C-reactive protein in patients with familial hypercholesterolemia: No effect of simvastatin therapy

Patients with familial hypercholesterolemia (FH) are especially at risk for premature cardiovascular disease (CVD). Recent studies revealed C-reactive protein (CRP) as a strong predictor of future first or recurrent CVD events, suggesting that CRP plays an important role in the development of atherosclerosis. The aim of this study was to...

Additional risk factors influence excess mortality in heterozygous familial hypercholesterolaemia

Life expectancy of patients with familial hypercholesterolaemia is decreased. Some untreated patients reach a normal life span and, therefore, additional risk factors and the type of mutation in the low-density lipoprotein (LDL) receptor gene are likely to influence the clinical outcome. We determined all cause mortality in kindreds with the...

Similar response to simvastatin in patients heterozygous for familial hypercholesterolemia with mRNA negative and mRNA positive mutations

In patients heterozygous for familial hypercholesterolemia, the low- density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol lowering effect of β-hydroxy-β- methylglutaryl coenzyme A reductase inhibitors may depend on the nature of the mutation in the LDL receptor gene. To test this hypothesis, we compared the response to simvastatin, 20 mg daily for 9 weeks,...

Identification of three new mutations of the low density lipoprotein receptor gene in dutch familial hypercholesterolemic patients

Opsporing familiaire hypercholesterolemie bij kinderen geindiceerd? Bij uitzondering wel [Search for familial hypercholesterolaemia in children indicated? Only exceptionally]

Searching for familial hypercholesterolaemia (FH) in children is useful only if efficacious treatment is to be administered shortly and if there are relatives with ischaemic heart disease at very early ages. In all other cases, the (psychological) drawbacks probably outweigh the doubtful benefit of early intervention. The search for the major...

Effects of gemfibrozil and ciprofibrate on plasma levels of tissue-type plasminogen activator, plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 and fibrinogen in hyperlipidaemic patients

Evaluation of fibrate treatment in humans has focused primarily on its anti-lipidaemic effects. A potentially favourable haemostasis-modulating activity of fibrates has also been recognized but the data are not consistent. We sought to learn more about this variability by examining the effects of gemfibrozil and ciprofibrate on plasma levels of...

Effects of simvastatin on plasma lipids and apolipoproteins in familial hypercholesterolemic swine

Familial hypercholesterolemia (FHC) in swine, which resembles human familial combined hyperlipidemia, is a complex lipid and lipoprotein disorder associated with the development of severe coronary lesions similar to those occurring in advanced human coronary disease. The disorder is characterized by elevated plasma total cholesterol (TC),...