Connecting impaired fibrinolysis and dyslipidemia

Essentials•Impaired fibrinolysis is the breakdown of fibrin clots.•Dyslipidemia is characterized by abnormal levels of lipids and lipoproteins in the blood.•A State of the Art lecture, "Connecting Fibrinolysis and Dyslipidemia," was presented at International Society on Thrombosis and Haemostasis 2023.•Impaired fibrinolysis and dyslipidemia are associated with one another in cardiovascular disease.AbstractA State of the Art lecture entitled "Connecting Fibrinolysis and Dyslipidemia" was presented at the International Society on Thrombosis and Haemostasis Congress 2023. Hemostasis balances the consequences of blood clotting and bleeding. This balance relies on the proper formation of blood clots, as well as the breakdown of blood clots. The primary mechanism that breaks down blood clots is fibrinolysis, where the fibrin net becomes lysed and the blood clot dissolves. Dyslipidemia is a condition where blood lipid and lipoprotein levels are abnormal. Here, we review studies that observed connections between impaired fibrinolysis and dyslipidemia. We also summarize the different correlations between thrombosis and dyslipidemia in different racial and ethnic groups. Finally, we summarize relevant and new findings on this topic presented during the 2023 International Society on Thrombosis and Haemostasis Congress. More studies are needed to investigate the mechanistic connections between impaired fibrinolysis and dyslipidemia and whether these mechanisms differ in racially and ethnically diverse populations.