Low high-density lipoprotein cholesterol and increased cardiovascular disease risk: an analysis of statin clinical trials.
It is well established that low high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol is a risk factor for coronary artery disease (CAD). Growing evidence from epidemiologic as well as intervention studies have identified that a low level of HDL cholesterol contributes to cardiovascular disease risk. In addition, a number of clinical trials have substantiated that an inverse association between HDL cholesterol concentrations and cardiovascular risk exists. Decreasing low-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels with statins has a major impact on cardiovascular risk reduction, and statin therapy plays a significant role in the management of CAD. However, low levels of HDL cholesterol remain as a cardiovascular risk factor despite statin therapy. This article presents an overview of statin clinical trials and discusses implications for the clinical management of patients with low HDL cholesterol levels and increased cardiovascular risk.
Deedwania
Prakash
P
Veterans Affairs Central California Health Care System/University of California-San Francisco, 2615 East Clinton Avenue, Fresno, California 93703, USA. deed@fresno.ucsf.edu
Singh
Vibhuti
V
Davidson
Michael H
MH
D018528:ATP-Binding Cassette Transporters / Q000502:physiology; D002318:Cardiovascular Diseases / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000517:prevention & control*; D053480:Cholesterol Ester Transfer Proteins / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors / Q000378:metabolism; D008076:Cholesterol, HDL / Q000378:metabolism*; D002986:Clinical Trials as Topic; D006801:Humans; D019161:Hydroxymethylglutaryl-CoA Reductase Inhibitors / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006937:Hypercholesterolemia / Q000188:drug therapy; D012306:Risk; D018570:Risk Assessment
D018528:ATP-Binding Cassette Transporters; D053480:Cholesterol Ester Transfer Proteins; D008076:Cholesterol, HDL; D019161:Hydroxymethylglutaryl-CoA Reductase Inhibitors