Episode 166: Vyvyane Loh on atherosclerotic heart disease

] Ken welcomes Vyvyane back to STEM-Talk and encourages listeners to check out Vyvyane’s first interview, episode 142. Ken goes on to mention that atherosclerotic heart disease has been reported to affect 26 million people in the U.S. and that despite the wide use of statins as a primary prevention of atherosclerotic heart disease, the effects of this treatment have been variable with regards to major adverse cardiac events. Ken asks Vyvyane for her thoughts.

] Ken asks Vyvyane about recent developments in atherosclerotic heart disease research, specifically in regard to the anatomical aspects of the disease-model itself.

] Ken follows up asking Vyvyane how the knowledge we have of glycocalyces, and the endothelial lining of the blood vessels, could affect clinical practice.

] Ken asks if there are any other recent updates to the anatomical model of atherosclerotic disease that people should be aware of.

] Ken asks Vyvyane how she would characterize the significance of the tunica intima of the coronary artery.

] Ken asks about the third recent anatomical highlight to blood vessels relevant to the discussion.

] Ken follows up, asking if this is how the vasa vasorum contributes to our understanding of the development of atherosclerosis.

] Ken asks Vyvyane to explain what endothelial dysfunction is and what are its downstream effects.

] Ken asks Vyvyane to expound on the link between atherosclerotic disease and auto-immunity.

] Ken asks, given the link to inflammation, if there have been any therapeutic developments made in the treatment of atherosclerotic disease.

] Ken asks about the vaccine that is being developed for atherosclerosis.

] Ken mentions that another recent development in the field is the growing appreciation for clonal hematopoiesis in atherosclerosis. Ken asks Vyvyane to explain what clonal hematopoiesis is.

] Ken asks Vyvyane what some actionable takeaways are from our discussion on atherosclerosis that listeners can take home with them.

] Ken asks Vyvyane about her passion for dance, and how much time she invests in that area of her life.

] Ken follows up asking Vyvyane what drives her to pursue dance so passionately.

] In closing the interview, Ken encourages listeners to check out Vyvyane’s podcast as well as her website.