Hypolipidemic Therapy in Patients with Chronic Liver Diseases: What Should a Gastroenterologist Know

Abstract

Dyslipidemia is one of the main risk factors for the development of cardiovascular diseases (CVD), which remain the leading cause of death worldwide. Lipid level control is the most effective strategy for the prevention of CVD and its complications (CVC). Statins are the first-line drugs of hypolipidemic therapy. Dyslipidemia is often found in patients with chronic liver diseases (CLD). From a clinical point of view, a number of CLD have an increased risk of CVD. Due to insufficient awareness of doctors about the possibilities of using statin and non-statin lipid-lowering therapy in patients with CLD, the possibility of treating CVD and reducing the risk of CVC in this category of patients is often missed. The purpose of the review is to study modern approaches to lipid-lowering therapy (statin and non-statin) in patients with CVD of various etiologies, including at the stage of liver cirrhosis (LC). Conclusion. CLD should not be considered as a contraindication to the use of statins and other lipid-lowering drugs. Pleiotropic effects of statins, in addition to hypolipidemic action, create new prospects for their use in patients with CLD. Hypolipidemic therapy is recommended for patients with CLD (including at the stage of compensated LC), if they have dyslipidemia and an increased risk of CVD. It is important to compare the benefits and risks of prescribing statins in patients with CLD