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Background: Statins are lipid‐lowering drugs with favorable anti‐inflammatory effects. This study aimed to explore different statin‐based lipid‐lowering strategies to reduce high‐sensitivity C‐reactive protein (hs‐CRP). Hypothesis: The hypothesis is that different statin‐based lipid‐lowering strategies might reduce hs‐CRP. Methods: This retrospective study included 3653 patients who underwent percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). Three statin‐based lipid‐lowering strategies were investigated, including different types of statins (atorvastatin vs. rosuvastatin), statin combined with ezetimibe therapy (vs. without), and intensive statin therapy (vs. regular). The hs‐CRP levels and blood lipid indicators were measured at baseline and after 1‐month lipid‐lowering therapy. Multivariable linear regression analysis and structural equation mode analysis were conducted to verify the association between different lipid‐lowering strategies, Δhs‐CRP (%) and ΔLDL‐C (%). Results: Totally, 3653 patients were enrolled with an average age of 63.81 years. Multivariable linear regression demonstrated that statin combined with ezetimibe therapy was significantly associated with decreased Δhs‐CRP (%) (β = −0.253, 95% CI: [−0.501 to −0.005], p = 0.045). The increased ΔLDL‐C (%) was an independent predictor of elevated levels of Δhs‐CRP (%) (β = 0.487, 95% CI: [0.15−0.824], p = 0.005). Furthermore, structural equation model analysis proved that statin combined with ezetimibe therapy (β = −0.300, p < 0.001) and intensive statin therapy (β = −0.032, p = 0.043) had an indirect negative effect on Δhs‐CRP via ΔLDL‐C. Conclusions: Compared with routine statin use, statin combined with ezetimibe therapy and intensive statin therapy could further reduce hs‐CRP levels. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Atherosclerosis can cause severe cardiovascular disease, which is usually diagnosed in late stages with life‐threatening complications. The lack of obvious symptoms limits its early diagnosis and timely treatment. In this work, a theranostic nanoplatform PGA@PMP is constructed for targeting photoacoustic diagnosis and a "hand‐in‐hand" immunoregulation of early‐stage atherosclerosis. Coated with biomimetic platelet membrane, PGA@PMP can actively target to the pathological endothelium and respond to the reactive oxygen species (ROS) in lesions for further disassembly and releasing photoacoustic probe along with immune‐regulate complex GWAS. The photoacoustic probe performs a noninvasive imaging with distinct recognition of plaques. In company, triggered by local cathepsin B, GWAS can be degraded for respective regulation on inducing M2 macrophages and stimulating regulatory T (Treg) cells. The transforming growth factor beta (TGF‐β) expressed by up‐regulated M2 macrophages also intensifies the Treg cell differentiation, which synergistically inhibits the foam cell formation and rebuilds a well‐balanced immune microenvironment. The in vivo evaluations suggest that the "hand‐in‐hand" strategy on regulating macrophages polarization and T cell differentiation indicates the restraint on atherosclerotic progression and the reversal of formed lesions even under high‐fat diet. Together, PGA@PMP provides an integrated solution for targeting theranostics of early‐stage atherosclerosis and delivers an exciting outcome of reversing the formed lesions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Inflammation contributes to poor prognosis in cardiovascular diseases. A novel biomarker for systemic inflammation that has garnered attention is the red blood cell distribution width (RDW). This study is designed to explore potential associations between RDW and hemoglobin‐to‐RDW ratio (HRR) with contrast‐associated acute kidney injury (CA‐AKI). Methods: This study retrospectively analyzed 4054 patients undergoing coronary angiography (CAG). Linear regression models were employed to assess the relationships between RDW or HRR and the elevation of serum creatinine (Scr). The associations between RDW or HRR and CA‐AKI were explored using restricted cubic spline and log‐binomial regression analyses taking into account specific cutoff values and quintiles. Exploratory analyses were also conducted to further investigate these associations. Results: Among enrolled patients, the average age was 66.9 years and 34.3% were female. Notably, patients who developed CA‐AKI tended to have higher RDW and lower HRR. Multivariable linear regression models demonstrated that RDW exhibited a positive association with Scr elevation (β = 2.496, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.784–3.208), while HRR displayed a negative association (β = −3.559, 95% CI = −4.243 to −2.875). Multivariable log‐binomial regression models confirmed that both high RDW (RDW ≥ 13.8%) and low HRR (HRR < 8.9) were significantly associated with a higher risk of CA‐AKI (RDW [≥13.8% vs. <13.8%]: relative risk [RR] = 1.540, 95% CI = 1.345–1.762; HRR [<8.9 vs. ≥8.9]: RR = 1.822, 95% CI = 1.584–2.096). Exploratory analysis determined that such associations still existed regardless of age, gender, estimated glomerular filtration rate, or anemia. Conclusions: Elevated preoperative RDW and decreased HRR were significantly associated with CA‐AKI in patients undergoing CAG. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]