Research summary
Atherosclerosis, the hardening of the arteries due to a build-up of plaque, is the leading cause of death worldwide. One major risk factor is abnormal levels of plasma lipid (the cholesterol and other fats in our blood). As Canada Research Chair in Precision Cardiovascular Disease Prevention, Dr. Liam Brunham is studying the role of genetic variations in lipid metabolism to better understand this disease.
He and his research team are determining the usefulness of genetic testing for familial hypercholesterolemia (a disorder that prevents the body from removing “bad” cholesterol from the blood) in patients with acute coronary syndrome. They are also establishing a national registry of patients with elevated lipoprotein (a) and studying how the CETP gene influences high-density lipoprotein cholesterol as well as the risk of death from sepsis and severe infections. Ultimately, their research will improve the care of patients with inherited lipid abnormalities, reduce the burden of cardiovascular disease, and identify new treatments for sepsis.