluded, these findings need to be confirmed using additional genetic variants and/or randomized intervention trials. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Objectives: This study tested whether genetic variation in the CETP gene is consistent with a protective effect of cholesteryl ester transfer protein (CETP) inhibition on risk of ischemic events and on total mortality, without the adverse effects reported for torcetrapib. Background: Torcetrapib, an inhibitor of CETP, increased risk of death and ischemic cardiovascular disease of those randomized to the drug, despite improving the lipid profile. Methods: The Copenhagen City Heart Study is a prospective cohort study of 10,261 individuals, aged 20 to 93 years, who were followed for up to 34 years (1976 to 2010). Of these, 2,087 developed ischemic heart disease, 1,064 developed ischemic cerebrovascular disease, and 3,807 died during follow-up. We selected 2 common genetic variants in CETP previously associated with reductions in CETP activity, thus mimicking the effect of pharmacological CETP inhibition. Results: In individuals carrying 4 versus 0 high-density lipoprotein cholesterol–increasing alleles, there was an increase in levels of high-density lipoprotein cholesterol of up to 14% (0.2 mmol/l), and concomitant decreases in triglycerides, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, and non–high-density lipoprotein cholesterol of, respectively, 6% (0.1 mmol/l), 3% (0.1 mmol/l), and 4% (0.2 mmol/l) (p for trend 0.004 to <0.001). Corresponding hazard ratios were 0.76 (95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.68 to 0.85) for any ischemic vascular event, 0.74 (95% CI: 0.65 to 0.85) for ischemic heart disease, 0.65 (95% CI: 0.54 to 0.79) for myocardial infarction, 0.77 (95% CI: 0.65 to 0.93) for ischemic cerebrovascular disease, 0.71 (95% CI: 0.58 to 0.88) for ischemic stroke, and 0.88 (95% CI: 0.80 to 0.97) for total mortality. CETP genotypes did not associate with variation in markers of possible side effects previously reported for torcetrapib. Conclusions: Genetic CETP inhibition associates with reductions in risk of ischemic heart disease, myocardial infarction, ischemic cerebrovascular disease, and ischemic stroke, with a corresponding antiatherogenic lipid profile, and with increased longevity, without adverse effects. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Objectives: The goal of this study was to determine whether residual risk after high-dose statin therapy for primary prevention individuals with reduced levels of low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) is related to on-treatment apolipoprotein B, non–high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (non–HDL-C), trigylcerides, or lipid ratios, and how they compare with on-treatment LDL-C. Background: Guidelines focus on LDL-C as the primary target of therapy, yet residual risk for cardiovascular disease (CVD) among statin-treated individuals remains high and not fully explained. Methods: Participants in the randomized placebo-controlled JUPITER (Justification for the Use of Statins in Prevention: An Intervention Trial Evaluating Rosuvastatin) trial were adults without diabetes or CVD, with baseline LDL-C levels <130 mg/dl, high-sensitivity C-reactive protein levels ≥2 mg/l, and triglyceride concentrations <500 mg/dl. Individuals allocated to receive rosuvastatin 20 mg daily with baseline and on-treatment lipids and lipoproteins were examined in relation to the primary endpoint of incident CVD (nonfatal myocardial infarction or stroke, hospitalization for unstable angina, arterial revascularization, or cardiovascular death). Results: Using separate multivariate Cox models, statistically significant associations of a similar magnitude with residual risk of CVD were found for on-treatment LDL-C, non–HDL-C, apolipoprotein B, total cholesterol/HDL-C, LDL-C/HDL-C, and apolipoprotein B/A-I. The respective adjusted standardized hazard ratios (95% confidence intervals) for each of these measures were 1.31 (1.09 to 1.56), 1.25 (1.04 to 1.50), 1.27 (1.06 to 1.53), 1.22 (1.03 to 1.44), 1.29 (1.09 to 1.52), and 1.27 (1.09 to 1.49). The overall residual risk and the risk associated with these measures decreased among participants achieving on-treatment LDL-C ≤70 mg/dl, on-treatment non–HDL-C ≤100 mg/dl, or on-treatment apolipoprotein B ≤80 mg/dl. In contrast, on-treatment triglycerides showed no association with CVD. Conclusions: In this primary prevention trial of nondiabetic individuals with low LDL-C and elevated high-sensitivity C-reactive protein, on-treatment LDL-C was as valuable as non–HDL-C, apolipoprotein B, or ratios in predicting residual risk. (JUPITER—Crestor 20mg Versus Placebo in Prevention of Cardiovascular [CV] Events; NCT00239681) [Copyright &y& Elsevier]