[UPDATED ISRAELI GUIDELINES FOR THE TREATMENT OF DYSLIPIDEMIA 2020]

Despite the impressive decline in mortality from atherosclerotic cardiovascular diseases (ASCVD), these diseases still account for a large proportion of the overall morbidity and mortality worldwide. A vast amount of research has demonstrated the key role played by circulating lipoproteins, and especially low-density lipoprotein (LDL), in the etiology of atherosclerosis, and numerous studies have proven the efficacy of interventions that lower the atherogenic lipoproteins in reducing morbidity and mortality from ASCVD. While previous guidelines placed an emphasis on the use HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors (statins) for the treatment of dyslipidemia, recent studies have shown that other LDL cholesterol lowering drugs, including ezetimibe and the PCSK9 inhibitors, can provide additional benefit when used in combination with (and in certain cases instead of) statins. These studies have also shown that blood LDL cholesterol levels lower than previously recommended targets provide additional benefit, without evidence of a threshold beyond which the benefit ceases and without excess adverse effects. The updated guidelines were formulated by a committee that consisted of representatives from the Israeli Society for the Research, Prevention and Treatment of Atherosclerosis, the Israel Society of Internal Medicine, the Israeli Heart Association, the Israeli Neurology Association and the Israel Association of Family Medicine. They provide recommendations for revised risk stratification of patients, novel target goals, and the use of evidence-based treatment and follow-up strategies with reference to specific patient sub-groups.