Familial Hypercholesterolemia

Homozygous familial hypercholesterolemia, although rare, is frequently undertreated, especially in non-high-income countries, and is sometimes diagnosed after atherosclerosis or aortic stenosis is already present, researchers reported.

Among people who ordered a genetic test for dyslipidemia, younger people were more likely to have a positive result than older people, according to a presentation at the National Lipid Association Scientific Sessions.

Amgen announced that the FDA has approved evolocumab as an adjunct to diet and other LDL-lowering therapies for the treatment of heterozygous familial hypercholesterolemia in pediatric patients aged 10 years and older.

Messaging built into an existing electronic health records system to directly connect physicians may increase screening and diagnosis of familial hypercholesterolemia among patients identified as being high risk, a speaker reported.

LDL-lowering therapeutics have evolved since the introduction of bile acid sequestrants in 1973, and approaches in development may prove even more effective than those in the past and present, according to a speaker.

Accurate and precise laboratory lipid measurements are important. As such, the National Lipid Association has released a new scientific statement on lipid measurements in the management of CVDs.

The FDA requested removal of its contraindication against using cholesterol-lowering statin medicines among pregnant patients; however, most patients should stop statins once they learn they are pregnant.

Adults with preexisting atherosclerotic CVD and/or familial hypercholesterolemia have increased risk for acute MI if infected with COVID-19, according to an analysis published in the American Journal of Preventive Cardiology.

The FDA has approved the expanded indication for alirocumab injection for adult patients with homozygous familial hypercholesterolemia, or HoFH, as an add-on therapy to other treatments for HoFH.