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Atherosclerosis 2022 May 8. Epub 2022 May 8.

Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, USA.

Background And Aims: A recent trial reported that patients with peripheral artery disease (PAD) without coronary heart disease or stroke (CHD/stroke) had worse prognosis than those with CHD/stroke without PAD. However, community-based data are lacking. The purpose of this study was to compare mortality according to the status of PAD and CHD/stroke in the general population. Read More

Atherosclerosis 2022 Apr 25. Epub 2022 Apr 25.

The Lundquist Institute at Harbor-UCLA Medical Center, 1124 W Carson Street, Torrance, CA, 90502, USA.

Background And Aims: People living with HIV (HIV+) are surviving longer due to effective antiretroviral therapy. Cardiovascular disease is a leading cause of non-AIDS related clinical events. We determined HIV-related factors associated with coronary artery stenosis progression. Read More

Atherosclerosis 2022 May 7;351:1-8. Epub 2022 May 7.

Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health, Medical College of Soochow University, Suzhou, 215123, PR China. Electronic address:

Background And Aims: Ischemic stroke is a major contributor to global mortality and disability. Metabolomics represents a powerful tool for discovering biomarkers of ischemic stroke due to its ability to detect metabolites small enough to cross the blood-brain barrier. The aim of this study is to identify potential metabolic biomarkers for predicting 1-year vascular events and death after acute ischemic stroke (AIS). Read More

Atherosclerosis 2022 Apr 25;350:90-96. Epub 2022 Apr 25.

Department of Epidemiology, Fuwai Hospital, National Center for Cardiovascular Diseases, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Key Laboratory of Cardiovascular Epidemiology, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing, 10037, China; School of Medicine, Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen, 518055, China. Electronic address:

Background And Aims: We conducted a systematic review with meta-analysis of non-prospective and prospective clinical studies to assess the effects of circulating branched-chain amino acids (BCAA), including Isoleucine, Valine and Leucine, on cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk.

Methods: PubMed, Embase, Cochrane and CNKI databases were searched for publications reporting the relationship between BCAAs and CVD. Relative risk (RR) and odd ratios (OR) were extracted and pooled. Read More

Atherosclerosis 2022 Apr 25. Epub 2022 Apr 25.

Epidemiology and Preventive Pharmacology Service (SEFAP), Department of Pharmacological and Biomolecular Sciences, University of Milan, Milan, Italy; IRCCS MultiMedica, Sesto S. Giovanni (MI), Italy.

Background And Aims: Little is known about the role of Lp(a) in the assessment of cardiovascular risk in the paediatric population. Trying to clarify the clinical relevance of Lp(a) in risk stratification, the aim of the study is to evaluate the association between Lp(a) plasma levels in children with familial hypercholesterolaemia (FH) and positive family history for premature cardiovascular disease (pCVD) in first- and second-degree relatives.

Methods: 653 Caucasian children and adolescents (334 females and 319 males), aged 2-17 years, with diagnosis of FH from a paediatric cohort included in the LIPIGEN Network, were selected. Read More

Atherosclerosis 2022 Apr 28;350:82-89. Epub 2022 Apr 28.

Section of Cardiovascular Research, Department of Medicine, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA; Section of Cardiology, Department of Medicine, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA. Electronic address:

Background And Aims: Risk factor cutoffs are derived from associations with clinical cardiovascular disease (CVD), but how these risk factors associate with preserved cardiovascular health into old age is not well studied. We investigated midlife determinants of healthy versus nonhealthy cardiovascular aging in the Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities (ARIC) study.

Methods: ARIC participants were categorized by cardiovascular status in older age (mean age 75. Read More

Atherosclerosis 2022 Apr 26. Epub 2022 Apr 26.

Institute of Genetic Epidemiology, Department of Genetics and Pharmacology, Medical University of Innsbruck, Austria. Electronic address:

Background And Aims: High lipoprotein(a) [Lp(a)] concentrations are associated with increased coronary artery disease (CAD) risk. Lp(a) is regulated mainly genetically by the LPA gene but involved genetic variants have not been fully elucidated. Improved understanding of the entanglements of genetic Lp(a) regulation may enhance genetic prediction of Lp(a) and CAD risk. Read More

Atherosclerosis 2022 Mar 29;350:73-81. Epub 2022 Mar 29.

Dept. of Internal Medicine B, University Medicine Greifswald, Greifswald, Germany; German Centre for Cardiovascular Research (DZHK), Partner-site Greifswald, Greifswald, Germany. Electronic address:

Background And Aims: Sphingosine-1-phosphate (S1P) is a sphingolipid which influences the immune and vascular system. The relationship between S1P and vascular disease in the general population is currently unclear. We explored the relation between S1P and vascular markers, (i. Read More

Atherosclerosis 2022 Apr 28. Epub 2022 Apr 28.

Department of Medical Science and Cardiorenal Medicine, Yokohama City University Graduate School of Medicine, Yokohama, Japan.

Atherosclerosis 2022 Apr 29. Epub 2022 Apr 29.

School of Cancer & Pharmaceutical Sciences, King's College London, London, UK.

Atherosclerosis 2022 Apr 25;350:65-72. Epub 2022 Apr 25.

Department of Family Medicine, Samsung Medical Center, Sungkyunkwan University, School of Medicine, Seoul, South Korea; Department of Clinical Research Design & Evaluation, Samsung Advanced Institute of Health Science and Technology (SAIHST), Sungkyunkwan University, Seoul, South Korea; Department of Digital Health, Samsung Advanced Institute of Health Science and Technology (SAIHST), Sungkyunkwan University, Seoul, South Korea. Electronic address:

Background And Aims: Alcohol consumption has complex effects on myocardial infarction (MI) and ischemic stroke. We investigated the difference in associations according to drinking patterns (drinking frequency vs. amount per occasion) and sex. Read More

Atherosclerosis 2022 Apr 12;350:58-64. Epub 2022 Apr 12.

National Clinical Research Center for Cardiovascular Diseases, State Key Laboratory of Cardiovascular Disease, Fuwai Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, National Center for Cardiovascular Diseases, Beijing, 100037, China. Electronic address:

Background And Aims: Familial hypercholesterolemia (FH) is a genetic disorder with a high burden of arteriosclerotic cardiovascular disease. The prevalence of heterozygous FH is currently 0.2%-0. Read More

Atherosclerosis 2022 Apr 21;350:51-57. Epub 2022 Apr 21.

Department of Sport, Exercise and Health, Medical Faculty, University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland. Electronic address:

Background And Aims: Childhood obesity and high blood pressure (BP) are main determinants for cardiovascular disease development with regional and ethnic differences. Narrower arteriolar (CRAE) and wider venular (CRVE) retinal vessel diameters are sensitive markers of early vascular compromise in children. We aimed to compare retinal vessel diameters and investigate associations and odds ratios with body mass index (BMI) and BP in a multi-national/ethnic childhood study. Read More

Atherosclerosis 2022 Apr 25;350:41-50. Epub 2022 Apr 25.

I+HeALTH, European University Miguel de Cervantes, Valladolid, Spain; Research Institute of the Hospital 12 de Octubre ('imas12' [PaHerg Group]), Madrid, Spain.

Peripheral arterial disease (PAD) is a prevalent cardiovascular disease. The main hallmarks of this condition are atherosclerosis and myopathy in the lower limbs, with progressive deterioration of the functional capacity and quality of life of affected individuals. There is evidence supporting physical exercise as an effective alternative for the treatment of PAD. Read More

Atherosclerosis 2022 Apr 14;350:33-40. Epub 2022 Apr 14.

Emergency Institute for Cardiovascular Diseases and Transplantation Târgu Mureş, Târgu Mureş, Romania.

Background And Aims: Machine learning (ML) models have been proposed as a prognostic clinical tool and superiority over clinical risk scores is yet to be established. Our aim was to analyse the performance of predicting 3-year all-cause- and cardiovascular cause mortality using ML techniques and compare it with clinical scores in a percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) population.

Methods: An all-comers patient population treated by PCI in a tertiary cardiovascular centre that have been included prospectively in the local registry between January 2016-December 2017 was analysed. Read More

Atherosclerosis 2022 Apr 15;350:25-32. Epub 2022 Apr 15.

Friedrich-Alexander University Erlangen-Nürnberg (FAU), Department of Cardiology, Erlangen, Germany. Electronic address:

Background And Aims: Various pro- and anti-inflammatory biomarkers are involved in the process of atherosclerosis. We analyzed the association of different biomarkers with coronary plaque volume and vulnerable plaque subcomponents.

Methods: In 301 patients undergoing coronary CT angiography (CTA), total coronary plaque volume (TPV) and subcomponents including non-calcified plaque volume (NCPV) and vulnerable plaque burden were quantified using semi-automated software. Read More

Atherosclerosis 2022 Apr 14. Epub 2022 Apr 14.

Department of Internal Medicine, Amsterdam University Medical Centres, Duivendrecht, Netherlands.

Atherosclerosis 2022 Apr 15;350:19-24. Epub 2022 Apr 15.

Department of Radiology, University Medical Center Utrecht and Utrecht University, Utrecht, the Netherlands. Electronic address:

Background And Aims: Pseudoxanthoma elasticum (PXE) is a genetic disorder characterized by systemic calcification of elastin fibers. Additionally, PXE is associated with an increased risk of stroke. It has been hypothesized that this may be caused by accelerated (intracranial) atherogenesis, as a consequence of specific genetic mutations underlying PXE. Read More

Atherosclerosis 2022 Apr 12;350:9-18. Epub 2022 Apr 12.

Department of Medicine, Cardiovascular Division, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA. Electronic address:

Background And Aims: Chronic vascular endothelial inflammation predisposes to atherosclerosis; however, the cell-autonomous roles for endothelial-expressing microRNAs (miRNAs) are poorly understood in this process. MiR-181b is expressed in several cellular constituents relevant to lesion formation. The aim of this study is to examine the role of genetic deficiency of the miR-181b locus in endothelial cells during atherogenesis. Read More

Atherosclerosis 2022 Apr 6;350:1-8. Epub 2022 Apr 6.

Department of Endocrine and Metabolic Diseases, Shanghai Institute of Endocrine and Metabolic Diseases, Ruijin Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China; Shanghai National Clinical Research Center for Metabolic Diseases, Key Laboratory for Endocrine and Metabolic Diseases of the National Health Commission of the PR China, Shanghai Key Laboratory for Endocrine Tumor, State Key Laboratory of Medical Genomics, Ruijin Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China. Electronic address:

Background And Aims: The Apolipoprotein A5 (APOA5) rs662799 was significantly associated with blood lipid level at genome-wide significance level. Whether dynamic changes of adiposity influence the effect of lipid loci on long-term blood lipid profile remains unclear. We assessed interactions of 5-year body mass index (BMI) change and rs662799 genotypes with risk of incident dyslipidemia and longitudinal changes in serum lipids in a prospective cohort. Read More

Atherosclerosis 2022 May 30;348:44-50. Epub 2022 Mar 30.

Department of Epidemiology, Erasmus MC - University Medical Center Rotterdam, Rotterdam, the Netherlands.

Background And Aims: We aimed to determine associations of plasma amyloid-β40 (Aβ40) with subclinical atherosclerosis and risk of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD) in the general population.

Methods: Between 2002 and 2005, plasma Aβ40 was measured by single molecule array (SiMoA®) in 3879 participants of the population-based Rotterdam Study (mean age: 71 years, 61% female). Subclinical atherosclerosis was quantified as computed tomography-assessed calcification volumes. Read More

Atherosclerosis 2022 Apr 10. Epub 2022 Apr 10.

Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, National Cerebral & Cardiovascular Center, 6-1, Kishibe-shinmachi, Suita, Osaka, 564-8565, Japan.

Background And Aims: The residual risk of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD) in patients with diabetes on statin therapy warrants identification of other pro-atherogenic drivers. Lipoprotein(a) [Lp(a)] promotes the formation of necrotic cores within vessel walls. Given that patients with diabetes have an Lp(a)-associated ASCVD risk, Lp(a) might lead to plaque vulnerability in patients with diabetes on statin therapy. Read More

Atherosclerosis 2022 Apr 8. Epub 2022 Apr 8.

Department of Cardiology, Peking University China-Japan Friendship School of Clinical Medicine, Beijing, China; Department of Cardiology, China-Japan Friendship Hospital, Beijing, China. Electronic address:

Background And Aims: Patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) have high residual risk of cardiovascular events, whether the residual risk is associated with elevated level of lipoprotein(a) [Lp(a)] is unascertained. We aimed to explore the impact of Lp(a) levels on the risk of major adverse clinical events (MACEs) in CKD patients hospitalized for acute coronary syndrome (ACS) compared to those without CKD.

Methods: The data of patients hospitalized for ACS were collected at the China-Japan Friendship Hospital from January 2015 to December 2019. Read More

Atherosclerosis 2022 May 22;348:36-43. Epub 2022 Mar 22.

Department of Clinical Biochemistry, Copenhagen University Hospital, Herlev and Gentofte, Herlev, Denmark; The Copenhagen General Population Study, Copenhagen University Hospital, Herlev and Gentofte, Herlev, Denmark; The Copenhagen City Heart Study, Copenhagen University Hospital, Bispebjerg and Frederiksberg Hospital, Copenhagen, Denmark; Department of Clinical Medicine, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark. Electronic address:

Background And Aims: Studies of self-reported coffee consumption and smoking on risk of dementia have shown results conflicting with two-sample Mendelian randomization studies. We tested the hypotheses that coffee consumption and smoking influence risk of dementia using observational and one-sample Mendelian randomization designs with individual level data.

Methods: We included 114,551 individuals from two Danish general population cohorts (median age 58 years). Read More

Atherosclerosis 2022 Apr 4. Epub 2022 Apr 4.

Dept. of Clinical Physiology, Nuclear Medicine & PET and Cluster for Molecular Imaging, Dept. of Biomedical Sciences, Rigshospitalet and University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark.

Background And Aims: The objective of this study was to investigate the effects of semaglutide, a long acting glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonist, on atherosclerotic inflammation and calcification using a multimodality positron emission tomography and computed tomography (PET/CT) approach.

Methods: Atherosclerotic New Zealand White rabbits were randomized to an intervention- (n = 12) or placebo group (n = 11) receiving either semaglutide or saline-placebo. PET/CT imaging was done before and after 16-weeks of intervention. Read More

Atherosclerosis 2022 Apr 1. Epub 2022 Apr 1.

Silence Therapeutics PLC, 72 Hammersmith Road, London, W14 8TH, London, UK.

Background And Aims: The LPA gene encodes apolipoprotein (a), a key component of Lp(a), a potent risk factor for cardiovascular disease with no specific pharmacotherapy. Here we describe the pharmacological data for SLN360, a GalNAc-conjugated siRNA targeting LPA, designed to address this unmet medical need.

Methods: SLN360 was tested in vitro for LPA knockdown in primary hepatocytes. Read More

Atherosclerosis 2022 May 1;348:25-35. Epub 2022 Apr 1.

Department of Vascular Disease, University Medical Center Ljubljana, Zaloska cesta 2, 1000, Ljubljana, Slovenia; Faculty of Medicine, University of Ljubljana, Vrazov trg 2, 1000, Ljubljana, Slovenia. Electronic address:

Atherosclerosis has a long preclinical phase, and the risk of cardiovascular (CV) events may be high in asymptomatic subjects. Conventional risk factors provide information for the statistical probability of developing CV events, but they lack precision in asymptomatic subjects. This review aims to summarize the role of some widely publicized indicators of early atherosclerosis in predicting CV events. Read More

Atherosclerosis 2022 May 4;348:53-55. Epub 2022 Apr 4.

Minerva Foundation Institute for Medical Research, Helsinki, Finland, Department of Anatomy, Faculty of Medicine, University of Helsinki, Finland. Electronic address:

Atherosclerosis 2022 Mar 30. Epub 2022 Mar 30.

Department of Clinical Physiology, Nuclear Medicine & PET and Cluster for Molecular Imaging, Department of Biomedical Sciences, Rigshospitalet and University of Copenhagen, 2100, Copenhagen, Denmark. Electronic address:

Background And Aims: Urokinase-type plasminogen activator receptor (uPAR) is associated with extracellular matrix (ECM) degradation and cancer aggressiveness. Its role in arterial atherogenesis as a molecular imaging target is not well-established. The aim of this study was to non-invasively visualize uPAR expression in atherosclerosis by a novel uPAR-targeting positron emission tomography (PET) tracer [Cu]Cu-DOTA-AE105. Read More

Atherosclerosis 2022 May 28;348:16-24. Epub 2022 Mar 28.

Center for Precision Medicine, Seoul National University Hospital, Seoul, 03080, South Korea; Division of Cardiology, Department of Internal Medicine, Seoul National University Hospital, Seoul, 03080, South Korea. Electronic address:

Background And Aims: Studies have demonstrated that the risk of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD) can be assessed by polygenic risk score (PRS) using common genetic variants. Because metabolic syndrome is a well-known, robust risk factor of ASCVD, we established PRS of metabolic disease and analyzed whether this PRS could predict incident ASCVD.

Methods: We constructed PRSs for eight quantifiable metabolic phenotypes-systolic/diastolic blood pressure, body mass index (BMI), four blood lipid components, and fasting blood glucose-by genome-wide association studies of two prospective Korean cohorts (n = 37,285). Read More