ARTERIOSCLEROSIS AND CORONARY-ARTERY DISE ASE - STRENGTH AND WEAKNESSIN THE CLASSIC RISK FACTOR CONCEPT

Several cardiovascular risk factors were identified (high LDL-choleste rol, low HDL-cholesterol, homocystein, Lp(a), and many others). Hyperc holesterolemia has been shown to be one of the most important cardiova scular risk factors in man. Interventional studies for primary and sec ondary prevention demonstrate a benefical effect of cholesterol loweri ng therapy. However, numerous CAD-patients suffer a second coronary ev ent despite the appropriate lipid-lowering treatment. Furthermore mode rate hypercholesterolemia has only poor predictive power indicating an upcoming myocardial infarction. Therefore we need additional research in CAD prevention and in identifying so far unknown or unconsidered C AD risk factors.