Recent advances in the pharmacotherapy of cardiovascular diseases

Abstract

The present review of advances in the treatment of cardiovascular diseases deals with three areas: anti-inflammatory treatment of atherosclerosis, current effect of acetylsalicylic acid, and comparison of strategies for LDL-cholesterol reduction. The first part demonstrates the possibility of anti-inflammatory treatment of atherogenesis with a monoclonal antibody (canakinumab) inactivating interleukin 1β. The effect of inflammation in atherogenesis and thrombogenesis is demonstrated using additional examples - periodontitis or acute viral infection. The current effect of acetylsalicylic acid in women, the elderly, or diabetics has been confirmed based on the data from a Swedish national registry. Termination of treatment resulted in a significant increase in atherothrombotic events, with the increase being more significant when acetylsalicylic acid was indicated as part of secondary prevention. The use of acetylsalicylic acid is supported by an additional antitumour effect (particularly in the prophylaxis of colorectal cancer); this chemoprophylaxis has already been incorporated in the guidelines. The third part involves comparison of the importance of various hypolipidaemic strategies aimed at LDL-cholesterol concentration. Based on a comparison of pharmacotherapy and genetic polymorphisms, it has been shown that of crucial importance is the resulting decline in LDL-cholesterol, not the way it was achieved.