A prospective, open-label, pilot study with 24 cardiovascular high risk patients (N=24) having insufficient Low density lipoprotein cholesterin (LDL-C) reduction despite standard of care lipid-modifying therapies (LMTs), to evaluate the effects of potent lipid-therapy intensification via the recently approved monoclonal, human anti-PCSK9 antibody Alirocumab on endothelial function, inflammation, lipoprotein particle subfractions, carotid arteries and post-prandial lipemia in clinical routine at the Medical University of Graz.
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
NA
Purpose
DIAGNOSTIC
Masking
NONE
Enrollment
24
Patients treated with Alirocumab in the clinical routine will have additional diagnostic tests as stated above. The clinical trial will be conducted as an open label, single arm study. The diagnostic tests will be done at baseline (BL) and after 10 weeks of treatment (W10) with Alirocumab.
Medical University of Graz
Graz, Styria, Austria
Change of mean carotid vessel wall fractional anisotropy (2-Dimensional Cardiovascular Magnet Resonance) by very potent lipid-therapy intensification with Alirocumab
Study participants will undergo a cardiovascular magnetic resonance imaging of the carotid vessels. High resolution diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) will be performed on one selected axial slice using read-out segmented EPI (rs-EPI) sequence on a 3T MR scanner.
Time frame: From baseline to 10 weeks of treatment
Change of FDD (flow-dependent dilation) in response to Alirocumab
Vasodilation of the brachial artery will be measured with a linear array transducer, 8-13 MHz. Flow mediated dilatation is defined as the change in post-ischemic diameter as a percentage of the baseline diameter. Flow-independent vasodilatation will be evaluated by nitroglycerin-mediated dilatation. At least 15 minutes after the flow mediated procedure the brachial arterial diameter will be measured before and 3 minutes after sublingual administration of nitroglycerin (NTG 0.3 mg spray).
Time frame: From baseline to 10 weeks of treatment
Change of intima media thickness in response to Alirocumab
All ultrasound investigations will be performed at the Division of Angiology, Department of Internal Medicine, Medical University of Graz. Carotid intima-media thickness is defined as the mean of at least three different measurements of intima media thickness in a one-centimeter-long segment of the brachial common carotid artery.
Time frame: From baseline to 10 weeks of treatment
Change of post-prandial lipaemia in response to Alirocumab
Post-prandial lipaemia will be assessed with a fat-tolerance test (FTT). The participants will receive a standard fat rich meal. The Lipotest® meal is a diagnostic meal with special medical purpose, characterized as "Food for specialized diagnostic determination of postprandial triglycerides" and consists of 832 kCal total energy input (75 g saturated fat, 25 g carbohydrates, 10 g protein, 2,1 g fiber and 0,15 g salt).
Time frame: From baseline to 10 weeks of treatment
Change of the lipoprotein subfractions in response to Alirocumab
LDL-Cholesterol will not only be calculated via Friedewald formula, but all plasma lipoprotein particles will be subfractionated by ultracentrifugation / precipitation (Chylomicrons, VLDL, LDL and HDL). Plasma lipid levels will be measured enzymatically using an autoanalyzer. Particle concentrations of lipoprotein subclasses will be measured using nuclear magnetic resonance as previously described (Silbernagel et al 2017). The Apo(lipo)protein levels will be measured using immunoassays.
Time frame: From baseline to 10 weeks of treatment
Changes of inflammatory parameters in response to Alirocumab
Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay kits will be used and C-reactive protein, as well as cytokines and adhesion molecules of special interest.
Time frame: From baseline to 10 weeks of treatment
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