Case Studies in Lipid Management PDF

PREFACE

Over the last decade or so the impressive data accumulated from controlled clinical endpoint trials have moved lipid management center stage in many areas of medicine. Routine management of lipid disorders has moved from lipid clinics into primary care and many other specialist clinics such as cardiology, diabetology, neurology, and nephrology. Furthermore, the emphasis in many individual patients is the identification and management of overall cardiovascular risk.

Given the impressive safety database, particularly for the statins, many physicians now feel confident in the use of these drugs in the majority of their patients. Increasingly lipid specialists are only referred more complex secondary or familial dyslipidemias or patients where first-line therapy has failed or has not been tolerated. Hopefully this book of cases will provide the interested physician with the shared clinical experience of experts in the field which they can utilize in their own practice.

I have approached highly experienced international colleagues to present cases that they have found fascinating and have learned from. In my experience physicians thoroughly enjoy the learning experience gained from case discussions. The cases do not cover the whole of the subject but certainly reflect many of the interesting clinical challenges currently faced.They should provide ‘instant' experience not only for colleagues in other specialities but also those primarily interested in lipid metabolism.

I would like to thank my colleagues and friends for their contributions to this book, their enthusiasm for the project, and their willingness to pass on their experience.

My publishers and in particular Alan Burgess and Lindsay Campbell have been very supportive and patient. As always I and my colleagues should thank our patients who continue to inspire and challenge us to greater efforts in clinical management and research.