Dyslipidaemia management in the cardiac rehabilitation clinic of a tertiary referral centre; analysis of the impact of new ESC guidance on LDL-C target achievement

2021 ◽  
Vol 28 (Supplement_1) ◽  
Author(s):  
C Mccaughey ◽  
D Ranganathan ◽  
G Murphy ◽  
M Kerins ◽  
R Murphy

Abstract Funding Acknowledgements Type of funding sources: None. Background Cardiac rehabilitation (CR) programs provide an opportunity to measure low density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) levels and optimise lipid lowering therapy (LLT) accordingly. New ESC guidelines released in August 2019 recommend lower absolute LDL-C target levels and an >50% reduction from baseline in those at the highest risk. Purpose This study investigated the proportion of those patients who finished CR in 2019 that reached both their absolute and relative reduction in LDL-C levels, before and after the introduction of these new guidelines. We also analysed the choice and appropriateness of LLT.  Methods A retrospective chart review of 163 patients who completed CR in 2019. A database was created containing baseline patient characteristics and LDL-C levels both prior and post CR; as well as the patient’s contemporary LLT. Those patients who did not have a previous diagnosis of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD) were risk stratified as per ESC guidance.  Baseline LDL-C levels were recorded, where possible, and otherwise calculated using pre-CR LDL profile with an adjustment made based on the projected effects of their LLT. Results Mean (SD) patient age was 62 (10) years, 123/163 (75%) were male and 142 (87%) patients had established ASCVD. 90/142 (63%) of very high-risk patients were treated with a high intensity LLT and 5/163 overall (3%) were prescribed ezetimibe. Overall, 96/163 (59%) patients in 2019 met their absolute LDL-C targets; 62% of applicable patients achieved an >50% reduction in LDL-C levels. 104 (64%) of patients were treated in compliance with their contemporary guidelines. Both pre (n = 112) and post (n = 51) September 2019 cohorts were well matched. Fewer patients who were treated under the August 2019 guidelines reached their absolute LDL-C (51% v 63%, p < 0.005) targets; achieved a >50% reduction in LDL-C from baseline (48% vs 61%, p < 0.005), or were compliant with the guidelines for their risk category (43% vs 73%, p < 0.005). Conclusions Both high intensity statin therapy and ezetimibe are under-prescribed. Fewer patients are meeting the lower absolute LDL-C targets set out in the 2019 ESC guidelines. For those at high risk, determining the reduction in LDL-C from baseline reveals that even those meeting their absolute LDL-C targets may still be undertreated. LDL-C Target Achievement N Mean LDL Pre-CR (95% CI) Mean LDL-C Post CR (95% CI) Absolute LDL-C Target Met (%) Mean % LDL-C Reduction from Baseline (95% CI) > 50% Reduction (% of applicable patients) Guidelines Achieved Pre-Sept"20 112 2.7 (2.46-2.93) 1.64 (1.49- 1.79) 70 (63) 61 (56-66) 50 (65) 82 (73) Post Sept 20 51 2.83 (2.41-3.25) 1.83 (1.41-2.25) 26 (51) 48 (37-59) 11 (34) 22 (43) Total 163 2.72 (2.52- 2.91) 1.69 (1.57-1.82) 96 (59) 57 (52- 62) 61 (52) 104 (64 LDL-C targets met, stratified by contemporary guidelines followed. Abstract Figure. Choice of lipid lowering therapy in 2019

2020 ◽  
Vol 41 (Supplement_2) ◽  
Author(s):  
C Blaum ◽  
F.J Brunner ◽  
F Kroeger ◽  
J Braetz ◽  
B Bay ◽  
...  

Abstract Introduction The recently updated ESC guidelines on the management of dyslipidaemias recommend a more intense LDL-cholesterol (LDL-C) reduction. For patients with atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD) the LDL-C goal has been revised to ≤55 mg/dl with a concomitant class IA upgrade for cost intensive PCSK9 inhibitors. Purpose We aim to quantify the need for PCSK9 inhibitors to achieve the revised LDL-C target compared to former ESC recommendations in ASCVD patients Methods We included all patients with ASCVD (angiographically documented coronary artery disease, history of peripheral artery disease or stroke) from an observational cohort study ongoing since 2015. A simulation treatment algorithm adding sequentially a high intensity statin, ezetimibe and a PCSK9 inhibitor in case of a missed treatment target was applied with consideration of both partial and total statin intolerance. The need for PCSK9 inhibitors was calculated for 3 recommendations: 1. LDL-C treatment target ≤55 mg/dl (ESC 2019 Guidelines), 2. LDL-C treatment target ≤70 mg/dl (ESC 2016 Guidelines) and 3. risk-based use of PCSK9 inhibitors restricted to patients with a residual LDL-C >140 mg/dl or >100 mg/dl with clinical/angiographic risk factors (ESC consensus update 2017). Results We included 1936 patients (mean age 69 years, 74% male). Median LDL-C at inclusion was 86 mg/dl, with 60% of patients taking lipid lowering medication (55% statin only, 4% statin + ezetimibe, 1% ezetimibe only). Table 1 shows the distribution of medications required to meet recommendations 1–3. After simulated stepwise intensification of lipid lowering therapy 99% of patients achieved the revised LDL-C target of ≤55 mg/dl, with a need of 23.5% for a PCSK9 inhibitor. For the former LDL-C target of ≤70 mg/dl the need for PCSK9 inhibitors was 10.5%. Restricting the use of PCSK9 inhibitors to the highest risk patients according to the ESC 2017 consensus statement reduced the need for PCSK9 inhibition to only 1.4% with slightly fewer patients achieving their LDL-C target (78% for ≤55 mg/dl and 91% for ≤70 mg/dl respectively). Conclusion The revised LDL-C treatment goals substantially increase the projected need for PCSK9 inhibitors with an unclear health economic impact. Identification of ASCVD patients with a reasonable benefit/cost-ratio of PCSK9 inhibition remains to be investigated urgently. Funding Acknowledgement Type of funding source: None


2019 ◽  
Vol 26 (12) ◽  
pp. 1262-1270 ◽  
Author(s):  
Seohyuk Lee ◽  
Leo E Akioyamen ◽  
Sumayah Aljenedil ◽  
Jean-Baptiste Rivière ◽  
Isabelle Ruel ◽  
...  

Aims Familial hypercholesterolemia (FH) is the most common genetic disorder in medicine, with a prevalence of 1/250. Affected individuals have elevated low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) and an increased lifetime risk of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD). The diagnosis of FH is based on algorithms that include LDL-C levels, physical manifestations, family history of high LDL-C and premature ASCVD, and, more recently, genetic testing. We sought to determine the impact of genetic testing on the: 1) diagnosis of ‘definite familial hypercholesterolemia’, 2) initiation and adherence of lipid-lowering therapy and 3) risk of ASCVD. Methods We performed a systematic review and meta-analysis, pooling odds ratios and 95% confidence intervals for ASCVD from studies comparing risk estimates in individuals harboring FH-causing variants and unaffected individuals. Results After screening 3304 unique publications, 56 studies were included in the analysis. 1) Genetic testing provided confirmation of FH in 28–80%, over clinical criteria alone, depending on the diagnostic algorithm and the method of analysis. In two large population-based studies comprising 76,751 individuals, an FH-causing variant was identified in only 1.7–2.5% of subjects with an LDL-C > 4.9 mmol/L (190 mg/dL). 2) A confirmed molecular diagnosis increased lipid-lowering therapy adherence (five studies, n = 4181 definite FH). 3) Loss-of-function variant of the LDLR were at a markedly increased risk of myocardial infarction (odds ratio 6.77, 95% confidence interval 4.75–9.66), and patients with a milder (hypomorphic) pathogenic LDLR change had a 4.4-fold increase in risk (odds ratio 4.4, 95% confidence interval 2.34–8.26), compared with controls. Conclusion DNA sequencing confirms the diagnosis of FH but has a poor yield in unselected patients whose sole criterion is an elevated LDL-C. Initiation and adherence to treatment is improved. The risk of ASCVD is 4.4- to 6.8-fold increased in patients with an FH-causing variant compared with controls, depending on the severity of the DNA change.


2019 ◽  
Vol 40 (Supplement_1) ◽  
Author(s):  
A Allahyari ◽  
T Jernberg ◽  
D Lautsch ◽  
P Lundman ◽  
E Hagstrom ◽  
...  

Abstract Background Lowering low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) reduces the risk of cardiovascular disease after a myocardial infarction (MI). The European Society of Cardiology (ESC) guidelines recommend lipid lowering therapy to reach LDL-C treatment targets after an MI. Purpose To assess LDL-C target level attainment according to the ESC guidelines among patients with a recent MI in Sweden. Methods We used data from nationwide registers in Sweden and included patients aged 18–74 years admitted to a hospital with MI (1 January 2013–1 October 2016). Among patients who were alive and had LDL-C data available, we assessed LDL-C target achievement at 6–10 weeks (n=21,505) and 12–14 months (n=17,957) after the MI by category of lipid lowering therapy (no statin; low/moderate-intensity statins; high-intensity statins; any statin plus ezetimibe). The target was defined as an LDL-C of <1.8 mmol/L and a ≥50% reduction from the baseline if LDL-C was 1.8–3.5 mmol/L and the patient was not already receiving statins. Results Most patients were treated with high-intensity statin monotherapy (84.2% and 72.0%) or any statin with ezetimibe (2.1% and 10.4%) at 6–10 weeks and 12–14 months after the MI, respectively. In total, 37.7% (6–10 weeks) and 38.3% (12–14 months) had attained their LDL-C target. The proportion of patients attaining their LDL-C target at 6–10 weeks was 12% (no statin), 30% (low/moderate-intensity statins), 39% (high-intensity statins), and 49% (any statin plus ezetimibe). The corresponding numbers at 12–14 months were 16% (no statin), 29% (low/moderate-intensity statins), 39% (high-intensity statins), and 58% (any statin plus ezetimibe). A total of 11.8% at 6–10 weeks and 12.3% at 12–14 months reached an LDL-C level of <1.8 mmol/L, but did not reach their LDL-C target level due to the ≥50% reduction criteria. (Figure 1) Figure 1 Conclusions In this large population-based study using nationwide data, more than half of patients with a recent MI did not achieve the ESC guidelines LDL-C target levels, despite a large proportion with high-intensity statin therapy. In patients treated with statins and ezetimibe, four out of ten did not reach the ESC LDL-C target level. Our findings indicate that there may be a need for additional LDL-C lowering therapy if the target level is to be attained in all patients. Acknowledgement/Funding This project was supported by funding from Merck Sharp & Dohme.


2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Jaehyung Ha ◽  
Bom Lee ◽  
Jung Mi Park ◽  
Moonjong Kang ◽  
Jaewon Oh ◽  
...  

AbstractIn this retrospective study, we investigated whether lipid-lowering therapy (LLT) escalation has clinical benefits in patients with atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD) and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) levels of 55–99 mg/dL (1.4–2.6 mmol/L), post high-intensity. Out of 6317 Korean patients screened in 2005–2018, 1159 individuals with ASCVD and LDL-C levels of 55–99 mg/dL after statin use equivalent to 40 mg atorvastatin were included. After 1:2 propensity score matching, 492 patients (164 with LLT escalation, 328 controls without LLT escalation) were finally analysed. Primary outcome variables were major adverse cardiovascular and cerebrovascular events (MACCE) and all-cause death. At median follow-up (1.93 years), the escalation group had a lower MACCE rate (1.72 vs. 3.38 events/100 person-years; hazard ratio [HR] 0.34, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.14–0.83; p = 0.018) than the control group. The incidence of all-cause death (0.86 vs. 1.02 events/100 person-years; HR 0.58, 95% CI 0.15–2.19; p = 0.42) and each MACCE component did not differ between groups. Kaplan–Meier curves exhibited lower risk of MACCE in the escalation group (HR 0.36, 95% CI 0.12–0.97; p = 0.040) but a difference not statistically significant in all-cause death (HR 0.30, 95% CI 0.04–2.48; p = 0.26). LLT escalation was associated with reduced cardiovascular risk, supporting more aggressive LLT in this population.


2006 ◽  
Vol 48 (10) ◽  
pp. 1014-1022 ◽  
Author(s):  
Xue Song ◽  
Daniel M. Huse ◽  
Setareh A. Williams ◽  
Gerald M. Borok ◽  
Ken McDonough ◽  
...  

2020 ◽  
Vol 41 (40) ◽  
pp. 3900-3909 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ali Allahyari ◽  
Tomas Jernberg ◽  
Emil Hagström ◽  
Margrét Leosdottir ◽  
Pia Lundman ◽  
...  

Abstract Aims To estimate the proportion of patients with a recent myocardial infarction (MI) who would be eligible for additional lipid-lowering therapy according to the 2019 European Society of Cardiology (ESC)/European Atherosclerosis Society (EAS) guidelines for the management of dyslipidaemias, and to simulate the effects of expanded lipid-lowering therapy on attainment of the low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) target as recommended by the guidelines. Methods and results Using the nationwide SWEDEHEART register, we included 25 466 patients who had attended a follow-up visit 6–10 weeks after an MI event, 2013–17. While most patients (86.6%) were receiving high-intensity statins, 82.9% of the patients would be eligible for expanded lipid-lowering therapy, as they had not attained the target of an LDL-C level of &lt;1.4 mmol and a ≥50% LDL-C level reduction. When maximized use of high-intensity statins followed by add-on therapy with ezetimibe was simulated using a Monte Carlo model, the LDL-C target was reached in 19.9% using high-intensity statin monotherapy and in another 28.5% with high-intensity statins and ezetimibe, while 50.7% would still be eligible for proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9 (PCSK9) inhibitors. When use of alirocumab or evolocumab was simulated in those who were eligible for PCSK9 inhibitors, around 90% of all patients attained the LDL-C target. Conclusion  Our study suggests that, even with maximized use of high-intensity statins and ezetimibe, around half of patients with MI would be eligible for treatment with PCSK9 inhibitors according to the 2019 ESC/EAS guidelines. Considering the current cost of PCSK9 inhibitors, the financial implications of the new guidelines may be substantial.


2019 ◽  
Vol 40 (Supplement_1) ◽  
Author(s):  
S Funabashi ◽  
Y Kataoka ◽  
M Harada-Shiba ◽  
M Hori ◽  
T Doi ◽  
...  

Abstract Introduction The International Atherosclerosis Society (IAS) has proposed “severe familial hypercholesterolemia (FH)” as a FH phenotype with the highest cardiovascular risk. Coronary artery disease (CAD) represents a major atherosclerotic change in FH patients. Given their higher LDL-C level and atherogenic clinical features, more extensive formation of atherosclerosis cardiovascular disease including not only CAD but stroke/peripheral artery disease (PAD) may more frequently occur in severe FH. Methods 481 clinically-diagnosed heterozygous FH subjects were analyzed. Severe FH was defined as untreated LDL-C>10.3 mmol/l, LDL-C>8.0 mmol/l+ 1 high-risk feature, LDL-C>4.9 mmol/l + 2 high-risk features or presence of clinical ASCVD according to IAS proposed statement. Cardiac (cardiac death and ACS) and non-cardiac (stroke and peripheral artery disease) events were compared in severe and non-severe FH subjects. Results Severe FH was identified in 50.1% of study subjects. They exhibit increased levels of LDL-C and Lipoprotein (a) with a higher frequency of LDLR mutation. Furthermore, a proportion of %LDL-C reduction>50% was greater in severe FH under more lipid-lowering therapy (Table). However, during the observational period (median=6.3 years), severe FH was associated with a 5.9-fold (95% CI, 2.05–25.2; p=0.004) and 5.8-fold (95% CI, 2.02–24.7; p=0.004) greater likelihood of experiencing cardiac-death/ACS and stroke/PAD, respectively (picture). Multivariate analysis demonstrated severe FH as an independent predictor of both cardiac-death/ACS (hazard ratio=3.39, 95% CI=1.12–14.7, p=0.02) and stroke/PAD (hazard ratio=3.38, 95% CI=1.16–14.3, p=0.02) events. Clinical characteristics of severe FH Non-severe FH Severe FH P-value Baseline LDL-C (mmol/l) 5.3±1.5 6.6±2.0 <0.0001 Lp(a) (mg/dl) 15 [8–28] 21 [10–49] <0.0001 LDLR mutation (%) 49.6% 58.9% 0.00398 On-treatment LDL-C (mmol) 133 [106–165] 135 [103–169] 0.9856 %LDL-C reduction>50% 21.3% 49.8% <0.0001 High-intensity statin (%) 13.3% 42.3% <0.0001 PCSK9 inhibitor (%) 6.3% 21.2% <0.0001 Clinical outcome Conclusions Severe FH subjects exhibit substantial atherosclerotic risks for coronary, carotid and peripheral arteries despite lipid lowering therapy. Our finding underscore the screening of systemic arteries and the adoption of further stringent lipid management in severe FH patients.


2011 ◽  
Vol 152 (21) ◽  
pp. 822-827 ◽  
Author(s):  
István Reiber ◽  
György Paragh ◽  
László Márk ◽  
Gyula Pados

Previous studies have found that many high-risk patients are not achieving their LDL-cholesterol goals, and many patients, despite being treated with lipid-lowering therapy, also have elevated triglycerides and/or low levels of HDL-cholesterol. Aims: Authors analyzed the treatment strategies for dyslipidemic subjects following cardiovascular events similarly to their former survey from 2008 and 2009. Methods: In the MULTI GAP (MULTI Goal Attainment Problem) 2010 trial data from standard and structured questionnaires of 2332 patients were processed. Authors analyzed the proportion of the patients reaching target levels for total cholesterol, LDL-C, HDL-C, A-C (atherogen cholesterol) and triglyceride. Results: 15% (n = 355) of the patients did not receive any lipid lowering treatment. 44% of the patients treated by specialists reached the target LDL-C level of 2.5 mmol/l. In „high risk” group target levels for HDL-C were reached by 61% of the patients, and for triglyceride by 43% of the subjects. 43% of the patients with the best compliance (>90%) reached the target LDL-C level of 2.5 mmol/l. Conclusion: There is a need for more effective lipid lowering therapy with more frequent use of higher doses of statins or combinations of lipid lowering drugs. Orv. Hetil., 2011, 152, 822–827.


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