Commentary on Niacin’s Effect on Lp(a) in AIM HIGH
Here are my thoughts as a clinical lipidologist (By: Thomas Dayspring, MD, FACP, FNLA, NCMP)
We must get apoB (LDL-P) to goal in all at-risk patients. Lifestyle therapies and statins are the mainstay of therapy. However residual risk is high if apoB (LDL) remains elevated despite at-goal LDL-C, non-HDL-C), any level of HDL-C or if Lp(a) mass is elevated.
So I would have no hesitancy in adding niacin to high and very high risk patients who have not achieved apoB (LDL-P) goals with whatever therapies they are using or using niacin as a monotherapy in those intolerant of other apoB lowering meds.
Data from HPS THRIVE 2 (discussed in a recent commentary) suggested statin plus ezetimibe was better at event reduction than statin plus niacin [9]. In view of that and the very significant side effects reported in HPS THRIVE 2 [bleeding (GI, intracranial, other) in the niacin group: 326 (2.5%) to 238 (1.9%) and infection 1031(8%) to 853 (6.6%)] [3] makes niacin a tertiary or quaternary add-on drug (some may prefer the bile acid sequestrant colesevelam as an apoB lowering medication).
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