Low-density lipoprotein size and cardiovascular prevention

Low-density lipoprotein (LDL) size appears to be an important predictor of cardiovascular events and progression of coronary artery disease, and the predominance of small, dense LDL has been accepted as an emerging cardiovascular risk factor by the National Cholesterol Education Program Adult Treatment Panel III. Yet, other authors have suggested that LDL subclass measurement does not add independent information to that conferred generically by LDL concentration and other standard risk factors. Therefore, the debate continues as to whether to measure LDL particle size for cardiovascular prevention and, if so, in which categories of patients. Since the therapeutic modulation of distinct LDL subspecies is of great benefit in reducing the risk of cardiovascular events, LDL size measurement should be extended as much as possible to patients at high risk of cardiovascular diseases.