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Published on: November 10, 2017
Targeting hypertriglyceridemia to mitigate cardiovascular risk: A review
Peter P Toth1,2, Prediman K Shah3, Norman E Lepor3
1CGH Medical Center, Sterling, IL, USA.
Elevated triglycerides increase cardiovascular risk. Prescription eicosapentaenoic acid significantly reduced cardiovascular events in high-risk patients, suggesting benefits beyond triglyceride lowering.
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Biochemistry
Background:
- The causal link between high triglycerides and cardiovascular disease (CVD) remains debated.
- Hypertriglyceridemia is linked to atherosclerosis and acute cardiovascular events, even with statin therapy.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the efficacy of prescription eicosapentaenoic acid in reducing cardiovascular events in high-risk patients.
- To investigate the role of triglyceride levels in the observed cardiovascular benefits.
Main Methods:
- The REDUCE-IT trial enrolled high-risk patients with triglyceride levels between 135-499 mg/dL on statin therapy.
- Participants received either 4g/day of icosapent ethyl or a placebo.
Main Results:
- Icosapent ethyl significantly reduced cardiovascular events by 25% compared to placebo (HR 0.75; 95% CI 0.68-0.83).
- The cardiovascular benefit was consistent across various baseline and on-treatment triglyceride levels.
Conclusions:
- Prescription eicosapentaenoic acid is effective in reducing cardiovascular events in high-risk patients.
- The benefits of icosapent ethyl may extend beyond its triglyceride-lowering effects.
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