CONTROL OF LIPID DISORDERS IN PATIENTS WITH ATHEROSCLEROTIC VASCULAR-DISEASE

The primary dyslipidemias are associated with an increased incidence o f atherosclerotic vascular disease in coronary, cerebral, and peripher al vessels. If nonpharmacologic therapy, such as dietary changes and a erobic exercise, fails to achieve the therapeutic goal levels for seru m low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol, and triglycerides suggested by the National Cholesterol E ducation Program Adult Treatment Panel, pharmacologic intervention is indicated. The choice of the class of lipid-lowering drug(s) for initi al therapy and subsequent therapy depends on the nature of the dyslipi demia, e.g., hypercholesterolemia, hypertriglyceridemia, suppressed HD L cholesterol levels, or combinations of these disturbances in lipid m etabolism. Appropriate therapy with the highly efficacious agents curr ently available significantly reduces the associated morbidity and mor tality related to atherosclerosis. The clinical applications of these classes of agents are discussed here.