Nuove terapie ipolipemizzanti per i pazienti con ipercolesterolemia familiare. Position paper della Società Italiana per lo studio dell'Arteriosclerosi.

Familial hypercholesterolemia is the main genetic cause of premature coronary heart disease, characterized by serum LDL-cholesterol levels, which result in excess deposition of cholesterol in tissues. FH results from defects in hepatic uptake and degradation of LDL via the LDL receptor pathway. Owing to severe underdiagnosis and undertreatment of FH, there is an urgent worldwide need for diagnostic screeening together with early and aggressive tretment. This position paper aims to improve awareness of the need for early detection and management of FH patients, to determine treatment objectives and to delineate treatment priorities.