Sections

Low HDL Cholesterol (Hypoalphalipoproteinemia)

Sections Low HDL Cholesterol (Hypoalphalipoproteinemia)
Overview
Presentation
- History
- Physical
- Causes
- Show All
Workup
Treatment
Medication
Follow-up
Questions & Answers
Tables
References

Follow-up

Further Outpatient Care

See the list below:

Provide outpatient care at regular intervals, especially clinical evaluation, lipid profile assessment, and follow-up evaluations for complications (such as coronary heart disease).
Monitor patients frequently to ascertain the effectiveness of medical treatment and to determine whether complications are arising from drug therapy. For example, monitor liver function tests and eye function when treating patients with lipid-lowering agents.

Further Inpatient Care

See the list below:

Generally, patients with hypoalphalipoproteinemia (HA) are discovered during routine lipid profile testing. Such patients are ambulatory and do not usually require hospitalization or inpatient care.
Inpatient care is usually required for complications arising from accelerated atherosclerosis.
In patients with secondary causes of HA, inpatient care may become necessary based on the primary pathology.

Inpatient & Outpatient Medications

See the list below:

Niacin or nicotinic acid
Gemfibrozil (Lopid) or fenofibrate (Tricor)
Statins
- Atorvastatin (Lipitor)
- Simvastatin (Zocor)
- Pravastatin (Pravachol)

Transfer

See the list below:

Patients with hypoalphalipoproteinemia (HA) rarely require transfer, and no specific recommendations are available for this purpose. In patients who are admitted to a health care facility, transfer depends mainly on the underlying condition or on complications of HA or premature atherosclerosis, such as myocardial infarction, arrhythmia, or hypotension.

Deterrence/Prevention

See the list below:

Familial or genetically inheritable forms of HA are not amenable to prevention. Genetic counseling and screening may be applicable in rare cases.
Hypoalphalipoproteinemia resulting from secondary causes can frequently be managed by treating those causes. Examples include quitting smoking and initiating regular physical activity.

Complications

See the list below:

Premature atherosclerosis
Corneal opacification

Prognosis

See the list below:

If hypoalphalipoproteinemia (HA) is diagnosed early and monitored closely, the prognosis for patients with HA is generally reasonably good. The risk derives from the development of complications.

Patient Education

See the list below:

Pursue aggressive dietary modification.
Discuss medications and their potential adverse effects, and monitor for adverse effects.
For excellent patient education resources, visit eMedicineHealth's Cholesterol Center. Also, see eMedicineHealth's patient education articles High Cholesterol, Cholesterol Charts, Lifestyle Cholesterol Management, and Cholesterol-Lowering Medications.

Questions

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Asada S, Kuroda M, Aoyagi Y, Bujo H, Tanaka S, Konno S, et al. Disturbed apolipoprotein A-I-containing lipoproteins in fish-eye disease are improved by the lecithin:cholesterol acyltransferase produced by gene-transduced adipocytes in vitro. Mol Genet Metab. 2011 Feb. 102(2):229-31. [Medline].
Uehara Y, Tsuboi Y, Zhang B, et al. POPC/apoA-I discs as a potent lipoprotein modulator in Tangier disease. Atherosclerosis. 2008 Mar. 197(1):283-9. [Medline].
Nicholls SJ, Ruotolo G, Brewer HB, Kane JP, Wang MD, Krueger KA, et al. Cholesterol Efflux Capacity and Pre-Beta-1 HDL Concentrations Are Increased in Dyslipidemic Patients Treated With Evacetrapib. J Am Coll Cardiol. 2015 Nov 17. 66 (20):2201-10. [Medline].
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Herbert PN, Assmann G, Gotto AM Jr, et al. Familial lipoprotein deficiency (abetalipoproteinemia and Tangier disease). Stanbury JB, Wyngaarden JB, Fredrickson DS, et al, eds. The Metabolic Basis of Inherited Disease. New York, NY: McGraw-Hill; 1982.
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Frohlich J, Westerlund J, Sparks D, et al. Familial hypoalphalipoproteinemias. Clin Invest Med. 1990 Aug. 13(4):202-10. [Medline].
Godin DV, Garnett ME, Hoag G, et al. Erythrocyte abnormalities in a hypoalphalipoproteinemia syndrome resembling fish eye disease. Eur J Haematol. 1988 Aug. 41(2):176-81. [Medline].
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Barkowski RS, Frishman WH. HDL metabolism and CETP inhibition. Cardiol Rev. 2008 May-Jun. 16(3):154-62. [Medline].
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Nissen SE, Tsunoda T, Tuzcu EM, et al. Effect of recombinant ApoA-I Milano on coronary atherosclerosis in patients with acute coronary syndromes: a randomized controlled trial. JAMA. 2003 Nov 5. 290(17):2292-300. [Medline]. [Full Text].
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Eslick GD, Howe PR, Smith C, et al. Benefits of fish oil supplementation in hyperlipidemia: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Int J Cardiol. 2008 Sep 5. [Medline].
AIM-HIGH Investigators, Boden WE, Probstfield JL, Anderson T, Chaitman BR, Desvignes-Nickens P, et al. Niacin in patients with low HDL cholesterol levels receiving intensive statin therapy. N Engl J Med. 2011 Dec 15. 365 (24):2255-67. [Medline]. [Full Text].
HPS2-THRIVE Collaborative Group, Landray MJ, Haynes R, Hopewell JC, Parish S, Aung T, et al. Effects of extended-release niacin with laropiprant in high-risk patients. N Engl J Med. 2014 Jul 17. 371 (3):203-12. [Medline]. [Full Text].
Patrice Wending. FDA Pulls Approval of Niacin, Fibrate in Combo with Statins. Heartwire from Medscape Medical News. 2016 Apr 15. Available at http://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/862022.
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Barter PJ, Caulfield M, Eriksson M, et al. Effects of torcetrapib in patients at high risk for coronary events. N Engl J Med. 2007 Nov 22. 357(21):2109-22. [Medline]. [Full Text].
Nissen SE, Tsunoda T, Tuzcu EM, et al. Effect of recombinant ApoA-I Milano on coronary atherosclerosis inpatients with acute coronary syndromes: a randomized controlled trial. JAMA. 2003 Nov 5. 290(17):2292-300. [Medline]. [Full Text].
Parolini C, Marchesi M, Lorenzon P, et al. Dose-related effects of repeated ETC-216 (recombinant apolipoprotein A-I Milano/1-palmitoyl-2-oleoyl phosphatidylcholine complexes) administrations on rabbit lipid-rich soft plaques: in vivo assessment by intravascular ultrasound and magnetic resonance imaging. J Am Coll Cardiol. 2008 Mar 18. 51(11):1098-103. [Medline].
Ibanez B, Vilahur G, Cimmino G, et al. Rapid change in plaque size, composition, and molecular footprint after recombinant apolipoprotein A-I Milano (ETC-216) administration: magnetic resonance imaging study in an experimental model of atherosclerosis. J Am Coll Cardiol. 2008 Mar 18. 51(11):1104-9. [Medline].
Vega GL, Grundy SM. Comparison of lovastatin and gemfibrozil in normolipidemic patients with hypoalphalipoproteinemia. JAMA. 1989 Dec 8. 262(22):3148-53. [Medline].
Ahumada Ayala M, Jimenez Villanueva C, Cardoso Saldana G, et al. [Hypoalphalipoproteinemia and atherosclerosis. Genetic and biochemical profile of 10 families]. Arch Inst Cardiol Mex. 1989 Jan-Feb. 59(1):9-18. [Medline].
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Daum U, Leren TP, Langer C, et al. Multiple dysfunctions of two apolipoprotein A-I variants, apoA- I(R160L)Oslo and apoA-I(P165R), that are associated with hypoalphalipoproteinemia in heterozygous carriers. J Lipid Res. 1999 Mar. 40(3):486-94. [Medline]. [Full Text].
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Meco JF, Pinto X, Quintana E, et al. [Efficacy of hygienic and dietary therapy in coronary patients with isolated hypoalphalipoproteinemia]. An Med Interna. 1999 Dec. 16(12):620-5. [Medline].
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Author

Vibhuti N Singh, MD, MPH, FACC, FSCAI Clinical Assistant Professor, Division of Cardiology, University of South Florida College of Medicine; Director, Cardiology Division and Cardiac Catheterization Lab, Chair, Department of Medicine, Bayfront Medical Center, Bayfront Cardiovascular Associates; President, Suncoast Cardiovascular Research

Vibhuti N Singh, MD, MPH, FACC, FSCAI is a member of the following medical societies: American College of Cardiology, American College of Physicians, American Heart Association, American Medical Association, Florida Medical Association

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Specialty Editor Board

Francisco Talavera, PharmD, PhD Adjunct Assistant Professor, University of Nebraska Medical Center College of Pharmacy; Editor-in-Chief, Medscape Drug Reference

Disclosure: Received salary from Medscape for employment. for: Medscape.

Yoram Shenker, MD Chief of Endocrinology Section, Veterans Affairs Medical Center of Madison; Interim Chief, Associate Professor, Department of Internal Medicine, Section of Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolism, University of Wisconsin at Madison

Yoram Shenker, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American Heart Association, Central Society for Clinical and Translational Research, Endocrine Society

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Chief Editor

George T Griffing, MD Professor Emeritus of Medicine, St Louis University School of Medicine

George T Griffing, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American Association for the Advancement of Science, International Society for Clinical Densitometry, Southern Society for Clinical Investigation, American College of Medical Practice Executives, American Association for Physician Leadership, American College of Physicians, American Diabetes Association, American Federation for Medical Research, American Heart Association, Central Society for Clinical and Translational Research, Endocrine Society

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Additional Contributors

Ghassem Pourmotabbed, MD, MD

Ghassem Pourmotabbed, MD, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American Diabetes Association, American Federation for Medical Research, Endocrine Society

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Sections Low HDL Cholesterol (Hypoalphalipoproteinemia)
Overview
Presentation
- History
- Physical
- Causes
- Show All
Workup
Treatment
Medication
Follow-up
Questions & Answers
Tables
References

Variant	Molecular Defect	Inheritance	Metabolic Defect	Lipoprotein Abnormality	Clinical Features	Premature Atherosclerosis
Familial apo A-I	Apo deficiency	Autosomal codominant	Absent apo A-1 biosynthesis	HDL < 5 mg/dL; TGs normal	Planar xanthomas, corneal opacities	Yes
Familial apo A-I structural mutations	Abnormal apo A-I	Autosomal dominant	Rapid apo A-1 catabolism	HDL 15-30 mg/dL; TGs increased	Often none; sometimes corneal opacities	No
Familial LCAT	LCAT deficiency (complete)	Autosomal recessive	Rapid HDL catabolism	HDL < 10 mg/dL; TGs increased	Corneal opacities, anemia, proteinuria, renal insufficiency	No
Fish-eye disease	LCAT deficiency (partial)	Autosomal recessive	Rapid HDL catabolism	HDL < 10 mg/dL; TGs increased	Corneal opacities	No
Tangier disease	Unknown	Autosomal codominant	Very rapid HDL catabolism	HDL < 5 mg/dL; TGs usually increased	Corneal opacities, enlarged orange tonsils, hepatosplenomegaly, peripheral neuropathy	No to yes
Familial HA	Unknown	Autosomal dominant	Usually rapid HDL catabolism	HDL 15-35 mg/dL; TGs normal	Often none; sometimes corneal opacities	No to yes

Low HDL Cholesterol (Hypoalphalipoproteinemia) Follow-up

Further Outpatient Care

Further Inpatient Care

Inpatient & Outpatient Medications

Transfer

Deterrence/Prevention

Complications

Prognosis

Patient Education

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Low HDL Cholesterol (Hypoalphalipoproteinemia) Follow-up

Further Outpatient Care

Further Inpatient Care

Inpatient & Outpatient Medications

Transfer

Deterrence/Prevention

Complications

Prognosis

Patient Education

References

Tables

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