Management of dyslipidemia in patients after solid organ transplantation

The increase in organ transplantation has led to primary care physicians assuming a greater role in the provision of health care. Cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of mortality in transplant patients. The risk factors for cardiovascular disease do not differ from the nontransplant population, except that there is increased prevalence of these risk factors in the transplant population. Post-transplant hyperlipidemia is extremely prevalent, partly because of the underlying condition causing the need for transplantation and partly because of the side effects of immunosuppressant agents. Although there are no large, cardiovascular event outcome trials demonstrating a benefit for lipid-lowering therapy in the transplant population, there is robust literature supporting this treatment in the nontransplant population, and numerous smaller trials in transplant patients have demonstrated the safety and efficacy of lipid-lowering therapy. This article reviews the evidence and treatment options for currently available lipid-lowering therapy in solid-organ transplant patients.