Hyperlipoproteinemia Treatment & Management

Author: Hampton Roy Sr, MD; Chief Editor: Hampton Roy Sr, MD more...

Updated: Aug 2, 2011

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Medical Care
Surgical Care
Consultations
Diet
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Medical Care

Systemic
- Drugs are used to lower cholesterol and triglyceride levels.
- Because of the possibility of adverse effects and the question of whether the triglyceride level is an independent risk factor for atherosclerosis, many physicians use drugs to reduce the triglyceride level only when the level exceeds 500 mg/100 mL.
- Examples of these drugs include lovastatin, pravastatin, and simvastatin.
- A study by Shimabukuro et al found that the impact on lipoprotein subclass profiles varies between pitavastatin and atorvastatin. Determining the lipoprotein subclass profile and selecting the appropriate statin in patients with diabetes and an additional cardiovascular risk, such as low HDL cholesterol or hypertriglyceridemia may be beneficial.^[2]
Supportive
- Weight reduction and a diet low in saturated fat and cholesterol are advocated.
- Patients should avoid alcohol and estrogen in certain types of hyperlipoproteinemias.

Surgical Care

Ileal bypass surgery and plasmapheresis to lower elevated serum lipids are used in selected cases of familial hypercholesterolemia. Only experienced physicians should use these therapies.

Consultations

Internist or family practitioner

Diet

A low-fat diet is recommended, including fruit, vegetables, chicken, and fish.

Proceed to Medication

Contributor Information and Disclosures

Author

Hampton Roy Sr, MD Associate Clinical Professor, Department of Ophthalmology, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences

Hampton Roy Sr, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Ophthalmology, American College of Surgeons, and Pan-American Association of Ophthalmology

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Specialty Editor Board

V Al Pakalnis, MD, PhD Professor of Ophthalmology, University of South Carolina School of Medicine; Chief of Ophthalmology, Dorn Veterans Affairs Medical Center

V Al Pakalnis, MD, PhD is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Ophthalmology, American College of Surgeons, and South Carolina Medical Association

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Simon K Law, MD, PharmD Associate Professor of Ophthalmology, Jules Stein Eye Institute, University of California, Los Angeles, David Geffen School of Medicine

Simon K Law, MD, PharmD is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Ophthalmology, American Glaucoma Society, and Association for Research in Vision and Ophthalmology

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Steve Charles, MD Director of Charles Retina Institute; Clinical Professor, Department of Ophthalmology, University of Tennessee College of Medicine; Adjunct Professor of Ophthalmology, Columbia College of Physicians and Surgeons; Clinical Professor Ophthalmology, Chinese University of Hong Kong

Steve Charles, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Ophthalmology, American Society of Retina Specialists, Club Jules Gonin, Macula Society, and Retina Society

Disclosure: Alcon Laboratories Consulting fee Consulting; OptiMedica Ownership interest Other; Topcon Medical Lasers Consulting fee Consulting

Lance L Brown, OD, MD Ophthalmologist, Affiliated With Freeman Hospital and St John's Hospital, Regional Eye Center, Joplin, Missouri

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Chief Editor

References

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Shimabukuro M, Higa M, Tanaka H, et al. Distinct effects of pitavastatin and atorvastatin on lipoprotein subclasses in patients with Type 2 diabetes mellitus. Diabet Med. Jul 2011;28(7):856-64. [Medline].
Hadfield SG, Horara S, Starr BJ, Yazdgerdi S, Marks D, Bhatnagar D, et al. Family tracing to identify patients with familial hypercholesterolaemia: the second audit of the Department of Health Familial Hypercholesterolaemia Cascade Testing Project. Ann Clin Biochem. Jan 2009;46:24-32. [Medline].
Versmissen J, Oosterveer DM, Yazdanpanah M, Defesche JC, Basart DC, Liem AH, et al. Efficacy of statins in familial hypercholesterolaemia: a long term cohort study. BMJ. Nov 11 2008;337:a2423. [Medline].
van der Graaf A, Cuffie-Jackson C, Vissers MN, Trip MD, Gagné C, Shi G, et al. Efficacy and safety of coadministration of ezetimibe and simvastatin in adolescents with heterozygous familial hypercholesterolemia. J Am Coll Cardiol. Oct 21 2008;52(17):1421-9. [Medline].
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Gronemeyer A, Arsene S, Le Lez ML, Rateau J. [Central retinal artery occlusion or branch retinal artery occlusion in the young associated with high lipoprotein (a) levels]. J Fr Ophtalmol. Sep 2002;25(7):727-30. [Medline].
Jünemann A, Küchle M, Naumann GO. Epithelial iron line in juvenile corneal arcus lipoides. Cornea. Sep 1995;14(5):540-2. [Medline].

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