SUMMARY
Reduction of low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) is presently the primary focus of lipid-lowering therapy for prevention and treatment of coronary heart disease (CHD). However, the high level of residual risk among statin-treated patients in recent coronary prevention studies indicates the need for modification of other major components of the atherogenic lipid profile. There is overwhelming evidence that a low plasma level of high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) is an important independent risk factor for CHD. Moreover, a substantial proportion of patients with or at risk of developing premature CHD typically exhibit distinct lipid abnormalities, including low HDL-C levels. Thus, therapeutic intervention aimed at raising HDL-C, within the context of reducing global cardiovascular risk, would benefit such patients, a viewpoint increasingly adopted by international treatment guidelines.