The Residual Risk Reduction Initiative: a call to action to reduce residual vascular risk in dyslipidaemic patient.

Abstract

Despite current standards of care aimed at achieving targets for low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol, blood pressure and glycaemia, dyslipidaemic patients remain at high residual risk of vascular events. Atherogenic dyslipidaemia, specifically elevated triglycerides and low levels of high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol, often with elevated apolipoprotein B and non-HDL cholesterol, is common in patients with established cardiovascular disease, type 2 diabetes, obesity or metabolic syndrome and is associated with macrovascular and microvascular residual risk. The Residual Risk Reduction Initiative (R3I) was established to address this important issue. This position paper aims to highlight evidence that atherogenic dyslipidaemia contributes to residual macrovascular risk and microvascular complications despite current standards of care for dyslipidaemia and diabetes, and to recommend therapeutic intervention for reducing this, supported by evidence and expert consensus. Lifestyle modification is an important first step. Additionally, pharmacotherapy is often required. Adding niacin, a fibrate or omega-3 fatty acids to statin therapy improves achievement of all lipid risk factors. Outcomes studies are evaluating whether these strategies translate to greater clinical benefit than statin therapy alone. In conclusion, the R3I highlights the need to address with lifestyle and/or pharmacotherapy the high level of residual vascular risk among dyslipidaemic patients who are treated in accordance with current standards of care.

• Authors: Jean-Charles Fruchart, Frank M Sacks, Michel P Hermans, Gerd Assmann, W Virgil Brown, Richard Ceska, M John Chapman, Paul M Dodson, Paola Fioretto, Henry N Ginsberg, Takashi Kadowaki, Jean-Marc Lablanche, Nikolaus Marx, Jorge Plutzky, Zeljko Reiner, Robert S Rosenson, Bart Staels, Jane K Stock, Rody Sy, Christoph Wanner, Alberto Zambon, Paul Zimmet, Residual Risk Reduction Initiative (R3I)
• Journal: Diabetes & vascular disease research (Diab Vasc Dis Res) Vol. 5 Issue 4 Pg. 319-35 (Nov 2008) ISSN: 1479-1641 [Print] England
• PMID: 18958843 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't, Review)

Chemical References

• Hypolipidemic Agents

Topics

• Atherosclerosis (etiology, physiopathology, therapy)
• Cardiovascular Diseases (etiology, physiopathology, prevention & control)
• Combined Modality Therapy
• Dyslipidemias (complications, physiopathology, therapy)
• Evidence-Based Medicine
• Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice
• Health Promotion
• Humans
• Hypolipidemic Agents (therapeutic use)
• Microcirculation
• Practice Guidelines as Topic
• Risk Reduction Behavior
• Treatment Outcome