Novel lipid-lowering agents have potential to improve the performance of LA, but more evidence is needed. The Multidisciplinary International Group for Hemapheresis TherapY and Metabolic DIsturbances Contrast scientific society aims to establish an international registry of clinical experience on LA combination therapy to expand the evidence on this treatment in individuals at high cardiovascular disease risk.

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SLE and RA are associated with severe autonomic dysfunction and the presence of significant risk predictors related to the onset of sudden cardiac death.

Glucocorticoids (GC) are used widely for the treatment of patients with various disorders, including autoimmune diseases, allergies, and lymphoproliferative disorders. Glucocorticoid therapy is often limited by several adverse reactions associated with GC excess. Excess GC can elicit a variety of symptoms and signs, including growth retardation in children; immunosuppression; cardiovascular disorders like hypertension and atherosclerosis; osteoporosis; myopathy; and diabetes mellitus. Currently, attention is focused on oxidative stress as one of the major determinants of endothelial dysfunction and cardiovascular senescence. The main reason for all unwanted effects of GC is that dexamethasone induces the overproduction of reactive oxygen species, causing dysregulation of physiological processes. Humans and animals with GC-induced hypertension exhibit reduced nitric oxide levels; patients with excess GC levels also suffer from depression as a consequence of low levels of serotonin and melatonin. The common cofactor for the production of these vasoactive molecules is tetrahydrobiopterin (BH4), which is required for nitric oxide synthesis.

The thyroid gland plays a major role in the human body; it produces the hormones necessary for appropriate energy levels and an active life. These hormones have a critical impact on early brain development and somatic growth. At the same time, the thyroid is highly vulnerable to autoimmune thyroid diseases (AITDs). They arise due to the complex interplay of genetic, environmental, and endogenous factors, and the specific combination is required to initiate thyroid autoimmunity. When the thyroid cell becomes the target of autoimmunity, it interacts with the immune system and appears to affect disease progression. It can produce different growth factors, adhesion molecules, and a large array of cytokines. Preventable environmental factors, including high iodine intake, selenium deficiency, and pollutants such as tobacco smoke, as well as infectious diseases and certain drugs, have been implicated in the development of AITDs in genetically predisposed individuals. The susceptibility of the thyroid to AITDs may come from the complexity of hormonal synthesis, peculiar oligoelement requirements, and specific capabilities of the thyroid cell’s defense system. An improved understanding of this interplay could yield novel treatment pathways, some of which might be as simple as identifying the need to avoid smoking or to control the intake of some nutrients.

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Statin intolerance is a clinical syndrome whereby adverse effects (AEs) associated with statin therapy [most commonly statin-associated muscle symptoms (SAMS)] result in the discontinuation of therapy and consequently increase the risk of adverse cardiovascular outcomes. However, complete statin intolerance occurs in only a small minority of treated patients (estimated prevalence of only 3-5%). Many perceived AEs are misattributed (e.g. physical musculoskeletal injury and inflammatory myopathies), and subjective symptoms occur as a result of the fact that patients expect them to do so when taking medicines (the nocebo/drucebo effect)-what might be truth even for over 50% of all patients with muscle weakness/pain. Clear guidance is necessary to enable the optimal management of plasma in real-world clinical practice in patients who experience subjective AEs. In this Position Paper of the International Lipid Expert Panel (ILEP), we present a step-by-step patient-centred approach to the identification and management of SAMS with a particular focus on strategies to prevent and manage the nocebo/drucebo effect and to improve long-term compliance with lipid-lowering therapy.

Percutaneous balloon aortic valvoplasty (BAV) and surgical aortic valvotomy (SAV) are palliative procedures in patients with non-critical congenital valve stenosis. The aim of the study was to evaluate long-term BAV and SAV results after up to 24 years of follow-up. From 1987 to 2013, 74 consecutive interventions were performed in patients with aortic stenosis, and 62 were included in the study (39 BAVs and 23 SAVs). Age of BAV patients was 1.3 months to 17 years, and of SAV patients 1.2 months to 15 years. Although BAV patients were older, there was no difference between groups according to sex, valve function/morphology, and early/late follow-up results, with exception to hospitalization period. Significant pressure gradient reduction and aortic regurgitation increment were registered after procedures. Three patients did not survive early period after surgery. Follow-up period was 7.0 ± 5.4 and 9.0 ± 8.0 years after BAV and SAV, respectively (p = 0.242). Follow-up pressure gradient rose only in the BAV group, and was emphasized after 10-year-follow-up (p = 0.020). Significant aortic insufficiency progression was registered after 15 years of follow-up in both groups (p = 0.007 and p = 0.009, respectively). Mean reintervention-free survival was 12.0 years in the BAV and 14.5 years in the SAV group (p = 0.733), and mean survival without aortic valve replacement was 15.2 and 17.4 years, respectively (p = 0.877). BAV and SAV in patients with congenital aortic stenosis are very comparable in both early and late follow-up results.