OVERVIEW

Pharmacology of Antihyperlipidemic Medications for Laboratory Professionals is organized by MediaLab, Inc.

Course Description:
This course will review the normal biological functions of lipids and differentiate lipoprotein types based on their structure and function. While this presentation will provide a brief review of all lipid types, there will be a focus on cholesterol and associated disease states, medications, and implications for laboratory testing.

Objectives:
• Recognize the normal biological functions of lipids.
• Differentiate lipoprotein types based on their structure and function.
• Summarize the disease states and physical examination findings of dyslipidemias.
• Predict potential laboratory abnormalities associated with lipid lowering medications.
• Categorize lipid lowering medications according to their physiologic mechanism of action.

Course Outline:
• Review of Lipid Physiology
• What are lipids?
• Review of Lipid Types
• Cholesterol
• Match each lipid type with the correct biological function.
• Lipid Digestion and Absorption
• Lipid Transport in the Bloodstream
• Lipoproteins
• Lipoproteins with more cholesterol content are less dense than lipoproteins with less cholesterol.
• Cholesterol Reference Ranges
• Disease States Associated with Hyperlipidemia
• Pathology of Lipids
• Physical Signs of Elevated Lipid Levels
• Tendinous Xanthoma
• Eruptive Xanthoma
• Xanthelasma
• Dyslipidemias - Overview
• Primary Dyslipidemias
• What do patients with familial hypercholesterolemia have an increased risk of developing?
• Secondary Dyslipidemias
• Atherosclerosis
• A transient ischemic attack (TIA) occurs when there is decreased blood flow to the heart, resulting in abnormal functioning of the organ.
• Classification of Lipid Lowering Medications
• Pharmacologic Strategies for Dyslipidemia and Laboratory Applications
• HMG-CoA Reductase Inhibitors / Statins
• What is the most common laboratory abnormality expected from a patient taking an HMG-CoA reductase inhibitor (eg, statin)?
• Bile Acid Resins
• Cholesterol Absorption Inhibitors
• Nicotinic Acid (Niacin)
• Fibrates
• How often should serum creatinine be assessed in patients taking fibrates, such as gemfibrozil?
• PCSK9 Inhibitors
• Summary for the Laboratory Professional
• Which two medications for hyperlipidemia have an anti-inflammatory benefit?
• Cholesterol Screening and Management Guidelines
• References
• References