Management of the chylomicronaemia syndrome requires special consideration. Since marked hypertriglyceridaemia usually results from a combination of genetic and acquired causes of hypertriglyceridaemia, identification and treatment of treatable secondary causes are essential.
Furthermore, administration of triglyceride-raising drugs should be discontinued where possible and a trial of alcohol restriction should be attempted. If triglyceride levels remain elevated, fibric acid derivatives should be used to lower them. Symptoms of the chylomicronaemia syndrome and risk of recurrence of pancreatitis can be prevented by maintaining triglyceride levels of below 20mmol/l and 10mmol/l, respectively.
