Christie M. Ballantyne, MD

In this Healio | Cardiology Today video exclusive, Christie M. Ballantyne, MD, FACC, FACP, FAHA, FNLA, provided a review of the NLA Scientific Session opening session, “The Latest in Lipid Lowering Therapy – It's Not Just a Phase.”

In a cohort of patients with type 2 diabetes treated with simvastatin, fenofibrate decreased the composite of heart failure hospitalizations or cardiovascular mortality, according to an analysis of the ACCORD Lipid trial.

Patients with mixed dyslipidemia are at high risk for coronary heart disease (CHD) events. In particular, diabetic dyslipidemia, characterized by the triad of a high level of triglycerides, a low level of high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol, and an abundance of atherogenic small, dense low-density lipoprotein (LDL) particles, confers a high risk of CHD events. The National Cholesterol Education Program Adult Treatment Panel III identified diabetes as a CHD risk equivalent requiring aggressive risk-reduction strategies.1 Although statins are the first step in the treatment of diabetic dyslipidemia, these patients remain at high risk despite statin therapy, presumably due to the elevated level of triglyceride and low HDL level that are not adequately treated by statins.

Patients with mixed dyslipidemia are at high risk for coronary heart disease (CHD) events. In particular, diabetic dyslipidemia, characterized by the triad of a high level of triglycerides, a low level of high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol, and an abundance of atherogenic small, dense low-density lipoprotein (LDL) particles, confers a high risk of CHD events. The National Cholesterol Education Program Adult Treatment Panel III identified diabetes as a CHD risk equivalent requiring aggressive risk-reduction strategies.1 Although statins are the first step in the treatment of diabetic dyslipidemia, these patients remain at high risk despite statin therapy, presumably due to the elevated level of triglyceride and low HDL level that are not adequately treated by statins.