Conclusions Study -level data from this systemic review establish that different lipid lowering agents can lead to discordance between LDL-P and LDL-C , therefore , basing LDL-lowering therapy only on the achievement of cholesterol goals may result in a treatment gap .
Therefore , the use of LDL-P for monitoring lipid-lowering therapy , particularly for statins , can provide a more accurate assessment of residual cardiovascular risk
Purpose This systematic review was performed to summarize published experience using low density lipoprotein particle number ( LDL-P ) to monitor the efficacy of  lipid-lowering pharmacotherapies .
Effects of extended-release niacin on lipoprotein subclass distribution.
The efficacy of extended-release niacin ( niacin ER ) on lipoprotein subclasses was evaluated in patients with primary hypercholesterolemia using a proton nuclear magnetic resonance method . Paired plasma sample s collected at baseline and after 12 weeks ' treatment with niacin ER 1,000 ( n = 21 ) or 2,000 ( n = 20 ) mg/day or placebo ( n = 19 ) were available for 60 eligible patients from a previous multicenter , r and omized , controlled trial .  Niacin ER increased high-density lipoprotein ( HDL ) cholesterol and decreased low-density lipoprotein ( LDL ) cholesterol and very low-density lipoprotein triglycerides in a dose-dependent manner relative to placebo . Niacin ER increased large HDL particles ( H5 and H4 , corresponding to the HDL(2ab ) fraction ) without having a net effect on small HDL particles ( H3 , H2 , and H1 , corresponding to the HDL(3abc ) fraction ) . It also decreased smaller , denser LDL particles ( L1 and L2 ) and increased the larger , more buoyant L3 subclass . The inhibitory effect of niacin ER on very low-density lipoprotein was evident on the larger particles ( V6 , V5 , V4 , and V3 subclasses ) rather than the smaller ones ( V2 and V1 ) . The results show that niacin ER produces a beneficial effect on lipoprotein subclasses , specifically decreasing the more atherogenic small , dense LDL particles and enhancing the cardioprotective large HDL particles
Conclusions Study -level data from this systemic review establish that different lipid lowering agents can lead to discordance between LDL-P and LDL-C , therefore , basing LDL-lowering therapy only on the achievement of cholesterol goals may result in a treatment gap .
Therefore , the use of LDL-P for monitoring lipid-lowering therapy , particularly for statins , can provide a more accurate assessment of residual cardiovascular risk
Purpose This systematic review was performed to summarize published experience using low density lipoprotein particle number ( LDL-P ) to monitor the efficacy of  lipid-lowering pharmacotherapies .