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Elevated Triglycerides, Atherosclerosis and Adverse Clinical Events

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Controversies in Cardiology

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Abstract

Mendelian randomization studies have confirmed the causal relationship of triglycerides and triglyceride-rich remnant lipoprotein cholesterol with ischemic heart disease. The mechanism of atherogenicity is complex involving elevated levels of chylomicron and very low density lipoprotein remnants, generation of small dense low density lipoprotein particles frequently in the setting of obesity, insulin resistance or genetic disorders of lipoprotein metabolism. Management remains controversial but centers on reduction of overall atherogenic lipoprotein particle burden and use of triglyceride-rich lipoprotein lowering therapies such as fibrates and niacin in selected patients with elevated triglycerides, especially when accompanied by reduced levels of high density lipoprotein cholesterol.

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Division of Cardiology, Department of Medicine, The Ciccarone Center or Prevention of Heart Disease, The Johns Hopkins Hospital, Zayed 7125U, Baltimore, MD, 21287, USA

    Steven R. Jones MD

  2. School of Medicine, Johns Hopkins Hospital, 733 N Broadway, Baltimore, MD, 21205, USA

    Shady Nakhla MD

Authors
  1. Steven R. Jones MD
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  2. Shady Nakhla MD
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Correspondence to Steven R. Jones MD .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. UCSF Fresno, Fresno, California, USA

    John A. Ambrose

  2. Department of Interventional Cardiology, Otamendi Hospital, Buenos Aires, Argentina

    Alfredo E. Rodríguez

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© 2015 Springer International Publishing Switzerland

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Jones, S.R., Nakhla, S. (2015). Elevated Triglycerides, Atherosclerosis and Adverse Clinical Events. In: Ambrose, J., Rodríguez, A. (eds) Controversies in Cardiology. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-20415-4_5

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-20415-4_5

  • Publisher Name: Springer, Cham

  • Print ISBN: 978-3-319-20414-7

  • Online ISBN: 978-3-319-20415-4

  • eBook Packages: MedicineMedicine (R0)

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