title: Lowering triglycerides to modify cardiovascular risk: will icosapent deliver?
abstract: Despite the clinical benefits of lowering levels of low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, many patients continue to experience cardiovascular events. This residual risk suggests that additional risk factors require aggressive modification to result in more effective prevention of cardiovascular disease. Hypertriglyceridemia has presented a considerable challenge with regard to understanding its role in the promotion of cardiovascular risk. Increasing evidence has established a clear causal role for elevated triglyceride levels in vascular risk. As a result, there is increasing interest in the development of specific therapeutic strategies that directly target hypertriglyceridemia. This has seen a resurgence in the use of omega-3 fatty acids for the therapeutic lowering of triglyceride levels. The role of these agents and other emerging strategies to reduce triglyceride levels in order to decrease vascular risk are reviewed.
authors.affiliation: Cardiovascular Investigation Unit, Royal Adelaide Hospital, University of Adelaide, Adelaide, SA, Australia.
authors.forename: Daniel J
authors.initials: DJ
authors.lastname: Scherer
authors.affiliation: South Australian Health and Medical Research Institute, University of Adelaide, Adelaide, SA, Australia.
authors.forename: Stephen J
authors.initials: SJ
authors.lastname: Nicholls
mesh_terms: D015415:Biomarkers / Q000097:blood; D002318:Cardiovascular Diseases / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D015536:Down-Regulation; D015118:Eicosapentaenoic Acid / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006801:Humans; D015228:Hypertriglyceridemia / Q000097:blood / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy*; D000960:Hypolipidemic Agents / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D012307:Risk Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014280:Triglycerides / Q000097:blood*
chemical_list: D015415:Biomarkers; D000960:Hypolipidemic Agents; D014280:Triglycerides; C035276:eicosapentaenoic acid ethyl ester; D015118:Eicosapentaenoic Acid
keywords: cardiovascular risk; fish oil; hypertriglyceridemia; lipids; omega-3 fatty acid
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