New EAS Statement on High Triglycerides, Low HDL Cholesterol

Guess who has no idea what is going on - EXPERTS! (read the niacin part carefully)

An expert consensus panel from the European Atherosclerosis Society (EAS) has issued new recommendations for the management of patients with elevated triglycerides and low HDL-cholesterol levels [1]. For patients with high triglycerides or low HDL-cholesterol levels, the first task is lifestyle modification, but barring that, fibrates, niacin, or even the intensification of statin therapy is recommended.

Interestingly, the recommendations are published on the heels of the discontinuation of the Atherothrombosis Intervention in Metabolic Syndrome with Low HDL Cholesterol/High Triglyceride and Impact on Global Health Outcomes (AIM-HIGH) study. As reported by heartwire , the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute–sponsored study of high-dose extended-release niacin (Niaspan, Abbott), given in addition to statin therapy in patients with a history of cardiovascular disease, high triglycerides, and low levels of HDL cholesterol was halted 18 months ahead of schedule because niacin offered no additional benefits in this patient population.

What a surprise.

Not.