Lipid Disorders Flashcards
What are some modifiable risk factors for atherosclerosis?
Low HDL-C (<40) High HD-C Hypertriglyceridemia Diabetes Inactivity
What are some non-modifiable risk factors associated with atherosclerosis?
Age
Gender
Family history of CHD
How do you calculate LDL? In what circumstances?
LDL = total cholesterol - (HDL + TG/5)
Have to fast 9-12 hours
Can only use if triglycerides are < 400 mg/dL
What is TG/5?
VLDL
How do you determine an estimate of all atherogenic particles?
Non-HDL = total cholesterol - HDL
If you are not fasting, what can be interpreted?
Only TG and HDL
How often should you check cholesterol levels?
- Every 5 years for those 20+
- For children between 2-8 if positive family history or CV risk factors (MI in 40’s for a parent, elevated BMI)
- Universal 1X screening for those 9-11
What is the optimal total cholesterol level?
< 200 mg/dL
What is the optimal LDL level?
< 100 mg/dL
What is the optimal HDL level?
~ 60mg/dL
What is the optimal TG level?
< 150 mg/dL
What does familial hypercholesterolemia increase the risk of?
It reduces LDL receptors, which increases LDL.
What is the difference between homozygous and heterozygous familial hypercholesterolemia?
HoFH can have CHD by age 20, HeFH by age 40, and normal healthy individuals by 60.
What are xanthomas?
Deposits of lipids under the skin or cornea
What are secondary causes of dyslipidemia?
Diet/lifestyle
drugs
diseases
disorders and altered metabolism
What could thiazide diuretics do to cholesterol levels?
It could elevate LDL or triglycerides.
What could beta-blockers do to cholesterol levels?
They could elevate triglyceride levels
What could oral estrogens do to cholesterol levels?
Elevate triglycerides.
What can progestins or anabolic steroids do to cholesterol?
They can elevate LDL levels
What can bile acid sequestrates do to triglyceride levels?
They can elevate triglyceride levels
What disease states can elevate LDL-C? Elevate triglycerides?
LDL-C: autoimmune disorders, chronic kidney disease, obesity
TG: diabetes, metabolic syndrome, HIV, pregnancy, alcoholism, obesity
What is clinical ASCVD?
Any disease caused by atherosclerosis, such as cerebrovascular disease/accident, transient ischemic attack, CAD, PAD, chronic stable angina, intermittent claudication, heart failure (but only ischemic)
What lifestyle changes can lower the risk of atherosclerosis?
Smoking cessation Alcohol in moderation Healthy body weight Limit saturated fats and cholesterol Consume fish regularly Fruits/veggies intake increase Control HTN/DM
and yes, it works
What activities are beneficial to the health of both CAD patients and general population cohort studies?
Smoking cessation, physical activity, moderate alcohol intake, combined dietary changes.
What does glycemic control do for MI?
It decreases the risk (not really sure what the slide is saying exactly)
What are the changes in the guidelines from the NCEP in 2001 to the ACC/AHA in 2013?
In 2001, the guidelines were to primarily red the LDL levels, with a goal of <100mg/dL. The non-HDL-C was a secondary target.
In 2003, an optional goal was added of <70mg/dL for high-risk patients
In 2013, the ACC and AHA collaborated on guidelines. Specific LDL treatment goals are no longer there, and there is a focus on four high-risk groups most likely to benefit from statins. Only meds proven to reduce ASCVD risk are used.
What is the Framingham risk test?
It is an old measurement used to estimate risk of ASCVD, now replaced by a pooled cohort equation used to estimate 10-yr risk.
Why is there no longer a level of LDL to treat to?
Because the only evidence was from observational trials, rather than randomized controlled trials.
Is it more effective for primary or secondary prevention to lower the LDL level?
Secondary prevention, because their risk is higher. Secondary prevention applies to people who already have clinical ASCVD - a previous event. Primary prevention people have a much lower event rate, even if their LDL level is just as high.
What are the four groups that can benefit from statin use as defined by the ACC/AHA? What intensity of statin should they use?
- Clinical ASCVD (high intensity, or moderate if not a candidate for high)
- LDL > 190 mg/dL (high-intensity statin)
- Diabetes age 40-75 (Moderate intensity statin, or high if 10-yr risk is > 7.5%)
- No diabetes, but have 10-yr ASCVD risk of 7.5% and age 40-75 (moderate to high intensity statin)
What drugs are included with high-intensity?
Atorvastatin 40-80mg
Rosuvastatin 20-40mg
What drugs are included in moderate intensity?
Atorvastatin 10-20mg Rosuvastatin 5-10mg Simvastatin 20-40mg Lovastatin 40mg Pravastatin 40-80mg
When are low-intensity statins recommended by the guidelines?
They aren’t. However, they are used when helping patients titrate up to their full levels. A family care doctor may titrate up, while a cardiologist might just assign a high intensity statin to start out with.
If a patient does not have LDL levels greater than 190 mg/dL, no ASCVD, no diabetes, and their 10-yr risk is less than 7.5% and more than 5%, what should you do?
You should talk to the patient and explain the risks and benefits of a moderate-intensity statin.
What are the benefits to the new pooled cohort risk calculator compared to the Framingham calculations?
The new calculator more adequately represents women and African Americans, and includes stroke endpoints.
What are the drawbacks to the new pooled cohort risk calculator?
There is no evidence supporting its use (based on expert opinions and outdated studies)
May overestimate risk, primarily in primary prevention
What factors does the risk assessment calculator take into account?
HDL, total cholesterol, diabetes, age, gender, race, hypertension treatment, BP, and smoking
What is the effect of the new guidelines in terms of number of patients that are recommended for treatment under it?
They increase the number of those who would be eligible from 43 million to 56 million, mostly in the 60-75 age bracket.
Are there people who should not have statin therapy initiated?
Yes, some high-risk groups of people such as heart failure and hemodialysis patients have not been found to have benefit.
If people do not fall within a statin benefit group, what are some factors to consider?
Family history
Elevated lifetime risk
LDL > 160
Other markers of inflammation (CRP > 2mg/dL, coronary artery calcium)
What are some of the controversies associated with the ACC/AHA guidelines?
- A lot of evidence may be excluded if only RCT’s are used
- People on max statins no longer have goal to work towards
- There is observational data supporting treat to target
- Patients and providers may have less to check and may not support compliance
What other guidelines are out there? How are they different than the ACC/AHA guidelines?
National Lipid Association (NLA) - Focused on numbers to treat to (<100 for LDL)
United States Preventative Services Task Force (USPTF) - recommends low to moderate dose statins.
For primary prevention, what seems to be the 10-year risk percentage that needs to be crossed in order to have clinical value?
at least 10% on the 10-year risk
What is the age cut-off for safety using statins?
<76 years. Not enough data, risk of side effects is higher
What is the similarity throughout all of the guidelines?
all support lifestyle interventions
What is the mechanism for statins?
They inhibit the HmG-CoA reductase from forming L-mevalonate
What are the indications for statins?
Familial hypercholesterolemia
Prevention of ASCVD (primary and secondary)
What benefits do statins have on lipid parameters?
Lower LDL 18-55%
Increase HDL 5-15%
Decrease TG 7-30%
They also may reduce inflammation, improve endothelial function, and reduce thrombus formation
They reduce mortality, MI and stroke in those with CHD
What was the result of the IDEAL trial?
It looked at the absolute risk reduction between a moderate dose of one statin and a high dose of another statin. The results were that there was a reduction in nonfatal MI with the higher dose.