Drug Treatment of Lipid Disorders

Arteriosclerosis of the coronary and peripheral vasculature is the leading cause of death among men and women in the United States 1 and worldwide. 2 In 1992, for example, cardiovascular disease accounted for 38 percent of deaths from all causes among men and 42 percent of all deaths among women in Washington State 3 ; nationwide, the mortality rate for cardiovascular disease is approximately 50 percent. 4 Mechanisms of Atherogenesis Central to the pathogenesis of arteriosclerosis is the deposition of cholesterol in the arterial wall. 5 , 6 Nearly all lipoproteins are involved in this process, including cholesterol carried by very-low-density lipoprotein (VLDL), 7 , 8 remnant lipoprotein, . . .