CME: The Cholesterol Wars: Navigating a Shifting Battlefield: The Critical Importance of Lowering LDL-C in High-Risk Patients

ACCREDITATION EXPIRED: November 22, 2023

Activity Description / Statement of Need:

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Statin therapy is the recommended treatment for lowering low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C)and reducing atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD) risk. Unfortunately, many clinicians fail to help their patients achieve evidence-based and guidelinerecommended LDL-C targets and underutilize effective LDL-lowering therapies, including ezetimibe and PCSK9 inhibitors, even among the highest risk patients. As a result, a heavy, unmitigated burden of
cardiovascular risk persists. More education for healthcare providers and patients is urgently needed to address this problem.

PCSK9 inhibitor therapy has been shown to lower LDL- and ASCVD events in patients who cannot take statins. For individuals at high risk for ASCVD events, research shows that the goal should not just be lowering LDL-C, but helping patients achieve the lowest LDL-C possible. Several large trials have demonstrated the efficacy of PCSK9 inhibitors in addition to statin therapy for reduction of both LDL-C and ASCVD risk.

The GLAGOV trial demonstrated the efficacy of evolocumab, when added to statin therapy, in reducing the progression of atherosclerosis measured by serial intravascular ultrasound. This trial was followed by the FOURIER Cardiovascular Outcomes trial in more than 27,000 patients with stable ASCVD where evolocumab reduced the primary endpoint of atherosclerotic events by 15%, without significant safety differences between treatment groups. Subgroup analyses of FOURIER suggested greater benefits seen in those with longer exposure to evolocumab, including those with recent acute coronary syndrome (ACS), multiple myocardial infarctions, multivessel coronary artery disease, peripheral arterial disease, and the subgroup who achieved very low LDL-C levels of below 0.3 mmol/L (10 mg/dL). Finally, the ODYSSEY Cardiovascular Outcomes trial testing alirocumab in subjects with recent (within 1 year) ACS demonstrated a 15% relative risk reduction in the primary composite outcome, as well as a significant reduction in total mortality.

In statin-intolerant patients who have genetic cholesterol problems or aggressive cardiovascular disease, it is important to start them on a PCSK9 inhibitor as soon as possible. The GAUSS-34 randomized trial of patients with confirmed, lifestyle-limiting statin intolerance showed that PCSK9 inhibitor therapy yielded excellent LDL-C reduction with a low rate of muscle-related adverse effects and a good overall side effect profile.

The results of these trials show that the addition of PCSK9 inhibitors to traditional statin therapy in high-risk patients, or used alone in patients who are statin intolerant, is advantageous. Despite this evidence, many clinicians still struggle to prescribe appropriate treatment. This is a result of:

• A lack of awareness around which patients would benefit from PCSK9 inhibitors
• Limited education on outcomes data supporting the use of PCSK9 inhibitors to lower LDL-C in high-risk patients
• Lengthy, burdensome, and sometimes, even conflicting guidelines
• Difficulty getting insurance companies to pay for certain medications
• Burdensome prior authorization processes

To address these important issues, NATF and ScientiaCME have developed a series of educational activities. This activity is focused on educating clinicians on the critical importance of lowering LDL-C in high-risk patients.

Target Audience:

Physicians, nurse practitioners, physician assistants, pharmacists, and other clinicians specializing in:

• Cardiology
• Emergency Medicine
• Endocrinology
• Family Medicine
• Hospital Medicine
• Internal Medicine
• Primary Care

This activity is supported by educational funding provided by Amgen..

The activity is available to learners free of charge.

Release Date: November 22, 2022 -- Expiration Date: November 22, 2023

Faculty: Multiple Faculty,

Agenda

Learning Objectives

Accreditation

Faculty Disclosure and Resolution of COI

Instructions

System Requirements