Assessment of reaching goal in patients with combined hyperlipidemia: low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, non-high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, or apolipoprotein B.

It is well established that patients with combined hyperlipidemia, defined as elevated triglyceride levels between 200 and 500 mg/dL and elevated low-density lipoprotein cholesterol >130 mg/dL, are at increased risk for coronary artery disease. The optimal assessment of reaching lipid goals in patients with combined hyperlipidemia is still far from settled and has been an area of revision and modification in recent guidelines. Although controversy remains as to the best single measurement to be used in treatment goals, current focus is on the use of low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, non-high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, and apolipoprotein B.

Efficacy and safety of lovastatin in adolescent males with heterozygous familial hypercholesterolemia: a randomized controlled trial.

Context: Heterozygous familial hypercholesterolemia (HeFH) is a common disorder associated with early coronary artery disease, especially in men. The age at which drug therapy should be started is still controversial, as is the use of 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl coenzyme A reductase inhibitors (statins).

Objective: To assess the lipid-lowering efficacy, biochemical safety, and effect on growth and sexual development of lovastatin in adolescent boys with HeFH.

Month-to-month variability of lipids, lipoproteins, and apolipoproteins and the impact of acute infection in adolescents.

Objective: To assess month-to-month variability of total cholesterol, triglycerides, high-density lipoprotein-cholesterol (HDL-C), calculated low-density lipoprotein-cholesterol (LDL-C), apolipoprotein A1, apolipoprotein B, and lipoprotein (a), as well as factors that could influence variability, including recent acute infection in an adolescent population.

Methods: Sixty-three high school students had fasting lipids and lipoproteins measured at 4 separate times during the school year and another venipuncture 3 to 7 days after recovery from an acute infection. Erythrocyte sedimentation rate was also measured.

Comparison of statins in hypertriglyceridemia.

In 1996, the first 2 studies using 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl coenzyme A (HMG-CoA) reductase inhibitor ("statin") therapy in hypertriglyceridemic subjects were published. In subjects with isolated triglyceride elevations who were treated with atorvastatin 5, 20, and 80 mg/day, large and dose-related reductions were noted. In subjects with combined hyperlipidemia treated with 10 mg simvastatin, triglyceride reduction similar to that reported for the 5 mg atorvastatin dose was seen.

Expanded-dose simvastatin is effective in homozygous familial hypercholesterolaemia.

Patients with homozygous familial hypercholesterolaemia (HFH) have abnormalities in both low-density lipoprotein (LDL) receptor alleles, resulting in severe hypercholesterolaemia and premature coronary heart disease. Limited treatment options are available and the response to drug therapy has been poor. In the present paper, we have evaluated the efficacy and safety of simvastatin at doses beyond the current maximal dose of 40 mg/day in patients with HFH.