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09:15
Differential Effects of Lipid-lowering Drugs in Modulating Morphology of Cholesterol Particles
Published on: November 10, 2017
Pharmacotherapies for lipid modification: beyond the statins
Antonio M Gotto1, Jennifer E Moon
1Weill Cornell Medical College, 1305 York Avenue, Y-805, New York, NY 10021, USA.
Nature Reviews. Cardiology
|August 21, 2013
Summary
Statins significantly reduce cardiovascular events, but other lipid-lowering drugs offer alternatives and adjuncts for various patient needs. These include agents for severe hypercholesterolemia, statin intolerance, and residual risk management.
Area of Science:
- Cardiovascular Medicine
- Pharmacology
- Lipid Metabolism
Background:
- Statins are first-line therapy for atherosclerotic vascular disease, reducing cardiovascular morbidity and mortality.
- Despite statin efficacy, alternative and supplementary lipid-lowering agents are crucial for specific patient populations.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the role of various lipid-lowering agents beyond statins.
- To discuss their application in managing hypercholesterolemia, mixed dyslipidemia, and statin intolerance.
- To explore emerging therapies for residual cardiovascular risk.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of lipid-lowering therapies.
- Analysis of clinical trial data and guidelines.
- Discussion of drug classes including bile acid resins, niacin, ezetimibe, fibrates, MTP inhibitors, and antisense therapies.
Main Results:
- Bile acid resins and niacin have established roles.
- Ezetimibe targets elevated LDL-cholesterol.
- Fibrates benefit patients with low HDL cholesterol and high triglycerides.
- Newer agents like lomitapide and mipomersen treat homozygous familial hypercholesterolemia.
- CETP inhibitors show mixed results, with potential for future applications.
Conclusions:
- A diverse array of lipid-lowering agents complements statin therapy.
- Tailoring treatment to individual lipid profiles and patient characteristics is essential.
- Ongoing research aims to address residual cardiovascular risk effectively.
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