HCPLive Editorial Staff

In recent years, few topics have attracted the same level of attention in cardiovascular medicine, particularly among lipidogists, as the evolving recognition of lipoprotein(a) [Lp(a)] as a marker of elevated risk. This evolving recognition of risk is happening in tandem with a growing knowledge base and burgeoning therapeutic pipeline. 

In 2019, the National Lipid Association released a scientific statement on using Lp(a) in clinical practice. Fast-forward a half-decade to April 01, 2024, and the NLA has released an update to this statement further clarifying recommendations surrounding the use of Lp(a) in clinical practice. A 12-page document citing more than 80 references, the recommendations and insights are the subject of a 3-part clinical quiz series from HCPLive Cardiology. 

The second quiz of the series, this quiz focuses on the basics surrounding recommendations for patients. 

Patients with a family history of cardiovascular disease

Switch to a different lipid-lowering drug

Koschinsky ML, Bajaj A, Boffa MB, et al. A focused update to the 2019 NLA scientific statement on use of lipoprotein(a) in clinical practice. 

. Published online March 29, 2024. doi:10.1016/j.jacl.2024.03.001

Editor's note: This quiz was composed with the assistance of artificial intelligence tools. 

Articles

The second in our 3-part quiz series based on the NLA's 2024 update to their 2019 scientific statement on use of lipoprotein(a) in clinical practice focuses on recommendations for patients.

Clinical Quiz: Lp(a) Recommendations for Patients from 2024 NLA Update on Use of Lipoprotein(a)

HCPLive Five breaks down the top news at ACC 2024

HCPLive Five at ACC 2024

Counting down the biggest news from major medical meetings, it's the HCPLive Five!

Garnering more than 17,000 attendees, the 

American College of Cardiology 2024 (ACC.24) Annual Scientific Sessions

 centered around the latest advancements in the specialty of cardiology and cardiometabolic health.

 team was on-site in “The Big Peach” of Atlanta, Georgia to speak with key opinion leaders (KOLs) and gain insight into what made this meeting in cardiometabolic care so impressive, and so well-attended!

Attendees at this year’s meeting received information on crucial specialty-level updates with immediate practice-changing implications, serving as a testimony to cardiology's important voice in public health discussions. 

In this edition of the HCPLive Five, we break down five of the biggest stories at ACC.24:

 on the SHASTA-2 trial and plozasiran in severe hypertriglyceridemia

 on the IMPROVE-HCM trial and ninerafaxstat for nonobstructive hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM)

 on recent advancement in pharmacotherapy within the management of HCM

 featuring Javed Butler, MD, for a breakdown of the EMPACT-MI trial

 with a recap of top trials and new data at ACC 2024, including the DanGer Shock trial

These 5 represent only some of the data the HCPLive Cardiology team covered at this year's meeting! Check out more KOL insight and our full conference coverage on our 

Videos

Counting down the most impactful news at major medical meetings, it’s the HCPLive Five! This edition focuses on 5 updates from the American College of Cardiology 2024 (ACC.24) Annual Scientific Sessions.

 is recognized by the World Health Organization (WHO) as the most common nutritional deficiency, with an estimated global prevalence of approximately 30%. Associated with adverse outcomes, iron deficiency anemia may represent a notable threat to individual- and population-level health.

The American Gastrointestiological Association (AGA) released updated guidelines in 2020 for the gastrointestinal evaluation of iron deficiency. Citing more than 2 dozen reference documents, the 10-page document provides specific recommendations, including the cutoff of ferritin levels in diagnosis, bidirectional endoscopy, and differences in anemia diagnosis by sex.

Despite the knowledge of its prevalence, management of iron deficiency anemia remains suboptimal, with some studies suggest just 1 in 5 patients living with anemia receive treatment.

In this clinical quiz, our third on the document, test your knowledge of the recommendations for gastrointestinal evaluation of IDA based on the AGA 2020 guidelines.

Evaluation of patients with refractory iron deficiency anemia

Management of obscure gastrointestinal bleeding

Initial diagnosis and evaluation of iron deficiency anemia

Editor’s note: This is the third clinical quiz on the AGA’s Gastrointestinal Evaluation of Iron Deficiency Anemia 2020 guidelines. Check out the 

Ko CW, Siddique SM, Patel A, et al. AGA Clinical Practice Guidelines on the Gastrointestinal Evaluation of Iron Deficiency Anemia. 

. 2020;159(3):1085-1094. doi:10.1053/j.gastro.2020.06.046

Xu Y, Evans M, Mazhar F, et al. Poor recognition and undertreatment of anemia in patients with chronic kidney disease managed in primary care. 

. 2023;294(5):628-639. doi:10.1111/joim.13702

This clinical quiz will test your knowledge of iron deficiency anemia, focused on the gastrointestinal evaluation of anemia based on recommendations from the AGA's 2020 guidelines.

Clinical Quiz: Gastrointestinal Evaluation of Iron Deficiency Anemia

Editor’s note: this is the second clinical quiz on the ACC’s 

Expert Consensus Decision Pathway on the Role of Nonstatin Therapies for LDL-Cholesterol Lowering in the Management of Atherosclerotic Cardiovascular Disease Risk. 

In LDL-C management, statins have remained a cornerstone of care since their advent decades ago. However, despite mountains of data demonstrating class's profound effect on LDL-C lowering and favorable safety profile, many patients are statin-intolerant and require a more nuanced approach to the management of their dyslipidemia, especially special patient populations.

Decades ago, this presented a major issue for some, but, in recent years, addition of new therapies, including bempedoic acid and combination with ezetimibe, have proven to be reliable options for these patients. In this clinical quiz, which is our second on the document, we test your knowledge on use of non-statin therapies for lowering LDL-C among special populations based on the American College of Cardiology's 2022 Expert Consensus Decision Pathway on the Role of Nonstatin Therapies for LDL-Cholesterol Lowering in the Management of Atherosclerotic Cardiovascular Disease Risk.

Special populations have no impact on treatment outcomes

Special populations may have unique considerations or comorbidities

Special populations always respond well to standard therapies

Special populations do not require cholesterol management

Tailored treatment plans based on individual preferences

Standardized treatment regardless of comorbidities

Immediate discontinuation of all cholesterol-lowering medications

Ignore comorbidities and focus solely on cholesterol levels

Engage in thoughtful discussions with patients to weigh benefits and risks

Prescribe the maximum dose of all available nonstatin therapies

Refer all patients with comorbidities to a specialist

Patient preferences are irrelevant in special populations

Patient preferences should override clinical judgment

Patient preferences should be considered alongside clinical factors

Patient preferences are the sole determinant of treatment choice

Disregard patient preferences and proceed with standard treatment

Engage in shared decision-making with patients based on available evidence

Avoid prescribing nonstatin therapies to special populations

Rely solely on expert consensus without patient input

Writing Committee, Lloyd-Jones DM, Morris PB, et al. 2022 ACC Expert Consensus Decision Pathway on the Role of Nonstatin Therapies for LDL-Cholesterol Lowering in the Management of Atherosclerotic Cardiovascular Disease Risk: A Report of the American College of Cardiology Solution Set Oversight Committee [published correction appears in J Am Coll Cardiol. 2023 Jan 3;81(1):104]. 

. 2022;80(14):1366-1418. doi:10.1016/j.jacc.2022.07.006

This clinical quiz will test your knowledge on management of LDL-C special populations with nonstatin therapies based on the ACC's 2022 expert clinical decision pathway. 