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Low-Density Lipoprotein Cholesterol: How Low Can We Go?

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Abstract

Elevated low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) is an established cause of cardiovascular disease and subsequent adverse events. The efficacy and safety of lowering plasma LDL-C to reduce the risk of coronary heart disease (CHD) and secondary event rates are now well established. What has not been established, however, is a plasma LDL-C lower threshold level of safety and efficacy. Here we review intensive plasma LDL-C-lowering with statins and argue that even further reductions of plasma LDL-C than current guideline targets is likely to safely reduce cardiovascular event rates. We discuss how to achieve very low levels of plasma LDL-C using both traditional and novel LDL-lowering therapies.

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Conflicts of interest

Daniel Sherbet, Puja Garg, Emmanouil Brilakis, and Subhash Banerjee have no conflicts of interest that might be relevant to the content of this manuscript.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. VA North Texas Health Care System, 4500 S. Lancaster Avenue (111A), Dallas, TX, 75216, USA

    Emmanouil S. Brilakis & Subhash Banerjee

  2. University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, USA

    Daniel P. Sherbet, Puja Garg, Emmanouil S. Brilakis & Subhash Banerjee

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  1. Daniel P. Sherbet
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  2. Puja Garg
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  3. Emmanouil S. Brilakis
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  4. Subhash Banerjee
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Correspondence to Subhash Banerjee.

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Sherbet, D.P., Garg, P., Brilakis, E.S. et al. Low-Density Lipoprotein Cholesterol: How Low Can We Go?. Am J Cardiovasc Drugs 13, 225–232 (2013). https://doi.org/10.1007/s40256-013-0013-8

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