Cardiology

Lipid-Lowering Strategies
and Coronary Heart Disease
Risk Reduction

Byron J. Hoogwerf

Julie C. Huang

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Observational studies have shown a relation between dyslipidemia and coronary heart disease risk for several decades. 1–3 Intervention trial data over the past two or three decades have demonstrated that cholesterol modification, especially reduction in low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) levels, is associated with favorable effects on reduction in coronary heart disease (CHD) events (in many cases, stroke events), especially in patients at high risk for CHD. 4–26 Two major fibrate trials (HHS, VA HIT) have shown reductions in CHD risk, and risk reduction is associated with favorable effects on the lipid profiles. 5,9–11 The recent FIELD trial in diabetic patients was confounded by a high percentage of statin drop-in. 27,28 Thus, the cholesterol-lowering guidelines have had LDL-C as the primary target for lipid modification.

In 1988, the first National Cholesterol Education Program (NCEP) was begun in an effort to establish targets for cholesterol levels based on assessments of risk. 29 (These guidelines were written by a panel of experts and, in subsequent publications, have been referred to as the Adult Treatment Panel [ATP], with Roman number specification for subsequent sets of guidelines—e.g., ATP II, ATP III). The NCEP guidelines were evidence based, used CHD risk assessment for the recommended LDL-C targets and were relatively simple for health care providers, patients, and payers to understand. Over the past two decades, the NCEP guidelines have changed in terms of lipid targets based on information obtained from clinical trials and observational studies. 30–35 These guidelines have been supported by other organizations, including the American Heart Association (AHA), American College of Cardiology (ACC), American Diabetes Association (ADA), American Association of Clinical Endocrinologists (AACE), and American College of Physicians (ACP). 36–41 Furthermore, nutrition studies and new medications (especially statin therapy) have become available, resulting in accumulating information on lipid-altering strategies.

This chapter will review the history of the guidelines, how new information has resulted in changing targets, current approaches to CHD risk assessment and, finally, a summary of approaches to lowering cholesterol.

History

The Lipid Research Clinic Coronary Primary Prevention Trial 20,21 was the first large-scale randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial of LDL-C lowering in high-risk men between the ages of 30 and 59. At baseline, LDL-C levels were typically in the 175- to 190-mg/dL range. LDL-C values in the cholestyramine-treated subjects approached the 130-mg/dL range. This trial was the underpinning for the first set of NCEP guidelines, which proposed that patients with and without CHD who had two or more risk factors for CHD have an LDL-C target of 130 mg/dL or lower. Lower risk patients with fewer risk factors had correspondingly higher LDL-C targets. The second set of NCEP guidelines came a few years later. 33 However, over the next decade, a number of clinical end point cholesterol trials in both high-risk primary prevention (no prior known CHD) and secondary prevention (with known CHD) were carried out across a wide range of entry LDL-C levels. Thus, in 2001, NCEP released the third set of guidelines. 34 This set of guidelines incorporated the results of randomized controlled clinical trials into recommendations for the management of high cholesterol levels. Since the publication of the ATP III, five major clinical trials of statin (3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl coenzyme A [HMG-CoA] reductase inhibitor) cholesterol-lowering therapy have been published. Consequently, in 2004, an update to the ATP III guidelines was released, suggesting a reset of treatment thresholds and targets. 32

In contrast to previous versions of ATP (I and II), ATP III placed greater emphasis on the prevention of CHD in patients with multiple risk factors, in addition to treatment for secondary prevention. The ATP III treatment algorithm divided patients into three risk categories based on clinical characteristics and the Framingham 10-year risk score:

  1. Established CHD and CHD risk equivalents—high risk (10-year risk higher than 20%)
  2. Multiple (two or more) risk factors—moderately high risk (10-year risk, 10% to 20%); moderate risk (10-year risk lower than 10%)
  3. Zero to one (one or none) risk factor—lower risk (10-year risk lower than 10%)

Furthermore, ATP III greatly expanded the high risk category by defining CHD risk equivalents, including the following: (1) noncoronary atherosclerotic disease, such as peripheral vascular and carotid disease, and abdominal aortic aneurysm; (2) diabetes mellitus; (3) multiple CHD risk factors conferring an estimated 10-year risk for a cardiovascular event of more than 20%. ATP III major risk factors include the following:

  • Age (men, 45 years; women, 55 years),
  • Cigarette smoking
  • Hypertension (blood pressure = 140/90 mm Hg or patient is on antihypertensive medications)
  • Low high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol level (lower than 40 mg/dL in men, lower than 50 mg/dL in women; HDL cholesterol ≤ 60 mg/dL is a negative risk factor)
  • Family history of premature CHD—male first-degree relative younger than 55 years or female first-degree relative younger than 65 years)

According to the ATP III, the LDL-C goal for high-risk patients is less than 100 mg/dL. For all patients in the high-risk category with LDL-C > 100 mg/dL, LDL-C–lowering dietary therapy should be initiated. In addition, for patients with LDL-C > 130 mg/dL, a LDL-C–lowering drug should be started. However, in the LDL-C range of 100-129 mg/dL, ATP III guidelines did not mandate drug therapy; rather, therapeutic options included intensified dietary therapy, LDL-C–lowering drugs, or drug therapy for elevated triglyceride or low HDL-C levels. At the time of publication of the guidelines for ATP III, there were not enough data to recommend more intensive drug therapy for this intermediate range of LDL-C.

These recommendations were modified in the ATP III update of 2004, which recommended a LDL-C goal lower than 100 mg/dL for high-risk patients, with an optional goal of lower than 70 mg/dL for very high-risk patients (Table 1). This update also recommended the initiation of dietary therapy and LDL-C–lowering drugs for all patients over goal, with a planned LDL-C reduction of 30% to 40%. The rationale for these changes was based on several randomized clinical trials whose results were published after the release of the ATP III guidelines. These trials included the Heart Protection Study (HPS), which evaluated the effects of simvastatin, 40 mg daily, versus placebo in a group of 20,536 patients aged 40 to 80 years at high risk for CHD. 4,7 This included patients with coronary disease, other occlusive arterial disease, or diabetes (analogous to the ATP III CHD risk equivalent designation), followed for a 5-year period. At entry, HPS subjects only needed a total cholesterol level higher than 136 mg/dL. Thus, at entry, many of these high-risk subjects had LDL-C levels lower than 100 mg/dL. The Pravastatin or Atorvastatin Evaluation and Infection–Thrombolysis in Myocardial Infarction 22 (PROVE IT-TIMI 22) was designed to test noninferiority of a less aggressive cholesterol-lowering regimen. 42 Ultimately, it showed that intensive LDL-C level lowering with atorvastatin, 80 mg daily, reduced cardiovascular risk more than standard drug therapy with pravastatin, 40 mg, in a group of high-risk patients hospitalized for acute coronary syndromes. The mean LDL-C level attained was 95 mg/dL with pravastatin and 62 mg/dL with atorvastatin. The study demonstrated a 16% reduction in the composite cardiovascular end point in the atorvastatin group compared with the pravastatin group (P < 0.005). Other trials used to support these revised guidelines included the Prospective Study of Pravastatin in the Elderly at Risk (PROSPER), 17 Antihypertensive and Lipid-Lowering Treatment to Prevent Heart Attack Trial–Lipid-Lowering Trial (ALLHAT-LLT), 19 and Anglo-Scandinavian Cardiac Outcomes Trial–Lipid-Lowering Arm (ASCOT-LLA). 24 a trial that evaluated two antihypertensive regimens and a lipid-lowering arm with atorvastatin.

Table 1: Summary of ATP III Guidelines Update, 2004 32
Risk Category LDL-C Goal Initiate TLC Consider Drug Therapy
High risk—CHD or CHD risk equivalent (10-year risk > 20%) <100 mg/dL; optional goal, <70 mg/dL ≥100 mg/dL ≥100 mg/dL
Moderately high risk—two or more risk factors (10-year risk = 10%-20%) <130 mg/dL ≥130 mg/dL ≥130 mg/dL
Moderate risk—two or more risk factors (10-year risk < 10%) <130 mg/dL ≥130 mg/dL >160 mg/dL
Low risk—one or no risk factors <160 mg/dL ≥160 mg/dL ≥190 mg/dL

ATP, Adult Treatment Panel; LDL-C, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol; TLC, therapeutic lifestyle.

Finally, in the evolution of the cholesterol guidelines, the AHA/ACC guidelines for secondary prevention of CHD released in 2006 40 placed more weight behind the optional goal of LDL-C lower than 70 mg/dL in high-risk patients with CHD, based on data accrued from the Treat to New Targets (TNT) and Incremental Decrease in Endpoints through Aggressive Lipid Lowering (IDEAL) trials. 43,44 It was formulated as a Class IIa recommendation and stated that

It is reasonable to treat to LDL <70 mg/dL in such (secondary prevention) patients. When the <70-mg/dL target is chosen, it may be prudent to increase statin therapy in a graded fashion to determine a patient's response and tolerance. Furthermore, if it is not possible to attain LDL-C <70 mg/dL because of a high baseline LDL-C, it generally is possible to achieve LDL-C reductions of >50% with either statins or LDL-C–lowering drug combinations.40

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Risk assessment

Several variables have been taken into consideration to determine CHD risk. Any patient who has had a CHD event is at markedly increased risk for a subsequent event. Risk models such as the Framingham risk score 1 are used in risk adjustment. Any patient who has a higher than 20% risk for a CHD event based on the Framingham risk score is considered to be at equivalent risk to a patient with established CHD. The Framingham risk score does not take into account family history because of difficulty obtaining this measure in all patients. Furthermore, it does not include some of the newer markers such as high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hsCRP) or albuminuria (see later) 45–47 or the components of the metabolic syndrome. 48 Current guidelines and many clinical studies have suggested that diabetes mellitus should be considered as a CHD risk equivalent (higher than 20% risk over 10 years) in setting targets for LDL-C and non–HDL-C levels.*

Although many diabetic patients are not CHD risk–equivalent based on models such as the UKPDS risk engine, this approach does ensure that high-risk diabetic patients are treated aggressively. Low HDL-C concentrations are associated with increased CHD risk. Studies such as AFCAPS/TEXCAPS have demonstrated that aggressive LDL-C lowering attenuates much of the adverse risk associated with low HDL-C. 25,26 There are compelling data showing that hs CRP is associated with increased risk for CHD, even when adjustments are made for other risk factors. Current guidelines suggest that hs CRP be used to help in risk assessment in patients who have intermediate risk for CHD. 45,47,56

Other markers of risk have not been consistently included in guidelines but need to be considered in clinical practice. Renal dysfunction is associated with an increased risk for CHD. This is true for markers of renal disease such as albuminuria, but several studies have shown that impaired renal function is associated with marked increases in CHD risk, especially when associated with the need for renal replacement therapy (dialysis or renal transplantation). Peripheral vascular disease and cerebrovascular disease are also associated with increased risk for CHD events. Furthermore, most statin trials have shown a reduction in risk for stroke, although stroke event rates are consistently lower than CHD event rates in most studies. Several observational studies have suggested that patients who have systemic inflammatory disorders such as rheumatoid arthritis and systemic lupus erythematosus, especially if they are treated with glucocorticoids, are at increased risk for CHD. Similarly, organ transplant recipients, especially renal, heart, and lung transplants, may be at increased risk for CHD. Many CHD risk prevention clinics, including the Preventive Cardiology Clinic at the Cleveland Clinic, have set more aggressive LDL-C targets for such patients, even though intervention trial data are lacking. This approach extends the general concept of more aggressive lipid lowering in patients at increased risk of disease.

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Lipid-Lowering Treatment

Diet and Lifestyle

All patients, whether in secondary or primary prevention categories, are strongly recommended to implement lifestyle and dietary recommendations as part of a strategy to prevent cardiovascular disease. Healthy eating habits, starting from childhood, are the cornerstone for cardiovascular risk reduction and, together with lifestyle goals, including maintenance of healthy body weight, avoidance of tobacco products, and adherence to a regimen of physical activity, may be termed elements of primordial prevention.

Specifically, the American Heart Association recommends a diet low in fat, particularly saturated and trans fats, enriched in fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and fish, and low in added sugar and salt (Table 2). 57 This approach, especially regarding fat intake, is supported by other nutrition guidelines. 49,58,59 Controversies regarding the superiority of the Mediterranean diet (including higher proportions of monounsaturated fats and omega-3 fatty acids) over the traditional AHA step II diet may have been settled recently by a study showing their relative equivalence in lipid lowering and risk reduction. In addition, a study of a diet enriched in plant sterols, soy protein, viscous fiber, and almonds has shown comparable reductions in LDL-C and CRP as compared with lovastatin, 20 mg. 60 These findings all highlight the importance of dietary intervention in prevention.

Table 2: Therapeutic Lifestyle Changes: Diet Recommendations
Nutrient Recommended Intake
Total fat 25%-35% of total calories
Saturated fat Less than 7% of total calories
Polyunsaturated fat Up to 10% of total calories
Monounsaturated fat Up to 20% of total calories
Trans fat <1% of total calories
Cholesterol <200 mg/day
Carbohydrate 50%-60% of total calories
Fiber 20-30 g/day
Protein Approximately 15% of total calories
Total calories (energy) Balance energy intake and expenditure to maintain desirable body weight and prevent weight gain.
Consume diet rich in fruits and vegetables.
Choose whole-grain, high-fiber foods.
Consume fish, especially oily fish, at least twice a wk.
Avoid fish with potential for mercury contamination.
Minimize intake of beverages and foods with added sugars.
Choose and prepare foods with little or no salt.
Consume alcohol in moderation. Men, two drinks/day; women, one drink/day
When eating food prepared outside the home, follow the American Heart Association diet and lifestyle recommendations.

Adapted from Lichtenstein AH, Appel LJ, Brands M, et al: Diet and lifestyle recommendations, revision 2006: A scientific statement from the American Heart Association Nutrition Committee. Circulation 2006;114:82-96.

Smoking cessation may have beneficial effects on the lipid profile by increasing HDL-C (mean, 4 mg/dL). 61 Exercise, physical activity, and weight loss may also increase HDL-C as well as lower triglyceride levels. The AHA recommends 30 minutes of moderate-intensity aerobic exercise on most days of the week. Moderate alcohol intake (one or two drinks/day) is associated with a lower risk of myocardial infarction, possibly because of alcohol's ability to raise the HDL-C level (1 oz/day increases the HDL-C level by a mean of 4 mg/dL) Many studies have been devoted to other potential mediators found in alcoholic beverages, such as polyphenols in red wine. Excessive alcohol consumption is also associated with elevations in triglyceride levels as well as the potential for hepatic dysfunction and addiction; therefore, the recommendation that patients increase or begin consumption is given with several caveats.

Medications

Various medications are currently available for lowering lipid levels; a summary is given in Table 3.

Table 3: Summary of Lipid-Lowering Medications and Side Effects
Change in Level (%)
Drug Class LDL-C HDL-C TGs Side Effects
Statins ↓20-60 ↑5-15 ↓10-20 Myopathy (rarely, rhabdomyolysis); transaminitis
Fibrates ↓10-15 ↑10-15 ↓20-50 Dyspepsia, gallstones, myopathy
BARs ↓15-30 ↑3-5 ↑0-20 GI distress, constipation, decreased absorption of other medications and fat-soluble vitamins
Niacin ↓10-25 ↑15-35 ↓20-50 Flushing, hyperglycemia, hyperuricemia, GI distress, hepatotoxicity
HRT ↓10-15 ↑2-8 ↑15-20 Hypercoagulability, cholecystitis, increased risk of breast cancer
CAI ↓15-20 No change No change Headache, GI distress, myopathy

BARs, bile acid resins; CAI, cholesterol absorption inhibitor; GI, gastrointestinal; HDL-C, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol; HRT, hormone replacement therapy; LDL-C, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol; TGs, triglycerides.
Adapted from Oliver MF, Pyorala K, Shepherd J: Management of hyperlipidaemia. Why, when, and how to treat. Eur Heart J 1997;18:371-375.

Statins

The introduction in the 1980s of the HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors, also known as the statins, has markedly improved the ability to treat hyperlipidemia and decrease future risk for CHD. The statins are the most effective drugs available for lowering LDL-C and are generally well-tolerated, with an acceptable side effect profile. They are usually the first line of therapy for lipid lowering and attaining ATP III goals.

The mechanism of action of statins has been well characterized—they inhibit HMG-CoA reductase, the rate-limiting step in cholesterol biosynthesis—thus decreasing the hepatic formation of cholesterol. Hepatic LDL-C receptors are upregulated, resulting in further clearance of LDL-C from the systemic circulation.

Statin use results in a 20% to 60% decrease in LDL-C levels, with more modest increases in HDL-C and decreases in triglyceride levels (Table 4). The early landmark trials of statin use in primary and secondary prevention, such as the Scandinavian Simvastatin Survival Study 14,45 and the West of Scotland Coronary Prevention Study (WOSCOPS), 16 have shown that cholesterol lowering resulted in a decreased CHD risk and mortality of approximately 25% to 35%. (Table 5). Later trials, such as the Heart Protection Study (HPS) 7 and Pravastatin or Atorvastatin Evaluation and Infection Therapy (PROVE-IT) TIMI-22, 42 have shown that risk reduction occurs all along the continuum, including the lower end, of cholesterol lowering, although to a lesser absolute degree. The curve of cholesterol lowering versus risk reduction is therefore probably best understood as a direct logarithmic relationship (Fig. 1). 32,62 To date, the lower limit of cholesterol that still results in risk reduction is unknown, although many experts have theorized that it may be at a LDL-C level of 40 mg/dL.

Table 4: Approximate Average Lipid Changes By Statin Dosage 63
Statin (mg/day) Lipid Change (%)
Rosuvastatin* Atorvastatin Simvastatin Lovastatin Pravastatin Fluvastatin LDL-C† HDL-C TG
10 20 20 40 −22 4-8 −10-15
10 20 40 40 80 −27 4-8 −10-20
20 40 80 −32 4-8 −15-25
40 80 −37 4-8 −20-30
80 −42 4-8 −20-30
5 −38 10 −32
10 −45 11 −7
20 −48 5 −20
40 −56 7 −25

* Rosuvastatin (Crestor) package insert compared with placebo.
† The addition of ezetimibe, 10 mg, to any of these statins will reduce LDL-C by another 12% to 15%.
HDL-C, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol; LDL-C, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol; TG, triglyceride.
Data from Maron DJ, Fazio S, Linton MF: Current perspectives on statins. Circulation 2000;101:207-213.

Table 5: Early Landmark Statin Clinical Trials
Study Type Study No. of Patients in Study Statin and Daily Dose Mean Baseline LDL-C (mg/dL) Mean LDL-C Reduction (%) Reduction in Coronary Events (%) NNT
Secondary prevention 4S 4444 Simvastatin, 20-40 mg 188 35 34 (P < 0.0001) 15
CARE 4159 Pravastatin, 40 mg 139 32 24 (P = 0.003) 33
LIPID 9014 Pravastatin, 40 mg 150 25 24 (P < 0.0001) 28
Primary prevention WOSCOPS 6595 Pravastatin, 40 mg 192 26 31 (P < 0.001) 42
AFCAPS^EXCAPS 6605 Lovastatin, 20-40 mg 150 25 37 (P < 0.001) 24

4S, Scandinavian Simvastatin Survival Study 14 ; AFCAPS/TEXCAPS, Air Force/Texas Coronary Atherosclerosis Prevention Study 25 ; CARE, Cholesterol and Recurrent Events trial 12 ; LIPID, Long-Term Intervention with Pravastatin in Ischemic Disease study 22 ; NNT, number needed to treat to prevent one major coronary event; WOSCOPS, West of Scotland Coronary Prevention Study. 16
Adapted from Maron DJ, Fazio S, Linton MF: Current perspectives on statins. Circulation 2000;101:207-213.

Not all the cardiovascular risk reduction seen with statin use is attributable to LDL-C lowering. Studies of the so-called pleiotropic effects of statins have suggested that they may also improve endothelial function, have antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects, and stabilize atherosclerotic plaque. High-dose statin has become part of standard care for patients presenting with acute coronary syndrome, based in part on the results of the PROVE-IT trial. 42

Statins are among the most widely prescribed medications in the United States and, despite the large number of patients taking them, have a remarkably good record of safety. One statin, cerivastatin (Baycol), was removed from the market in 2001 because of excessive muscle toxicity; however, the other statins remain available and safe. The most commonly described side effects are transaminitis, occurring in fewer than 3% of patients, and myopathy or myositis. Liver enzyme abnormalities are usually reversible when the dose of statin is decreased or the medication is discontinued. Reports of the prevalence of muscular side effects have differed; muscular aching varies in degree of severity, from mild muscle aching or cramps, with or without associated elevations in the creatinine kinase level, to frank rhabdomyolysis, with creatinine kinase elevations higher than 40 times the upper limit of normal, and association with renal dysfunction. Unfortunately, these effects are idiosyncratic and may occur at any point during therapy. In the largest statin trial to date, the Heart Protection Study of 20,536 patients randomized to either simvastatin 40 mg daily or placebo, the incidence of muscle complaints at any time during the study was 32.9% in the drug group and 33.2% in the placebo group; rhabdomyolysis occurred in 0.05% of those in the simvastatin group. 7 The occurrence of adverse side effects increases with concurrent use of the lipid-lowering agents fibrates and niacin, with cyclosporine, antifungal agents, antiretroviral protease inhibitors, verapamil, amiodarone, and grapefruit juice, and in patients with hepatic or renal insufficiency.

The choice of statin may depend on the degree of LDL-C lowering needed to attain ATP III goals, side effect profile, and cost. Among the statins, pravastatin, fluvastatin, and rosuvastatin are hydrophilic and may be associated with fewer muscle side effects. It is commonly noted that side effects encountered with one of the medications in this class may not necessarily be reproduced with another statin medication, and therefore we recommend a trial of another statin whenever possible. We have also found that intermittent statin dosing, from once weekly to every other day, may reduce symptoms.

Whereas CoQ10 supplementation, 100 to 400 mg daily, is widely used to reduce muscle symptoms, no robust placebo-controlled trials have confirmed the benefits of this approach.

Fibrates

The lipid-lowering medications known as the fibrates (e.g., gemfibrozil, fenofibrate, bezafibrate, clofibrate) are an important part of the armamentarium for lipid lowering but are rarely used as monotherapy, except in cases of primary prevention with metabolic syndrome profile, in which the goal of the LDL-C level has already been attained.

Fibrates activate the peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-α (PPAR-α), which ultimately results in increased lipolysis and elimination from plasma of triglyceride-rich particles and increased synthesis of apolipoproteins A-I, A-II, and HDL-C. Fibrates can therefore lower triglyceride levels by 20% to 50% and increase HDL-C levels by 10% to 15%, along with a possible 10% to 15% decrease in LDL-C levels. Although no large randomized clinical trial to date has shown an improvement in mortality with use of the fibrates, the Helsinki Heart Study (HHS) using gemfibrozil in primary prevention 5 and the Veterans Affairs HDL Cholesterol Intervention Trial (VA-HIT) using gemfibrozil in secondary prevention have shown a significant risk reduction in cardiovascular events, especially in subgroups with high triglyceride and low HDL-C levels. 9–11 The Fenofibrate Intervention and Event Lowering in Diabetes (FIELD) study in more than 9000 people with diabetes could not confirm these data, but the trial results were confounded by very high rates of statin drop-in. 27,28

Safety concerns regarding fibrates include the possibility of transaminitis or cholelithiasis and caution must be used when combining a fibrate with a statin (increased risk of myopathy, especially with gemfibrozil) or warfarin (increased risk of bleeding). Because fibrates are primarily excreted renally, caution must be used in the setting of renal insufficiency. If fibrate therapy is indicated, dose reduction with decreased renal function is advisable.

Niacin

One of the older lipid-lowering medications, niacin is commonly prescribed for its ability to raise HDL-C levels by up to 35%. It also lowers triglyceride levels by 20% to 50% and lowers LDL-C levels by 10% to 25%, making it a useful medication for monotherapy or in combination with statins or fibrates. It decreases hepatic production of very low-density lipoproteins (VLDLs) and apolipoprotein (apo) B-100, inhibits free fatty acid release from adipose tissue, and stabilizes apo A-I from HDL-C, maintaining the structure and function of HDL-C.

In addition to the lipid modifications noted above, niacin is one of the few medications available to lower the lipoprotein (a)—Lp(a)—level, a modified and highly atherogenic form of LDL-C. The usefulness of this capability is unclear, however. Although an elevated Lp(a) level is associated with increased cardiovascular mortality and morbidity, no randomized clinical trials have shown a benefit in targeting its lowering.

The use of niacin has increased with the introduction of the long-acting forms (e.g., Niaspan), designed to attenuate the most bothersome side effect associated with niacin, an intense feeling of warmth or flushing occurring shortly after ingestion of the medication. Other potential effects include hyperglycemia, hyperuricemia, and the risk of interaction with statins, causing hepatotoxicity or myopathy.

Bile Acid Resins

Bile acid resins act in the small intestine to block the reabsorption of bile acids, thereby decreasing their enterohepatic circulation and upregulating hepatic LDL-C receptors. Although long-term use is considered to be safe because they are not systemically absorbed, the bile acid resins are rarely used in the current era of lipid lowering because of their inferiority compared with statins in LDL-C–lowering capability, approximately 15% to 30%. They may be useful in patients who cannot tolerate statins because of side effects or in patients in whom the risk of statin therapy might outweigh the benefit—for example, during pregnancy when statins are contraindicated because of concerns about a possible teratogenic effect. Whereas bile acid resins are usually well tolerated, they may be associated with gastrointestinal side effects, such as constipation or bloating, and long-term use may cause malabsorption of the fat-soluble vitamins A, D, E, and K. They require administration two or three times daily.

Cholesterol Absorption Inhibitor

Ezetimibe is currently the only available drug in the class of cholesterol absorption inhibitors. It localizes to the epithelial brush border of the small intestine to block uptake of cholesterol, resulting in decreased delivery of cholesterol to the liver and subsequent upregulation of LDL-C receptors. Ezetimibe's glucuronide metabolite is also active and results in a long half-life as the two are circulated enterohepatically. It is usually administered in conjunction with a statin, and may lower LDL-C levels by an additional 15% to 20%, slightly less when used with a statin. Because there is little systemic absorption, ezetimibe is generally well tolerated and side effects are rare. Gastrointestinal symptoms and muscle aches have been reported by some patients in our prevention clinic.

Summary

  • Guidelines for cholesterol lowering are based on assessment of cardiovascular risk with progressively lower LDL-C goals in patients at higher risk. Currently, patients with CHD or CHD risk equivalents (e.g., stroke, aortic aneurysm, peripheral arterial disease, diabetes mellitus, metabolic syndrome) or multiple CHD risk factors conferring an estimated 10-year risk for a cardiovascular event higher than 20% have a recommended target LDL-C of lower than 100 mg/dL, and optimally lower than 70 mg/dL.
  • Framingham risk score, family history, and lifestyle factors are important in the assessment of cardiovascular risk. Additional risk markers, such as microalbuminuria and high-sensitivity C-reactive protein, may be helpful to establish LDL-C targets.
  • Statin medications are the most effective and widely used agents for cholesterol lowering and have the most robust clinical trial data to support their use in lowering cardiovascular risk. Statins are generally well tolerated but use may be limited by hepatotoxicity or muscle side effects.
  • Lifestyle and dietary interventions are integral parts of primary and secondary cardiovascular prevention and are recommended for all patients.

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References

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Suggested Readings

  • Buse JB, Ginsberg HN , Bakris GL. American Heart Association; American Diabetes Association: Primary prevention of cardiovascular diseases in people with diabetes mellitus: A scientific statement from the American Heart Association and the American Diabetes Association. Diabetes Care. 30: 2007; 162-172.
  • Expert Panel on Detection, Evaluation and Treatment of High Blood Cholesterol in Adults . Executive Summary of The Third Report of The National Cholesterol Education Program (NCEP) Expert Panel on Detection, Evaluation, And Treatment of High Blood Cholesterol In Adults (Adult Treatment Panel III). JAMA. 285: 2001; 2486-2497.
  • Fortmann SP, Ford E , Criqui MH. CDC/AHA Workshop on Markers of Inflammation and Cardiovascular Disease: Application to Clinical and Public Health Practice: Report from the population science discussion group. Circulation. 110: 2004; e554-e559.
  • Grundy SM, Cleeman JI , Merz CN. Implications of recent clinical trials for the National Cholesterol Education Program Adult Treatment Panel III Guidelines. J Am Coll Cardiol. 44: 2004; 720-732.
  • Grundy SM, Howard B , Smith S. Prevention Conference VI: Diabetes and Cardiovascular Disease: Executive summary: Conference proceeding for health-care professionals from a special writing group of the American Heart Association. Circulation. 105: 2002; 2231-2239.
  • Klein S, Sheard NF , Pi-Sunyer X. American Diabetes Association; North American Association for the Study of Obesity; American Society for Clinical Nutrition: Weight management through lifestyle modification for the prevention and management of type 2 diabetes: Rationale and strategies: A statement of the American Diabetes Association, the North American Association for the Study of Obesity, and the American Society for Clinical Nutrition. Diabetes Care. 27: 2004; 2067-2073.
  • Lichtenstein AH, Appel LJ , Brands M. Diet and lifestyle recommendations revision 2006: A scientific statement from the American Heart Association Nutrition Committee. Circulation. 114: 2006; 82-96.
  • Smith SC, Allen J , Blair SN. AHA/ACC; National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute: AHA/ACC guidelines for secondary prevention for patients with coronary and other atherosclerotic vascular disease: 2006 update: Endorsed by the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute. Circulation. 113: 2006; 2363-2372.
  • Snow V, Aronson MD , Hornbake ER. Lipid control in the management of type 2 diabetes mellitus: a clinical practice guideline from the American College of Physicians. Ann Intern Med. 140: 2004; 644-649.
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