CLS Triglyceride Disorders & Management Flashcards

Which triglyceride level (mg/dL) is classified as 'very high' according to the National Cholesterol Education Program (NCEP) ATP III guidelines?

Answer: ≥500

NCEP ATP III classifies triglycerides ≥500 mg/dL as very high, which significantly increases pancreatitis risk.

What is the primary mechanism by which fibrates reduce triglyceride levels?

Answer: Activation of PPAR-α, increasing lipoprotein lipase activity

Fibrates activate PPAR-α, which upregulates lipoprotein lipase activity, enhancing VLDL and triglyceride catabolism.

A patient with triglycerides of 850 mg/dL is at immediate risk for which serious complication?

Answer: Acute pancreatitis

Severely elevated triglycerides (>500–1000 mg/dL) markedly increase the risk of acute pancreatitis due to chylomicron accumulation.

Which lipoprotein is the primary carrier of endogenous triglycerides in the fasting state?

Answer: VLDL

VLDL (very low-density lipoprotein) is the primary transporter of endogenous triglycerides produced by the liver in the fasting state.

Which omega-3 fatty acid formulation is FDA-approved at prescription doses specifically for severe hypertriglyceridemia (≥500 mg/dL)?

Answer: Icosapentaenoic acid (EPA) ethyl esters (Vascepa) and omega-3-acid ethyl esters (Lovaza)

Both Vascepa (pure EPA) and Lovaza (EPA+DHA) are FDA-approved prescription omega-3 formulations for triglycerides ≥500 mg/dL.

Lipoprotein lipase (LPL) deficiency most commonly presents with which triglyceride phenotype?

Answer: Type I hyperlipoproteinemia with massive chylomicronemia

LPL deficiency causes type I hyperlipoproteinemia, characterized by massive chylomicronemia and triglycerides often exceeding 1,000 mg/dL.