Related Experiment Video

Updated: Feb 15, 2026

A Familial Hypercholesterolemia Human Liver Chimeric Mouse Model Using Induced Pluripotent Stem Cell-derived Hepatocytes
10:56

A Familial Hypercholesterolemia Human Liver Chimeric Mouse Model Using Induced Pluripotent Stem Cell-derived Hepatocytes

Published on: September 15, 2018

8.5K

Cardiovascular risk in patients with familial hypercholesterolemia using optimal lipid-lowering therapy

Annette M Galema-Boers1, Mattie J Lenzen2, Sophie R Engelkes1

  • 1Pharmacology, Vascular and Metabolic Diseases Section of the Department of Internal Medicine, Erasmus University Medical Centre, Rotterdam, The Netherlands.

Journal of Clinical Lipidology
|February 6, 2018
PubMed

Insights

Familial hypercholesterolemia patients on lipid-lowering therapy still experience cardiovascular events, particularly subsequent ones. Smoking and hypertension are key drivers, highlighting the need for aggressive risk factor management alongside therapy.

Area of Science:

  • Cardiology
  • Genetics
  • Public Health

Background:

  • Familial hypercholesterolemia (FH) patients on lipid-lowering therapy (LLT) face residual cardiovascular risk.
  • Data on the incidence and contributing factors of this residual risk in FH patients are limited.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To quantify cardiovascular events in FH patients despite LLT.
  • To identify clinical factors associated with cardiovascular risk in this population.

Main Methods:

  • A time-dependent analysis was performed on a cohort of heterozygous FH patients receiving stable LLT.
  • Univariate and multivariate regression analyses identified associations between clinical characteristics and cardiovascular events.

Main Results:

  • 12% of 821 FH patients developed cardiovascular disease (CVD) over 8538 person-years of LLT.
  • Factors associated with CVD included prior events, family history of premature CVD, hypertension, elevated LDL-C, lower HDL-C, and smoking.
  • Subsequent cardiovascular events occurred in 30% of affected patients, with smoking being a significant factor.

Conclusions:

  • Cardiovascular events, including subsequent events, persist in FH patients despite LLT.
  • Hypertension and smoking are critical modifiable risk factors that necessitate intensified management strategies.
  • Optimizing risk factor reduction is crucial in addition to maximizing LLT for FH patients.
Abstract

Keywords:
Cardiovascular diseaseFamilial hypercholesterolemiaLipid-lowering therapyResidual cardiovascular riskRisk factorsStatins

More Related Videos

Differential Effects of Lipid-lowering Drugs in Modulating Morphology of Cholesterol Particles09:15

Differential Effects of Lipid-lowering Drugs in Modulating Morphology of Cholesterol Particles

Published on: November 10, 2017

15.1K
Measurement of Fronto-limbic Activity Using an Emotional Oddball Task in Children with Familial High Risk for Schizophrenia13:08

Measurement of Fronto-limbic Activity Using an Emotional Oddball Task in Children with Familial High Risk for Schizophrenia

Published on: December 2, 2015

9.5K

Related Concept Videos

Family Therapy01:30

Family Therapy

Family therapy conceptualizes psychological challenges as arising from dysfunctional interactions within the family unit, rather than as isolated issues within individuals. This approach seeks to address and transform the patterns of communication, roles, and relationships within families to promote healthier dynamics and emotional well-being for all members.
Strategic Family Therapy
Strategic family therapy emphasizes resolving communication barriers and improving problem-solving abilities...
620
Lipid-Lowering Drugs: Statins and Miscellaneous Agents01:20

Lipid-Lowering Drugs: Statins and Miscellaneous Agents

Hyperlipidemia, a medical condition often referred to as high cholesterol, is characterized by abnormally elevated levels of lipids in the bloodstream. When present in excess, these lipids, specifically cholesterol and triglycerides, can lead to serious health complications, often involving cardiovascular diseases. Illnesses like atherosclerosis, heart attacks, and pancreatitis have all been linked to untreated hyperlipidemia. This means controlling and regulating cholesterol and triglyceride...
1.5K
Protein Families02:47

Protein Families

Protein families are groups of homologous proteins; that is, they have similarities in amino acid sequences and three-dimensional structures. Protein families usually occur because of gene duplication, where an additional copy of a gene is inserted into the genome of an organism.   Mutations that change the amino acids but still allow the protein to be properly synthesized, will lead to new protein family members.   If these new proteins contain similar amino acids in key...
17.2K
Protein Families02:47

Protein Families

4.5K
Gene Families01:57

Gene Families

Gene families consist of groups of genes proposed to have originated from a common ancestor. Typically these arise through events in which a gene or genes are mistakenly duplicated during cell division. Unlike their parent genes (which are subject to selection pressure to maintain function), these gene copies do not need to preserve their sequences and may evolve at a relatively faster rate.
Occasionally these regions can be adapted to take on new roles within the organism, becoming novel genes...
10.0K
Gene Families01:57

Gene Families

3.9K