한국지질동맥경화학회 학술대회

Symposium 2, titled “Cutting-edge Nutritional Approach for Cardiometabolic Risk Strategies,” will highlight the latest research in nutritional science aimed at preventing and treating cardiovascular and metabolic diseases. Professor Jordi Merino Ribas (University of Copenhagen, Denmark) will examine the interplay between molecular and environmental factors in the new era of precision medicine, laying the foundation for personalized nutritional strategies. Professor Hyun Ju You (Seoul National University, Republic of Korea) will assess the relationship between the human microbiome and cardiometabolic health. Dr. Hyekyoung Sung (York University, USA) will then present in-depth insights into the nutritional regulation of iron metabolism in cardiometabolic diseases. These distinguished presentations will feature the efficacy of personalized nutritional interventions in guiding comprehensive prevention and management strategies for cardiovascular and metabolic disorders.

Lipoprotein(a) has emerged as an independent cardiovascular risk factor, yet its clinical significance varies across populations and metabolic states. This session brings together key insights on Lp(a): epidemiologic data on ASCVD in Asian populations (Dr. Young Woo Jang), its paradoxical inverse association with metabolic risk (Dr. Jung A Kim), and practical guidance on Lp(a) measurement and reporting (Dr. Sang-Guk Lee). Together, these talks aim to clarify current controversies and highlight the nuances that clinicians and researchers must consider in the era of precision lipidology.

This session will explore novel insights into the role of lipid toxicity and platelet signaling in the pathogenesis of atherosclerotic inflammation. Professor Ok-Nam Bae from Hanyang University, Republic of Korea, will present on how environmental toxicants such as nanoparticles and biocides disrupt lipid homeostasis and promote vascular inflammation. Professor Jun Young Hong from Yonsei University, Republic of Korea, will discuss immune-driven remodeling of lipid metabolism that induces whitening of brown adipose tissue under thermoneutral conditions, highlighting the crosstalk between immunity and energy metabolism. Professor Jin O-Uchi from University of South Florida, USA, will elucidate the functional role of the mitochondrial calcium uniporter in human platelets and its impact on platelet aggregation and thrombosis. This multidisciplinary session will offer a comprehensive view on how metabolic stress, immune dysregulation, and platelet activation converge to drive vascular pathology.

The rapid advancement of artificial intelligence (AI) is transforming precision diagnostics and risk stratification in atherosclerosis and cardiovascular diseases. In this symposium, leading experts will present the most recent studies leveraging AI for accurate diagnosis and risk assessment of cardiovascular conditions. Professor Paul Leeson from University of Oxford, UK, will provide insights from the PROTEUS randomized controlled trial (RCT), demonstrating how AI-assisted stress echocardiography can enhance the diagnosis of coronary atherosclerosis and cardiovascular risk prediction. Subsequently, Dr. Junmyung Kwon from Medical AI, Republic of Korea, will discuss the application of AI-enhanced electrocardiography technology for early detection of acute myocardial infarction and effective cardiovascular risk stratification. Lastly, Professor SungA Bae from Yonsei University, Republic of Korea, will present findings from the AI-Gatekeeper RCT trial, comparing artificial intelligence-based screening of coronary artery disease with usual clinical care, showcasing its clinical advantages and potential implications. This symposium provides an excellent opportunity to explore how integrating clinical medicine with AI technology is shaping the future of precision cardiovascular medicine.

In this special session titled “Redefining Cardiovascular Care: PCSK9 Mechanisms and siRNA-Based Advances,” ICoLA 2025 brings together leading experts to explore emerging molecular and clinical insights into lipid regulation and atherosclerotic disease management. The session opens with a comprehensive exploration of PCSK9—the master regulator of LDL metabolism and a key player in vascular inflammation—highlighting its central role in atherosclerosis. The second presentation focuses on the promise of siRNA-based lipid-lowering therapies, showcasing their transformative potential for sustained LDL-C control. Finally, the session addresses novel approaches to managing familial hypercholesterolemia beyond statin therapy, offering new hope for patients with genetically driven dyslipidemia. This session integrates advances in molecular biology, therapeutic innovation, and clinical practice, paving the way for a redefined and more personalized approach to cardiovascular prevention and treatment.

Insulin resistance is a key pathophysiology underlying metabolic disorders and is closely associated with the development of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD). The triglyceride-glucose (TyG) index is a novel and simple surrogate marker of insulin resistance, calculated using fasting triglyceride and glucose levels, and has demonstrated comparable accuracy to HOMA-IR. In this session, we will explore the clinical role of the TyG index based on recent national and international studies regarding its predictive value for ASCVD. Professor Patricio Lopez-Jaramillo from Universidad de Santander, Colombia, will present multinational data on the association between the TyG index and ASCVD. Professor Yong-Jae Lee from Yonsei University College of Medicine, Republic of Korea, will share findings from Korean data on the same topic. Finally, Professor Ki-Bum Won from Chung-Ang University College of Medicine, Republic of Korea, will offer a lecture on the relationship between the TyG index and coronary artery calcification.

Organized by the Clinical Practice Guideline Committee of KSoLA, this session will address a central and timely question: “How Low is Low Enough for LDL-C in Diabetes?” The session begins with a comparative overview by Professor Jong Han Choi (Konkuk University, Republic of Korea), who will examine LDL-C targets for diabetic patients across major international guidelines. Following this, a structured debate will explore two contrasting perspectives: Professor Wonjin Kim (CHA University, Republic of Korea) will argue in favor of intensive treatment for all diabetic patients aiming for LDL-C <55 mg/dL, while Professor Mihye Seo (Soonchunhyang University, Republic of Korea) will advocate for a personalized approach based on individual risk profiles. This symposium promises to offer clinically relevant insights into optimizing lipid management strategies in patients with diabetes, balancing guideline recommendations with real-world considerations.

Recent updates to the ASCVD risk prediction model, including the introduction of the PREVENT equation, reflect several key advances—one of which is the integration of socioeconomic factors. This shift highlights the growing recognition of social determinants as important contributors to cardiovascular risk. In this session, we will explore the multifaceted impact of socioeconomic status on ASCVD. Professor Seonghee Choi from Seoul National University Bundang Hospital, Republic of Korea, will discuss the underlying mechanisms linking socioeconomic disadvantage to cardiovascular outcomes. Professor Jongha Baek from Gyeongsang National University, Republic of Korea, will present epidemiological evidence illustrating the magnitude of this association. Finally, Professor Sadiya S. Khan from Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, USA, will introduce a novel cardiovascular risk prediction model that incorporates socioeconomic variables into traditional clinical frameworks.

Symposium 13 will highlight current trends and regional advances in dyslipidemia management, shaping the future of lipid care in Asia. The session opens with an overview of the 2024 KSoLA Consensus on Secondary Dyslipidemia, presenting practical guidance on managing lipid disorders in patients with comorbid conditions. It will then shift to epidemiological and clinical insights from China and Japan, where speakers will discuss national trends, healthcare innovations, and evolving treatment strategies. This symposium provides an opportunity to understand how different healthcare systems approach dyslipidemia and to explore collaborative pathways for improving lipid management across diverse populations in the Asia-Pacific region.

Professor Ioanna Gouni-Berthold is a distinguished Professor of Internal Medicine and Endocrinology at the University of Cologne, Germany, and a leading member of the Center for Endocrinology, Diabetes and Preventive Medicine at the University Hospital of Cologne. Her clinical and research expertise lies in lipid metabolism, dyslipidemia, cardiovascular risk management, and metabolic diseases. Professor Gouni-Berthold has contributed extensively to the field through numerous publications in high-impact journals and active involvement in international clinical trials and guideline development committees. At ICoLA 2025, she has been invited as a Plenary Lecturer to present on the topic: “Advances in lipid-lowering therapy: shaping the future of cardiovascular prevention.” In this lecture, Professor Gouni-Berthold will discuss the most recent advances in lipid-lowering therapies, highlighting their mechanisms of action, clinical trial data, and potential to reshape current paradigms in cardiovascular prevention.

Professor Ki-Hyun Jeon from Seoul National University, Republic of Korea, is a leading expert in digital health and medical informatics, with a particular focus on applying artificial intelligence to clinical data and research processes. He has recently garnered wide attention for pioneering the integration of generative AI tools such as ChatGPT into real-world medical research, manuscript drafting, and data interpretation workflows. In ICoLA 2025, Professor Jeon will deliver a Special Lecture titled “Integrating ChatGPT into medical and clinical research workflows.” This session will highlight practical use cases, emerging methodologies, and the potential impact of AI-powered tools on the future of evidence generation and scientific communication in medicine. His insights will be especially valuable for clinicians and researchers seeking to incorporate cutting-edge technology into their research environments.

Atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD) remains a leading cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide, yet many nontraditional risk factors are still underrecognized. This session highlights emerging contributors to ASCVD, offering new perspectives on disease development and progression. The first presentation explores how environmental pollution affects atherosclerosis through various biological mechanisms. The second addresses the impact of health inequity and social determinants on ASCVD risk. The final talk focuses on psychiatric disorders as an often-overlooked but important risk factor for ASCVD. By highlighting these topics, we aim to encourage a more comprehensive approach to ASCVD prevention.

Symposium 16 is titled “Defining the Optimal LDL-C Target for Prevention of Atherosclerotic Cardiovascular and Cerebrovascular Disease.” The session opens with a cardiologist’s perspective on establishing optimal LDL-C goals for secondary prevention in high-risk patients. The second presentation offers a neurologist’s insights into optimal LDL-C levels specifically for stroke prevention. Finally, an endocrinologist will review the evidence for varying LDL-C targets according to diabetes duration and discuss strategies for personalized guideline development. This symposium promises to deliver critical, evidence-based perspectives to bridge guideline recommendations with real-world clinical practice in cardiovascular and cerebrovascular disease prevention.

In this lecture, Dr. Ljubica Matic will present on “Multi-omics data integration from patients with carotid stenosis illuminates key molecular signatures of atherosclerotic instability,” introducing the current applications of various omics technologies in understanding the complex biological mechanisms underlying vascular diseases. Through integrated analysis of genomic, transcriptomic, proteomic, metabolomic, and epigenomic data, she will demonstrate comprehensive methodological approaches for in-depth characterization of molecular pathways involved in major vascular conditions including atherosclerosis, hypertension, and vascular remodeling. Drawing from recent advances in transcriptomics and systems biology research, Dr. Matic will explain how multi-omics approaches serve as critical bridges in translational research between basic science discoveries and clinical applications. This presentation will share cutting-edge research findings on the identification of novel biomarkers, regulatory network analysis, and therapeutic target discovery related to vascular diseases, and will provide a platform for interdisciplinary collaboration and in-depth academic discourse in the field of vascular medicine.

This session entitled “Emerging Drugs for Dyslipidemia Management” addresses innovative pharmacological strategies to tackle residual lipid risk that persists despite statin therapy. While LDL-C reduction remains the cornerstone of dyslipidemia management, a substantial number of patients continue to face elevated cardiovascular risk due to hypertriglyceridemia, elevated remnant cholesterol, or persistent atherogenic dyslipidemia. The first lecture will examine the real-world clinical applications of bempedoic acid and identify patient populations who may derive maximum therapeutic benefit. The second lecture will focus on APOC3 inhibition strategies for severe hypertriglyceridemia management, discussing clinical applicability in familial chylomicronemia syndrome and mixed dyslipidemia with supporting evidence from recent clinical trials. The final lecture will present the regulatory mechanisms of ANGPTL3 and ANGPTL8 in lipid metabolism and introduce the development status of next-generation therapeutic approaches targeting these pathways. Through this session, attendees will gain comprehensive insights into the latest paradigms in lipid-lowering therapy and future prospects for clinical implementation.

This session will explore ethnic-specific characteristics of dyslipidemia, with a focus on Asian populations, and discuss optimal lipid-lowering strategies tailored to diverse clinical needs. The first speaker, Professor Jaehoon Chung from Dongguk University, Republic of Korea, will focus on hypertriglyceridemia and low HDL-C commonly observed in Asian populations, introducing a novel approach to treatment prioritization. Next, Professor Chang Hee Jung from University of Ulsan, Republic of Korea, will discuss the need for combination lipid-lowering therapy in patients for whom statin monotherapy is insufficient, supported by recent clinical evidence. Finally, Professor Hoang Anh Tien from Hue University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Vietnam, will emphasize the importance of personalized treatment strategies that account for ethnic differences between Asian and Western populations, highlighting both regional guideline variations and shared principles. Join us for this session to gain practical insights into diverse lipid management strategies applicable to clinical practice.

Sex and gender differences in cardiometabolic health have emerged as a critical dimension in precision medicine. This symposium will explore these complexities, ranging from biological and hormonal mechanisms to gender-informed differences in diagnosis and therapy. Professor Erin D. Michos from Johns Hopkins University, USA, will discuss mechanistic insights linking sex and cardiometabolic risk. Professor In-Jeong Cho from Ewha Womans University, Republic of Korea, will highlight how sex and gender influence cardiovascular risk assessment and biomarker interpretation. Finally, Professor Hyun Ju Yoon from Chonnam National University, Republic of Korea, will address the differential responses of men and women to cardiometabolic therapies. This session aims to highlight why sex-specific approaches are essential for accurate risk stratification and effective treatment in cardiometabolic disease.

Macrophage immunometabolism plays a pivotal role in orchestrating inflammation and repair in cardiovascular disease. This session will highlight emerging metabolic axes governing macrophage function in cardiometabolic injury and recovery. Professor Laurent Yvan-Charvet from INSERM, France, will introduce glutamine homeostasis as a previously overlooked regulator of cardiometabolic inflammation, shedding light on its immunomodulatory roles. Professor Edward Thorp from Northwestern University, USA, will present how myeloid cell metabolism influences both the amplification and resolution of cardiac inflammation, offering insights into innate immune reprogramming. Professor Yong Sook Kim from Chonnam National University, Republic of Korea, will present the therapeutic potential of ANGPTL4 in modulating inflammation and atherosclerosis. This session offers a comprehensive overview of the immunometabolic programming of macrophages and its translational relevance in cardiovascular injury and repair.

As the number of elderly patients rapidly increase, this session is designed to understand the characteristics of these patients, such as their multimorbidity and fragility and to provide prevention and treatment strategies tailored to each disease and situation. Professor Dong-Ho Shin from Yonsei University, Republic of Korea, will discuss “Strategies for managing hyperlipidemia in fragile elderly patients.” Professor Soojin Yun from Kyung Hee University, Republic of Korea, will cover “Optimizing glucose control in fragile elderly patients with cardiometabolic syndrome.” Finally, Professor Hidenori Arai from National Center for Geriatrics and Gerontology, Japan, will deliver a lecture on “How to deal with multimorbidity and frailty for the prevention of cardiovascular disease.”

Professor Kausik Kumar Ray is a Professor of Public Health and Primary Care at Imperial College London and Honorary Consultant Cardiologist at Imperial College NHS Trust. He is the Immediate Past President of the European Atherosclerosis Society and the Chair of the World Heart Federation Cholesterol Roadmap Committee. As a globally recognized expert in clinical trials and epidemiological research, his work has been cited over 178,000 times worldwide. In this plenary lecture titled “Cholesterol lowering throughout the life-course to prevent atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease-a pragmatic population health approach,” Professor Ray will highlight the importance of lipid management across the entire life course. The session will explore evidence-based strategies for the prevention of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD), emphasizing a pragmatic and population-wide approach to cholesterol reduction.

In Keynote Lecture 2, Professor Jacob Fog Bentzon from Aarhus University, Denmark, will present his latest findings on “The role of smooth muscle cells in atherosclerotic plaque progression.” As a global authority in experimental atherosclerosis research, Professor Bentzon leads a team focused on uncovering the cellular mechanisms of atherosclerosis and identifying novel therapeutic targets. This lecture will explore the heterogeneity and phenotypic modulation of smooth muscle cells within atherosclerotic plaques and their impact on plaque stability and cardiovascular events. Bridging fundamental science and clinical relevance, this keynote will provide critical insights for those seeking to understand the pathobiology of atherosclerosis and to develop future treatment strategies.

Professor Hong June Yoo, Endowed Director General, National Museum of Korea, Republic of Korea, is a leading scholar who has played a pivotal role in bringing Korean art history and garden culture to the public. In this special lecture, Professor Yoo will explore the aesthetic differences between Eastern and Western approaches to gardens, and introduce the uniquely nature-oriented philosophy embodied in traditional Korean gardens. This lecture offers a unique opportunity to reflect on how Korean gardens express a deep respect for nature and reveal a way of life that seeks harmony with the natural world.

The KoSFoST–KSoLA Joint Symposium on the “Role of Medicinal Foods in Atherosclerosis and Cardiometabolic Disease” was co-organized by the Health Functional Foods Division of the Korean Society of Food Science and Technology (KoSFoST) and the Korean Society of Lipid and Atherosclerosis (KSoLA). Professor Hun-Jun Park (Catholic University of Korea, Republic of Korea) will discuss novel health functional products designed to prevent pathological remodeling after myocardial infarction. Professor Sung Keun Jung (Kyungpook National University, Republic of Korea) will highlight how ultrasonicated Lespedeza cuneata extract can prevent early atherosclerosis, underscoring the critical role of processing techniques. Finally, Dr. Jiyun Ahn (Korea Food Research Institute, Republic of Korea) will examine strategies for regulating mitochondrial metabolic reprogramming during aging and provide systematic insights for anti-aging interventions. Following these distinguished presentations, the session will proceed with in-depth discussions regarding the role and practical development of medicinal foods in managing atherosclerosis and cardiometabolic disease.

This session explores the emerging clinical challenges of atherosclerosis in patients with complex comorbidities such as cancer survivorship, metabolic dysfunction, and autoimmune diseases. Professor Nuri Lee from Chonnam National University, Republic of Korea, will address the balance between cardiovascular and oncologic risks in cancer survivors, highlighting tailored lipid management strategies. Professor Won Kim from Seoul National University, Republic of Korea, will discuss metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD/MAFLD) as a novel cardiovascular risk equivalent. Lastly, Professor Ji-Won Kim from Daegu Catholic University, Republic of Korea, will focus on atherosclerosis in rheumatoid arthritis and systemic autoimmune diseases, providing clinical perspectives on inflammation-driven vascular risk. This session will offer invaluable insights into how systemic comorbidities alter cardiovascular risk and management, making it essential for clinicians and researchers interested in complex patient populations.

The Journal of Lipid and Atherosclerosis (JLA) Committee has selected five outstanding papers published over the past year for presentation in this session. The authors will share key findings from their research on lipid metabolism and cardiovascular risk. Professor Su Youn Nam explores the association between high-density lipoprotein cholesterol and hematologic malignancy risk, while Professor Mee Kyoung Kim discusses the role of kidney function in cholesterol-related cardiovascular risk in type 2 diabetes. Professors Hayato Tada and Wen-Liang Song present on the impact of lipoprotein(a) on coronary artery disease and fibrinolysis, respectively, and Professor Belen Davico addresses the role of fatty acids in childhood obesity and cardiovascular risk. This session offers timely insights into the evolving understanding of lipid-related mechanisms in cardiometabolic diseases.

“Dyslipidemia Management in Special Populations” explores lipid-lowering strategies tailored to unique clinical contexts. Professor Mina Kim (Korea University, Republic of Korea) will address dyslipidemia management in women before and after menopause, highlighting hormonal influences on cardiovascular risk. Professor Byung Sik Kim (Hanyang University, Republic of Korea) will discuss lipid management in patients with liver disease, focusing on the safe and effective use of statins in this vulnerable group. Finally, Professor Seonghoon Choi (Hallym University, Republic of Korea) will present on dyslipidemia in the setting of HIV infection and chronic inflammation, emphasizing pathophysiological mechanisms and therapeutic challenges. This session will provide practical insights into individualized dyslipidemia care for patients with complex comorbidities and diverse physiological backgrounds.

The importance of remnant cholesterol has been increasingly highlighted in atherosclerotic cardiovascular diseases and various other diseases. First, Prof. Alberto Zambon from the University of Padua, Italy, will present on the mechanisms by which remnant cholesterol contributes to atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease and its clinical significance. Next, Prof. Soo Yeon Jang from Korea University, Republic of Korea, will present the role of remnant cholesterol in chronic kidney disease, and Prof. Han Na Jung from Hallym University, Republic of Korea, will present on its role in dementia. Lastly, Prof. Meral Kayikcioglu from Ege University, Türkiye, will present the role of remnant cholesterol in women's cardiometabolic health. We hope this session will reaffirm the importance of remnant cholesterol and serve as an opportunity to broaden our knowledge.

Lipid-immune crosstalk plays a critical role in shaping vascular repair mechanisms and the progression of atherosclerotic disease. This session highlights how specific lipid signals influence immune cell behavior and vascular pathology. Professor Younggeun Ahn from Chonnam National University, Republic of Korea, will present how IKKε-deficient macrophages impair cardiac repair post-myocardial infarction by promoting the macrophage-to-myofibroblast transition. Professor Wei Kong from Peking University, China, will discuss how ceramide sensing via CYSLTR2 and P2RY6 contributes to the aggravation of atherosclerosis, revealing novel lipid-sensing inflammatory circuits. Dr. Hyunbeom Lee from KIST, Republic of Korea, will provide a systems-level perspective on how lipidomics can be utilized to better understand human disease. This session will offer deep insights into lipid-mediated immune regulation and its implications for vascular health and therapeutic strategies.

This symposium, titled “Recent Evidence in Non-Invasive Cardiovascular Risk Assessment Techniques,” will explore state-of-the-art methods for cardiovascular risk stratification without the need for invasive procedures. Professor Nor Ashikin Binti Md Sari (Universiti Malaya, Malaysia) will present the latest updates on coronary artery calcium (CAC) scoring and its clinical relevance. Professor Jun Hwa Hong (Eulji University, Republic of Korea) will delve into the role of carotid ultrasonography in the primary prevention of cardiovascular disease, highlighting its utility in early detection. Lastly, Professor Hack-Lyoung Kim (Seoul National University, Republic of Korea) will discuss the clinical usefulness of brachial-ankle pulse wave velocity (baPWV) for cardiovascular risk prediction in Asian populations.