Evidence and efficacy: lipid modifying therapy

Abstract

Hyperlipidaemia is an important risk factor for the pathogenesis of atherosclerotic vascular diseases, especially CHD. In addition to lifestyle changes, several drugs have been investigated in controlled clinical trials for their ability to correct dyslipidaemia and reduce CV morbidity and mortality. Notably, statins, which inhibit HMG CoA reductase and hence cholesterol synthesis, are very effective in reducing plasma levels of LDL cholesterol and help to reduce CV event rates. Since the early 1990s, this class of drugs has proved to be very successful in both primary and secondary prevention trials, encompassing >500,000 patient years of follow-up.

Evidence & Efficacy: Lipid-Modifying Therapy aims to provide a convenient collection of the most important controlled clinical trials in the treatment of dyslipidaemia and prevention of CV disease.