ABSTRACT
Non-vitamin K antagonist oral anticoagulants (NOACs) are increasingly used for stroke prevention in atrial fibrillation. At the Asia Pacific Advancing Patient care with EdoXaban 2023 meeting, experts shared insights on gastrointestinal bleeding with NOACs for stroke prevention in atrial fibrillation in Asian clinical practice, where NOACs have gained widespread acceptance due to their favourable profiles. Gastrointestinal bleeding risk varies amongst NOACs, emphasizing the importance of diligent patient assessment, dosage selection and vigilant monitoring. Edoxaban emerged as a viable option with a low gastrointestinal bleeding risk profile in Asian compared with non-Asian patients, supporting its continued clinical utilization for appropriate patients.
ABSTRACT
Studies have shown association of lipoprotein lipase (LPL) polymorphisms with coronary artery disease (CAD); however, limited studies on the genetics of CAD have been done in the Philippines. Because of their effects on high-density lipoprotein and triglyceride metabolism, the G-allele of the Ser447X variant of LPL gene has been shown to be atheroprotective, while HindIII polymorphism has been shown to be pro-atherogenic. We assessed 1301 patients undergoing coronary angiography to determine the prevalence of HindIII and Ser447X polymorphisms and their association with angiographically significant CAD. Genotyping for HindIII and Ser447X variants were analyzed by real-time PCR. Multivariate analyses were performed to determine the interaction between LPL polymorphisms and risk factors of CAD. CAD+ group (72%) was predominantly male (76%) with a mean age of 60.17 ± 11.01 with hypertension (89%), dyslipidemia (84%) and smoking (54%) as the most common risk factors. HindIII carriage frequency among the CAD+ group was 20.3% with a genotypic distribution of 78.71% (T/T), 19.83% (T/G) and 1.46% (G/G). Ser447X carriage frequency among the CAD+ group was 8.0% with a genotypic distribution of 91.39% (C/C), 8.38% (C/G) and 0.23% (G/G). HindIII and Ser447X polymorphisms were both not significantly associated with CAD. LPL polymorphic allele HindIII was common, while Ser447X was rare. Present study did not show association of LPL polymorphisms with the development of CAD. However, among patients with dyslipidemia, presence of Ser447X allele is associated with an increased risk (OR 2.6; 95% CI 2.1-3.7; p value < 0.001) of developing CAD than those without LPL polymorphisms.
ABSTRACT
Hypertension is a common disease, and hypertensive patients are at increased risk of cardiovascular events. The prevalence and socioeconomic burden of hypertension in the Asia-Pacific region are predicted to increase in the coming decades. Effective blood pressure lowering reduces overall cardiovascular morbidity and mortality in patients, yet doubt has been raised regarding the use of (mainly older generation) ß-blockers as initial therapy in hypertension. Consequently, several international treatment guidelines do not recommend ß-blockers for the treatment of hypertension. However, in contrast to first-generation and second-generation ß-blockers, the third-generation, vasodilating ß-blocker nebivolol has a considerably better metabolic, haemodynamic and side effect profile. In addition to providing effective blood pressure control similar to other ß-blockers and drugs from other antihypertensive classes, nebivolol exerts a dual mechanism for increasing the bioavailability of the naturally occurring vasodilator nitric oxide. The clinical benefits and significance of enhancing nitric oxide levels in hypertensive patients have been shown in direct comparisons of nebivolol with other ß-blockers. While ß-blockers generally provide comparable blood pressure reductions, only nebivolol demonstrated enhanced vasodilation and blood flow by increasing the expression of endothelial nitric oxide synthase and therefore increasing nitric oxide release from the endothelium. In contrast to other ß-blockers, therefore, it has been suggested that nebivolol has beneficial effects in several hypertensive subgroups due to its vasodilating properties. Considering the existing data, it may be timely for treatment guidelines to recommend third-generation vasodilating ß-blockers as a first-line option for the pharmacotherapy of hypertension.