Nuevos retos en el tratamiento de las dislipidemias y del riesgo cardiovascular

Statin therapy reduces the incidence of cardiovascular (CV) disease by 30-40%. However, some risk of unprevented CV complications still persists. Thus, new drugs that when associated to the statins favorably modify the lipid profile and further reduce CV risk are needed. In this clinical commentary, we review the role of other lipids (HDL cholesterol and triglycerides) in CV risk and those potentially useful agents that could be added to statins. Fibrates are especially effective to decrease triglycerides, whilst niacin has a global effect, decreasing LDL cholesterol and triglycerides and is the most effective drug to increase HDL cholesterol. The association of statins plus niacin may be the immediate future to tackle the comprehensive treatment of dyslipidemia and potentially further reduce the risk of CV disease.