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The National Cholesterol Education Program (NCEP)
National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute
Coordinating Committee
Meeting
October 16, 2001
Marriott Tysons Corner
Vienna, Virginia
HIGHLIGHTS
- Dr. David Orloff reported on research and results
relating to the possibility of statin drugs causing rhabdomyolysis. Data from
the studies showed that cerivastatin carried a significantly higher risk of
rhabdomyolysis than do the other statins, especially when used in combination
with gemfibrozil. He stressed that results of at least five major trials
demonstrate that statins reduce morbidity and mortality from coronary heart
disease and are generally safe.
- Dr. James Cleeman reported on activities to promote
the adoption of ATP III. This has included publishing the ATP III Executive
Summary in the Journal of the American Medical Association, holding a
press conference, and extensive media coverage. Tools and materials to speed up
the implementation of the guidelines have been developed and posted on the
NHLBI's ATP III Web page (http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/guidelines/cholesterol/index.htm).
These tools and materials include a patient brochure, the "Guidelines At-A
Glance Quick Desk Reference," online 10-year risk calculators, an interactive
guideline tool for Palm OS, and PowerPoint slides. The NCEP also cosponsored a
national conference with the National Committee for Quality Assurance (NCQA) to
assist in the implementation of the new guidelines.
- Drs. Scott Grundy, Stephen Havas, and Lewis Kuller
presented the issue of reducing lifetime CHD risk in the individual at low
short-term risk. They contrasted population-based approaches with medical
high-risk approaches, noting benefits and drawbacks of both. They agreed that a
population-based approach would be a good idea at this time.
- The Coordinating Committee members broke into small
discussion groups to consider aspects of a possible population-based campaign
to reduce cholesterol. They reconvened and expressed a consensus to move
forward with such a plan.
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Department of Health
and Human Services
National
Institutes of Health
National Heart, Lung, and Blood
Institute