Emerging perspectives on lipid management: International approaches and global challenges

The rapid growth in the understanding of the relation between cholesterol a nd coronary heart disease has introduced new challenges to the contemporary management of lipid disorders. The publication of the trials of the 3-hydr oxy-3-methylglutaryl coenzyme-A inhibitors (statins) has invigorated suppor t for the lipid hypothesis, and many advances have been made in understandi ng the mechanisms underlying atherosclerosis and the potential benefits of the statins. Several international groups have issued guidelines about desi rable and undesirable lipid values to help clinical decision making. Despit e the availability of such principles, there are many challenges to optimal management of lipid disorders. (C) 2001 by Excerpta Medica, Inc.