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The influence of triglyceride and low-density-lipoprotein target levels on microcirculation: Is there a difference?
Gergely Galos1,2, Miklos Rabai3, Reka Szabo1
1Department of Medicine, Division of Preventive Cardiology and Rehabilitation, University of Pecs, School of Medicine, Pecs, Hungary.
Insights
High triglycerides (TG) significantly impair microcirculation, worsening outcomes for high cardiovascular risk patients. Achieving TG and LDL-C targets improves microvascular function, crucial for patient survival and quality of life.
Area of Science:
- Cardiovascular Medicine
- Lipid Metabolism
- Microcirculation Research
Background:
- Microcirculation plays a critical role in cardiovascular health.
- Lipid management, particularly targeting LDL-C and TG, is essential for high cardiovascular risk patients.
Purpose of the Study:
- To validate the impact of LDL-C and TG treatment targets on microcirculation.
- To assess microcirculatory parameters in high and very high cardiovascular risk individuals.
Main Methods:
- 119 high/very high cardiovascular risk patients were analyzed.
- Measurements included hematocrit, blood viscosity (WBV, PV), RBC aggregation/deformability, fibrinogen, and lipid profiles (TC, HDL-C, LDL-C, TG).
- Patient data on comorbidities, smoking, BMI, and lipid-lowering medications were recorded.
Main Results:
- Non-target LDL-C was associated with higher plasma viscosity (PV) and fibrinogen.
- Non-target TG levels correlated with impaired microcirculation: increased RBC aggregation, reduced RBC deformability, and higher WBV and PV.
- TG targets benefit microcirculation in diabetes; combined LDL-C and TG targets are advantageous for chronic coronary syndrome patients.
Conclusions:
- Triglycerides significantly influence microcirculatory dysfunction in high-risk patients.
- Failure to meet TG targets can lead to severe complications, impacting survival and quality of life.
- Optimizing both LDL-C and TG levels is crucial for managing microcirculation in high-risk cardiovascular populations.
Background And Aims:
This study aimed to validate the role of high low-density lipoprotein cholesterol [LDL-C] and triglyceride [TG] treatment target levels on the microcirculation in a very high and high cardiovascular risk group.
Methods:
119 patients with high or very high cardiovascular [CV] risk were included. We have registered the main co-morbidities, smoking habits, body mass index [BMI] and the lipid lowering medication. Hematocrit, whole blood viscosity [WBV] and plasma viscosity [PV], red blood cell [RBC] aggregation and deformability and fibrinogen, total cholesterol [TC], high-density lipoprotein cholesterol [HDL-C], LDL-C and TG levels were determined.
Results:
The investigation found significantly higher PV values in patients with non-target LDL-C, associated with higher fibrinogen level. Non-target TG was related to deteriorated microcirculatory parameters, as significantly higher RBC aggregation, lower RBC deformability, and higher WBV and PV. The main microcirculatory benefit in diabetes could be gained from target level of TG, in chronic coronary syndrome [CCS] patients it is more advantageous to reach both LDL-C and TG target.
Conclusion:
The results could highlight, that TG should play a role in failing microcirculation and cause potentially life-threatening complications, which would worsen the survival and quality of life of high or very high risk CV patients.
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