Cholesterol Lowering Practical Guide to Therapy

Over the past decade there has been a revolution in our understanding of hypercholesterolemia and its effect on clinical coronary artery disease. While a number of controversies and unresolved issues remain, the benefit of lowering blood lipid levels and, in particular, LDL cholesterol is firmly established. This handy practical guide takes this complex subject and puts it into context for the non-specialist. Summarizing recent clinical data, it outlines the basis for the current view that aggressive lipid lowering in selected individuals is an imperative in controlling coronary events. Opening with a general and broad introduction to the subject, this is followed by consideration of the biology and pathophysiology of the vascular wall, and a discussion of the basic science that underlies the impact of elevated LDL cholesterol on the function and patho-anatomy of the coronary arteries. Subsequent chapters review practical aspects of lipid management such as what to measure and when, patient selection and the role of diet and lifestyle in disease progression. Presented in a compact format for ease of reference, the general physician, general or office practitioner, trainee doctor and cardiac nurse specialist will find this an invaluable guide to be reached for frequently in the busy clinical setting.

1. Current rationale for lipid lowering 2. Lipids and atherosclerosis 3. Physiology and pathophysiology of lipid metabolism 4. Secondary causes of hyperlipidemia 5. What to measure and when 6. Who to treat? 7. Role of diet and lifestyle 8. Drug treatment of dyslipoproteinemia 9. Costs of lipid lowering therapy with statins 10. Practical issues in implementation of lipid management 11. Report of the Adult Treatment Panel III (ATP III)