The TG/HDL-c Lipid Ratio as a Cardiovascular Risk Marker in a Mexican Urban Middle-Class Population: Do We Need a Risk Score Tailored for Mexicans?

INTRODUCTION: Risk scores are essential in primary prevention to detect high-risk patients. The most common scores exclude hypertriglyceridemia and abdominal obesity in their risk assessment. We examined the triglyceride/HDL-cholesterol (TG/HDL-c) ratio as a cardiovascular (CV) risk marker in a middle-class urban Mexican population sample. AIM: Our aim was to test the concept of a scoring system reflecting Mexican population characteristics. METHODS: A total of 2602 healthy adults from the Lindavista primary prevention program were considered, evaluating gender, age, blood pressure, smoking, body mass index, waist circumference, lipid profile, and fasting glucose. According to the abnormality, a score from -3 to +3 was assigned. RESULTS: The summation of eleven variables yielded the Lindavista score (LS), which was calibrated versus the TG/HDL ratio and ACC ASCVD Risk Estimator Plus score to determine its correlation with risk categories. The TG/HDL-c ratio had a linear correlation with LS and high-risk ACC ASCVD categories. CONCLUSIONS: Compared with LS and TG/HDL-c, the ACC ASCVD system underestimates the high-risk category. The high prevalence of obesity and lipid triad in the Mexican population requires a scale that considers those traits. The TG/HDL-c ratio is a practical, easy, and economical instrument to categorize risk in Mexicans.

Extractos de los documentos de posicionamientos y recomendaciones mexicanas en enfermedades cardiovasculares y COVID-19 / Excerpts from the documents of Mexican positions and recommendations in cardiovascular diseases and COVID-19

Resumen Se presentan las recomendaciones en las cuales la Sociedad Mexicana de Cardiología (SMC) en conjunto con la Asociación Nacional de Cardiólogos de México (ANCAM), así como diferentes asociaciones médicas mexicanas vinculadas con la cardiología, después de una revisión y análisis exhaustivo y consensuado sobre los tópicos relacionados con las enfermedades cardiovasculares en la pandemia de COVID-19, se analizan posturas científicas y se dan recomendaciones responsables sobre medidas generales a los pacientes, con cuidados personales, alimentación saludable, actividad física regular, acciones en caso de paro cardiorrespiratorio, la protección del paciente y del personal de salud así como las indicaciones precisas en el uso de la imagen cardiovascular no invasiva, la prescripción de medicamentos, cuidados en tópicos específicos como en la hipertensión arterial sistémica, insuficiencia cardiaca, arritmias y síndromes coronarios agudos, además de hacer énfasis en los procedimientos de electrofisiología, intervencionismo, cirugía cardiaca y en la rehabilitación cardiaca. El interés principal es brindar a la comunidad médica una orientación general sobre el quehacer en la práctica cotidiana y pacientes con enfermedades cardiovasculares en el escenario esta crisis epidemiológica sin precedentes de COVID-19.

Abstract The recommendations in which the Mexican Society of Cardiology (SMC) in conjunction with the National Association of Cardiologists of Mexico (ANCAM) as well as different Mexican medical associations linked to cardiology are presented, after a comprehensive and consensual review and analysis of the topics related to cardiovascular diseases in the COVID-19 pandemic. Scientific positions are analyzed and responsible recommendations on general measures are given to patients, with personal care, healthy eating, regular physical activity, actions in case of cardio-respiratory arrest, protection of the patient and health personnel as well as precise indications in the use of non-invasive cardiovascular imaging, prescription of medications, care in specific topics such as systemic arterial hypertension, heart failure, arrhythmias and acute coronary syndromes, in addition to emphasizing electrophysiology, interventionism, cardiac surgery and in cardiac rehabilitation. The main interest is to provide the medical community with a general orientation on what to do in daily practice and patients with cardiovascular diseases in the setting of this unprecedented epidemiological crisis of COVID-19.

The attempt to demolish the science and practice of preventive cardiovascular medicine. Part I. Addendum to the positioning around the diagnosis and treatment of dyslipidemias of ANCAM and the joint group of associated medical societies / El intento de demoler la ciencia y la práctica de la medicina cardiovascular preventiva. Parte I. Addendum al posicionamiento en torno al diagnóstico y tratamiento de las dislipidemias de la ANCAM y del grupo conjunto de sociedades médicas asociadas

Abstract: This manuscript is an addendum to the positioning around the diagnosis and treatment of dyslipidemias of ANCAM and the joint group of associated medical societies, already published. It is the first part of a wider reflection aimed on refute several of the theses and arguments of a group of clinicians and researchers who question the validity of the "cholesterol hypothesis", the usefulness and safety of statins and the most modern inhibitors of proprotein convertase of subtilisin/kexin type 9 (iPCSK9,) and the role of saturated fatty acids consumed in the usual diet in the atherosclerotic risk. This iconoclastic point of view is dangerous insofar as it undermines the scaffolding that supports the primary and secondary prevention of atherosclerosis. In this section of the manuscript, only the cholesterol hypothesis is discussed. The data of comparative zoology are reviewed, and several experimental animal models are analyzed, both supporting the link between cholesterol and the appearance and evolution of atherosclerotic lesions. The methodology and the results of the Study of the 7 Countries are defended and are exposed the numerous epidemiological, pathological, clinical and interventional evidences, which in our opinion give a solid sustenance to the cholesterol hypothesis. Based on this knowledge it is criticized the LDL cholesterol values currently considered adequate. Furthermore, the so-called residual risk is considered, as well as the conflicting evidence about the usefulness of statins in elderly patients.

Resumen: Este manuscrito es un apéndice del posicionamiento en torno al diagnóstico y tratamiento de las dislipidemias de la ANCAM y el grupo de las sociedades médicas asociadas, previamente publicado. Es la primera parte de un trabajo más amplio enfocado a refutar varias de las tesis y argumentos de un grupo de clínicos e investigadores que ponen en duda la validez de la "hipótesis del colesterol", la utilidad y seguridad de las estatinas y los más modernos inhibidores de la proproteína convertasa de la subtilisina/kexina tipo 9 (iPCSK9) y el papel de los ácidos grasos saturados consumidos en la dieta habitual en el riesgo ateroscleroso. Este punto de vista iconoclástico es peligroso porque socava el andamiaje que soporta la prevención primaria y secundaria de la aterosclerosis. En esta primera sección del manuscrito, se discute sólo la hipótesis del colesterol. Se revisan los datos de zoología comparada y se analizan varios modelos animales de experimentación, que apoyan la liga entre el colesterol y la aparición y evolución de las lesiones aterosclerosa. Se defienden la metodología y los resultados del estudio de los 7 países y se exponen las numerosas evidencias epidemiológicas, patológicas, clínicas e intervencionistas, que a nuestro juicio dan un sustento sólido a la hipótesis del colesterol. Se critican también, en base a ese conocimiento, los valores de colesterol LDL actualmente considerados adecuados, a la vez que se discute el llamado riesgo residual y las evidencias conflictivas acerca de la utilidad de las estatinas en pacientes ancianos.