CardioNerds Dan Ambinder and Dr. Devesh Rai join cardiology fellows and National Lipid Association lipid scholars Dr. Jelani Grant from Johns Hopkins University and Dr. Alexander Razavi from Emory University. They discuss a case involving a patient with familial hypercholesterolemia. Dr. Archna Bajaj from University of Pennsylvania provides expert commentary. Drs. Jelani Grant and Alexander Razavi drafted notes. CardioNerds Intern Pacey Wetstein engineered episode audio.
This episode is part of a case reports series developed in collaboration with the National Lipid Association and their Lipid Scholarship Program, with mentorship from Dr. Daniel Soffer and Dr. Eugenia Gianos.
A classic finding in patients with familial hypercholesterolemia is the presence of markedly elevated levels of total and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) with an LDL-C concentration of 190 mg/dL or greater. However, severe hypercholesterolemia is not inevitably present, and many patients who carry this diagnosis may have lower LDL-C levels. This case history describes a young woman whose mother and brother met clinical and genetic criteria for heterozygous familial hypercholesterolemia but who had only a mild elevation in LDL-C, falling to 130 mg/dL after dietary intervention. Despite this finding, genetic testing revealed the presence of the same genetic variants as were noted in her mother and brother. In addition, a second genetic variant predisposing them to cholesterol gallstone formation was identified in all three family members. If genetic testing had not been performed, the diagnosis may have been missed or delayed, resulting in an increased risk for vascular complications associated with familial hypercholesterolemia. This case supports the value of genetic testing of family members of those with familial hypercholesterolemia, even when LDL-C levels are not severely elevated.
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Pearls - Exposing an Unusual Presentation of Familial Hypercholesterolemia – National Lipid Association
Familial hypercholesterolemia (FH) is among the most common autosomal co-dominant genetic conditions (approximately 1:200 to 1:300 for HeFH, 1:160,000 to 1:300,000 for HoFH).
Genetic testing has a role for all first-degree relatives when a family history of FH is strongly suggestive, regardless of LDL-C level.
Heterogeneity in ASCVD risk among individuals with FH is derived from background polygenic risk, clinical risk factors (e.g., timing of lipid-lowering initiation and adjacent risk factors), as well as subclinical atherosclerosis burden.
In clinical or genetically confirmed FH, an LDL-C goal of 55 mg/dL is recommended.
Beyond statins, FDA-approved non-statin therapies for FH include ezetimibe, PCSK9 mAb, bempedoic acid, inclisiran, evolocumab (only HoFH), lomitapide (only HoFH), and LDL apheresis.
Notes - Exposing an Unusual Presentation of Familial Hypercholesterolemia – National Lipid Association
What are the diagnostic criteria for FH?
Dutch Lipid Clinic Network1
Variables: family history, clinical history, physical exam, LDL-C level, DNA (LDLR, APOB, PCSK9)
Simon-Broome1
Variables: total or LDL-C, physical exam, DNA (LDLR, APOB, PCSK9), family history
Emphasis on clinical history and physical exam reduces sensitivity
U.S. Make Early Diagnosis Prevent Early Death (MEDPED) 1
Only one of the three where no genetic testing is required, may work well in cascade screening
Variables: age, total cholesterol, family relative (and degree) with FH
Definite, probable, possible, unlikely
Emphasis on clinical history and physical exam reduces sensitivity
