Lp(a) Levels Key for Cardio Risk 09/27/25

Welcome to Cardiology Today – Recorded September 27, 2025. This episode summarizes 5 key cardiology studies on topics like polyneuropathy and hereditary transthyretin amyloidosis. Key takeaway: Lp(a) Levels Key for Cardio Risk. Article Links: Article 1: Nexiguran Ziclumeran Gene Editing in Hereditary ATTR with Polyneuropathy. (The New England journal of medicine) Article 2: Diagnostic accuracy of late gadolinium enhancement cardiac MRI for coronary artery disease in patients with reduced left ventricular ejection fraction. (Heart (British Cardiac Society)) Article 3: Prognostic impact of neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio in patients with and without diabetes mellitus undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention. (Heart (British Cardiac Society)) Article 4: The Role of Lipoprotein(a) in Cardiovascular Risk Stratification: IntegratingLow-density Lipoprotein Cholesterol and Polygenic Risk Scores. (The American journal of cardiology) Article 5: Optimal Intravascular Ultrasound-Guided Percutaneous Coronary Intervention in Patients With Left Main Coronary Artery Disease: The OPTIVUS-Complex PCI Study LMCA Cohort. (The American journal of cardiology) Full episode page: https://podcast.explainheart.com/podcast/lpa-levels-key-for-cardio-risk-09-27-25/ Featured Articles Article 1: Nexiguran Ziclumeran Gene Editing in Hereditary ATTR with Polyneuropathy. Journal: The New England journal of medicine PubMed Link: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/41002250 Summary: with Polyneuropathy. This study investigates nexiguran ziclumeran, a C.R.I.S.P.R.-Cas9-based therapy designed to reduce serum transthyretin levels by selectively inactivating the TTR gene in patients with hereditary transthyretin amyloidosis with polyneuropathy. The therapy aims to address the underlying cause of the disease by preventing the misfolding and deposition of transthyretin protein in peripheral nerves. This is an investigational therapy. Article 2: Diagnostic accuracy of late gadolinium enhancement cardiac MRI for coronary artery disease in patients with reduced left ventricular ejection fraction. Journal: Heart (British Cardiac Society) PubMed Link: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/40147871 Summary: for coronary artery disease in patients with reduced left ventricular ejection fraction. This study evaluated the diagnostic accuracy of rest cardiac M.R.I. with late gadolinium enhancement for predicting significant coronary artery disease in patients with reduced left ventricular ejection fraction. Results indicate that rest late gadolinium enhancement cardiac M.R.I. can reliably detect significant coronary artery disease in this patient population, aiding in therapeutic decisions such as medical management, device implantation, and revascularization. The finding supports incorporating late gadolinium enhancement cardiac M.R.I. into the diagnostic workup for patients with reduced left ventricular ejection fraction suspected of having coronary artery disease. Article 3: Prognostic impact of neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio in patients with and without diabetes mellitus undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention. Journal: Heart (British Cardiac Society) PubMed Link: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/40118518 Summary: This retrospective analysis evaluated the prognostic role of the neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio in patients with and without diabetes mellitus undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention. The study found that elevated neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio was associated with adverse cardiovascular outcomes in both diabetic and non-diabetic patients post-percutaneous coronary intervention. The neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio serves as a valuable marker of systemic inflammation and risk stratification in patients undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention, regardless of diabetes status. Article 4: The Role of Lipoprotein(a) in Cardiovascular Risk Stratification: IntegratingLow-density Lipoprotein Cholesterol and Polygenic Risk Scores. Journal: The American journal of cardiology PubMed Link: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/41005599 Summary: This study of over 346,000 UK Biobank participants investigated the interaction between lipoprotein(a), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, and polygenic risk score in atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease. The research demonstrated that elevated lipoprotein(a) significantly increases cardiovascular risk, even in individuals with well-managed low-density lipoprotein cholesterol and after accounting for polygenic risk. These findings emphasize the importance of measuring lipoprotein(a) levels for comprehensive cardiovascular risk stratification. Article 5: Optimal Intravascular Ultrasound-Guided Percutaneous Coronary Intervention in Patients With Left Main Coronary Artery Disease: The OPTIVUS-Complex PCI Study LMCA Cohort. Journal: The American journal of cardiology PubMed Link: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/41005598 Summary: Study L.M.C.A. Cohort. This prospective, multi-center, single-arm trial (O.P.T.I.V.U.S.-Complex P.C.I.) evaluated the impact of optimal intravascular ultrasound-guided left main coronary artery percutaneous coronary intervention on clinical outcomes. The study, involving 902 patients, demonstrated that targeting pre-specified intravascular ultrasound criteria, such as minimal stent area, during left main coronary artery percutaneous coronary intervention leads to favorable clinical outcomes. The data support the use of intravascular ultrasound guidance to optimize stent deployment in complex left main coronary artery percutaneous coronary intervention. Transcript Today’s date is September 27, 2025. Welcome to Cardiology Today. Here are the latest research findings. Article number one. Nexiguran Ziclumeran Gene Editing in Hereditary A.T.T.R. with Polyneuropathy. This study investigates nexiguran ziclumeran, a C.R.I.S.P.R.-Cas9-based therapy designed to reduce serum transthyretin levels by selectively inactivating the TTR gene in patients with hereditary transthyretin amyloidosis with polyneuropathy. The therapy aims to address the underlying cause of the disease by preventing the misfolding and deposition of transthyretin protein in peripheral nerves. This is an investigational therapy. Article number two. Diagnostic accuracy of late gadolinium enhancement cardiac M.R.I. for coronary artery disease in patients with reduced left ventricular ejection fraction. This study evaluated the diagnostic accuracy of rest cardiac M.R.I. with late gadolinium enhancement for predicting significant coronary artery disease in patients with reduced left ventricular ejection fraction. Results indicate that rest late gadolinium enhancement cardiac M.R.I. can reliably detect significant coronary artery disease in this patient population, aiding in therapeutic decisions such as medical management, device implantation, and revascularization. The finding supports incorporating late gadolinium enhancement cardiac M.R.I. into the diagnostic workup for patients with reduced left ventricular ejection fraction suspected of having coronary artery disease. Article number three. Prognostic impact of neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio in patients with and without diabetes mellitus undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention. This retrospective analysis evaluated the prognostic role of the neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio in patients with and without diabetes mellitus undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention. The study found that elevated neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio was associated with adverse cardiovascular outcomes in both diabetic and non-diabetic patients post-percutaneous coronary intervention. The neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio serves as a valuable marker of systemic inflammation and risk stratification in patients undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention, regardless of diabetes status. Article number four. The Role of Lipoprotein(a) in Cardiovascular Risk Stratification: Integrating Low-density Lipoprotein Cholesterol and Polygenic Risk Scores. This study of over 346,000 UK Biobank participants investigated the interaction between lipoprotein(a), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, and polygenic risk score in atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease. The research demonstrated that elevated lipoprotein(a) significantly increases cardiovascular risk, even in individuals with well-managed low-density lipoprotein cholesterol and after accounting for polygenic risk. These findings emphasize the importance of measuring lipoprotein(a) levels for comprehensive cardiovascular risk stratification. Article number five. Optimal Intravascular Ultrasound-Guided Percutaneous Coronary Intervention in Patients With Left Main Coronary Artery Disease: The O.P.T.I.V.U.S.-Complex P.C.I. Study L.M.C.A. Cohort. This prospective, multi-center, single-arm trial (O.P.T.I.V.U.S.-Complex P.C.I.) evaluated the impact of optimal intravascular ultrasound-guided left main coronary artery percutaneous coronary intervention on clinical outcomes. The study, involving 902 patients, demonstrated that targeting pre-specified intravascular ultrasound criteria, such as minimal stent area, during left main coronary artery percutaneous coronary intervention leads to favorable clinical outcomes. The data support the use of intravascular ultrasound guidance to optimize stent deployment in complex left main coronary artery percutaneous coronary intervention. Thank you for listening. Don’t forget to subscribe. Keywords polyneuropathy, hereditary transthyretin amyloidosis, gene editing, diabetes mellitus, late gadolinium enhancement cardiac M.R.I., left main coronary artery disease, lipoprotein(a), O.P.T.I.V.U.S.-Complex P.C.I. study, intravascular ultrasound, diagnostic accuracy, cardiovascular outcomes, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio, revascularization, systemic inflammation, polygenic risk score, percutaneous coronary intervention, reduced left ventricular ejection fraction, C.R.I.S.P.R.-Cas9, stent deployment, cardiovascular risk stratification, nexiguran ziclumeran, atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease, coronary artery disease. About Concise summaries of cardiovascular research for professionals. Subscribe • Share • FollowThe post Lp(a) Levels Key for Cardio Risk 09/27/25 first appeared on Cardiology Today.