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Current Atherosclerosis Reports
Published in: Current Atherosclerosis Reports 1/2012

01-02-2012 | Statin Drugs (M Clearfield, Section Editor)

Treatment of Familial Hypercholesterolemia: Is There a Need Beyond Statin Therapy?

Authors: Anna Raper, Daniel M. Kolansky, Marina Cuchel

Published in: Current Atherosclerosis Reports | Issue 1/2012

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Abstract

Familial hypercholesterolemia (FH) is a genetic lipid disorder that is characterized by severely elevated cholesterol levels and premature cardiovascular disease. Both the heterozygous and homozygous forms of FH require aggressive cholesterol-lowering therapy. Statins alone frequently do not lower these patients’ cholesterol to therapeutic levels, and some patients are intolerant to statins. Combination or monotherapy with other current pharmacotherapies are options, but even with these some FH patients do not meet their low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol goals. In the cases of statin intolerance, LDL apheresis may be another treatment option. There are currently several novel therapies in development for LDL lowering that target either production or catabolism of LDL, plaque regression, and potentially gene transfer. We conclude that there is a need beyond statins for patients with FH, especially in cases of statin intolerance, and when even the highest doses of statin do not get patients to goal cholesterol levels.
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Metadata
Title
Treatment of Familial Hypercholesterolemia: Is There a Need Beyond Statin Therapy?
Authors
Anna Raper
Daniel M. Kolansky
Marina Cuchel
Publication date
01-02-2012
Publisher
Current Science Inc.
Published in
Current Atherosclerosis Reports / Issue 1/2012
Print ISSN: 1523-3804
Electronic ISSN: 1534-6242
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1007/s11883-011-0215-y

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