Approach to the patient with lipid disorders

Abstract

Disorders of lipid metabolism have and continue to be a focal point of research and treatment due to their well-known connection with cardiovascular disease (CVD) and atherosclerosis. Hypertriglyceridemia, in contrast to elevated low density lipoprotein (LDL-C) levels and low levels of high density lipoprotein (HDL), has had a more tenuous relationship as a true independent risk of future CVD events. Although the association between elevated triglyceride (TG) levels and CAD is one of long standing the absolute contribution as a CVD risk factor has been modest or confounded by other lipoprotein parameters. In this chapter, we present a pragmatic approach to the patient at risk of cardiovascular disease, distinguishing lipid disorders that confer an increased CVD risk.