Role of fibrates in the management of hypertriglyceridemia

Elevated plasma triglyceride levels are increasingly recognized as a risk f actor for cardiovascular disease. Fibric acid derivatives (fibrates) substa ntially decrease triglyceride levels and have been demonstrated to decrease clinical cardiovascular events in some trials. On-going research will eluc idate the molecular mechanisms by which fibrates modify lipoprotein metabol ism, clarify their use in combination with 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl coenz yme A (HMG-CoA) reductase inhibitors (statins), and determine their role in the prevention of cardiovascular events. (C) 1999 by Excerpta Medica, Inc.