Interní Med. 2009; 11(10): 449-451

Is achieving the target LDL cholesterol level enough or is a complex residual risk intervention necessary?

doc. MUDr. Vladimír Soška CSc^1,2

¹ Oddělení klinické a radiační onkologie, FN u svaté Anny v Brně

² Centrum pro diagnostiku a léčbu dyslipidemií, FN u sv. Anny v Brně

Even when the target LDL cholesterol levels are achieved with statins, the residual risk of cardiovascular disease remains high in most

patients. In the case of dyslipidaemias, this residual risk is most commonly due to a decreased HDL-cholesterol level, elevated triglycerides,

and elevated small LDL3 particle count. The apolipoprotein B level is a good predictor of this risk. The residual risk is often high in

persons with insulin resistance, type 2 diabetes mellitus, or metabolic syndrome. Reducing the residual risk mostly requires treatment

with a combination of hypolipidaemic drugs aimed at achieving not only the target LDL cholesterol levels, but also optimal levels of

HDL cholesterol and triglycerides.

Keywords: residual risk, HDL cholesterol, triglycerides, apolipoprotein B.

Published: November 1, 2009  Show citation