Management of hypertriglyceridemia for prevention of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease

Cardiol Clin. 2015 May;33(2):309-23. doi: 10.1016/j.ccl.2015.02.007.

Abstract

Mendelian randomization data strongly suggest that hypertriglyceridemia (HTG) causes atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD), and so triglyceride (TG) level-lowering treatment in HTG is now more strongly recommended to address the residual ASCVD risk than has been the case in (generally earlier) published guidelines. Fibrates are the best-established agents for TG level lowering and are generally used as first-line treatment of TG levels greater than 500 mg/dL. Statins are the best-established agents for ASCVD prevention, and so are usually used as first-line treatment of TG levels less than 500 mg/dL.

Keywords: Atherosclerosis; Cardiovascular disease; Hypertriglyceridemia; Triglycerides.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Atherosclerosis* / blood
  • Atherosclerosis* / etiology
  • Atherosclerosis* / prevention & control
  • Disease Management*
  • Humans
  • Hydroxymethylglutaryl-CoA Reductase Inhibitors / therapeutic use*
  • Hypertriglyceridemia* / blood
  • Hypertriglyceridemia* / complications
  • Hypertriglyceridemia* / drug therapy
  • Hypolipidemic Agents / therapeutic use*
  • Triglycerides / blood*

Substances

  • Hydroxymethylglutaryl-CoA Reductase Inhibitors
  • Hypolipidemic Agents
  • Triglycerides