A model of care for familial hypercholesterolaemia: key role for clinical biochemistry.

Familial hypercholesterolaemia (FH) is a dominantly inherited disorder present from birth that causes marked elevation in plasma low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol concentrations and premature coronary heart disease. There are at least 45,000 people with FH in Australia and New Zealand, but most remain unrecognised and those diagnosed remain inadequately treated. To bridge this gap in coronary prevention the FH Australasia Network has developed a model of care for FH. An executive summary of the model of care is presented, with a commentary on its recommendations and the key role of the clinical biochemistry laboratory.