Role of non-high-density lipoprotein cholesterol in prevention of cardiovascular disease: updated evidence from clinical trials.
OBJECTIVE
Although current clinical practice and treatment guidelines focus on low-density lipoprotein cholesterol as the basis for diagnosing and treating atherogenic dyslipidemias, many persons who develop cardiovascular disease do not have substantially elevated low-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels but may have low levels of high-density lipoprotein cholesterol and elevated triglycerides. Assessment of non-high-density lipoprotein cholesterol level provides a measure of cholesterol contained in all atherogenic particles, including low-density lipoprotein, lipoprotein(a), and triglyceride-rich particles such as very low density lipoprotein, very low density lipoprotein remnants, and intermediate-density lipoprotein. In the third Adult Treatment Panel guidelines of the US National Cholesterol Education Program, non-high-density lipoprotein cholesterol was introduced as a secondary target of therapy in persons with high triglyceride levels.


RESULTS
A growing number of epidemiological studies and clinical trials have examined the relation between non-high-density lipoprotein cholesterol level and cardiovascular disease events. Non-high-density lipoprotein cholesterol has been shown to be a better predictor for cardiovascular events than low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, and trials of statin therapy have demonstrated reductions in non-high-density lipoprotein cholesterol as well as low-density lipoprotein cholesterol.


CONCLUSIONS
Clinical trial evidence indicates the importance of incorporating all atherogenic lipoprotein particles in risk stratification. Non-high-density lipoprotein cholesterol is the most readily available surrogate marker for assessment of these particles and may also be a potential target of lipid-altering therapy. Statin therapy, which has already been demonstrated to decrease cardiovascular morbidity and mortality, provides significant reductions in non-high-density lipoprotein cholesterol.
Xydakis
Antonios M
AM
Division of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Department of Medicine, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas 77030, USA.
Ballantyne
Christie M
CM
D001055:Apolipoproteins B / Q000378:metabolism; D002318:Cardiovascular Diseases / Q000378:metabolism / Q000503:physiopathology* / Q000517:prevention & control*; D008076:Cholesterol, HDL / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism / Q000502:physiology*; D008078:Cholesterol, LDL / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism; D002986:Clinical Trials as Topic; D006801:Humans; D000960:Hypolipidemic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D011322:Primary Prevention / Q000592:standards; D018570:Risk Assessment; D014481:United States
D001055:Apolipoproteins B; D008076:Cholesterol, HDL; D008078:Cholesterol, LDL; D000960:Hypolipidemic Agents