Elevated levels of serum PCSK9 in patients with symptomatic peripheral artery disease-the cavasic study

Abstract

Background and Aims: Symptomatic and asymptomatic peripheral artery disease (PAD) affect more than 200 million people of the general population worldwide. Plasma lipid levels have been shown to be a risk factor for the development of PAD. Especially LDL cholesterol concentrations are influenced by proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9 (PCSK9) that regulates the recycling of the LDL receptors to the cell membrane surface. Drugs inhibiting PCSK9 have a potent cholesterol-lowering effect. Up to now only very few studies have examined the relation between serum PCSK9 and symptomatic PAD.