title: Moving beyond the "LDL hypothesis".
abstract: The term "LDL hypothesis" is frequently used to describe the association of low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-cholesterol, LDL-C) and cardiovascular (CV) events. Recent data from genetic studies prove a causal relation between serum LDL-C and CV events. These data are in agreement with mechanistic molecular studies and epidemiology. New randomised clinical trial data show that LDL-C lowering with statins and a non-statin drug, ezetimibe, reduces CV events. We therefore believe that the "LDL-hypothesis" has been proven; the term appears to be outdated and should be replaced by "LDL causality".
authors: 1 Clinic for Internal Medicine III - Cardiology, Angiology and Internal Intensive Medicine, Saarland University Hospital, Homburg/Saar, Germany.
authors: Christian
authors: C
authors: Werner
authors: Ulrich
authors: U
authors: Laufs
mesh_terms: D050197:Atherosclerosis / Q000188:drug therapy*; D008078:Cholesterol, LDL / Q000097:blood*; D006801:Humans; D019161:Hydroxymethylglutaryl-CoA Reductase Inhibitors / Q000627:therapeutic use*
chemical_list: D008078:Cholesterol, LDL; D019161:Hydroxymethylglutaryl-CoA Reductase Inhibitors
keywords: Atherosclerosis; HMG CoA reductase inhibitors; cardiovascular risk reduction; ezetimibe; low-density lipoprotein cholesterol; statins