Medications Recommended for Secondary Prevention After First Acute Coronary Syndrome: Effectiveness of Treatment Combinations in a Real-Life Setting

PURPOSE: Patients suffering from an acute coronary syndrome are at very high risk for recurrent events. Early targeted pharmacological intervention primarily aimed at controlling plasma LDL-cholesterol (LDL-C) levels can result in the reduction of recurrent cardiovascular events. This study aimed to evaluate real-life evidence from the Italian setting to document current practice of secondary prevention in patients after acute coronary syndrome (ACS), specifically assessing: (i) the rate of LDL-C target (<70 mg/dl) achievement after 6-10 weeks from index event and at later follow-up, (ii) the distance from LDL-C target during follow up, (iii) adherence rate and visit attendance. METHODS Multicenter observational prospective clinical study ACS patients, evaluating target attainment rate at 6 weeks (V0) and 18 months (V2). RESULTS Approximately 97.4% patients enrolled (N=524) received statin-based therapy, and 3.6% received ezetimibe at discharge; mean LDL-C values decreased from 113.0±44.7 mg/dL at discharge to 71.3±26.5 mg/dl at V0. Among patients with known LDL-C for main time-points, 51.7% achieved target LDL-C at V0, 45.8% at V2. Among patients not reaching the target, the mean distance from target was 23.5±20.7 mg/dL. Attainment of target LDL-C was similar in patients receiving intensive or low-moderate statin-based treatment (approximately 50%). LDL-C target attainment was associated with lower LDL-C value at discharge and smoking status. Adherence to statin treatment was high (96.2%) throughout, similarly to medical appointment attendance at V2 (84.7%). CONCLUSION Despite most ACS patients receiving intensive statin-based regimens, only approximately half achieved LDL-C target, suggesting the need for further optimizing drug selection, combination and dosage.

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Experience of the use of the PCSK9 inhibitor Alirocumab in patients with extremely high cardiovascular risk

Kardiologiia ◽

10.18087/cardio.2020.8.n1046 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 60 (8) ◽

pp. 71-77

Author(s):

V. A. Korneva ◽

T. Yu. Kuznetsova ◽

I. S. Scopetc ◽

N. N. Vezikova

Keyword(s):

Acute Coronary Syndrome ◽

Cardiovascular Risk ◽

Cerebrovascular Disease ◽

Laboratory Data ◽

Myocardial Revascularization ◽

Real Life ◽

Transient Ischemic Attacks ◽

High Cardiovascular Risk ◽

Pcsk9 Inhibitor ◽

Coronary Syndrome

Aim To study the efficacy and safety of alirocumab in patients with high and very high cardiovascular risk in the Republic of Karelia and to evaluate their compliance with the alirocumab therapy.Materials and methods Study design: observational, noncomparative. The observation group consisted of 9 patients receiving alirocumab (Praluent®) (mean age, 48.6±4.7 years; 7 men). 7 patients had familial hypercholesterolemia of the type diagnosed by DLCN criteria; five patients had MI. Lipid profile, concentrations of transaminases, creatinine, glucose, and lipoprotein a (LP(a)) were measured at 3, 6, 12, and 18 months. Electrocardiography was performed, and the clinical picture (development of acute coronary syndrome, acute cerebrovascular disease, transient ischemic attacks, myocardial revascularization, and cardiovascular death) was evaluated. Efficacy criteria included the absence of these clinical conditions, the proportion of patients who achieved the LDL CS goal, and the decrease in LP(a). Safety was evaluated by clinical and laboratory data, such as levels of transaminases, total bilirubin, creatinine, and blood glucose. The observation lasted for 6 months to 1.5 years.Results LDL CS goals were achieved in 7 (77.8%) patients receiving alirocumab. The mean level of LP(a) decreased from 0.39 to 0.28 g/l; the degree of decrease ranged from 20 to 33 %. No cases of IHD instability (acute coronary syndrome) or new cases of acute cerebrovascular disease and transient ischemic attacks were observed. None of the patients had to stop the alirocumab treatment; adverse effects, including local ones, were not observed.Conclusion LDL CS goals were achieved in 7 (77.8%) patients. The level of LP(a) decreased by 20-33% in patients receiving the PCSK9 inhibitor. In real-life clinical practice, the alirocumab treatment was characterized with high compliance and good tolerability without side effects, including local ones.

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