Familial hypercholesterolemia is a rare and severe hereditary dyslipidemia with an exceptional homozygous form [1]. The lack of LDL receptors or suitable receptors explains their accumulation in the plasma and the acceleration of the formation of atherosclerosis. It is a very rare pathology (1% of hypercholesterolaemia and 1/106 hbts in the USA) which causes 100% mortality at 30 years according to BAKER SG [2]. It is responsible for severely high cholesterol levels (> 300 mg/dl) from birth and for a dramatically early risk of vascular, cardiac or cerebral complications from the age of 30 in men, and 40 in women [3]. With early diagnosis and adequate treatment, ideally started in childhood, it is possible to avoid any cardiovascular complications [3]. The aim of this study was to describe a familial dyslipidemia revealed by a corneal arch.

He was a 43-year-old patient admitted for a visual disorder, xanthomatous papule and orange discoloration at the level of the folds, evolving for 5 years. No personal history of cardiovascular disease, having a family history of lipid disorders in siblings. As a cardiovascular risk factor: age over 50 and the male gender. The cardio pulmonary examination is normal, blood pressure at 120/80 mmhg, heart rate 78 bpm. In whom the ophthalmological examination shows a corneal arch at eye level (Figure 1). The ankle/arm systolic pressure index (PSI) was 1 on the right and 0.9 on the left. The anatomical examination of the skin revealed a histological appearance compatible with a cutaneous xanthoma. Biology showed a total cholesterol level of 7.70 g/l (normal value < 2 g/l); triglycerides at 4.81 g/l (normal value < 1.5 g/l); HDL level at 0.21 g/l (normal value > 0.4 g/l). Electrocardiogram and transthoracic doppler echocardiography were normal. In the supra-aortic trunk eco doppler, the intima media thickness was 0.85 mm on the right and 0.80 mm on the left.

At the end of the clinical and para-clinical examination, the diagnosis of familial dyslipidemia was retained according to the diagnostic criteria of the Dutch Lipid Clinic Network takes into account LDL-C levels, personal and/or family history and clinical signs that may be present in some patients [4]. The diagnosis is based on the total number of points obtained: “certain” if >8 points; “Likely” if 6 - 8 points; “Possible” if 3 - 5 points. [4]. The patient had totaled more than 8 points making certain the diagnosis of dyslipidemia with familial hypercholesterolemia type as indicated in Table 1. The patient benefited from a statin for one year with success, with a total cholesterol control rate of 2.3 g/l.

H: Man; W: woman.

We report the case of familial dyslipidemia revealed by a corneal arch in Guinea.

More recent studies increasingly suggest that it is much more widespread than previously thought: 1/200 to 1/400. Familial hypercholesterolemia (HF) is caused by the presence of a single mutated allele (heterozygous state) of the LDLR genes, coding for the receptor LDL, APOB coding for the apolipopotein B responsible for the binding between LDL particles and their receptor [5] which facilitates lysosomal degradation of LDL receptors) [6]. Cholesterol is thus deposited in the arterial walls leading to early cardiovascular complications [3]. They are also typically deposited in other tissues producing the appearance of corneal arches and tendon xanthomas which are nodules on the tendons of the hands or on the Achilles tendons [3]. Our patient presented with xanthomas and a corneal arch. In adults, it is possible to make the diagnosis with more certainty on the basis of the criteria of the Dutch Lipid Clinic Network (Table 1), which take into account LDL-C levels, personal history and/or family history and clinical signs that may be present in some patients [4]. The diagnosis is based on the total number of points obtained: “certain” if >8 points; “Likely” if 6 - 8 points; “Possible” if 3 - 5 points. [4]. Our case had more than 8 points making the diagnosis of familial hypercholesterolemia dyslipidemia certain. Any individual with familial dyslipidemia will not develop cardiovascular complications at the same rate, the progression of atherosclerosis dependent on the mutation, the family history and additional risk factors [7] [8]. The genetic test was not performed due to lack of an adequate laboratory, did not present a sign suggesting a cardiovascular complication. Observational studies have confirmed the benefit of lipid-lowering treatment in adults [9] but also in children [10]. Our case is a perfect illustration of this literature because at one year from the flow of statin administration, the total cholesterol control rate returned to 2.3 g/l. The patient is currently being followed in the department without any complications from dyslipidemia.

Familial dyslipidemia is a rare and severe metabolic abnormality. It should be screened as early as possible like any other cardiovascular risk factor for atheroma to avoid the occurrence of a major cardiovascular event.

The authors declare no conflicts of interest regarding the publication of this paper.

Bassirou, B.M., El Hadj Yaya, B., Ibrahima, B.A., Mariame, B., Abdoulaye, C., Sory, B.I., Aliou, B.M., Sory, S.I., Alpha, K., Aliou, N.A., Adrien, M. and Dadhi, B.M. (2020) Family Dyslipidemia Revealed by a Cornean Bow in a Guinean. World Journal of Cardiovascular Diseases, 10, 455-459. https://doi.org/10.4236/wjcd.2020.107045