한국지질동맥경화학회 학술대회

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.”

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.

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.