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Articles
by
Salim S. Virani |
Total Records (
6 ) for
Salim S. Virani |
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Venkateshwar R. Polsani
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Vijay Nambi
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Salim S. Virani
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Daniele Zoch
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Eric Y. Yang
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Peter H. Jones
and
Christie M. Ballantyne
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BackgroundAlthough there is clinical evidence for the safety and efficacy of single-drug therapy and some two-drug combinations for the treatment of hypertriglyceridemia, information is limited on the use of more than 2 drugs. ObjectiveWe evaluated the efficacy and safety of multidrug regimens (≥3 agents) in the management of hypertriglyceridemia. MethodsThe study included 40 individuals in an academic lipid referral clinic with mean follow-up of 1.98 years and an average use of 3.5 medications. ResultsDuring the study, mean body mass index decreased significantly (P=.0127), from 29.2 kg/m2 to 28.7 kg/m2, and mean hemoglobin A1C showed a trend towards decreasing (P=.06), from 7.9% to 7.2% in patients with diabetes (n=17). All lipid parameters decreased significantly: total cholesterol level decreased significantly from (mean±SD) 334.3±282.9 mg/dL to 183.8±54.8 mg/dL (P=.001, mean reduction of 45%), mean (± SD) triglyceride level decreased significantly from 1900.9±4576.8 mg/dL to 300.7±372.2 mg/dL (P=.02), median (range) triglyceride level decreased from 599 (242-28,550) mg/dL to 301 (40-1960) mg/dL (P < .001, mean reduction of 50%), and mean (± SD) non-high-density lipoprotein cholesterol decreased significantly from 189.9±131.6 mg/dL to 138.4±49.1 mg/dL (P=.014, mean reduction of 27%). There were no serious adverse effects (rhabdomyolysis or increased liver function tests >3 times upper limit of normal). ConclusionIn a 2-year follow-up of 40 individuals on multidrug therapy (average of 3.5 drugs) for severe hypertriglyceridemia, combination therapy was efficacious and well tolerated. |
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Salim S. Virani
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Degang Wang
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LeChauncy D. Woodard
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Supicha S. Chitwood
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Cassie R. Landrum
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Franklin J. Zieve
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Christie M. Ballantyne
and
Laura A. Petersen
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BackgroundThe Adult Treatment Panel III guidelines established non-high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (non-HDL-C) as a secondary treatment target. However, non-HDL-C levels are not reported on standard lipid panels by many hospital-based and/or commercial biochemical laboratories. ObjectiveWe determined whether reporting non-HDL-C was associated with improved non-HDL-C goal attainment. MethodsWe identified patients with cardiovascular disease (CVD) and/or diabetes receiving care within the Veterans Health Administration. We matched a facility that reported non-HDL-C levels on lipid panels (3994 CVD and 5108 diabetes patients) to a facility with similar size, patient complexity, and academic mission that did not report non-HDL-C (4269 CVD and 6591 diabetes patients). We performed patient-level analysis to assess differences in non-HDL-C from baseline to the most recent lipid panel at these facilities. ResultsBaseline non-HDL-C levels for CVD patients were 114 mg/dL and 107 mg/dL at the reporting and nonreporting facilities, respectively. At 2.3-year follow-up, non-HDL-C levels decreased at both facilities but by a greater amount at the reporting facility (−11 mg/dL vs −3 mg/dL at the nonreporting facility, P < .001). Results remained significant (P < .001) after we adjusted for patient's age, race, gender, illness burden, history of diabetes, hypertension, medication adherence, statin use, number of lipid panels, and number of primary care visits between baseline and follow-up. Reductions were greater among CVD patients with triglycerides ≥200 mg/dL (−25 mg/dL vs −16 mg/dL at the respective facilities, P = .004). Results were similar in diabetes patients. Reporting was also associated with greater proportions of patients meeting non-HDL-C treatment goal of <130 mg/dL. ConclusionNon-HDL-C reporting could improve non-HDL-C goal attainment. |
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Smita I. Negi
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Ariel Brautbar
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Salim S. Virani
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Aashish Anand
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Eliana Polisecki
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Bela F. Asztalos
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Christie M. Ballantyne
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Ernst J. Schaefer
and
Peter H. Jones
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Tangier disease is a rare autosomal-recessive disorder caused by mutation in the ATP binding cassette transporter 1 (ABCA1) gene. Typically, Tangier disease manifests with symptoms and signs resulting from the deposition of cholesteryl esters in nonadipose tissues; chiefly, in peripheral nerves leading to neuropathy and in reticulo-endothelial organs, such as liver, spleen, lymph nodes, and tonsils, causing their enlargement and discoloration. An association with early cardiovascular disease can be variable. We describe a patient with a unique phenotype of Tangier disease from a novel splice site mutation in the ABCA1 gene that is associated with a central nervous system presentation resembling multiple sclerosis, and the presence of premature atherosclerosis. |
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Smita I. Negi
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Lynne Steinberg
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Venkateshwar R. Polsani
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Saqib A. Gowani
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Vijay Nambi
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Varinder Kumar
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Victor Marinescu
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Peter H. Jones
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Laura A. Petersen
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Christie M. Ballantyne
and
Salim S. Virani
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BackgroundNon-high density lipoprotein cholesterol (non-HDL-C) goal attainment per Adult Treatment Panel III (ATP III) guidelines remains low. ObjectiveTo understand gaps in knowledge and practices of physicians-in-training (internal medicine, family medicine, cardiology, endocrinology) towards non-HDL-C. MethodsA survey based on a conceptual model to assess the trainee's knowledge, attitudes, and practice regarding non-HDL-C was developed and administered to physicians-in-training (n = 655) at 26 training programs in the United States. Responses of those in internal medicine and family medicine (residents-in-training; n = 418) were compared with those in cardiology and endocrinology (fellows-in-training; n = 124). ResultsResponse rate was 83.7%. Fifty-three percent of residents and 31% of fellows-in-training had not read the ATP III guidelines (P < .001). Thirty-three percent of the residents and 35% fellows-in-training could not calculate non-HDL-C from a standard lipid panel (P = .7). Sixty-seven percent of the residents and 52% of fellows were not aware of treatment goals for non-HDL-C (P = .004 for comparison between residents and fellows). Both residents and fellows reported infrequent calculation of non-HDL-C levels in patients with elevated triglycerides (≥200 mg/dL; 32.5% vs 35.4%, respectively, P = .6). Lack of familiarity with ATP III guidelines, lack of knowledge regarding importance of non-HDL-C, lack of institutional mandate to calculate non-HDL-C, and lack of emphasis on non-HDL-C by teaching staff were reported as barriers to non-HDL-C use in routine clinical practice. ConclusionsAt least one-third of physicians-in-training could not calculate non-HDL-C from a standard lipid panel, and a large number were not aware of ATP III treatment goals pertaining to non-HDL-C. This area represents one for improvement if non-HDL-C is to be retained as a treatment target in the forthcoming ATP-IV guidelines. |
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