Lipoprotein(a) [Lp(a)] is made up of a low-density lipoprotein (LDL) particle and a specific apolipoprotein(a). The blood concentration of Lp(a) is approximately 90% genetically determined, and the main genetic factor determining Lp(a) levels is the size of the apo(a) isoform, which is determined by the number of KIV2 domain repeats. The size of the apo(a) isoform is inversely proportional to the blood concentration of Lp(a). Lp(a) is a strong and independent cardiovascular risk factor. Elevated Lp(a) levels ≥ 50 mg/dl (≥ 125 nmol/l) are estimated to occur in more than 1.5 billion people worldwide. However, determination of Lp(a) levels is performed far too rarely, including Poland, where, in fact, it is only since the 2021 guidelines of the Polish Lipid Association (PoLA) and five other scientific societies that Lp(a) measurements have begun to be performed. Determination of Lp(a) concentrations is not easy due to, among other things, the different sizes of the apo(a) isoforms; however, the currently available certified tests make it possible to distinguish between people with low and high cardiovascular risk with a high degree of precision. In 2022, the first guidelines for the management of patients with elevated lipoprotein(a) levels were published by the European Atherosclerosis Society (EAS) and the American Heart Association (AHA). The first Polish guidelines are the result of the work of experts from the two scientific societies and their aim is to provide clear, practical recommendations for the determination and management of elevated Lp(a) levels.

Cardiovascular (CV) diseases and cancer are the leading causes of death in Europe and the United States. Both diseases have extensive overlap and share common risk factors, symptoms, and outcomes. As the number of patients with both cancer and CV diseases continues to rise, the field of cardio-oncology is gaining increased attention. A frequent problem during anti-cancer treatment is cardiotoxicity caused by the side-effects of chemo-, immuno-, targeted, and radiation therapies. This problem may manifest as acute coronary syndrome, myocarditis, arrhythmias, or heart failure. Modern cardio-oncology spans many different research areas. While some researchers focus on treating patients that have already developed cardiotoxicity, others aim to identify new methods for preventing cardiotoxicity before, during, and after anti-cancer therapy. Both groups share the common understanding that regular monitoring of cancer patients is the basis for optimal medical treatment. Optimal treatment can only be achieved through close cooperation between cardiologists and oncologists. This review summarizes the current views on cardio-oncology and discusses the cardiotoxicities associated with commonly used chemotherapeutics.

Background: Oxidative stress and dyslipidemia play a critical role in the development of cardiovascular disease. Regular intake of polyphenol-rich diets is associated with a reduced risk of cardiovascular diseases. Methods: The present study was a pilot study with 24 healthy volunteers and was designed to determine if a 12-week administration of Cistus incanus herbal tea, containing phenolic acids and flavonoids, reduces cardiovascular risk factors including oxidative stress and dyslipidemia in healthy adults. Phenolic compounds profile and antibacterial activity of Cistus incanus infusion were also measured. Results: Herbal infusion led to improvement in lipid profile by increase (D4%, p = 0.033) high-density lipoprotein cholesterol concentration and decrease triglyceride (D14%, p = 0.013) concentrations. In addition, the Cistus incanus diet was associated with decreased serum concentrations of malondialdehyde (D16%, p < 0.01) and advanced oxidation protein products (D18%, p < 0.001). Conclusions: Cistus incanus administration decreases cardiovascular risk factors including oxidative stress and dyslipidemia and this action supports the idea of using Cistus incanus tea on a daily basis as an effective dietary component for prevention of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease. Background: Oxidative stress and dyslipidemia play a critical role in the development of cardiovascular disease. Regular intake of polyphenol-rich diets is associated with a reduced risk of cardiovascular diseases. Methods: The present study was a pilot study with 24 healthy volunteers and was designed to determine if a 12-week administration of Cistus incanus herbal tea, containing phenolic acids and flavonoids, reduces cardiovascular risk factors including oxidative stress and dyslipidemia in healthy adults. Phenolic compounds profile and antibacterial activity of Cistus incanus infusion were also measured. Results: Herbal infusion led to improvement in lipid profile by increase (D4%, p = 0.033) high-density lipoprotein cholesterol concentration and decrease triglyceride (D14%, p = 0.013) concentrations. In addition, the Cistus incanus diet was associated with decreased serum concentrations of malondialdehyde (D16%, p < 0.01) and advanced oxidation protein products (D18%, p < 0.001). Conclusions: Cistus incanus administration decreases cardiovascular risk factors including oxidative stress and dyslipidemia and this action supports the idea of using Cistus incanus tea on a daily basis as an effective dietary component for prevention of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease.

In chronic kidney disease (CKD), the level of high-density lipoprotein (HDL) decreases markedly, but there is no strong inverse relationship between HDL-cholesterol (HDL-C) and cardiovascular diseases. This indicates that not only the HDL-C level, but also the other quantitative changes in the HDL particles can influence the protective functionality of these particles, and can play a key role in the increase of cardiovascular risk in CKD patients. The aim of the present study was the evaluation of the parameters that may give additional information about the HDL particles in the course of progressing CKD. For this purpose, we analyzed the concentrations of HDL containing apolipoprotein A-I without apolipoprotein A-II (LpA-I), preβ1-HDL, and myeloperoxidase (MPO), and the activity of paraoxonase-1 (PON-1) in 68 patients at various stages of CKD. The concentration of HDL cholesterol, MPO, PON-1, and lecithin-cholesterol acyltransferase (LCAT) activity were similar in all of the analyzed stages of CKD. We did not notice significant changes in the LpA-I concentrations in the following stages of CKD (3a CKD stage: 57 ± 19; 3b CKD stage: 54 ± 15; 4 CKD stage: 52 ± 14; p = 0.49). We found, however, that the preβ1-HDL concentration and preβ1-HDL/LpA-I ratio increased along with the progress of CKD, and were inversely correlated with the estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR), even after adjusting for age, gender, triacylglycerols (TAG), HDL cholesterol, and statin therapy (β = −0.41, p < 0.001; β = −0.33, p = 0.001, respectively). Our results support the earlier hypothesis that kidney disease leads to the modification of HDL particles, and show that the preβ1-HDL concentration is significantly elevated in non-dialyzed patients with advanced stages of CKD.