The new cholesterol education imperative and some comments on niacin

The complexity of interactions between lipid subfractions presents a challenge to clinicians in terms of risk assessment and treatment planning, as well as patient education. Growing recognition of the importance of subfractions beyond low-density lipoprotein cholesterol in the development of atherosclerosis and coronary artery disease underscores the need to target therapy toward specific lipid abnormalities and has led to renewed appreciation for niacin as a lipid-modifying agent.