Targeting the Cholesterol Paradigm in the Risk Reduction for Atherosclerotic Cardiovascular Disease: Does the Mechanism of Action of Pharmacotherapy Matter for Clinical Outcomes?

2021 ◽  
pp. 107424842110236
Author(s):  
Ruihai Zhou ◽  
George A. Stouffer ◽  
Sidney C. Smith
Keyword(s):  
Cardiovascular Disease ◽  
Clinical Outcomes ◽  
Mechanism Of Action ◽  
Density Lipoprotein ◽  
Lipoprotein Cholesterol ◽  
Blood Cholesterol ◽  
Atherosclerotic Cardiovascular Disease ◽  
Pcsk9 Inhibitors ◽  
Cholesterol Lowering ◽  
Cholesterol Levels

Hypercholesterolemia is a well-established risk factor for atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD). Low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) has been labeled as “bad” cholesterol and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) as “good” cholesterol. The prevailing hypothesis is that lowering blood cholesterol levels, especially LDL-C, reduces vascular deposition and retention of cholesterol or apolipoprotein B (apoB)-containing lipoproteins which are atherogenic. We review herein the clinical trial data on different pharmacological approaches to lowering blood cholesterol and propose that the mechanism of action of cholesterol lowering, as well as the amplitude of cholesterol reduction, are critically important in leading to improved clinical outcomes in ASCVD. The effects of bile acid sequestrants, fibrates, niacin, cholesteryl ester transfer protein (CETP) inhibitors, apolipoprotein A-I and HDL mimetics, apoB regulators, acyl coenzyme A: cholesterol acyltransferase (ACAT) inhibitors, cholesterol absorption inhibitors, statins, and proprotein convertase subtilisin kexin 9 (PCSK9) inhibitors, among other strategies are reviewed. Clinical evidence supports that different classes of cholesterol lowering or lipoprotein regulating approaches yielded variable effects on ASCVD outcomes, especially in cardiovascular and all-cause mortality. Statins are the most widely used cholesterol lowering agents and have the best proven cardiovascular event and survival benefits. Manipulating cholesterol levels by specific targeting of apoproteins or lipoproteins has not yielded clinical benefit. Understanding why lowering LDL-C by different approaches varies in clinical outcomes of ASCVD, especially in survival benefit, may shed further light on our evolving understanding of how cholesterol and its carrier lipoproteins are involved in ASCVD and aid in developing effective pharmacological strategies to improve the clinical outcomes of ASCVD.

scholarly journals Real-world use of PCSK9 inhibitors: A single-center experience

2018 ◽  
Vol 47 (1) ◽  
pp. 265-270 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sinan Sarsam ◽  
Abeer Berry ◽  
George Degheim ◽  
Robby Singh ◽  
Marcel Zughaib
Keyword(s):  
Cardiovascular Disease ◽  
Lipid Profile ◽  
Real World ◽  
Low Density Lipoprotein ◽  
Density Lipoprotein ◽  
Lipoprotein Cholesterol ◽  
Atherosclerotic Cardiovascular Disease ◽  
Pcsk9 Inhibitors ◽  
Pcsk9 Inhibitor ◽  
The Impact

Objective Hyperlipidemia is an important risk factor for atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease. Many patients are intolerant to or have limited benefit from statins. Proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9 (PCSK9) inhibitors have been approved for treating hyperlipidemia in these patients. We sought to investigate the impact of these medications in a real-world cardiology practice. Methods This was a retrospective study of 17 patients with either heterozygous familial hypercholesterolemia or established atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease with low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) levels above the treatment target despite maximally tolerated statins. Baseline lipid profile was compared with a repeat lipid profile obtained 4 to 6 weeks after initiating treatment with a PCSK9 inhibitor. Results The average duration of PCSK9 inhibitor treatment was 10.7 months. Lipid profile comparison showed that total cholesterol decreased from 243 ± 72 to 148 ± 39 (mg/dL) (39% reduction), triglycerides decreased from 185 ± 86 to 149 ± 62 (mg/dL) (19.5% reduction), high-density lipoprotein cholesterol increased from 56 ± 20 to 62 ± 26 (mg/dL) (10.7% increase), and LDL-C decreased from 154 ± 30 to 57 ± 32 (mg/dL) (63% reduction) from baseline. Conclusions PCSK9 inhibitors as add-on therapy to maximally tolerated statins resulted in an approximately 63% reduction in LDL-C.

scholarly journals Low-density lipoprotein cholesterol lowering therapy for the secondary prevention of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease

2020 ◽  
Vol 2020 (3) ◽  
Author(s):  
Parth N Patel ◽  
Robert P Giugliano
Keyword(s):  
Cardiovascular Disease ◽  
Secondary Prevention ◽  
Low Density Lipoprotein ◽  
Density Lipoprotein ◽  
Lipoprotein Cholesterol ◽  
Blood Cholesterol ◽  
Atherosclerotic Cardiovascular Disease ◽  
Low Density ◽  
Low Density Lipoprotein Cholesterol ◽  
Lowering Therapy

Atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD) is highly prevalent and a major contributor to morbidity and mortality worldwide. Elevated blood cholesterol is a key driver of risk for atherosclerotic events, and patients with established ASCVD comprise a specific high-risk population in which low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) lowering therapy is strongly endorsed by multiple guidelines. An increasing number of medications across several pharmacologic classes are available today in clinical practice. Therefore, guidance on the appropriate use of these interventions is necessary for cost-effective solutions to managing residual atherothrombotic risk. In this review we summarize the key evidence supporting LDL-C lowering as described in the most recent 2018 multi-society Blood Cholesterol Guidelines, and provide a framework for optimizing LDL-C lowering therapy in secondary prevention populations.

scholarly journals Treating Dyslipidemia in Adults: An Update

2020 ◽  
pp. 114-135
Author(s):  
Sheikh Salahuddin Ahmed
Keyword(s):  
Cardiovascular Disease ◽  
Low Density Lipoprotein ◽  
Density Lipoprotein ◽  
Cardiovascular Effects ◽  
Lipoprotein Cholesterol ◽  
Blood Cholesterol ◽  
Atherosclerotic Cardiovascular Disease ◽  
Increased Risk ◽  
Key Factor ◽  
Life Style Intervention

Dyslipidemia is an important risk for the promotion of atherosclerosis and the development of cardiovascular disease (CVD). Currently available drugs can effectively lower the increased levels of blood cholesterol in most patients and prevent the development and progression of CVD. This paper focuses on the adverse cardiovascular effects produced by high blood cholesterols and the overall management of dyslipidemia in adults. Relevant guidelines and research papers published mainly after the year 2000 on the management of dyslipidemia were reviewed. High levels of low density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), or low levels of high density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), combined or independently are associated with increased risk of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD). Apolipoprotein B (ApoB), an atherogenic lipoprotein has emerged recently as the key factor in the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis. High triglyceride (TG) levels are associated with acute and recurrent pancreatitis. The purpose of treating lipid disorders is to prevent the development of ASCVD and pancreatitis. The treatment of dyslipidemia includes multifactorial life style intervention and pharmacotherapy with lipid modifying drugs. Reduction of LDL-C is substantially associated with reduction of risk of ASCVD and evidences show that “lower is better” for LDL-C reduction.

scholarly journals Emerging Non-statin Treatment Options for Lowering Low-Density Lipoprotein Cholesterol

2021 ◽  
Vol 8 ◽  
Author(s):  
Chandni Bardolia ◽  
Nishita Shah Amin ◽  
Jacques Turgeon
Keyword(s):  
Cardiovascular Disease ◽  
Adverse Drug Events ◽  
Low Density Lipoprotein ◽  
Density Lipoprotein ◽  
New Drugs ◽  
Lipoprotein Cholesterol ◽  
Atherosclerotic Cardiovascular Disease ◽  
Low Density ◽  
Low Density Lipoprotein Cholesterol ◽  
Pcsk9 Inhibitors

Low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) is a modifiable risk factor for the development of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease. Statins have been the gold standard for managing cholesterol levels and reducing the risks associated with atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease; however, many patients do not achieve their cholesterol goals or are unable to tolerate this drug class due to adverse drug events. Recent studies of non-statin cholesterol lowering drugs (i.e., ezetimibe, PCSK9 inhibitors) have demonstrated cardiovascular benefits; and new drugs [i.e., bempedoic acid (BDA), inclisiran] have produced promising results in pre-clinical and clinical outcome trials. This narrative review aims to discuss the place in therapy of ezetimibe, PCSK9 inhibitors, BDA, and inclisiran and describe their relative pharmacokinetic (PK) profiles, efficacy and safety as monotherapy and combination therapy, and cardiovascular benefit(s) when used for hypercholesterolemia.

Eligibility for PCSK9 inhibitors based on the 2019 ESC/EAS and 2018 ACC/AHA guidelines

2020 ◽  
pp. 204748732094010
Author(s):  
Konstantinos C Koskinas ◽  
Baris Gencer ◽  
David Nanchen ◽  
Mattia Branca ◽  
David Carballo ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Cardiovascular Disease ◽  
High Risk ◽  
Low Density Lipoprotein ◽  
Density Lipoprotein ◽  
Lipoprotein Cholesterol ◽  
Atherosclerotic Cardiovascular Disease ◽  
Low Density ◽  
Low Density Lipoprotein Cholesterol ◽  
Coronary Syndrome ◽  
Coronary Syndromes

Aims The 2018 American College of Cardiology (ACC)/American Heart Association (AHA) and 2019 European Society of Cardiology (ESC)/European Atherosclerosis Society (EAS) lipid guidelines recently updated their recommendations regarding proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin-9 inhibitors (PCSK9i). We assessed the potential eligibility for PCSK9i according to the new guidelines in patients with acute coronary syndromes. Methods and results We analysed a contemporary, prospective Swiss cohort of patients hospitalised for acute coronary syndromes. We modelled a statin intensification effect and an incremental ezetimibe effect on low-density lipoprotein-cholesterol levels among patients who were not on high-intensity statins or ezetimibe. One year after the index acute coronary syndrome event, treatment eligibility for PCSK9i was defined as low-density lipoprotein-cholesterol of 1.4 mmol/l or greater according to ESC/EAS guidelines. For ACC/AHA guidelines, treatment eligibility was defined as low-density lipoprotein-cholesterol of 1.8 mmol/l or greater in the presence of very high-risk atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease, defined by multiple major atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease events and/or high-risk conditions. Of 2521 patients, 93.2% were treated with statins (53% high-intensity statins) and 7.3% with ezetimibe at 1 year, and 54.9% had very high-risk atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease. Low-density lipoprotein-cholesterol levels less than 1.8 mmol/l and less than 1.4 mmol/l at 1 year were observed in 37.5% and 15.7% of patients, respectively. After modelling the statin intensification and ezetimibe effects, these numbers increased to 76.1% and 49%, respectively. The proportion of patients eligible for PCSK9i was 51% according to ESC/EAS criteria versus 14% according to ACC/AHA criteria. Conclusions In this analysis, the 2019 ESC/EAS guidelines rendered half of all post-acute coronary syndrome patients potentially eligible for PCSK9i treatment, as compared to a three-fold lower eligibility rate based on the 2018 ACC/AHA guidelines.

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