Review: Diagnosis and treatment of familial hypercholesterolaemia

Source: European Heart Journal Area: News A review of the diagnosis and treatment of familial hypercholesterolaemia has been published early online in the European Heart Journal.   Familial hypercholesterolaemia (FH) is an autosomal dominant genetic disorder, associated with elevated levels of low-density lipoprotein-cholesterol (LDL-C), which can lead to premature cardiovascular disease. Early diagnosis of FH is important to prevent morbidity and mortality.   Current guidelines highlight the importance of reducing LDL-C levels in patients with FH. Statins are the current standard treatment for the majority of these patients, and have been shown to be effective in reducing the incidence of cardiovascular heart disease in patients with FH. Nevertheless, many FH patients do not achieve their target LDL-C levels; as such, new treatment options are required to decrease LDL-C levels beyond those currently achieved.
Source: NeLM - Cardiovascular Medicine - Category: Cardiology Source Type: news