Dual antiplatelet therapy (DAPT) has remained a cornerstone for management of acute coronary syndrome (ACS) over the years. Clopidogrel has been the quintessential P2Y12 receptor (platelet receptor for Adenosine 5′ diphosphate) inhibitor for the past two decades. With the demonstration of unequivocal superior efficacy of prasugrel/ticagrelor over clopidogrel, guidelines now recommend these agents in priority over clopidogrel in current management of ACS. Cangrelor has revived the interest in injectable antiplatelet therapy too. Albeit the increased efficacy of these newer agents comes at the cost of increased bleeding and this becomes more of a concern when combined with aspirin. Which P2Y12i is superior over another has been intensely debated over last few years after the ISAR-REACT 5 study with inconclusive data. Three novel antiplatelet agents are already in the pipeline of ACS with all of them succeeding in phase II studies. The search for an ideal antiplatelet remains a need of the hour for optimal reduction of ischemic events in ACS.

Interstitial lung diseases (ILDs) are an intriguing group of pulmonary disorders, which still require the study of epidemiological, genetic, pathophysiological, clinical, and radiological parameters. Pulmonary hypertension (PH) is an underreported complication in interstitial lung diseases which is associated with worse outcome. In our study, we have reported the spectrum of ILDs and estimated the prevalence of pulmonary hypertension among these subjects at a tertiary care centre. A cross-sectional study was performed in which demographical, clinical, radiological, and histological data of subjects with ILD, attending the department of Respiratory Medicine in the University was collected from 1st September 2018 to 31st August 2019. Serological tests were done wherever indicated. Standard criteria along with multidisciplinary opinion were needed to arrive at the final diagnosis. All subjects were screened for pulmonary hypertension via 2-D echocardiography. Mean pulmonary artery pressure ≥20 mmHg was used to define PH. In the defined period, 239 subjects were enrolled (58% females, n=141; mean age 52.38±13.40 years). A tissue diagnosis was obtained in 34% cases.  The most common ILD was hypersensitivity pneumonitis (32.2%), followed by autoimmune-ILD (31.4%), idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) (15.9%) and sarcoidosis (12.6%), non-IPF idiopathic interstitial pneumonitis (2.1%) and rest 21 (5.9%) subjects were diagnosed as other types of ILD.  Pulmonary hypertension was seen in 46.0% of subjects.

A 30‐year‐old woman presented with low‐grade dyspnea on exertion. Chest X‐ray demonstrated enlarged cardiac silhouette but was insufficient to delineate the cause. Echocardiogram revealed the cause to be the giant left atrium from mitral stenosis.

Lipid-lowering therapy plays a crucial role in reducing adverse cardiovascular (CV) events in patients with established atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD) and familial hypercholesterolemia. Lifestyle interventions along with high-intensity statin therapy are the first-line management strategy followed by ezetimibe. Only about 20–30% of patients who are on maximally tolerated statins reach recommended low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) goals. Several factors contribute to the problem, including adherence issues, prescription of less than high-intensity statin therapy, and de-escalation of statin dosages, but in patients with very high baseline LDL-C levels, including those with familial hypercholesterolemia and those who are intolerant to statins, it is critical to expand our arsenal of LDL-C-lowering medications. Moreover, in the extreme risk group of patients with an LDL-C goal of ≤30 mg/dL according to the Lipid Association of India (LAI) risk stratification algorithm, there is a significant residual risk requiring the addition of non-statin drugs to achieve LAI recommended targets. This makes bempedoic acid a welcome addition to the existing non-statin therapies such as ezetimibe, bile acid sequestrants, and PCSK9 inhibitors. A low frequency of muscle-related side effects, minimal drug interactions, a significant reduction in high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hsCRP), and a lower incidence of new-onset or worsening diabetes make it a useful adjunct for LDL-C lowering. However, the CV outcomes trial results are still pending. In this LAI consensus document, we discuss the pharmacology, indications, contraindications, advantages, and evidence-based recommendations for the use of bempedoic acid in clinical practice.

Stroke is the second most common cause of death worldwide. The rates of stroke are increasing in less affluent countries predominantly because of a high prevalence of modifiable risk factors. The Lipid Association of India (LAI) has provided a risk stratification algorithm for patients with ischaemic stroke and recommended low density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) goals for those in a very high risk group and extreme risk group (category A) of <50 mg/dl (1.3 mmol/l) while the LDL-C goal for extreme risk group (category B) is ≤30 mg/dl (0.8 mmol/l). High intensity statins are the first-line lipid lowering therapy. Non-statin therapy like ezetimibe and proprotein convertase subtilisin kexin type 9 (PCSK9) inhibitors may be added as an adjunct to statins in patients who do not achieve LDL-C goals statins alone. In acute ischaemic stroke, high intensity statin therapy improves neurological and functional outcomes regardless of thrombolytic therapy. Although conflicting data exist regarding increased risk of intracerebral haemorrhage (ICH) with statin use, the overall benefit risk ratio favors long-term statin therapy necessitating detailed discussion with the patient. Patients who have statins withdrawn while being on prior statin therapy at the time of acute ischaemic stroke have worse functional outcomes and increased mortality. LAI recommends that statins be continued in such patients. In patients presenting with ICH, statins should not be started in the acute phase but should be continued in patients who are already taking statins. ICH patients, once stable, need risk stratification for atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD).