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.

Cardiovascular risk prediction is a key step for guiding primary prevention therapy such as statins. However, cardiovascular risk models have not yet been incorporated into clinical practice guidelines in Korea. This session will discuss the current research landscape of cardiovascular risk prediction in the general population and in special subgroups, particularly focusing on their potential applicability in clinical practice and future directions.

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.

This session, "Genetic Insights into Dyslipidemia and Diabetes: Pathways, Predictions, and Interventions," delves into the latest genetic advances impacting cardiovascular and metabolic diseases. Attendees will explore the evolving genetic landscape of cardiovascular disease (CVD) and diabetes, considering future implications for prediction and prevention. The second presentation examines the powers of multi-omics and multi-trait analyses in unraveling the complexity of metabolic disorders. Next, exciting developments in gene therapy for familial hypercholesterolemia will be showcased, highlighting cutting-edge interventions. The session concludes with an engaging discussion, fostering collaboration and reflection on how genetic research can translate into better clinical outcomes.

While TG have historically been overshadowed by the focus on LDL-C, the cumulative evidence suggests that they should not be ignored as a risk factor for CVD and should clearly be taken into account when assessing atherosclerotic residual risk. TG and their remnant cholesterol have direct implications in the pathogenesis of atherosclerotic CVD and their management could represent an additional therapeutic strategy. In this session, we will present the relationship of remnant cholesterol and ASCVD, furthermore sarcopenia. Although lack of clear evidence, recent strategy to target remnant cholesterol will be introduced. Through this session, we hope you to widen the scope of lipid management.

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.

Although luminal narrowing has traditionally guided our understanding of intracranial atherosclerosis and captured clinicians’ attention, growing evidence reveals that its impact reaches well beyond narrowing alone. This session, “What Is Important beyond Stenosis in Intracranial Atherosclerosis,” explores three key dimensions-vascular tortuosity and plaque burden, vessel wall enhancement and inflammation, and blood viscosity’s role in cerebral flow and stroke risk. Professor Mi-Yeon Eun, who is a stroke neurologist and neuro-interventionist from Kyungbook National University Chilgok Hospital, Republic of Korea, will present the relation between intracranial vascular tortuosity and overall atherosclerosis burden. Professor Dong-Wan Kang, a stroke neurologist from Seoul National University Bundang Hospital, Republic of Korea, will present the clinical impact of vascular enhancement and inflammation detected from high resolution vessel wall MRI. Professor Ho Geol Woo, a stroke neurologist and neuro-interventionist from Kyung Hee University Hospital, Republic of Korea, will present how blood viscosity affect development and stability of intracranial atherosclerosis. Together, these insights push us toward a more holistic approach to diagnosis and management of intracranial atherosclerosis.

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.

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.

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 Ji Eun Lee from Korea 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.”

This session provides an in-depth exploration of the paradigm shift in obesity management from treatment to prevention. Prof. Choon Young Kim (Yeungnam University, Republic of Korea) presents the anti-obesity effects of bioactive compounds from natural products, focusing on cellular signaling and metabolic regulation. Prof. Yun Kyung Cho (University of Ulsan, Republic of Korea) discusses the therapeutic potential of semaglutide in obesity and its cardiometabolic benefits. Prof. Sang-Ho Jo (Hallym University, Republic of Korea) addresses the role of tirzepatide, a dual GIP/GLP-1 receptor agonist, in obesity treatment and comprehensive metabolic care.

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.

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.