No funding is accepted for the development or reporting of specific guidelines. All stakeholders could participate in open review. 8. Evidence collection Describe the methods used to search the scientific literature, including the range of dates and databases searched, and criteria applied to filter the retrieved evidence. Topics were triaged either to a) systematic review, b) systematic search followed by narrative summary, or c) narrative summary. For systematic reviews on treatment with different lipid-lowering agents or lifestyle modifications, we searched for RCTs in MEDLINE, Cochrane Central Registry for trials, and Cochrane database of systematic reviews. Screening criteria are outlined in the Methods for Guideline Development chapter. The search was updated through August 2011 and supplemented by articles identified by Work Group members through June 2013. We also searched for pertinent existing guidelines and systematic reviews. grading criteria Describe the criteria used to rate the quality of evidence that supports the recommendations and the system for describing the strength of the recommendations. Recommendation strength communicates the importance of adherence to a recommendation and is based on both the quality of the evidence and the magnitude of anticipated benefits and harms. Quality of individual studies was graded in a three-tiered grading system (see Table 10). Quality of evidence and strength of recommendations were graded following the GRADE approach (Tables 12 and 14). The Work Group could provide general guidance in unngraded statements. 10. Method for synthesizing evidence Describe how evidence was used to create recommendations, e.g., evidence tables, meta-analysis, decision analysis. For systematic review topics, summary tables and evidence profiles were generated. For recommendations on treatment interventions, the steps outlined by GRADE were followed. 11. Prerelease review Describe how the guideline developer reviewed and/or tested the guidelines prior to release. 