Professor Anne Tybjærg-Hansen unpicks the genetic complexity of hypertriglyceridaema in relation to familial chylomicronaemia syndrome, multifactorial chylomicronaemia syndrome and mild-to-moderate triglyceride elevation, and discusses the aggravating factors and clinical consequences of genetic variants.
Professor Joseph Witztum discusses the evidence to support targeting apolipoprotein C-III with antisense therapies such as single stranded RNA, DNA molecules or siRNA, or with monoclonal antibodies, to reduce plasma triglycerides in order to lower the associated enhanced risk of acute pancreatitis and potentially cardiovascular risk.
Professor Marja-Riitta Taskinen and Professor Jan Borén talk about recent findings demonstrating the importance of the prolonged postprandial lipaemia typically seen with Western eating patterns, in relation to dysregulation of triglyceride-rich lipoproteins and atherogenic dyslipidaemia.
Professor Børge Nordestgaard reviews the evolving consensus behind current guidelines which conclude that fasting is not routinely required for determining an individual’s lipid profile, with advantages for patients, clinicians and laboratories.
Professor Rob Hegele uses the case of a patient with uncontrolled type 1 diabetes admitted to the Emergency Room with acute pancreatitis, and found to have a strong risk of polygenic hypertriglyceridaemia, to describe the management of hypertriglyceridaemia-related pancreatitis.
Professor Derick Raal describes recent progress with novel therapies in development for the management of hypertriglyceridaemia and their potential for reducing pancreatitis and residual risk of cardiovascular disease, with a focus on patients with chylomicronaemia syndrome.
